Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts » Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

In this episode of “Inside the Pages”, Fr. James Kubicki discusses his book, A Year of Daily Offerings: Giving Your Life to God One Day at a Time, which encourages believers to begin each day with a prayer of offering and reflect on how to live out the Eucharist in daily life.

Prayer is a response to God’s love and presence, which always comes first. Through brief reflections inspired by saints’ lives and writings, the book helps individuals integrate spiritual practices like discernment and examination, fostering a deeper relationship with Christ.

With challenges posed by modern distractions like technology, we must use discipline to prioritize spiritual growth, sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, and the communal aspect of faith;  rooted in the “communion of saints.”

This book provides practical, concise reflections to fit into busy schedules, serving as both a standalone spiritual tool and a complement to other devotions.

“A daily offering of one’s life to God is an indispensable practice for every serious Catholic. In this book, Fr. James Kubicki, S.J., a longtime spiritual guide on Relevant Radio, presents a 366-day experience of morning offerings for busy laypeople. This rich array of reflections, based on the liturgical calendar and inspired by Ignatian spirituality, will help you develop—or reinvigorate—the habit of beginning each day by sincerely offering it to Christ.

For each day of the year, Fr. Kubicki offers a meditation based on the saint of the day or liturgical calendar, an offering prayer, and a “Daily Word” to help you recall the offering throughout the day. Each day concludes with a review question, based on the daily theme, inviting you to make an Examen.

Making and living a daily offering, uniting our everyday experience with the life of Christ—in imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary—can help strengthen each of us to take up his daily cross and live a Eucharistic life.”

Fr. James Kubicki, S.J., was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1983. He was the national director of the Apostleship of Prayer from 2003 to 2017. He currently leads retreats and parish missions while serving as a spiritual director at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

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How Saints Die: 100 Stories of Hope is more about how to live than how to die.  With Ignatius Press editor, Thomas Jacobi, we discuss life and death, and the challenges of living a life which strives for holiness.  We discuss how the saints are great beacons of hope for the world and our essential companions for the spiritual journey.

Thomas Jacobi will say in our conversation:

“Each Saint is a unique revelation actually of the personality of God, in Christ. Each Saint is so different and each saint reveals something new that we didn’t or couldn’t see before about Christ, about God. And that’s why it’s so important to get to know the saints. They reveal to us who God is in a fresh and exciting way. So I would encourage people to pick up this book for that reason.”

We would agree with Thomas!

“Italian Carmelite Antonio Maria Sicari’s vibrant biographies of saints—from Augustine to Catherine of Siena to Faustina Kowalska—have been read across Europe for decades. In How Saints Die, Sicari turns to the most difficult challenge in the life of a Christian: the hour of death.

What he uncovers in this darkest moment, however, is not desolation, but inexplicable joy. “I have recounted the death of many saints,” he writes, “but all of them have confirmed for me the truth of this ancient Christian intuition: in the death of a saint, it is death that dies!”

With in-depth research and a flair for storytelling, Sicari brings before our eyes the gracious last hours of one hundred men and women—lovers and martyrs, thinkers and workers, ancients and moderns, old men and teens. Included are Kateri Tekakwitha, Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, Thomas Aquinas, Josephine Bakhita, Jérôme Lejeune, Clare of Assisi, and many more. In each, a new shade of the divine light shines through.

Those seeking insight into the mystery of death and suffering will find in this book not only wisdom, but rich and realistic consolation.“

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Fr. Cassian Koenemann and Kris McGregor discuss the book The Grace of Nothingness, which explores the spiritual life of Blessed Columba Marmion. Fr. Koenemann shares how he initially resisted studying Marmion, but after Cardinal Burke’s persistent encouragement, he discovered Marmion’s profound teachings, especially through his book Christ the Life of the Monk.

Marmion, an Irish Benedictine monk, had a deep understanding of combining theological principles, such as Christ’s work in sanctifying individuals, with practical spiritual guidance. His teachings emphasized humility, prayer, and a reliance on God’s grace. His work, though not vast in volume, is rich in spiritual insight, especially his letters of spiritual direction, which guide individuals in their relationship with God.

A key theme is Marmion’s concept of “nothingness,” which highlights the paradox that while we are deeply loved by God, true spiritual growth comes from recognizing our dependence on His grace. This concept does not diminish personal value but encourages deeper humility and trust in God. Marmion’s spirituality also influenced St. Thérèse of Lisieux, especially in his reflections on God’s mercy.

