Drive-By Advice Life, As I Find It I’ve been grateful to those who wrote with advice about handling my Evangelical Protestant friends and family. The only problem, I think, is that some of the advice assumes two things. First, that I’m talking to a willing or eager non-Catholic who really wants to know about it. … Read more
Dear Father John, since bad spirits are very manipulative by nature is it possible for bad spirits to present themselves as good in certain circumstances in order to fulfill their plan and if so, what are some ways to distinguish that representation? Yes indeed, evil spirits are experts at deception. Our Lord, speaking of the devil, … Read more
Life, As I Find It My work often takes me to England – a country I love, in no small part because my wife is English and my son was born there. I have gone with friends and co-workers who sometimes surprise me with their reactions to things that are unfamiliar. One might say, “That’s … Read more
The Cross of Christ brings His glorious grace into the focus of contemplation. It is a difficult mystery to dwell on. The heart sometimes finds itself weary and sometimes even too discouraged to fix its gaze on the agony of the Lord. This is where frequent confession and humble examination of conscience can help the … Read more
In 1942, C.S. Lewis published one of his most enduring and endearing books. The Screwtape Letters is a collection of imaginative epistles from a senior devil to his junior colleague, outlining how he should handle his “patient.” Lewis wrote the book as a series of essays for The Guardian newspaper and confessed that the pieces … Read more
Last night we received a slight dusting of snow and then it iced covering the trees encapsulating them in to delicate figurines gleaming in the morning sunlight. While it looks beautiful, I sit on my couch in the warmth of my home knowing how frigid the air outside is. I should be used to it … Read more
Spiritual Direction on the Rise Picture this: A person, young or old, is practicing the faith yet naturally wants to grow in his or her relationship with Jesus and become closer to God. Can the faithful – or should they – turn somewhere for guidance? They can. After all, didn’t Jesus send the disciples … Read more
Lay people often overlook a source of deep spirituality and safety. One of the spiritual secrets of those in the religious life is a kind of spiritual guardrail system that helps them to know the path of peace on a moment to moment basis. This wisdom-born approach has aided thousands of ordinary people to become … Read more
O Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, grant to our homes the grace of loving and respecting life in its beginnings, with the same love with which you conceived in your womb the life of the Son of God. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Fair Love, protect our families so that they may always … Read more
Dear Father John, I am a priest providing spiritual direction to a young man suffering with anger problems. He has recently returned to the sacraments. He is frustrated with God that he has asked him to take away this hurtful anger but God has not answered his prayer. Can you offer advice about how to … Read more
What Spiritual Direction Is … This post is a definition of what constitutes spiritual direction, its main focus, its central aim and its ultimate end as well as a listing of posts which explain what spiritual direction is not and a link to spiritual direction posts on this site. Now that we are clear on … Read more
Dear Father John, lately I have been experiencing an issue in relation to certain lines in certain prayers. I know that I heard a song blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. It was not something I expected when I heard the song. This was a while ago but now I have thoughts about God the Father, … Read more
Dear Father John, I am not Catholic. I consecrated myself to the Lord after reading St. Augustine’s Confessions. I was very involved with a protestant/charismatic church for many years and received much edification through those years among faithful followers. I have tried to attend Mass many times but the service is so very different that I … Read more
Dear Father John, in my teen years I spent a few years in the Pentecostal world of faith. But when I went to university I discovered Catholicism and made it my faith home. This past year I have been on a search to deepen and renew my Catholic journey. Today I was starting to read … Read more
I am a Catholic or try to be one, and I am having problems feeling the Power of my religion. I have been so hurt throughout my life and I’ve tried to forgive the people, but it does no good. I feel like I get far more satisfaction out of my work than my faith. … Read more
Dear Father John, I have had this question regarding forgiveness ever since my husband filed for divorce and treated me terribly during the process. He never acknowledged his treatment of me nor repented and asked for forgiveness, yet, in confession, I was always told that I still must forgive him. Fortunately, eventually, God gave me … Read more
Dear Dan, I am hesitant to go to a local priest for spiritual direction because I am worried about his submission, or lack of submission to the Church. He is a good priest but he has made some confusing comments about abortion and a few political topics etc. Are there simple questions I can ask … Read more
Dear Father John, I have had this question regarding forgiveness ever since my husband filed for divorce and treated me terribly during the process. He never acknowledged his treatment of me nor repented and asked for forgiveness, yet, in confession I was always told that I still must forgive him. Fortunately, eventually God gave me … Read more
© 2026 Spiritual Direction. All rights reserved.
