IP#500 Sr. Mary Ann Fatula – The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Sr. Mary Ann Fatula on “The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints”

Sr. Mary Ann Fatula discusses her book The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints with Kris McGregor. Sr. Mary Ann shares how the Holy Spirit inspired her to gather the most moving and profound reflections of the saints on the Mass and the Eucharist. She describes how these writings reveal the tenderness, depth, and divine intimacy found in the Eucharist, where heaven and earth meet. Through the Mass, the faithful truly encounter Christ’s sacrifice, presence, and love, joined by all of heaven and by their departed loved ones. The saints’ meditations invite the soul to rest upon Christ’s heart, to recognize the sacred reality of the Eucharist, and to experience it as a foretaste of heaven.

Sr. Mary Ann also reflects on the Church Fathers and how their insights, filled with strength and devotion, continue to nourish faith today. The Mass, she explains, is not merely symbolic but a living encounter with Jesus Himself—the “sacrament of love.” Deeper participation in daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration is where Christ draws souls into communion with Himself and one another.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How do I personally experience the presence of Christ during the Mass and in receiving the Eucharist?
In what ways can I slow down and truly “savor” the mystery of the Eucharist as the saints did?
How might I deepen my faith in the real presence of Jesus through prayer and meditation on Scripture?
Do I recognize that at every Mass, I am united not only with Christ but also with all of heaven and my loved ones who have gone before me?
How can the example and writings of the saints inspire me to approach the Eucharist with greater love and reverence?
What steps can I take to participate in Mass more frequently or spend more time in Eucharistic adoration?
How does understanding the Eucharist as a “sacrament of love” call me to greater self-giving in my daily relationships?
What does it mean for me to rest on the heart of Christ as St. John did at the Last Supper?
How do the teachings of the Church Fathers strengthen my understanding and devotion to the Eucharist?
In what ways is the Mass a foretaste of heaven that prepares my soul for eternal communion with God?

You can find the book here.

From the book description:

“Above all other blessings, the most precious gifts of the Holy Trinity to us are the Mass and the Eucharist. In this awe-inspiring book, Sr. Mary Ann Fatula takes you to the feet of the saints to ponder these Sacred Mysteries. You will learn how to rest in the Lord’s intimate physical presence and gain peace of soul, receiving the remedy for temptation, sweetness in struggles, and healing from pain.

As Sr. Mary Ann breaks opens the treasure house of writings on the Holy Eucharist, the saints will lovingly teach you about the immeasurable graces the Lord gives you at Mass and through this most wondrous sacrament. You will learn how to grow in recollection during Mass, how to cherish the Lord’s intimate presence in Holy Communion, and how to rest in the Lord in Eucharistic adoration. As your love for the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament deepens, you will begin to treasure anew the delight of the Trinity’s intimate love, the light and warmth of the Holy Spirit’s anointing, and the joyful hope of eternal salvation.

In pondering with Sr. Mary Ann the insights of Church Fathers and other beloved saints, such as Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Ávila, John Henry Newman, John Vianney, Thérèse of Lisieux, and John Paul II, the Mystery of Faith will come alive to you in a new way. You will never experience Mass in the same way again, nor will you tire of returning to these saints’ insights to be inspired again and again.

You will learn that, at every Mass, the Lord Himself makes present to us His most tender Last Supper, His sacred death on the Cross, and His glorious Resurrection in order to feed us with His own precious Body and Blood. You will discover many other astounding blessings that the Lord wants to pour out on us at Mass, such as the grace that transformed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s skepticism about the Catholic Church into a desire to give everything for the Faith. As you discover how to come to Mass with eagerness and awe, Sr. Mary Ann will unveils:

The key to seeing with faith the profound mysteries invisibly taking place at Mass

The depth of the Lord’s desire to work miracles of love for us through the Mass and the Eucharist

The comfort, tenderness, and sweetness of the Lord’s intimate physical presence within us in the Eucharist

Many other wonderful blessings the Lord lavishes upon us when we receive Holy Communion with the desire to love Him

How the Holy Eucharist ignites our love for one another, especially the poor and the suffering

The wondrous power of the Precious Blood of Jesus — even in the lives of hardened sinners

The power of the Eucharist to make the devil flee from us

The grace that the Eucharist gives us to approach death with confidence and trust

This is a must-read book for the Eucharistic revival. The saints show us that when people begin to appreciate the truth about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit powerfully draws them to the Church, or back to the Church, and immeasurably deepens the joy and love of those who learn to cherish the life-giving treasures of the Mass and the Eucharist.”