Fr. Koenemann also addresses the modern struggle with control and self-reliance, advocating for surrender to God’s will and grace. Marmion’s spirituality is accessible and applicable for those seeking a deeper relationship with God, whether in monastic life or everyday situations.

“The Grace of ‘Nothingness’ is a work of deep and sober reflection. What it reveals to us of Columba Marmion’s vision, however, is as fresh and surprising as the Gospel itself. Here we find, in the understanding of ‘nothingness,’ not the least hint of anything mandarin or esoteric, but a theme that focuses attention on the unique, saving grace of Christ. Fr Cassian complements his study with a helpful overview of the centuries of reflection on the theme of ‘nothingness’ in the writings of Catholic saints and mystics. This work is without question a truly insightful contribution to spiritual theology.”

—FR. PAUL MURRAY, OP

 “St John of the Cross says that at the summit of the spiritual life there is ‘nothing.’ This introduction to the theme of ‘nothingness’ in the writings of Abbot Marmion offers fresh insights into this demanding feature of Christian life.”

—FR. CHRISTOPHER JAMISON, OSB

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In this episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor interviews Anthony DeStefano about his book 30 Days to Your New Life: A Guide to Transforming Yourself from Head to Soul. Anthony DeStefano outlines how the book blends self-help strategies with Christian principles, aiming to provide a balanced approach to personal transformation. While secular self-help programs can be beneficial, they often fall short because they focus too much on self-reliance and neglect spiritual aspects.

This book guides readers through daily reflections over 30 days, starting with fundamental routines like tidying up and building momentum through small actions. This approach is meant to ease readers into lasting habits that foster both physical and spiritual well-being. The book moves through various levels of personal development, incorporating ideas like redemptive suffering and grounding one’s routines in faith practices. By combining spiritual disciplines with practical life skills, he aims to help readers face life’s challenges more resiliently, emphasizing that true peace and fulfillment require both effort and reliance on God’s grace.

From the book description:

“Happiness. Everyone wants it, but not everyone has it–or knows how to get it. According to a recent Harris poll, only 1 in 3 Americans describes himself as happy. Researchers have dubbed this the “most stressed” of all generations, despite its economic prosperity and technological advances. Anthony DeStefano, bestselling author of A Travel Guide to Heaven and Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, addresses this problem head-on in his freshly rewritten book, 30 Days to Your New Life, by striving to bring the joy of Heaven down to Earth right now.

Many self-help books explore the subject of happiness, but one important ingredient always seems to be missing: God. In this no-nonsense, refreshingly direct book, DeStefano bridges the gap between personal development programs and Christian/Catholic spirituality. The result is a wake-up call to readers; an outcome-based motivational guide to living life to its fullest–and holiest. DeStefano’s practical, pull-no-punches, approach to popular theology has been described as “Tony Robbins meets Thomas Aquinas.”

With candor and simplicity, DeStefano presents an easy-to-follow framework for attaining lifelong peace and fulfillment, as well as (more importantly) eternal happiness in Heaven. The path proposed by DeStefano encourages consistent, purposeful and prayerful action on the part of the reader, and offers genuine hope to everyone, from ambivalent agnostics to engaged evangelicals to the most fervent of Catholics.

This is a book about getting results, about breaking out of self-delusion and taking small, practical steps to transform your life from head to soul. The author believes that as more and more people today struggle with depression and loneliness, self-help programs need to be less about “self-help” and more about “God’s help.” God, after all, is the Author of life. He knows what will make us happy–and what won’t.

DeStefano utilizes the best personal development tools available, but balances and corrects them with Bible-based, faith-filled, time-tested, sacramental, Catholic principles. No matter how terrible your circumstances may be or how many times you’ve failed to achieve your goals in the past, this book will work for you.”

About the Author: Anthony DeStefano is the bestselling author of over twenty-five Christian books for adults and children. His books have been published in eighteen different countries and twelve different languages and have been endorsed by The National Day of Prayer committee as well as many prominent religious leaders and mainstream celebrities. He has appeared on the 700 Club, Fox and Friends, CNN, Huckabee, and hundreds of other national and local media shows. He has also been the host of two television series on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), as well as a frequent guest on that network. A Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Anthony is an avid pilot and lives in New Jersey with his wife, Jordan.

