Abandonment XVII – The Ever-Flowing Spring of Holiness O all you who thirst, learn that you have not far to go to find the spring of living waters! It springs forth quite close to you in the present moment. Therefore hasten to approach it. Why, with the spring so near, do you tire yourselves running … Read more
Father John, I am a convert to the Catholic faith, and I still have difficulties with Mary. Don’t get me wrong – I believe all the dogma and doctrine fully, but when it comes to praying to Mary, I don’t seem to get it. What role is she supposed to have in my pursuit of … Read more
How God is Especially for Us – Scripturally and Experientially: We can only be truly instructed by the words which God speaks to us personally. No one grows in knowledge of God either by reading books or by curious historical research. These means give us but a vain and empty knowledge, which serves only to … Read more
Fear the Devil or My Own Venial Sins? Dear Saint Teresa, which should I fear more, the devil, or my own venial sins? If this Lord is powerful, as I see that He is and I know that He is, and if the devils are His slaves (and there is no doubt about this because … Read more
Dear Father John, I am a convert to the Catholic faith, and I still have difficulties with Mary. Don’t get me wrong – I believe all the dogma and doctrine fully, but when it comes to praying to Mary, I don’t seem to get it. What role is she supposed to have in my pursuit … Read more
The Problem with “Praying to Saints” At one time in my life I viewed Christians as shallow people blindly following silly rules. As I was to discover, these perceptions were not only wrong, they were worlds away from reality. The root cause of my misconception was my confident ignorance. Until I allowed Christians to speak … Read more
Dear Father John, I am a convert to the Catholic faith, and I still have difficulties with Mary. Don’t get me wrong – I believe all the dogma and doctrine fully, but when it comes to praying to Mary, I don’t seem to get it. What role is she supposed to have in my pursuit … Read more
Our Lady of Good Remedy Novena History 800 years ago Christians were being captured and sold into slavery by the thousands, and nobody knew what to do about it. Then, in the year 1198, a man had an idea. St. John of Matha founded the Trinitarians to go to the slave markets, buy the … Read more
Dear Father John, I thought I understood, more or less, how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. But in a recent faith sharing group, a question came up that made me wonder. Someone asked if the Holy Spirit would or would not be with un-baptized persons if they ask Holy Spirit to dwell in … Read more
Editor’s Note: In part I, we looked at how sin matters and factors of personality, temptation and turmoil that play a part in scrupulosity. Dear Father John, I seem to be struggling with scrupulosity. However, when I read St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, they exhort that any small sin or … Read more
Abandonment XVI – The Hidden Work of Divine Love What great truths are hidden from the eyes even of Christians who think themselves most enlightened! How few among them understand that every cross, every circumstance, every leading of the will of God gives us God Himself in a way that can best be explained by … Read more
TEN COMMANDMENTS OF SCRUPULOSITY Important Note: If you do not specifically struggle with scrupulosity, this advice is not likely to apply to you. If you have any questions about the advice or overcoming the struggle of scrupulosity, it is very important that you meet with your spiritual director for guidance. You shall not repeat a … Read more
Dear Father John, I seem to be struggling with scrupulosity. However, when I read St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, they exhort that any small sin or attachment can keep us from union with God. How do I know if I am scrupulous or just sensitive to sin? How do I avoid … Read more
Struggling with Violent Content of Psalms Dear Father John, Lately I have started praying the Psalms, even using some of the Liturgy of the Hours. Every once in awhile, I run across sections that throw me for a loop. I mean, there are phrases like “Destroy them in your anger, destroy them till they are … Read more
What infidelity there is in the world! How unworthy are men’s thoughts of God! We constantly complain of His action in a way we would not use towards the lowest of workmen about his trade. We would reduce God’s action to the limits and rules of our feeble reason. We presume to imagine that we … Read more
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever, ” says the Apostle (Hebrews 13:8). From the beginning of the world He was, as God, the source of the life of righteous souls. From the first moment of His incarnation, His humanity shared this prerogative of His divinity. He is working within us throughout our whole lives. The … Read more
Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer By Father Thomas Dubay, S.M., a retreat master and a spiritual director. “As in his other popular writings, Father Thomas Dubay’s style is profound and meditative yet clear and readable. He gives an overview of the spiritual life for anyone seeking to grow in the love of God and neighbor. An … Read more
The written word of God is full of mystery. His word expressed in the events of the world is not less so. These are two sealed books, and of both it can be said, “the letter killeth.” God is the center of faith. All that emanates from this center is hidden in the deepest mystery. … Read more
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