About the Author: Sr. Mary Ann, O.P., holds a doctorate in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America and taught theology for more than 30 years at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio.

IP#483 – Thomas Jacobi – How Saints Die by Fr. Antonio Maria Sicari on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Thomas Jacobi – How Saints Die by Fr. Antonio Maria Sicari on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

How Saints Die: 100 Stories of Hope is more about how to live than how to die. With Ignatius Press editor, Thomas Jacobi, we discuss life and death, and the challenges of living a life which strives for holiness. We discuss how the saints are great beacons of hope for the world and our essential companions for the spiritual journey.

As Thomas Jacobi will says in our conversation:

“Each Saint is a unique revelation actually of the personality of God, in Christ. Each Saint is so different and each saint reveals something new that we didn’t or couldn’t see before about Christ, about God. And that’s why it’s so important to get to know the saints. They reveal to us who God is in a fresh and exciting way. So I would encourage people to pick up this book for that reason.”

We would agree with Thomas!

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does viewing death as “the moment when death itself dies” transform your understanding of eternal life in Christ?
In what ways do the saints’ final moments reveal the depth of their love and trust in God?
How can reflecting on the deaths of the saints help you confront your own fears about mortality?
What does it mean for death to be “the supreme act of one’s life,” as described in the conversation?
How might you unite your daily sufferings to Christ’s Passion, as the saints did?
Which saint’s story from this discussion most inspires you to live with greater hope and surrender?
How does Madeleine Delbrêl’s acceptance of her fear of death challenge your own expectations of faith?
In what ways can humility, like that shown by St. Dominic and St. Josemaría Escrivá, deepen your spiritual growth?
How can meditating on the lives and deaths of saints renew your sense of purpose and mission today?
What does this episode teach you about finding joy—even within suffering—as a sign of union with Christ?

You can find the book here

From the book description:

“Italian Carmelite Antonio Maria Sicari’s vibrant biographies of saints—from Augustine to Catherine of Siena to Faustina Kowalska—have been read across Europe for decades. In How Saints Die, Sicari turns to the most difficult challenge in the life of a Christian: the hour of death.

What he uncovers in this darkest moment, however, is not desolation, but inexplicable joy. “I have recounted the death of many saints,” he writes, “but all of them have confirmed for me the truth of this ancient Christian intuition: in the death of a saint, it is death that dies!”

With in-depth research and a flair for storytelling, Sicari brings before our eyes the gracious last hours of one hundred men and women—lovers and martyrs, thinkers and workers, ancients and moderns, old men and teens. Included are Kateri Tekakwitha, Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, Thomas Aquinas, Josephine Bakhita, Jérôme Lejeune, Clare of Assisi, and many more. In each, a new shade of the divine light shines through.

Those seeking insight into the mystery of death and suffering will find in this book not only wisdom, but rich and realistic consolation.“

IP#359 Dr. Scott Hahn – Hope to Die on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Dr. Scott Hahn – Hope to Die on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

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Dr. Scott Hahn and Kris McGregor discuss his book Hope to Die: The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body. Dr. Scott Hahn explores the sacred significance of the human body, created not as a mere vessel but as a bridge to communion with others and with God. Christianity confronts both the fear of physical death and the deeper reality of spiritual death. True hope lies not in escaping mortality but in the promise of resurrection—life that is divine rather than merely biological. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, death itself becomes a prayer and sacrifice of love that unites humanity to God’s eternal life.

