15 replies to this topic

[DameAgnes]

Just read this. Not something that is taught anymore, I don't think http://www.firstthin.../offering-it-up

[Lisa]

Badly, and not often enough. But I try.

great article, by the way!

[BG45]

Yes I do, though like Lisa said, badly and not often enough.

[MissyP89]

I didn't learn the concept until I came back to the Church when I was 17. But it's an integral part of my spirituality now. It makes difficult moments a lot easier to deal with because I know they're meaningful and valuable.

[nunsense]

Wonderful article. "Offering it up" is just another way to pray, but it involves a gift of self as well as just words - it would be lovely to see more people returning to this form of prayer for others. In sharing in Christ's suffering, it really does teach one compassion for others who also suffer. thank you for sharing that with us.

[Luigi]

Grandma was big on offering it up, so it's part of the whole family's practice of Catholicism.

When I "offer it up," I usually mention a specific vocation intention.

[homeschoolmom]

I tell my kids to offer it up... a lot... But I'm usually using that in place of telling them to suc.k it up... which is not the same at all.

[MissScripture]

I tell my kids to offer it up... a lot... But I'm usually using that in place of telling them to suc.k it up... which is not the same at all.

That was what my Mom did, too. I think this may be why I have a really hard time understanding HOW to offer it up.

[Archaeology cat]

I do when I think of it, but I'm not very good at it. Sharing the article.

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

I offer things up all the time. I always do it for someone who is sick. Gives me more motivation to get through the rough times.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

This has been part of my life since I was little. We were always offering it up for the poor souls in purgatory. My mother still uses that phrase all the time!

[Theresita Nerita]

Nice article!

I never heard of "offering it up" until I was grown up. My catholic mother was told it too much by her catholic mother, so I think she thought of it as "smell of elderberries it up" too! (haha, btw.)

I've started doing it. Badly, yes. But for me I don't really get the concept of God using my suffering as some sort of coin to buy some souls out of purgatory or anything. I guess what I do is say "Jesus, I unite this suffering with your suffering, and my neighbor's suffering." Sometimes for a specific intention, sometimes not. I'm new to it.

[beatitude]

That is a beautiful prayer, Theresita. I will remember it.

I have begun to do this more and more. At first I didn't really understand how to offer things up either. I started to see when I was walking beside a severely ill friend who suffers from tremendous physical pain. She wasn't complaining about her pain, but I could see that every step was agony, and I could hear her hips clicking in a way that made me very squeamish. All of a sudden I was flooded with a sense of compassion, and a spontaneous prayer rose: "Lord, I wish I could bear this for her." Since then, whenever I have been in pain or facing difficulties, I ask God to let the experience carve out greater space in me to receive the hurts of others, and to welcome them in their need.

[dominicansoul]

i've never offered it up..


i guess i've wasted my whole life!

[CatherineM]

Offering it up is the only way I make it through the day.

[Luigi]

i've never offered it up..


i guess i've wasted my whole life!

Well, we BEEN knowin' that!