Msgr. Esseff favorites Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Msgr. Esseff favorites Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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Msgr. Esseff favorites Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts episodes

  • St. Padre Pio and the Healing of the Church – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff podcast
    St. Padre Pio and the Healing of the Church – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

    In this episode, Monsignor John Esseff shares his profound experiences with St. Padre Pio, offering a unique glimpse into the saint’s life, suffering, and sanctity. Monsignor Esseff recounts his personal encounters with Padre Pio, including a transformative moment during the saint’s Eucharistic celebration in 1959, where he witnessed the bleeding stigmata. Padre Pio’s example of humility, obedience, and faith amidst rejection serves as an inspiring reminder of the cost of following Christ. Monsignor Esseff also emphasizes the grace available to all of us, highlighting the importance of prayer and the Eucharist in staying connected to God’s will.

    Join Kris McGregor and Monsignor Esseff as they reflect on how we are called to be lights in the world, radiating Christ’s love even through suffering.

    Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
    1. How does the example of St. Padre Pio’s suffering and obedience challenge your understanding of what it means to follow Christ faithfully, even when facing rejection or misunderstanding?
    2. In what ways can you embrace the daily crosses in your life, uniting your sufferings with Christ, as St. Padre Pio did through his stigmata and spiritual trials?
    3. How can the Eucharist become a more central part of your spiritual life, as it was for St. Padre Pio, who drew strength from it even in the midst of his physical and emotional pain?
    4. Are there areas in your life where you feel distant from God or struggle to see His presence? How can you deepen your connection through prayer, as St. Padre Pio’s prayer “Stay with me, Lord” invites us to?
    5. What does it mean to be a “light on a lampstand” in your current circumstances? How can you radiate Christ’s love and truth in a world that often rejects or misunderstands the Christian message?

      6. St. Padre Pio Communion Prayer:

      Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have you present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You

      Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life and without You I am without fervor.

      Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light and without You I am in darkness.

      Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

      Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and alway be in Your company.

      Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.

      Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.

      Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes, death, judgment and eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strenth, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!

      Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.

      Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.

      Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.

      Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.

      With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.

      The post St. Padre Pio and the Healing of the Church – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      29 min
    6. Are you the lazy servant? – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

      Monsignor John Esseff discusses the importance of love and the dangers of self-obsession. He uses the parable of the talents from the Gospel of Matthew to illustrate his point, explaining that the talents represent love and the servants represent different levels of capacity for love. He warns against laziness and self-obsession, using figures like Hitler and Stalin as examples of individuals who had little capacity for love and caused great suffering. He encourages listeners to exercise their capacity for love and witness love in the world. He also discusses the role of fear in blocking love and the importance of understanding that love multiplies when given away. He concludes by urging listeners to be aware of their capacity for love and to use it to bring light into the world.

      Gospel MT 25:14-30

      Jesus told his disciples this parable:

      “A man going on a journey
      called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
      To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
      to each according to his ability.
      Then he went away.
      Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
      and made another five.
      Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
      But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
      and buried his master’s money.

      After a long time

      the master of those servants came back
      and settled accounts with them.
      The one who had received five talents came forward
      bringing the additional five.
      He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
      See, I have made five more.’
      His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
      Since you were faithful in small matters,
      I will give you great responsibilities.
      Come, share your master’s joy.’
      Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
      ‘Master, you gave me two talents.
      See, I have made two more.’
      His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
      Since you were faithful in small matters,
      I will give you great responsibilities.
      Come, share your master’s joy.’
      Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
      ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
      harvesting where you did not plant
      and gathering where you did not scatter;
      so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
      Here it is back.’
      His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
      So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
      and gather where I did not scatter?
      Should you not then have put my money in the bank
      so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
      Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
      For to everyone who has,
      more will be given and he will grow rich;
      but from the one who has not,
      even what he has will be taken away.
      And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
      where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'”

      Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;

       

      Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta.    He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.  Msgr. Esseff encountered St.  Padre Pio,  who would become his spiritual father.  He has lived in areas around the world,  serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St.  John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor.  Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director.  He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders worldwide.  

      The post Are you the lazy servant? – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      29 min
    7. Prayers for Spiritual Healing with Msgr. Esseff – Mp3 audio prayer and text – Discerning Hearts

      Msgr John Esseff offers the following prayers.  

      EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
      FORGIVENESS PRAYER

      The following prayer covers most of the significant areas of forgiveness. Often, such a prayer will bring to mind other areas that need forgiveness. Let the Holy Spirit move freely and guide your mind to persons or groups that you need to forgive. This is especially useful before confession.

