Spirituality - Full Document

The Way of Life: Beginning

1.  GOSPEL VALUES – 

We earnestly strive to live a Christ-centered life so we read His words, reflect on them, and practice them every day. “Read the Bible every day…” (Oct. 18, 1984) Also, we recognize that Our Blessed Mother Mary leads us to Jesus, so we follow her messages of Medjugorje in order to become closer to Him. Therefore, in addition to reading the Bible, we pick at least one message from Our Lady of Medjugorje every day in order to transform our lives into the image of Christ. “Read every day the messages I gave you and transform them into life.”  (Dec. 25, 1989)

2.  PRAYER – 

We often gather on our family room couches for prayer time with visiting families.  Sometimes we play a little game that we affectionately call, “Joyful Heart, Sorrowful Heart.”  We each get a turn to describe what our favorite activity was during the past week or week-end, and what our saddest moment was during it as well.  And every time that we have ever played, several of our children say that their most joyful activity is right now – prayer time with the family.  And every time, we receive the great satisfaction of watching the visiting parents’ faces when one, two, or all of their children say that too. 

“Prayer will be your joy.  If you make a start, it won’t be boring to you because you will be praying out of joy…”  (March 20, 1986)

Without any doubt, our favorite time of the day is our prayer time together.  Maybe it’s because there is no television at Our Lady’s Ranch.  Maybe it’s because our children are not busy with too many over-stimulating activities like year-round team sports.  Maybe it’s because we school at home and thereby eliminate various other non-essential events.  Maybe it’s because we live a simple, agrarian lifestyle.  We are not exactly sure why, but regardless of the reasons, one thing is certain – we all love our family couch time of sharing and praying together.  

“… pray, pray, pray – until prayer becomes a joy for you.”  (December 25, 2000)  “Take your Rosary and get your children, your families with you.  This is the way to come to salvation.”  (February 2, 1990)

We maintain seven times of prayer each day according to the philosophy of St. Benedict who states about public prayer:

This is short and is to be said at intervals… at seven distinct hours during the day, so that when possible, there shall be no great interval without a call to formal, vocal prayer.” (Dial. St. Gregory II, Intro in Migne, P.L. LXVI) The position that Saint Benedict gave to public, common prayer can best be described by saying that he established it as the center of the common life… and was to be the source from which all other works took their inspiration, their direction, and their strength.

(Hugh Ford, “St. Benedict of Nursia” The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol 2 RAC 1907)

We live as “Contemplatives in Action.” We initiate our day with personal, quiet prayer and meditation before proceeding to our daily chores and activities. In this way we give the “first fruits” of our day to God while receiving the inspiration and grace needed for the day. We thus begin each new day in Christ, connecting ourselves to His supernatural power and His infinite love.  Then, every action of ours throughout the day becomes an extension of that prayer – an expression of our love for God.

“It is necessary to extend the spirit of prayer to daily work, that is to say, to accompany work with prayer…”  (June 16, 1983)

The length of our daily prayers varies with each individual who lives at Our Lady’s Ranch, ranging from an hour a day for those beginning in “A Way of Salvation,” to beyond four hours a day for those who are advanced.  The suggested times of prayer alternate between individual, family, and community prayer and are itemized as follows:

Daily Prayer Routine

1). 5:00 – 7:00 am, Individual Prayer (Start time and duration varies for everyone)

Greeting the Lord, Morning Rosary, and Daily Offering/Consecration

2). 9:30 - 10:00 am, Family Prayer

We recite a Liturgical Prayer where we pronounce the “Daily Mass Readings,” and enjoy the presence of Jesus in the Liturgy of the Word. We pause at 9:40 for a five minute quiet music time, which correlates to Our Lady’s daily apparition in Medjugorje.  This is a very special moment for the world, when our Blessed Mother comes to bless us all.  After this time, we recite the “Magnificat” in her honor, and then randomly pick a message of Medjugorje. We conclude this daily family prayer with a short prayer of protection and consecration to Jesus through Mary.

3). 12:00 – 12:15 pm, Family or Community Prayer

We pray the Angelus for the intentions of the Church, including our Bishop, our Pastor, and our fellow parishioners.

4). 3:00 – 3:15 pm, Family or Community Prayer

We pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for Our Lady’s intentions, the souls in Purgatory, and the conversion of those who do not yet believe.

5). 6:00 – 6:15 pm, Family or Community Prayer

Seven Hail Mary Prayers for young people Along with Grace and Thanksgiving before dinner

6). 9:00 – 9:30 pm, Family Rosary

We pray the Rosary for the Healing and Restoration of Families

7). 9:30 – 10:00 pm, Individual Prayer

Spiritual Reading and Bedside prayer – Thanking God for the day and requesting His protection at night.  The Household Leader individually blesses each member of the Household, and where appropriate, “tucks them in.”

Spiritual reading is an essential element of any healthy prayer diet, and finds its place in the day for everyone living at Our Lady’s Ranch. The children love to read about the saints and others enjoy the benefits of a variety of spiritual books, from the Bible and Treatise on the Interior Life to historical fiction with themes of virtue.

“Every family must pray family prayer and read the Bible!”  (February 14, 1985)

The extent of one’s personal prayer life and spiritual reading remains in the control of each individual as it nourishes each one’s unique relationship with God according to his/her personal temperament and disposition.  For the children or those just beginning “A Way of Salvation,” a short morning greeting or “Hello” to God may suffice, whereas those advanced in prayer may require a few hours each morning just to recollect themselves to get the day started off properly.  The amount of responsibility and activity a person maintains dictates the amount of quiet prayer that person needs. 

“Pray with great meditation.” (June 16, 1983)

All prayer times are acknowledged by everyone in the neighborhood, but are of different duration and styles – each according to his ability and/or availability.  So the prayer bells sound at specific times each day, but at 12:00 for example, some might recite the Angelus, while others may just stop their work to recite a single Hail Mary.  Likewise, when the bells toll at 3:00 pm, some might gather to recite the full Chaplet of Divine mercy when others might simply recite a short chant somewhere out in the fields, or wherever they happen to be at that time.  In this way, everyone can honor God throughout the day, each according to his/her own needs and desires.

