Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts Archives

Day 7 – The Prayers at the Foot of the Cross – St. Bridget of Sweden Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 7: The Prayers at the Foot of the Cross – St. Bridget of Sweden Novena

Quote from the Revelations

“I received these prayers from the lips of Christ Himself as I knelt before the Crucifix. They are for those who desire to remember His Passion and live in His love.”
—Revelations, Book V, Prologue

Reflection
The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls was a place of deep prayer for St. Bridget during her years in Rome. There, she would come before the crucifix suspended above the altar—its hands broken by age and conflict—and offer her heart completely to Christ. In that sacred space, she received a series of revelations from the Lord, who shared with her prayers that would help the faithful unite more closely to His Passion.

These prayers became known as the Fifteen Prayers of St. Bridget. Through them, Christ drew her into the mystery of His suffering and invited her to share it with others. Bridget wrote down the words she heard and the insights given to her—not to spark fear, but to awaken love. Her purpose was to help hearts remain close to Jesus, especially in His sorrows.

Bridget shows us how the Passion is not an event to be observed from a distance. It is the place where we meet Christ in His deepest gift of self. When we meditate on His wounds, we are invited to entrust Him with our own. When we remember His suffering, we are drawn into the mercy that flows from it. These prayers were not only a gift for personal devotion—they were also a call to renewal. Bridget urged the leaders of her time to remember the love Christ poured out on the Cross and to live lives worthy of that love. As the Church—the Bride of Christ—struggled with wounds and division, Bridget called her to reflect again the holiness of her Divine Bridegroom.

Prayer for Intercession
St. Bridget, you listened with love at the foot of the Cross and received a treasure for the Church.
Help us to pray the Passion with devotion and gratitude.
Teach us to remain close to Jesus in sorrow and in joy,
and to bring others to the healing love of the Crucified.
With confidence in your prayers, we now place before the Lord the intention we bring to this novena.
May the mystery of the Cross strengthen our hearts, renew our hope, and inspire the Church to conversion, healing, and the courage to act with holiness and clarity.
Amen.

St. Bridget of Sweden, pray for us

For the complete 9-Day St. Bridget of Sweden Novena visit here

Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 10:38-42

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

Day 6 – Pilgrimage to the Holy Land – St. Bridget of Sweden Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 6: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land — Walking in the Footsteps of Christ – St. Bridget of Sweden Novena

Quote from the Revelations

“If thou wouldst be My companion, walk where I have walked, and let My love be thy path.”
—Revelations, Book V, Chapter 12

Reflection
In the later years of her life, St. Bridget traveled to the Holy Land. Despite her age and fragile health, she undertook the journey with reverence and determination. Every place she visited—Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Calvary—became a place of prayer and encounter.

As she walked where Jesus had walked, her heart opened more fully to the mysteries of His life. Her time in Jerusalem was marked by profound interior experiences, which she received and recorded in obedience. The path was long and difficult, but she offered it to the Lord in love.

At Calvary, her soul was especially united to the Passion of Christ. She also drew close to the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who had stood there in silence and strength. The Virgin’s maternal suffering became a source of grace for Bridget, helping her to remain close to Jesus in prayer and sacrifice.

Bridget returned from the Holy Land strengthened in faith and ready for the final chapter of her earthly journey.

How her life speaks to us today
Each of us is called to walk with Christ—not by going to distant places, but by turning toward Him in daily life. Bridget shows us that prayer, fidelity, and love can lead us to union with the Lord, even through suffering and uncertainty.

Prayer for Intercession
St. Bridget, faithful pilgrim and servant of Christ,
you walked the sacred roads of the Holy Land with love and devotion.
Pray for us, that we may carry our crosses with grace
and remain close to Jesus through every trial.
Help us to honor the sorrows of His Blessed Mother
and to open our hearts to the mysteries of salvation.
We entrust to your intercession the intention we carry in this novena.
Guide us to walk in love and faithfulness.
Amen.

St. Bridget of Sweden, pray for us

For the complete 9-Day St. Bridget of Sweden Novena visit here

Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him.
Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah:
Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved, the favourite of my soul.
I will endow him with my spirit,
and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations.
He will not brawl or shout,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
He will not break the crushed reed,
nor put out the smouldering wick
till he has led the truth to victory:
in his name the nations will put their hope.

