Description: This week Dan, Melissa and Dr. Anthony Lilles discuss St. Therese's intense suffering as she experiences the dark night of the soul. 

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• Why does St. Therese refer to herself as "a grain of sand"? 
• The writings of St. Therese reflect those of St. John of the Cross: we must study the life of Jesus and imitate Him in everything we do. 
• We must detach ourselves from our own reputation.
• St. Therese had a devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus and finds consolation not only for herself, but for the world in a simple smile descending upon us from His blood-stained face.
• Why does St. Therese long for "the homeland" at this stage in her spiritual life?
• What is causing the suffering that St. Therese is experiencing?
• Why does God have us pass through such painful purification?
• How can one overcome the dark night of the soul?

Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• EWTN Global Catholic Radio
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• EWTN Religious Catalogue - online
• Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Therese of Lisieux by Dr. Anthony Lilles and Dan Burke
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.

Description: Once again Dan and Melissa speak with Dr. Kevin Vost to take a more in depth look at his book, The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• How can we employ the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and grow in holiness?
• What is piety and how can we live it?
• What are the different types of knowledge?
• What is the difference between the virtue of knowledge and the gift of knowledge?
• What is the difference between the gift of knowledge and the gift of wisdom?
• What is a good Scriptural example of the gift of fortitude?
• How can one use the gift of fortitude to overcome one of the seven deadly sins, i.e. gluttony?
• What is the gift of counsel?
• Why are understanding, counsel and wisdom considered the highest of the seven gifts?
• What is the gift of understanding?
• What is the gift of wisdom and how does St. Thomas Aquinas embody this gift?

 Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• Sophia Institute Press
• The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit by Dr. Kevin Vost
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question

Description: This week Dan, Melissa and Dr. Anthony Lilles unmask the truth behind scrupulosity through the wisdom of St. Therese of Lisieux.

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• St. Therese's cousin, Marie, is plagued by scrupulosity and will not receive the Eucharist.
• What is scrupulosity?
• Has St. Therese ever experienced this problem in her own spiritual life?
• At what point does scrupulosity commonly manifest itself during the spiritual journey?
• Can our wickedness ever be greater than God's mercy?
• What advice does St. Therese give to Marie to help her with this problem?
• How do St. Ignatius of Loyola's Rules of Discernment apply to this situation?

Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• EWTN Global Catholic Radio
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• EWTN Religious Catalogue - online
• Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Therese of Lisieux by Dr. Anthony Lilles and Dan Burke
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.

Description: Dan and Melissa speak with Dr. Kevin Vost about his book, The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Every Spiritual Warrior's Guide to God's Invincible Gifts.

• What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and why are they important?
• Why are St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure such strong sources for this book?
• After the sacrament of Confirmation, why aren't the gifts of the Holy Spirit apparent immediately in most of us?
• How are the gifts of the Holy Spirit different from the virtues?
• What can we do to move the soul to cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that we can best make use of these gifts?
• What is the difference between the gifts and the charisms of the Holy Spirit?
• What are some practical ways to live out these gifts?
• Why does each chapter end with a section on the Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and a particular saint? 

 Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• Sophia Institute Press
• The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit by Kevin Vost
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.

Description: This week Dan, Melissa and Dr. Anthony Lilles contemplate St. Therese's understanding of the brevity of life and what is necessary to fulfill the will of God. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• What does St. Therese mean when she says, "...life is a moment between two eternities"?
• How are there two eternities?
• How do we live life in the best way possible in order to progress from one eternity to the other?
• How can we draw ourselves out of our current sufferings to see things in the light of the God's providence?
• How can we experience peace amidst the most difficult trials of life?
• Heaven is the finest moment of our humanity.
• What is peace?
• Is there a distinction between peace and joy?

Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• EWTN Global Catholic Radio
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• EWTN Religious Catalogue - online
• Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Therese of Lisieux by Dr. Anthony Lilles and Dan Burke
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.

Description: Dan and Melissa speak with Dr. Christopher Blum about his book, Meditations for Lent and how Bishop Jacques-Benigne Bossuet's reflections on the life of Christ will inspire any and every soul to enter into a new relationship with our Lord.

• How did Dr. Blum discover the writings of Bishop Jacquest-Benigne Bossuet?
• Who is Bishop Bossuet and what kind of writing is he known for?
• Who were his main spiritual influences and what school of spirituality did he belong to?
• How do his writings compare to those of some of his famous contemporaries?
• Why did Dr. Blum choose these particular meditations?

 Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• Sophia Institute Press
• Meditations for Lent by Bishop Jacques-Benigne Bossuet, edited and translated by Dr. Christopher Blum
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.

Description: This week Dan, Melissa and Dr. Anthony Lilles make known the love that God has for us through every circumstance and the hope we can garner during our trials through His eternal love. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• St. Therese offers great consolation and encouragement to her sister, Celine, as she faces criticism and disapproval from others for desiring to enter Carmel while their father is plagued with mental illness.
• What is the basis for St. Therese's encouragement?
• How can others' sinfulness be good for us?
• How can we have hope in the midst of suffering?
• How can we experience peace through suffering?

Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• EWTN Global Catholic Radio
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• EWTN Religious Catalogue - online
• Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Therese of Lisieux by Dr. Anthony Lilles and Dan Burke
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.

Description: Dan and Melissa speak with Vicki Burbach about her book, How to Read Your Way to Heaven: A Spiritual Reading Program for the Worst of Sinners, the Greatest of Saints, and Everyone in Between.

• What was the inspiration for the book?
• Can anyone follow this reading program?
• How much time will it take out of my day?
• Why are there three different programs (1,3, or 5 years)?
• Why include readings from Scripture, the Catechism, and additional sources each day?
• Can I substitute books if I have already read one of the suggested books?
• Where can I find a good recommendation for a substitution if I need one?

 Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• Sophia Institute Press
• How to Read Your Way to Heaven by Vicki Burbach
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.

Description: This week Dan, Melissa and Dr. Anthony Lilles prepare us to face hardships in this short life n order to sincerely follow the steps of our crucified Lord and enjoy the fruits he merited for us in heaven.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• St. Therese wants to suffer for Jesus, but it seems like she is waiting until she enters Carmel. Why?
• St. Therese expresses her desire to go through trials here on earth and have a "beautiful crown" in heaven.
• St. Therese mentions that "life passes quickly".  How can we make the most of our time here on earth?
• What does our Lord expect from us while we are living in the world?
• Humanity constantly searches for joy that does not pass away. This life and all of its joys are passing. The joy of heaven is eternal.
• How can we save souls through our suffering?

Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• EWTN Global Catholic Radio
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• EWTN Religious Catalogue - online
• Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Therese of Lisieux by Dr. Anthony Lilles and Dan Burke
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.

Description: This week Dan, Melissa and Dr. Anthony Lilles find meaning through the mystery of suffering and unpack the importance of our charitable response to this reality.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• How can trials and difficulties help detach us from earthly things?
• How can we talk to people who are suffering about the mystery of suffering being a grace or blessing for the soul?
• While we are in the midst of great suffering, how can we act with love? What does that mean exactly?
• How can we truly help those who do not understand the "joys" of suffering?
• What does St. Therese mean when she says, "I shall not fear His [God's] strikes"? 

Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• EWTN Global Catholic Radio
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• EWTN Religious Catalogue - online
• Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Therese of Lisieux by Dr. Anthony Lilles and Dan Burke
• Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.