Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

By Dr. Anthony Lilles with Kris McGregorSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity Spirituality Philosophy

Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts episodes

August 14LOF4 – The Dream of Knighthood and the Grace of Wisdom – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Episode 4: The Dream of Knighthood and the Grace of Wisdom – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles
In this episode, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor continue their conversation on St. Francis of Assisi through St. Bonaventure’s account of his early conversion. They reflect on the dream in which Francis sees a palace filled with arms and military standards, all marked with the Cross of Christ. Francis believes at first that he is being called to earthly knighthood, but Christ begins to teach him a deeper wisdom.
Dr. Lilles explains that Francis receives a true grace, even though he does not yet know how to interpret it. His misunderstanding does not mean the grace was false. Rather, as Francis takes action, suffers disappointment, and remains open to correction, Christ begins to form him for another kind of service, one marked by poverty, mercy, and the love of the great King.
The conversation also turns to Francis’s encounter with the leper, his love for the poor, and his visit to St. Peter’s in Rome, where he gives his clothes to a poor man and remains among the poor in joy. Through these moments, Bonaventure shows that Christ is already teaching Francis, not only in prayer, but through the poor, through suffering, and through the people placed along his path.
→ Listen to the complete St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality podcast series with Dr. Anthony Lilles.
Excerpts from Chapters One and Two of The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure:
Chapter 1 excerpt:
“…he was going forth one day, as was his custom, in clothing suited to his state. He met a certain soldier of honorable and courageous bearing, but poor and poorly clothed. Feeling tender and sorrowful compassion for his poverty, he immediately took off his new clothes and gave them to the poor man-at-arms, thus fulfilling at once two offices of mercy by covering the shame of a noble soldier and relieving the poverty of a poor man.
The following night, while he was asleep, the Divine mercy showed him a spacious and beautiful palace filled with arms and military standards, all marked with the cross of Christ, to make known to him that his charitable deed done for the poor soldier for love of the great King of Heaven would receive an unspeakable reward. When he asked for whom all these things were reserved, a Divine voice answered him that they were for him and for his soldiers.”
“When Francis awoke early in the morning, not yet accustomed to understand and interpret Divine mysteries, nor through visible signs to ascend to invisible truths, he thought this strange vision betokened some great earthly prosperity. Therefore, still ignorant of the Divine will, he resolved to go into Apulia, to enter the household of a certain count of great magnificence and generosity who lived in that country, hoping in his service to acquire military honor and renown according to what he supposed to be the meaning of the vision.
A little while later, when he had traveled for some days with the count, he came to a certain city. There the Lord spoke to him in the night with the familiar voice of a friend, saying, “Francis, who can do most for you, the Lord or the servant, the rich man or the poor?” And when Francis replied that the Lord and the rich man could do more for him than the poor man, the voice said, “Why, then, do you leave the Lord for the servant, and the God of infinite riches for a poor mortal?” Then Francis said, “Lord, what will You have me do?” And the Lord answered, “Return home, for the vision which you have seen prefigured a spiritual work which you shall bring to pass, not by human counsel, but by Divine disposition.”
“Now, as he was riding one day over the plain of Assisi, he met a leper whose sudden appearance filled him with fear and horror. But immediately calling to mind the resolution he had made to follow after perfection, and remembering that if he wished to be a soldier of Christ, he must first overcome himself, he dismounted from his horse and went to meet the leper, that he might embrace him. When the poor man stretched out his hand to receive alms, Francis kissed it and filled it with money.
Having mounted his horse again, he looked all around over the wide and open plain, but nowhere could he see the leper. Filled with wonder and joy, he began devoutly to give thanks to God, resolving within himself to proceed to still greater things.”
Chapter 2 excerpt:
“Throughout all the time of which we have spoken up to now, this great servant of God had no master or teacher to guide or instruct him except Christ our Lord. In addition to the gifts already bestowed upon him, Christ was pleased to visit him with the sweetness of the revelations of His Divine grace.”
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
What does Francis’s dream of knighthood reveal about the way God may begin teaching a soul before it fully understands His will?
