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BTP-L11 – Letter 214 pt. 2 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Letter 214, Pt. 2 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore the misconception that spiritual experiences must always feel comforting or consoling and address the deeper, often challenging experiences of divine encounters, emphasizing that God’s presence can be felt even in suffering and discomfort, using Letter 214 from St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this letter, St. Elizabeth encourages her seminarian friend to embrace humility and the spirit of sacrifice, associating these virtues with the passion of Christ.

Dr. Lilles explains that while God does console, He also uses different forms of comfort to draw believers into a deeper relationship with Him, sometimes through suffering. This idea is crucial for understanding St. Elizabeth’s writings, where she speaks about a love for suffering not for its own sake but as a means of union with Christ’s salvific work.

This path requires trust in God’s plan and a willingness to be vulnerable. True spiritual humility and suffering are not about self-aggrandizement or seeking pain but about offering oneself out of love for God and others. This approach leads to a deeper communion with Christ, transforming personal suffering into a source of grace and solidarity with the suffering of others.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Nature of Consolation in Prayer: How do we discern authentic consolations from God in our prayer life, especially when they do not come in expected forms?
Embracing Suffering with Christ: What does it mean to love suffering in union with Christ, and how can we offer our own suffering for the salvation of others?
The Role of Humility and Sacrifice: How do humility and the spirit of sacrifice enhance our spiritual journey and deepen our relationship with God?
The Precious Blood of Christ: Why is the devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ significant, and how does it transform our understanding of redemption and suffering?
Holy Communion and Solidarity: How does receiving Holy Communion draw us into deeper solidarity with the suffering and marginalized?
Trusting in God’s Love: How can we deepen our trust in God’s love and providence, especially during times of suffering and trial?
Responding to God’s Gift of Self: In what practical ways can we respond to God’s gift of Himself by living a life of self-giving love?

Letter 214

To Abbé Chevignard
[November 29, 1904]

J. M. + J. T.

“Providebam Dominum in conspectu meo semper; quoniam a dextris est mihi, ne commovear.”

Monsieur l’Abbé,

I am very grateful to you for your feastday wishes, and I am very happy the Church has placed our saints so close to each other, because that gives me the chance to offer you my best wishes today. Saint Augustine says that “love, forgetful of its own dignity, is eager to raise and magnify the beloved: it has only one measure, which is to be without measure.” I am asking God to fill you with that measure without measure, which is to say, according to the “riches of His glory,” that the weight of His love may draw you to the point of happy loss the Apostle spoke of when he wrote “Vivo enim jam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus.” That is the dream of my Carmelite soul and, I believe, also the dream of your priestly soul. Above all it is the dream of Christ, and I ask Him to accomplish it fully in our souls. Let us be for Him, in a way, another humanity in which He may renew His whole Mystery. I have asked Him to make His home in me as Adorer, as Healer, and as Savior, and I cannot tell you what peace it gives my soul to think that He makes up for my weaknesses and, if I fall at every passing moment, He is there to help me up again and carry me farther into Himself, into the depths of that divine essence where we already live by grace and where I would like to bury myself so deeply that nothing could make me leave. My soul meets yours there and, in unison with yours, I keep silent to adore Him who has loved us so divinely.

I unite myself to you in the emotions and profound joys of your soul as you await ordination and beg you to let me share in this grace with you: each morning I am reciting the Hour of Terce for you so the Spirit of love and light may “come upon” you to bring about all His creative work in you. If you would like, when you recite the Divine Office we could unite in the same prayer during this Hour that I have a particular devotion to. We will breathe in love11a and draw it down on our souls and on the whole Church.

You tell me to pray that you may be granted humility and the spirit of sacrifice. In the evening, while making the Way of the Cross before Matins, at every outpouring of the Precious Blood I used to ask for this grace for my own soul; from now on it will also be for yours. Don’t you believe that, to achieve the annihilation, contempt of self, and love of suffering that were deep in the souls of the saints, we must gaze for a very long time at the God crucified by love, to receive an outflowing of His power through continual contact with Him? Père Vallée once said to us that “martyrdom was the response of any lofty soul to the Crucified.” It seems to me that this could also be said for immolation. So let us be sacrificial souls, which is to say, true in our love: “He loved me, He gave Himself up for me!” A Dieu, Monsieur l’Abbé. Let us live by love, by adoration, by self-forgetfulness, in wholly joyful and confident peace, for “we are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s”! . . .

Sister M. Elizabeth of the Trinity r.c.i.