It connects this mystery to the Eucharist, calling it the sacrament of the Resurrection. The same body of Christ that hung on the cross is now glorified and offered to the faithful, transforming not just bread and wine but the hearts and bodies of those who receive Him. Baptism and confession are likewise “sacraments of resurrection,” restoring the divine life lost through sin. In reclaiming a true Christian understanding of life, death, and resurrection, Dr. Scott Hahn offers a joyful antidote to modern fear—an invitation to live and die in the radiant hope of eternal communion with God.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does viewing the body as a “bridge” rather than a “barrier” shape the way I relate to others and to God?
In what ways do I struggle to see death as a passage to eternal life rather than an end to earthly existence?
How does the Eucharist help me understand the reality of Christ’s resurrected body and my own future resurrection?
What does my participation in the Mass reveal about my belief in the real presence of Jesus?
How can I renew my appreciation for the sacrament of baptism as a true sharing in Christ’s death and resurrection?
When I receive the sacrament of reconciliation, do I recognize it as an encounter with the risen Christ restoring divine life within me?
How do I allow fear or anxiety about physical death to overshadow the hope of eternal life promised in Christ?
What practical steps can I take to treat my body—and the bodies of others—as temples of the Holy Spirit?
How might reflecting on the communion of saints and the resurrection of the body transform the way I view suffering and mortality?
In what ways can I “blow off the dust” of my faith, rediscovering the beauty and power of the Church’s teachings in Scripture and the Catechism?

You can find the book here .

From the book description

As Catholics, we believe in the resurrection of the body. We profess it in our creed. We’re taught that to bury and pray for the dead are corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We honor the dead in our Liturgy through the Rite of Christian burial. We do all of this, and more, because when Jesus Christ took on flesh for the salvation of our souls he also bestowed great dignity on our bodies.

In Hope to Die: The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body, Scott Hahn explores the significance of death and burial from a Catholic perspective. The promise of the bodily resurrection brings into focus the need for the dignified care of our bodies at the hour of death. Unpacking both Scripture and Catholic teaching, Hope to Die reminds us that we are destined for glorification on the last day.

Our bodies have been made by a God who loves us. Even in death, those bodies point to the mystery of our salvation.

About the Author

Scott Hahn is the Fr. Michael Scanlan Professor of Biblical Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. Founder and President of the St. Paul Center, Dr. Hahn has been married to Kimberly since 1979; they have six children and twenty-three grandchildren. He is the author or editor of over fifty popular and academic books, including best-selling titles Rome Sweet Home, The Lamb’s Supper, and Hope to Die.

IP#331 Fr. John Horgan – His Angels At Our Side on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Fr. John Horgan – His Angels At Our Side on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

In this special episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor interviews the late Fr. John Horgan about his book His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and in the World. Focusing on the role of angels in the spiritual life, Fr. Horgan explains how they guide, protect, and inspire us.

It’s important for us to understand angels as spiritual beings who reflect the majesty of God rather than projecting our human traits onto them. Fr. Horgan discusses the relationship between humans and their guardian angels, noting that these angels are given by God to guide and protect every soul, not just the baptized. He advises against naming angels, as their names and missions come directly from God.

Angels are models of prayer and adoration, constantly gazing upon God. They can teach us how to deepen our relationship with God, especially through prayer, obedience, and silence. While angels don’t usually communicate with us through mystical experiences, they offer daily guidance and inspiration; encouraging a spirit of openness to the guardian angel’s influence through prayer and attentiveness to their subtle promptings.

They also cover the role of angels in the Mass, where they worship alongside us, and how we can invite them into our prayer life, especially during the Eucharistic Prayer. Fr. Horgan explains that angels help us align our wills with God’s and overcome temptations, and reflects on the angels’ relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary and their role in leading us closer to her and her perfect acceptance of God’s will.

You can find the book here.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does reflecting on the nature of angels as reflections of God’s majesty help you deepen your understanding of their role in your life?
In what ways can the angels’ perfect adoration of God inspire you to include more acts of adoration in your own prayer life?
How can you cultivate a more conscious relationship with your guardian angel to better respond to their guidance and protection?
What can the obedience of angels teach you about accepting God’s will in your daily life, even when it challenges your own desires?
How does considering the presence of angels during Mass change your approach to the liturgy and deepen your reverence for the Eucharistic celebration?
How can the silence that angels lead you into help you create more space for God in your heart amid the noise of the world?
What steps can you take to better recognize the influence of evil in your life and rely more on the guidance of the angels in resisting temptation?
How does reflecting on the angels’ relationship with Mary inspire you to model her obedience and openness to God’s plan?
What are some practical ways you can invite your guardian angel to assist you in your interactions with others and in your daily tasks?
How can a deeper understanding of the angels’ mission enhance your spiritual growth and help you in your journey toward heaven?

From the book description

Meet the mighty spirits sent by God to enlighten and guide us, defend us from harm, and lead us on the path to eternal life. Learn how angels are invisibly present at every moment of your life, and how they can pray with you and for you, amplifying your praise by reflecting it directly to God face-to-face.

Angels do not form a separate universe they are an integral part of our own world sent forth for the sake of our salvation. They are pure spirits who communicate to us God’s grace, His goodness, and His truth.

In these pages, Fr. Horgan unveils the surprising role of the angels in our lives and what you must do to gain their help. You’ll learn how to imitate the angels in prayer and how they offer you the enlightenment and the encouragement God so desperately wants to give you. By praying with the angels, you will be strengthened for what lies ahead, better able to discern and do the Lord’s will in all your actions. You ll also learn:

Why the Church teaches that the angels were created at the time of creation

The responsibilities of the angels at every Mass

The key difference between spirits and angels

Seven habits you must develop to grow closer to God through His angels

The difference between Archangel Gabriel’s apparitions to Mary and Zechariah

How St. Joseph can expose you to the inspirations of the angels

The difference in the way humans and angels think

How you can imitate the warrior nature of the angels

The three ways you must respond to your angel’s guardianship

The five roles that every angel takes in their service for the Lord

The surprising ways in which angelic warfare is carried out

About the Author

Father John G. Horgan was a priest of the Archdiocese of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, and the pastor of St Pius X Parish. A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, he graduated from Harvard, as well as the Angelicum in Rome, before being ordained by St. John Paul II in 1986. He lectured and consulted on questions of moral theology and healthcare ethics in Canada and the United States. Fr. Horgan had a life-long interest in the Angels and Saints and was credentialed through the Vatican’s special training course for those involved in the process of “saint-making” in 1997. He served as a vice-postulator for the cause of Blessed Marie of Jesus Deluil-Martiny and has advised on several other causes. Fr. Horgan was involved with EWTN, the Eternal Word Global Television Network, since the early 1990s; he made several appearances with Mother Angelica, and has filmed two television series. He entered into eternal rest in October of 2022.

God as the True End – The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart w/Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

God as the True End

God as the true end is the seventh attitude of a discerning heart. In Catholic discernment, all choices, prayers, and works lead us to Him, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus calls us to live the Beatitudes, keep the Great Commandment, and follow the vision of Matthew 25. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that our final end is eternal union with God, the goal and fulfillment of every desire.

Scripture Reading:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.’” (John 14:6)

Every journey has a destination. For the Christian, that destination is God Himself. All our discernment, all our choices, all our striving find their meaning only if they lead us closer to Him.

In the discerning heart, we remember that prayer, good works, even vocations are not ends in themselves. They are means that lead us to the ultimate end: union with God. If we mistake the means for the end, we risk losing sight of the One who is the source of all goodness.

Jesus tells us plainly: He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is not one path among many, but the very road, destination, and fulfillment of our hearts.

To keep God as the true end means living the Beatitudes, following the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor, and embracing the vision of Matthew 25 — seeing Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters. Whenever discernment leads us away from love, we know we are on the wrong path.

Saint’s Teaching:
St. Thomas Aquinas taught that the final end of the human person is the vision of God — to see Him face to face in eternal life. All lesser goods must serve this greater end.

The saints remind us that every prayer, every sacrifice, every act of love is meant to draw us deeper into God, who alone is our beginning and our end.