Have you ever misunderstood a grace or prompting from God, only to understand its meaning more clearly later?
Why is Francis’s willingness to take action important in the way Christ teaches him wisdom?
What does the encounter with the leper reveal about conversion becoming visible through concrete acts of mercy?
How does Francis putting on the poor man’s rags at St. Peter’s deepen your understanding of Gospel poverty?
What does it mean to say that Christ is the true teacher of the soul?
About Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles is Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. A longtime friend and contributor to Discerning Hearts, he has helped form countless listeners through his podcast series, retreats, and spiritual conferences exploring the wisdom of the saints and the Catholic spiritual tradition. An accomplished author of numerous books on the spiritual life, including Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden, and Fire from Above. Dr. Lilles is widely respected for making the profound riches of spiritual theology accessible to everyday Catholics. In this series, he guides listeners through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi using St. Bonaventure’s classic biography as a trusted companion.
The post LOF4 – The Dream of Knighthood and the Grace of Wisdom – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
29 min
August 07LOF3 – God at Work in the Young St. Francis – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Episode 3: God at Work in the Young St. Francis – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles
In this episode of St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor begin Chapter One of St. Bonaventure’s The Life of St. Francis, encountering Francis before his conversion and discovering that God was already quietly at work within him. The young Francis lived comfortably in the world of his prosperous merchant family, enjoying good things, friendship and the pleasures available to him. Yet Bonaventure also reveals qualities already present in Francis that grace would eventually bring to extraordinary maturity. He was compassionate toward the poor, generous beyond his means, gentle, patient, affable and deeply moved whenever he heard words expressing the love of God. His later holiness would not erase everything that came before. God was already preparing, protecting and drawing Francis long before he understood the life to which he would eventually be called.
Dr. Lilles reflects on the mysterious ways God works through both our natural gifts and our weaknesses. Francis’ relationship with money and the expectations of his merchant family would eventually require profound conversion, while the generosity, compassion and openness to God already within him would become instruments of his vocation. Bonaventure even recounts the unusual figure in Assisi who repeatedly spread his cloak before the young Francis, recognizing something in him that Francis himself could not yet see. This early portrait invites us to consider God’s hidden providence in our own lives and to recognize how service to the poor can open the heart to discernment. In young Francis, we begin to see how God receives the whole person and patiently prepares natural gifts for a purpose far greater than we could have imagined.
→ Listen to the complete St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality podcast series with Dr. Anthony Lilles.
Excerpts from Chapter One of The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure:
“In the city of Assisi there lived a man named Francis. Blessed in memory, he was mercifully prevented by God from the beginning by Divine blessing, delivered from the perils of this present life and filled abundantly with the gifts of His heavenly grace. Although in his youth he was brought up among the vain children of worldly men in the vanities of the world, and was employed by his father after some knowledge of letters had been acquired in the pursuit of worldly gain, yet by the continual presence of God, he never allowed himself to be carried away like the lawless youths around him by sensual pleasure, although he was of a cheerful and joyful spirit. Nor, though dwelling among covetous traders, was he intent upon gain, nor did he set his heart and hopes on money.
For in the soul of this young man there lived, by the gift of God, a certain innate and natural love for the poor of Christ. Growing with him from his earliest childhood, this so filled his heart with such kindness that, in obedience to the words of the Gospel, he resolved within himself to give to everyone who asked of him, especially if the request was made in the name of God.”
“So he used to say, after he had perfectly put on Christ, that even while he was still wearing the secular habit, he could never hear words expressing the love of God without being deeply moved and touched in heart. And it is certain that in the sweetness and mildness of his bearing, the gentleness of his manners, his patience and docility, far beyond the ordinary custom of men, the generosity of his bounty exceeding even the extent of his means, all these things shone forth as signs of the beauty of this young man’s soul, clearly indicating the abundant outpouring of Divine blessing reserved for him in the days to come.”
“In those days there lived in Assisi a certain man of great simplicity who, by a knowledge divinely infused, whenever he met Francis in the street, would take off his cloak and spread it upon the ground before him, declaring that he did this because Francis was worthy of all honor and reverence, for he would shortly perform great works and marvelous deeds and therefore should be highly honored and praised by all faithful Christians.
