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The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff John Esseff and Kris McGregor reflect on the queenship of Mary, drawing from stories of apparitions and her motherly role in salvation history. Mary’s title as queen is not tied to worldly grandeur but to her humility, purity, and tender care. Msgr. Esseff highlights how Mary appeared to the lowly—Juan Diego at Guadalupe, children at Fatima, Bernadette at Lourdes—always offering comfort, healing, and intercession. Her queenship flows from her role as the Mother of God, and her love extends universally, desiring to bring every person closer to Christ. Her presence in sacramentals like the Miraculous Medal continues to be a source of grace and healing for those who turn to her in need.

Mary’s humility as the key to her victory over Satan—being the “heel” that crushes the serpent’s head. Esseff ties this to Jesus’ teaching that the last shall be first, and he invites reflection on how God’s generosity will surprise us in heaven, welcoming even those we might least expect. Mary’s queenship, united with Christ the Good Shepherd, is shown in her concern for the lost, sick, and forgotten. The episode concludes with a call to childlike trust: to become small, dependent, and open to God’s love, learning from Mary’s example of humility and her constant readiness to care for those in need.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does Mary’s humility as the “heel” crushing the serpent challenge my own understanding of strength and greatness?
In what ways do I turn to Mary as a mother when I am in need of comfort, healing, or guidance?
What can I learn from Mary’s appearances at Guadalupe, Lourdes, and Fatima about God’s love for the poor, the sick, and children?
How do I respond to Christ’s teaching that “the last shall be first” in my daily life and relationships?
Do I approach God with childlike trust, allowing myself to be cared for as a son or daughter?
How can I imitate Mary’s example of going “in haste” to serve others, as she did for Elizabeth?
What areas of my life most need Mary’s intercession and the healing power of her Son today?
How does the reality of God’s generosity in welcoming the unexpected into heaven challenge my attitude toward others?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to Saint 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 .

WOM1 – The Eucharist and Moral Living – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Eucharist and Moral Living – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating

Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor explores how the Eucharist is central to the Christian life, shaping both conscience and spiritual formation. Dcn. Keating describes the Mass as the intimate meeting place where minds are renewed, hearts are healed, and access to God’s own life is offered as close as one’s parish church. He likens growth in appreciating the Eucharist to marriage—initial understanding is limited, but with time, deeper dimensions of love and commitment unfold. As spiritual maturity develops, the Mass becomes not an obligation but a deep desire, with daily participation seen as a joy rather than a burden. The Eucharist can be viewed as the unfolding of “the way of mystery,” a lifelong, step-by-step journey into God’s redemptive love, where sacraments are encounters with Christ acting in the heart.

The Paschal Mystery is God’s astonishing generosity in sharing His own happiness with humanity through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Redemption is God’s healing of humanity’s wound of distrust, restoring friendship and communion with Him through the sacramental life. This union is not achieved all at once but unfolds gradually, with human cooperation in grace being the drama of life. Keating highlights the Trinity’s eternal communion of love and God’s profound desire to dwell with humanity, even calling us friends through Christ. The Eucharist reveals both God’s lordship and His intimate friendship, grounding discipleship in gratitude, trust, and awe before the mystery of divine love made present in bread and wine.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

In what ways has my understanding of the Mass grown or matured over time, like a marriage deepening in love?
Do I approach the Eucharist as a precious gift, or do I sometimes take its accessibility for granted?
How am I being called to prepare more intentionally before receiving the Eucharist?
What does meditating on the Paschal Mystery reveal to me about the purpose of my life?
Where in my life do I still struggle to trust God’s providence, and how might the sacraments heal this wound?
How do I respond to God’s desire for communion with me in my daily choices?
In what ways does Christ’s invitation to friendship change the way I live my discipleship?
How do I experience the drama of redemption—continuing to surrender to grace—in my own spiritual journey?
What practical step can I take this week to cherish the Eucharist more deeply?

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Anthony of Padua Doctor of Church Matthew Bunson Podcast

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 1090, Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France
Died: August 20, 1153, Clairvaux Abbey, France
Books: Two-Fold Knowledge

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and influence of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century Cistercian monk and doctor of the Church. St. Bernard played a significant role in the Second Crusade, being called upon due to his reputation as a powerful preacher. Despite the Crusade’s failure, which was attributed to the incompetence and infighting of its leaders, Bernard was heavily criticized. He responded with humility, writing a formal apology to the Pope and stating that the failure was due to the sins of the crusaders rather than his call to arms. Bernard also took a strong stand against antisemitism, traveling through Germany to preach against attacks on Jewish communities, showcasing his commitment to justice and peace.

