The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night – everything that is subject to the power or use of man – rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. All creatures were dead, as it were, useless for men or for the praise of God, who made them. The world, contrary to its true destiny, was corrupted and tainted by the acts of men who served idols. Now all creation has been restored to life and rejoices that it is controlled and given splendour by men who believe in God. The universe rejoices with new and indefinable loveliness. Not only does it feel the unseen presence of God himself, its Creator, it sees him openly, working and making it holy. These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb.

Through the fullness of the grace that was given you, dead things rejoice in their freedom, and those in heaven are glad to be made new. Through the Son who was the glorious fruit of your virgin womb, just souls who died before his life-giving death rejoice as they are freed from captivity, and the angels are glad at the restoration of their shattered domain.

Lady, full and overflowing with grace, all creation receives new life from your abundance. Virgin, blessed above all creatures, through your blessing all creation is blessed, not only creation from its Creator, but the Creator himself has been blessed by creation.

To Mary God gave his only-begotten Son, whom he loved as himself. Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God, and God was born of Mary. God created all things, and Mary gave birth to God. The God who made all things gave himself form through Mary, and thus he made his own creation. He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary.

God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Saviour of the world. Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed.

Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself.

Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.”

The post “Virgin Mary, all nature is blessed by you” – St. Anselm from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Holy Mary, comfort of the troubled, you sought out Juan Diego when in fear and confusion he took a different route to avoid encountering you. Then you restored his hope and confidence so he could carry out the task you had entrusted to him. Many people today face decisions of life and death filled with fear and confusion.

Mother, we ask you to restore their trust and hope in God so that their actions will always affirm the sanctity of human life.

Our Father …

Hail Mary …

Glory be …

The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén.

“Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido.

Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su tiempo y ofrezco cuanto hiciere en satisfacción de mis pecados, y confío por vuestra bondad y misericordia infinita, que me perdonaréis y me daréis gracia para nunca más pecar. Así lo espero por intercesión de mi Madre, nuestra Señora la Virgen de Guadalupe. Amén”.

“¡Oh Santísima Virgen María de Guadalupe! ¡Qué bien dice a tu soberanía ese tapete que la luna forma a tus sagradas plantas! Hollaste con invicta planta las vanidades del mundo, y quedando superior a todo lo creado jamás padeciste el menguante de la más ligera imperfección: antes de tu primer instante estuviste llena de gracia.

Miserable de mí, Señora, que no sabiéndome mantener en los propósitos que hago, no tengo estabilidad en la virtud y sólo soy constante en mis viciosas costumbres.

Duélete de mí, Madre amorosa y tierna; ya que soy como la luna en mi inconstancia, sea como la luna que está a tus pies, esto es, firme siempre en tu devoción y amor, para no padecer los menguantes de la culpa. Haz que esté yo siempre a tus plantas por el amor y la devoción, y ya no temeré los menguantes del pecado sino que procuraré darme de lleno a mis obligaciones, detestando de corazón todo lo que es ofensa de mi Dios. Amén.

Padre Nuestro

Ave Maria

Gloria

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, ruega por nosotros. Amén

En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén

The post Día 6 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff turns to the figure of John the Baptist and the call to repentance that prepares the way for the Lord. He explains that John stands at the culmination of Old Testament prophecy, announcing the arrival of the Messiah and calling all people to conversion. Yet Jesus teaches that the least in the kingdom is greater than John, because Christians carry Christ within them. This means the true tragedy is not simply breaking commandments but failing to live as Christ in the world.

Msgr. Esseff then guides listeners through examples of interior patterns that separate the soul from union with Jesus. He speaks about judgmental attitudes, envy, lust, unforgiveness, gluttony, and other deep tendencies that distort the heart. Each one acts like a hidden disease that wounds the life of Christ within the person. Advent becomes a time to uncover these wounds through honest examination and to bring them to the Lord for healing.

He urges listeners to call upon the Holy Spirit, who reveals the core wound with gentleness, not accusation. The Spirit convicts with light and love, while the enemy accuses and discourages. Confession is offered as a powerful path to healing, where the cross penetrates the soul and restores union with Christ.

Msgr. Esseff encourages priests to open the confessional during Advent and calls all Christians to stop judging one another and instead direct loved ones to the Holy Spirit, who alone can reveal the truth of the heart. Advent is presented as a privileged time to awaken, repent, and prepare for the coming of the Lord, who desires to bring healing, renewal, and unity to every soul.

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 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 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 for the Institute.  He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.  

The post The 2nd Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor continue their discussion on the life and profound impact of St. Ambrose of Milan, a pivotal figure in Church history and a Doctor of the Church. Dr. Bunson emphasizes how Ambrose’s unexpected rise to the episcopate during a time of crisis in the Western Roman Empire exemplified his integrity and strength of character. Chosen by opposing factions who hoped to sway him to their cause, Ambrose steadfastly upheld orthodox Christian teaching, most notably opposing the Arian heresy. His tenure as Bishop of Milan was marked by his dedication to unity, deep prayer life, and commitment to scriptural study, which not only inspired his contemporaries but also profoundly influenced St. Augustine, whom he guided gently toward conversion. Ambrose’s unique method of silent scriptural reading and contemplative prayer impressed Augustine and modeled a new depth of spiritual engagement, contributing to the theological foundation of Christian mysticism.