But Francis did not yet know or understand the great purpose of God toward him. Because, by the will of his father, he was occupied with outward affairs, and also by reason of the original corruption of our nature, he was drawn downward by earthly things. He had not yet learned to contemplate heavenly mysteries, nor did he yet know the sweetness of Divine consolation.”
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Bonaventure shows God working within Francis long before Francis understands his vocation. Looking back on your own life, where can you now recognize a grace or preparation that you did not understand at the time?
Francis possessed generosity, compassion, gentleness, patience and affability before his conversion. What natural gifts has God given you that He may desire to deepen and place more fully at the service of others?
Francis was deeply moved whenever he heard words about the love of God. What happens within your own heart when you hear about God’s love for you?
Francis’ relationship with wealth would eventually become an important place of conversion. What attachment in your own life might God be inviting you to place more completely into His hands?
The simple man of Assisi recognized something in Francis that Francis himself could not yet see. Has God ever used another person to recognize or affirm a gift, calling or possibility in you before you could recognize it yourself?
Dr. Lilles connects generosity toward the poor with greater freedom to discern God’s call. How might serving someone who is poor, elderly, vulnerable or forgotten help you become more attentive to God’s movements in your own heart?
Bonaventure makes God the principal actor in Francis’ story. How might your understanding of your own spiritual life change if you became more attentive to what God is doing rather than concentrating primarily on what you are accomplishing?
About Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles is Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. A longtime friend and contributor to Discerning Hearts, he has helped form countless listeners through his podcast series, retreats, and spiritual conferences exploring the wisdom of the saints and the Catholic spiritual tradition. An accomplished author of numerous books on the spiritual life, including Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden, and Fire from Above. Dr. Lilles is widely respected for making the profound riches of spiritual theology accessible to everyday Catholics. In this series, he guides listeners through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi using St. Bonaventure’s classic biography as a trusted companion.
The post LOF3 – God at Work in the Young St. Francis – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
27 min
July 29LOF2 – A Living Witness to Christ – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Episode 2: A Living Witness to Christ – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles
In this second episode of St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor continue their exploration of St. Bonaventure’s Prologue to The Life of St. Francis. Bonaventure reveals St. Francis not simply as an extraordinary saint, but as a living witness who reflects the mystery of Jesus Christ. Through rich biblical imagery drawn from John the Baptist, the Prophet Elijah, the angels, and the Book of Revelation, Bonaventure presents Francis as God’s messenger of peace, repentance, and hope, whose life continues to illuminate the Church. Dr. Lilles explains how the saints preserve the fullness of the Gospel by drawing believers beyond intellectual arguments into a living encounter with Christ.
The conversation also explores the profoundly Eucharistic heart of St. Francis’ spirituality. Bonaventure portrays Francis as one who continually points others toward Christ crucified and present in the Eucharist, inviting every Christian to a life of repentance, humility, and loving penance. Dr. Lilles concludes by offering practical ways to begin walking with St. Francis through pilgrimage, prayerful reading of Bonaventure’s biography, Eucharistic adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This episode deepens our understanding of Francis as both a model of holiness and a guide who leads every soul more fully into the mystery of Jesus Christ.
→ Listen to the complete St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality podcast series with Dr. Anthony Lilles.
Excerpts from the Prologue of The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure:
“Thus, first prepared by the gifts of heavenly grace, then enriched by the merits of unconquered virtue, filled with the spirit of prophecy and ordained to the angelic office of declaring good news, burning with seraphic fire and raised above all human things in the fiery chariot of Divine love, it may reasonably be affirmed from the clear testimony of his whole life that he came in the spirit and power of Elijah.
We may also say that he was truly foreshadowed by that other friend of Christ, the Apostle and Evangelist St. John, under the likeness of the angel whom he saw ascending from the east with the sign of the living God. Under this figure we may assuredly discern Francis, the servant, herald and messenger of God, the beloved of Christ, the pattern for our imitation, the wonder of the world, if we carefully observe and mark the excellence of his marvelous sanctity. During his life, he imitated the purity of the angels, so that he may be set forth as an example to all the perfect followers of Christ.