Guided Application Questions:

In what ways do I sometimes treat spiritual practices as ends in themselves rather than pathways to God?
Ask for the grace to pray and serve with your eyes fixed on Him.
How am I tempted to seek fulfillment in created things instead of the Creator?
Name it in prayer, and invite the Lord to redirect your desire toward Himself.
How can I renew my intention to seek God above all else?
Begin your prayer by saying: “Lord, You are my beginning and my end. All I do is for You.”

Closing Prayer:
Eternal Father, You are the beginning and the end of all things.
Through the words of Your Son, who is the way, the truth, and the life, guide me to Yourself.
Through the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas and the witness of all the saints, help me to live for You alone.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Discover The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart — openness, generosity, courage, interior freedom, prayerful reflection, right priorities, and God as the true end — HERE

Right Priorities – The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart w/Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Right Priorities

Right priorities are the sixth attitude of a discerning heart. In Catholic discernment, priorities are ordered when God comes first. Jesus teaches us: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.”St. Augustine reminds us that the restless heart finds peace only in God. When we put Him first, all else finds its place in His loving care.

Scripture Reading:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matthew 6:33–34)

Our lives can easily become filled with anxieties — about work, family, money, or the future. But Jesus reminds us that the way forward is not found in worry, but in ordering our hearts rightly.

In the discerning heart, priorities are clear: God comes first. Everything else takes its place under Him. When we seek His kingdom first, our decisions, our time, and our relationships all find their proper order.

This does not mean life will be without struggles. But it does mean that we face them with peace, knowing our lives are in God’s hands. Right priorities free us from being controlled by passing concerns and help us walk in the confidence of His care.

Saint’s Teaching:
St. Augustine, after years of searching, discovered that only God could satisfy the deep desires of the heart. He confessed: “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”

His words remind us that no created thing, no matter how good, can take the place of God. To give Him first place is not to lose, but to gain the peace of a heart at rest.

Guided Application Questions:

In what part of my life do I give first place to something other than God?
Ask Him to re-order your heart so He is at the center.
How can I seek God first in prayer each day?
Begin and end the day with a short offering of love to Him.
How is the Lord inviting me to trust that if I put Him first, He will provide for my needs?
Bring that concern into prayer and say: “Lord, I seek Your kingdom first.”

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You taught us to seek first the kingdom of God.
Grant me a heart that places You above all things.
Through the prayers of St. Augustine, help me to find rest only in You.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Discover The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart — openness, generosity, courage, interior freedom, prayerful reflection, right priorities, and God as the true end — HERE

Prayerful Reflection – The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart w/Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Prayerful Reflection

Prayerful reflection is the fifth attitude of a discerning heart. In Catholic discernment, it means pausing to notice God’s presence in daily life. The psalmist reminds us, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me,” and saints like Francis de Sales encouraged a daily examen of gratitude and humility. Reflection allows us to see grace and failure honestly, so we may respond to God with greater clarity and love.

Scripture Reading:
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.” (Psalm 139:1–3)

A discerning heart does not rush through life without pause. It learns to stop, to remember, and to reflect. Prayerful reflection is the space where we allow God to show us how He has been present — in the blessings and also in the challenges.

The psalmist tells us that God knows us completely. Nothing escapes His gaze. When we take time to reflect, we begin to see our lives as He sees them. We recognize moments of grace that might have passed unnoticed. We also see where we turned away, where sin or selfishness clouded our choices.

Prayerful reflection helps us grow in gratitude, humility, and clarity. It is not simply an exercise in memory, but an encounter with God’s living presence in our daily story.

Saint’s Teaching:
St. Francis de Sales encouraged the faithful to make a daily examen — not only to confess faults, but to rejoice in God’s blessings and renew the desire to walk closely with Him. He wrote that reflection helps us “turn our hearts to God, raising them above the concerns of the world.”

The Benedictines also practiced this rhythm of reflection in the Divine Office, pausing throughout the day to pray the Psalms. Their lives show us that reflection is not a luxury, but an essential rhythm of Christian life.