St. Bernard is also remembered for his deep mystical theology and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He sought to deepen the Church’s understanding of divine love and the importance of contemplative prayer. His influence extended to other notable figures like Hildegard of Bingen, whom he supported and encouraged. Bernard’s marian devotion is particularly highlighted through his emphasis on Mary as Mediatrix and Star of the Sea, roles that reflect her guiding and protective presence in the lives of the faithful. His teachings and humility made him a significant figure in the Church, earning him the title of Doctor of the Church in 1830.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does St. Bernard’s involvement in the Second Crusade challenge or deepen your understanding of Christian responsibility in times of conflict?
In what ways can St. Bernard’s humble response to criticism inspire your own approach to facing unjust accusations?
How does St. Bernard’s efforts against antisemitism reflect the Church’s teachings on justice and the dignity of every human person?
How can St. Bernard’s integration of contemplative prayer and theology influence your own spiritual practices and understanding of God?
What does St. Bernard’s deep devotion to Mary as Mediatrix and Star of the Sea teach us about the role of Marian devotion in Christian life?
How does St. Bernard’s guidance of Hildegard of Bingen and others exemplify the importance of spiritual mentorship in the Church?
In what ways does St. Bernard’s life and teachings continue to be relevant and instructive for the Church today?

From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009

“I would now like to reflect on only two of the main aspects of Bernard’s rich doctrine: they concern Jesus Christ and Mary Most Holy, his Mother. His concern for the Christian’s intimate and vital participation in God’s love in Jesus Christ brings no new guidelines to the scientific status of theology. However, in a more decisive manner than ever, the Abbot of Clairvaux embodies the theologian, the contemplative and the mystic. Jesus alone Bernard insists in the face of the complex dialectical reasoning of his time Jesus alone is “honey in the mouth, song to the ear, jubilation in the heart (mel in ore, in aure melos, in corde iubilum)”. The title Doctor Mellifluus, attributed to Bernard by tradition, stems precisely from this; indeed, his praise of Jesus Christ “flowed like honey”. In the extenuating battles between Nominalists and Realists two philosophical currents of the time the Abbot of Clairvaux never tired of repeating that only one name counts, that of Jesus of Nazareth. “All food of the soul is dry”, he professed, “unless it is moistened with this oil; insipid, unless it is seasoned with this salt. What you write has no savour for me unless I have read Jesus in it” (In Canticum Sermones XV, 6: PL 183, 847). For Bernard, in fact, true knowledge of God consisted in a personal, profound experience of Jesus Christ and of his love. And, dear brothers and sisters, this is true for every Christian: faith is first and foremost a personal, intimate encounter with Jesus, it is having an experience of his closeness, his friendship and his love. It is in this way that we learn to know him ever better, to love him and to follow him more and more. May this happen to each one of us!

In another famous Sermon on the Sunday in the Octave of the Assumption the Holy Abbot described with passionate words Mary’s intimate participation in the redeeming sacrifice of her Son. “O Blessed Mother”, he exclaimed, “a sword has truly pierced your soul!… So deeply has the violence of pain pierced your soul, that we may rightly call you more than a martyr for in you participation in the passion of the Son by far surpasses in intensity the physical sufferings of martyrdom” (14: PL 183, 437-438). Bernard had no doubts: “per Mariam ad Iesum”, through Mary we are led to Jesus. He testifies clearly to Mary’s subordination to Jesus, in accordance with the foundation of traditional Mariology. Yet the text of the Sermone also documents the Virgin’s privileged place in the economy of salvation, subsequent to the Mother’s most particular participation (compassio) in the sacrifice of the Son. It is not for nothing that a century and a half after Bernard’s death, Dante Alighieri, in the last canticle of the Divine Comedy, was to put on the lips of the Doctor Mellifluus the sublime prayer to Mary: “Virgin Mother, daughter of your own Son, / humble and exalted more than any creature, / fixed term of the eternal counsel” (Paradise XXXIII, vv. 1 ff.).

These reflections, characteristic of a person in love with Jesus and Mary as was Bernard, are still a salutary stimulus not only to theologians but to all believers. Some claim to have solved the fundamental questions on God, on man and on the world with the power of reason alone. St Bernard, on the other hand, solidly founded on the Bible and on the Fathers of the Church, reminds us that without a profound faith in God, nourished by prayer and contemplation, by an intimate relationship with the Lord, our reflections on the divine mysteries risk becoming an empty intellectual exercise and losing their credibility. Theology refers us back to the “knowledge of the Saints”, to their intuition of the mysteries of the living God and to their wisdom, a gift of the Holy Spirit, which become a reference point for theological thought. Together with Bernard of Clairvaux, we too must recognize that man seeks God better and finds him more easily “in prayer than in discussion”. In the end, the truest figure of a theologian and of every evangelizer remains the Apostle John who laid his head on the Teacher’s breast.

I would like to conclude these reflections on St Bernard with the invocations to Mary that we read in one of his beautiful homilies. “In danger, in distress, in uncertainty”, he says, “think of Mary, call upon Mary. She never leaves your lips, she never departs from your heart; and so that you may obtain the help of her prayers, never forget the example of her life. If you follow her, you cannot falter; if you pray to her, you cannot despair; if you think of her, you cannot err. If she sustains you, you will not stumble; if she protects you, you have nothing to fear; if she guides you, you will never flag; if she is favourable to you, you will attain your goal…” (Hom. II super Missus est, 17: PL 183, 70-71).”