And we are moved not only to believe this firmly, but also to affirm it confidently by the office which he exercised in his own person, inviting all men to tears and penance, clothing himself in sackcloth, girding himself with a cord, shaving his head and signing the saving sign of the cross. We are moved still more by the indelible seal of likeness to the living God, even of Jesus Christ crucified, which was impressed upon his body, not by natural power nor by artificial contrivance, but by the marvelous efficacy of the Spirit of the living God.
I know myself, then, to be most unworthy and unequal to describe the life of this most venerable man, that life most worthy of imitation by the faithful. Nor should I ever have attempted such a task except for my ardent love for my brethren, by which I was moved, and by the urgent request of our General Chapter. No less was I bound to this by the devotion which I owe to our holy Father, by whose merits and invocation I was, as I well remember, delivered from the jaws of death. Were I to be silent in his praise, I would rightly fear being charged with ingratitude.”
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
St. Bonaventure presents St. Francis as a living witness to Christ rather than simply a historical figure. How does this change the way you approach his life and example?
Throughout the Prologue, Francis is described using images drawn from Sacred Scripture. What do these biblical images reveal about his mission within the Church?
Dr. Lilles emphasizes that the saints help preserve the mystery of Christ beyond merely intellectual understanding. How have the lives of the saints strengthened your own faith?
St. Francis’ deep love for the Eucharist shaped every aspect of his life. How might greater devotion to the Blessed Sacrament transform your own relationship with Christ?
Bonaventure describes repentance and penance as pathways to deeper communion with God. What practical step can you take this week to embrace that invitation?
Dr. Lilles encourages pilgrimage, Eucharistic adoration, and prayerful reading as ways of entering into Franciscan spirituality. Which of these practices is God inviting you to begin or renew?
About Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles is Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. A longtime friend and contributor to Discerning Hearts, he has helped form countless listeners through his podcast series, retreats, and spiritual conferences exploring the wisdom of the saints and the Catholic spiritual tradition. An accomplished author of numerous books on the spiritual life, including Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden, and Fire from Above. Dr. Lilles is widely respected for making the profound riches of spiritual theology accessible to everyday Catholics. In this series, he guides listeners through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi using St. Bonaventure’s classic biography as a trusted companion.
The post LOF2 – A Living Witness to Christ – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
26 min
July 16LOF1 – Introducing St. Francis Through St. Bonaventure – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Episode 1: Introducing St. Francis Through St. Bonaventure – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles
The first episode of St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality begins by introducing the remarkable guide who will accompany this journey: St. Bonaventure, the Franciscan theologian, Doctor of the Church, and Minister General of the Franciscan Order. Drawing from his classic work, The Life of St. Francis, Dr. Anthony Lilles explains why Bonaventure’s account is far more than a historical biography. Written by one entrusted with preserving the Franciscan charism, Bonaventure presents St. Francis as God’s gift to the Church, a saint whose life reveals the light of Christ and continues to inspire believers to holiness centuries later.
Rather than beginning with the familiar events of Francis’ life, Bonaventure first prepares readers to encounter the saint with humility and a love for holy poverty. Dr. Lilles explores how Francis offers a prophetic witness for every generation, especially in a culture tempted by materialism, self-reliance, and worldly ambition. Through his joyful conformity to Christ, St. Francis becomes a beacon of hope, leading others toward deeper trust in God’s providence and the peace found in the Gospel. This opening conversation lays the spiritual foundation for the entire series, inviting listeners to discover not only who St. Francis was, but why his life remains a powerful guide for Christians today.
→ Listen to the complete St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality podcast series with Dr. Anthony Lilles.
Excerpts from the Prologue of The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure:
“The grace of God our Savior has appeared in these last days in His faithful and devout servant Francis. Through him, it has taught all who are truly humble and lovers of holy poverty to look upon the overflowing abundance of Divine mercy, which was so richly poured out upon him. By his example they have learned to forsake all impiety and worldly desires, to conform their lives to the life of Christ and, with untiring longing, to thirst after the hope of heavenly blessedness.”