On the 8th, we are going to give our Immaculate Mother and Queen a beautiful feast day in our souls; I will meet you under her virginal mantle.”

Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 179-180). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.

We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

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 .

SH8 – The Sacred Heart and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

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The Sacred Heart and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff on Discerning Hearts addresses the spiritual battle between good and evil, emphasizing the role of Satan, the enemy of humanity. He discusses the inherent sinfulness in every person, the temptation that Satan uses to lure souls away from God, and the ongoing conflict within every human heart between the kingdom of light (Jesus) and the kingdom of darkness (Satan).

Msgr. Esseff explains that Satan’s primary tactic is temptation, which aims to lead people away from God’s kingdom and towards self-centeredness. He highlights the significance of the prayer “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one” in the Lord’s Prayer, as it directly addresses this spiritual battle. He further explores the origin of Satan’s hatred towards humanity, tracing it back to his refusal to serve and his subsequent fall from grace.

Tthe preciousness of each soul to God and the lengths to which God goes to save it, includes sending Jesus to conquer sin, Satan, and death through his crucifixion and resurrection. The importance of recognizing and combating the subtle influences of Satan in modern society, such as through pornography and media manipulation, which gradually lead individuals away from spiritual truth.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Recognizing the Enemy: How can we become more aware of Satan’s subtle influences in our daily lives and resist his temptations?
Spiritual Warfare: What practical steps can we take to actively engage in the spiritual battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness?
Value of the Soul: How does understanding the immense value God places on each soul affect our view of ourselves and others?
Role of Temptation: In what ways can we strengthen our resistance to temptation and seek God’s guidance in overcoming it?
Importance of Vigilance: How can we cultivate a greater awareness of our thoughts and their alignment with God’s will?
Marriage and Forgiveness: How can the practice of forgiveness within marriage and family life serve as a model of Christ’s love for others?
Civilization of Love: What actions can we take to contribute to building a civilization of love rooted in the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
Spiritual Nourishment: How can we ensure that our souls are properly nourished and not led into spiritual desolation by self-centeredness?

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.

The Legacy of St. Charbel Makhluf and St. Nimatullah Kassab – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Legacy of St. Charbel Makhluf and St. Nimatullah Kassab – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff shares a personal and profound connection with Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Maronite saint from Lebanon, whose feast day is being celebrated. Msgr. Esseff recounts his experience in Lebanon as the Pontifical Mission Director, where he visited Saint Charbel’s shrine and learned about his life and influence.

Saint Charbel was a Maronite monk known for his deep spirituality and ascetic life, who eventually chose a hermit’s life for 27 years of prayer and fasting. His life and miraculous incorrupt body, which glowed after his death, drew many pilgrims, including Muslims and Christians.

Msgr. Esseff discusses the significance of Saint Charbel for both Eastern and Western Christians, emphasizing unity in Christ despite historical and political division and the need for holiness and true leadership rooted in Christ rather than worldly power, drawing parallels to contemporary issues in both Eastern and Western Churches.

St. Charbel Makhlouf... some call him the Padre Pio of Lebanon 1 — Saint Charbel Makhluf, O.L.M. (or Sharbel Maklouf)

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Relationship with Saints: Reflect on how the lives of saints, particularly Saint Charbel, can inspire and guide your spiritual journey.
Call to Holiness: Consider the importance of personal holiness and how you can strive to be more Christ-like in your daily life.
Leadership in the Church: Examine the qualities of true leadership in the Church, as exemplified by Saint Charbel, and how they differ from worldly power and prestige.
Unity among Christians: Contemplate the common foundation of faith in Christ that unites Eastern and Western Christians, despite historical and political differences.
Role of Prayer and Fasting: Reflect on the role of prayer and fasting in deepening your relationship with God, inspired by Saint Charbel’s example.
Miracles and Faith: Think about the significance of miracles in the Church, such as the incorrupt body of Saint Charbel, and what they reveal about God’s presence and power.
Witness to Christ: Consider how you can be a witness to Christ in your community, following the example of Saint Charbel’s humble and devoted life.

Reading 1 JER 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13

This word of the LORD came to me:
Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear!

I remember the devotion of your youth,
how you loved me as a bride,
Following me in the desert,
in a land unsown.
Sacred to the LORD was Israel,
the first fruits of his harvest;
Should any presume to partake of them,
evil would befall them, says the LORD.

When I brought you into the garden land
to eat its goodly fruits,
You entered and defiled my land,
you made my heritage loathsome.
The priests asked not,
“Where is the LORD?”
Those who dealt with the law knew me not:
the shepherds rebelled against me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal,
and went after useless idols.

