The Gifts of the Sacred Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
Msgr. John Esseff discusses the concept of enthronement and consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The initiation of this devotion is God’s work, not ours. God calls individuals and families by name to belong to Him, initiating a relationship and union through prayer and consecration. This act of consecration involves giving back to God all that He has given us, including our very being, desires, and actions. Consecration is a powerful gift and a reciprocal promise: as we consecrate ourselves to God, He promises to bestow peace upon our families and homes.
Msgr. Esseff also recounts personal and observed experiences where the enthronement of the Sacred Heart brought inner peace, even amidst external turmoil and conflict; and shares examples from various contexts, including religious life, marriage, and even a prison, to illustrate the transformative power of enthronement. While conflicts and disagreements may still arise, the promise of peace and fulfillment in one’s state of life remains steadfast through devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Reflect on how you have sensed God’s call in your life and how you have responded to it.
What areas of your life do you need to consecrate more fully to God?
How have you experienced God’s peace during times of conflict or turmoil?
In what ways do you see God’s grace supporting you in your current vocation?
How can you improve communication with your loved ones to foster peace and understanding?
Do you trust in God’s promises, and how can you strengthen that trust?
How can the examples of the transformative power of enthronement inspire you to invite the Sacred Heart into your life?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Introduction to the Enthronement, Continued – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
Msgr. John Esseff discusses preparing for Jesus’ presence in the home, the importance of confession, and heart examination, symbolized by the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
He advises creating a dedicated space in the home for these images to foster spiritual unity and devotion within the family. The enthronement ceremony involves professing faith, consecrating the home, and establishing a continuous spiritual connection with Jesus, leading to a transformative and sanctified family life.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
What steps do you take to prepare your heart for Jesus’ presence in your life?
How can a thorough examination and confession help in receiving Jesus more fully?
How do you balance the physical preparation of your home with the spiritual readiness of your heart?
What does the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus symbolize for you and your family?
How can your family come together to embrace and live out your faith daily?
How do you invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and home to reveal and cleanse what separates you from God?
What does it mean to consecrate your home and family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
How can you publicly profess and live out your faith within your community?
How does having a dedicated space for prayer and reflection impact your family’s spiritual life?
How do you understand and explain the significance of the enthronement ceremony to others?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Day 12 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor reflect on the 12th day of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat, focusing on the theme of peace as a gift from Christ’s indwelling presence. Elizabeth teaches that true holiness and peace flow from Christ’s intimate union with the soul—a union initiated by God’s love and sealed through Christ’s sacrifice. Dr. Lilles explains that Christ doesn’t conform to our expectations, but rather invites us to surrender to his transformative love, which purifies, sanctifies, and leads us to the Father. This kind of relationship with Jesus requires letting go of our desire for control, comfort, and reputation, which often block our openness to grace.
The discussion also highlights the dynamic nature of divine peace: it is not merely a feeling, but the fruit of Christ’s ongoing work in us. Through daily recollected prayer—giving intentional space for God in silence—Christ reorders our inner life, heals deep wounds, and conforms us more fully to himself. This peace, grounded in the knowledge that we are deeply loved and redeemed, enables us to stand confidently before the Father and live in right relationship with others. Elizabeth’s message is ultimately one of hope: through trust and recollection, even in weakness, Christ continues to act, lifting and transforming us with his immense love.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
How is Christ inviting you to surrender control and allow His love to transform your life?
In what areas are you seeking comfort or approval more than God’s presence?
Do you make time each day for silent, recollected prayer where Christ can work in you?
How does knowing that Christ’s love is greater than your failures change the way you pray?
What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is your peace?
Are you open to letting go of your own image of Jesus in order to encounter the real, living Lord?
How can you allow the truth of being the beloved of the Father to shape your identity today?
In what ways is fear keeping you from trusting God more deeply?
How do you experience Christ forming you into His image in your daily life?
What might God be asking you to die to in order to live more fully in His love?