“For so graciously did God look upon this truly poor and contrite man that He not only raised the poor and needy from the dust of worldly conversation, but also set him to be a light to the faithful, making him a true professor, leader and herald of evangelical perfection. Bearing witness to the light, he might prepare before the Lord a way of light and peace in the hearts of the faithful.”
“For, shining like the morning star in the midst of a dark cloud, he enlightened, by the bright rays of his pure doctrine and holy life, those who lay in darkness and in the shadow of death, and thus guided them onward by his bright shining to the perfect day. And, like the glorious rainbow set in the darkness of the clouds, he came forth as the angel of true peace and the sign of the covenant between God and man, bringing glad tidings of peace and salvation.”
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Why do you think St. Bonaventure begins by inviting us to behold who St. Francis is before recounting the events of his life?
St. Francis embraced humility and holy poverty as the path to Christ. What attachments or attitudes keep you from relying more completely on God?
Dr. Lilles describes St. Francis as a light shining in a dark world. Where do you most need the light of Christ to illuminate your own life today?
In what ways does the example of St. Francis challenge our culture’s pursuit of comfort, success, and self-sufficiency?
How can the witness of the saints, especially St. Francis, strengthen your hope and deepen your trust in God’s providence?
As you begin this series, what grace do you hope to receive through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi?
About Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles is Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. A longtime friend and contributor to Discerning Hearts, he has helped form countless listeners through his podcast series, retreats, and spiritual conferences exploring the wisdom of the saints and the Catholic spiritual tradition. An accomplished author of numerous books on the spiritual life, including Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden, and Fire from Above. Dr. Lilles is widely respected for making the profound riches of spiritual theology accessible to everyday Catholics. In this series, he guides listeners through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi using St. Bonaventure’s classic biography as a trusted companion.

The post LOF1 – Introducing St. Francis Through St. Bonaventure – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
30 min
December 21, 2025 Finding Joy and Hope in Challenging Times – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Finding Joy and Hope in Challenging Times – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Dr. Anthony Lilles, focusing on Pope Benedict XVI’s writings, discusses how illness, physically or emotionally, during Advent can be a unique spiritual opportunity. He emphasizes that suffering and difficulty can be a form of divine visitation, offering a chance for personal growth and deeper connection with God.
Dr. Lilles encourages listeners to view every life event, including hardships, as an expression of God’s love. He suggests maintaining an ‘inner diary’ of daily positives as a way to acknowledge God’s presence in all situations. The discussion also covers practical spiritual practices for the Advent season, especially for those facing physical or emotional challenges. Dr. Lilles highlights the importance of ‘offering up’ one’s suffering, transforming it into a meaningful spiritual journey.
This podcast offers a compassionate perspective on finding spiritual richness and hope in the midst of illness, aligning with the reflective nature of Advent.
The post Finding Joy and Hope in Challenging Times – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
20 min
December 06, 2025Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles offers a captivating exploration of the spiritual significance of St. Nicholas through the reflections of Pope Benedict XVI. St. Nicholas, known for his generosity and kindness, serves as a model of Christ’s light, especially during Advent. His actions, rooted in faith and love, reflect the incarnation of Christ, demonstrating the meaningfulness of human life and love.
St. Nicholas’ defense of Jesus’ divinity at the Council of Nicaea highlights the profound truth of God’s love entering humanity. His life of everyday holiness teaches us to bring Christ’s light into the world through acts of charity and selflessness.
Families should honor St. Nicholas during Advent, embracing his virtues through acts of giving and reflection. Traditions like lighting candles symbolize the consuming nature of love and service, tying directly to the saint’s legacy. Even in today’s often commercialized image of Santa Claus, St. Nicholas can remind us of the profound connection between the incarnation and the Eucharist. By incorporating his example into Advent practices, listeners are called to foster hope, joy, and faith in their communities, embodying the true spirit of the season.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Faith in the Incarnation: How does your belief in Jesus as true God and true man shape your understanding of human love and the meaning of life?
