Day 3 – The Power of Suffering – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart
From the Diary of St. Faustina, 57 – Faustina writes:
“Suffering is a great grace; through suffering, the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering, love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love. This true, pure love gives the soul strength and power.”
Suffering, when united with Christ, becomes a source of spiritual strength. St. Faustina teaches us that through suffering, love is purified and becomes like that of Christ. How do you respond to the sufferings in your life? Do you view them as burdens, or do you see them as opportunities to grow in holiness and draw nearer to Jesus? Today, reflect on the way you bear your crosses. Jesus is present in your sufferings, and when you unite them to His, they become a means to greater love, a source of grace, and a path to sanctity.
Prayer & Petition:
Lord Jesus, You suffered for me, and I want to unite my sufferings with Yours. Help me to embrace the crosses in my life with patience and trust, knowing that You are with me. Strengthen my heart through suffering and make my love for You purer and more selfless. St. Faustina, help me to accept my sufferings as a grace that brings me closer to Christ and allows me to participate in His saving work. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, I ask for the grace to live more fully in Your mercy. Help me to trust in You completely, to offer mercy to others, and to live in the joy of Your love. May St. Faustina guide me in my journey toward holiness, and may her prayers obtain for me the graces I most need. Amen.
Sunday of the Twenty-Sixth 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 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”
‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.” “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”’
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 to the Pharisees: ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”
‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.” “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”’
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 to the Pharisees: ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”
‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.” “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”’
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 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff
Day 3: Humility
St. Francis, you embraced the profound humility of Christ, who “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). You considered yourself the least of all and sought not your own glory, but the glory of God. You saw in humility the path to holiness and the surest way to imitate Our Lord, who came “not to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). In a world that exalts pride and self-promotion, your example calls us to embrace the hidden life, seeking only the will of God and the salvation of souls.
Let us pray:
O humble St. Francis, obtain for me the grace to recognize my own lowliness and to rely completely on God’s mercy. Help me to imitate your example by putting aside my pride and seeking only to do the will of the Father. Teach me to serve others with humility and love, following the example of Christ, who humbled Himself even to death on the Cross. Through your intercession, may I grow in the virtue of humility, so that God may be glorified in all that I do.
The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor
Prayerful Reflection
Prayerful reflection is the fifth attitude of a discerning heart. In Catholic discernment, it means pausing to notice God’s presence in daily life. The psalmist reminds us, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me,” and saints like Francis de Sales encouraged a daily examen of gratitude and humility. Reflection allows us to see grace and failure honestly, so we may respond to God with greater clarity and love.
Scripture Reading: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.” (Psalm 139:1–3)
A discerning heart does not rush through life without pause. It learns to stop, to remember, and to reflect. Prayerful reflection is the space where we allow God to show us how He has been present — in the blessings and also in the challenges.
The psalmist tells us that God knows us completely. Nothing escapes His gaze. When we take time to reflect, we begin to see our lives as He sees them. We recognize moments of grace that might have passed unnoticed. We also see where we turned away, where sin or selfishness clouded our choices.
Prayerful reflection helps us grow in gratitude, humility, and clarity. It is not simply an exercise in memory, but an encounter with God’s living presence in our daily story.
Saint’s Teaching:
St. Francis de Sales encouraged the faithful to make a daily examen — not only to confess faults, but to rejoice in God’s blessings and renew the desire to walk closely with Him. He wrote that reflection helps us “turn our hearts to God, raising them above the concerns of the world.”
The Benedictines also practiced this rhythm of reflection in the Divine Office, pausing throughout the day to pray the Psalms. Their lives show us that reflection is not a luxury, but an essential rhythm of Christian life.
Guided Application Questions:
How can I make time, even briefly, to reflect on where God has been present in my day? End the day with a few minutes of prayerful review and thanksgiving.
In what moments do I experience peace, and when do I feel restlessness? Bring these to prayer, asking the Lord to deepen His peace and heal what is restless within you.
How can I begin a simple practice of reflection? Pray with gratitude, ask forgiveness where needed, and place tomorrow in God’s hands.
Closing Prayer:
O Lord, You search me and know me.
Help me to pause each day and see my life through Your eyes.
Through the example of St. Francis de Sales and St. Benedict, teach me to remember with gratitude and to return to You with trust.
Through Christ our Lord.
“My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words, I know it by experience.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena
V/. O God, + come to my assistance R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory Be
Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels
The ARCHANGELS primary duty, as is clear from their appearances in Scripture, is to carry out the will of God as it relates directly to humanity. They bring to the world the prayerful blessings of the Lord and the special concern of God for each and every human life. It is for that reason that the archangels—like their close counterparts the Angels—are said to intervene so regularly in the affairs of men and women, be it on a battlefield, in an impending disaster, or in the private anguish and sorrow of the living. In each case they impart a portion of their immense compassion and love, giving comfort, solace, or fortitude at the darkest of moments.
Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z (Kindle Locations 517-522). Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. Kindle Edition.