Guided Application Questions:

How can I make time, even briefly, to reflect on where God has been present in my day?
End the day with a few minutes of prayerful review and thanksgiving.
In what moments do I experience peace, and when do I feel restlessness?
Bring these to prayer, asking the Lord to deepen His peace and heal what is restless within you.
How can I begin a simple practice of reflection?
Pray with gratitude, ask forgiveness where needed, and place tomorrow in God’s hands.

Closing Prayer:
O Lord, You search me and know me.
Help me to pause each day and see my life through Your eyes.
Through the example of St. Francis de Sales and St. Benedict, teach me to remember with gratitude and to return to You with trust.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Discover The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart — openness, generosity, courage, interior freedom, prayerful reflection, right priorities, and God as the true end — HERE

Interior Freedom – The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart w/Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Interior Freedom

Interior freedom is the fourth attitude of a discerning heart. In Catholic discernment, this freedom is not doing whatever we please but the grace to choose what leads us closer to God. Christ teaches that “the truth will make you free,” and the saints remind us that attachments cloud the heart. St. John Cassian and St. Francis of Assisi show us that only a free heart can fully belong to God.

Scripture Reading:
“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free… So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31–32, 36)

We all desire freedom, yet the world often confuses freedom with license — the idea that we can do whatever we please. But true freedom is not about indulging every whim. True freedom is the capacity to choose the good, to choose what leads us closer to God.

In the discerning heart, interior freedom means that our hearts are not held captive by fear, resentment, possessions, or even by our own plans. When we are bound by these things, our vision becomes clouded, and it becomes harder to recognize God’s voice. But when we allow His grace to loosen our grip, we discover a freedom that brings peace.

This freedom does not come by our own strength. It is God’s grace that gently but firmly encourages us to let go. Sometimes that grip has been tight for a long time. Yet God does not demand all at once — He invites, He waits, He strengthens. Interior freedom grows as we place our trust in His love and take one step at a time.

Saint’s Teaching:
St. John Cassian taught that freedom of heart comes through simplicity and detachment, cultivated in prayer and virtue. The early monks understood that unless the heart is free, it cannot fully hear God.

St. Ignatius of Loyola later echoed this wisdom, speaking of “holy indifference” — not in the sense of apathy, but of being so free in heart that we desire only what God desires. And St. Francis of Assisi lived this truth with his whole being, finding joy in poverty because his heart was utterly free for God.

These saints show us that freedom is not about escape. It is about belonging — fully and joyfully — to God.

Guided Application Questions:

In what ways do attachments — to possessions, opinions, or fears — weigh down my heart?
Name them in prayer and ask the Spirit to loosen their hold on you.
How do I sometimes confuse freedom with doing whatever I want?
Reflect on how true freedom is choosing what leads to God, even when it requires sacrifice.
How is the Lord inviting me to say with honesty, “Lord, I want what You want”?
Pray those words slowly, letting His grace shape your desire.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have promised that the truth will make us free.
Grant me the grace of interior freedom, so that nothing may hold me back from following You.
Through the prayers of St. John Cassian, St. Francis, and all who walked the path of detachment, help me to desire only what leads me to You.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Discover The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart — openness, generosity, courage, interior freedom, prayerful reflection, right priorities, and God as the true end — HERE

Courage – The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart w/Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Courage

Courage is the third attitude of a discerning heart. In Catholic discernment, courage means trusting Christ even when the path is uncertain. When fear threatens to hold us back, His words remind us: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” St. Teresa of Ávila teaches us to persevere in faith, showing that true courage rests not in ourselves but in God who never changes.

Scripture Reading:
“But immediately he spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart, it is I; have no fear.’ And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’” (Matthew 14:27–29)

The disciples were in the boat when a storm rose against them. Waves crashed, the wind howled, and their hearts were filled with fear. In that moment, they saw Jesus walking on the water, but instead of comfort, their terror deepened — they thought they were seeing a ghost.

Into their fear, Jesus spoke words that cut through the chaos: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” With those words, He not only calmed the storm, but He gave His disciples courage.

