O Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our mother, from the heights of your dignity look down mercifully upon us while we, full of confidence in your unbounded goodness and confident that your Divine Son will look favorably upon any request you make of Him in our behalf, we beseech you to come to our aid and secure for us the favor we seek in this novena.

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Trusting in God’s Goodness – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing
Fr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss the importance of prayer, sacraments, and living a virtuous life in discerning one’s vocation; going into the idea of desiring what God desires for us, highlighting the need to overcome fear and trust in God’s goodness.
Drawing from biblical examples like Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, they underscore the importance of openness to God’s will and the journey of faith. They also discuss the role of family dynamics in shaping one’s openness to God’s plan, cautioning against isolation and the value of healthy relationships. The episode concludes with reflections on trusting in God’s guidance and seeking His will with a sincere heart.


Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

* Trusting in God’s Goodness: Do you trust that God always wants what is best for you?
* Overcoming Fear: Where do you begin to become afraid of giving God permission to lead you?
* Surrendering to God’s Will: When do you begin to try to manipulate God or want what you think will make you happy?
* Affirming God’s Leadership: How can you cultivate a mindset of continually saying to yourself, “Father, I give you permission to lead me”?
* Developing Trust: How can you deepen your trust in God’s goodness and His plans for your life?
* Family Influence: Reflect on the impact of your family dynamics on your openness to God’s will.
*  Building Healthy Relationships: In what ways can you nurture spiritually healthy relationships and discern which relationships lead you closer to God?
* Seeking God’s Will: How can you actively seek God’s will with a sincere heart, ready to receive His guidance?


Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic  Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.
Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as President Rector


IJCY2 – Trusting in God’s Goodness – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing – Discerning Hearts Podcast

 

St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Seven
To the King of France:
Oh, how the man should be ashamed who follows the teaching of the devil and his own lower nature, caring more to gain and keep the riches of this world, which are all vain, and pass like the wind, than for his soul and his neighbor For while abiding in hate with his neighbor, he has hate by his side, since hate deprives him of divine charity. Surely he is foolish and blind, for he does not see that with the sword of hate to his neighbor he is killing himself.
Therefore I beg you, and will that you follow Christ crucified, and love your neighbor’s salvation: proving that you follow the Lamb, who for hunger of His Father’s honor and the salvation of souls chose bodily death. … Care not if you lose from your worldly substance; for loss will be gain to you, provided that you reconcile your soul with your brother.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men’s souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.

For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page



St. Catherine of Siena Novena – Day Seven – Mp3 audio & text

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Friday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
 but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.


Friday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Ep. 8 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

“The Precious Blood”, “The Christ Bridge” and Other Topics – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss St. Catherine of Siena’s teachings on the significance of the blood of Christ in her spiritual development. St. Catherine’s fixation on the blood of Christ stems from her belief that it reveals the depth of God’s love for humanity. She sees the blood not only as grace but also as a symbol of a new energy field that believers are invited to immerse themselves in, allowing it to transform them.
They discuss St. Catherine’s central metaphor of the “Christ Bridge,” which represents the journey of spiritual growth. The bridge spans from heaven to earth, with various stages symbolizing different levels of spiritual advancement. She emphasizes the importance of virtues as stepping stones on this bridge and highlights the necessity of human relationships in spiritual development.


Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

* Reflection on the Blood of Christ: How does St. Catherine of Siena’s focus on Christ’s blood deepen your understanding of God’s love and its transformative power in your life?
* The Christ Bridge Metaphor: Reflect on your spiritual journey in light of Catherine’s metaphor of the “Christ Bridge.” How do you perceive your progress on this bridge, and what virtues do you see as stepping stones for further growth?
* Virtues and Human Relationships: Consider the role of virtues and human relationships in your spiritual development. How can you cultivate virtues and foster meaningful connections with others to deepen your relationship with God?
* Exploring Saints’ Lives: How might delving into the lives of saints, particularly St. Catherine of Siena, enrich your spiritual journey and provide guidance for navigating challenges and seeking deeper prayer life?
* Relevance of Catherine’s Teachings: In what ways do you find St. Catherine’s teachings relevant for your life as a modern believer? How can you apply her insights to cultivate a more vibrant and transformative spiritual life?


For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here
Fr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.


Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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