I need a Catholic perspective on the New Age movement

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

How can I forgive someone when they do not repent? – Part II of II

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

How to Know if Spiritual Director is Faithful to the Church?

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

How can I forgive someone when they do not repent? Part I of II

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

Who are the Doctors of the Church and why should I care?

Dear Dan, I am a convert and a mom. I have recently decided that my faith needed deepening and have begun to delve deeper into it through prayer, confession, reading, talking to my priest etc. He told me about your site and today I came across an article you answered on spiritual development. You said, … Read more

Stuck in Spiritual Growth: How do I get Unstuck? Pt 2 of 2

Dear Carmelite Sisters, I feel like I am stuck in somewhere in mansion one or two. Is this normal? Where do most people get stuck in the journey through the mansions and is there any common way you can suggest that we get unstuck? Maybe I am just impatient. I feel like I should be … Read more

Who should I go to for spiritual direction?

Dear Father John, I’m a new Catholic as of April, 2012. I received spiritual direction that was immensely helpful with a priest about four times, before I was received into the church. While in my first confession, that priest told me I needed ongoing spiritual direction for many specific reasons. He said I should contact … Read more

Divine Mercy Sunday – Time to Celebrate God’s Mercy

Worried about the world situation? About your spiritual life? Jesus gives us the hope-filled solution. Seek and accept his mercy. Start in the Eastertide, celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, then continue with the devotion. Jesus himself called for this devotion and feast. He made his urgent, essential request through Polish mystic St. Faustina Kowalska, the first … Read more

Lent Not Over Til It’s Over: Humorous Help for Latecomers

Humorous Help for Latecomers Lent is Not Over ‘Til It’s Over! Lent is not over until it is over. Some of you have probably found yourself within the lenten season without any direction whatsoever. A brilliant priest, Fr. Shane Johnson, has created a humorous help for latecomers, but a very effective way of thinking our … Read more

Searching for Answers?

Searching for Answers?   Searching for Answers? You have come to the right place… SpiritualDirection.com Searching for Answers? Dear Friends, This is the right place to come for the answers to many questions or situations, including these among them: I need help with my faith. I need help with my faith in God. Catholic faith. … Read more

Hidden Delights

“The world is not only hungry for food, but also for beauty.” With those words, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta helps explain why Pope Benedict is encouraging us to return to Catholic art as a privileged place for prayer. The vision of a gifted, accomplished, faith-filled artist can reveal to us a glimpse of God’s beauty, sparking … Read more

Abp Naumann: Spiritual Direction & Spiritual Direction School

I recently had the opportunity to interview with his Excellency Archbishop Naumann of the archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas for Register Radio on an important work going on in his archdiocese to train spiritual mentors. Because of the time constraints of the show we had to cut it down quite a bit. Below you will … Read more

How Can I Get Out of Patterns of Sin?

Dear Carmelite Sisters, how can I deepen my relationship with God when I am stuck in patterns of sin that I can’t seem to break? I’ve asked this question to several people at different times, but I really can’t seem to figure this out or make any progress. I am really grieved over this. Thank … Read more