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

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. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 1090, Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France
Died: August 20, 1153, Clairvaux Abbey, France
Books: Two-Fold Knowledge

Dr. Matthew Bunsen and Kris McGregor discuss the life and influence of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. St. Bernard, a Doctor of the Church, is celebrated for his deep spirituality, theological brilliance, and reformative impact on monastic life. He was instrumental in building the Cistercian order and defending Church teachings. Bernard’s upbringing in a noble family provided him with a strong education and a profound devotion to Scripture and the Blessed Mother. After resisting worldly temptations, he entered the Benedictine order and helped restore the vigor of the original Rule of St. Benedict at the Abbey of Clairvaux. His leadership and dedication attracted many followers, and Clairvaux flourished under his guidance.

St. Bernard’s teachings on the Song of Song reflect his eloquent and elegant theology. Despite his desire for a contemplative life, he was frequently called upon by the Church to mediate conflicts, reform ecclesiastical practices, and support the papacy. His work, including his involvement in the Second Crusade, came at a great personal cost, but he remained committed to serving Christ and the Church.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does St. Bernard’s title as a healer and miracle worker influence your understanding of spiritual healing in your own life?
What lessons can you learn from St. Bernard’s severe austerity and self-discipline in pursuing a life dedicated to Christ?
How can St. Bernard’s love for Scripture, particularly the Song of Songs, deepen your own relationship with the Bible?
How does St. Bernard’s choice to join the Benedictine order inspire you to respond to God’s call in your life, even when it requires sacrifice?
How can you incorporate the balance of prayer and work, as emphasized by the Rule of St. Benedict, into your daily routine?
What can you learn from St. Bernard’s humility and willingness to serve the Church, despite his personal preference for a contemplative life?
How does St. Bernard’s lifelong dedication to serving the Church challenge you to remain faithful to your commitments, regardless of personal cost?

From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009

“Today I would like to talk about St Bernard of Clairvaux, called “the last of the Fathers” of the Church because once again in the 12th century he renewed and brought to the fore the important theology of the Fathers. We do not know in any detail about the years of his childhood; however, we know that he was born in 1090 in Fontaines, France, into a large and fairly well-to-do family. As a very young man he devoted himself to the study of the so-called liberal arts especially grammar, rhetoric and dialectics at the school of the canons of the Church of Saint-Vorles at Châtillon-sur-Seine; and the decision to enter religious life slowly matured within him. At the age of about 20, he entered Cîteaux, a new monastic foundation that was more flexible in comparison with the ancient and venerable monasteries of the period while at the same time stricter in the practice of the evangelical counsels. A few years later, in 1115, Bernard was sent by Stephen Harding, the third Abbot of Cîteaux, to found the monastery of Clairvaux. Here the young Abbot he was only 25 years old was able to define his conception of monastic life and set about putting it into practice. In looking at the discipline of other monasteries, Bernard firmly recalled the need for a sober and measured life, at table as in clothing and monastic buildings, and recommended the support and care of the poor. In the meantime the community of Clairvaux became ever more numerous and its foundations multiplied.

In those same years before 1130 Bernard started a prolific correspondence with many people of both important and modest social status. To the many Epistolae of this period must be added numerous Sermones, as well as Sententiae and Tractatus. Bernard’s great friendship with William, Abbot of Saint-Thierry, and with William of Champeaux, among the most important figures of the 12th century, also date to this period. As from 1130, Bernard began to concern himself with many serious matters of the Holy See and of the Church. For this reason he was obliged to leave his monastery ever more frequently and he sometimes also travelled outside France. He founded several women’s monasteries and was the protagonist of a lively correspondence with Peter the Venerable, Abbot of Cluny, of whom I spoke last Wednesday. In his polemical writings he targeted in particular Abelard, a great thinker who had conceived of a new approach to theology, introducing above all the dialectic and philosophical method in the constructi0n of theological thought. On another front Bernard combated the heresy of the Cathars, who despised matter and the human body and consequently despised the Creator. On the other hand, he felt it was his duty to defend the Jews, and condemned the ever more widespread outbursts of anti-Semitism. With regard to this aspect of his apostolic action, several decades later Rabbi Ephraim of Bonn addressed a vibrant tribute to Bernard. In the same period the holy Abbot wrote his most famous works such as the celebrated Sermons on the Song of Songs [In Canticum Sermones]. In the last years of his life he died in 1153 Bernard was obliged to curtail his journeys but did not entirely stop travelling. He made the most of this time to review definitively the whole collection of his Letters, Sermons and Treatises. Worthy of mention is a quite unusual book that he completed in this same period, in 1145, when Bernardo Pignatelli, a pupil of his, was elected Pope with the name of Eugene III. On this occasion, Bernard as his spiritual father, dedicated to his spiritual son the text De Consideratione [Five Books on Consideration] which contains teachings on how to be a good Pope. In this book, which is still appropriate reading for the Popes of all times, Bernard did not only suggest how to be a good Pope, but also expressed a profound vision of the Mystery of the Church and of the Mystery of Christ which is ultimately resolved in contemplation of the mystery of the Triune God. “The search for this God who is not yet sufficiently sought must be continued”, the holy Abbot wrote, “yet it may be easier to search for him and find him in prayer rather than in discussion. So let us end the book here, but not the search” (XIV, 32: PL 182, 808) and in journeying on towards God.”

