Do you struggle to resist sin? How can you get a regular prayer routine? How can you be engaged in your faith?
In this episode of The Devil Is in the Details, Dan and Jordan Burke continue their journey through The Devil in the Castle, exploring intermittent piety, the second stage of the purgative way where many practicing Catholics find themselves.
This is the stage where mortal sin is being resisted more loyally, confession is becoming more adequate, and awareness of sin is growing. The soul deeply regrets sin when recognized and does penance to make reparation. But venial sin remains a persistent struggle, fought weakly with only superficial sorrow. Examination of conscience is practiced, but without method, preparation, or a tangible plan. Prayer is becoming more regular, but structured meditation is not yet firmly established, and dryness often leads to abandonment.
Dan and Jordan discuss why so many Catholics are only nominally engaged with their faith, attending Mass but avoiding confession, receiving the Eucharist without proper preparation, and picking and choosing which Church teachings to follow. They tackle the uncomfortable truth that awareness without strategy leads nowhere, and why venial sins matter far more than most Catholics realize, weakening the will and preparing the way for more serious falls.
This conversation is both challenging and compassionate, calling Catholics to wake up spiritually while offering practical tools rooted in the wisdom of the saints and the Church's spiritual tradition.
In this episode:
In this episode of The Devil Is in the Details, Dan and Jordan Burke continue their journey through The Devil in the Castle, exploring intermittent piety, the second stage of the purgative way where many practicing Catholics find themselves.
This is the stage where mortal sin is being resisted more loyally, confession is becoming more adequate, and awareness of sin is growing. The soul deeply regrets sin when recognized and does penance to make reparation. But venial sin remains a persistent struggle, fought weakly with only superficial sorrow. Examination of conscience is practiced, but without method, preparation, or a tangible plan. Prayer is becoming more regular, but structured meditation is not yet firmly established, and dryness often leads to abandonment.
Dan and Jordan discuss why so many Catholics are only nominally engaged with their faith, attending Mass but avoiding confession, receiving the Eucharist without proper preparation, and picking and choosing which Church teachings to follow. They tackle the uncomfortable truth that awareness without strategy leads nowhere, and why venial sins matter far more than most Catholics realize, weakening the will and preparing the way for more serious falls.
This conversation is both challenging and compassionate, calling Catholics to wake up spiritually while offering practical tools rooted in the wisdom of the saints and the Church's spiritual tradition.
In this episode:
- What intermittent piety looks like in the purgative way
- Why loyal resistance to mortal sin is the first major breakthrough
- What makes a confession adequate: contrition and firm purpose of amendment
- Why venial sin weakens the will and leads to mortal sin
- The connection between gluttony and lust according to the Church Fathers
- How to know if your confession is valid
- The importance of a structured examination of conscience
- Why so many Catholics are spiritually asleep
- The danger of picking and choosing which teachings to follow
- How Holy Days of Obligation, Friday abstinence, and regular confession shape the spiritual life
- Why awareness alone is not enough for spiritual progress
- The basics: Mass, confession, mortal sin, and venial sin
- Why prayer dries up and how to persevere through dryness
- The three non-negotiables: mental prayer, examen, and rosary
- Practical resources for understanding mortal sin, venial sin, and confession
The spiritual life is not about perfection. It is about faithfulness, honesty, and cooperation with grace. Progress begins when excuses end and the soul becomes willing to fight with strategy, humility, and perseverance.
What questions do you have after watching today's video? Were you impacted in some way? If so, comment below!
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The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Ávila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul is available through SpiritualDirection.com/shop, Kindle, and Audible.
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☦ABOUT US:
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Foundation is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ.
Support the mission: https://www.avila-army.org/
______________________________________________________
👨🏽💻Websites:
Home: https://spiritualdirection.com/
School: https://avila-institute.org/
Discernment: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
Community: https://www.apostoliviae.org/
Events: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Events
Books: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Shop
What questions do you have after watching today's video? Were you impacted in some way? If so, comment below!
______________________________________________________
The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Ávila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul is available through SpiritualDirection.com/shop, Kindle, and Audible.
______________________________________________________
☦ABOUT US:
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Foundation is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ.
Support the mission: https://www.avila-army.org/
______________________________________________________
👨🏽💻Websites:
Home: https://spiritualdirection.com/
School: https://avila-institute.org/
Discernment: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
Community: https://www.apostoliviae.org/
Events: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Events
Books: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Shop
