Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena
St. John of the Cross you have said:
The road and ascent to God, then, necessarily demands a habitual effort to renounce and mortify the appetites; the sooner this mortification is achieved, the sooner the soul reaches the top. But until the appetites are eliminated, a person will not arrive, no matter how much virtue he practices. For he will fail to acquire perfect virtue, which lies in keeping the soul empty, naked, and purified of every appetite.
… Until slumber comes to the appetites through the mortification of sensuality, and until this very sensuality is stilled in such a way that the appetites do not war against the spirit, the soul will not walk out to genuine freedom, to the enjoyment of union with its Beloved.
The Ascent Of Mount Carmel, I.5.6; Kavanaugh & Rodriguez, 1973; p. 83
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Day 3 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena
St. John of the Cross you have said:
Before this Divine fire of love is introduced into the substance of the soul, and is united with it, by means of a purity and purgation that is perfect and complete, this flame is wounding the soul, and destroying and consuming in it the imperfections of its evil habits; and this is the operation of the Holy Spirit, wherein he prepares it for Divine union and the transformation of its substance in God through love.
Saint John of the Cross, taken from Saint John of the Cross: Poems, translated by Willis Barnstone (New York: New Directions, 1972).
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Adam English – The Saint Who Would Be Santa on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
In this episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor talks to Dr. Adam English about his book, The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra.
Exploring the historical figure of St. Nicholas, distinguishing him from the popularized Santa Claus; Dr. English explains that Nicholas was a Christian bishop in Asia Minor during the 3rd and 4th centuries, a time when Christianity transformed from a persecuted faith to the favored religion of the Roman Empire. Known for his generosity, justice, and pastoral care, Nicholas inspired stories like helping impoverished families with dowries, which later became the foundation for his association with gift-giving.
The book also talks about Nicholas’s role in combating paganism, supporting marriage, and advocating for orthodoxy at the Council of Nicaea.
The True Identity of St. Nicholas
How does understanding the historical St. Nicholas deepen your appreciation for his example of Christian virtue and service?
Generosity Beyond Our Walls
How can you emulate St. Nicholas’s generosity by serving those outside your immediate family or community?
Celebrating St. Nicholas in Advent
What traditions could you adopt or adapt to honor St. Nicholas’s feast day as part of your Advent and Christmas preparations?
Faith Amid Persecution
How does St. Nicholas’s perseverance during intense persecution inspire you to remain faithful in challenging circumstances?
The Value of Marriage
What lessons can you draw from St. Nicholas’s support for marriage as a good and noble estate in your own life or in guiding others?
Advocating for Orthodoxy
How can St. Nicholas’s participation in the Council of Nicaea encourage you to defend and articulate your Catholic faith today?
Distinguishing Cultural Traditions
What steps can you take to reconcile secular Christmas traditions with a deeper focus on Christ and St. Nicholas’s Christian legacy?
Integrating Faith and Action
How can St. Nicholas’s life inspire you to integrate acts of charity with your spiritual growth and faith journey?
About the Book
“With his rosy cheeks and matching red suit–and ever-present elf and reindeer companions–Santa Claus may be the most identifiable of fantastical characters. But what do we really know of jolly old Saint Nicholas, “patron saint” of Christmastime? Ask about the human behind the suit, and the tale we know so well quickly fades into myth and folklore.
In The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, religious historian Adam English tells the true and compelling tale of Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra. Around the fourth century in what is now Turkey, a boy of humble circumstance became a man revered for his many virtues. Chief among them was dealing generously with his possessions, once lifting an entire family out of poverty with a single–and secret–gift of gold, so legend tells. Yet he was much more than virtuous. As English reveals, Saint Nicholas was of integral influence in events that would significantly impact the history and development of the Christian church, including the Council of Nicaea, the destruction of the temple to Artemis in Myra, and a miraculous rescue of three falsely accused military officers. And Nicholas became the patron saint of children and sailors, merchants and thieves, as well as France, Russia, Greece, and myriad others.
Weaving together the best historical and archaeological evidence available with the folklore and legends handed down through generations, English creates a stunning image of this much venerated Christian saint. With prose as enjoyable as it is informative, he shows why the life–and death–of Nicholas of Myra so radically influenced the formation of Western history and Christian thought, and did so in ways many have never realized.”
About the Author
Adam C. English is Associate Professor of Religion at Campbell University where he teaches on the philosophy of religion, constructive theology, and the history of Christian thought. He lives near Raleigh, North Carolina.
Day 2 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena
St. John of the Cross you have said:
When there is union of love, the image of the Beloved is so sketched in the will and drawn so vividly, that it is true to say that the Beloved lives in the lover and the lover in the Beloved. Love produces such likeness in this transformation of lovers that one can say each is the other and both are one. The reason is, that in the union and transformation of love, each gives possession of self to the other, and each leaves and exchanges self for the other. Thus each one lives in the other and is the other, and both are one in the transformation of love. (1)
…Thus, no one … can disturb the soul that is liberated and purged of all things and united with God. She enjoys now in this state a habitual sweetness and tranquility which is never lost or lacking to her. (2)
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Contemplative Faith: Certitude in Darkness – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty
Fr. Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the interconnectedness of saints, using examples like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who embraced St. John’s teachings, influencing others like St. Teresa of Calcutta. Pope St. John Paul II’s deep engagement with St. John’s work, particularly his doctoral dissertation on the experiential impact of faith, which explores how deeper prayer transforms our understanding of God’s presence and our relationship with Him.
Contemplative prayer leads to greater certitude in faith, even as it brings “darkness” to the intellect, requiring trust in God’s unseen presence. This shift often involves a loss of emotional consolations or insights but marks an entry into the mystery of God’s indwelling presence. He encourages integrating scripture into prayer to listen to God’s timeless word personally. As prayer life matures, it becomes simpler yet more profound, as seen in devotions like the Rosary.
The journey of contemplation, marked by silence, trust, and receptivity, deepens our love and union with God, transforming both prayer and life itself.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
1. The Influence of Saints: How do the lives and teachings of saints inspire and shape your own spiritual journey?
2. Trust in God’s Presence: In moments of silence or spiritual “darkness,” how do you deepen your trust in God’s unseen presence?
3. Scripture as Living Word: How can you integrate scripture into your prayer life to hear God speaking personally to you?
4. Simplicity in Prayer: As you grow in faith, how can you embrace simplicity and childlike trust in your prayer practices?
5. Transition in Spiritual Life: How do you respond to changes in your prayer experience, such as the loss of emotional consolations or vivid insights?
6. Certitude vs. Clarity: How does your faith sustain you when certainty in God’s presence doesn’t bring intellectual or emotional clarity?
7. Role of Contemplative Prayer: How does contemplative prayer deepen your awareness of God’s indwelling presence in your life?
An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation
“What can be the reason for this experience in prayer? Saint John of the Cross affirms that supernatural faith, inasmuch as it places us in an immediate contact with God, affects the intellect in a strangely painful way with the onset of contemplative graces. The truths of revelation that the intellect embraces in faith now seem to surpass comprehension in a manner unlike any previous experience in prayer. A deeper understanding of theological faith can explain why this occurs. It is inadequate to conceive of our faith as simply an assent by our mind to truths that are then held securely with personal conviction. This is not at all the full picture. On a very personal level, in our relations with God himself, faith is a kind of real conduit into the actual mystery of God. As a theological virtue, it unites the intellect quite directly and immediately to the mystery of God. The effect of this union, depending on a soul’s closeness to God, is to stretch the intellect beyond what it can assimilate in its natural capacity. The result in the time of interior prayer is a painful experience of obscurity within the intellect toward the God of ultimate mystery known personally in faith. This is not an experience of dark doubts about God. Rather, it is as though a light has begun to shine too brightly, preventing our eyes from seeing what is there in front of us. The closer we approach the light of God, the more his presence blinds us. The ordinary act of comprehension in regard to natural objects of knowledge does not function in this way. But when the knowledge is of God himself in his immediate personal presence to the soul, the consequence is vastly different.”
Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 67-68). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
Day 1 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. John of the Cross you have said:
What, more do you want, 0 soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfactions, fullness, and kingdom -your Beloved whom you desire and seek? Be joyful and gladdened in your interior recollection with Him, for you have Him so close to you. Desire Him there, adore Him there. Do not go in pursuit of Him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and wearied thereby, and you shall not find Him, nor enjoy Him more securely, nor sooner, nor more intimately than by seeking Him within you.
