Day 8 – The Archangels – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena

V/. O God, + come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory Be

Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels

The ARCHANGELS primary duty, as is clear from their appearances in Scripture, is to carry out the will of God as it relates directly to humanity. They bring to the world the prayerful blessings of the Lord and the special concern of God for each and every human life. It is for that reason that the archangels—like their close counterparts the Angels—are said to intervene so regularly in the affairs of men and women, be it on a battlefield, in an impending disaster, or in the private anguish and sorrow of the living. In each case they impart a portion of their immense compassion and love, giving comfort, solace, or fortitude at the darkest of moments.

Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z (Kindle Locations 517-522). Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. Kindle Edition.

By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works, in order that we gain the glory of Paradise. Amen

Our Father …Hail Mary

O GLORIOUS Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

V/. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R/. That we may be made worthy of His promises.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, hast appointed the most glorious Archangel, St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee, to be delivered from all our enemies that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Visit here for the entire 9-Day Novena to St. Michael and the Holy Angels

Visit here for the Chaplet of St. Michael – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast

Day 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 3: Humility

St. Francis, you embraced the profound humility of Christ, who “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). You considered yourself the least of all and sought not your own glory, but the glory of God. You saw in humility the path to holiness and the surest way to imitate Our Lord, who came “not to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). In a world that exalts pride and self-promotion, your example calls us to embrace the hidden life, seeking only the will of God and the salvation of souls.

Let us pray:
O humble St. Francis, obtain for me the grace to recognize my own lowliness and to rely completely on God’s mercy. Help me to imitate your example by putting aside my pride and seeking only to do the will of the Father. Teach me to serve others with humility and love, following the example of Christ, who humbled Himself even to death on the Cross. Through your intercession, may I grow in the virtue of humility, so that God may be glorified in all that I do.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

St. Francis, pray for us.

For the entire 9-Day St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Hearts with Msgr. John Esseff tap here

Day 2 – Mercy for All Sinners – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 2 – Mercy for All Sinners – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 699 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:

“Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of My goodness? For you I descended from heaven to earth; for you I allowed Myself to be nailed to the cross; for you I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come, then, with trust to draw graces from this fountain.”

Jesus reassures us through St. Faustina that His mercy knows no bounds. No matter how grave our sins, His mercy is infinitely greater. We often let shame or fear of judgment keep us from approaching the merciful heart of Jesus, but He tells us clearly: there is no sin too great for His mercy. Reflect today on any barriers that may be preventing you from fully embracing God’s forgiveness. Know that Jesus suffered on the cross precisely to open wide the fountain of His mercy for you, and all He asks in return is that you come to Him with trust.

Lord Jesus, You suffered and died for me, not because I am worthy, but because of Your immense love. Help me never to fear Your judgment but to trust fully in the mercy that flows from Your heart. Lead me to receive Your mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where Your grace washes me clean. St. Faustina, intercede for me, that I may trust in God’s mercy and never hesitate to ask for forgiveness. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, through the intercession of St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, I ask for the grace to live more fully in Your mercy. Help me to trust in You completely, to offer mercy to others, and to live in the joy of Your love. May St. Faustina guide me in my journey toward holiness, and may her prayers obtain for me the graces I most need. Amen.

St. Faustina, pray for us.

You find the entire 9-Day St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart tap here

You can find the Discerning Hearts “Chaplet of Divine Mercy” tap here

You find the Diary here

Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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 According to Luke 9:18-22

One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’

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:

One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’

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:

One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

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.

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.

Day 2 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 2 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 2: Peace

St. Francis, you were a true instrument of peace, not only in your actions but in your entire way of life. You lived out the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), reconciling enemies, healing divisions, and spreading the message of the Gospel. You understood that true peace begins in the heart, with repentance and conversion, and is nourished through prayer and the Sacraments. You remind us that we must first be reconciled to God before we can become channels of His peace to others.

Let us pray:
Blessed St. Francis, through your intercession, help me to cultivate peace in my heart by drawing closer to Christ through the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Holy Eucharist. Teach me to foster peace in my relationships, to forgive those who have wronged me, and to live as a true disciple of the Prince of Peace. May I follow your example by being a peacemaker in my family, community, and the world.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

St. Francis, pray for us.