29. “Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis.” 171 God has said: “Be holy, for I am holy.” 172 But He remained hidden in His inaccessible [light173] and the creature needed to have Him descend to it, to live its life, so that following in His footsteps, 174 it can thus ascend to Him and become holy with His holiness. “I sanctify myself for them that they also may be sanctified in the truth.” 175 Here I am in the presence “of a mystery hidden from ages and generations,” the mystery “which is Christ”: “your hope of glory,” 176 says St. Paul! And he adds that “the understanding of this mystery” was given to him. 177 So it is from the great Apostle that I am going to learn how I may possess this knowledge which, in his expression, “surpasses all other knowledge: the knowledge of the love of Christ Jesus.” 178
30. First of all he tells me that He is “my peace,” 179 that it is “through Him that I have access to the Father,” 180 for it has pleased this “Father of lights” 181 that “in Him all fullness should dwell, and that through Him He should reconcile to Himself all things, whether on the earth or in the heavens, making peace through the Blood of His Cross. . . .” 182 “You have received of His fullness,” the Apostle continues, “you were buried with Him in Baptism, and in Him you rose again through faith in the working of God. . . . He brought you to life along with Him, forgiving you all your sins, cancelling the decree of condemnation which weighed on you: He abolished it by nailing it to the Cross. Despoiling Principalities and Powers, He victoriously led them away as captives, triumphing over them in Himself . . . ,” 183 “to present you holy, pure, and without reproach before Him. . . .” 184
31. This is Christ’s work in every soul of good will and it is the work that His immense love, His “exceeding love,” 186 is eager to do in me. He wants to be my peace so that nothing can distract me or draw me out of “the invincible fortress of holy recolletion.” 187 It is there that He will give me “access to the Father” and will keep me as still and as peaceful in His presence as if my soul were already in eternity. 188 It is by the Blood of His Cross that He will make peace in my little heaven, so that it may truly be the repose of the Three. He will fill me with Himself; He will bury me with Him; He will make me live again with Him, by His life: “Mihi vivere Christus est!” 189 And if I fall at every moment, 190 in a wholly confident faith I will be helped up by Him. I know that He will forgive me, that He will cancel out everything with a jealous care, and even more, He will “despoil” me, He will “free” 191 me from all my miseries, from everything that is an obstacle to the divine action. “He will lead away all my powers,” 192 making them His captives, triumphing over them in Himself. Then I will have wholly passed into Him and can say: “I no longer live. My Master lives in me!” 193 And I will be “holy, pure, without reproach” in the Father’s eyes.
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
Corpus Christi Sunday- Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor discuss the significance of the Feast of Corpus Christi, emphasizing the profound importance of the Eucharist in the Catholic faith. Msgr. Esseff reflects on a beautiful morning where nature itself seemed to glorify the Trinity. He explains how the celebration of the Eucharist is a re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary and that every Mass around the world continues this unbroken lineage from the Last Supper. The Eucharist is not just bread and wine but the actual body and blood of Christ. To recognize the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we must deepen our faith and relationship with Him.
Msgr. Esseff shares personal experiences and anecdotes to illustrate the transformative power of the Eucharist and how it brings believers into an intimate union with Christ. The common neglect of the Eucharist, even among Catholics, and the importance of Eucharistic adoration and frequent reception of Communion calls us to a renewed devotion to the Eucharist and its significance as a source of eternal life and divine love.
From the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 6
“The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. 24 When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”
The Jews murmured about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:
‘They shall all be taught by God.’
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
The Words of Eternal Life. Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:
How do I personally experience the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist during Mass?
Do I truly believe that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ?
How often do I receive Communion, and do I prepare myself adequately for it?
How frequently do I spend time in Eucharistic adoration, and what is my attitude towards this practice?
Do I ensure that the sick and homebound in my community receive the Eucharist regularly?
Do I approach the Eucharist with reverence, or have I become indifferent to its significance?
In what ways has the Eucharist transformed my life and deepened my relationship with Jesus?
How can I better educate others about the significance of the Eucharist and encourage them to receive it with faith and reverence?
How does understanding the historical continuity of the Eucharist from the Last Supper to today strengthen my faith?
How do I contemplate and appreciate the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist during Mass?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Introduction to the Enthronement – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
Msgr. John Esseff discusses the importance of enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus in families and individual hearts. He emphasizes that this act is not merely symbolic but a profound relationship with Jesus, making Him the head of every family and individual life. He explains the historical and theological significance of the Sacred Heart, highlighting how Jesus’ heart is a symbol of divine love, revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. Jesus showed her His heart to demonstrate His immense love and to invite humanity to respond with love in return.