Spiritual Canticle, I.8; Kavanaugh & Rodriguez, 1973; p. 419
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
St. John Damascene, Pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson
Born: 676 AD, Damascus, Syria
Died: December 4, 749 AD, Mar Saba, Jordan
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor continue exploring the life and contributions of St. John Damascene and his role in the defense of sacred icons during the Byzantine Empire’s iconoclastic controversies. St. John’s theological insights on the veneration of images, emphasizing the distinction between worship (latria) due to God alone and veneration (dulia) offered to saints and holy images as reminders of divine truths. St. John defended the sacredness of matter, rooted in the Incarnation, and argued that icons served as tangible connections to the divine, much like family photographs evoke deep personal memories. His work helped preserve the Church’s understanding of creation’s goodness and the role of art in theological expression.
The episode also delves into St. John’s influence on Marian doctrine, notably his title as the “Doctor of the Assumption.” His writings laid the foundation for the dogma of the Assumption defined in 1950, emphasizing Mary’s unique role as Theotokos (God-bearer) and her assumption as a reflection of her purity and divine mission. St. John’s broader legacy as a poet, theologian, and champion of Christian art, whose insights remain relevant for understanding the interplay between faith, art, and devotion. His contributions, translated into various languages, continue to resonate universally, reflecting the timeless and inclusive nature of the Church’s teachings.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
The Role of Sacred Art in Faith: How do icons and sacred images deepen your understanding and experience of God’s presence in creation?
Veneration vs. Worship: How can you better explain the distinction between veneration of saints and worship of God to those unfamiliar with Catholic teaching?
Theology of Creation and Incarnation: In what ways does recognizing the goodness of matter enhance your appreciation of Christ’s Incarnation and the sacraments?
Marian Devotion and Christology: How does reflecting on Mary’s role as Theotokos help you grow closer to Jesus and understand His divine mission?
Memory and Holiness: How can sacred art or practices of remembrance inspire you to follow the example of saints in your daily life?
Faith Amid Controversy: How can the courage of figures like St. John Damascene inspire you to stand firm in defending your faith traditions in the face of challenges?
Unity of Truth and Beauty: How does the universality of sacred art and theology affirm your belief in the Church’s mission to reach all cultures and generations?
“St. John Damascene extends these fundamental ideas to the veneration of the relics of Saints, on the basis of the conviction that the Christian Saints, having become partakers of the Resurrection of Christ, cannot be considered simply “dead”. Numbering, for example, those whose relics or images are worthy of veneration, John states in his third discourse in defence of images: “First of all (let us venerate) those among whom God reposed, he alone Holy, who reposes among the Saints (cf. Is 57: 15), such as the Mother of God and all the Saints. These are those who, as far as possible, have made themselves similar to God by their own will; and by God’s presence in them, and his help, they are really called gods (cf. Ps 82[81]: 6), not by their nature, but by contingency, just as the red-hot iron is called fire, not by its nature, but by contingency and its participation in the fire. He says in fact : you shall be holy, because I am Holy (cf. Lv 19: 2)” (III, 33, col. 1352 a). After a series of references of this kind, John Damascene was able serenely to deduce: “God, who is good, and greater than any goodness, was not content with the contemplation of himself, but desired that there should be beings benefited by him, who might share in his goodness: therefore he created from nothing all things, visible and invisible, including man, a reality visible and invisible. And he created him envisaging him and creating him as a being capable of thought (ennoema ergon), enriched with the word (logo[i] sympleroumenon), and orientated towards the spirit (pneumati teleioumenon)” (II, 2, pg 94, col. 865a). And to clarify this thought further, he adds: “We must allow ourselves to be filled with wonder (thaumazein) at all the works of Providence (tes pronoias erga), to accept and praise them all, overcoming any temptation to identify in them aspects which to many may seem unjust or iniquitous, (adika), and admitting instead that the project of God (pronoia) goes beyond man’s capacity to know or to understand (agnoston kai akatalepton), while on the contrary only he may know our thoughts, our actions, and even our future” (ii, 29, pg 94, col. 964c). Plato had in fact already said that all philosophy begins with wonder. Our faith, too, begins with wonder at the very fact of the Creation, and at the beauty of God who makes himself visible.The optimism