What are the fifth and sixth circumstances of the Advent of Our Lord according to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church? Find out in the last installation of this three-part series on St Bernard’s first Advent Homily.
Can holiness be attained by everyone? See what Father Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen has to say on this and the fullness of grace in this excerpt from the Carmelite meditation classic “Divine Intimacy”.
What does Peter of Alcántara have to say about preparing to pray? Find out in today’s excerpt and reflection from Finding God Through Meditation.
Can we disregard the ugly things about ourselves? How do we face both the positive and negative truth of who we are in God’s eyes? Learn from Fr Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen as he reflects on sincerity.
“Blessed Are the Pure of Heart” The perfection of all virtues and gifts of God is beatitude. In other words, the more perfect virtue and use of the gifts of God are, the more perfect is one’s happiness. And there is no greater happiness than to see God. That is why it is called the … Read more
St Teresa of Avila has thoughts on spiritual warfare, and they’re much needed today. Find out what they are in this excerpt from 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.
From Mystical Premonitions to Contemplation Sometime ago, I was speaking about what I called mystical premonition, or touches of God, when one of the audience asked, “Are we talking about something that is a particularly Christian experience, or does everyone experience God’s touch?” “It’s for everyone,” I replied emphatically. “God loves everyone, not just Christians, … Read more
Keeping Faith Alive During Life’s Dark Nights (Part III of IV) Editor’s Note: In Part I, we looked at how faith is a response to revelation, how it penetrates the veil of the ordinary, and how it is essential to our relationship with God. In Part II, we considered the general patterns of growth which … Read more
RECONCILIATION Dear Father John, During the sacrament of reconciliation, they say that the priest is “in persona Christi”, meaning, if I understand correctly, that it is really Christ that is acting through him. If so, how come the priest cannot understand if I say my sins in my own language that he doesn’t know? Surely … Read more
Help with Spiritual Direction 30 Days with Teresa of Avila Day 12 Reflections Why does St. Teresa feel relief when all her faults are exposed? Dan and Melissa help us to get the most help with spiritual direction from the example of St. Teresa. Reflections on her letters from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila. … Read more
Entering into Holy Week Holy Week, the most important week of the liturgical year, is upon us. To help us prepare, Dan and Melissa discuss some of the ways we can orient our hearts to this most holy season. Show Notes: Regardless of how well (or poorly) you have maintained your Lenten commitments, it’s not too late. … Read more
Humility and Confidence Humility Part 2 Dan and Melissa continue their discussion on humility in “Humility and Confidence”; in particular how humility does not lower but instead elevates the soul. Show Notes: Signs we lack humility: St. Josemaría Escrivá provides some insightful diagnostics. Recognizing all the good we have is a gift from God. False … Read more
THE DELUSIONS WHICH THE DEVIL SUGGESTS TO SINNERS Let us imagine a young man who has fallen into grievous sins, which he has already confessed, and who is restored to the friendship of God. The devil again tempts him to relapse; the young man resists for a while, but in consequence of the delusions suggested … Read more
Act of Contrition Act of Contrition: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offended You, my God, who are all goo and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of … Read more
You Are Perfect, Really Though Christ tells us to “be perfect” (Matthew 5:48), we tend to think of perfection as an impossible, unrealistic standard. “Nobody’s perfect.” “She thinks she’s so perfect.” Perfect is ‘done’, ‘finished’, ‘no more work needed’, ‘as good as can be’. This causes confusion in our souls. Satan twists Christ’s own words … Read more
Show Notes: During this episode, Dan and Melissa discuss the struggle with discouragement as Lent is well underway. Discouragement is not of God. If you are working hard to bring yourself to God, you can be assured, he is pleased with you. Falling away from your Lenten commitments is human. God knows this and is … Read more
Dear Father John, I’ve heard that God forgives all sins. But, I’ve also heard something about an “unforgivable sin”. It seems there’s a contradiction there. What is that all about? Is there really a sin that God won’t forgive? And, what happens if I commit that? What do I do then? This probably is a … Read more
MEANS OF PREPARING FOR DEATH “Remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.” Sirach 7:36 All confess that they shall die, and die only once, and that nothing is of greater importance than to die well; because on death depends whether we shall be forever in bliss or forever in despair. All know that … Read more
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