Be amazed at this, O heavens,
and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD.
Two evils have my people done:
they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;
They have dug themselves cisterns,
broken cisterns, that hold no water.

PSM7 – The Definition of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 7 – The Definition of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.

Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss the profound theological concepts underlying the definition of liturgy. Dr. Fagerberg begins by explaining the term “perichoresis,” which refers to the mutual indwelling and dynamic relationship within the Trinity. He ties this concept to the idea of “kenosis,” the self-emptying nature of Christ in the Incarnation, and extends it to the act of creation. Dr. Fagerberg elaborates on how these divine interactions exemplify the overflowing love of God, which reaches out to humanity and invites participation in the divine life.

Dr. Fagerberg introduces “synergy,” the cooperation between God’s grace and human response and likening this to a divine dance where God leads, and humans follow, aiming towards deification or becoming one with God. He emphasizes that liturgy is the communal participation in this divine life, where human beings are called to cooperate with God’s will. This cooperation transforms them and draws them into deeper communion with God. Liturgy is not just a ritual but a transformative encounter that involves the entire person in a mystical union with the Trinity.

The universal call to holiness is the idea that every baptized person has a vocation, not just those in ordained ministry. This vocation involves offering one’s life as a spiritual sacrifice and participating in the priesthood of all believers.

Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:

Liturgy is the perichoresis of the Trinity kenotically extended to invite our synergistic ascent into deification.

From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:

“So conversion metanoia means to take on a new mind, to receive a new mind. Well, what could you do with a new mind? I might see things differently. I might change my values. They might be turned upside down from selfish values to kingdom values. Conversion is one step, but it’s a lifelong step. The entire life is a extended baptismal conversion. So one baptism doesn’t end something. It starts something the same way that a wedding starts a marriage. It’s it’s not the end of the marriage. It’s the beginning of the marriage. And baptism is the start of what, what do you want to call? The thing that baptism is the start of, Christianity, spirituality, your liturgical life, your spiritual warfare, your joys in the kingdom. It’s the beginning.”

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Understanding Perichoresis: How does the concept of perichoresis deepen your understanding of the Trinity and its relationship within itself?
Embracing Kenosis: In what ways can you practice kenosis, or self-emptying, in your own life to better follow Christ’s example?
Participating in Synergy: How can you better cooperate with God’s grace in your daily activities, seeing it as a divine dance where God leads?
Liturgy as Transformation: How does viewing liturgy as a transformative encounter rather than just a ritual change your approach to worship?
Universal Call to Holiness: Reflect on your vocation as a baptized Christian. How can you live out your call to holiness in your current state of life?
Offering Spiritual Sacrifice: What aspects of your daily life can be offered as a spiritual sacrifice to God?
Priesthood of All Believers: How do you understand your role in the priesthood of all believers, and how can you actively participate in this communal priesthood?
Continuous Conversion: In what ways can you embrace a continual process of conversion to deepen your union with God through the liturgy and sacraments?

For more podcast episodes of this series visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page

David W. Fagerberg is Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds masters degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John’s University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.

Fagerberg’s work has explored how the Church’s lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church’s lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating the World: On Mundane Liturgical Theology (Angelico Press, 2016).

He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and The Size of Chesterton’s Catholicism (University of Notre Dame, 1998).

Here are a few of Dr. Fagerberg’s books:

SH7 – The Sacred Heart and Abandonment – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Sacred Heart and Abandonment- Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff discusses the profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, particularly for priests. He shares the story of a devoted priest who promoted this devotion and received the grace to touch the most hardened hearts. Despite his dedication, the priest ended up abandoned and forgotten in a refugee camp, experiencing profound suffering. Esseff reflects on how this priest’s experience mirrors Jesus’ own abandonment on the cross and highlights the spiritual union with Christ through suffering.

The Sacred Heart promises not only the ability to touch hardened hearts but also eternal salvation and union with Jesus. He addresses various forms of suffering, illustrating that true devotion to the Sacred Heart involves sharing in Christ’s suffering. He recounts a poignant encounter with a devoted priest in a refugee camp, noting how this experience deepened his own priesthood.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Reflect on Devotion to the Sacred Heart: How does your personal devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus manifest in your daily life and ministry?
Suffering and Union with Christ: In what ways can you see your own sufferings as a participation in Christ’s sufferings on the cross?
Spiritual Gifts and Their Purpose: How do you use the spiritual gifts you have received for the benefit of others, and do you also seek the personal graces God wants to give you?
Perseverance in Faith Amid Abandonment: Have you ever felt abandoned in your faith journey, and how did you find comfort in the promises of Jesus?
Living the Paschal Mystery: How do you embrace the Paschal Mystery in your life, particularly in moments of persecution or suffering?
Understanding True Blessings: How do you differentiate between temporal and spiritual blessings, and which do you find yourself seeking more?
Role of the Cross in Blessings: In what ways can you see the cross not just as a symbol of suffering, but as a sign of love and blessing in your life?
Support for the Abandoned and Forgotten: How can you offer support and companionship to those who feel abandoned or forgotten, following the example of the priest in the refugee camp?

