Standard of the Nine S'

The Standard of the Nine S'

A standard is a level of quality or level of attainment, or principles of conduct. In the formation of our bodies, minds, hearts and spirits, certain standards of this formation will assure better results in living the Rule of Life, the Gospels.  

Formative standards will help in all other aspects of the interior life such as learning the virtues, conquering the vices, growing in holiness through prayer, climbing the stairway to heaven!

There are nine s' that seem to account for all levels of quality, that embrace and embody all which will form and inform our total beings in order to succeed in our desire to have union with Christ, and thus to be fully utilized by Him and for His Church. 

These Nine S' are the standards of our formation: 

• Silence
• Solitude
• Slowness
• Suffering
• Selflessness
• Simplicity
• Stability
• Stillness
• Serenity

Each will be discussed separately, yet they encompass and segue each other and one from the other. These Nine S', the standard of our formation, will be applied much as one applies varying techniques in a work of art in order for the finished product to be a masterpiece. God's graces create the inspiration and all aspects of the rendering. 

The various tools are the many aspects of the spiritual life such as worship, sacraments, prayer, penance, acts of the will, charity and the virtues. The canvas is the soul to be developed. On the palette are the Sacraments which hold the Word of God through which the media is applied. 

The Virgin Mary is the floating medium that allows the paint to gracefully flow. Christ is the artist, inspired Son of God the Father, and He paints by the love generated through the Holy Spirit in the Trinitarian relationship.

In practice, the Nine S' are the standards by which we apply our daily activities, in light of the Rule of the Gospel. We will examine each S of the standard. Through learning and comprehending how each may be absorbed, and then applied, as part of our beings, our thoughts and actions will be informed and formed by these  standards. 

Then we must consider our formation in light of Christ's moral teachings in the Gospels, and His demands and expectations of our being and doing righteousness in love.