Immaculate Conception Novena (Day 7): Sloth/Acedia: The Hidden Sin That Kills Prayer

About this sermon

In this powerful Catholic sermon, we explore the true meaning of spiritual sloth—also known as acedia—a sin far deeper than mere laziness. Drawing from Scripture, St. Thomas Aquinas, the tradition of the Church, and the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this homily uncovers why acedia is a rejection of God’s love, how it manifests in daily life, and most importantly, the remedies that lead us back to spiritual joy. Discover why prayer sometimes feels burdensome, how busyness can become a form of spiritual avoidance, and what steps Catholics can take to reignite zeal for God. You’ll learn about the importance of: ✨ Keeping holy the Lord’s Day ✨ Cultivating spiritual reading ✨ Practicing daily prayer ✨ Making a good confession ✨ Following the example of Our Lady’s joyful haste Whether you struggle with spiritual dryness, distraction, or discouragement, this homily offers practical and theological guidance for returning to the peace and purpose found in Christ. 00:00 – Introduction: A Confession & Topic of the Night 00:19 – What Is Spiritual Sloth? 01:00 – Why Dictionary “Sloth” Is Not Enough 02:00 – Difference Between Laziness and Spiritual Sloth 02:31 – Acedia as Rejection of God’s Love 03:30 – St. Thomas Aquinas on Sloth 04:11 – Two Parts of Spiritual Sloth 05:02 – Why Do We Fall Into Acedia? 05:50 – Causes: Lassitude, Boredom, and Self-Pity 06:41 – Busyness as a Mask for Spiritual Avoidance 07:45 – Remedies Against Spiritual Sloth 08:08 – Remedy 1: Keeping Holy the Lord’s Day 08:42 – Remedy 2: Spiritual Reading & Vigilance 09:17 – Remedy 3: Perseverance in Prayer 11:12 – The Power of the Sign of the Cross 12:01 – Remedy 4: A Good Confession 13:26 – The Example of the Blessed Virgin Mary 14:58 – Haste vs. Hurry in the Spiritual Life 15:53 – The Challenge of Mary’s Haste 16:11 – Dante’s Image of the Slothful Souls 17:01 – Gospel Characters as Mirrors of Ourselves 17:18 – Mary as First Tabernacle & Monstrance 18:01 – Our Baptismal Call to Evangelize 18:21 – Conclusion & Final Blessing For more please visit http://www.institute-christ-king.org/wausau-sermons & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.us for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ ▶️ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.us/donate-support/ ▶️ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 Please "Like" our videos so that Youtube shares it to others by clicking the "Like" thumbs-up under the video = 👍🏻 ▶️ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶️ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Sensus Fidelium Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 #Catholic #Acedia #SpiritualSloth #CatholicSermon #CatholicHomily #SpiritualLife #SevenDeadlySins #CatholicTeaching #TraditionalCatholic #PrayerLife #StThomasAquinas #OvercomingSloth #CatholicFaith

Topics

• Prayer
• Repentance