Living Generously: In what ways can you emulate St. Nicholas’ everyday acts of kindness and generosity during this Advent season?
Bringing Christ’s Light: How can you be a source of hope and light in your community, inspired by St. Nicholas’ selfless service?
Advent as a Time for Almsgiving: What practical steps can you take to incorporate almsgiving and care for the vulnerable into your Advent preparation?
Recognizing Holiness in the Ordinary: How can you find and reflect Christ’s light in the small, consistent actions of daily life?
Engaging Family in Faith: How can you share the spiritual legacy of St. Nicholas with your children or loved ones to deepen their Advent experience?
Connecting Advent to the Eucharist: How does the mystery of the incarnation lead you to a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist this season?
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
18 min
December 04, 2025 Embracing Hope and Presence – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Advent #2 – Embracing Hope and Presence – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
In this episode of the Discerning Hearts podcast, Dr. Anthony Lilles focuses once again on the profound insights of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) from his work “Seeking God’s Face.” The episode explores the concept of waiting with hope during Advent and understanding the significance of Christian time and history.
Dr. Lilles reflects on a passage from Pope Benedict about the different aspects of waiting – from the anticipation of something better in life to the endurance of illness. The conversation highlights how waiting becomes meaningful when filled with the presence of Christ. This presence, not limited to the future, is active and transformative in the present, offering comfort and direction.
The podcast delves into the idea that Christian hope elevates every moment of life, making it precious. It contrasts this with the despair and nihilism prevalent in society, where people often wait without purpose. Dr. Lilles emphasizes that Christian hope sees God’s love in all circumstances, whether in joy, sorrow, success, or failure.
The episode concludes with the notion that the blessings received now are just a foretaste of the greater joy and fulfillment to come in heaven, urging listeners to live in gratitude and expectation of God’s inexhaustible goodness. This Advent reflection encourages embracing each moment as a gift from God, filled with His loving presence.

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17 min
July 29, 2025BTP-LR20 – Day 14 – Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Day 14 – Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore Day 14 of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat. The reflection centers on the idea that Holy Communion is not merely a moment of devotion but an invitation to unite fully with Christ’s obedience to the Father’s will. Elizabeth points to Christ’s declaration, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me”, to reveal that receiving the Eucharist properly requires interior readiness and surrender. When we approach the altar with selfish motives or spiritual distraction, we hinder the grace meant to transform us. Instead, St. Elizabeth calls for a soul open to the mystery of divine will: one that continues to offer praise and fidelity long after Mass ends. This disposition leads us deeper into the very heart of Christ’s sacrificial love, enabling us to join him in his prayer and suffering.
Silence is the place where union with God matures. St. Elizabeth portrays this silence not as mere absence of noise, but as the crucible of transformation, especially in suffering. Drawing from Jesus’ own cries from the cross—“Why have you abandoned me?” and “I thirst”—she identifies the soul’s participation in divine love through desolation and thirst for God. This silence prepares the heart to echo Jesus’ final surrender: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Dr. Lilles reflects that such surrender, born from silence and suffering, allows God’s glory and joy to enter the world. In a noisy culture, this interior stillness is rare but deeply necessary. It is within this silence, he says, that God astonishes the soul with his presence and leads it beyond its limits into the boundless mystery of divine love.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
How does receiving Holy Communion invite you to align your will with the Father’s, beyond the moment of the Mass?
In what ways might you be approaching Communion with personal agendas rather than openness to God’s purpose?
What does it mean for you personally to make the Father’s will your “food,” as Christ did?
How can you cultivate silence in your life as a place of strength and union with God?
When have you experienced the silence of God, and how did it affect your faith?
Are you willing to let suffering become a path through which God communicates his love to others?
How might embracing silence after Communion deepen your intimacy with Christ?
What does Jesus’ thirst from the cross reveal about his desire for your soul and others?
How can you surrender more fully to God in times of spiritual abandonment or trial?
What does it look like in your life to let Christ increase and yourself decrease?
