The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on Chapter 53 of the Rule and the profound call to hospitality. St. Benedict teaches that every guest is to be welcomed as Christ Himself, a striking and transformative vision rooted in the Gospel. In a world where the stranger can be met with hesitation or fear, this teaching invites a deeper openness grounded in faith. Hospitality becomes more than an act of kindness; it becomes an encounter with Christ present in the other.

Fr. Mauritius explains that this hospitality is not naive but deeply spiritual, shaped by prayer, reverence, and discernment. Guests bring not only interruption but also grace, new life, and the possibility of transformation. Whether in monasteries, homes, or daily encounters, this call extends to all who desire to live the Christian life more fully. Hospitality becomes a path of evangelization, opening the heart to Christ in unexpected ways and allowing Him to be both guest and host in our lives.

Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, because He will say: “I was a stranger and you took Me in” (Mt 25:35). And let due honor be shown to all, especially to those “of the household of the faith” (Gal 6:10) and to wayfarers.

When, therefore, a guest is announced, let him be met by the Superior and the brethren with every mark of charity. And let them first pray together, and then let them associate with one another in peace. This kiss of peace should not be given before a prayer hath first been said, on account of satanic deception. In the greeting let all humility be shown to the guests, whether coming or going; with the head bowed down or the whole body prostrate on the ground, let Christ be adored in them as He is also received.

When the guests have been received, let them be accompanied to prayer, and after that let the Superior, or whom he shall bid, sit down with them. Let the divine law be read to the guest that he may be edified, after which let every kindness be shown him. Let the fast be broken by the Superior in deference to the guest, unless, perchance, it be a day of solemn fast, which cannot be broken. Let the brethren, however, keep the customary fast. Let the Abbot pour the water on the guest’s hands, and let both the Abbot and the whole brotherhood wash the feet of all the guests. When they have been washed, let them say this verse: “We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple” (Ps 47[48]:10). Let the greatest care be taken, especially in the reception of the poor and travelers, because Christ is received more specially in them; whereas regard for the wealthy itself procureth them respect.

Let the kitchen of the Abbot and the guests be apart, that the brethren may not be disturbed by the guests who arrive at uncertain times and who are never wanting in the monastery. Let two brothers who are able to fulfil this office well go into the kitchen for a year. Let help be given them as they need it, that they may serve without murmuring; and when they have not enough to do, let them go out again for work where it is commanded them. Let this course be followed, not only in this office, but in all the offices of the monastery — that whenever the brethren need help, it be given them, and that when they have nothing to do, they again obey orders. Moreover, let also a God-fearing brother have assigned to him the apartment of the guests, where there should be sufficient number of beds made up; and let the house of God be wisely managed by the wise.

On no account let anyone who is not ordered to do so, associate or speak with guests; but if he meet or see them, having saluted them humbly, as we have said, and asked a blessing, let him pass on saying that he is not allowed to speak with a guest.

Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

The post HR 10 – Instead of circling around one’s self, hospitality – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

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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:

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:

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:

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

The post Friday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Gretchen Crowe discusses her book Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II, which grew out of her earlier work on the relevance of the rosary in modern life. She explains her desire to bring readers into a closer connection with St. John Paul II’s deep Marian devotion and his love for the rosary, drawing heavily from his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae. Gretchen weaves together his reflections, biographical elements, and the spiritual fruits associated with each mystery, showing how his life embodied the virtues contemplated in the rosary. Through this approach, readers are invited to pray alongside him, discovering new insights with each repetition and gaining a richer understanding of both his spirituality and the mysteries of Christ’s life.

The book highlights the need for simple, grounded devotional practices amid confusion and unrest, pointing to the rosary as a way to grow in relationship with Christ through Mary. The book incorporates carefully selected writings, images, and reflections that guide meditation without overwhelming it, allowing space for personal prayer. St. John Paul II’s witness continues to resonate, offering clarity, peace, and direction, especially in difficult times. By presenting his reflections alongside the mysteries, including the Luminous Mysteries he introduced, the book serves as both a devotional aid and a window into his holiness, encouraging readers to deepen their prayer life and find stability and hope through this tradition.