      Lord Jesus Christ, I ask today to forgive everyone in my life. I know that You will give me the strength to forgive and I thank You that You love me more than I love myself and want my happiness more than I desire it for myself.
      Father, I forgive Your for the times death has come into my family, hard times, financial difficulties, or that I thought were punishments sent by You and people said “It’s God;s will,” and I became bitter and resentful toward You. Purify my heart and mind today.
      Lord, I forgive MYSELF for my sins, faults and failings, for all that is bad in myself or that I think is bad, I forgive myself. For any delvings in superstition, using ouija boards, horoscopes, going to seances, using fortune telling or wearing lucky charms, I reject all that superstition and choose You alone as my Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit.
      I further forgive myself for taking Your name in vain, not worshipping You by attending church, for hurting my parents, getting drunk, for sins against purity, bad books, bad movies, fornication, adultery, homosexuality. You have forgiven me, today I forgive myself.
      Also for abortion, stealing, lying, defrauding, hurting people’s reputation, I forgive myself.
      I truly forgive my MOTHER, I forgive her for all the times she hurt me, she resented me, she was angry with me and for all the times she prefered my brothers and sisters to me. I forgive her for the times she told me I was dumb, ugly, stupid, the worst of the children or that I cost the family a lot of money. For the times she told me I was unwanted, an accident, a mistake or not what she expected, I forgive her.
      I forgive my FATHER. I forgive him for any non-support, any lack of love, affection or attention. I forgive him for any lack of time, for not giving me his companionship, for his drinking, arguing and fighting with my mother or the other children. For his severe punishments, for desertion, for being away from home, for divorcing my mother or for any running around, I do forgive him.
      Lord, I extend forgiveness to my SISTERS AND BROTHERS. I forgive those who rejected me, lied about me, hated me, resented me, competed for my parents’ love, those who hurt me, who physically harmed me. For those who were too severe on me, punished me or made my life unpleasant in any way, I do forgive them.
      Lord, I forgive my SPOUSE for lack of love, affection, consideration, support, attention, communication; for faults, failings, weaknesses and those other acts or words that hurt or disturb me.
      Jesus, I forgive my CHILDREN for their lack of respect, obedience, love, attention, support, warmth, understanding; for their bad habits, falling away from the church, any bad actions which disturb me.
      My God, I forgive my IN-LAWS, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, FATHER-IN-LAW, SON/DAUGHTER IN-LAWAND OTHER RELATIVES by marriage, who treat my family with a lack of love. For all their words, thoughts, actions or omissions which injure and cause pain, I forgive them.
      Please help me to forgive my RELATIVES, my grandmother and grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins, who may have interfered in our family, been possessive of my parents, who may have caused confusion or turned one parent against the other.
      Jesus, help me to forgive my CO-WORKERS who are disagreeable or make life miserable for me. For those who push their work off on me, gossip about me won’t cooperate with me, try to take my job, I do forgive them.
      My NEIGHBORS need to be forgiven, Lord. For all their noise, letting their property run down, not tying up their dogs who run through my yard, not taking in their trash barrels, being prejudiced and running down the neighborhood, I do forgive them.
      I now forgive all PRIESTS AND NUNS, MY PARISH, PARISH COUNCIL, PARISH ORGANIZATIONS, MY PASTOR, THE BISHOP, THE POPE, AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH for their lack of support, affirmation, bad sermons, pettiness, lack of friendliness, not providing me or my family with the inspiration we needed, for any hurts they have inflicted on me or my family, even in the distant past, I forgive them today.
      Lord, I forgive all those who are of different PERSUASIONS, those of opposite political views who have attacked me, ridiculed me, discriminated against me, made fun of me, economically hurt me.
      I forgive those of different religious DENOMINATIONS who have tried to convert me, harrassed me, attacked me, argued with me, forced their views on me.
      Those who have harmed me ETHNICALLY, have discriminated against me, moscked me, made jokes about my race or nationality, hurt my family physically, emotionally or economically, I do forgive them today.
      Lord, I forgive all PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE who have hurt me in any way; doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges, politicians and civil servants. I forgive all service people: policemen, firemen, bus drivers, hospital workers and especially repairmen who have taken advantage of me in their work.
      Lord, I forgive my EMPLOYER for not paying me enough money, for not appreciating my work, for being unkind and unreasonable with me, for being angry or unfriendly, for not promoting me, and for not complimenting me on my work.
      Lord, I forgive my SCHOOLTEACHERS ANDINSTRUCTORS of the past as well as the present. For those who punished me, humilitated me, insulted me, treated me unjustly, made fun of me, called me dumb or stupid, made me stay after school, I truly forgive them today.
      Lord, I forgive my FRIENDS who have let me down, lost contact with me, do not support me, were not available when I needed help, borrowed money and did not return it, gossiped about me.
      Lord Jesus, I especially pray for the grace of forgiveness for that ONE PERSON in life who has HURT ME THE MOST. I ask to forgive anyone who I consider my greatest enemy, the one who is the hardest to forgive or the one who I said i will never forgive.
      Lord, I beg pardon of all these people for the hurt I have inflicted on them, especially my mother and father, and my marriage partner. I am especially sorry for the three greatest hurts I have inflicted on each.
      Thank You, Jesus, that I am being freed of the evil of unforgiveness. Let Your Holy Spirit fill me with light and let every dark area of my mind be enlightened. AMEN

