cathollc spirituality Archives

BTP#Special – Pilgrimage- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

BTP#Special – Pilgrimage

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We join Dr. Lilles on his pilgrimage following the Primitive Way or Original Way (known in Spanish as El Camino de Santiago Primitivo) which was the first pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. He describes to us the true meaning of what it is to be called to “pilgrimage” (as opposed to just “trip taking”). We discuss the disposition of the heart and mind, as well as the significance of the “shrine”. A very compelling sharing on prayer and the journey of faith.

Dr.Anthony Lilles is a Catholic husband and father of three teaching Spiritual Theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. He teaches spiritual theology and spiritual direction to transitional deacons, and the spiritual classics to the men who enter the Spirituality Year, a year of prayer in preparation for seminary formation. He is the author of the “Beginning to Pray” Catholic blog spot. For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

MC3 – Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Meditation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Episode 3 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Meditation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the differences and benefits of meditation and contemplation – the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice.

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For other episodes in the series visit The Discerning Hearts “Praying with Scripture” page

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

IP#202 Fr. Donald Calloway – Under the Mantle on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest” is fantastic! Fr. Donald Calloway’s books just keep getting better and better. In this work, he begins this journey with Our Lady, who then guides the reader through the rich treasures found in the Church established by her Son, Jesus Christ. Through the Sacraments, to the depth of devotion found in our spiritual practices, and then with a rich appreciation of what authentic manhood and femininity truly are, Fr. Calloway explores the many facets of our faith. This book is a book well suited for everyday mystagogia. Without ever dumbing down the content, Fr. Calloway’s writing style is engaging and designed for “joe or josephine” pew person. This book is perfect for those who are in the RCIA, for folks who have completed a consecration preparation to Our Lady, or for anyone just looking for a more penetrating study of the faith. You will not be disappointed! And what a beautiful tribute to Our Blessed Mother!

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You can find the book here

“We are living in an extraordinary time of grace and mercy. It is a time in which many people, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are experiencing a renewed appreciation for the sacred and unchanging truths of Catholicism. Though the vast majority of universities and colleges today indoctrinate their students into the dictatorship of moral relativism, the media puts forth an ideology of rampant secularism, and the political realm is filled with proponents of a culture of death, nevertheless, it is in these times that Jesus, through the Immaculata, is raising up a new generation of Catholics. In Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest, Fr. Calloway masterfully blends together aspects of his own conversion story with profound theological insights into Catholicism, presenting everyone from “Joe six-pack in the pew” to a seminary rector with incredibly vivid and thought-provoking analogies into why it is so important for a Christian to live under the mantle of Mary. I very highly recommend that everyone read this book! ”
-Very Rev. Douglas Mosey, C.S.B., Ph.D. President-Rector
Holy Apostles College & Seminary. Cromwell, CT

Also check out: IP#16 Fr. Donald Calloway – No Turning Back on Inside the Pages

“The Sacred Heart of Jesus and You” – Msgr. John Esseff’s talk from Omaha Sacred Heart Conference – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. John Esseff rocked the foundation stones of St. Margaret Mary Church in Omaha, Nebraska at the Sacred Heart Conference held there March 3, 2012. Wow…how can you pack so much in just one hour? It must have been grace…AMAZING GRACE. The fruits? You should have seen the line for confession! God is good…VERY GOOD! From the wounds of our childhood to the beauty of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the damage done by original sin to the “knuckleheads” who became saints because of their reception of the Holy Spirit…Msgr. Esseff offers to us all the joy of God’s WORD, the culmination found in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The next best thing to being there….

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff”s website: “Building A Kingdom of Love”

Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace – Opus Dei, St Josemaria Escriva, and Scott Hahn

Our conversations with Dr. Scott Hahn are always fascinating and enlivening, but this one in particular soared higher than others. Dr. Hahn shared a very special aspect of his life – his love for the spirituality of Opus Dei. He shares with us how this charism, based on the insights and teachings of the movements founder St. Josemaria Escriva, changed his life.