Courage is not the absence of fear. Even saints felt trembling in the face of difficulty. Courage means moving forward in trust, even while fear is still present. It is choosing to fix our eyes on Christ rather than on the storm.

In the discerning heart, courage means letting go of our demand for certainty. We may not know how everything will unfold. The road ahead may be hidden. Yet if Christ is calling, courage moves us to step forward. Each act of trust, no matter how small, strengthens us to follow Him more faithfully.

Saint’s Teaching:
St. Teresa of Ávila knew well what it meant to face storms. She endured illness, criticism, misunderstanding, and many obstacles in her reform of the Carmelite order. Yet she pressed on with steadfast trust in God.

She encouraged her sisters with words that still speak to us today: “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing; God never changes.”

Her courage was not loud or dramatic. It was rooted in the quiet conviction that God is faithful, that His presence is stronger than fear, and that He never abandons His children.

Guided Application Questions:

In what part of my life is fear holding me back from following God’s call?
Bring that fear to prayer and hear Christ’s words spoken to you: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
How can I take one step forward in trust, even if I cannot see the whole path?
Ask the Lord for the grace of courage, and act on one small step today.
When I hesitate, how can I remember to pray: “Jesus, I trust in You”?
Offer that moment to God and move forward with confidence in His care.

Closing Prayer:
Almighty God, You strengthened St. Teresa of Ávila to trust You in times of trial.
Grant me the gift of holy courage to follow wherever You call.
Calm my fears with the words of Your Son: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Discover The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart — openness, generosity, courage, interior freedom, prayerful reflection, right priorities, and God as the true end — HERE

Generosity – The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart w/Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Generosity

Generosity is the second attitude of a discerning heart. In Catholic discernment, generosity means giving ourselves to God without reserve, echoing Mary’s fiat: “Let it be to me according to your word.” Inspired by the radical joy of St. Francis of Assisi, this reflection invites us to let go of conditions and respond to God’s call with a heart that trusts His goodness.

Scripture Reading:
“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son…’ And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” (Luke 1:30–31, 38)

At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel brings Mary a message she could never have imagined. She is told she will conceive and bear the Son of God. Her whole life will change in a moment.

Mary’s response is simple yet profound: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” She does not ask for guarantees. She does not negotiate terms. She simply offers herself, completely and without reserve, into the hands of God.

This is the heart of generosity: a willingness to give ourselves to God’s plan, even when we do not fully understand it. True generosity is not only about giving possessions or time, but about offering our very selves. It means holding nothing back, trusting that God’s will, though sometimes mysterious, is always rooted in love.

In the discerning heart, generosity frees us. When we cling to control or keep parts of our lives closed off from God, we carry burdens He never meant for us to carry. But when we give ourselves wholly to Him, we discover a freedom and joy that only surrender can bring.

Saint’s Teaching:
St. Francis of Assisi is a shining example of this kind of generosity. Born into wealth, he renounced every privilege, not out of bitterness, but out of joy. He discovered that by giving up possessions, reputation, and comfort, he was free to live entirely for God.

Francis did not simply give things away; he gave himself away. His life became a continual yes to God, echoing the fiat of Mary. In him, we see that generosity is not loss — it is the discovery of life in abundance.

Guided Application Questions:

In what ways do I place conditions on my willingness to follow God’s will?
Ask Him to make your yes more complete, and pray for the grace to surrender freely.
How can I practice generosity of heart today?
Choose one small act of love — a kindness, a sacrifice, or an offering of time — and give it to God with joy.
When I pray, how can I echo Mary’s words: “Let it be to me according to Your word”?
Repeat her fiat slowly today, asking God to make it true in your own heart.

Closing Prayer:
Lord God, You filled the Blessed Virgin Mary with grace so she could say yes without hesitation.
Grant me a generous heart that holds nothing back from You.
Through the example of St. Francis of Assisi, teach me to surrender everything in love.
May my life echo Mary’s fiat: “Let it be done to me according to Your word.”
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Discover The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart — openness, generosity, courage, interior freedom, prayerful reflection, right priorities, and God as the true end — HERE