“Dear brothers and sisters! A prayer so easy and yet so rich truly deserves to be rediscovered by the Christian community.” – Pope St. John Paul II

During his papacy, Pope John Paul II ardently encouraged the faithful to return to the Rosary – his own favorite prayer. He demonstrated his love for it by praying all the mysteries every day, and by writing, speaking, and preaching about it. He knew from his personal experience of prayer that we come to know the person of Jesus Christ through Mary and the Rosary.

With this book, you can pray the Rosary with the saint who loved it so much. For each mystery of the Rosary, you will find:

Whether the Rosary is already your favorite prayer or you’re just learning to pray it, Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II will help you “rediscover the Rosary in the light of Scripture, in harmony with the Liturgy, and in the context of your daily lives.”

Gretchen R. Crowe is editorial director for periodicals for Our Sunday Visitor, where she oversees the digital and print publication of OSV Newsweekly, The Priest, Deacon Digest and Simply Catholic. An award-winning writer and photographer, Crowe has been a member of the Catholic Press Association since 2005. Crowe joined Our Sunday Visitor in March 2013 as OSV Newsweekly editor. She is also the author of Why the Rosary, Why Now? (OSV, 2017). Crowe lives in Indiana with her husband and two children.

The post IP#357 Gretchen Crowe – Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

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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 13:16-20

After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:

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:

After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:

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:

After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:

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

The post Thursday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and teachings of St. Catherine of Siena. They highlight her maternal-like love and her profound spirituality, often likened to Mother Teresa’s. Pope Benedict XVI referred to her as a “spiritual mama” due to her embodiment of Christ’s love and willingness to suffer for others. They delve into St. Catherine’s spirituality, emphasizing her gift of tears, which Pope Benedict praised as a sign of profound sensitivity and tenderness.

They explore St. Catherine’s influence on various levels of society, from humble individuals to the Pope and entire republics. Despite her influence, St. Catherine remained grounded in prayer and humility, understanding the importance of detachment from sin and the virtues. Her writings, particularly “The Dialogue,” serve as practical guides to the spiritual life, emphasizing love, humility, and obedience.

St. Catherine’s pivotal role in urging Pope Gregory XI to return the papacy from Avignon to Rome, as well as her efforts to heal the Great Western Schism, are mentioned. Despite her failing health, St. Catherine continued to work tirelessly for the Church until her death, symbolizing her lifelong dedication and sacrifice.

Finally, they touch on the significance of Catherine’s relics and her enduring influence in both Rome and Siena. Dr. Bunson encourages listeners to explore St. Catherine’s writings and emulate her commitment to holiness and service to the Church.

“A true and authentic spiritual family was built up around such a strong and genuine personality; people fascinated by the moral authority of this young woman with a most exalted lifestyle were at times also impressed by the mystical phenomena they witnessed, such as her frequent ecstasies. Many put themselves at Catherine’s service and above all considered it a privilege to receive spiritual guidance from her. They called her “mother” because, as her spiritual children, they drew spiritual nourishment from her. Today too the Church receives great benefit from the exercise of spiritual motherhood by so many women, lay and consecrated, who nourish souls with thoughts of God, who strengthen the people’s faith and direct Christian life towards ever loftier peaks. “Son, I say to you and call you”, Catherine wrote to one of her spiritual sons, Giovanni Sabbatini, a Carthusian, “inasmuch as I give birth to you in continuous prayers and desire in the presence of God, just as a mother gives birth to a son” (Epistolario, Lettera n. 141: To Fr Giovanni de’ Sabbatini). She would usually address the Dominican Fr Bartolomeo de Dominici with these words: “Most beloved and very dear brother and son in Christ sweet Jesus”.

