Focusing on living a virtuous life leads to flourishing as a Catholic in modern times, suggested Kate Soucheray, a licensed marriage and family therapist emeritus.
What does it mean to flourish? During a segment of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show set to air at 9 p.m. July 11 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, Soucheray said that the definition of the word itself “is to grow and develop in a healthy and vigorous way, especially as a result of a particularly favorable environment.”
“I don’t necessarily view flourishing as a rapid process, it’s a day-by-day walk with God,” said Soucheray, a member of St. Ambrose in Woodbury.
Soucheray said when she thinks about flourishing and how to become a person who flourishes, she recalls a particular verse in Scripture: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4:8).
“Those are all elements of flourishing,” she said. “It’s not to flourish like I’m going to make a whole bunch of money and I’m going to be a ‘successful person.’ It’s a much more focused attempt to become a person who is virtuous and who lives a virtuous life.”
Helping the faithful stay on course is the sacrament of reconciliation, Soucheray said. “That’s our moment to stop and turn around and get going in the right direction. And the more that we practice the virtues, the more we develop the habit of virtue.”
When a Catholic recognizes “I took the wrong action — now what?” Soucheray suggested seeking wise counsel, continuing to try, and in seeking a new direction, ask: “Is it holy? Is it good? Does it align with my faith? Does it help me to feel a centeredness within me so that I feel like I’m aligned with God?”
To flourish requires discernment, Soucheray said. “Discernment is a way of life. And so, I adopt the idea that I’m not going to know every single step ahead of myself.”
Flourishing also requires faith. “I have to trust him (God) and I have to believe that he has my best interests in mind, that he knows what is best for me.”
To hear the full interview with radio show producer Rachael McCallum, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. July 12 and 2 p.m. July 13.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Father Joseph Bambenek, the associate director of the archdiocesan Office for the Renewal of Structures, and Bishop Michael Izen.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