      NOTE:

      FORGIVENESS IS AN ACT OF THE WILL, NOT A FEELING. IF WE PRAY FOR A PERSON, WE CAN BE ASSURED THAT WE HAVE FORGIVEN THAT PERSON.

      TO HELP ACCEPT AN INDIVIDUAL AND OPEN OURSELVES TO A PARTICULAR PERSON MORE, VISUALIZE HIM WITH THE LORD JESUS AND SAY TO THE LORD, “I LOVE HIM BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM.”

      FORGIVENESS IS A LIFELONG OBLIGATION.

      DAILY WE NEED TO FORGIVE THOSE WHO HURT OR INJURE US.

      John 15:12 ”This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

      The post Prayers for Spiritual Healing with Msgr. Esseff – Mp3 audio prayer and text – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      28 min
    8. BKL#3 – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – “The Gift of Nothing”

      Show 3 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – “The Gift of Nothing.“

      Msgr. Esseff begins by reading a passage from the book “The Gift of Nothing” by Patrick McDonnell.  He discusses how we all think what we will need “something,” but Msgr. Esseff helps us to see what God desires for us to see “the gift of nothing.”  What we desire deep down is intimacy.  Msgr. Esseff offers how Jesus reaches out to us in Divine Love…the Bread of Life.  The Eucharist offers intimacy, will we accept the gift?

      Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA.  Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa.    He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world.  Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio,  who would become a spiritual father to him.  He has lived in areas around the world,  serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor.  Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute.  He continues to serve as a retreat leader and spiritual director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.   He is the President of the Board of the Pope Leo XIII Institute School of Exorcism.

       

       

       

      The post BKL#3 – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – “The Gift of Nothing” appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      29 min
    9. Exorcism and Deliverance – What is the difference? – Discerning Hearts
      Part 1: Msgr. Esseff describes the difference between Exorcism and Deliverance:

      The role of the Bishop and the priest.  The power we have by virtue of our baptism. What is possession?  What is a curse?  The rite of Exorcism and the need for inner healing of the individual.  The ministry of Deliverance and how it differs from the need for Exorcism.  Addictions that effect the person and how . Priests and gifted individuals work in harmony to free the person from the evil spirit.  The wounds that contribute to the affliction experienced by the individual.  The need to distinguish between spiritual pain and psychological pain, and the need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation….”one good confession is worth 100 exorcisms.”  The role of the laity today in deliverance ministry.

      Download (right click & choose “Save Link As”)

      In part 2, after the intial recording, Msgr. Esseff  answers various questions posed on various topics:

      The priesthood and the role of spiritual healing.  Do we give the devil too much credit?  The role of Mary. The power of the Cross.  How do slip back into oppression or sin?  How can we prevent that?  The power of prayer in temptation.

      visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building A Kingdom of Love”

      The post Exorcism and Deliverance – What is the difference? – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      16 min
    10. A Prayer to Take Authority – a prayer and teaching from Msgr. Esseff – Discerning Hearts
      A Prayer to Take Authority

      Msgr. Esseff teaches about the need for healing, protection, and deliverance. Msgr. Esseff discusses the importance of the “Our Father”. He then leads the following prayer:

      In the name of Jesus, I take authority, and I bind all the powers and forces in the air, in the ground, in the water, in the underground, in the netherworld, in nature, and in fire.  You are the Lord over the entire universe, and I give you the glory for your creation.  In your name, I bind all demonic forces that have come against our families and us, and I seal all of us in the protection of your precious blood that was shed for us on the cross.
      Mary Our Mother, we seek your protection and intercession, with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for our families and us, and surround us with your mantle of love to discourage the enemy.
      St. Michael and our Guardian Angels, come and defend us and our families in battle against all the evil ones that roam the earth.
      In the name of Jesus, I bind and command all the powers and forces of evil to depart right now away from us, our families, our homes, and our lands, and I cast you at the foot of the cross to remain there forever. And I thank you, Lord Jesus, for you are a faithful and compassionate God, Amen.
      Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.
      Blessed art thou among women,
      and blessed be the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
      Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now
      and at the hour of our death.  Amen.
      Continue with Msgr. John Esseff

      This prayer is part of a much larger body of spiritual teaching from Msgr. John Esseff on prayer, healing, discernment, spiritual warfare, surrender to Jesus Christ, and growth in the spiritual life.

      ➜ Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

      ➜ Healing and Authority Prayers

      The post A Prayer to Take Authority – a prayer and teaching from Msgr. Esseff – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      8 min
    11. St. Padre Pio and bilocation – Msgr. Esseff describes his first encounter – Discerning Hearts

      Msgr. Esseff describes his first encounter with Padre Pio at Mary Pyle’s house in San Giovanni Rotondo in 1959 and bearing witness to the saint’s charism of bilocation. He talks of becoming one of Padre Pio’s spiritual children and directee. Msgr. then discusses the experience of being present at one of St. Pio’s masses.

      visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:   “Building a Kingdom of Love”

      The post St. Padre Pio and bilocation – Msgr. Esseff describes his first encounter – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      7 min
    12. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts
      Upon visiting the Chapel of the Apparition in Paray le Monial during the 1st Sacred Heart World Congress, Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of the Sacred Heart for St. Margaret Mary, her experience and ours today.

      At that particular moment it felt as though there was a beating of the Sacred Heart, similiar to what must have been experienced by St. Margaret Mary. “Behold the heart that has loved so much that has received so little love in return.”

       

      Check out Msgr. John Esseff’s website:  Building a Kingdom of Love

      The Side Altar and Main Sanctuary of the Chapel of Apparition
      The Body of St. Margaret Mary at rest where the visitation took place
      The Sanctuary image above the altar

      The post St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      17 min
    13. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Ancestry, and Spiritual Warfare

      Msgr. Esseff reflects on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the area of spiritual warfare.  He encourages all listeners to engage in a deep reflection on their own ancestry (particularly their parents) and it’s possible influence on our own spiritual battles.

      reading 2 Gal 4:4-7
      Brothers and sisters:
      When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
      born of a woman, born under the law,
      to ransom those under the law,
      so that we might receive adoption as sons.
      As proof that you are sons,
      God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
      crying out, “Abba, Father!”
      So you are no longer a slave but a son,
      and if a son then also an heir, through God.

      Gospel Lk 2:16-21

      The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,

      and the infant lying in the manger.
      When they saw this,
      they made known the message
      that had been told them about this child.
      All who heard it were amazed
      by what had been told them by the shepherds.
      And Mary kept all these things,
      reflecting on them in her heart.
      Then the shepherds returned,
      glorifying and praising God
      for all they had heard and seen,
      just as it had been told to them.

      When eight days were completed for his circumcision,

      he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
      before he was conceived in the womb.

       

      The post The Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Ancestry, and Spiritual Warfare appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      30 min
    14. The Prinicipal and Foundation of Prayer and Discernment: a teaching from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

      I had the opportunity to speak with Msgr. Esseff, who  is conducting a spiritual retreat for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity in Sydney, Australia.  He shares with us the teachings from the first day, which is on the principal and foundation of prayer as taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

      Msgr. Esseff begins by reflecting on the Awe of God and the difference between “being” and “becoming”.  He shares a special memory of an experience that helped him to understand this which occurred when he was a young boy on his grandfather’s farm.  Many years later, he would learn this was a basic teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas on the nature of God and creation.  God is being and creation (including man) is becoming.

      With that foundation, Msgr. Esseff proceeds to teach us that all of our are becoming therefore because mankind has a soul and has the capacity for reflection, we have the power to glorify God.  That is the first call we have, to glorify God.  To often we focus on our selves and what serves our needs.  St. Ignatius would say, that instead when faced with a decision or direction, each human being is called to discern, to ask whether if this is what God wants or is this is what I want.  The key is to take ask the Father “What do you want us to do?”  This is discernment at its basic level.

       

       

      To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

       

      Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”

       

      The post The Prinicipal and Foundation of Prayer and Discernment: a teaching from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      24 min

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