The challenges faced by families today remind us that the enthronement of the Sacred Heart can bring unity, healing, and strength to households. Msgr. Esseff calls on us to invite Jesus into their homes and hearts, and that God’s love is universal and transformative. Love is stronger than hate and that Jesus’ love is the ultimate answer to the world’s suffering and division; which should embolden us to embrace this love and to establish a deep, personal relationship with Jesus through the devotion to His Sacred Heart.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
What does it mean to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your home and heart, and how can this act transform your personal and family life?
How does the image of the Sacred Heart reveal the depth of Jesus’ love for you personally, and how can you respond to this love in your daily actions?
What is the significance of Jesus’ revelation to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and how does it influence your understanding of the Sacred Heart devotion?
In what ways can your family become a reflection of the divine love of the Trinity, and what steps can you take to foster this unity?
How can the enthronement of the Sacred Heart help you and your family overcome spiritual and emotional challenges in today’s world?
How does Jesus’ universal love, as discussed in the podcast, challenge you to love others, including those who may be difficult to love or who oppose your beliefs?
What practical steps can you take to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and to make Him the center of your life?
How can you embody the message that love is stronger than hate in your interactions with others, especially in situations of conflict or misunderstanding?
How can you incorporate daily reflections on your union with Jesus into your routine, and what impact might this have on your spiritual growth?
What does it mean for non-Catholic Christians to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes, and how can this act foster greater unity among different Christian denominations?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Day 11, Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor continue their discussion on Day 11 of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat and the profound invitation to deeper communion with God through silence, solitude, and surrender. Those who have progressed in the spiritual life may struggle with inner habits like brooding, rash judgment, or self-pity—tendencies that can only be healed through encountering the living Word in contemplative prayer. This form of prayer is not about methodical virtue-building but a heartfelt consent to God’s transformative presence, modeled after the Blessed Virgin Mary’s “yes.” In silence, the soul opens to the Father’s strength, which enables it to receive and keep the Word, Jesus Christ, who alone can pierce the heart and bring healing.
True Christian communion is not a personal triumph over life’s ambiguities but an abiding presence of God within them. God’s will, likened to the protective walls of a garden, offers space where the Holy Spirit can move freely, liberating the soul from being ruled by moods or impulses. As the soul dwells in this loving silence, it becomes capable of acting in divine freedom. St. Elizabeth calls the soul into the “eternal present”—a place of God’s abiding love and truth—where the Trinity makes its home. This transformation is not just for personal sanctity but also for the good of others, as one’s surrendered heart becomes a channel of divine life and grace.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
How might God be inviting you to surrender control in your prayer life and trust more deeply in His presence?
In what areas of your heart do you find it difficult to let go of hurt, judgment, or fear?
Are you willing to enter into silence and solitude so that God can speak His Word more deeply within you?
How do you respond when God reveals your interior wounds—do you offer them to Him or turn away?
What does it mean for you personally to “keep the Word” and allow it to dwell in your daily life?
How have you experienced communion with God not as a personal achievement but as a gift received in love?
When you reflect on God’s will, do you see it as restrictive or as a path to freedom in the Spirit?
What prevents you from living in the “eternal present” where God’s love is always active and near?
How can your surrender to God’s transforming love become a source of blessing for others in your life?
Are you open to letting God’s Word strip away attachments so that you may grow in holiness and deeper intimacy with Him?
28. But it is not enough just to listen to this word, we must keep it! 164 And it is in keeping it that the soul will be “sanctified in the truth,” and that is the desire of the Master: “Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.” 165 To the one who keeps His word has He not made this promise: “My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home in him”? 166 It is the whole Trinity who dwells in the soul that loves them in truth, that is, by keeping their word! And when this soul has realized its riches, all the natural or supernatural joys that can come to it from creatures or from God Himself are only an invitation to reenter into itself in order to enjoy the substantial Good that it possesses, which is nothing else than God Himself. And thus it has, St. John of the Cross says, a certain resemblance to the divine Being. 167
“Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” St. Paul tells me “that He works all things according to the counsel of His will,” 168 and my Master asks me also to pay Him homage in this regard: “to do all things according to the counsel of His will.” Never to let myself be ruled by impressions, by the first impulses of nature, but to let the will gain self-mastery. . . . And for this will to be free, it must be, in the expression of a pious writer, “enclosed in God’s will.” 169 Then I will be “moved by His Spirit,” 170 as St. Paul says. I will do only what is divine, only what is eternal, and, like my Unchanging One, I will live even here below in an eternal present.