For more visit Vatican.va

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

St. Bernard and the 12 Steps to Humility and Pride – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Bernard and the 12 Steps to Humility and Pride – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor have a discussion about St. Bernard of Clairvaux. They begin by discussing St. Bernard’s deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and his belief that Mary serves as the “neck” of the Mystical Body of Christ, through whom all grace from Christ is mediated to humanity.

Dr. Lilles outlines the historical context in which St. Bernard lived (1090-1153), highlighting his role in the Crusades, monastic reform, and his influence on other saints and mystics. Bernard’s central mission was to promote ongoing conversion to Christ, seeing it as the path to renewing the Church.

They go into St. Bernard’s teachings on humility and pride, as found in his writings. Dr. Lilles explains that for Bernard, truth is not just factual or feasible but relational and rooted in a deeper reality—a truth that is discovered through contemplation and faith. He contrasts this with modern views of truth, which often focus on what is feasible or factual, leading to a superficial understanding of reality.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Understanding Marian Devotion: How does St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s view of Mary as the “neck of the mystical body” deepen your understanding of Marian devotion and its role in leading us closer to Christ?
Personal Conversion: In what areas of your life do you feel called to deeper conversion, following St. Bernard’s emphasis on ongoing transformation to strengthen the Church?
Contemplation of Truth: Reflect on how you perceive truth—do you view it primarily as facts and feasibility, or are you open to the deeper, saving truth that St. Bernard speaks of, which comes through faith and contemplation?
Facing Pain with Humility: How can embracing humility and recognizing your own sinfulness help you to confront personal pain and suffering without transferring it onto others, as discussed in the context of marriage and family?
Pursuit of Salvation: How does acknowledging your need for salvation as a sinner change the way you approach your relationship with God and others, and how might it influence your journey toward spiritual growth?

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF HUMILITY

XII. A permanent attitude of bodily; and spiritual prostration.
XI. The speech of a monk should be short, sensible and in a subdued tone.
X. Abstinence from frequent and light laughter.
IX. Reticence, until asked for his opinion.
VIII. Observance of the general rule of the monastery.
VII. Belief in and declaration of one’s inferiority to others.
VI. Admission and acknowledgment of one’s own unworthiness and uselessness.
V. Confession of sins.
IV. Patient endurance of hardship and severity in a spirit of obedience.
III. Obedient submission to superiors.
II. Forbearance to press personal desire.
I. Constant abstinence from sin for fear of God.

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF PRIDE TAKEN DOWNWARDS

I. Curiosity, when a man allows His sight and other senses to stray after things which do not concern him.
II. An unbalanced state of mind, showing itself in talk unseasonably joyous and sad.
III. Silly merriment exhibited in too frequent laughter.
IV. Conceit expressed in much talking.
V. Eccentricity attaching exaggerated importance to one’s own conduct.
VI. Self-assertion holding oneself to be more pious than others.
VII. Presumption readiness to undertake anything.
VIII. Defense of wrong-doing.
IX. Unreal confession detected when severe penance is imposed.
X. Rebellion against the rules and the brethren.
XI. Liberty to sin.
XII. Habitual transgression.

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 .

HSE4 – St. Ignatius, A Man of the Church – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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St. Ignatius, A Man of the Church – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor reflect on St. Ignatius of Loyola’s deep trust in God’s presence through Scripture, the Church, and creation. Hearing the Word of God can stir the imagination in ways that simple reading may not, inviting us into a more living encounter with Christ. Ignatius himself modeled this attentiveness by discerning God’s guidance through his Church, even in challenging or imperfect circumstances. His obedience to Church authority—rooted in the conviction that Christ speaks through it—shaped the Jesuits’ special vow to serve under the Pope’s mission. For Ignatius, this fidelity was not blind, but grounded in the belief that the Holy Spirit animates the Church as a “hierarchical mother.”

He turns to modern struggles with confusion, criticism, and division fueled by social media and rapid communication. It’s important to discern when the Church is speaking authoritatively in matters of faith and morals, and when leaders are merely offering personal opinions. Using the image of Odysseus tied to the mast, he likens fidelity to Church teaching as the sure safeguard against the alluring “sirens” of cultural voices that distract from God’s truth. Ignatius also perceived God’s sustaining love in creation, finding in even the smallest details of nature a doorway into divine mystery.