“I don’t wish to force anyone to do that which he neither feels nor desires…” (April 30, 1984)

3.  GIFT – 

We receive everyone and everything in the spirit of “Gift,” for all is truly a gift from our Father in heaven.  God is our true Father, and He is our primary Formator.  He allows everything to happen to us (whether it seems to be good or bad) in order to mold us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.  “Yet, O Lord, You are our Father.  We are the clay, You are the Potter; we are all the work of Your Hand.”  (Isaiah 64:8) 

So we do not scoff at people when we meet them, sickness when it comes, or even poor weather, for we recognize the presence of God in all these things, and we thank Him for paying attention to us and using these things to bring us into a greater share of His love. For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

In order to recognize every person and each occurrence as gift, one must “Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven…”  (Matthew 6:33)  The tools that we employ for this degree of detachment include the following precepts:  Have no expectations, no preferences, no selfishness, no regret, and do not judge others. These personal dispositions seem impossible to live here on earth, and indeed they are, “…For with men it is impossible.  But not with God; for with God all things are possible.”  (Mark 10:27)  So we live in the spirit of them, which is to minimize expectations, preferences, selfishness, regret, and judgments.  In this way we become free from self, thus available to receive everything as a gift from God.  We do not worry about the future because we trust in God’s providence.  We do not regret the past because we trust in God’s mercy.  So all that remains is for us to enjoy our daily gifts from God that we find in each moment.  That is why we call each new moment, “the present.”

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are imperfect, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give to those who ask Him!”  (Luke 11:11)

4.  RELATIONSHIPS – 

We recognize that when everything else passes away, returning to the earth from which it was made; and when judgment comes and the world is no more, the only thing that will remain (outside of our own souls) is the love that we had shared with each other.  There will be no more money, clothes, or toys; no more sickness, pain, or death; no more worries, problems, or difficulties – nothing from this place called earth.  But we will remain (our memory, intellect, and will) and the only lasting result from our effort on earth will be the love that we gave to God and others, as made tangible by something we call, “Relationships.”  So how we “relate” to each other on earth begins the eternal relationships that we will enjoy in heaven – with each other and with God.
Sometimes we encounter a person who we really connect with – a kindred spirit.  Thus begins a “Graced Friendship” where a supernatural bond develops to connect two people in the love of Christ.  A pure, filial relationship then enables each person to unselfishly help the other get to heaven.  We aspire to dwell with each other in this way of graced friendships, where we give ourselves to one another as Jesus gives Himself to us. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

5.  OBEDIENCE TO RELATIONSHIPS – 

We move in obedience to our relationships with each other.  So when someone asks us to do something, we do it.  When someone asks us to help them, we help.  When someone asks us to pray for them, we pray.  And when someone asks us for mercy, we forgive.  We do not move out of servile fear as from a master/slave relationship, rather we move out of love, as Jesus taught us. “If anyone asks you to go with him one mile, go with him for two.”  (Mathew 5:41)

And to truly live as the Holy Family did, we do not even wait to be asked for we anticipate the needs of the people around us, and offer ourselves to them before anything is requested.  The best model for this extraordinary charity comes from Our Lady, who lived in the fullness of charity.  She lived perfect selflessness, which means that she never put herself first.  She was always aware of her surroundings, and remained completely free to consider everyone else’s needs before her own.  She thus moved in obedience to relationships, and thereby enjoyed the abundance of grace present in every moment.  “I came so that you may have life more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)

6.  GRACE OF THE MOMENT – 

God has it so arranged that in every moment of our life, we have certain graces available to us.  Like infants that open their mouths to receive food from their mothers, we need to open our hearts to receive the grace of God that is given through our Blessed Mother.  Every time we move in “Obedience to Relationships,” we always receive a “Grace of the Moment” that is given to us, and anyone else involved.

For example: A father is working at his paying job at home one day.  This man is providing for his family under a somewhat stressful occupation that requires a certain accuracy of work and deadline for its completion.  Then along comes little Suzie, who at six years old just finished coloring a “masterpiece,” and is so excited to show it to daddy that she runs up to him at his desk exclaiming, “Look daddy, look!”  Without having any idea of this concept of obedience to relationships, the father’s first reaction is some form of, “Not now, not now – daddy’s busy.”  And if the child persists in her request, a more violent tone would naturally ensue, “Can’t you see I’m busy with something important here.”  And so little Suzie hangs her head while walking off, and crinkles up the picture and throws it on the floor.  A few minutes later, with curiosity getting the best of him, the father gets up from his desk and picks up the crumpled paper.  He then wells up in tears as he reads, “To My Hero.”

So what just happened was not a grace of the moment but a grace lost.  Grace for the father was lost, and the child walked away damaged rather than lifted up.  Now the side-point is that a childhood of situations like this will ruin a child forever.  But conversely, when situations like this are treated with obedience to relationships, the outcome will be filled with grace to generate self-esteem, peace, and joy.

So let’s give that father a second chance, and this time he remembers that everything is a gift from God, even an interruption of his work.  So he notices little Suzie approaching, and this time he puts his pen down and immediately looks over at her.  Here comes little Suzie bouncing along with the biggest grin he’s ever seen, so he can’t help but smile and laugh because she’s just so funny.  And for a minute, he leaves the stress on his desk and even forgets what he was so anxious about.  Then little Suzie flashes this silly array of colors on paper, which doesn’t look like much to the father until he reads the words, “To My Hero.”  And now, with the most intense smile in his heart, he realizes that he’s the most colorful element in this little person’s life.  Then, overcome with emotion, he congratulates his little daughter and tapes her silly picture right in front of his business pinnings, which symbolically demonstrates to the child that she is way more important than anything else (because she already knows that daddy’s work is important). 

