Transitioning to a Deeper Union with God

Description: What happens to a holy soul during the “dark night”? Today, Dan, Melissa and Dr. Anthony Lilles explore the meaning of the “dark night of the soul” and St. Thérèse’s experience transitioning to a deeper union with God.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

How is St. Thérèse’s description of “the dark night of the soul” similar to that of St. John of the Cross?
What are the stages of the spiritual life? What stage is St. Thérèse experiencing?
We must pass through this “dark night” in order to progress from one stage to the next.
St. Thérèse has complete trust in God even though she cannot sense His presence in her life at this point.
Many lose faith or become discouraged during this stage, but St. Thérèse is committed to her Lord. She never loses trust in Him.
How can we have peace while in this transition stage?
How can we make progress spiritually while in this transition stage?

Resources for this week’s show:

Spiritualdirection.com – website
EWTN Global Catholic Radio
Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
EWTN Religious Catalogue – online
Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux by Dr. Anthony Lilles and Dan Burke
Questions? Send an e-mail to Questions@myavila.com or call 818-646-7729. Please leave your name, location, and question(s).

What is Divine Intimacy Radio?

The Divine Intimacy Radio Show is a haven of rest and wellspring of spiritual life for those seeking intimacy with God and the enlightened path of Catholic mystical and ascetical wisdom.

Every week, Dan Burke and Melissa Elson explore topics related to the interior life and Catholic teaching, including prayer, spiritual direction, meditation, contemplation, and holiness.

Divine Intimacy Radio Show and EWTN!

This radio show can also be heard every Sunday on EWTN Radio Sundays at 6:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 11:00 pm Eastern time. We are grateful to EWTN for their support!

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Dan Burke

Dan Burke is the past President and C.O.O. of EWTN's worldwide news network. He is presently the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 90 countries and prepares men for seminary in over 40 dioceses. Dan is the author and editor of numerous books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com. In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church. Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.