Discerning Hearts Catholic Reflection Questions:

How do I allow God’s Word to move from my intellect into my heart through prayerful listening and imagination?
When I hear the Church’s teaching, do I recognize Christ’s voice speaking through her?
How do I respond when faced with confusion or division in the Church today?
Am I willing to trust and follow the Church’s guidance even when it challenges my own preferences?
In what ways can I practice discernment between authoritative Church teaching and personal opinions of leaders?
Where in creation do I notice God’s sustaining presence and love?
Do I allow cultural “sirens” to pull me away from Christ, or do I remain tied to the mast of the Church’s faith and morals?
How can I foster a spirit of patience and docility when the Church deliberates on complex issues?
What does it mean for me personally to “feel with the Church” in the spirit of St. Ignatius?
How does the principle and foundation of the Spiritual Exercises invite me to see all things in relation to God?

Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. Sixth of nine children, raised on a farm in Oregon, Fr. Anthony began religious life in 1994, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy, studying at the Casa Balthasar and the Gregorian. The former was under the watchful patronage of Pope Benedict XVI (then-Card. Joseph Ratzinger). Fr. Anthony currently acts as retreat master at White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri. He also offers spiritual direction at the St. Louis diocesan seminary for 25 future priests there.

SD1 – Journey Through Desolation – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Journey Through Desolation – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore the reality of spiritual desolation through the lens of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s life and teaching; including the Ignatian process of becoming aware, gaining understanding, and then choosing how to act when facing inner movements of the heart. Drawing from St. Ignatius’ conversion, he highlights how worldly pursuits left Ignatius feeling empty, while reflecting on the saints stirred lasting joy—helping him discern God’s call. Spiritual desolation is one of the enemy’s common tactics, often causing discouragement, apathy in prayer, or withdrawal from community life. Recognizing it for what it is allows a person to actively reject it rather than remain trapped by it.

Fr. Gallagher reflects on St. Ignatius’ physical suffering after his leg injury, showing how God can work through painful or even seemingly disastrous circumstances to bring about transformation. Both his struggles and the spiritual struggles of other saints remind us that holiness emerges in the midst of weakness, mistakes, and trials. Discernment is not about dwelling on desolation, but about the hope and freedom found in God’s grace—freedom from discouragement and freedom for deeper prayer, service, and joy in following Christ.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

How can I become more attentive to the inner movements of my heart and notice when I am experiencing spiritual desolation?
When have I mistaken desolation for something like depression or discouragement in daily life?
How do I respond when I sense emptiness after pursuing worldly desires compared to the joy that follows choosing God?
What lessons can I learn from St. Ignatius’ suffering and how God used it to bring about his conversion?
Where might God be working through difficult or painful circumstances in my own life?
How do I tend to act when prayer feels dry or unfruitful—do I persist or pull back?
In what ways can I share my own spiritual struggles so that others may recognize their experiences in mine?
How does recalling the humanity and struggles of the saints encourage me in my own spiritual journey?
What practical steps can I take to reject discouraging thoughts and turn instead toward God’s grace?
How can I grow in “freedom for”—a greater capacity to love and serve God joyfully in my vocation?

From the Prologue of Setting the Captives Free: Personal Reflections on Ignatian Discernment of Spirits:

“Five hundred years ago, Ignatius entered the realm of the heart and crafted a set of guidelines for responding to interior experience, both joyful (spiritual consolation) and discouraging (spiritual desolation), on the spiritual level. These guidelines, when well explained, equip hearers to be aware of, understand the significance of, and take action in response to their spiritual experience. Said differently, they take Christian anthropology—the fact that only in Christ can the human person be understood fully—seriously, and render it operative. When one applies these guidelines, the full Christian understanding of the human person ceases to remain a theological construct and is rendered concretely applicable in daily living. For over three decades, I have seen many apply these guidelines with much fruit.“

For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

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

An Introduction to Discerning Hearts – Part Three: Guide to Spiritual Formation – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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An Introduction to Discerning Hearts – Part Three: How to Use the Discerning Hearts App

Kris McGregor introduces the breadth of spiritual formation resources offered by the apostolate. Listeners are guided through the riches of Ignatian spirituality with Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Fr. Anthony Wieck, Carmelite wisdom with Dr. Anthony Lilles and Fr. Donald Haggerty, Benedictine insights with Fr. Mauritius Wilde, and Dominican teachings with Fr. Thomas McDermott. In addition, even more podcasts from Fr. Paul Hoesing, Fr. Scott Traynor, and Deacon James Keating.

Additional series feature Dr. David Fagerberg on the beauty of the liturgy, Dr. Paul Thigpen on spiritual warfare, and Msgr. John Esseff’s pastoral wisdom shaped by decades of service and encounters with saints. Beyond these, Discerning Hearts offers hundreds of Inside the Pages interviews covering spirituality, prayer, doctrine, and healing. All episodes are free, complete with detailed notes, reflection questions, and resources to accompany us on our journey of deeper union with Christ.

Transcription

Hi, this is Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts. If you’ve ever longed for someone to accompany you step by step on the spiritual journey, Discerning Hearts exists to walk with you. This apostolate was born from a deep desire to help souls encounter Christ through prayer, discernment, and proper spiritual formation.

Wherever you may be in the world, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we want to accompany you with a spirit that seeks to reflect the tenderness and guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We simply want to give what we’ve been given. We are here to console, encourage, and offer spiritual wisdom in the midst of everyday life.

In this episode, we highlight some of the major series and trusted spiritual teachers you’ll encounter on Discerning Hearts. These voices don’t replace the Church—they echo her wisdom and invite you into deeper union with Christ.

Let’s begin with Ignatian spirituality. Father Timothy Gallagher, of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, offers one of the richest collections of resources you’ll find anywhere. He teaches the foundational 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits, helping us become aware of what stirs in our hearts, understand their sources, and respond well.

You’ll also find his teaching on the Examen Prayer, a powerful daily practice that helps you notice the movements of God in your day and grow in awareness of His grace. Father Gallagher also helps us navigate difficult moments in his series on spiritual desolation. When we feel confused, distant, or discouraged in prayer, this series may be especially helpful. For those called deeper, his series on the Second Week Rules of Discernment reveals how the enemy can use subtle deceptions even in committed souls.

These teachings aren’t just theoretical—they’re practical, drawn from the real-life experiences of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and everyday believers. They are meant to help you live in greater freedom. Father Gallagher also leads you into deeper prayer through meditation and contemplation in the Ignatian tradition and teaches how to enter into the rhythm of the Church through praying the Liturgy of the Hours.

Father Anthony Wieck joins this offering with a series on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, unpacking the interior path to holiness laid out in that masterwork of spiritual formation. We also feature a powerful series on discernment by Father Paul Hoesing, rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, who offers insight into how God forms and speaks to the heart—especially helpful for those discerning vocations or seeking deeper clarity in prayer.

Father Scott Traynor’s School of Prayer guides you into deeper relational prayer, helping you foster intimacy with God in daily life. Father Amon Bork offers a tender, accessible series on prayer that meets you wherever you are.

In the Carmelite tradition, Dr. Anthony Lilles walks with us through the spiritual retreats of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, including Heaven in Faith and The Last Retreat, as well as her profound letters. His Beginning to Pray series also includes in-depth teachings on the major works of St. Teresa of Avila—The Life, The Way of Perfection, and The Interior Castle.

Father Donald Haggerty continues this contemplative path with a penetrating journey through the writings of St. John of the Cross, helping us understand God’s purifying love in The Dark Night of the Soul.

From the Benedictine tradition, Fr. Mauritius Wilde offers an in-depth series on the life of St. Benedict and his Holy Rule, showing how stability, obedience, and humility can shape our lives today. Father Thomas McDermott opens up the profound spiritual teachings of St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church, and the treasures of the Dominican tradition.

Dr. David Fagerberg opens our eyes to the mystical beauty of the liturgy in Pathways to Sacred Mysteries. His reflections help us experience the transcendent grace of the Church’s liturgy.

Deacon James Keating, in his uniquely contemplative way, offers sacramental series on Baptism (Born from Above), the Eucharist (The Way of Mystery), and Marriage (Marriage in the Lord). His other teachings—Communion with Christ, The School of Prayer, Listening for Truth, and Heart of Hope—invite us into deeper union with Christ and a more prayerful, interior life, while guiding us to live virtue-centered lives in the world.

Dr. Paul Thigpen’s Manual for Spiritual Warfare equips you with wisdom from Scripture and the saints, helping you stand firm with confidence in Christ. You’ll also find Inside the Pages interviews on spiritual warfare and exorcism, offering theological grounding and practical tools.

Dan Burke’s St. Teresa of Avila and Spiritual Warfare series shows how her teachings can strengthen us in our own battles through prayer, perseverance, and trust in God.

Monsignor John Esseff speaks with the voice of a pastor and shepherd. Formed by great saints such as Padre Pio and Mother Teresa, and serving over 70 years as a priest, retreat master, exorcist, and spiritual director, his words carry the lived experience of holiness.

You’ll also find video retreats on Discerning Hearts featuring Monsignor Esseff, Sister Cor Immaculatum, Father Gallagher, Dr. Lilles, and Deacon Keating. Each guides you in a more immersive retreat experience.

I’d also like to invite you personally to walk with me through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love. Julian’s insights on suffering, love, and mercy continue to speak profoundly today.

You’ll also find reflections by Teresa Monaghan of the Pro Sanctity Movement, Sister Gill Goulding on mercy, Dr. Margaret Turek on the mystery of atonement, and Dr. Regis Martin on foundational Catholic teachings in spirituality and prayer.

All of these series—and many more—can be found in our Spiritual Formation section. And don’t forget our Inside the Pages interviews, with over 500 episodes exploring Catholic spirituality, doctrine, literature, healing, grief, and prayer. These conversations are more than author interviews; they’re spiritual instruction for every stage of life. Best of all, every episode is free.

You may also notice that we’ve been updating our show notes across the platform. Each episode now includes fuller summaries, links to helpful resources, and Discerning Hearts reflection questions to help you go deeper. Whether you’re listening alone, with a friend, or in a group, you don’t have to journey alone.

