Chapter 26: The Essence of All Prayer – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Chapter 26 – The Essence of All Prayer

“Prayer is trying to raise our minds and hearts to God.” – Cardinal Basil Hume

Prayer is ‘gently’ trying to raise the heart and mind to God. Our endeavour will lead us nowhere without God’s help. In God’s time, not ours, the Holy Spirit will reward those of good will who have persevered despite human failures.

You can find the book here.

This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.

In the foreword to this new book from OSV, “How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life,” Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,

“There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours.”⁠

This is not your standard “prayer book” – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.⁠

Endorsement

“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”

Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.

Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.

The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.

SP26 – Episode 26 – Read This: Chance or the Dance – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 26 – Read This: Chance or the Dance

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.

BTP-IC33 – Sixth Mansions Chapter 10 part 2 – The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Podcast

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In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 10 part 2 of the “Interior Castle” which covers:

SPEAKS OF VARIOUS OTHER GRACES GOD BESTOWS ON THE SOUL IN DIFFERENT WAYS, AND OF THE GREAT BENEFITS CONFERRED BY THEM.

1. Reasons for speaking of these supernatural favours. 2. An intellectual vision. 3. God compared to a palace in which His creatures dwell. 4. Forgive as we are forgiven. 5. The vision shows God to be Truth itself. 6. We should imitate God by truthfulness. 7. Why God reveals these truths.

For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the “Interior Castle” by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here

For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page

For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts “The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles”

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.

The Hope in Difficult Times DH Retreat – A conversation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

IN-PERSON RETREAT REGISTRATION

Sign up below for the full 4 Day in-person retreat with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Spiritual Conferences, time for personal prayer, Daily Mass, opportunities for Confession, and Daily Holy Hours all set in the backdrop of the beautiful quiet atmosphere of the St. Benedict Center, in Schuyler, Nebraska, USA

In-person Retreat Information and Registration

The In-Person Retreat –

This experience is for those who wish to retreat into an atmosphere of shared simplicity, a time of reflection, prayer, and social interaction. The aim of the retreat is to help individuals integrate Christian spirituality more fully in their own lives and their families, as well as the world around them.

The sessions comprise of an initial lecture, individual silent reading on selected texts, small-group discussion, and big group sharing then synthesis. The directors of the seminar initially will present the texts, and the group coordinators will guide the discussions.

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist will be offered daily. Reconciliation will be available, as well as times of Eucharistic Adoration.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION

Sign up below for the 4 Day of live webinar conference talks from Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Spiritual Conferences for 4 days, special group webinar Q and A with Fr. Timothy Gallagher, and access to all seminar videos after the event

Webinar Information and Registration

The Webinar Conferences –

This experience is for those who cannot attend the extensive in-person retreat. You will be able to access the 8 conference talks and handouts offered during the retreat.

There will be an opportunity for the webinar community to have exclusive Q & A sessions with Fr. Gallagher.

Webinar participants will have access to archived videos following the retreat.

Hope in Difficult Times

– Are you challenged by the daily struggles in your life?
– Have your plans for your life changed in ways you never expected?
– Are you anxious about the events that swirl around you, financial concerns, culture shifts, and upheavals on the local and world stage?
– Are you fearful for the future of children, family members, and other loved ones as you see them struggle?
– Has your trust and faith in God been shaken by illnesses and even the death of loved ones?

This retreat is for those who are looking for hope in difficult times!

Fr. Timothy Gallagher reflects on the lives of St. Thérèse, Sts. Zelie and Louis, Servant of God Leonie, and many others from the Martin family during this special time of retreat! The retreatants will often hear in the family’s own words, through their letters and other writings, how they too were challenged by the same things that affect us today. How they struggled and persevered through all the above questions to become the beloved family of saints we know today.

Is this type of trust in God and holiness really possible for us? Yes, it is! It is a challenge, sometimes painfully so, but the good news is that we are not alone!

During this retreat, you will learn more about the Martin family and the sometimes harrowing struggles they endured during their lifetimes, both individually and together as a family. Their witness of love for God and for each other shines like a beacon for all of us who struggle on the stormy seas of life.

You will also meet those saintly friends that assisted the Martin’s in their spiritual journey! St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (the family believed her intercession aided the healing of a very sick Leonie as a child), St. Augustine (a favorite of St. Louis), St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, and even St. Clare of Assisi (did you know St. Zelie was a Third Order Franciscan?). And in the center of them all, we will find the tender loving care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the burning love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Angelic Realm and the Celebration of the Holy Mass – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Angelic Realm, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the magnificence of the Throne of God

Isaiah Chap 6:1-4

1 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne,a with the train of his garment filling the temple.