Elizabeth of the Trinity (2014-07-24). Elizabeth of the Trinity Complete Works, Volume I: I Have Found God, General Introduction and Major Spiritual Writings (Kindle Locations 3419-3435). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
St. Anthony of Padua – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson
Born: August 15, 1195, Lisbon, Portugal
Died: June 13, 1231, Padua, Italy
Buried: Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, Padua, Italy
Parents: Vicente Martins , Teresa Pais Taveira
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses with Kris McGregor the life and legacy of St. Anthony of Padua. They explore his widespread veneration and many patronages, emphasizing that although many know him for his aid in finding lost items, his theological contributions are equally significant. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal, not Italy, and his birth name was Fernando Martins. Initially an Augustinian, he later joined the Franciscans, inspired by the martyrdom of five Franciscan friars in Morocco.
His theological brilliance and dedication to a life of prayer led to his significant role within the Franciscan order. Known for his powerful preaching and conversion of heretics, Anthony was also a spiritual director and confessor. His sermons, deeply rooted in scripture and theological interpretation, earned him the title of Doctor of the Church. Despite his early death at 35, Anthony’s legacy endures through his teachings and miracles, including the famous story of preaching to the fish.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Understanding Anthony’s Legacy: How does learning about St. Anthony’s theological contributions and not just his popular image deepen your appreciation of his role in the Church?
Recognizing True Patronage: What does St. Anthony’s extensive list of patronages tell us about his impact on various aspects of life and faith?
The Call to Religious Life: How did St. Anthony’s journey from an Augustinian to a Franciscan inspire you to consider the different paths one might take in following God’s call?
Impact of Martyrdom: How does the martyrdom of the five Franciscan friars in Morocco reflect on the sacrifice and commitment required in religious life?
The Power of Preaching: In what ways can St. Anthony’s dedication to preaching and his ability to convert heretics inspire you in your own faith journey and evangelization efforts?
Encounter with St. Francis: What can we learn from St. Anthony’s transformative encounter with St. Francis about the importance of mentorship and guidance in spiritual growth?
Balancing Knowledge and Humility: How did St. Anthony’s ability to balance profound theological knowledge with humility and simplicity serve as a model for contemporary faith practice?
Theological Legacy: How does understanding the theological traditions established by St. Anthony within the Franciscan Order influence your view of the Order’s teachings and practices?
Spiritual Teachings: How can St. Anthony’s method of interpreting scripture using the four senses (literal, allegorical, moral, anagogical) enhance your personal scripture study and reflection?
Miracles and Holiness: What lessons can be drawn from the stories of St. Anthony’s miracles, such as preaching to the fish and his incorrupt tongue, about the nature of sanctity and divine approval?
Enduring Influence: How does reflecting on St. Anthony’s enduring influence, despite his early death, inspire you to consider the lasting impact of a life devoted to faith and service?
For more on St. Anthony of Padua and his teachings
“With his outstanding gifts of intelligence, balance, apostolic zeal and, primarily, mystic fervour, Anthony contributed significantly to the development of Franciscan spirituality.
In St Anthony’s teaching on prayer we perceive one of the specific traits of the Franciscan theology that he founded: namely the role assigned to divine love which enters into the sphere of the affections, of the will and of the heart, and which is also the source from which flows a spiritual knowledge that surpasses all other knowledge. In fact, it is in loving that we come to know.
Anthony writes further: “Charity is the soul of faith, it gives it life; without love, faith dies” (Sermones Dominicales et Festivi II, Messagero, Padua 1979, p. 37).