BTP-L10 – Letter 214 pt. 1 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Letter 214, Pt. 1 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss the letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, specifically focusing on a letter she wrote on November 29, 1904, to Father Chaveyard, who was preparing for his ordination. They reflect on Elizabeth’s deep contemplative prayer life and her message of entering into a profound intimacy with God. Elizabeth encourages Father Chaveyard to embrace humility and sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of love without measure. She views prayer as a means of deeper solidarity with loved ones and the broader church community.

Dr. Lilles explains that Elizabeth’s spirituality involves being completely surrendered to God’s will, which enables Christ’s mystery to be renewed in us. This renewal is characterized by adoration, healing, and salvation. The conversation highlights Elizabeth’s emphasis on living a life of love that mirrors Christ’s sacrificial love, and how this love leads to a transformative experience of God’s presence.

They also touch on the idea that Christian life involves a continuous process of dying to oneself to live in Christ. Despite human weaknesses and failures, Elizabeth’s writings convey a sense of peace and confidence in God’s power to work through these shortcomings.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Gift of Contemplative Prayer: How can we integrate the contemplative prayer practiced by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity into our daily lives to deepen our intimacy with God?
Encouragement in Vocational Challenges: In what ways can we support and encourage those in our community who are preparing for or are currently in ministry, especially during times of turmoil?
Solidarity Through Prayer: How does St. Elizabeth’s understanding of prayer as a means of deeper solidarity with loved ones inspire us to pray more earnestly for our families and friends?
Love Without Measure: Reflect on how we can love others without measure, as Christ loved us, and identify any areas in our lives where we might be placing limits on our love.
Transformation Through Baptism: How does recognizing that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” influence our daily actions and decisions?
Christ’s Healing Work in Us: In what ways can we become more open and vulnerable to Christ’s healing work in our lives, especially in moments of weakness and failure?
Surrender to Divine Mystery: How can we grow in our ability to surrender to God’s will and trust in His plan for us, even when it involves suffering or sacrifice?
Role of Prayer in Overcoming Weakness: What steps can we take to maintain peace and confidence in God’s work within us, particularly when faced with our own shortcomings and failures?
Support in Spiritual Formation: How can we help others in their spiritual formation and journey towards deeper intimacy with Christ, drawing from St. Elizabeth’s teachings and example?
The Mystery of Christ in Us: Reflect on the significance of being called to participate in Christ’s saving mystery and how this calling can transform our understanding of our own life’s purpose and mission.

Letter 214

[November 29, 1904]

J. M. + J. T.

“Providebam Dominum in conspectu meo semper; quoniam a dextris est mihi, ne commovear.”

Monsieur l’Abbé,

I am very grateful to you for your feastday wishes, and I am very happy the Church has placed our saints so close to each other, because that gives me the chance to offer you my best wishes today. Saint Augustine says that “love, forgetful of its own dignity, is eager to raise and magnify the beloved: it has only one measure, which is to be without measure.” I am asking God to fill you with that measure without measure, which is to say, according to the “riches of His glory,” that the weight of His love may draw you to the point of happy loss the Apostle spoke of when he wrote “Vivo enim jam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus.” That is the dream of my Carmelite soul and, I believe, also the dream of your priestly soul. Above all it is the dream of Christ, and I ask Him to accomplish it fully in our souls. Let us be for Him, in a way, another humanity in which He may renew His whole Mystery. I have asked Him to make His home in me as Adorer, as Healer, and as Savior, and I cannot tell you what peace it gives my soul to think that He makes up for my weaknesses and, if I fall at every passing moment, He is there to help me up again and carry me farther into Himself, into the depths of that divine essence where we already live by grace and where I would like to bury myself so deeply that nothing could make me leave. My soul meets yours there and, in unison with yours, I keep silent to adore Him who has loved us so divinely.