From “Last Retreat Day 14” found in The Complete Works vol 1:
36. “It seems to me that all is loss since I have known the excelling knowledge of my Lord, Jesus Christ. For love of Him I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish that I may gain Christ, so as to be found in Him, not with my own justice but with the justice that comes from God through faith. What I want is to know Him, to share in His sufferings, to become like Him in His death. I pursue my course, striving to attain to what Christ has destined me for by taking hold of me; my whole concern is to forget what is behind and to strain forward constantly to what is ahead; I run straight to the goal . . . , to the prize of the heavenly vocation to which God has called me in Christ Jesus.” 212 The Apostle has often revealed the greatness of this vocation: “God,” he says, “has chosen us in Him before the creation of the world that we might be holy and immaculate in His presence in love. . . . We have been predestined by the decree of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we may be the praise of His glory.” 213
37. But how do we respond to the dignity of this vocation? This is the secret: “Mihi vivere Christus est! . . . Vivo enim, jam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus. . . .” 214 We must be transformed into Jesus Christ; again it is St. Paul who teaches me this: “Those whom God has foreknown, He has predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” 215 It is important then that I study this divine Model so as to identify myself so closely with Him that I may unceasingly reveal Him to the eyes of the Father. First of all, what did He say when He came into the world? “Here I am, O God, I come to do your will.” 216 I think that this prayer should be like the bride’s heartbeat: 217 “Here we are, O Father, we come to do your will!”
This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-LR20 – Day 14 – Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
30 min
July 17, 2025BTP-LR19 – Day 14 – Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Day 14 – Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles
In this episode of Beginning to Pray, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor reflect on Day 14 of The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. As Elizabeth nears the close of her earthly life, she draws deeply from the writings of St. Paul to express her complete surrender to Christ and her longing to be united with Him in everything.
Her words are filled with Scripture—not simply quoted, but absorbed into her heart and prayer. She speaks of letting go of all else in order to press forward toward Christ, who has taken hold of her completely. Dr. Lilles offers insight into how her prayer is not shaped by emotion or technique, but by a steady and trusting love—a love that remains even in suffering.
Listeners are invited to consider how Elizabeth’s trust in God’s eternal plan—set in place before the foundation of the world—can shape our own response to trials, loss, or uncertainty. Her surrender is not passive, but strong and deliberate, rooted in the desire to do the Father’s will in all things. This conversation opens a path toward interior transformation, where even the most painful moments can become occasions of grace and deeper communion with Christ.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
In your current season of life, what attachments or distractions may be keeping you from a deeper intimacy with Christ?
How have you tried to earn God’s favor, and what would it look like to rest more fully in His free gift of grace?
When your prayer feels uneventful or dry, how can you remain committed to simply being present to God?
Think about a recent difficulty you faced: how might Christ be inviting you to let His life guide your response?
How does remembering that God’s plan for you began before creation change the way you view today’s challenges?
In practical terms, what daily habit could help you say a more ready “yes” to God’s will?
Where do you notice self‑doubt creeping in, and how can turning to Christ’s strength reshape that inner dialogue?
Who in your life could benefit from your intercessory prayer this week, and how will you make space to pray intentionally for that person?
How might reflecting on Scripture from memory—following Elizabeth’s example—reshape the atmosphere of your day?
Looking ahead, what concrete step can you take to be sure that love, rather than fear, motivates your decisions?
From “Last Retreat Day 14” found in The Complete Works vol 1:
36. “It seems to me that all is loss since I have known the excelling knowledge of my Lord, Jesus Christ. For love of Him I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish that I may gain Christ, so as to be found in Him, not with my own justice but with the justice that comes from God through faith. What I want is to know Him, to share in His sufferings, to become like Him in His death. I pursue my course, striving to attain to what Christ has destined me for by taking hold of me; my whole concern is to forget what is behind and to strain forward constantly to what is ahead; I run straight to the goal . . . , to the prize of the heavenly vocation to which God has called me in Christ Jesus.” 212 The Apostle has often revealed the greatness of this vocation: “God,” he says, “has chosen us in Him before the creation of the world that we might be holy and immaculate in His presence in love. . . . We have been predestined by the decree of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we may be the praise of His glory.” 213
37. But how do we respond to the dignity of this vocation? This is the secret: “Mihi vivere Christus est! . . . Vivo enim, jam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus. . . .” 214 We must be transformed into Jesus Christ; again it is St. Paul who teaches me this: “Those whom God has foreknown, He has predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” 215 It is important then that I study this divine Model so as to identify myself so closely with Him that I may unceasingly reveal Him to the eyes of the Father. First of all, what did He say when He came into the world? “Here I am, O God, I come to do your will.” 216 I think that this prayer should be like the bride’s heartbeat: 217 “Here we are, O Father, we come to do your will!