So little Suzie skips off full of self-esteem and full of happiness and life.  And the father returns to his work in complete peace thinking, “Now what was I so concerned about?”  And it just so happens that as he glances up at the funny little picture he received from his daughter, he realizes that the missing ingredient to the advertising slogan he was so worried about is the word, “color.”  Every moment contains grace – sometimes tears, sometimes laughter, sometimes power, and sometimes peace; but always grace – given to anyone and everyone who desires it.

7.  OBEDIENCE TO THE CHURCH – 

We remain one hundred percent obedient to our Bishop in all areas of jurisdiction that pertain to us.  And we move in obedience to our Pastor, just as we are obedient to one another.  We work to maintain our monthly schedules below maximum capacity so as to remain available for any ministry work at the parish which may be requested of us from our Pastor upon short notice.

Our first arena of charity is within our own home, and the second is within Our Lady’s Ranch – our mission for “The Healing and Restoration of Families,” which is our primary mission.  But as a community, we recognize the responsibility we have for apostolic works outside of our own mission.  And we acknowledge that our first apostolic responsibility is to the parish of our domicile, under the leadership of its acting Pastor. Therefore, we pledge an unwritten allegiance to our Pastor, and take it upon ourselves to remain in contact with him and to understand his apostolic plan for the parish.  

We thus offer ourselves to the parish as ministers of the faith, and move in obedience to the Pastor to give as much service to the lay faithful as we can possibly afford to give.  We also offer Our Lady’s Ranch to the parish and the diocese as a “Retreat Site” for the instruction and formation of all priests, religious, and laity.  We pray daily for our Pastor and Bishop, including our 12:00 Angeles prayer, which we offer directly for them and for their intentions.  “Pray very much for the Bishop and for those who hold positions in the Church…”  (June 16, 1983)

8.  SACRIFICE – 

We offer our lives to Jesus through Mary as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world.  Everything we do is for Him, offered for the “Glory of God” and the “Salvation of Souls.”  

“Dear children, satan is very strong and, therefore, I ask you to dedicate your prayers to me so that those who are under his influence may be saved.  Give witness by your life, sacrifice your lives for the salvation of the world.”  (February 25, 1988)

We strive to accept whatever suffering or sacrifice comes our way, and we look for little sacrifices throughout the day that we can offer as little gifts to Our Lady.  Several years ago, our children learned how to make a little sacrifice-bead bracelet (from a story of St.Therese of Lisseux).  It is a small, knotted chord with seven interwoven beads that can move up the chord without slipping back down.  It is the cleverest little invention.  So sometimes the children keep one of these “Sacrifice Bracelets” in their pocket, and whenever they see an opportunity for a sacrifice they do it.  Then they push up a bead with a smile as they offer their little sacrifice to Our Lady.  Then sacrifices become more frequent for us adults because of the good example set by the children. 

9.  CULTURE – 

We recognize that in this particular period in history, with the inventions of television, the internet, and rapid communication, we are drifting toward a mono-culture.  For the first time in history, the definition of national cultures and even marriages and personal genders are becoming indistinct and mono-tone (lacking color and variety).  So upon identifying this sorrowful reality, we began to question ourselves by wondering, “What is our culture?”  The unanimous and obvious answer was, “Catholic!”  We realized that we have an incredible, beautiful, and wonderful culture in the Catholic Church, so we decided to embrace it!  And now we live according to the “Liturgical Calendar,” and the colorful “traditions” of the Church.  The Liturgical Calendar is basically the life of Christ, so we live according to His life (we live a Christ-centered life). 

Our calendar thus begins with Advent, as we prepare for His coming to us at Christmas.  And we get to celebrate Christmas, not for just one day, but for eight miraculous days that are each filled with the peace and joy of Jesus.  And in this wonderful period we also celebrate the “Feast Day of the Holy Family,” “Mary, the Mother of God,” and the “Epiphany.”  Then we move through Extra-Ordinary Time when we get to celebrate incredible feast days like the “Baptism of Jesus.” 

We then approach the period of Lent, when we examine our spiritual health and look deeper into our interior life.  We practice the gifts of sacrifice through additional prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to renew ourselves in the grace of God.  This personal “stretching” gives way to the Passion and Death of Christ, which rebirths us into the new life of His Resurrection.  And then again, the joy of Easter doesn’t last for just one day, but for eight glorious, joy-filled days.  Then we continue to experience the Resurrection until Jesus ascends into heaven.  Ten days of devout prayer follow as we anticipate the tremendous power and self-confidence that we will soon experience when the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost.  We then roll forward into another Extra-Ordinary Time to enjoy the feast day of the Holy Trinity.  During this time, we also celebrate the feast day of Corpus Christi, when we process through the streets of our local town, following the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.  This wonderful season then concludes with the feast of “Christ the King!”

In living the Liturgical Calendar, we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, being mindful of His constant love for us while enjoying the sacred Traditions of our rich, Catholic culture.  

“Today I invite you to comprehend your Christian vocation.”  (November 25, 1997)

10.  TRADITIONS – 

And we enjoy little family traditions as well, all encompassed in our Catholic culture as we live according to the Liturgical Calendar.  To cite a few examples, we begin right before the start of the Liturgical year in Advent with the feast of “All Saints Day,” which for us becomes “Dress-up and Games Day.”  Our family tradition for this day is set in complete contrast to the world’s perversion of this significant holy day.  The world makes Halloween, filling this otherwise beautiful day with skeletons, ghosts, goblins, and demons.  But in our Catholic culture, we celebrate this Feast of All Saints by dressing up in costumes of our favorite saints (or biblical heroes for our protestant friends).  We set up our home-made carnival games and purchase lots of fun little prizes.  We proceed to “Celebrate!”  Lots of friends come over and kids get to play all day, and they win tickets at the games that they exchange for prizes.  Everyone has a great time while simultaneously giving honor and glory to God.