2 Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they hovered.b

3 One cried out to the other:

“Holy, holy, holy* is the LORD of hosts!

All the earth is filled with his glory!”

4 At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar.

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, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

ST-Luke Ep 8 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 3 Part 2 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 8 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 3 Part 2

A Voice Cries Out

“Nothing is impossible with God.” Our lecture this week opens with this reassuring statement, taken from Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary. We recall from last week that Mary was the singular blessed woman of the New Testament who, through Jesus, fulfills the prophecy of Genesis 3:15, and crushes the head of Satan. Mary’s power against Satan is also present in the Rosary, whose mysteries are meditations on the life of Christ. Many popes and saints have attested to the power of the Rosary: as described by Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the power of the Rosary is beyond description. At the famous Battle of Lepanto, victory against the invading Ottoman empire is attributed to the power of the Rosary.

Through her fiat, Mary displays her great humility, which stands in stark contrast to the pride of Satan. It is no surprise, then, that the lowly shepherds are the first to hear the angel’s announcement of the Messiah’s birth.

Last week, we learned of the head-crushing women of the Bible, which raises the question: are there any head-crushing men in the Bible? This brings us to the story of David. We learn in 1 Samuel that through a miraculous conception, Hannah gives birth to Samuel, who she offers back to the Lord for service in the temple. The Israelites at that time clamored for a king and the Lord appeases them by having Samuel anoint Saul as the first king of Israel. Under the ineffective Saul, the Israelites are on the verge of being conquered by the Philistines. Samuel enters the picture once again, and at the Lord’s direction, anoints David. The spirit of the Lord comes upon the young David, who kills the Philistine giant Goliath with a single rock throw from his sling and then cuts off his head. The Philistines flee and Israel triumphs. Blessed be David, another head crusher of the enemy!

Before turning our attention to Luke’s genealogy of Jesus, we spend some time looking at Mary’s lineage. While scripture does not directly say that Mary was from the line of David, a number of clues are present that would lead us to believe she was. In response to the Roman census, Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, which Luke calls the “City of David” indicating the birthplace of the famous king of Israel. Many of the Church fathers conclude that Mary is from David’s line, including Ignatius of Antioch and Justin Martyr.

As we then move to the proclamation of John the Baptist, the new Elijah predicted in Malachi 4. John also fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3, “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” John preached a baptism of repentance, while Jesus baptizes into the trinity. John’s purpose was to glorify Jesus, who in turn glorifies the Father.

We then dig deeper into the genealogies of Luke and Matthew. How is it that they list different ancestors of Jesus? The answer is these genealogies are much theological as historical. Matthew is Jewish, speaks to a Jewish audience and stresses Jewish themes. He describes three separate groups of 14 generations leading to Jesus: Abraham to David, David to the Babylonian exile, the end of the exile to the birth of Jesus. In the Hebrew gematria, David corresponds to the number 14. In essence, by describing three groups of 14 generations, Matthew is proclaiming “David, David, David.” Jesus is the new David. Also, three groups of 14 generations gives a total of 42 generations, which is the number of Israel’s encampments as they leave Egypt for the promised land. Jesus is the new Moses.

In contrast, Luke is gentile by birth, writing to a more universal audience. He does not necessarily stress the Davidic line of Jesus nor does he begin with Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith. Rather, he traces Jesus’ lineage all the way to Adam, who Luke describes as the son of God. Jesus, the Son of God, is the New Adam. In addition, Luke lists 77 generations, which reminds us of the “seventy of sevens” or 490 years from Daniel to the arrival of Jesus, as predicted by the angel Gabriel in Daniel 9. Seventy-seven also reminds us of the need to forgive: Jesus tells his apostles that they must forgive their brother “seventy times seven” times.

Jesus is the New David, the New Moses, the New Adam. He is the perfection of forgiveness.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more, go to www.seekingtruth.net

BWPM 4 – Hearts Raised in Supplication – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast

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Episode 4 – Hearts Raised in Supplication – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Collect

Almighty and merciful God (we lift our heart to you, loving Father, who are infinitely powerful and whose mercy knows no limits),

graciously keep from us all adversity (we pray for freedom from physical, moral, and spiritual harm),

so that, unhindered in mind and body alike (not weighed down by burdens of mind and body),

we may pursue in freedom of heart (our hearts may be truly free to pursue what is most important: a great grace!)

the things that are yours (love of God, love of neighbor, doing God’s will, living our vocations, eternal life; we ask for freedom to live in the way God desires, in the light of his Word),

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy. A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 39-40). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in the A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcast series, visit here

You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here

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

For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here

SP25 – Episode 25 – Only God Could Tell This Tale – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 25 – Only God Could Tell This Tale

Chapter 25: An Overarching Principle – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Chapter 25 – An Overarching Principle

“Pray as you can, not as you can’t.” – Dom John Chapman

Ways, methods or techniques of prayer are only a means to an end. There are no perfect means, just different means for different people at different stages of their spiritual journey.