I unite myself to you in the emotions and profound joys of your soul as you await ordination and beg you to let me share in this grace with you: each morning I am reciting the Hour of Terce for you so the Spirit of love and light may “come upon” you to bring about all His creative work in you. If you would like, when you recite the Divine Office we could unite in the same prayer during this Hour that I have a particular devotion to. We will breathe in love11a and draw it down on our souls and on the whole Church.

You tell me to pray that you may be granted humility and the spirit of sacrifice. In the evening, while making the Way of the Cross before Matins, at every outpouring of the Precious Blood I used to ask for this grace for my own soul; from now on it will also be for yours. Don’t you believe that, to achieve the annihilation, contempt of self, and love of suffering that were deep in the souls of the saints, we must gaze for a very long time at the God crucified by love, to receive an outflowing of His power through continual contact with Him? Père Vallée once said to us that “martyrdom was the response of any lofty soul to the Crucified.” It seems to me that this could also be said for immolation. So let us be sacrificial souls, which is to say, true in our love: “He loved me, He gave Himself up for me!” A Dieu, Monsieur l’Abbé. Let us live by love, by adoration, by self-forgetfulness, in wholly joyful and confident peace, for “we are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s”! . . .

Sister M. Elizabeth of the Trinity r.c.i.

On the 8th, we are going to give our Immaculate Mother and Queen a beautiful feast day in our souls; I will meet you under her virginal mantle.”

Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 179-180). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.

We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

PSM6 – The Synergy of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 6 – The Synergy of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.

Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor explore the significance of liturgy in the life of the church and its members. Liturgy should be central to Christian life, rather than overshadowed by other church activities. They cover the formative power of ritual and the necessity of active participation in liturgical practices.

Dr. Fagerberg draws an analogy to illustrate the complexity of theology, describing the difficulty of maintaining a balanced focus on both God and church activities. Liturgical participation, not merely as observers but as active participants, is akin to engaging in a dance with God where He leads, and we follow.

Liturgy is not just a series of actions but a profound encounter with God’s presence, requiring a conscious response from the faithful. This response is characterized by synergy, where God’s grace and human faith work together harmoniously. The conversation also touches on the Catholic belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, emphasizing the incarnational nature of Catholic worship.

Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:

The difference between being involved with ministry and being consciously present to the mystery of God.
The nature of synergy in regards to liturgy, and in particular the celebration of the mass.

From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:

“God plans to be fully, actively, and consciously present in liturgy. That’s His presence from above. What should I do in response? Maybe I should be full, active, conscious response to his presence. That would be a nice filling out of the idea of participation because participation doesn’t mean activity that I generate. Participation is my response to his presence. He’s full, active, consciously present. I’m full, actively, consciously responding.

The Greek word for that is synergy, S Y N E R G Y. And syn means “together”,enérgeia means an energy or an activity at work. Here are two examples. One of them is synergy. One of them is not synergy. Mom is coming. The apartment is a mess. You clean up that room. I’ll clean up this room. Together, they cleaned up the apartment. The second, example is in order to have fire, you must have matter, spark, and oxygen. They have to operate together. The first example is just two people doing an activity at the same time. In the second example, the one makes possible the other makes it occur. Well, synergy is that second example. It’s co operatio (co-operate), synergy. God’s graces and we faith. God energizes and we synergize. He takes the lead in the ballroom dancing and we follow. We co-operate. Well, that leads me to suppose that it’s not a matter of laity co-operating with the clergy. Rather laity and clergy should co-operate the liturgy which is occurring at this moment. And in our liturgy, the human liturgy, the liturgy of the Church, it is a cooperation with the full, active and conscious presence of God. He makes himself present. We make this response.”

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Prioritizing Liturgy in Church Activities: How can we ensure that our involvement in church activities does not overshadow the central importance of the liturgy?
Active Participation in Mass: In what ways can we move from being passive observers to active participants during the Mass?
Balancing Church Involvement and Worship: How do we find the balance between being active in church life and maintaining a focus on the worship of God?
Understanding Liturgical Synergy: How can we better understand and embrace the concept of synergy in our liturgical participation?
Encountering God in the Liturgy: How do we experience and respond to God’s presence during the liturgy, both in the Eucharist and in the assembly of believers?
Liturgy as a Daily Practice: How can the principles and actions of the liturgy influence and be reflected in our daily lives?
Responsibility and Obligation in Worship: What are our responsibilities and obligations in worship, and how can we fulfill them more fully?
Incarnational Worship: How does the incarnational nature of Catholic worship affect our understanding and practice of the liturgy?

For more podcast episodes of this series visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page

He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and The Size of Chesterton’s Catholicism (University of Notre Dame, 1998).

Here are a few of Dr. Fagerberg’s books:

DPD6 – God’s Unconditional Love – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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God’s Unconditional Love – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discusses the importance and depth of the fourth step of the Ignatian Examen, which involves seeking God’s forgiveness. Fr. Gallagher explains that this step builds on the previous steps of gratitude, petition, and review, leading one to face personal failures and missed opportunities to reject temptations. He emphasizes the sensitivity needed in this step, as it touches deep places in the heart.

Fr. Gallagher illustrates the process with personal anecdotes. One story involves his initial reaction to a colleague’s office renovation, where he realized his response was not fully gospel-centered. Another involves his interaction with a community member with disabilities, highlighting the importance of addressing even small failures in love and charity. Fr. Gallagher also reflects on a poem by George Herbert, “Love,” which portrays the dynamic between God’s persistent love and the human heart’s sense of unworthiness. This dynamic mirrors the experience of seeking and accepting God’s forgiveness in the examen.

In the fifth step, renewal, Fr. Gallagher describes how the insights gained from the examen can guide actions and decisions in the coming day. He shares personal experiences where praying the examen helped him approach relationships and tasks with greater clarity and gospel-centered love.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Understanding the Four Steps of Forgiveness: How do the first three steps of the Examen prepare us to seek God’s forgiveness in the fourth step?
The Importance of God’s Love: How does acknowledging God’s infinite love help us approach Him for forgiveness?
Personal Reflection on Gratitude: In what ways can gratitude to God enhance our openness to seek and receive His forgiveness?
Recognizing Daily Spiritual Experiences: How does reviewing the spiritual experiences of our day reveal our need for God’s forgiveness?
Real-Life Application of the Examen: Can you recall a moment where you could have acted differently and how would you seek God’s forgiveness for it now?
Learning from Small Failures: Why is it important to bring even small failures to the Lord for forgiveness?
Forgiveness in Interpersonal Relationships: How can seeking God’s forgiveness inspire us to seek reconciliation with others?
Embracing God’s Love Fully: What steps can we take to overcome feelings of unworthiness and fully embrace God’s love and forgiveness?
Looking Forward with the Lord: How can the fifth step of the Examen, renewal, help us grow spiritually and improve our future actions?
Poetic Insights on Divine Love: How does George Herbert’s poem “Love” illustrate the dynamic of God’s persistent love and our hesitant response?

As outlined from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola

(translated from the autograph by Fr. E. Mullan, S.J. 1909 in the public domain)

METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN
It contains in it five Points.

First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.
Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.
Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.
Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace.

OUR FATHER.

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org

For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

St. Bonaventure, pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Anthony of Padua Doctor of Church Matthew Bunson Podcast

St. Bonaventure, pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 1221, Bagnoregio, Italy
Died: July 15, 1274, Lyon, France
Education: University of Paris

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and contributions of St. Bonaventure. They highlight his significance as a theologian, his practical approach to administration as the master general of the Franciscans, and his influence in the Church, particularly at the Council of Lyon, which attempted to reunify the Eastern and Western Churches. Dr. Bunson emphasizes Bonaventure’s humility and his deep theological insights, particularly his focus on mystical contemplation and Christ-centered spirituality.

Despite being compared to Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure is noted for his unique blend of intellectual and practical theology, his emphasis on love, and his impact on both the Franciscan Order and broader Church theology. His life of deep prayer, contemplation, and active engagement with the world makes him a significant figure in Church history and a Doctor of the Church.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Significance of St. Bonaventure’s Theological Contributions: How can St. Bonaventure’s emphasis on mystical contemplation and practical theology inspire your own spiritual practices?
Humility and Leadership: In what ways does Bonaventure’s humility, as seen in his resignation from the Archbishop of York position, challenge your understanding of true leadership?
Christ-Centered Spirituality: How does Bonaventure’s focus on Christ and the cross influence your personal journey towards holiness and love?
Role in Church Unity: Reflect on the significance of Bonaventure’s efforts at the Council of Lyon and consider how you can contribute to unity within the Church today.
Balancing Knowledge and Practice: How can Bonaventure’s balance of intellectual study and practical application guide you in living out your faith more fully?
Living a Life of Love: What steps can you take to ensure that love remains at the core of your spiritual and everyday life, as exemplified by St. Bonaventure?
Integration of Prayer and Action: How can you integrate contemplative prayer and active engagement with the world in your own life, following Bonaventure’s example?
The Importance of Guidance: How can seeking spiritual guidance, as Bonaventure did, help you grow in your faith and understanding of God’s will?