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works, in order that we gain the glory of Paradise. Amen
Our Father …Hail Mary
O GLORIOUS Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
V/. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R/. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, hast appointed the most glorious Archangel, St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee, to be delivered from all our enemies that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Day 2 – Mercy for All Sinners – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart
From the Diary of St. Faustina, 699 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:
“Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of My goodness? For you I descended from heaven to earth; for you I allowed Myself to be nailed to the cross; for you I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come, then, with trust to draw graces from this fountain.”
Jesus reassures us through St. Faustina that His mercy knows no bounds. No matter how grave our sins, His mercy is infinitely greater. We often let shame or fear of judgment keep us from approaching the merciful heart of Jesus, but He tells us clearly: there is no sin too great for His mercy. Reflect today on any barriers that may be preventing you from fully embracing God’s forgiveness. Know that Jesus suffered on the cross precisely to open wide the fountain of His mercy for you, and all He asks in return is that you come to Him with trust.
Lord Jesus, You suffered and died for me, not because I am worthy, but because of Your immense love. Help me never to fear Your judgment but to trust fully in the mercy that flows from Your heart. Lead me to receive Your mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where Your grace washes me clean. St. Faustina, intercede for me, that I may trust in God’s mercy and never hesitate to ask for forgiveness. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, I ask for the grace to live more fully in Your mercy. Help me to trust in You completely, to offer mercy to others, and to live in the joy of Your love. May St. Faustina guide me in my journey toward holiness, and may her prayers obtain for me the graces I most need. Amen.
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth 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 St. Luke 9:43-45
At a time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men.”’ But they did not understand him when he said this; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid to ask him about what he had just said.
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:
At a time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men.”’ But they did not understand him when he said this; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid to ask him about what he had just said.
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:
At a time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men.”’ But they did not understand him when he said this; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid to ask him about what he had just said.
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.
The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor
Interior Freedom
Interior freedom is the fourth attitude of a discerning heart. In Catholic discernment, this freedom is not doing whatever we please but the grace to choose what leads us closer to God. Christ teaches that “the truth will make you free,” and the saints remind us that attachments cloud the heart. St. John Cassian and St. Francis of Assisi show us that only a free heart can fully belong to God.
Scripture Reading: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free… So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31–32, 36)
We all desire freedom, yet the world often confuses freedom with license — the idea that we can do whatever we please. But true freedom is not about indulging every whim. True freedom is the capacity to choose the good, to choose what leads us closer to God.
In the discerning heart, interior freedom means that our hearts are not held captive by fear, resentment, possessions, or even by our own plans. When we are bound by these things, our vision becomes clouded, and it becomes harder to recognize God’s voice. But when we allow His grace to loosen our grip, we discover a freedom that brings peace.
This freedom does not come by our own strength. It is God’s grace that gently but firmly encourages us to let go. Sometimes that grip has been tight for a long time. Yet God does not demand all at once — He invites, He waits, He strengthens. Interior freedom grows as we place our trust in His love and take one step at a time.
Saint’s Teaching:
St. John Cassian taught that freedom of heart comes through simplicity and detachment, cultivated in prayer and virtue. The early monks understood that unless the heart is free, it cannot fully hear God.
St. Ignatius of Loyola later echoed this wisdom, speaking of “holy indifference” — not in the sense of apathy, but of being so free in heart that we desire only what God desires. And St. Francis of Assisi lived this truth with his whole being, finding joy in poverty because his heart was utterly free for God.
These saints show us that freedom is not about escape. It is about belonging — fully and joyfully — to God.
Guided Application Questions:
In what ways do attachments — to possessions, opinions, or fears — weigh down my heart? Name them in prayer and ask the Spirit to loosen their hold on you.
How do I sometimes confuse freedom with doing whatever I want? Reflect on how true freedom is choosing what leads to God, even when it requires sacrifice.
How is the Lord inviting me to say with honesty, “Lord, I want what You want”? Pray those words slowly, letting His grace shape your desire.
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have promised that the truth will make us free.
Grant me the grace of interior freedom, so that nothing may hold me back from following You.
Through the prayers of St. John Cassian, St. Francis, and all who walked the path of detachment, help me to desire only what leads me to You.
Through Christ our Lord.
Day 2 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff
Day 2: Peace
St. Francis, you were a true instrument of peace, not only in your actions but in your entire way of life. You lived out the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), reconciling enemies, healing divisions, and spreading the message of the Gospel. You understood that true peace begins in the heart, with repentance and conversion, and is nourished through prayer and the Sacraments. You remind us that we must first be reconciled to God before we can become channels of His peace to others.
Let us pray:
Blessed St. Francis, through your intercession, help me to cultivate peace in my heart by drawing closer to Christ through the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Holy Eucharist. Teach me to foster peace in my relationships, to forgive those who have wronged me, and to live as a true disciple of the Prince of Peace. May I follow your example by being a peacemaker in my family, community, and the world.
.
Sunday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
The Seven Attitudes of a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor