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Kris McGregor speaks with Julia Marie Hogan, a licensed clinical professional counselor, about her book It’s Okay to Start with You, which encourages readers to prioritize their well-being so they can fully participate in God’s calling for their lives. Hogan uses the metaphor of the airplane oxygen mask, emphasizing that taking care of oneself is essential before helping others, a principle rooted in understanding God’s love and seeing self-care as a discipline rather than an indulgence.

Critiquing superficial self-care trends and explores deeper self-care that incorporates mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects; she explains that authentic self-care is about maintaining a balanced life through practices like sleep, nutrition, and stress management. This is especially important in a society that values busyness, which can lead to burnout and detachment from self-awareness.

The book offers a structured approach, including reflection and discussion questions, making it versatile for individual or group settings. Self-care is a continual process of recalibration based on life’s seasons. For example, a person going through grief may focus on simple actions like sleep, nourishment, and prayer to help process their emotions. The book’s action plans encourage small, achievable goals, tailored to different aspects of self-care, helping readers gradually build sustainable habits.

“Self-care is often misunderstood in our society. Far too many of us dismiss it as selfish pampering, and the results can be devastating for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Real self-care is anything but self-indulgent. It’s an essential discipline, rooted in the reality of who we are as God’s beloved children.

In It’s OK to Start with You, therapist Julia Marie Hogan, LCPC, makes the case for making self-care a priority beginning with reclaiming your own worth. Based on her practice as a therapist, she offers deep insights into the reasons why we neglect to take care of ourselves and provides needed tools to change our habits of thinking and acting so we can show up fully in our lives and relationships. With step-by-step instructions for building a tailored self-care plan, reflection questions, and note-taking space, this book is the ultimate guide to becoming the most authentic version of yourself.”

Julia Marie Hogan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago. In addition to her work as a psychotherapist, she leads workshops and writes on topics related to self-care, relationships, and mental health. She is passionate about empowering individuals to be their most authentic selves. You can find more of her writing online at Verily. She completed her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia.

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In this episode of Inside the Pages, Fr. Donald Calloway joins Kris McGregor to discuss his book, Champions of the Rosary. The conversation highlights Fr. Calloway’s profound love for the rosary and his goal to create a comprehensive resource covering its origins, significance, and the lives of those who championed its devotion. He describes the book as a blend of history, devotion, and art, aimed at deepening readers’ understanding of the rosary as both a spiritual tool and weapon.

Fr. Calloway recounts the rosary’s development from the earliest Church days, through the influence of St. Dominic, to modern times. He emphasizes the rosary’s historical role in countering heresies, promoting the faith, and strengthening individuals during turbulent times. The book includes stories of lesser-known but extraordinary saints and modern champions like Mother Teresa and St. John Paul II, who used the rosary in their ministries and devotions.

Throughout the episode, Fr. Calloway underscores the rosary’s power as a spiritual weapon and encourages listeners to persevere in praying it, even when it feels repetitive or challenging. He advocates for prayer groups and confraternities, stressing the strength found in communal prayer. Fr. Calloway’s closing message is an invitation for listeners to take up the rosary as a path to spiritual growth, peace, and a means of joining a legacy of holy champions throughout Church history.

“Champions of the Rosary is an encyclopedic and inspiring work on the rosary, the spiritual weapon that has been given to the Church. In a remarkable way, it presents the fascinating saga of the birth and development of the devotion so linked to the Dominican Order! This is a wonderful tool for better understanding the rosary, promoting its use, and championing it in our troubled world. I am certain that these pages will inspire us all to take up our rosary!” Fr. Louis-Marie Arino-Durand, OP. Promotor Generalis pro Rosario. Rome, Italy

“Champions of the Rosary is an extremely insightful, pious, and scholarly work on the rosary. Father Calloway’s insights and contributions into the history and heroes of the rosary will not go unnoticed or unappreciated.” — His Eminence Christoph Maria Cardinal Schonborn, OP, STD Archbishop of Vienna, Austria

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In this special episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor interviews the late Fr. John Horgan about his book His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and in the World. Focusing on the role of angels in the spiritual life, Fr. Horgan explains how they guide, protect, and inspire us.

It’s important for us to understand angels as spiritual beings who reflect the majesty of God rather than projecting our human traits onto them. Fr. Horgan discusses the relationship between humans and their guardian angels, noting that these angels are given by God to guide and protect every soul, not just the baptized. He advises against naming angels, as their names and missions come directly from God.

