Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present, turning your thoughts away from the future just as you would from temptation. Repose in me, believing in my goodness, and I promise you by my love that if you say “You take care of it” I will take care of it all; I will console you, liberate you and guide you.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.
“On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Nine Ladies Dancing …” symbolizing the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Prayer: Holy Spirit abide in me, let my life be abundant with Your fruit that I may bring peace and love to a hurting world. I pray that during this season of excess that the greatest of all will be the harvest of Your fruits in my life, for without an abundant harvest of Your fruits, I have nothing to give. Amen.
The Iron Mountain of Stability – From the writings of St. Hildegard von Bingen – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Quote: “I saw a great mountain the color of iron, and enthroned on it One of such great glory that it blinded my sight. On each side of him there extended a soft shadow, like a wing of wondrous breadth and length. Before him, at the foot of the mountain, stood an image full of eyes on all sides, in which, because of those eyes, I could discern no human form.” (Scivias, Part I, Vision 1)
Commentary: St. Hildegard’s vision of the iron mountain reflects the enduring strength and stability of God’s Kingdom. Paragraph 271 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God governs creation with wisdom, strength, and gentleness. This resonates with Chapter 19 of the Rule of St. Benedict, which reminds us to cultivate humility and reverence in God’s presence. The image of “eyes on all sides” symbolizes God’s omniscience, calling us to live in trust and openness before Him.
Reflection/Call to Action:reflect on the ways God has been your unshakable foundation amidst life’s challenges. In prayer, ask for the grace to trust in His wisdom and all-knowing guidance, even when the path ahead seems unclear. Consider journaling about moments where God’s stability brought peace to your heart, and resolve to live with greater confidence in His enduring presence
About St. Hildegard of Bingen
St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) was a Benedictine abbess, mystic, theologian, and visionary whose profound spiritual insights and writings continue to inspire. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 2012, she is celebrated for her work Scivias (“Know the Ways”), which captures her vivid visions of God’s glory and the divine order of creation. A pioneer in music, natural science, and theology, Hildegard’s life embodies the Benedictine charism of humility, reverence, and dedication to God’s will.
“On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Eight Maids a Milking …”
who were the least of the servants in a home. They symbolize Christ’s love for the least of us, and His faithfulness to those who don’t deserve it. The eight maids stand for the Beatitudes or blessings listed in Matthew.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for standing by us when we least deserve it…we remember today that blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake….let us open our lives to Your blessings! Amen.
I perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in the deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever perform miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. So don’t think about it anymore, because your mind is acute and for you it is very hard to see evil and to trust in me and to not think of yourself. Do this for all your needs, do this all of you and you will see great continual silent miracles. I will take care of things, I promise this to you.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.
Yo obro milagros en proporción del pleno abandono en mí, y a la ausencia de preocupaciones vuestras. ¡Yo derramo tesoros de gracia cuando vosotros estáis en la plena pobreza! Si apreciáis vuestros recursos, por pocos que sean, o si los buscáis, os halláis en el campo natural de las cosas, que es a menudo frecuentemente obstaculizado por Satanás. Ningún razonador o ponderador ha hecho milagros, ni siquiera entre los santos: obra divinamente quien se abandona a Dios. Cuando veas que las cosas se complican, di con los ojos del alma cerrados: “Jesús, ocúpate Tú de ello”. Y distráete, apártate de ti porque tu mente es penetrante… y para ti es difícil ver el mal y tener confianza en mí. Haz así para con todas tus necesidades; obrad así todos y veréis grandes, continuos y silenciosos milagros. Os lo aseguro por mi amor. Y yo me ocuparé de ello, os lo aseguro.
O Jesús, yo me entrego a Ti, ¡ocúpate de todo! (Repítelo 10 veces)
Madre, soy tuyo ahora y siempre.
A través de ti y contigo siempre quiero pertenecer completamente a Jesús.
Amén
Para la versión completa en audio de 9 días de la Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios visite aquí
Esta Novena fue compuesta por el Padre Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970) un sacerdote de Nápoles, Italia, para ayudar a quienes la rezan a entender que el Señor quiere que confiemos en Él sin importar cuál sea nuestro problema. Solo podemos elevarnos a este nivel de confianza a través de la gracia de Dios y la ayuda del Espíritu Santo. Debemos dejar de lado nuestros problemas, dejar de preocuparnos y tratar de resolverlos nosotros mismos. Debemos creer, confiar y permitir que nuestro Señor nos rescate de nosotros mismos y suplir nuestros deseos, necesidades y resolver nuestros problemas como solo Él puede. “Jesús, cuídalo tú”, deben ser las primeras palabras que nos vienen a la mente y brotan de nuestros labios.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 10 – A Heart Set on Holiness – St. Thérèse and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore the final months of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her profound spiritual journey amidst extreme physical suffering. They delve into her ability to remain joyful and other-centered despite her struggles, as highlighted through the letters of her cousin Marie.
