Consolation & Desolation… What are “spiritualized capital sins”?
January 30, 2012 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Capital Sins, Consolation/Desolation, Q and A, Sin
Q: Dear Father John, You used the phrase “spiritualized capital sins” in your post on consolation and desolation. I have never heard this idea before. What are spiritualized capital sins and how do they “attempt” to re-conquer the soul as we mature? A: We have to remember that here on earth we are members of the Church militant. We are in the midst of a battle. As we grow... Read More
I discovered my root sin is vanity and I am struggling with this…
January 20, 2011 by Anonymous
Filed under Aridity or Dryness, Prayer, Q and A, Root Sin, Self Knowledge, Sin, Suffering
Q: Dear Father Edward, I just came to realize through spiritual direction, prayer and many graces that my root sin in Vanity!!! And I am having a very hard time knowing this fact. I feel like God is now leaving me alone (not feeling His presence) to test me and I am struggling with this fact. How do I continue to keep my faith strong and deal with the everyday insecurities in myself that I face?... Read More
How can I overcome the root sin of vanity?
Q: Dear Father Edward, would you be willing to post the virtues to overcome the root sin of vanity and pride also? A: “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” That line from the Book of Ecclesiastes rings as true today as on the day it was written. Vanity is one of the three root sins that plague humanity. Much of our economy is built on vanity,... Read More
Can a root sin change?
August 2, 2010 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Q and A, Root Sin, Self Knowledge, Sin
Q: Dear Father John, Can a root sin change over your life? It seems to me that increasingly sensuality is being replaced as a root sin by pride. have you seen this, as one sin goes, another becomes more prominent? A: The general opinion on this question is, as far as I can tell, that root sins don’t change. Remember, because of our fallen nature, we all carry within us tendencies towards vanity,... Read More
How can I identify my root sin?
April 26, 2010 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Program of Life, Q and A, Root Sin, Sin, Spiritual Direction
Q: Dear Father John, I am not in spiritual direction right now, but I am trying to put together a program of life anyway. Can you give me some pointers about identifying my “root sin”? A: You are already on the right track. A program of life is worthless (well, almost worthless, at least) without having identified our root sin. Unless we understand the dynamism underlying our frequent faults... Read More
