FORMED 4+

In my busy life I find it hard to sit and read a book on spirituality, or hard to pray set prayers for long stretches at a time. Sometimes, even at Mass, my mind wanders and I miss the message. I feel “occupied” with life and I don’t want to pray.

Using FORMED is like finding an oasis in a dry expanse. I can find books on audio for the car or while I get ready in the morning - like the Advent audio “Meditations On the Art of Waiting by Mary Francis” was soooo helpful relieving my stress as I wrapped presents at Christmas. Watching saint movies with my kids, or opening important topics to discuss with my teens through YDisciple, FORMED bridges a gap I’m sometimes at a loss to know how to cross. Even encouragement for my marriage is a result of FORMED.

Vastly more important than helping my family relationships, FORMED brings me closer to God. I can feel His presence and hear His leadings after I’ve meditated on the application of something I’ve heard or seen on FORMED. I’m hungry and have the strength, the desire to seek after God once my soul has been touched by one of the shows in FORMED. And at times, I need all the help I can get!!!

Our women’s study group is using the Lectio series for our Bible Study. We started with Mark. The fine art that is included in the workbook is fantastic. The questions are thought provoking and easy to share. Dr. Tim Gray is the most excellent teacher. He is so easy to listen to and challenges us to go deeper in our relationship with God. His explanation of the paintings is amazing as he draws us into the current lesson and helps us to understand Scripture. We also love his sense of humor as well as the connections that are made between the Old and New Testament. Awesome!
We are currently going through “Prayer” for the second time. This lecture series is so rich that it takes more than once to begin to catch all the profound lessons that are contained in each half hour talk. We hear something new every time.
We have ordered the Study Guides for two more of Tim Gray’s lectures. We hope he continues to offer more.
You can’t beat all that Formed has to offer. Every Catholic who is interested in deepening their faith will find something of interest in the fine productions of The Augustine Institute.

I have been a Catholic all my life. My parents raised my siblings and I with the sacraments, the saints, the rosary and a Catholic education. My husband and I raised our children in the same way but sadly, the secular world as seduced them away from the “faith of our fathers”. Since I discovered Formed, I have learned so much about our beautiful faith and I find such comfort in learning more about the sacraments, saints and teachings of the Church. Watching the series “Presence” and “Forgiven” I was brought to tears of love to rediscover the joy of these incredible gifts from Our Loving Father! The audio series about St. Patrick and St. Cecelia were also amazing. My grandchildren enjoyed the Ryan Defrates series. The quality and entertaining potential of the movies about Maria Goretti, Mother Theresa, and St. Barbara have enriched my life and bolstered my faith. Any time I am struggling with an issue, I can get on Formed and find wisdom, grace and peace. Thank you for doing this great work for all of us in the Church Militant. Please pray for my children and grandchildren, siblings and cousins who have lost their way. God bless you all.