Lenten Retreat, Day 7: Overcome the Seven Deadly Sins
We begin with the sign of the cross, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Examine your conscience and feel sorry for your sins. (Take a few minutes. In silence, remember and feel sorry for your sins, and think of ways you will amend your life.)
Pray the Act of Contrition.
There are sins that lead to death and sins that don’t. If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give them life… (1 John 5:16). There are seven sins that are classified as deadly, meaning, these are the sins that lead to eternal death.
During Lent, we particularly focus on repenting from our sins. Let this retreat be an effort we make to come back to God, especially through repentance.
The seven deadly sins can be overcome by seven virtues.
Pride is the root of all sins, and it can be overcome by humility, the key to all other virtues. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble, is wisdom (Proverbs 11:2)
Envy can be overcome by the virtue of charity, that helps to rejoice in the success of others, and be grateful to all God’s blessings. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16).
Greed is overcome by the virtue of generosity. Greed wants to hoard onto things and desires even more things. Generosity chooses to give more to others, and finds joy in giving, and rejoices in the well-being of others. One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered (Proverbs 11:24-25).
Wrath is overcome by the virtue of patience. Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19). Patience helps us to overcome wrath and remain peaceful.
Sloth is being lazy, especially spiritual laziness, where one neglects their salvation. Sloth can be overcome with the virtue of perseverance. We must zealously labour for our salvation and those of others. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).
Gluttony is overcome by the virtue of temperance. We do not live to eat, but we eat to live. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Lust can be overcome by the virtue of chastity. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3). How can one be chaste in this world? It is possible by the grace of God. Equip yourselves to receive God’s grace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
To receive abundance of graces during this retreat, you can choose to do any of the following daily:
Attend the Holy Mass daily.
Pray the Rosary.
Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.
Pray and meditate on the Way of the Cross.
Pray at least 15 minutes in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Read the bible and mediate on scripture for at least 15 minutes.
Pray the Litany of Humility.
Invite others to join this retreat, as a family or as a group.