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

The Pharisees went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him.
Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah:
Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved, the favourite of my soul.
I will endow him with my spirit,
and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations.
He will not brawl or shout,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
He will not break the crushed reed,
nor put out the smouldering wick
till he has led the truth to victory:
in his name the nations will put their hope.

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

The Pharisees went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him.
Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah:
Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved, the favourite of my soul.
I will endow him with my spirit,
and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations.
He will not brawl or shout,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
He will not break the crushed reed,
nor put out the smouldering wick
till he has led the truth to victory:
in his name the nations will put their hope.

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

IP#504 Dan LeRoy – Why We Think What We Think on Inside the Pages w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Why We Think What We Think by Dan LeRoy on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

In this episode of Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor, guest Dan LeRoy discusses his book, which explores the decline of philosophical thinking in the Western world. They discuss the importance of philosophy for fostering critical thinking and understanding cultural shifts. LeRoy critiques modern philosophy for becoming disconnected from practical realities, arguing that it has contributed to societal confusion and dissatisfaction.

They explore historical and philosophical influences, highlighting how figures like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and later, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, have shaped Western thought. The discussion emphasizes the enduring relevance of classical philosophers and the consequences of abandoning their teachings in modern times. LeRoy argues that reconnecting with these foundational ideas is essential for addressing contemporary issues and achieving true happiness, which aligns with the pursuit of virtue and truth.

LeRoy also critiques modern philosophical trends that prioritize individual happiness over communal responsibility, linking these trends to broader societal unhappiness. The conversation underscores the need for a philosophical renaissance that embraces ancient and medieval thinkers’ rigorous, virtue-oriented approach to remedying modern existential and ethical dilemmas.

You can find the book here.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Personal Reflection on Philosophy: How does your understanding of philosophy align with the perspectives shared by Dan Leroy? In what ways can you incorporate philosophical thinking into your daily life to make more informed, virtuous decisions?
Role of Virtue: How do you define virtue in your own life? Reflect on how the pursuit of virtue can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment, as discussed by LeRoy. Are there areas in your life where you could strive more actively for virtue?
Influence of Historical Philosophers: Consider the impact of philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas on your own understanding of the world. How do their teachings on truth and virtue resonate with your personal beliefs and practices?
Modern Philosophy’s Disconnect: LeRoy discusses the disconnect of modern philosophy from practical and ethical concerns. Reflect on any modern philosophical ideas or movements you are aware of. Do you agree that they are disconnected from “real-world” applications? Why or why not?
Critical Thinking in Culture: In what ways do you think critical thinking is lacking in today’s culture? How can the revival of classical philosophical principles contribute to solving contemporary problems?
Philosophy and the Catholic Faith: Reflect on how philosophy can complement your Catholic faith. How can embracing philosophical inquiry enhance your spiritual life and your understanding of Catholic teachings?
Community and Individualism: Reflect on the tension between individualism and community responsibilities as discussed in the episode. How do you balance personal freedom with communal obligations in your own life?
Pursuit of Truth and Happiness: How does your pursuit of truth impact your happiness? Do you agree with the assertion that true happiness comes from fulfilling our purpose and seeking virtue? Why or why not?
Engagement with Philosophical Texts: Are there philosophical texts or thinkers you have been meaning to explore? What might be holding you back, and how could engaging with these materials enrich your intellectual and spiritual life?
Action Steps: Based on the discussion in the podcast, what are some practical steps you can take to deepen your philosophical understanding and apply it to your life challenges?

From the book’s description:

We’re all starting to hear people ask how the world has gotten to be the way it is. Grafted onto the usual complaints about why people are so greedy, self-absorbed, and callous toward one another are new expressions of frustration about even more fundamental concerns. Why can’t we agree on concepts that used to be basic common sense? Why does our very language now seem to be a minefield that only the most wily and tactical (or cynical) among us can navigate?