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Reviews of the book:

“If you want the real story about Opus Dei, Scott Hahn will give you the shocking truth—the shock of a Gospel life lived effectively in the midst of the world. Like all his other books, this one will challenge your view of the Christian life.”

—Father Benedict J. Groeshcel, C.F.R., author of Arise From Darkness

“Scott Hahn’s abilities as a scholar, teacher, and writer are already well known. But the story of his journey to Opus Dei that emerges here, and his portrait of The Work remind us that each of us, no matter what our vocation or state of life, is called to holiness. This is compelling reading.”
—Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver

RC#3 – The Case for Christianity – The Resilient Church w/ Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts

Episode 3 – The Case for Christianity

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The Resilient Church with Mike Aquilina, offers a fascinating look at the trials and triumphs of the Catholic Church over the past two thousand years. Fast-paced sketches of critical periods in church history give readers perspective on the challenges faced by the church today. Mike Aquilina does not shrink from the realities of the past, including badly behaved leaders and those who betrayed the Lord. Yet he also leaves us all with well-founded hope for the future: God remains faithful in every circumstance and fulfills his promise to remain with his church always.

Pick up a copy of Mke’s book. You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well

Also visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information!

WOM#15 – The Unitive Way – The Way of Mystery w/ Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts

Episode 15-The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living

The journey begins into the unitive way…the beginning of falling in love with God. Combined with the entry into the sacramental life, the living out the moral life becomes more than meeting a “goal”, but becomes a “way” of life.

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For more episodes in “The Way of Mystery” Series click here

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “The Way of Mystery”.

The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ’s paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives.

For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for oth er material available by Deacon Keating, just click here

Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Communion with Christ” , it is on e of the best audio sets on prayer…ever!

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

M2 – Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Meditation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Episode 2 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Meditation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the differences and benefits of meditation and contemplation – the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:59 — 44.8MB) | Embed

For other episodes in the series visit The Discerning Hearts “Praying with Scripture” page

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

WOL6 – Democracy, Tocqueville, and St. John Paul II – Reflections on the teachings of St. John Paul II w/ Dr. Carson Holloway – Discerning Hearts

WOL6 – Episode 6- “Democracy in America” by Alexis de Tocqueville is the focus of this episode. What is “democracy” and why did it work it in the American experience. There is much that is good and sound in the founding of “modern western democracy”, but what has happened in the view of “Evangelium Vitae” that has possible knocked it off track.

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The Way of Life, Carson Holloway examines the fundamental philosophers of modernity-from Hobbes to Toqueville-to suggest that St. John Paul II’s critique of modernity is intended not to reject, but to improve. Thus, claims Holloway, it is appropriate for liberal modernity to attend to the Pope’s thought, receiving it not as the attack of an enemy but as the criticism of a candid friend.

For other episodes in the series visit Dr. Holloway’s Discerning Hearts page

This series is based on Dr. Holloway’s book “The Way of Life”

IP#258 Jennifer Fulwiler – Something Other Than God on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It” by Jennifer Fulwiler… what a phenomenal book. An engaging read, great topic, and an inspiring, joyful witness! Leave it to the editor/author of one our favorite blogs “Conversion Diary“, to pen not only a great conversion story, but one of the most moving cases for Catholic faith out there. Her honesty and humor are refreshing. You feel the struggle Jennifer experiences as she searches for answers. Her quest leads her to a peace for which most of us yearn. Hats off to Ignatius Press for the production values on this book of quality worthy of the story contained within it’s pages. This is a book you will pass on to others, so I would just suggest the purchase of multiple copies… it’s just that good!

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You can find the book here

“This heartfelt book is a lovely account of a spiritual journey and a charming memoir. The author’s epiphanies are wonderfully conveyed and will resonate with readers.” —Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“Thought-provoking, honest, and often hilarious. It will strike a chord with anyone who ever posed –or tried unsuccessfully to avoid– the big questions of life.” —Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author,The Happiness Project