Another fun, family tradition involves decorating the house at each new change of season, especially for Christmas.  When that familiar holiday music starts playing, with boxes strewn all over the floor, everyone shares that delightful anticipation for the season of good cheer.  And all the children know that the feast day of Saint Nicholas is just around the corner.  Every year, on the evening of December 5th, after our evening rosary, the kids place their shoes in front of the fireplace.  Then, that next morning of December 6th, they rush out of their bedrooms early to discover what Saint Nicholas placed in their shoes, just like he did for the children of his home town over fifteen hundred years ago.

Many other events happen throughout the year, but another good example of little family traditions includes the sharing of the “Last Supper” and the “Treasure Hunt” for Easter baskets.  On Holy Thursday, mommy cooks a delicious Last Supper meal, complete with roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and hummus.  Maybe it’s not exactly the way Jesus ate it with the Apostles, but its close, and it sure tastes good.  Daddy washes the children’s feet, and we read the account of the original Last Supper as the Gospel message of the day.

Then, on Easter, everyone gets a basket.  And mommy fills them all with religious medals, prayer books, pencils, pens, bookmarks of saints, and, of course, lots of candy.  But no one just wakes up and sees their basket at the foot of their bed.  After a short Easter morning prayer, everyone goes on a “Treasure Hunt.”  The night before, daddy writes out many “clue cards” and strategically places them throughout the house, puzzling the little detectives with the promise of goodies at the end of their search.

We really enjoy each of these little family traditions, and there are many more throughout the year that won’t be described here, but to give one more example, I suppose the family’s favorite tradition is the “Feast of the Sabbath Day.”  Every Sunday proves to be, “The best one ever.”  In the spirit of not working on Sunday, we all pitch in for a “Family Barbeque.”  The music goes up (rather loud), the kids start dancing, and Daddy starts making guacamole and burgers.  We all share in making the meal so Mommy can have the day off, and it’s never work for the rest of us because we’re all together and it’s just simple and fun.  We make sure to have “Root beer Floats” on hand, because it means to us that we’re celebrating something – and of course, we are.  We are celebrating the gift of life and the love of God ever-present in each “Little Easter” of every Sunday.

11.  THE SABBATH – 

We keep the Sabbath Day holy by not working on Sunday at all, and by not causing other people to work, at all.  It’s strange how one billion people forget that second part of the commandment – not causing other people to work.

“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.  Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord, your God.  No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you.” (Exodus 20: 8-10, emphasis added) 

If God commands that slaves and even working animals are not supposed to work on the Sabbath, than how come so many Christians thoughtlessly cause regular people to work, just because they want to eat at a restaurant, shop at a store, or fill up their gas tank on Sunday?

We do not shop on Sunday, not even for that one item that we forgot, or even at an automated gas station where we don’t actually greet a clerk (for the clerk is still there, and the station owners are making him work because their financial reports show that many people are buying gas on Sundays).   So we just don’t do it.  We simply make sure that everything is arranged ahead of time so that we never break this rule.  We have found that if once we use the expression, “Oh, the ox is in the ditch,” then pretty soon we are using it every Sunday.  We have learned to never use that excuse, and we live on a farm with lots of animals.  So it actually would be a valid excuse for us, but we still don’t use it.  Anything that could possibly be considered work, we do it together as family time, and we minimize our time away from the rest of the family.  So in this way, we keep the Sabbath Day holy.  And as far as causing someone else to work – well, it just doesn’t happen, because we just don’t let it happen!

It never ceases to amaze us how generous God is to those who follow His commands, for an incredible phenomenon happens to us each Sunday when we radically minimize our individual activities in favor of family activities.  We play and eat together, with family baseball and family barbecue, and when the weather prohibits that we play family board games and family puzzles.  And after working so hard for the previous six days of the week, Sunday seems to last for a week of its own.  It’s the strangest thing, but always true – Sundays mysteriously last so long.  And we get so much rest and have so much fun that we’re all ready to go back to work on Monday, while remaining immersed in the loving presence of God.

12.  SIMPLICITY – 

“A Way of Salvation” is a humble, simple way of life.  Materialism and consumerism complicate life, so we purposefully move away from these entanglements by remaining content with what God gives us and by living close to the land.  Our basic philosophy is that instead of being overly ambitious to go out and get what we want, we simply stay at home and enjoy what we have.  “The kingdom of God is within you.”  (Luke 17:21)

“Do not concern yourself too much with the things of this world, but entrust all that in prayer to our Heavenly Father.  (June 16, 1983)

We try to remain physically present on Our Lady’s Ranch as much as possible in order to preserve our prayer schedule and maintain a certain simplicity and peace throughout each day.  So we create as many individual, family, and community activities on the Ranch as possible.  We therefore “home-school” our children at the Ranch, and when necessary, we bring supplemental teachers on to the property as opposed to going off-site to them.  Like our piano and singing teacher, who visits us for four hours every Monday to give the children piano and singing lessons.

We have also established a small agricultural business, “Family Friendly Farms,” to create jobs on the Ranch to allow a few Household Leaders to work on the property rather than going off-site every day for work.  This, in turn, creates little jobs for the children, who love being outside and working with the adults where they receive responsibility, praise, and a little money to boot.  Children who participate in farming work gain a certain maturity at young ages that is just not available in general society.  They develop a healthy self-esteem from a strong sense of belonging and purpose as they notice their valuable contributions to the family and its business.

In like manner, we have created many wholesome recreational activities at Our Lady’s Ranch.  From casual walks around the property to family picnics, playing in the creek, tending to animals, picking berries (and eating them), family baseball, badminton, archery, freeze tag, and a thousand other imaginative games the kids play with simple sticks from our little bamboo grove.

We have an endless supply of work, play, and leisurely activities at our disposal, which are intentionally created in order to maintain a healthy, joyful atmosphere for all ages, right at home.  And for this reason we don’t allow television or video games at Our Lady’s Ranch.  Instead of those mindless, fruitless activities, our children are encouraged to find their pleasure in God’s creation through the skills they are developing in a multitude of areas including art, music, writing, farming, building, and hospitality, just to name a few.

