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What Is The Green Card?
This is a card you are given during your weekend to summarize the essence of the Via de Cristo movement. Many reunion groups use this as a guide, to help structure their gatherings and stay focused on the 3 pillars of piety, action, and study. 

Why Is It Green?
Green is the color of things that are growing, and we want to grow in Grace. It also reminds us of the Green Card given by the U.S. government to temporary residents. It is their official proof that they belong in America, although it is not their permanent home. Christians are also sojourners passing through. We “belong” by virtue of our birth but Heaven is our permanent home.

FRONT COVER

Come, Holy Spirit prayer

A good way to start your reunion group gatherings is to pray this prayer together...

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolations; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

INSIDE

My Balanced Plan for Growing in God's Grace

Use this section as a reminder of our call from Christ to piety, study, and action, and that each of these areas must be balanced in our life, so that we may be effective witnesses for Christ.

 

Pick one of the areas and focus on it, or choose one question from each section to dig into. Whatever you do, listen for the Holy Spirit's nudging on where to focus your time, thoughts, and prayers. 

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BACK COVER


Closing prayers and activities 
 

Your group may feel called to pray together the Lord's Prayer and/or spoken prayer requests, do an altar visit, offer praise and thanksgiving, perform confessions, intercession, and petitions, and/or share the peace of Christ

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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

"We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty, for all the benefits you have given to us; to you who live and reign forever and ever! Amen. I pray that all my intentions, actions and works of this day may be directed solely to the greater glory of God's divine majesty. May the grace of God dwell always in me!"

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PRAYERS/ALTAR VISIT

At the altar, the sense of His presence is intense and has great impact on those praying

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PRAISE, THANKSGIVING, CONFESSION, INTERCESSION, AND PETITIONS

These stretch the boundaries of our prayer life and keep prayers from becoming routine

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Lord's Prayer

"Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the glory, and the power, forever and ever. Amen."

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Sharing the Peace of Christ

Embrace one another in love and bless them on their way

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE INSIDE

PIETY 

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28

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​1. WITH WHAT SPIRITUAL AIDS HAVE YOU NOURISHED YOUR VITAL UNION WITH CHRIST THIS WEEK?

 

  • Congregation Worship/Communion - the intent of the Via de Cristo movement is to strengthen the local congregation rather than compete with it, for the time and commitment of our pilgrims

  • Morning Offering/Evening Thanks - let bookends of prayer enrich each day

  • Devotions, Meditation and Prayer - including family in this time promotes sharing of special joys and needs within the family 

  • Examination of Conscience - use pages 21-26 in "The Pilgrim's Guide" for this time

  • Altar/Chapel Visit - use this time to privately or communally visit Christ at His altar

  • Family Prayer - families that prays together experience blessings that can encourage others

  • Blessing Before Meals - Christians taught by the Lord to pray for “daily bread” rightly receive every meal as from the hand of God, and serves as witness and proclamation of public faith

  • Spiritual Direction - talking about spiritual matters with your clergy or another spiritual mentor or guide

 

2. WHAT WAS THE MOMENT YOU FELT CLOSEST TO CHRIST?

This is thought to be the most important question on the card. It encourages pilgrims to nurture a more conscious sense of the presence of Christ at all times.

 

3. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR NEXT WEEK TO DEEPEN YOUR PIETY?

What do you see that needs attention and what will you do?

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