In our next episode, we’ll walk through the prayers and devotional section—how to pray with the saints, offer novenas in a new way, rediscover the power of prayer, and explore audio books, lectio divina, and much more.

Until then, thank you for listening, and may God meet you in every moment of your day.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor discuss the theological significance of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Msgr. Esseff uses the Assumption as a sign of Mary’s unique role in salvation history, being free from sin and death, like her Son, Jesus Christ. He connects Mary’s Assumption to the broader Christian belief in the resurrection and eternal life; that death has no power over those united with Christ.

He also shares personal reflections on the death of his family members, illustrating the hope and comfort that faith in the resurrection brings; along with the importance of understanding suffering as a way to unite with Christ, echoing Mary’s own participation in the suffering of her Son.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Understanding the Assumption: How does the Assumption of Mary deepen your understanding of the resurrection and eternal life in Christ?
Conquering Death: In what ways does your faith help you to see death not as an end, but as the beginning of eternal life?
Role of Suffering: How can you embrace suffering as a path to unite more closely with Jesus, following the example of Mary?
Mary as a Model: How does Mary’s sinlessness and Assumption inspire you to strive for holiness in your own life?
The Power of the Rosary: How often do you pray the Rosary, and how do you see it as a tool for spiritual warfare and peace?
Personal Reflection on Loss: How do you find comfort in the belief that your loved ones are with Mary and Jesus in heaven?
Living with an Eternal Perspective: How can you cultivate a mindset that sees this life as a prelude to the eternal joy of heaven?

Reading 2 1 COR 15:20-27

Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for “he subjected everything under his feet.”

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He 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. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.

Ep 10 – The 13th Shewing pt. 2 – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor

Episode 10: The Thirteenth Shewing (Part 2) —
God’s Hidden Counsels, His Rightfulness, and His Mercy

Summary:

In this episode, we continue our exploration of Julian of Norwich’s Thirteenth Shewing, set against the vibrant faith of 14th-century Norwich. We consider the Church’s clear teaching on heaven, hell, and purgatory, and how Julian’s mystical visions always remained anchored in that truth. She reflects on the “great Secret” God keeps hidden until the appointed time and the truths He reveals through the Church, urging us to trust His timing. Julian then unfolds the harmony of God’s “Rightfulness” — His perfect justice and order — with His unfailing mercy that lifts us from our falls. Finally, she shows us how the Lord calls us tenderly back to Himself, saying, “I am enough to thee,” and how miracles, often preceded by trials, are given to strengthen our faith, increase our hope, and draw us deeper into His love.

For other episodes in this series visit: All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor

Full Julian of Norwich Quotations Used in Episode 10:

From Revelations of Divine Love, Long Text, Chapters XXXIII-XXXVI, trans. Grace Warrack, Methuen & Co., 1901 (PDF edition).

Holding Fast to the Faith

“I desired, as [far] as I durst, that I might have full sight of Hell and Purgatory. But it was not my meaning to make proof of anything that belongeth to the Faith: for I believed soothfastly that Hell and Purgatory is for the same end that Holy Church teacheth, but my meaning was that I might have seen, for learning in all things that belong to my Faith: whereby I might live the more to God’s worship and to my profit.”(Ch. 33)

“For though the Revelation was made of goodness in which was made little mention of evil, yet I was not drawn thereby from any point of the Faith that Holy Church teacheth me to believe. For I had sight of the Passion of Christ in diverse Shewings, the First, the Second, the Fifth, and the Eighth, wherein I had in part a feeling of the sorrow of our Lady, and of His true friends that saw Him in pain; but I saw not so properly specified the Jews that did Him to death. Notwithstanding, I knew in my Faith that they were accursed and condemned without end, saving those that converted, by grace.” (Ch. 33)

God’s Secrets and Our Understanding

“Our Lord God shewed two manner of secret things. One is this great Secret [Counsel] with all the privy points that belong thereto: and these secret things He willeth we should know [as being, but as] hid until the time that He will clearly shew them to us. The other are the secret things that He willeth to make open and known to us; for He would have us understand that it is His will that we should know them. They are secrets to us not only for that He willeth that they be secrets to us, but they are secrets to us for our blindness and our ignorance; and thereof He hath great ruth, and therefore He will Himself make them more open to us, whereby we may know Him and love Him and cleave to Him. For all that is speedful for us to learn and to know, full courteously will our Lord shew us: and [of] that is this [Shewing], with all the preaching and teaching of Holy Church.” (Ch. 34)

God’s Rightfulness and Mercy

“Rightfulness is that thing that is so good that [it] may not be better than it is. For God Himself is very Rightfulness, and all His works are done rightfully as they are ordained from without beginning by His high Might, His high Wisdom, His high Goodness. And right as He ordained unto the best, right so He worketh continually, and leadeth it to the same end; and He is ever full-pleased with Himself and with all His works.” (Ch. 35)

“And Mercy is a working that cometh of the goodness of God, and it shall last in working all along, as sin is suffered to pursue rightful souls. And when sin hath no longer leave to pursue, then shall the working of mercy cease, and then shall all be brought to rightfulness and therein stand without end. And by His sufferance we fall; and in His blissful Love with His Might and His Wisdom we are kept; and by mercy and grace we are raised to manifold more joys.