This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-LR19 – Day 14 – Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
28 min
July 09, 2025BTP-LR18 – Day 13 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Day 13 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor reflect on Day 13 of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s “The Last Retreat.” Elizabeth draws from St. Paul’s vision of restoring all things in Christ, adopting it as a personal rule of life. St. Elizabeth, even in her physical suffering and in the face of external turmoil, turns inward to a deeper union with God. Rather than being consumed by hardship, she looks to Christ as the foundation of her identity and purpose. Her insight reveals that living “rooted in Christ” means detaching from self-centered desires and surrendering to the love and presence of God. This inner life, grounded in thanksgiving and faith, allows her to find meaning, direction, and even joy amidst pain.
Dr. Lilles elaborates on the practical implications of St. Elizabeth’s teaching, and how we must let go of ego and control, echoing the humility of Jesus who emptied himself in obedience to the Father. This can apply to family life and religious vocations. Authentic renewal only happens when one stops clinging to personal ambition and becomes open to God’s transforming work. Trust, especially in trials, becomes the gateway to a deeper life in God.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
How can I make St. Paul’s call to “walk in Christ” a practical guide for my daily life?
In what areas am I still clinging to self-reliance instead of surrendering to God’s will?
What does it mean for me personally to be “rooted” in Jesus Christ?
How have I experienced God’s presence in moments of suffering or trial?
Am I allowing distractions or anxieties to keep me from being recollected in prayer?
What part of my ego or ambition is preventing deeper trust in God’s plan?
How can I foster a spirit of thanksgiving even in difficult circumstances?
Do I believe that God is building me up through the challenges I face?
How might letting go of control open my heart to the dreams of Christ for my family or vocation?
In what ways can I practice contemplative prayer to remain under the loving gaze of Christ?
From “Last Retreat Day 13” found in The Complete Works vol 1:
32. “Instaurare omnia in Christo.” 194 Again it is St. Paul who instructs me, St. Paul who has just immersed himself in the great counsel of God195 and who tells me “that He has resolved in Himself to restore all things in Christ.” So that I may personally realize this divine plan, it is again St. Paul who comes to my aid and who will himself draw up a rule of life for me. “Walk in Jesus Christ,” he tells me, “be rooted in Him, built up in Him, strengthened in faith, growing more and more in Him through thanksgiving.” 196
33. To walk in Jesus Christ seems to me to mean to leave self, lose sight of self, give up self, in order to enter more deeply into Him with every passing moment, 197 so deeply that one is rooted there; and to every event, to every circumstance we can fling this beautiful challenge: “Who will separate me from the love of Jesus Christ?” 198 When the soul is established in Him at such depths that its roots are also deeply thrust in, then the divine sap streams into it199 and all this imperfect, commonplace, natural life is destroyed. Then, in the language of the Apostle, “that which is mortal is swallowed up by life.” 200 The soul thus “stripped” of self and “clothed” 201 in Jesus Christ has nothing more to fear from exterior encounters or from interior difficulties, for these things, far from being an obstacle, serve only “to root it more deeply in the love” 202 of its Master. Through everything, despite everything, the soul can “adore Him always because of Himself.” 203 For it is free, rid of self and everything else; it can sing with the psalmist: “Though an army encamp against me, I will not fear; though war be waged upon me I will trust in spite of everything; for Yahweh will hide me in the secrecy of His tent” 204 and this tent is nothing else but Himself. I think that is what St. Paul means when he says: “be rooted in Jesus Christ.”
This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-LR18 – Day 13 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
29 min