Wednesday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the ca…

Who Are You? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday – Building a Kingdom with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for Divine Mercy Sunday and it’s meanings for our lives. He discusses the identity of the Christian, and in particular, what it means to be a “Catholic”. From the NAB Reading 1 ACTS 5:12-16 Many signs and wond…

Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop George Lucas discusses the centrality of the Resurrection in the Christian life. He reflects on the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ, using the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus as a model for how Jesus meets pe…

The Oasis of Lent – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss various aspects of marriage, spirituality, and the role of Christ in relationships. Life is a continuous response to God’s love, with the ultimate fulfillment found in heaven. While perfection may not be attainable, …

From the dialogue On Divine Providence by Saint Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor Saint Catherine of Siena Eternal God, eternal Trinity, you have made the blood of Christ so precious through his sharing in…

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Nine “My Nature is Fire”: In your nature, eternal Godhead, I shall come to know my nature. And what is my nature, boundless love? It is fire, because you are nothing but a fire of love. And you have given humankind a share in this nature, for by the fire of love you created us. And so with all other people and ev…

Tuesday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, lo…

Dimensions of the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses the Examen prayer and the support structures that can enhance its practice. Exploring how the Examen, a spiritual exercise developed by St. Ignatius, benefits from being situated within a broader spiritual …

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Eight To Queen Giovanna of Naples (written in trance): We have three chief foes. First, the devil, who is weak if I do not make him strong by consenting to his malice. He loses his strength in the power of the Blood of the humble and spotless Lamb. The world with all its honors and delights, which is our foe, is …

Monday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares…

The Divine Mercy Chaplet 1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed. 2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. 3. On the 10 H…

Who Are You? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday – Building a Kingdom with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for Divine Mercy Sunday and it’s meanings for our lives. He discusses the identity of the Christian, and in particular, what it means to be a “Catholic”. From the NAB Reading 1 ACTS 5:12-16 Many signs and wond…

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Seven To the King of France: Oh, how the man should be ashamed who follows the teaching of the devil and his own lower nature, caring more to gain and keep the riches of this world, which are all vain, and pass like the wind, than for his soul and his neighbor For while abiding in hate with his neighbor, he has h…

Divine Mercy Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of thi…

Divine Mercy Novena – Day Nine Ninth Day – “The souls who have become lukewarm.“ “Today bring to Me the Souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart mos…

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Six To Brother Raimondo of Capua at Avignon: I do not want you to fall into weariness or confusion through any vexations that you might feel in your mind; but I want you to keep that good and holy and true faithful will which I know that God in His mercy has given you … Yes, I want that out of the shadows should …

Easter Saturday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this da…

Timothy Muldoon – The Discerning Parent on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Kris McGregor speaks with theologian and author Timothy Muldoon about The Discerning Parent: An Ignatian Guide to Raising Your Teen, co-written with his wife, Sue. Ignatian spirituality offers a helpful framework for parenting teens—not by prescribing rigid methods, but …

Divine Mercy Novena – Day Eight Eighth Day – “ The souls who are detained in purgatory“ “Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torre…

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Five To Monna Agnese wife of Francesco, a tailor of Florence I desire to see thee clothed in true and perfect humility–for that is a little virtue which makes us great in the sight of God. This is the virtue which constrained and inclined God to make His most sweet Son incarnate in the Womb of Mary. It is as exal…

Easter Friday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day …

The Healing Nature of Prayer – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke Fr. Eamonn Bourke reflects with Kris McGregor on the deeply personal and transformative nature of prayer. Fr. Bourke encourages a groun…

Divine Mercy Novena – Day Seven Seventh Day – “The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus’ mercy“ “Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy*, and immerse them in My mer…

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Four To Nanna, daughter of Benincasa, a little maid, her niece, in Florence: Now, then, we must have light–otherwise it would not be enough. This light has to be the light of most holy faith. But the saints say that faith without works is dead. Therefore we need to exert ourselves virtuously all the time, and lea…

