Sodalitium Christianae Vitae Perpetual Promises

“I, Ricardo Simmonds, commit myself before God and the Sodalit community, and invite myself to keep for all the days of my life, obedience and celibacy.”

Published on: February 4th, 2013 — 1:42 PM / OBS: North America

DENVER, CO, USA — A few words must be said at the outset to set up today’s video from Holy Name Parish in the Archdiocese of Denver. It begins with Ricardo Simmonds’ quest for happiness after high school, first through the reading and study of philosophy and new age spirituality. Through that dialogue with ancient texts, Ricardo came to the conclusion that in the world there was this concept of God, or something greater than himself. He realized that pursuing this transcendent person and finding him was the only life pursuit in this world that would make him happy. This led to a global journey of enlightenment. (more below)

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music by: Holy Name Parish

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He began the journey in India, Nepal, and even took up his pursuit of God through surfing off the coast of lost islands in Indonesia, Bali, New Zealand, Fiji, and all across the south Pacific. Along the way, Ricardo sought the person of God in Hinduism, Buddhism, and yes, surfing. By the end of his trip, Ricardo was the exact opposite of happy, or fulfilled. The face of God had evaded him, until he encountered Catholicism, the faith he had been baptized in during his youth.

The excitement of traveling the world, visiting religious temples and monasteries, and surfing the best beaches one could find, all that could not compare to the experience that Ricardo discovered with a community in Peru, the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. In a community of friends and brothers, out in God’s nature, and through serving the poor, Ricardo found the meaning of his life in one person, Jesus Christ. Christ’s life was unlike any other guru, or Buddhist teacher. Christ showed Ricardo who he was. Eventually, Ricardo decided to dedicate his life to serving the poor through the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, specifically the spiritually poor in North America and Latin America.

This short overview of Ricardo’s spiritual journey toward Jesus Christ culminates in today’s video, his perpetual promises for full apostolic availability with the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae.

In addition, there is another side of the story, that many may not know about, including Ricardo himself.

During Seth DeMoor’s time at the University of Colorado, Ricardo, along with the other Sodalits living in Colorado, steadily helped to rebuild a Catholic culture in Boulder, alongside all the pastors whom have been serving at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center. Countless stories could, and should, be recorded on the impact Ricardo has already had upon the lives of the students in Boulder, whom are facing many challenges in an overtly secular university setting. Despite the challenges, through Marian groups, mission trips to Peru, adventures in the mountains, and the day to day coffee shop conversation, Ricardo Simmonds is bringing the face of Jesus Christ to many souls at the base of the Flatirons.

Learn more about Sodalitium Christianae Vitae by clicking on their logo above.

OneBillionStories.com Contributor - Seth James DeMoor
@SethJamesDeMoor — 303.709.3804

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YESTERDAY’S STORY

READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 4TH 2013
First: Hebrews 11:32-40
Psalm: Psalms 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

ROSARY: JOYFUL MYSTERIES
1. Annunciation
2. Visitation
3. Nativity
4. Presentation
5. Finding in the Temple

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