These letters vividly portray Thérèse’s perseverance in love, her humor even in the face of immense pain, and her heroic efforts to console those around her. This disposition exemplifies her “little way” of offering herself entirely to God, turning ordinary moments of suffering into extraordinary acts of love and faith.
St. Thérèse’s deeply selfless nature, as she consistently sought to lighten the burdens of her sisters and caregivers, demonstrates a heroic commitment to pleasing God and others through love.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Embracing Joy Amidst Suffering: How can you cultivate a joyful and other-centered disposition in moments of personal pain or hardship?
Living the “Little Way”: What small, ordinary acts of love and sacrifice can you offer to God in your daily life?
Strength in Community: How do your relationships reflect the love and support exemplified by St. Thérèse and her sisters in their Carmel community?
Responding to God’s Call: What steps can you take to faithfully respond to God’s invitation to holiness in your current circumstances?
Encouraging Holiness in Others: How can you inspire and support those around you to grow in their faith and spiritual life?
Offering Suffering for Others: In what ways can you offer your struggles for the spiritual benefit of others, as St. Thérèse did?
Trusting in God’s Grace: How does St. Thérèse’s unwavering trust in God challenge you to deepen your own reliance on His grace?
Leaving a Legacy of Love: What legacy of faith, love, and joy are you leaving for those who come after you?
Marie Guérin
About this Series
Fr. Timothy Gallagher reflects upon the enduring legacy of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, exploring how her life and spirituality were deeply influenced by her family and how it offers profound insights into everyday holiness. He examines the role of family and spiritual friendships in nurturing faith, the importance of compassionate care for others, and how Thérèse’s example can inspire listeners to seek sanctity in their daily lives. He also brings forth more details of the spiritual bond between the Martin and Guérin families, offering a model for fostering deeper connections within one’s own family and community.
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio, which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
“On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Seven Swans A Swimming …”
representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion or the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, penance, Eucharist, marriage, anointing of the sick, and holy orders. This is a day of new beginning, seven is the number of finality and we finish the old year and begin anew this day.
Prayer: Lord, examine our hearts today, let us come to You as anew, pure as the snow of the season. Show us our conscience, help us take Your words to heart, and make a new beginning. Lord, let this season of birth be a new birth in me. Amen
No descansáis nunca, queréis valorarlo todo, escudriñarlo todo, pensar en todo, y os abandonáis así a las fuerzas humanas, o peor, a los hombres, confiando en su intervención. Es esto lo que obstaculiza, impide mis palabras y mis cálculos. ¡Oh, como deseo vuestro abandono para beneficiaros!, ¡Y cuanto me aflijo al veros turbados! Satanás tiende precisamente a esto: a turbaros para apartaros de mi acción y arrojaros a la merced de las iniciativas humanas. Confiad por eso sólo en mí, reposad en mí, abandonaos a mí en todo.
O Jesús, yo me entrego a Ti, ¡ocúpate de todo! (Repítelo 10 veces)
Madre, soy tuyo ahora y siempre.
A través de ti y contigo siempre quiero pertenecer completamente a Jesús.
Amén
Para la versión completa en audio de 9 días de la Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios visite aquí
Esta Novena fue compuesta por el Padre Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970) un sacerdote de Nápoles, Italia, para ayudar a quienes la rezan a entender que el Señor quiere que confiemos en Él sin importar cuál sea nuestro problema. Solo podemos elevarnos a este nivel de confianza a través de la gracia de Dios y la ayuda del Espíritu Santo. Debemos dejar de lado nuestros problemas, dejar de preocuparnos y tratar de resolverlos nosotros mismos. Debemos creer, confiar y permitir que nuestro Señor nos rescate de nosotros mismos y suplir nuestros deseos, necesidades y resolver nuestros problemas como solo Él puede. “Jesús, cuídalo tú”, deben ser las primeras palabras que nos vienen a la mente y brotan de nuestros labios.
“On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Seven Swans A Swimming …” 