It is only the prayerful soul that can progress in spiritual life: this is the privileged object of St Anthony’s preaching. He is thoroughly familiar with the shortcomings of human nature, with our tendency to lapse into sin, which is why he continuously urges us to fight the inclination to avidity, pride and impurity; instead of practising the virtues of poverty and generosity, of humility and obedience, of chastity and of purity. At the beginning of the 13th century, in the context of the rebirth of the city and the flourishing of trade, the number of people who were insensitive to the needs of the poor increased. This is why on various occasions Anthony invites the faithful to think of the true riches, those of the heart, which make people good and merciful and permit them to lay up treasure in Heaven. “O rich people”, he urged them, “befriend… the poor, welcome them into your homes: it will subsequently be they who receive you in the eternal tabernacles in which is the beauty of peace, the confidence of security and the opulent tranquillity of eternal satiety” (ibid., p. 29).
Anthony, in the school of Francis, always put Christ at the centre of his life and thinking, of his action and of his preaching. This is another characteristic feature of Franciscan theology: Christocentrism. Franciscan theology willingly contemplates and invites others to contemplate the mysteries of the Lord’s humanity, the man Jesus, and in a special way the mystery of the Nativity: God who made himself a Child and gave himself into our hands, a mystery that gives rise to sentiments of love and gratitude for divine goodness.
Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
Day 11, Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore Day 11 of The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. The conversation focuses on developing a deep relationship with God the Father, especially for those who may have struggled with their earthly paternal relationships. St. Elizabeth’s own early loss of her father shaped her yearning for the Heavenly Father and how her writings invite us to rediscover this divine relationship. Life’s challenges and imperfections of earthly fathers point us toward the true Father, who grants us identity, freedom, and a mission oriented toward eternal life. The practice of forgiving and letting go of past wounds becomes part of this transformative journey.
Entering spiritual solitude and silence can be daunting for many. St. Elizabeth describes how God leads the soul into an “immense infinite solitude,” where one becomes receptive to His word. Letting go of attachments and internal obstacles by welcoming the Word of God into one’s heart involves not just hearing but living out the Word, allowing it to strip away deeper resistances like resentment or self-pity. In this surrender, the soul is gradually sanctified, making space for the indwelling presence of the Trinity.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Am I aware of any consistent interior attraction drawing me toward a particular choice or vocation?
Do I notice moments of spiritual consolation that invite me into deeper relationship with God through certain life options?
Have I allowed sufficient time for these movements of the heart to deepen and clarify over time?
Am I cultivating an inner openness to God’s will, truly ready to follow whatever He desires for me?
Am I regularly using spiritual practices—such as Scripture, the Eucharist, silence, and the Examen—to help discern God’s invitations?
Have I sought wise spiritual counsel to accompany me in my discernment process?
If clarity has not emerged through consolation, am I prepared to thoughtfully weigh advantages and disadvantages in light of God’s glory?
Do I prayerfully consider how each possible choice may help make God more known and loved in the world?
Have I gathered all the relevant information I need to discern a choice responsibly and clearly?
Before making a decision, have I sincerely presented it to God in prayer, asking for guidance and confirmation?
27. “The Lord brought me into a spacious place, because He was gracious toward me. . . .” 159 The Creator, seeing the beautiful silence which reigns in His creature, and gazing on her wholly recollected in her interior solitude, is enamored of her beauty and leads her into this immense, infinite solitude, into this “spacious place” sung of by the prophet, which is nothing else but Himself: “I will enter into the depths of the power of God.” 160 Speaking through his prophet, the Lord said: “I will lead her into solitude and speak to her heart.” 161 The soul has entered into this vast solitude in which God will make Himself heard! “His word,” St. Paul says, “is living and active, and more penetrating than a two edged sword: extending even to the division of soul and spirit, even of joints and marrow.” 162 It is His word then that will directly achieve the work of stripping in the soul; for it has this particular characteristic, that it effects and creates what it intends, 163 provided however that the soul consents to let this be done.
Elizabeth of the Trinity (2014-07-24). Elizabeth of the Trinity Complete Works, Volume I: I Have Found God, General Introduction and Major Spiritual Writings (Kindle Locations 3408-3419). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
Marlene Watkins – Everyday Miracles of Lourdes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
In this episode of ‘Inside the Pages’, Marlene Watkins shares her deep connection to Lourdes through her work with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers and her new book Everyday Miracles of Lourdes.