So now, rather than complicating our lives by driving into town for entertainment (which also costs a lot of money), we remain simple and pure by creating our own entertainment at Our Lady’s Ranch.  And instead of going out to other people’s homes, we invite them to ours.  In this way, we live a powerful witness to Our Lady’s Way of Life.

13.  TIME TOGETHER –

We are social creatures so we enjoy spending quality time together, which is also necessary to grow in unity and to help each other get to heaven.  The five essential reasons to gather together are for praying, working, eating, playing, and resting.  All of these activities are vital components of each individual’s life, and when done together they create the life-long bond that we call family.  So we have built in specific times for each household to enjoy these activities together so that we strengthen our connection to one another, while assisting each other in attaining heaven.

Each family member prays, works, eats, plays, and rests together multiple times each day.  And every individual/household enjoys these activities together as community once a week, or several times a week, depending on the season.  For instance, everyone in community prays together at least once a week, and usually more than that throughout the summer.  And the community shares a meal together at least once a week, but usually more frequently than that during planting and harvesting seasons.  We all work together at least once a week in the Winter, and much more than that in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  And as far as it comes to playing and resting – well, everyone loves watching the children run around together with laughter and simplicity.  And there is no shortage of playing and resting under Our Lady’s Mantle.

14.  LOVE, FORGIVENESS, AND JOY – 

We dwell together in the peace of Christ, sharing His love, forgiveness, and joy.  We are learning how to love as Jesus loves, with our whole mind, heart, soul, and strength.  Our Lady teaches us to love unconditionally, removing all barriers and excuses that retard our love for others, while simultaneously stunting the growth of our own soul.

So to love unconditionally, we put God first, everyone else second, and ourselves last.  We do not allow ourselves to judge others by what they don’t have or by what virtue they lack, but only by what they do have.  We don’t look at any cup as half empty, but always as half full.  Jesus looks upon all of us with infinite and unconditional love, which means that He does not judge us in His gaze, but only enjoys our silly ways – He doesn’t see our faults, only our goodness.  Why?  Because He chooses to!  Even if we are so spiritually poor that we only have a tiny spark of goodness in us, He sees only the ember, not the darkness surrounding it.  He then focuses all of His attention on that little, tiny glow of virtue and He holds it, and tenderly blows on it, and gently encourages it into a little flame.  Then He begins to fan it into a blazing fire.  “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze.”  (Luke 12:49)

So if Jesus treats even the poorest of souls in this loving way, we must do the same for all souls, beginning with our own.  We must change the way we view ourselves to gaze inward with the eyes and heart of Jesus, who doesn’t see our faults, but only His own grace in us, for we were made in the image and likeness of Himself.  (Genesis 1:27) 

“You will be happy if you do not judge yourselves according to your faults, but if you understand that in your faults even graces are offered to you.”  (May 12, 1986)

Then we can heal to love ourselves as Jesus loves us, and only then can we begin to love others with the non-judgmental, unconditional, agape love of Christ.  For we can only love others to the degree that we love ourselves, because the way we view ourselves is the way we view others.  If we are sub-consciously critical of ourselves, and if we sub-consciously see mostly our own faults rather than mostly God’s goodness in us, then we will tend to be critical of others and view them as a half empty cup.  So we need a deep healing, for our wounds are deep.  Throughout the healing process, we learn about Jesus’ love for us.  We learn that we are loveable.  Then, and only then, can we truly love others.  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Mark 12:31)

As we learn to forgive ourselves, we can begin to forgive others.  And this is the single most important aspect of community life – that we live in a spirit of forgiveness – because at some point (due to our own limitations) everyone becomes irritating or annoying – even the saints.  Oh yes, as much as we love our patron saints, if we spent all day with them (every day) praying, working, eating, playing, and resting in their company; at some point we would become irritated or annoyed with one or more of them.

In this consideration, we come to realize that maybe it’s not the other person’s quirks that are annoying.  Maybe it’s just we who are annoyed.  Every time our children go through this and say, “But he is so irritating,” we have them take some quiet time to reflect on why they’re being irritated.  And it always stems from something inside the one being irritated, and it always relates to some interior defect that inhibits their ability to forgive.  So we strive to live in the “Spirit of Forgiveness,” which requires the fullness of humility and patience – the two essential virtues for a peaceful family and/or community life.

And then the joy comes.  We don’t know exactly how this mystery occurs, but we know by experience – the peace and joy just come, and they come in abundance!!!  Certainly, it is the peace and joy of Jesus, who now fully dwells in our hearts because of the profound humility He enjoys there.  And He brings Our Lady with Him to constantly encourage us into greater virtue, to thus enjoy ever-deeper peace and security.

15.  SECURITY – 

We put our trust in the Lord, as opposed to money, materials, or people.  We live a spirit of surrender and abandonment, giving our problems and difficulties over to God.  We can then detach from the anxiety of relying on only ourselves to solve our problems, trusting that God will do so if we allow Him to.

“Why do you not put your trust in me?  I know that you have been praying for a long time but really surrender yourself.  Abandon your concerns to Jesus.  Listen to what He says in the Gospel, ‘And who among you, through his anxiety, is able to add a single cubit to the length of his life.’  (Matthew 6: 27)”  (October 30, 1983)

Our Lady directs us to read (every Thursday) this passage from the “Sermon on the Mount,” that advises us to place our entire welfare in the capable arms of God.  We do not live this message as an excuse to not work, for in our agrarian family life we all work double.  But it is given to us so that while we are working we remain free of all anxiety, knowing that God takes care of His own.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.  Is life not more than food, and the body not more than clothing?  Look at the birds in the sky, they do not sow nor reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are not you more important than they?  Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life?  Why are you anxious about clothes?  Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.  They do not work or spin.  But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.  If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will He not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’  All these things the pagans seek.  Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.  Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.  Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”  (Matthew 6: 25-34)

16.  THE SPIRIT OF POVERTY – 

We do not make any formal vow of poverty, for we have children to raise and authentic family life to witness, but we live in the spirit of poverty, which means that we recognize that all belongs to God – everything.  We use the things of the earth and the world that are helpful to our way of life, our mission, and our apostolic works, without compromising the simplicity of our lifestyle.  Everyone who lives in one of Our Lady’s neighborhoods must remain free from any burdensome financial obligations or legal suits.  No loans are to be given/accepted among community members.  One household may give to another, but only out of charity, and only with the consent of the neighborhood’s leadership.

We enjoy the advantages of technology and machines without becoming slaves to them.  We do not live in want or in waste, but use everything God gives us for His honor and glory, and for the salvation of souls.  We live in a spirit of detachment from material goods, activities, events, and other peoples’ opinions.  We aspire only to please God and thereby give every talent, treasure, and time back to Him through Our Lady, as simple stewards who are little children.   

God will contribute to lead to a successful end the things of here below if one strives to work for God’s things.  (June 16, 1983)

17.  THE SPIRIT OF CHASTITY – 

We are mindful of our conversations around the children, and even each other as adults.  We do not engage in suggestive language, flirty behaviors, or off-color jokes.  We do not discuss certain subjects around children that would damage their innocence or purity.  Everything at Our Lady’s Ranch is intended to promote innocence and purity, in sharp contrast to our current society where a grievous lack of purity greatly contributes to the irreconcilable divisions among today’s families.  So we do not allow ourselves to be exposed to any ways of society that would be harmful to our spiritual development.

For our mission of “The Healing and Restoration of Families,” with our patroness’ Saint Maria Goretti (symbol of innocence), and our Blessed Mother Mary (purity incarnate), we must live in a way of innocence and purity that pleases God and demonstrates to visiting families the way of proper Christian love. The women at Our Lady’s Ranch dress modestly, with relaxed fitted clothing that fully covers their upper body and mid-drift.  The men do not remove their shirts during outdoor summer work.  And everyone maintains a mutual respect and admiration for God’s gift of the human body. 

18.  FREEDOM – 

We must maintain a spirit of freedom within every decision we make, for every decision is truly an opportunity for charity, and true charity can only be given through mankind’s free will to give.  So every day we continue to give our yes to God by saying yes to Our Lady, who continues to obtain for us the grace we need to think clearly and prudently.  We therefore freely decide to live in her community while applying the guidelines of her Way of Life to the best of our ability.  And we are also free (unpressured) to stay or to leave as we each discern God’s plan in our own lives. 

“Therefore, dear children, pray so that in prayer you may be able to comprehend what God’s plan is in your regard.”   (January 25, 1987)

19.  ELECTRONIC GAMES, COMPUTERS, AND TELEVISION – 

We have learned to be very careful about the use of technological media. We purposefully limit electronic games in our house (which is clearly one of the reasons why our children are able to carry on intelligent conversations with ourselves and visiting adults). It’s not because we have any spiritual problem with them, but simply because they tend to waste time for a relatively useless activity.  Also, our children are not allowed to access the internet without a “buddy,” or a watchful eye that is close at hand. There is no cable television available on Our lady’s Ranch, which greatly increases our prayer life, spiritual reading, and healthy family interaction.

“Avoid television, particularly evil programs…”   (June 16, 1983)

Movies are allowed in our house, but viewed only with caution and subject to censoring.  We don’t watch ‘R’ rated movies. And all movies, regardless of rating, are scrutinized according to one simple criteria, “Can Our Lady sit with us and joyfully watch with us without being offended.”  If a movie can pass that test, then it is allowed to enter our house, but if not then it cannot.

But regardless of any subjective evaluation, one fact remains a fail-proof method for judging movies, “Will watching this or that movie bring me closer to God?”  And after watching any movie the viewers should all ask themselves some questions: “What was God teaching me here? What did I learn from this show?” and “How did this movie bring me closer to God?”  If our life is truly lived in prayer, then every activity we do should be a form of prayer – something that we can do with God.  And if we cannot do something with God, then we have no business doing it.

20.  ONLY GOD – 

Every person or thing that enters Our Lady’s Ranch must be in or of God, or it must not enter.  All visitors (whether for short daytime visits or extended overnight stays) must be generally acceptable to the neighborhood leadership. And everyone who enters must wear suitable, modest clothing and behave in a manner that is pleasing to God. If a visitor challenges this spiritual protocol within a neighborhood, then he/she will be given a courteous warning or two. And afterwards, if improper dress or behavior continues, then he or she will be politely asked to leave.

All people who visit are to be received as family and treated accordingly, for we receive everyone as a child of God, and therefore our brother or sister or mother or father.  We pray for each visitor and sincerely desire that every visitor enjoys a divine encounter during their visit.

“Let everything that you do and everyone that you meet be an encounter with God.”  (November 20,1988)

Every person or thing that enters Our Lady’s Ranch must be in or of God, and it will usually be much easier to deal with things rather than people.  Nevertheless, all things must be scrutinized as well, especially all written materials like books and magazines.  These written materials must be judged according to the same standards as previously stated for movies.  Each Household Leader must judge these items for his/her own household, but all shall remain subject to the authority of the neighborhood’s leadership under the following pretext: “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur.” (Luke 17: 1 emphasis added)

21.  ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO – 

‘Hard alcohol’ is discouraged at Our Lady’s Ranch, but beer and wine are enjoyed socially within reason. An occasional cigar or pipe may be enjoyed socially, but the habitual use of cigarettes or chewing tobacco is discouraged.

22.  SETTLING DISPUTES – 

The order of the family as ordained by God brings harmony and peace.  Holy fatherhood and holy motherhood move in obedience to one another, with respect and trust in each other’s love.  The mother trusts that God is guiding the father in providence, and the father is ready to lay down his life for the mother.  The father makes any final decisions needed for the household, but with a prudence that is so sensitive to the inspirations and intuitions of the mother that no self-interest remains, and his authority is not perceived, being overshadowed by extraordinary humility, kindness, and compassion.