You can find the book here.

In the foreword to this new book from OSV, “How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life,” Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,

Endorsement

Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.

WM22 – Vatican II – Lumen Gentium part 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

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Episode 22 Vatican II – Lumen Gentium pt. 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we begin a conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church

Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 21 November 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5. As is customary with significant Roman Catholic Church documents, it is known by its incipit, “Lumen Gentium”, Latin for “Light of the Nations”.

The eight chapters of the document can be paired thematically: chapters one and two treat the church’s nature and historical existence, chapters three and four treat different roles in the church, chapters five and six treat holiness and religious life, while chapters seven and eight discuss the saints and Mary.

An excerpt from Lumen Gentium:

1. Christ is the Light of nations. Because this is so, this Sacred Synod gathered together in the Holy Spirit eagerly desires, by proclaiming the Gospel to every creature,(1) to bring the light of Christ to all men, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the Church. Since the Church is in Christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole human race, it desires now to unfold more fully to the faithful of the Church and to the whole world its own inner nature and universal mission. This it intends to do following faithfully the teaching of previous councils. The present-day conditions of the world add greater urgency to this work of the Church so that all men, joined more closely today by various social, technical and cultural ties, might also attain fuller unity in Christ.

Another excerpt:

10. Christ the Lord, High Priest taken from among men,(100) made the new people “a kingdom and priests to God the Father”.(101) The baptized, by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are consecrated as a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, in order that through all those works which are those of the Christian man they may offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the power of Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.(102) Therefore all the disciples of Christ, persevering in prayer and praising God,(103) should present themselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.(104) Everywhere on earth they must bear witness to Christ and give an answer to those who seek an account of that hope of eternal life which is in them.(105)

Though they differ from one another in essence and not only in degree, the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood are nonetheless interrelated: each of them in its own special way is a participation in the one priesthood of Christ.(2*) The ministerial priest, by the sacred power he enjoys, teaches and rules the priestly people; acting in the person of Christ, he makes present the Eucharistic sacrifice, and offers it to God in the name of all the people. But the faithful, in virtue of their royal priesthood, join in the offering of the Eucharist.(3*) They likewise exercise that priesthood in receiving the sacraments, in prayer and thanksgiving, in the witness of a holy life, and by self-denial and active charity.

For the documents of Vatican II visit here

For more episodes in this series visit the

Chapter 26: The Essence of All Prayer – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

SP26 – Episode 26 – Read This: Chance or the Dance – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Episode 26 – Read This: Chance or the Dance

BTP-IC33 – Sixth Mansions Chapter 10 part 2 – The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 10 part 2 of the “Interior Castle” which covers:

The Hope in Difficult Times DH Retreat – A conversation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

IN-PERSON RETREAT REGISTRATION

Sign up below for the full 4 Day in-person retreat with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Spiritual Conferences, time for personal prayer, Daily Mass, opportunities for Confession, and Daily Holy Hours all set in the backdrop of the beautiful quiet atmosphere of the St. Benedict Center, in Schuyler, Nebraska, USA

WEBINAR REGISTRATION

Sign up below for the 4 Day of live webinar conference talks from Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Spiritual Conferences for 4 days, special group webinar Q and A with Fr. Timothy Gallagher, and access to all seminar videos after the event

Hope in Difficult Times

The Angelic Realm and the Celebration of the Holy Mass – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

ST-Luke Ep 8 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 3 Part 2 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Episode 8 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 3 Part 2

A Voice Cries Out

For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.

BWPM 4 – Hearts Raised in Supplication – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast

Episode 4 – Hearts Raised in Supplication – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

For more episodes in the A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcast series, visit here

For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here

SP25 – Episode 25 – Only God Could Tell This Tale – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Episode 25 – Only God Could Tell This Tale

Chapter 25: An Overarching Principle – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

WM22 – Vatican II – Lumen Gentium part 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

Episode 22 Vatican II – Lumen Gentium pt. 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

For the documents of Vatican II visit here

Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org