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
If we are able to greet each passing moment as the manifestation of the will of God, we will find in it all our heart can desire. What could there be more reasonable, more perfect, more divine than the will of God? Could any change of time or place or circumstance alter or increase its … Read more
Though this blog is primarily dedicated to positive teachings the spiritual life, from time to time there are issues that must be addressed that are not so positive. For in your in-depth review, we have provided links to several articles that address the challenges with “Centering” prayer. Though many attest that they have benefited from … Read more
Those who are enlightened by faith judge things in a very different way from those who have only their senses to guide them and ignore the inestimable treasures they conceal. He who knows the king in disguise treats him very differently than another who, judging by appearances alone, fails to recognize his royalty and treats … Read more
Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel-On Prayer by Father Thomas Dubay, S.M., retreat master and spiritual director. Fire Within is a wise and accessible work of synthesis and systematization of the thought of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross on authentic mystical contemplation. One caution – … Read more
All creatures are living in the hand of God. The senses perceive only the physical causes, but faith sees God’s hand in all things. Faith believes that Jesus Christ lives in all things and that His divine operation continues to the end of time; that every passing moment and the tiniest atom contain a portion … Read more
I believe that if those who are seriously striving after holiness were instructed as to the conduct they ought to follow they would be spared a good deal of trouble. I speak as much of lay persons as of religious. If the former (i.e., lay persons) could realize the merit concealed in the actions of … Read more
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