Then for any family quarrels or disputes, there is no question as to the benevolence of the family authority.  And all solutions can be derived without focusing so much on the particular issue at hand, but with respect and obedience to the structure of the family as ordained by God.  So we do not look to issues to solve our problems, but to structure and obedience.  This method squelches any heated debates and/or bad feelings while maintaining the peace of the household.

A similar format must be routine for community quarrels or issues.  Everyone must utilize their free will to internalize the goodness and beauty of obedience so that each one loves obedience, even when he doesn’t like what he’s being obedient to.  The only time that community leadership can be effective is when the community wants to be lead.  But individuals/families cannot just turn on and off an obedience switch, and they cannot allow resentment to build up if they don’t agree with the Leader’s decisions.  So out of freedom, anyone who decides to live at Our Lady’s Ranch must do so with the spirit of humility, trust, and respect, which generate an authentic obedience.  

The key to successful obedience is to know that God is working through the leadership structure that He, Himself established. “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.”   (John 19:11)  Then one finds himself being obedient to God, rather than to just another person.  And likewise, one must realize that even though the human Leader can err, God will always bless the obedience.  So that even when the Leader makes a mistake, God will bring about a better result than would have happened without the Leader’s error (provided that all have remained in the state of grace).  “Because we know that God works all things to the good of those who love Him.”   (Romans 8:28)

So at Our Lady’s Ranch, all leadership has been entrusted to the Household Leaders and Our Lady’s Representative, who utilize Our Lady’s Council to remain sensitive to the inspirations and intuition of all members of the community (who are all represented at every Council session).  And in the spirit of service, the Leaders remove themselves from any self-interest, and are ready to lay down their lives for their families and/or the community. “For Christ came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  (Mark 10:42)  All decisions of the Leaders are primarily considered through humility, kindness, and compassion.  And we pray that all decisions will be received without any resentment, but only with humility, trust, and respect.

23.  ATTITUDE – 

Our children are taught (from the earliest age) to serve with a joyful heart.  “For the Lord loves a cheerful giver.”  (2 Corinthians 9:7)  We try to instill in them a “Gratitude Attitude,” which is to say, an appreciation for everything they receive, and for everything they don’t (for it is all in God’s plan for us and He knows best).  With humility comes trust, and with trust comes a certain tranquility to accept everything that comes our way, knowing that God has accounted for every last detail that will serve in our best interest.  Patience becomes a handy virtue as we must sometimes abstain from a short-term pleasure in order to receive a long-term gain.  Like when we begin to learn how to play a musical instrument.  At the beginning, everything seems awkward and difficult, and much effort is required to produce an unsatisfactory result.  Some people have no patience, so they lose hope and give up while others exercise patience and “hope beyond hope,” with a steadfast spirit and a humble disposition that warrants God’s grace.  Then, before long that joyful soul, through the gifts of God, becomes a wonderful musician who swoons her audience with sweet melodies, generated from a graceful countenance. 

And this positive attitude will serve that person for all the days of her life as it will carry forward into a genuine appreciation for her future husband, her future children, her future house, and everything the good Lord blesses her with. And her gratitude will continue to gain for her the unfathomable generosity of God, for “Surely, goodness and mercy shall be with me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  (Psalm 23)

And this is the proper attitude for everyone who lives at Our Lady’s Ranch, for we do not live here because of something we did, as if we are entitled to be here.  Rather, we are privileged to be here, and we always remember that God allows us to be here because of His enormous generosity, which He gives to us in spite of our limitations.  We are also grateful that God chose us to be in His Plan of Salvation, and that Jesus chose us for Himself, and that He continues to heal us and form us into the little beings of love that we are each created to be.

“Dear children, behold, also today, I want to call you to start living a new life as of today.  Dear children, I want you to comprehend that God has chosen each one of you, in order to use you in a great plan for the salvation of mankind.”  (Jan 25, 1987)

Having a grateful attitude also means accepting whatever position or job is requested.  No job is unimportant as all work serves the glory of God and the salvation of souls.  Each time a person acts in joyful obedience by diligently and happily working at their task, graces come to that individual, his or her family, and to the community as well.  So there should be no subversion or maneuvering to get certain jobs (which is contrary to the spirit of obedience), and there should not be any ill feelings if not chosen for certain tasks or activities, but only a simple abandonment and a joyful surrender to the will of God in all things.  And as we accept whatever position we are placed in, we do not use that status to make a name for ourselves within the mission or an apostolate.  Rather, in humility, we do everything to honor Jesus as we offer Him all of our work for Our Lady’s intentions.

“Abandon yourselves to God without any restrictions.”  (June 16, 1983)

24.  DISCIPLINE – 

Discipline is each individual’s responsibility. We maintain a certain discipline in order to smoothly and effectively function together as one body in Christ.  Everyone is responsible to arrive at prayers on time. We are punctual, not because of a “Rule,” but because it demonstrates an important courtesy to others, while displaying a tangible proof of our love for Jesus.  We have discipline because we love.  We do not act out of obligation, but out of love.  We maintain a devout love for Jesus and Mary that fuels our desire to be with them, and to treat others as we want to be treated.

In similar regard, we exercise discipline in everything we do throughout the day, and with every interaction that we experience with our neighbors, both inside and outside of Our Lady’s Ranch.  This is the discipline that makes us “Apostles of Mary,” that in all things we imitate Mary, become like Jesus, and live for the Triune God.

25.  ORDER – 

Discipline and order are necessary components of a peaceful community environment.  A true appreciation for all that God gives us commands a well-kept, clean, and organized facility, with all tools and equipment maintained in good repair in both household and community applications.  Every thing must have a home, so that everything has its place in the physical order of the premises.  Then each time a thing is used, it must be returned to its proper place so that it will not get lost or broken.  We will thus always have what we need, and our time and energy will not be squandered in disarray, but always have a distinct purpose within the divine order of providence.