The only way to understand fully how we have arrived at this state — and what, if anything, we might be able to do about it — is to embark on a journey back in time to see where we went off the rails. With candor and occasional humor, Dan LeRoy tells the sweeping story of Western thought from its beginnings to the present, revealing the souls and idiosyncrasies of its greatest thinkers. Through stirring vignettes, he tells the real story of how our customs and thought patterns developed and then relates it to our current moment of rupture.

In pages that sometimes read like an Indiana Jones adventure, LeRoy explains the detour that philosophy took nearly a thousand years ago that has led Western society to its current, dire situation. With sharp pen and clear eye, he reveals:

The roots of classical philosophy, including empiricism (Ready to wade into the water?)

How views on ethics and morality began to take shape even before Christ

The three ways to attain happiness, according to the Big Three philosophers

Four splinter groups and how their philosophies impact us today

The enduring teachings of Sts. Augustine and Aquinas, among many others

About the Author

Dan LeRoy is an author, journalist and teacher who has been the director of the Writing and Publishing Department at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland, Pennsylvania, since 2006. His writing about music and politics has appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, the Village Voice, Alternative Press, Esquire, and National Review Online.

Day 5 – Faithful Messenger – St. Bridget of Sweden Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 5: Faithful Messenger – A Heart for the Church and Her Shepherds – St. Bridget of Sweden Novena

Quote from the Revelations

“Cry out as with a trumpet. My Spouse is wounded. Her face is disfigured. Her voice is faint. Call My people to return to Me with humility and love.”
—Revelations, Book IV, Chapter 89

Reflection
Bridget lived during one of the most painful chapters in Church history. The papacy had been moved to Avignon, and Rome was suffering—spiritually neglected, politically unstable, and stripped of the leadership it once knew. Bridget remained in the city, caring for the sick, feeding the poor, and pouring out her life in prayer.

As she prayed, she began to receive revelations that pierced her heart. She saw the Bride of Christ disfigured by scandal, weakened by division, and longing for renewal. These were not cold denunciations, but cries of love. Her writings to popes and rulers carried a mother’s plea: return to holiness, restore the Church, bring the successor of Peter home to Rome.

Her words were bold, shaped by long hours of silence before the Blessed Sacrament and the constant offering of prayer for the needs of the Church. Bridget believed that true reform began not in anger or accusation, but in intercession—lifting the wounds of the Church into the heart of Christ and trusting in His mercy.

Prayer for Intercession
St. Bridget, you remained faithful when the Church was torn and scattered.
Teach us to pray with perseverance and hope.
Help us to love the Church not from a distance, but with hearts willing to suffer and serve.
With confidence in your prayers, we now place before the Lord the intention we bring to this novena.
May your voice strengthen ours in calling for healing and unity.
Amen.

St. Bridget of Sweden, pray for us

For the complete 9-Day St. Bridget of Sweden Novena visit here

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them. The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath.’ But he said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone? Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath day the Temple priests break the sabbath without being blamed for it? Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple. And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them. The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath.’ But he said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone? Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath day the Temple priests break the sabbath without being blamed for it? Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple. And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them. The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath.’ But he said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone? Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath day the Temple priests break the sabbath without being blamed for it? Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple. And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

BTP-LR19 – Day 14 – Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Day 14 – Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

In this episode of Beginning to Pray, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor reflect on Day 14 of The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. As Elizabeth nears the close of her earthly life, she draws deeply from the writings of St. Paul to express her complete surrender to Christ and her longing to be united with Him in everything.

Her words are filled with Scripture—not simply quoted, but absorbed into her heart and prayer. She speaks of letting go of all else in order to press forward toward Christ, who has taken hold of her completely. Dr. Lilles offers insight into how her prayer is not shaped by emotion or technique, but by a steady and trusting love—a love that remains even in suffering.