For more on St. Bonaventure and his teachings

From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI

From the General Audience on St. Bonaventure

In this regard, St Bonaventure, as Minister General of the Franciscans, took a line of government which showed clearly that the new Order could not, as a community, live at the same “eschatological height” as St Francis, in whom he saw the future world anticipated, but guided at the same time by healthy realism and by spiritual courage he had to come as close as possible to the maximum realization of the Sermon on the Mount, which for St Francis was the rule, but nevertheless bearing in mind the limitations of the human being who is marked by original sin.

Thus we see that for St Bonaventure governing was not merely action but above all was thinking and praying. At the root of his government we always find prayer and thought; all his decisions are the result of reflection, of thought illumined by prayer. His intimate contact with Christ always accompanied his work as Minister General and therefore he composed a series of theological and mystical writings that express the soul of his government. They also manifest his intention of guiding the Order inwardly, that is, of governing not only by means of commands and structures, but by guiding and illuminating souls, orienting them to Christ.

I would like to mention only one of these writings, which are the soul of his government and point out the way to follow, both for the individual and for the community: the Itinerarium mentis in Deum, [The Mind’s Road to God], which is a “manual” for mystical contemplation. This book was conceived in a deeply spiritual place: Mount La Verna, where St Francis had received the stigmata. In the introduction the author describes the circumstances that gave rise to this writing: “While I meditated on the possible ascent of the mind to God, amongst other things there occurred that miracle which happened in the same place to the blessed Francis himself, namely the vision of the winged Seraph in the form of a Crucifix. While meditating upon this vision, I immediately saw that it offered me the ecstatic contemplation of Fr Francis himself as well as the way that leads to it” (cf. The Mind’s Road to God, Prologue, 2, in Opere di San Bonaventura. Opuscoli Teologici / 1, Rome 1993, p. 499).

The six wings of the Seraph thus became the symbol of the six stages that lead man progressively from the knowledge of God, through the observation of the world and creatures and through the exploration of the soul itself with its faculties, to the satisfying union with the Trinity through Christ, in imitation of St Francis of Assisi. The last words of St Bonaventure’s Itinerarium, which respond to the question of how it is possible to reach this mystical communion with God, should be made to sink to the depths of the heart: “If you should wish to know how these things come about, (the mystical communion with God) question grace, not instruction; desire, not intellect; the cry of prayer, not pursuit of study; the spouse, not the teacher; God, not man; darkness, not clarity; not light, but the fire that inflames all and transports to God with fullest unction and burning affection…. Let us then… pass over into darkness; let us impose silence on cares, concupiscence, and phantasms; let us pass over with the Crucified Christ from this world to the Father, so that when the Father is shown to us we may say with Philip, “It is enough for me‘” (cf. ibid., VII 6).

For more visit Vatican.va

For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson, check out his Discerning Hearts page.

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. Bonaventure, pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Bonaventure, pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 1221, Bagnoregio, Italy
Died: July 15, 1274, Lyon, France
Education: University of Paris

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and contributions of St. Bonaventure, a significant figure in the 13th-century Catholic Church. St. Bonaventure, a contemporary and peer of St. Thomas Aquinas, was a prominent theologian and member of the Franciscan Order. Born in Tuscany, Bonaventure was reportedly healed as a child by St. Francis of Assisi, which led to his lifelong connection with the Franciscans.

Bonaventure pursued his studies at the University of Paris, a major intellectual hub of the time, where he was influenced by notable scholars and navigated the challenges of integrating the mendicant life with academic scholarship. He earned his Master of Theology around 1257 and was known for his intellectual prowess alongside figures like Thomas Aquinas.

As the General of the Franciscan Order, Bonaventure addressed internal tensions and challenges, such as the rigid adherence to the rule of St. Francis and the rise of the Franciscan spirituals, who promoted a radical interpretation of Franciscan ideals. Bonaventure emphasized the importance of balancing theological study with spiritual contemplation and practical application, stressing the need for a life of prayer and virtue.

Bonaventure’s theological contributions include his work “The Journey of the Mind to God,” a manual for mystical contemplation and spiritual progress. He believed in the accessibility of mystical union with God for all believers, not just a select few, and emphasized the integration of faith and reason in theology.