Another trait of Catherine’s spirituality is linked to the gift of tears. They express an exquisite, profound sensitivity, a capacity for being moved and for tenderness. Many Saints have had the gift of tears, renewing the emotion of Jesus himself who did not hold back or hide his tears at the tomb of his friend Lazarus and at the grief of Mary and Martha or at the sight of Jerusalem during his last days on this earth. According to Catherine, the tears of Saints are mingled with the blood of Christ, of which she spoke in vibrant tones and with symbolic images that were very effective: “Remember Christ crucified, God and man….. Make your aim the Crucified Christ, hide in the wounds of the Crucified Christ and drown in the blood of the Crucified Christ” (Epistolario, Lettera n. 21: Ad uno il cui nome si tace [to one who remains anonymous]). Here we can understand why, despite her awareness of the human shortcomings of priests, Catherine always felt very great reverence for them: through the sacraments and the word they dispense the saving power of Christ’s Blood. The Sienese Saint always invited the sacred ministers, including the Pope whom she called “sweet Christ on earth”, to be faithful to their responsibilities, motivated always and only by her profound and constant love of the Church. She said before she died: “in leaving my body, truly I have consumed and given my life in the Church and for the Holy Church, which is for me a most unique grace” (Raimondo da Capua, S. Caterina da Siena, Legenda maior, n. 363). Hence we learn from St Catherine the most sublime science: to know and love Jesus Christ and his Church. In the Dialogue of Divine Providence, she describes Christ, with an unusual image, as a bridge flung between Heaven and earth. This bridge consists of three great stairways constituted by the feet, the side and the mouth of Jesus. Rising by these stairways the soul passes through the three stages of every path to sanctification: detachment from sin, the practice of the virtues and of love, sweet and loving union with God.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us learn from St Catherine to love Christ and the Church with courage, intensely and sincerely. Therefore let us make our own St Catherine’s words that we read in the Dialogue of Divine Providence at the end of the chapter that speaks of Christ as a bridge: “out of mercy you have washed us in his Blood, out of mercy you have wished to converse with creatures. O crazed with love! It did not suffice for you to take flesh, but you also wished to die!… O mercy! My heart drowns in thinking of you: for no matter where I turn to think, I find only mercy” (chapter 30, pp. 79-80).”

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. Catherine of Siena, 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.

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Eternal God, eternal Trinity, you have made the blood of Christ so precious through his sharing in your divine nature. You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find the more I search for you. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When you fill my soul I have an even greater hunger, and I grow more famished for your light. I desire above all to see you, the true light, as you really are.

I have tasted and seen the depth of your mystery and the beauty of your creation with the light of my understanding. I have clothed myself with your likeness and have seen what I shall be. Eternal Father, you have given me a share in your power and the wisdom that Christ claims as his own, and your Holy Spirit has given me the desire to love you. You are my Creator, eternal Trinity, and I am your creature. You have made of me a new creation in the blood of your Son, and I know that you are moved with love at the beauty of your creation, for you have enlightened me.

Eternal Trinity, Godhead, mystery deep as the sea, you could give me no greater gift than the gift of yourself. For you are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, you are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind with its light and causes me to know your truth. By this light, reflected as it were in a mirror, I recognise that you are the highest good, one we can neither comprehend nor fathom. And I know that you are beauty and wisdom itself. The food of angels, you gave yourself to man in the fire of your love.

You are the garment which covers our nakedness, and in our hunger you are a satisfying food, for you are sweetness and in you there is no taste of bitterness, O triune God!

Almighty God, you made Saint Catherine of Siena

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 I tasted and I saw – Saint Catherine of Siena from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor delve into the life of St. Catherine of Siena, a remarkable Doctor of the Church. They discuss the significance of understanding St. Catherine within the context of her upbringing in Tuscany, particularly in the vibrant city of Siena, where she was born in 1347. Growing up as the youngest of 25 children, St. Catherine was deeply influenced by her surroundings, including the prominent presence of the Dominicans in Siena. Despite her family’s expectations, she felt called to a life of prayer and contemplation from a young age, eventually joining the Dominican third order at 16.

Her spiritual journey was marked by profound mystical experiences, including a mystical marriage with Christ at age 21. Blessed Raymond of Capua, a prominent Dominican figure, became her confessor and spiritual director, validating the authenticity of her experiences and teachings. St. Catherine’s wisdom and spiritual insight attracted people from all walks of life, including kings and queens, who sought her counsel.

Throughout her life, St. Catherine remained faithful to the teachings and authority of the Church, debunking modern interpretations that paint her as a rebel against patriarchal structures. Instead, she embraced the Church’s authority and worked tirelessly for its well-being, leaving a legacy of love, service, and profound spiritual wisdom.

“Today I would like to talk to you about a woman who played an eminent role in the history of the Church: St Catherine of Siena. The century in which she lived — the 14th — was a troubled period in the life of the Church and throughout the social context of Italy and Europe. Yet, even in the most difficult times, the Lord does not cease to bless his People, bringing forth Saints who give a jolt to minds and hearts, provoking conversion and renewal.

Catherine is one of these and still today speaks to us and impels us to walk courageously toward holiness to be ever more fully disciples of the Lord.

Born in Siena in 1347, into a very large family, she died in Rome in 1380. When Catherine was 16 years old, motivated by a vision of St Dominic, she entered the Third Order of the Dominicans, the female branch known as the Mantellate. While living at home, she confirmed her vow of virginity made privately when she was still an adolescent and dedicated herself to prayer, penance and works of charity, especially for the benefit of the sick.

When the fame of her holiness spread, she became the protagonist of an intense activity of spiritual guidance for people from every walk of life: nobles and politicians, artists and ordinary people, consecrated men and women and religious, including Pope Gregory xi who was living at Avignon in that period and whom she energetically and effectively urged to return to Rome.

She travelled widely to press for the internal reform of the Church and to foster peace among the States. It was also for this reason that Venerable Pope John Paul ii chose to declare her Co-Patroness of Europe: may the Old Continent never forget the Christian roots that are at the origin of its progress and continue to draw from the Gospel the fundamental values that assure justice and harmony.

Like many of the Saints, Catherine knew great suffering. Some even thought that they should not trust her, to the point that in 1374, six years before her death, the General Chapter of the Dominicans summoned her to Florence to interrogate her. They appointed Raymund of Capua, a learned and humble Friar and a future Master General of the Order, as her spiritual guide. Having become her confessor and also her “spiritual son”, he wrote a first complete biography of the Saint. She was canonized in 1461.”

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. Catherine of Siena, 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.

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 Matthew 11:25-30

Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

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 exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

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 exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

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

The post Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Mike Aquilina explores the four angelic visitations to St. Joseph in Matthew’s Gospel, presenting them as unusually sustained encounters that guide Joseph’s decisions at critical moments. Within the Jewish religious world of the time, rich with awareness of spiritual beings, these appearances would have seemed natural and meaningful, not extraordinary curiosities. Angels are depicted throughout Scripture as active participants in God’s work, from Genesis through Revelation, serving as messengers who guide, protect, and intervene. Joseph’s quiet responsiveness to these messages , be it naming Jesus, fleeing to Egypt, returning to Israel, and settling in Nazareth, reveals a pattern of steady trust and decisive action shaped by divine guidance.

Mike Aquilina reflects on how modern culture often reduces angels to sentimental or fictional figures, contrasting sharply with the biblical and early Christian understanding of their real and ongoing role. Guardian angels are deeply personal helpers who respect human freedom and invite cooperation rather than forcing outcomes. Joseph’s life becomes a model of discernment: he listens, waits for direction, and acts promptly when guidance comes, even amid danger and uncertainty. His experiences highlight both the tenderness and strength of angelic assistance, encouraging a renewed awareness of their presence and a return to traditional practices that foster attentiveness to God’s guidance in daily life.

He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. 

Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him.

In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great.

Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia.

Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple?

Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ.

Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.

For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.

The post SJ5 – Joseph and His Angels – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

“My Nature is Fire”:

In your nature, eternal Godhead,

Amen.

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

The post A Novena to St. Catherine of Siena – Day Nine – Mp3 audio and Text appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.