of the contemplation of nature (physike theoria), of seeing in the visible creation the good, the beautiful, the true, this Christian optimism, is not ingenuous: it takes account of the wound inflicted on human nature by the freedom of choice desired by God and misused by man, with all the consequences of widespread discord which have derived from it. From this derives the need, clearly perceived by John Damascene, that nature, in which the goodness and beauty of God are reflected, wounded by our fault, “should be strengthened and renewed” by the descent of the Son of God in the flesh, after God had tried in many ways and on many occasions, to show that he had created man so that he might exist not only in “being”, but also in “well-being” (cf. The Orthodox Faith, II, 1, pg 94, col. 981). With passionate eagerness John explains: “It was necessary for nature to be strengthened and renewed, and for the path of virtue to be indicated and effectively taught (didachthenai aretes hodòn), the path that leads away from corruption and towards eternal life…. So there appeared on the horizon of history the great sea of love that God bears towards man (philanthropias pelagos)”…. It is a fine expression. We see on one side the beauty of Creation, and on the other the destruction wrought by the fault of man. But we see in the Son of God, who descends to renew nature, the sea of love that God has for man. John Damascene continues: “he himself, the Creator and the Lord, fought for his Creation, transmitting to it his teaching by example…. And so the Son of God, while still remaining in the form of God, lowered the skies and descended… to his servants… achieving the newest thing of all, the only thing really new under the sun, through which he manifested the infinite power of God” (III, 1, pg 94, col. 981c-984b).
We may imagine the comfort and joy which these words, so rich in fascinating images, poured into the hearts of the faithful. We listen to them today, sharing the same feelings with the Christians of those far-off days: God desires to repose in us, he wishes to renew nature through our conversion, he wants to allow us to share in his divinity. May the Lord help us to make these words the substance of our lives.”
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. John Damascene, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson
Born: 676 AD, Damascus, Syria
Died: December 4, 749 AD, Mar Saba, Jordan
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor explore the life and legacy of St. John Damascene, an influential figure in the Eastern Church and one of the last Fathers of the Church. St. John is celebrated for his theological contributions, particularly his defense of the veneration of icons amid the iconoclast controversy. Living in a time when Islamic rule dominated the East and imposed restrictions on Christians, John navigated complex socio-political and religious challenges to articulate the theological significance of sacred images. His defense, rooted in the Incarnation, made the proper distinction between worship, owed only to God, and veneration, directed to holy representations that lift the mind and heart to the divine. This nuanced understanding helped preserve the Church’s appreciation of material creation as a vehicle for encountering God.
Dr. Bunson also discusses John’s life as a scholar, monk, and theologian, shaped by his education under a former Christian slave named Cosmas. St. John’s writings on icons defend their use as a reflection of God’s beauty in creation and as tools for prayer and contemplation. He framed his arguments against the iconoclasts with clarity, illustrating that icons, like other sacred objects, serve to deepen faith without violating the prohibition against idolatry. Dr. Bunson ties John’s teachings to contemporary challenges, providing Catholics with a foundation to respond to criticisms of the use of sacred images, whether in churches or homes, while underlining the optimism of the Christian view of creation as good, true, and beautiful.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Understanding the Incarnation Through Icons: How does St. John of Damascus’s defense of icons deepen your appreciation of the Incarnation and God’s presence in creation?
Veneration vs. Worship: How can you explain the difference between veneration and worship to someone who challenges the use of sacred images in Catholic practice?
Role of Beauty in Faith: In what ways do you see the beauty of creation leading you closer to God, as St. John emphasized?
Faith Amid Persecution: How can the example of St. John remaining faithful under Islamic rule inspire your response to challenges to your faith?
Sacred Art as Prayer: How do you experience icons or other forms of sacred art as a means of encountering the divine in your personal prayer life?
Optimism in Creation: How does the Christian optimism about creation, as discussed by St. John and Pope Benedict XVI, challenge or affirm your worldview?
Learning from Tradition: What aspect of St. John’s teachings on icons or theology most inspires you to engage with the Church’s tradition in your spiritual growth?