Thus in Rightfulness and Mercy He willeth to be known and loved, now and without end. And the soul that wisely beholdeth it in grace, it is well pleased with both, and endlessly enjoyeth.” (Ch. 35)

God’s Loving Call and the Gift of Miracles

“As long as we are in this life, what time that we by our folly turn us to the beholding of the reproved, tenderly our Lord God toucheth us and blissfully calleth us, saying in our soul: Let be all thy love, my dearworthy child: turn thee to me — I am enough to thee — and enjoy in thy Saviour and in thy salvation. And that this is our Lord’s working in us, I am sure the soul that hath understanding therein by grace shall see it and feel it.

And though it be so that this deed be truly taken for the general Man, yet it excludeth not the special. For what our good Lord will do by His poor creatures, it is now unknown to me.” (Ch. 36)

“He gave special understanding and teaching of working of miracles, as thus: — It is known that I have done miracles here afore, many and diverse, high and marvellous, worshipful and great. And so as I have done, I do now continually, and shall do in coming of time.

It is known that afore miracles come sorrow and anguish and tribulation; and that is for that we should know our own feebleness and our mischiefs that we are fallen in by sin, to meeken us and make us to dread God and cry for help and grace. Miracles come after that, and they come of the high Might, Wisdom, and Goodness of God, shewing His virtue and the joys of Heaven so far at it may be in this passing life: and that to strengthen our faith and to increase our hope, in charity. Wherefore it pleaseth Him to be known and worshipped in miracles. Then signifieth He thus: He willeth that we be not borne over low for sorrow and tempests that fall to us: for it hath ever so been afore miracle-coming.” (Ch. 36)

Scripture Featured

(Translations used: Revised Standard Version [RSV] )

(1 Timothy 2:4, RSV)

“This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

(John 16:12, RSV)

“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“The Church, ‘the pillar and bulwark of the truth,’ faithfully guards ‘the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints’. She guards the memory of Christ’s words; it is she who from generation to generation hands on the apostles’ confession of faith. As a mother who teaches her children to speak and so to understand and communicate, the Church our Mother teaches us the language of faith in order to introduce us to the understanding and the life of faith.” (CCC 171, quoting 1 Timothy 3:15 and Jude 3)

“Thanks to the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the understanding of both the realities and the words of the heritage of faith is able to grow in the life of the Church:
‘through the contemplation and study of believers who ponder these things in their hearts’;
‘from the intimate sense of spiritual realities which [believers] experience’;
‘from the preaching of those who have received, along with their right of succession in the episcopate, the sure charism of truth.’”

“The last judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life… Then through his Son Jesus Christ he will pronounce the final word on all history.” (CCC 1039)

“By his providence God protects and governs all things which he has made, ‘reaching mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and ordering all things well.’ For ‘all are open and laid bare to his eyes,’ even those things which are yet to come into existence through the free action of creatures.” (CCC 302)

“The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him. To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what they ask. So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does his Father’s works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God. ” (CCC 548).

Reflection Questions for Prayer

How does Julian’s teaching on God’s “great Secret” encourage you to trust Him with unanswered questions in your life?
In what ways do you see God’s rightfulness and mercy working together in your own spiritual journey?
When distractions pull your heart away from God, how might you respond to His gentle invitation, “Turn thee to me—I am enough to thee”?
Have there been moments in your life when trials seemed to precede an unexpected grace or “miracle”? How did that shape your faith?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
You are our Rightfulness and our Mercy.
In Your wisdom, You reveal what our hearts can bear,
and in Your love, You keep hidden what must wait for eternity.
Draw our hearts away from distractions,
fix our gaze upon You,
and prepare us to welcome Your miracles in Your time.
Grant that we may live in the hope of Your promises,
trusting that all shall be made well in You,
who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Amen.

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Eucharist and Moral Living – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009

For more visit Vatican.va

St. Bernard and the 12 Steps to Humility and Pride – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF HUMILITY

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF PRIDE TAKEN DOWNWARDS

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

St. Ignatius, A Man of the Church – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

Discerning Hearts Catholic Reflection Questions:

Journey Through Desolation – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

An Introduction to Discerning Hearts – Part Three: How to Use the Discerning Hearts App

Transcription

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Reading 2 1 COR 15:20-27

All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor

Episode 10: The Thirteenth Shewing (Part 2) — God’s Hidden Counsels, His Rightfulness, and His Mercy

Full Julian of Norwich Quotations Used in Episode 10:

Holding Fast to the Faith

God’s Secrets and Our Understanding

God’s Rightfulness and Mercy

God’s Loving Call and the Gift of Miracles

Scripture Featured

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Reflection Questions for Prayer

Closing Prayer

Episode 10: The Thirteenth Shewing (Part 2) —
God’s Hidden Counsels, His Rightfulness, and His Mercy