And as this principle applies to all of our physical tools, machines, and facilities, let us also recognize its spiritual counterpart as we maintain in proper order the skills and talents that God has placed for us in that amazing facility called the human body.  So as we nurture our virtues through prayer, and as we strengthen our talents by utilizing them, we must also keep a routine of healthy meals and physical exercise for a healthy, well kept, and divinely ordered body and soul.

26.  HEALTH – 

In the context of gratitude for all that God gives us, we appreciate our bodies as the tabernacle of the Lord and the home of our soul.  We thus strive to take care of our bodies with the same diligence that we take care of all His gifts – with discipline and order.  So the first discipline of the body is the food that we give it, and the second is the exercise it gets.  

We enjoy healthy cooking, especially with the all-natural foods that we grow right here at Our Lady’s Ranch.  A few examples include blended fruit and berry smoothies that we harvest and freeze in the summer and fall in order to enjoy them all year around.  This has been an exceptional source of vitamins and antioxidants that simply cannot be replaced by any other means.  And these smoothies burst with flavor, reminding us of God as we taste the sweetness of His love.  We all have a blast picking the berries together while enjoying a unique family outing.  And speaking of berries, we make a famous black berry jam.  Straight from the vines to the jars, and we found a new way to make it that requires one fifth the sugar and tastes great.  While we’re still on breakfast, how about farm fresh eggs that contain a fraction of the cholesterol of commercial eggs?  Next on the table is fresh milk, right from the cow, and its complimentary fresh butter. Another family favorite is fresh buttermilk pancakes, made with soaked whole oats and served with farm fresh butter and natural maple syrup.  For additional morning protein, we eat wild boar sausage that we hunt on the property.  As far as living off the land goes, breakfast is pretty much handled.

For mid-day health foods, we find it best to just go raw with garden vegetable platters and lettuce and broccoli greens, sometimes with the added treats of organic carrots, sweet peas, and snow peas.  It is amazing how this not only adds vibrant nutrition to our bodies, but adds immediate energy as well.  These raw vegetables are easy to digest, are packed with vitamins and minerals, and don’t slow us down after lunch, but lift us up to carry on the day regardless of how little sleep we got the night before.  Sometimes, we’ll juice some vegetables just to get a lift, which is certainly a more healthy and stable energy than we could ever get from caffeine.

Dinnertime comes when we’re all the most hungry after working, schooling, and playing all day.  We usually have all the fixings that make up a balanced meal, which generally centers on the grass-fed beef that we raise at Our Lady’s Ranch, or some wild caught fish, or organic chicken that we traded for.  Rounding out the sides are either organic potatoes, steamed vegetables, brown rice, or some other normal tasty dish that adds to the health benefits of good for you food, without compromising the flavor.  

Eating this healthy, flavor rich food is God’s blessing upon all those who desire to live according to the natural goodness He provides.   This homegrown and/or organic food is packed with nutrition, as opposed to commercially grown foods that are packed with pesticides and fertilizers.  And as we eat this healthy food, our bodies are properly nourished and our energy levels are consistent throughout the day.  We also enjoy a stronger immune system as we rarely catch colds because of this all-natural diet.

Regarding regular exercise – lots of children to chase around and play with, living predominantly outdoors on a big ranch, working in the garden, orchard, and pastures, and hustling about to serve one another all qualify as a good physical “work-out.”  We also go on hikes to get our hearts pumping a little more than the other, aerobic exercises. Ranch life is quite conducive to a healthy life for all age groups.  And with the clean air of a rural environment that centers in God and family, good health is simply natural.

27.  NATURE – 

We strive to dwell in harmony with nature by remaining connected to the earth, cultivating it to enhance its beauty and production.  We are the stewards and protectors of Our Lady’s Ranch and we participate in developing the natural fruits of God’s Creation.  The Lord, God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.  (Genesis 2:15)

We adjust our daily routines according to the seasons of the year and the agricultural work at hand.  In this way, our lives move with the flow of the natural environment.  So in the winter, we begin our day a little earlier than other seasons so as to maximize the amount of daylight we enjoy.  This schedule enables the children to finish their schooling in the first half of the day so they can go outside during the second half of the day when it is warm enough to do so.  The spring is a very busy time at Our Lady’s Ranch because of the additional grounds-keeping required, the shifting and doctoring of the livestock, and the preparations and planting of the vegetable garden.  We tend to relax a bit on academics in the spring and focus more on the exceptional value of outdoor work, botany, and new life.

Then summer comes with a wave of heat and a bounty of fresh fruit, berries, and vegetables.  Our schedule shifts again as we spend the cool mornings outdoors in the garden, and the hot afternoons in the classroom to continue family home-schooling dynamics.  With the onset of autumn comes the time for canning.  We again relax the academic routine in favor of the harvesting schedule.  This is a wonderful time of God’s generosity as He blesses us with an abundance of the fruits of our labor.

The Way of Life: Advanced

30.  FASTING – 

The gift of fasting is the single most, readily available method to properly dispose ourselves to receive a profound clarity of thought and a heightened divine awareness.  When coupled with intense prayer, the soul is elevated to such an extent that worldly concerns and appetites of the flesh just fade away.  Fasting combined with prayer also proves to be the most effective antidote for sin and broken relationships.  Devout spiritual fasting places an immediate hindrance to the attacks of satan and his demons.  It draws the grace of God to the earth and penetrates each soul in God’s design.  Fasting, when combined with prayer, promotes conversion, resolves personal conflicts, heals relationships, and fortifies virtue within the soul.  “Through fasting and prayer one can stop wars, one can suspend the laws of nature…” (July 21, 1982)   “Fast twice a week on bread and water…” (June 16, 1983)

Fasting is an important element in Our Lady’s Way of Salvation because she desires the highest possible degree of sanctity for each of her chosen little children.  So we fast in some practical way on Wednesdays and Fridays of each week (Our Lady suggests fasting on bread and water) and at several other times throughout the year.