“Today I should like to speak about John Damascene, a personage of prime importance in the history of Byzantine Theology, a great Doctor in the history of the Universal Church. Above all he was an eyewitness of the passage from the Greek and Syrian Christian cultures shared by the Eastern part of the Byzantine Empire, to the Islamic culture, which spread through its military conquests in the territory commonly known as the Middle or Near East. John, born into a wealthy Christian family, at an early age assumed the role, perhaps already held by his father, of Treasurer of the Caliphate. Very soon, however, dissatisfied with life at court, he decided on a monastic life, and entered the monastery of Mar Saba, near Jerusalem. This was around the year 700. He never again left the monastery, but dedicated all his energy to ascesis and literary work, not disdaining a certain amount of pastoral activity, as is shown by his numerous homilies. His liturgical commemoration is on the 4 December. Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him Doctor of the Universal Church in 1890.
In the East, his best remembered works are the three Discourses against those who calumniatewhich were condemned after his death by the iconoclastic Council of Hieria (754). These discourses, however, were also the fundamental grounds for his rehabilitation and canonization on the part of the Orthodox Fathers summoned to the Council of Nicaea (787), the Seventh Ecumenical Council. In these texts it is possible to trace the first important theological attempts to legitimise the veneration of sacred images, relating them to the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
John Damascene was also among the first to distinguish, in the cult, both public and private, of the Christians, between worship (latreia), and veneration (proskynesis): the first can only be offered to God, spiritual above all else, the second, on the other hand, can make use of an image to address the one whom the image represents. Obviously the Saint can in no way be identified with the material of which the icon is composed. This distinction was immediately seen to be very important in finding an answer in Christian terms to those who considered universal and eternal the strict Old Testament prohibition against the use of cult images. This was also a matter of great debate in the Islamic world, which accepts the Jewish tradition of the total exclusion of cult images. Christians, on the other hand, in this context, have discussed the problem and found a justification for the veneration of images. John Damascene writes, “In other ages God had not been represented in images, being incorporate and faceless. But since God has now been seen in the flesh, and lived among men, I represent that part of God which is visible. I do not venerate matter, but the Creator of matter, who became matter for my sake and deigned to live in matter and bring about my salvation through matter. I will not cease therefore to venerate that matter through which my salvation was achieved. But I do not venerate it in absolute terms as God! How could that which, from non-existence, has been given existence, be God?… But I also venerate and respect all the rest of matter which has brought me salvation, since it is full of energy and Holy graces. Is not the wood of the Cross, three times blessed, matter?… And the ink, and the most Holy Book of the Gospels, are they not matter? The redeeming altar which dispenses the Bread of life, is it not matter?… And, before all else, are not the flesh and blood of Our Lord matter? Either we must suppress the sacred nature of all these things, or we must concede to the tradition of the Church the veneration of the images of God and that of the friends of God who are sanctified by the name they bear, and for this reason are possessed by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Do not, therefore, offend matter: it is not contemptible, because nothing that God has made is contemptible” (cf. Contra imaginum calumniatores, I, 16, ed. Kotter, pp. 89-90). We see that as a result of the Incarnation, matter is seen to have become divine, is seen as the habitation of God. It is a new vision of the world and of material reality. God became flesh and flesh became truly the habitation of God, whose glory shines in the human Face of Christ. Thus the arguments of the Doctor of the East are still extremely relevant today, considering the very great dignity that matter has acquired through the Incarnation, capable of becoming, through faith, a sign and a sacrament, efficacious in the meeting of man with God. John Damascene remains, therefore, a privileged witness of the cult of icons, which would come to be one of the most distinctive aspects of Eastern spirituality up to the present day. It is, however, a form of cult which belongs simply to the Christian faith, to the faith in that God who became flesh and was made visible. The teaching of Saint John Damascene thus finds its place in the tradition of the universal Church, whose sacramental doctrine foresees that material elements taken from nature can become vehicles of grace by virtue of the invocation (epiclesis) of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by the confession of the true faith.”
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.
Episode 7 – The Poetry of Saint Thérèse – St. Thérèse and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores the poetic expressions of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her profound ability to convey spiritual truths through poetry despite her young age, lack of formal training, and challenging circumstances.
St. Thérèse’s poetry, much of which was written between the ages of 21 and 24, often loses some of its beauty in translation. Her poems were not just literary creations but deeply personal and spiritual reflections meant to uplift, console, and inspire those around her, such as her cousin Marie on the day she entered Carmel. Thérèse’s works reflect her deep love for Christ and the Eucharist, her longing for heaven, and her ability to connect with others’ experiences, expressing sentiments that resonate deeply despite their simplicity.