Dr. Bunson highlights Bonaventure’s deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his role in promoting the Angelus prayer. Bonaventure’s legacy as a preacher, teacher, and spiritual leader continues to influence the Church, demonstrating the enduring relevance of his teachings and the importance of a holistic approach to theology and spirituality.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Loss of Great Theologians: Reflect on the impact the simultaneous deaths of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure had on the Church and how the 13th century was shaped by their theological contributions.
Early Influences: Consider the significance of Bonaventure’s miraculous healing by St. Francis of Assisi and how early life experiences can shape one’s spiritual journey.
Academic Journey: Ponder the challenges Bonaventure faced in balancing academic scholarship with his Franciscan vocation and how we can integrate intellectual pursuits with our faith.
Role of Leadership: Think about Bonaventure’s leadership as the General of the Franciscan Order and the difficulties he encountered in maintaining the order’s integrity and unity.
Theology and Contemplation: Reflect on the importance Bonaventure placed on the relationship between theological study and mystical contemplation in developing a deeper spiritual life.
Universal Call to Holiness: Contemplate Bonaventure’s belief that mystical contemplation and union with God are accessible to all believers, and how we can strive for holiness in our own lives.
Devotion to Mary: Consider the role of Marian devotion in Bonaventure’s spiritual life and how we can deepen our relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary through prayer and devotion.
Effective Preaching: Reflect on the importance Bonaventure placed on good preaching and the use of scripture to touch hearts and communicate the truths of the faith effectively.
Faith and Reason: Ponder the careful relationship between faith and reason that Bonaventure emphasized, and how we can ensure our theological studies are rooted in a life of faith.
Humility of Founders: Think about the humility of St. Francis and other great founders who preferred their successors to carry forward their mission, and how we can embody humility in our own spiritual leadership.

For more on St. Bonaventure and his teachings:

From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI:

From the General Audience on St. Bonaventure

“St Bonaventure, in all likelihood born in 1217, died in 1274. Thus he lived in the 13th century, an epoch in which the Christian faith which had deeply penetrated the culture and society of Europe inspired imperishable works in the fields of literature, the visual arts, philosophy and theology. Among the great Christian figures who contributed to the composition of this harmony between faith and culture Bonaventure stands out, a man of action and contemplation, of profound piety and prudent government.

He was called Giovanni di Fidanza. An episode that occurred when he was still a boy deeply marked his life, as he himself recounts. He fell seriously ill and even his father, who was a doctor, gave up all hope of saving him from death. So his mother had recourse to the intercession of St Francis of Assisi, who had recently been canonized. And Giovanni recovered.

The figure of the Poverello of Assisi became even more familiar to him several years later when he was in Paris, where he had gone to pursue his studies. He had obtained a Master of Arts Diploma, which we could compare with that of a prestigious secondary school in our time. At that point, like so many young men in the past and also today, Giovanni asked himself a crucial question: “What should I do with my life?”. Fascinated by the witness of fervour and evangelical radicalism of the Friars Minor who had arrived in Paris in 1219, Giovanni knocked at the door of the Franciscan convent in that city and asked to be admitted to the great family of St Francis’ disciples. Many years later he explained the reasons for his decision: he recognized Christ’s action in St Francis and in the movement he had founded. Thus he wrote in a letter addressed to another friar: “I confess before God that the reason which made me love the life of blessed Francis most is that it resembled the birth and early development of the Church. The Church began with simple fishermen, and was subsequently enriched by very distinguished and wise teachers; the religion of Blessed Francis was not established by the prudence of men but by Christ” (Epistula de tribus quaestionibus ad magistrum innominatum, in Opere di San Bonaventura. Introduzione generale, Rome 1990, p. 29).

So it was that in about the year 1243 Giovanni was clothed in the Franciscan habit and took the name “Bonaventure”. He was immediately sent to study and attended the Faculty of Theology of the University of Paris where he took a series of very demanding courses. He obtained the various qualifications required for an academic career earning a bachelor’s degree in Scripture and in the Sentences. Thus Bonaventure studied profoundly Sacred Scripture, the Sentences of Peter Lombard the theology manual in that time and the most important theological authors. He was in contact with the teachers and students from across Europe who converged in Paris and he developed his own personal thinking and a spiritual sensitivity of great value with which, in the following years, he was able to infuse his works and his sermons, thus becoming one of the most important theologians in the history of the Church. It is important to remember the title of the thesis he defended in order to qualify to teach theology, the licentia ubique docendi, as it was then called. His dissertation was entitled Questions on the knowledge of Christ. This subject reveals the central role that Christ always played in Bonaventure’s life and teaching. We may certainly say that the whole of his thinking was profoundly Christocentric.”