St. Ambrose’s fearless moral authority extended to his interactions with the Roman emperors, particularly his courageous confrontation with Emperor Theodosius after the massacre of 7,000 innocents. By demanding genuine repentance from the emperor, Ambrose demonstrated his unwavering commitment to justice and the spiritual well-being of his flock, including rulers. His legacy also includes his promotion of Marian theology, the introduction of Eastern hymns to Western liturgy, and his composition of the Te Deum, reportedly written for Augustine’s baptism. Although Ambrose died relatively young at around 60, his life exemplified total self-gift to God, leaving an enduring legacy of wisdom, courage, and pastoral care. His life and teachings continue to inspire modern bishops and faithful, calling all to live with integrity, grace, and a relentless pursuit of truth.

Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

The post St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor delve into the life and legacy of St. Ambrose of Milan, one of the first four Doctors of the Church. St. Ambrose, born in 340 AD to a prominent Christian Roman family, was shaped by a devout household and a comprehensive education in literature, rhetoric, and law. Despite initially serving as a governor in the Roman Empire, his unexpected appointment as Bishop of Milan arose during a contentious period marked by the Arian heresy. Despite his reluctance, Ambrose accepted the role, undergoing baptism and theological study, and embracing his mission to defend and shepherd the Christian community. His dedication to scripture, particularly the Old Testament, influenced his homiletic style and laid the foundation for practices like Lectio Divina.

St. Ambrose’s ability to bridge secular leadership and ecclesial authority brought stability to Milan and served as an inspiration for future saints like Augustine of Hippo. His profound faith and intellectual contributions include his role in opposing Arianism and shaping the Christian theological tradition. St. Ambrose’s life exemplifies the hallmark of a Doctor of the Church: profound teaching intertwined with sanctity, humility, and obedience to God’s will.

Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

The post St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Since we are God’s creation, we have come from God and we are returning to God; God has great confidence in His own grace. He has great confidence that his love for us can change us. He knows that we can make progress and be restored to spiritual and moral health. Do you have confidence in God? Do you trust God? Always desiring to restore you, once again, to happiness and interior peace. Advent is a time to be restored. Primarily, the church is asking us to be restored through the sacramental life. Advent is a time to come back to Church; come back to the Mass; come back to the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation, where God is confidently waiting for you, knowing that you can make progress and be restored to spiritual health. And to taste, once again, His happiness that He shares with you.

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. 

We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast

For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page

The post AR#7 – Confidence in God – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

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O God,

Amen.

O Mother of the King of the Universe,

(State your intention here…)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,

Amen.

On the last day of this Novena, recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.

For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:

The post A Novena to the Immaculate Conception – Day 9 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén.

“Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido.

Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su tiempo y ofrezco cuanto hiciere en satisfacción de mis pecados, y confío por vuestra bondad y misericordia infinita, que me perdonaréis y me daréis gracia para nunca más pecar. Así lo espero por intercesión de mi Madre, nuestra Señora la Virgen de Guadalupe. Amén”.

“¿Qué correspondía a quien es un cielo por su hermosura, sino uno lleno de estrellas? ¿Con qué podía adornarse una belleza toda celestial, sino con los brillos de unas virtudes tan lúcidas y tan resplandecientes como las tuyas?

Bendita mil veces la mano de aquel Dios que supo unir en ti hermosura tan peregrina con pureza tan realzada, y gala tan brillante y rica con humildad tan apacible. Yo quedo, Señora, absorto de hermosura tan amable, y quisiera que mis ojos se fijaran siempre en ti para que mi corazón no se dejara arrastrar en otro afecto que no sea el amor tuyo.

No podré lograr este deseo si esos resplandecientes astros con que estás adornada no infunden una ardiente y fervorosa caridad, para que ame de todo corazón y con todas mis fuerzas a mi Dios, y después de mi Dios a Ti, como objeto digno de que lo amemos todos. Amén”.

Padre Nuestro

Ave Maria

Gloria

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, ruega por nosotros. Amén

En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén

The post Día 5 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Day 8: Transformed by Divine Love

“When God enters into our passions, joys, desires, sorrows, into our relationship with one another, our nature undergoes a transubstantiation. The Paraclete Who rests in the human heart changes the substance of our humanness to Christ, we are charged with the power of Christ’s love. Love is God in us.

This power of love is the beginning of the world’s healing, of human happiness. The world is made up of weak as well as strong people, of dull as well as intelligent people, of blind people as well as those who have vision, of naturally superficial as well as intense people. If all these and the millions more are to be as one, are to find happiness that is good and is a hallowing of God’s Name, they must do it in the only way they can: through the interchange in daily life of the love of Christ.”

Commentary: Caryll Houselander beautifully describes how, when God enters our lives, our very nature is changed—transformed into a reflection of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit within us. This “transubstantiation” of our humanness to Christ means that our love, patience, and kindness become channels for God’s love in the world. For Catholics, this resonates deeply with the sacramental understanding of grace, where God’s love works through us in everyday life to unite, heal, and uplift the world. Houselander challenges us to see that regardless of our personal strengths or weaknesses, we each contribute to the world’s healing through our daily expressions of Christ’s love.

Personal Reflection: Reflect on how you might allow Christ’s love to flow more freely through your actions today. How can you offer His love in even the smallest interactions, seeing them as opportunities to heal and unite? Let your love be a visible sign of God’s presence in the world.

Houselander quote from:  Caryll Houselander, The Reed of God, Sheed & Ward, 1944

Image © Trinity Icons / Joseph M. Malham

The post Day 8: Transformed by Divine Love – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.