Easter Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this d…

St. Anselm, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 1033, Aosta, Italy Died: April 21, 1109, Canterbury, United Kingdom Full name: Anselmo d’Aosta Books: Proslogion, More Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor continue their look into the life and teachings of St. Anselm. They explore his background, his time as Archbishop of…

St. Anselm, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 1033, Aosta, Italy Died: April 21, 1109, Canterbury, United Kingdom Full name: Anselmo d’Aosta Books: Proslogion, More Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor delve into the life and significance of St. Anselm of Canterbury, a pivotal figure in the Middle Ages and a doctor of…

Easter Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this d…

Divine Mercy Novena – Day Six Sixth Day – “The meek and humble souls and the souls of children“ “Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children, and immerse them in My mercy. Thes…

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Three The Eternal Father speaks to Catherine: Dearest daughter, contemplate the marvelous state of the soul who receives this bread of life, this food of angels, as she ought. When she receives this sacrament she lives in me and I in her. Just as the fish is in the sea and the sea in the fish, so am I in the soul…

Day 7, Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles reflects on Day 7 of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat, delving into the mystery of suffering, self-emptying, and divine union. St. Elizabeth sees the soul as a heaven that must echo the glory of God, whether …

Divine Mercy Novena – Day Five – Mp3 Audio & Text Fifth Day – “The souls of separated brethren“ “Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church*, and immerse them in the ocea…

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Two The Eternal Father speaks to Catherine: My Truth invited you to call out thus when He said: “Call and you will be answered; knock and it shall be opened to you; ask and it shall be given to you.” So I am telling you what I want you to do. Never relax your desire to ask for My help. Never lower you voice in cr…

Easter Tuesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day…

Steps to Spiritual Renewal – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores the final steps of the Ignatian Examen, particularly the forward-looking element of spiritual renewal. He recounts a personal story from a writing retreat, where a simple visit to a cathedral during a solitary da…

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day One From a letter to Frate Giusto di Giovanni da Volterra: “He gave His blood out of love and it is with this love that He asks us for a drink. I mean that Jesus, who loves,…

Divine Mercy Novena – Day Four – Mp3 Audio & Text Fourth Day – “Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him“ “Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know…

Easter Monday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day …

Happy Easter!!!! Have You Encountered Jesus? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects on the mystery of Easter and our relationship with the Risen Christ. Gospel JN 20:1-9 “On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone …

Happy Easter!!!! Have You Encountered Jesus? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects on the mystery of Easter and our relationship with the Risen Christ. Gospel JN 20:1-9 “On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone …

Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Archbishop George Lucas discusses the centrality of the Resurrection in the Christian life. He reflects on the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ, using the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus as a model for how Jesus meets pe…

Divine Mercy Novena – Day Three Third Day – “All devout and faithful souls“ “Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on th…

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 47: Easter Sunday – “He Is Risen” Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 20:1–9 It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and c…

Easter Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, w…

Taking Up Our Cross. . .Be Not Afraid Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Is life a series of “gifts” from God or tragedies? Seek—Encounter the empty tombs of life with the expectation that they are signs o…

Second Day – “The souls of priests and religious” Divine Mercy Novena – Day Two “Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strengt…

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 46: The Great Silence Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) Luke 23:55–56, 24:1 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the…

Holy Saturday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, w…

A Special Good Friday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Building a Kingdom of Love Msgr. John Esseff guides listeners through a meditation on the Passion of Jesus Christ, drawing upon The Passion of the Christ film and the Stations of the Cross to help internalize Christ’s suffering. He invites the listener to not merely recall Christ’s death as …

A Special Good Friday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Building a Kingdom of Love Msgr. John Esseff guides listeners through a meditation on the Passion of Jesus Christ, drawing upon The Passion of the Christ film and the Stations of the Cross to help internalize Christ’s suffering. He invites the listener to not merely recall Christ’s death as …