HR5 In place of spiritual homelessness, stability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB podcast

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In place of spiritual homelessness, stability

From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:

CHAPTER LXVI
Of the Porter of the Monastery

…If it can be done, the monastery should be so situated that all the necessaries, such as water, the mill, the garden, are enclosed, and the various arts may be plied inside of the monastery, so that there may be no need for the monks to go about outside, because it is not good for their souls. But we desire that this Rule be read quite often in the community, that none of the brethren may excuse himself of ignorance

Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

SP 42 – Episode 42 – The First Corpus Christi Procession – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 42 – The First Corpus Christi Procession

Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.

For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar’s Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.

DC8 St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss St. Ambrose, the catechumen who became a bishop, in part 2 of this two-part conversation.

Born: 340 AD

Died: January 1, 397 AD

For more on St. Ambrose of Milan and his teachings

Ambrose
– On the Christian Faith (De fide)
– On the Holy Spirit
– On the Mysteries
– On Repentance
– On the Duties of the Clergy
– Concerning Virgins
– Concerning Widows
– On the Death of Satyrus
– Memorial of Symmachus
– Sermon against Auxentius
– Letters

For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page

Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and 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.

SP 41 – Episode 41 – My First Ethics Class – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 41 – My First Ethics Class

HR4- In place of confusing life patterns, the security of a healthy balance – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB podcast

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In place of confusing life patterns, the security of a healthy balance

From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:

CHAPTER XLI

From holy Easter till Pentecost let the brethren dine at the sixth hour and take supper in the evening. From Pentecost on, however, during the whole summer, if the monks have no work in the fields and the excess of the heat doth not interfere, let them fast on Wednesday and Friday until the ninth hour; but on the other days let them dine at the sixth hour. This sixth hour for dinner is to be continued, if they have work in the fields or the heat of the summer is great. Let the Abbot provide for this; and so let him manage and adapt everything that souls may be saved, and that what the brethren do, they may do without having a reasonable cause to murmur. From the ides of September until the beginning of Lent let them always dine at the ninth hour. During Lent, however, until Easter, let them dine in the evening. But let this evening hour be so arranged that they will not need lamp-light during their meal; but let everything be finished whilst it is still day. But at all times let the hour of meals, whether for dinner or for supper, be so arranged that everything is done by daylight.

St. Ambrose of Milan part 1 – The Doctors of the Church /w Dr. Matthew Bunson Podcast

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St. Ambrose (part 1): The catechumen who became a bishop

Born: 340 AD

Died: January 1, 397 AD

For more on St. Ambrose of Milan and his teachings

For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page

Pentecost, Renewal, and the Nature of True Repentance – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts podcast

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the first Pentecost and its meaning for us today. The continuing call to conversion in our lives and the nature of true repentance are topics he explores in this discussion.

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. 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. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.

SP 40 – Episode 40 – Everyman an Exile… – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 40 – Everyman an Exile…Homesick for Another Country

HR3 – In place of the disability to express ourselves, to sing – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB podcast

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In place of the disability to express ourselves, to sing

From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:

CHAPTER XIX

We believe that God is present everywhere and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the bad in every place (cf Prov 15:3). Let us firmly believe this, especially when we take part in the Work of God. Let us, therefore, always be mindful of what the Prophet saith, “Serve ye the Lord with fear” (Ps 2:11). And again, “Sing ye wisely” (Ps 46[47]:8). And, “I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels” (Ps 137[138]:1). Therefore, let us consider how it becometh us to behave in the sight of God and His angels, and let us so stand to sing, that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.

DC6 St. Gregory of Nazianzus – The Doctors of the Church /w Dr. Matthew Bunson Podcast

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St. Gregory of Nazianzus – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 329 AD
Died: January 1, 390 AD

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor explore St. Gregory of Nazianzus (Nazianzen), a doctor of the Church. St. Gregory faced the Arian heresy and a tension between solitude and serving as a priest. His theological contributions include emphasizing “consubstantial” and defending the Trinity. Dr. Bunson highlights his views on Christ’s full humanity, theosis, and the connection between theology and prayer, making special note of Pope Benedict XVI’s insights on St. Gregory as well.

St. Gregory’s teachings provide timeless prescriptions for addressing heresy, offering valuable lessons for today’s challenges in defending the faith.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

How does St. Gregory of Nazianzus’ struggle between solitude and active service resonate with your own spiritual journey and the challenges of balancing personal prayer with engagement in the world?
In what ways can St. Gregory’s response to the Arian heresy inspire you to actively defend and uphold the Church’s teachings in your community or personal life?
Reflect on the significance of the term “consubstantial” in describing the relationship within the Trinity. How does this theological concept deepen your understanding of God?
Consider St. Gregory’s emphasis on theosis. How can you strive to become more like Christ in your daily life?
How can you integrate prayer into your study of theology to enhance your relationship with God and the Church?

For more on St. Gregory of Nazianzus and his teachings:

Gregory Nazianzen
– Orations
– Letters