Marlene Watkins recounts how the Blessed Mother revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception to a simple, poor, and uneducated girl—a truth St. Bernadette communicated with unwavering sincerity and the enduring grace of Lourdes as a place where physical and spiritual transformations continue today.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:
How does the story of St. Bernadette inspire you to trust in God’s work through the lowly and humble?
What does the title “Immaculate Conception” reveal to you about the unique role of the Blessed Mother?
How might the experience of pilgrimage to Lourdes deepen your own spiritual life?
In what ways are you being invited to seek healing—physical, emotional, or spiritual—in your life right now?
How does the unwavering simplicity and honesty of St. Bernadette challenge your approach to living and sharing the faith?
What role does humility play in allowing God’s grace to act through you, as it did through Bernadette?
How does contemplating the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette affect your understanding of holiness and eternal life?
Where in your life are you called to greater trust in divine providence, as shown in Bernadette’s acceptance of her sufferings?
How can you foster deeper devotion to the Blessed Mother in your daily prayer life?
What spiritual or physical “pilgrimage” is the Holy Spirit inviting you to undertake at this moment in your journey?
From the book’s description:
Though they escape the notice of many, stunning miracles of healing take place each and every day at Our Lady’s Grotto in Lourdes, France. Inexplicable, biblical-like healings of body, mind, and spirit leave visitors with the gifts of peace and renewed faith. Here is the book that will move you, deepen your faith in Our Lady’s active involvement in our world, and help you personally encounter Our Lord.
Marlene Watkins recounts twenty astounding true stories of miracles at Lourdes, including her own watershed healing, which inspired her to establish Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers and become the first volunteer.
In these absorbing pages, you will marvel at how these volunteer helpers bring the sick to the Grotto — and then also experience healings themselves.
You will read the stories of people who were cured and reconciled with God — from babies to preteens to near centenarians. You will be inspired, for instance, by the testimony of a woman with a progressive neurodegenerative disease who not only went to Lourdes to selflessly care for the sick but later returned to receive a gift from Our Eucharistic Lord and Our Lady.
In chapter after chapter, you will encounter men and women who were healed from debilitating traumas, panic attacks, or mood swings.
You will be consoled by stories of women who experienced the loss of babies, including by abortion, and found solace in the arms of our Heavenly Mother.
And you will encounter a man who was struggling with faith and was drawn to Lourdes, where he met the Blessed Mother. Moreover, you will discover:
The three Ps of the Gospel message at Lourdes and how they relate to your life
How we will enter Heaven (it’s not the way you may think!)
A remarkable miracle of the “time-suspending, life-saving Rosary”
One simple prayer that St. Bernadette taught that can get you into Heaven
How a young woman’s wish was fulfilled and helped numerous souls
The unexpected way the oldest pilgrim and her marriage were renewed at Lourdes
Above all, you will see how Our Lady leads souls into deeper communion with her Eucharistic Son and with one another, whether through caring for sick loved ones or experiencing loving relationships. Prepare yourself to become a believer and an ardent lover of Lourdes.
About the Author
Marlene Watkins is the founder of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers, the first Lourdes Hospitality outside Europe and the first of the Americas.In twenty years, as a volunteer, Marlene has led over two hundred pilgrimages to Lourdes for more than six thousand pilgrims, including the seriously ill and profoundly disabled with medical, adult, university and youth volunteers. Marlene has guided Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experiences TM across North America, and in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.In 2015, Marlene was named an Our Sunday Visitor “Catholic of the Year.” She has appeared on CBS, EWTN, PBS, BBC; and hosts the EWTN “My Lourdes Faith Journey” miniseries.Marlene is a wife, mother, grandmother, Secular Franciscan and member of the Hospitalité Notre-Dame de Lourdes. Marlene and her husband, Bill, live in Syracuse, New York, or in the LourdesMobile RV traveling America and sharing the Gospel Message of Lourdes.
St. Ephrem of Syria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson
Born: 306 AD, Nisibis, Turkey
Died: June 9, 373 AD, Edessa, Turkey
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and contributions of St. Ephraim, who was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. This recognition was part of an effort to appreciate the Eastern churches and celebrate their spiritual and ecclesiastical heritage. St. Ephraim, known as the “Harp of the Holy Spirit,” is notable for his hymns and poetry, which served both as theological teaching tools and defenses against heresies such as Arianism.