Fr. Gallagher delves into specific examples of Thérèse’s poetry, such as a canticle she composed for Marie, setting it to a popular aria to highlight Marie’s beautiful soprano voice. He also reflects on Thérèse’s family dynamic and their shared longing for heaven as a reunion with God and with each other. Thérèse’s gestures, such as leaving a copy of her poem “Living on Love” adorned with flowers in Marie’s cell, illustrate her thoughtful love and understanding of others’ needs. Her unique perspective of life as a journey toward eternal rest with God is a perspective deeply rooted in her family’s spirituality and reflected in her writings and actions.
Through her poetry and life, Thérèse invites others to live with a similar heavenly perspective, finding purpose in sacrifices and hope in eternal reunion
The Role of Poetry in Expressing Faith: How does Thérèse’s use of poetry reveal the depth of her spirituality and her ability to connect with others through creative expression?
Living with a Heavenly Perspective: In what ways can Thérèse’s longing for heaven inspire us to view our earthly struggles as part of a greater journey toward eternal life with God?
The Impact of Translation on Spiritual Texts: How does the challenge of translating Thérèse’s poetry into other languages affect our understanding of her spiritual insights and personal expressions?
Small Gestures of Love: How can Thérèse’s thoughtful acts, like composing personalized poems or leaving flowers for her sister, teach us to show love and encouragement in simple, meaningful ways?
Community and Eternal Reunion: How does Thérèse’s deep love for her family and her vision of an eternal reunion in heaven influence our own understanding of the communion of saints?
Apostolic Value of Sacrifice: How does Thérèse’s belief in the power of small sacrifices to bring souls to Christ challenge our approach to daily acts of love and service?
The Ordinary Mystic: What does Thérèse’s life teach us about finding profound spirituality in the simplicity of ordinary life and relationships?
Christ-Centered Creativity: How can Thérèse’s integration of her artistic talents with her faith encourage us to use our own creative abilities for spiritual purposes?
Marie Guérin
About this Series
Fr. Timothy Gallagher reflects upon the enduring legacy of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, exploring how her life and spirituality, deeply influenced by her family and how it offers profound insights into everyday holiness. He examines the role of family and spiritual friendships in nurturing faith, the importance of compassionate care for others, and how Thérèse’s example can inspire listeners to seek sanctity in their daily lives. He also brings forth more details of the spiritual bond between the Martin and Guérin families, offering a model for fostering deeper connections within one’s own family and community.
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
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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The First Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
On the First Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Esseff shares two deeply moving testimonies that reveal the power of love, faith, and the kingship of Christ. The first story follows a Christian couple who defied medical advice to abort their “defective” child, trusting instead in God’s providence. Their faith was rewarded with the birth of a healthy baby who grew into a successful firefighter.
The second testimony recounts the spiritual transformation of a man named Tom, who initially struggled with anger and control but was ultimately led to conversion through a miraculous encounter with God at work. Tom’s journey deepened as he faced the rebellion of his adopted daughter, whose waywardness became a crucible of love and surrender to God’s kingship. Christ’s kingship is established first in individual hearts through love, truth, and submission to God’s will. He calls us to embrace Jesus as their King by inviting Him to rule over their lives, bringing redemption and purpose to even the most difficult circumstances.
Through these reflections, Msgr. Esseff reminds us that Christ’s dominion is one of gentle, transformative love that triumphs in every soul willing to surrender to His will.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Trusting in God’s Plan for Life: How can you grow in trusting God’s providence, especially in situations that challenge your beliefs about the sanctity of life?
Recognizing Christ’s Kingship: In what ways can you acknowledge Jesus as King in your daily actions and decisions?
Faith in the Midst of Trials: How does your faith sustain you when faced with difficult choices or seemingly insurmountable obstacles?
Surrendering Control to God: Where in your life are you still trying to maintain control, and how can you surrender those areas to God’s will?
Living as a Witness to Love: How can you model Christ’s love in your relationships, even with those who are difficult to love?
Understanding Conversion Through Love: What role has love played in your own conversion or deepening of faith, and how can you extend that love to others?
Extending God’s Kingdom in Your Heart: How can you allow Christ to reign more fully in your heart and bring His kingdom into your daily life?
Patience with God’s Timing: How can you cultivate patience and trust in God’s timing, especially when His plans seem delayed or unclear?
Brothers and sisters:
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as 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 Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