For the entire 9-Day St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Hearts with Msgr. John Esseff tap here

Day 1 – Trust in Divine Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 1 – Trust in Divine Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1578 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:

“The graces of My mercy are drawn by one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to Me, because I pour all the treasures of My graces into them. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very much. On the other hand, I am sad when souls ask for little, when they narrow their hearts.”

St. Faustina’s mission centered on the importance of trust in God’s mercy. Jesus revealed to her that trust is the vessel through which we receive the treasures of His grace. Reflect today on how much trust you place in Jesus. Do you open your heart to receive the abundant grace He wants to give you, or do you limit Him by asking for little? Jesus invites you to trust Him more deeply so that He can pour “much, very much” into your life. Expand your heart, knowing that His desire is to bless you far more than you can imagine.

Lord Jesus, I know that Your mercy is abundant and infinite. Help me to trust in Your Divine Providence and open my heart to receive all the graces You wish to pour into my life. May I never ask for too little, but always trust that You desire to bless me in ways beyond my understanding. St. Faustina, help me to trust in Jesus’ Divine Mercy in all things, especially in times of difficulty, doubt, and fear. Amen.

Closing Prayer

St. Faustina, pray for us.

You find the entire 9-Day St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart tap here

You can find the Discerning Hearts “Chaplet of Divine Mercy” tap here

You find the Diary here

Day 7 – The Principalities – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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Day 7 – The Celestial Choir of Principalities – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena

V/. O God, + come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory Be

Day 7 – The Celestial Choir of Principalities

The PRINCIPALITIES are the first of the choirs most concerned with the earth and are traditionally declared to have the roles of caretakers over every nation, province, county, district, city, town, village, and house, working with the guardian angels, who also are assigned to every spot and person. Two other areas of concern for the principalities are religion and politics. The former they encourage to spread by prayer and spiritual encouragement; the latter they seek to regulate for the good of humanity by guiding the thoughts and especially the ethics of what Dionysius termed the “leaders of people” all over the world.

Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z (Kindle Locations 4096-4110). Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. Kindle Edition.

By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.

Our Father …Hail Mary

V/. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R/. That we may be made worthy of His promises.

Visit here for the entire 9-Day Novena to St. Michael and the Holy Angels

Visit here for the Chaplet of St. Michael – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast

Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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 According to St. Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

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:

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

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:

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

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.

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.

Day 6 – The Powers – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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Day 6 – The Celestial Choir of Powers – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena

V/. O God, + come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory Be

Day 6 – The Celestial Choir of Powers

The POWERS have the task of defeating the efforts of the demons in overthrowing the world and are declared the awesome defenders of the cosmos against all evil and the maintainers of all cosmic order and equilibrium. They are the guardians of the heavenly paths, policing the routes to and from heaven to the earth, which means that they concern themselves as well with all humanity. The great harmonizers, they assist each soul to overcome the temptations placed before it to do evil and to lean instead toward the proper action, which is to love and worship God.

Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z (Kindle Locations 3988-3999). Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. Kindle Edition.

By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers, may the Lord vouchsafe to protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.

Our Father …Hail Mary

V/. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R/. That we may be made worthy of His promises.

Visit here for the entire 9-Day Novena to St. Michael and the Holy Angels

Visit here for the Chaplet of St. Michael – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast

Day 1 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 1 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 1: Simplicity

St. Francis, you gave up everything to follow Our Lord more perfectly. In embracing holy poverty, you lived the Gospel in its most radical form, imitating the poverty of Christ Himself. You found in simplicity the freedom to love God with an undivided heart, rejecting the fleeting pleasures of this world for the eternal joy of Heaven. In a society distracted by material wealth, your life is a beacon that points us to the true treasure—union with Christ.

Let us pray:
O holy St. Francis, obtain for me the grace to embrace the virtue of simplicity. Help me detach from material possessions and worldly concerns, so that I may live with a heart free to love and serve God above all things. Teach me to imitate your spirit of poverty, finding joy in possessing nothing but Christ. Through your intercession, may I grow in trust in Divine Providence, confident that God will supply all my needs.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

St. Francis, pray for us.