Angels are models of prayer and adoration, constantly gazing upon God. They can teach us how to deepen our relationship with God, especially through prayer, obedience, and silence. While angels don’t usually communicate with us through mystical experiences, they offer daily guidance and inspiration; encouraging a spirit of openness to the guardian angel’s influence through prayer and attentiveness to their subtle promptings.

They also cover the role of angels in the Mass, where they worship alongside us, and how we can invite them into our prayer life, especially during the Eucharistic Prayer. Fr. Horgan explains that angels help us align our wills with God’s and overcome temptations, and reflects on the angels’ relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary and their role in leading us closer to her and her perfect acceptance of God’s will.

Meet the mighty spirits sent by God to enlighten and guide us, defend us from harm, and lead us on the path to eternal life. Learn how angels are invisibly present at every moment of your life, and how they can pray with you and for you, amplifying your praise by reflecting it directly to God face-to-face.

Angels do not form a separate universe they are an integral part of our own world sent forth for the sake of our salvation. They are pure spirits who communicate to us God’s grace, His goodness, and His truth.

In these pages, Fr. Horgan unveils the surprising role of the angels in our lives and what you must do to gain their help. You’ll learn how to imitate the angels in prayer and how they offer you the enlightenment and the encouragement God so desperately wants to give you. By praying with the angels, you will be strengthened for what lies ahead, better able to discern and do the Lord’s will in all your actions. You ll also learn:

Father John G. Horgan was a priest of the Archdiocese of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, and the pastor of St Pius X Parish. A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, he graduated from Harvard, as well as the Angelicum in Rome, before being ordained by St. John Paul II in 1986. He lectured and consulted on questions of moral theology and healthcare ethics in Canada and the United States. Fr. Horgan had a life-long interest in the Angels and Saints and was credentialed through the Vatican’s special training course for those involved in the process of “saint-making” in 1997. He served as a vice-postulator for the cause of Blessed Marie of Jesus Deluil-Martiny and has advised on several other causes. Fr. Horgan was involved with EWTN, the Eternal Word Global Television Network, since the early 1990s; he made several appearances with Mother Angelica, and has filmed two television series. He entered into eternal rest in October of 2022.

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Kris McGregor and Anthony Ryan discuss the book St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Living on Love, an extraordinary compilation about St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s life and spirituality. Published by Ignatius Press, this book includes over 150 stunning photos and artworks, combined with deep insights into St. Thérèse’s life, family, and spirituality.

The book, created by Fr. Didier-Marie Golay, a Carmelite priest, offers a comprehensive exploration of not only St. Thérèse but also her family’s crucial role in shaping her spirituality. The Martín family—her parents, siblings, and extended relatives—are portrayed as a deeply Catholic family whose love and faith formed the foundation for Thérèse’s famous “little way.”

Providing an immersive experience, it offers readers insight into the struggles and sufferings of the Martín family, including the loss of four children and the challenges faced by Thérèse’s sister Léonie, who struggled with behavioral and health issues, possibly on the autism spectrum. Despite these hardships, the family’s devotion to faith, love, and service to others became central to St. Thérèse’s formation.

It’s a perfect gift for anyone seeking to deepen their faith and learn from St. Thérèse’s life of love and prayer!

“Thérèse of Lisieux is one of the most popular modern saints in the world, but the details of her life and spirituality are still not widely known and are somewhat of a mystery even to her devoted followers.

With over 150 stunning photographs, in-depth text, and plentiful sidebars on history, geography, and themes, this gorgeous work helps us enter into the universe of “the greatest saint of modern times” to discover the simplicity, yet depth of her daily life and of her relationships, both human and spiritual.

It invites us to a personal encounter with Thérèse, who once wrote, “I am your sister, your friend; I will always watch over you.” It invites us also to discover her appealing and rich spirituality of “the little way”. Patroness of missions, Doctor of the Church, this Carmelite sister, who died at only twenty-four, has not ceased to surprise us and to spread her powerful message of love and trust across the world.

Her whole life of can be encapsulated in her poem “Living on Love”: a passionate love of Christ lived out in the everyday, in the joys and trials of life, in inner and outer sufferings. Living on love is a spiritual program for life, but to live it requires a special grace for which we must ask, especially through the intercession of the “Little Flower” of Jesus. This unique, very beautiful and moving work will inspire readers to desire to imitate St. Thérèse in “living on love”.”