Listeners are invited to consider how Elizabeth’s trust in God’s eternal plan—set in place before the foundation of the world—can shape our own response to trials, loss, or uncertainty. Her surrender is not passive, but strong and deliberate, rooted in the desire to do the Father’s will in all things. This conversation opens a path toward interior transformation, where even the most painful moments can become occasions of grace and deeper communion with Christ.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. In your current season of life, what attachments or distractions may be keeping you from a deeper intimacy with Christ?
2. How have you tried to earn God’s favor, and what would it look like to rest more fully in His free gift of grace?
3. When your prayer feels uneventful or dry, how can you remain committed to simply being present to God?
4. Think about a recent difficulty you faced: how might Christ be inviting you to let His life guide your response?
5. How does remembering that God’s plan for you began before creation change the way you view today’s challenges?
6. In practical terms, what daily habit could help you say a more ready “yes” to God’s will?
7. Where do you notice self‑doubt creeping in, and how can turning to Christ’s strength reshape that inner dialogue?
8. Who in your life could benefit from your intercessory prayer this week, and how will you make space to pray intentionally for that person?
9. How might reflecting on Scripture from memory—following Elizabeth’s example—reshape the atmosphere of your day?
10. Looking ahead, what concrete step can you take to be sure that love, rather than fear, motivates your decisions?

From “Last Retreat Day 14” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

36. “It seems to me that all is loss since I have known the excelling knowledge of my Lord, Jesus Christ. For love of Him I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish that I may gain Christ, so as to be found in Him, not with my own justice but with the justice that comes from God through faith. What I want is to know Him, to share in His sufferings, to become like Him in His death. I pursue my course, striving to attain to what Christ has destined me for by taking hold of me; my whole concern is to forget what is behind and to strain forward constantly to what is ahead; I run straight to the goal . . . , to the prize of the heavenly vocation to which God has called me in Christ Jesus.” 212 The Apostle has often revealed the greatness of this vocation: “God,” he says, “has chosen us in Him before the creation of the world that we might be holy and immaculate in His presence in love. . . . We have been predestined by the decree of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we may be the praise of His glory.” 213

37. But how do we respond to the dignity of this vocation? This is the secret: “Mihi vivere Christus est! . . . Vivo enim, jam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus. . . .” 214 We must be transformed into Jesus Christ; again it is St. Paul who teaches me this: “Those whom God has foreknown, He has predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” 215 It is important then that I study this divine Model so as to identify myself so closely with Him that I may unceasingly reveal Him to the eyes of the Father. First of all, what did He say when He came into the world? “Here I am, O God, I come to do your will.” 216 I think that this prayer should be like the bride’s heartbeat: 217 “Here we are, O Father, we come to do your will!

This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters

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 .

Day 4 – Called to Rome – St. Bridget of Sweden Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Day 4: Called to Rome — A Pilgrim with a Prophetic Voice – St. Bridget of Sweden Novena

Quote from the Revelations

“Go forth, therefore, and speak boldly. I shall be in thy mouth and in the hearts of those who hear thee.”
—Revelations, Book IV, Chapter 136

Reflection
Bridget’s years at Alvastra prepared her for something unexpected. In her early fifties, she received a divine call to leave Sweden and travel to Rome—then a city caught in political chaos, spiritual confusion, and deep need. It was the era of the Avignon papacy, with the pope residing in France, and the city of Peter’s martyrdom sat wounded and neglected.

When she arrived, Bridget did not seek comfort or favor. She set up a small house near what is now the Piazza Farnese. There she cared for the sick and poor—essentially establishing a hospital with the help of her companions. Many came to her not only for food or shelter, but also for spiritual comfort. She would often make her way to the nearby church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna, where St. Lawrence was martyred, to pray and to gather alms for the poor in his name.

Her revelations during these years included letters and messages to popes, kings, and clergy—calling for reform, repentance, and renewal of the Body of Christ. Bridget’s prophetic voice was rooted not in judgment, but in deep sorrow and prayerful love for the Church. She longed for unity and holiness, and she offered her life for that intention.

Prayer for Intercession
St. Bridget, you brought mercy where there was suffering, and truth where there was confusion.
Help us to love the Church with fidelity and hope.
Teach us to offer ourselves in service, even when the world misunderstands.
With confidence in your prayers, we now place before the Lord the intention we bring to this novena.
May we follow your example of courage, prayer, and care for the most vulnerable.
Amen.

St. Bridget of Sweden, pray for us

For the complete 9-Day St. Bridget of Sweden Novena visit here

Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.