St. Ephraim was born around 306 in what is now modern Turkey and died in 373. He was a prolific writer, composing up to 3 million lines of poetry and 400 hymns. His hymns focused on themes like creation, the Eucharist, and Mary, and were used to counter heretical teachings through memorable and orthodox lyrics. His work established a tradition of integrating hymns and poetry into Christian liturgy, deeply influencing subsequent church practices.
Despite not being ordained a priest, Ephraim had a significant impact as a deacon, poet, and teacher. His practical life included serving his community during famines and plagues, and his hymns and writings provided deep theological insights. Pope Benedict XVI highlighted Ephraim’s ability to combine poetry and theology, making his teachings a part of the Christian prayer life.
The importance of liturgical music that is both beautiful and theologically rich, following Ephraim’s model. It suggests that modern hymn composers should strive to create music that is not only pleasant but also profound in its theological content. St. Ephraim’s life and work serve as a powerful example for today’s Christians to use their gifts in service to God and the church.
St. Ephraim’s Influence: How does St. Ephraim’s integration of poetry and theology inspire you to use your unique talents in service to God and the Church?
Liturgical Importance: Why is it essential for hymns and liturgical music to be both beautiful and theologically rich?
Serving with Humility: In what ways can you follow St. Ephraim’s example of humility and service in your own community?
Facing Heresies: How can we use creative arts today to defend and teach the faith, as St. Ephraim did against Arianism?
Legacy of Faith: What can we learn from St. Ephraim’s dedication to catechizing and deepening the faith of his community, and how can we apply this in contemporary settings?
Multifaceted Contributions: Reflect on the significance of St. Ephraim’s contributions as a poet, teacher, and deacon. How can you utilize all your gifts to serve God?
The Role of Hymns: Consider the role of hymns in your personal spiritual life. How do they help you deepen your faith and understanding of God?
Evangelization through Music: How can we better integrate the theological depth of hymns in our efforts towards the new evangelization?
Historical Context: Reflect on the historical context of St. Ephraim’s life. How did the challenges he faced shape his ministry, and what lessons can we draw from this for our own times?
Living the Faith: How does St. Ephraim’s commitment to living out his faith through service and hymnody challenge you to embody your beliefs in everyday actions?
“The figure of Ephrem is still absolutely timely for the life of the various Christian Churches. We discover him in the first place as a theologian who reflects poetically, on the basis of Holy Scripture, on the mystery of man’s redemption brought about by Christ, the Word of God incarnate. His is a theological reflection expressed in images and symbols taken from nature, daily life and the Bible. Ephrem gives his poetry and liturgical hymns a didactic and catechetical character: they are theological hymns yet at the same time suitable for recitation or liturgical song. On the occasion of liturgical feasts, Ephrem made use of these hymns to spread Church doctrine. Time has proven them to be an extremely effective catechetical instrument for the Christian community.
Ephrem’s reflection on the theme of God the Creator is important: nothing in creation is isolated and the world, next to Sacred Scripture, is a Bible of God. By using his freedom wrongly, man upsets the cosmic order. The role of women was important to Ephrem. The way he spoke of them was always inspired with sensitivity and respect: the dwelling place of Jesus in Mary’s womb greatly increased women’s dignity. Ephrem held that just as there is no Redemption without Jesus, there is no Incarnation without Mary. The divine and human dimensions of the mystery of our redemption can already be found in Ephrem’s texts; poetically and with fundamentally scriptural images, he anticipated the theological background and in some way the very language of the great Christological definitions of the fifth-century Councils.
Ephrem, honoured by Christian tradition with the title “Harp of the Holy Spirit”, remained a deacon of the Church throughout his life. It was a crucial and emblematic decision: he was a deacon, a servant, in his liturgical ministry, and more radically, in his love for Christ, whose praises he sang in an unparalleled way, and also in his love for his brethren, whom he introduced with rare skill to the knowledge of divine Revelation.”
Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
St. Anthony of Padua – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson
From the book’s description:
