St. John of the Cross – Living Flame of Love, My Soul is a Candle

The Living Flame Of Love

St. John of the Cross

Songs of the soul in the intimate communication of loving union with God.

1. O living flame of love
that tenderly wounds my soul
in its deepest center! Since
now you are not oppressive,
now consummate! if it be your will:
tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!

2. O sweet cautery,
O delightful wound!
O gentle hand! O delicate touch
that tastes of eternal life and pays every debt!
In killing you changed death to life.

3. O lamps of fire! in whose splendors
the deep caverns of feeling,
once obscure and blind,
now give forth, so rarely, so exquisitely,
both warmth and light to their Beloved.

4. How gently and lovingly
you wake in my heart,
where in secret you dwell alone;
and in your sweet breathing,
filled with good and glory,
how tenderly you swell my heart with love.

 

Thank you to Deacon Omar Guiterrez for giving voice to this poem of St. John of the Cross

 

O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn) – Discerning Hearts Podcast

“O Radiant Dawn,

splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:

come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.”

Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).

For greater text and musical credit visit

the  Discerning Hearts O Antiphon page

Man I Sing

Choral Music by Bob Chilcott
Performed by the BBC Singers

O Clavis David:“O Key of David” – Discerning Hearts Podcast


O Key of David,

O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven:

Come, break down the prison walls of death for those

who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death;

and lead your captive people into freedom.

 

Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open.” (22:22), and “His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” (9:6).

For greater text and musical credit visit

the  Discerning Hearts O Antiphon page

 

St. Padre Pio Novena Day 7

Join Msgr. John Esseff, as he offers this novena in honor of St. Pio

The entire novena can be found on the The St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Discerning Hearts Page

Day 7St.-Pio-7

From the writings of St. Pio:

May the Grace and peace of the Holy Spirit always be at the center of your heart.  Place your heart in the open side of the Savior, and unite it with the King of your heart who is within it as on a royal throne, in order that He might receive homage and obedience from all other hearts.  Keep your hearts door open, so that everyone can approach Him and gain an audience at all times.  May the King of all saints also be the King of your heart!

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St. Padre Pio Novena Day 6

Join Msgr. John Esseff, as he offers this novena in honor of St. Pio

The entire novena can be found on the The St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Discerning Hearts Page

Day 6

From the writings of St. Pio:Padre-Pio-Mass-2

In the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, in this sacrament of Love, we have true life, a blessed life, and true sacrament of Love; we have true life, a blessed life, and true happiness.  Because in it we receive not only those graces that perfect us but the very Author of those graces.

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St. Padre Pio Novena Day 5 with Msgr. Esseff

Join Msgr. John Esseff, as he offers this novena in honor of St. Pio

The entire novena can be found on the The St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Discerning Hearts Page

Day 5

From the writings of St. Pio:Padre-Pio-5

St Therese of the Child Jesus used to say, “I don’t want to choose either to die or to live, but let Jesus do as He likes with me.”  I see clearly that this is the image of all souls who are stripped of self and filled with God… What St. Therese has said ought to be said by every soul inflamed with love of God.

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St. Padre Pio Novena Day 4 with Msgr. Esseff

Join Msgr. John Esseff, as he offers this novena in honor of St. Pio

Day 4

Padre-Pio-4From the writings of St. Pio:

I often think that there is only one thing in this base world which can soothe the most acute pain which pierces the heart when we see ourselves far from God, the source and consolation of distressed souls.  That one thing is solitude, for here the soul enjoys sweet rest in the One who is its true peace.  I want the heavenly Father to grant you the grace of stability in all your resolutions, not least of all your resolution to grow in holiness and to be silent and reduce to silence everything around you, so that you may hear the divine voice of the Beloved and establish with Him a tranquil and everlasting dialogue.

Recollect yourself continually, and may your whole life be hidden in Jesus and with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, that is to say, in the silence of meditation and prayer.

Try to be always more docile to grace and more and more generous with Jesus, making absolutely everything around you and within you to be silent.  Don’t worry; rest trustfully in the divine Mercy.

Silently adore the delicacy of the workings of divine grace.

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St. Padre Pio Novena Day 3 with Msgr. Esseff

Join Msgr. John Esseff, as he offers this novena in honor of St. PioSt.-Pio-3

Day 3

From the writings of St. Pio:

I am greatly comforted and very content in Jesus’ company, and who could describe the help it is to me to have Him continually by my side?  This company makes me much more careful not to do anything which would displease God.  It seems to me as if Jesus is constantly watching me.  If it sometimes happens that I lose the presence of God, I soon hear Our Lord calling me back to my duty.  I cannot describe the voice He uses to call me back, but I know that it is very penetrating, and the soul who hears it finds it almost impossible to refuse what He asks.

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St. Padre Pio Novena Day 2 with Msgr. Esseff

Join Msgr. John Esseff, as he offers this novena in honor of St. Pio

Day 2Padre-pio-2

From the writings of St. Pio:

I implore you to be faithful and humble and always to keep the great Mother of God before your mental gaze, she who humbled herself more profoundly the more she was exalted.  Never, ever be exalted at your virtues but repeat that everything comes from God, and give Him the honor and glory.

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St. Padre Pio Novena Day 1 with Msgr. Esseff

Join Msgr. John Esseff, as he offers this novena in honor of St. Pio

Day 1

From the writings of St. Pio:St.Pio-1

Jesus Keeps nothing for Himself of what is done for love of Him, and He will repay us very lavishly,  Don’t let us make our happiness depend on enjoying wonderful health, or else we should be just like those foolish worldly people to whom it is not given to know the secrets of heaven…. Continue to love Jesus, and make an effort to love Him more and more, without wanting to know anything else He alone will steer us to the haven of salvation.

St. Padre Pio Communion Prayer:

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have you present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life and without You I am without fervor.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light and without You I am in darkness.

Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and alway be in Your company.

Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.

Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.

Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes, death, judgment and eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strenth, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!

Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.

Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.

Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.

Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.

With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.

The novena is offered by Msgr. John Esseff with Kris McGregor