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Fr. Christopher Collins discusses his book “Habits of Freedom” with Kris McGregor, focusing on how Ignatian spirituality can be applied to daily life. Fr. Collins outlines five key practices from St. Ignatius’ teachings that help individuals clear their minds and find rest in the Lord. He highlights the importance of recognizing and responding to the movements of both the Holy Spirit and the evil spirit in daily life.

Fr. Collins explains that the Ignatian rules for discernment are not just for retreats but are meant for everyday living, guiding people to discern the subtle movements within their hearts. The discernment of spirits involves understanding whether our thoughts and feelings are from God, from our own psychology, or from the evil spirit. This understanding helps us live more freely and with authentic love.

He also addresses the significance of the examen prayer, a daily practice that involves reflecting on one’s day to recognize moments of grace and areas needing growth. This practice encourages remembering one’s true identity as a beloved child of God, fostering a deep sense of freedom and peace.

“Popular retreat leader and spiritual director Fr. Christopher Collins, SJ, says that if you turn your heart to God you will find clarity and spiritual peace. In Habits of Freedom, Collins offers you five practical tools to help you develop a habit of daily discernment that will lead to inner calm.

Drawing on the wisdom of St. Ignatius Loyola and his renowned Spiritual Exercises, Collins offers practical spiritual exercises for incorporating five tools into your daily life to help you de-stress, organize your thoughts, and experience the calming presence of Jesus. These are:

Habits of Freedom is an excellent resource for spiritual directors and individuals, as well as for use in prayer and parish groups seeking practical material that can speak broadly to members from a variety of backgrounds and seasons of life. The book can be easily adapted for small groups and retreat use.”

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In Part 2 of a 2-part conversation, Fr. Aaron Wessman and Kris McGregor discusses the challenges of living a Christian life in a polarized world, particularly the influence of social media and group dynamics. They explore how societal divisions amplify an “us versus them” mentality, which can distort one’s ability to live out Gospel values such as unity and love.

Fr. Wessman points out that while the church’s mission is to unite humanity with God and among themselves, current political and social climates often encourage division. The concept of “negative polarization,” where people are driven more by opposition to the other party rather than support for their own, is identified as a significant challenge. Politicians can manipulate this by stoking anger, leading Christians away from Gospel values like peace, patience, and kindness.

There is an importance of personal responsibility in bridging divides. The church’s mission, exemplified by figures like Jesus and St. Francis, involves crossing over to the “other” and engaging with people on the margins of society—whether they are of different races, cultures, or political views—rather than isolating oneself in a comfortable bubble. Advocating for “missional discipleship,” where Christians are called to be sent out into the world to engage with others in love, not to be conformed by the divisions in the world.

Fr. Wessman discusses the necessity of engaging with others humbly and courageously while being anchored in the Eucharist. He highlights that Christians are not called to withdraw from the world but to confront challenges by discerning the Spirit’s lead and engaging in “ministries of presence.” The Eucharist strengthens this mission, empowering Christians to be Christ’s presence to others.

They also address the need for humility and forgiveness in personal relationships, especially in areas of polarization within families, parishes, and even among fellow Catholics. Fr. Wessman encourages a culture of mercy and repentance, suggesting that real growth happens when people acknowledge mistakes, ask for forgiveness, and adjust their actions to better reflect Christ’s teachings.

“Christians and other people of good will are longing for a response that can lead the way out of the divisiveness and vitriol of our times. I wrote this book to provide some assistance to readers to discern a way out of the toxicity in which we live, and to stimulate courage and hope, so that all people can see the age in which we live more clearly and respond with the grace necessary to follow more fully the call God has spoken—a missionary call to deepen Christ’s incarnational movement in our world.”

-Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman

Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman, a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, is the 1 st -Vice- President (Vicar General) and Director of Formation for the Glenmary Home Missioners. He has a PhD from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) in Systematic Theology (2019). He serves as an at-large board member for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious (CMSM) and is a guest lecturer at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. The religious order he belongs to, Glenmary, is a missionary society of apostolic life of the Catholic Church that conducts mission in rural, poor, and non-Catholic areas of the United States, primarily in the southeast and Appalachia. Visit glenmary.org for more information.

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