Day 1 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart

Day 1 -Intrinsic Value of Women

From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Woman naturally seeks to embrace that which is living, personal, and whole. To cherish, guard, protect, nourish, and advance growth is her natural maternal yearning.*

Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) emphasizes the nurturing and protective instincts inherent in women. These qualities are essential not only in family life but also in broader societal contexts. They highlight the unique contributions women make, focusing on their capacity to support and foster growth in others. Edith Stein, a philosopher and convert to Catholicism, explored the role of women deeply in her writings, seeing it as a vital part of her faith journey. How can you embrace and value your unique qualities, beyond what you do or achieve?

Woman naturally seeks to embrace that which is living, personal, and whole. To cherish, guard, protect, nourish, and advance growth is her natural maternal yearning.*

Embrace your God-given gifts, such as compassion and empathy. Recognize these traits as strengths that reflect the nurturing aspect of God’s love, contributing positively to your relationships and community. Consider how you can use these gifts in service to others, following the example of the Virgin Mary, who is a model of maternal care and devotion.

A Prayer of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You. Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me. I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me and I shall meet with peace

All-powerful, ever-living God,

you gave Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

the courage to witness to the gospel of Christ

even to the point of giving her life for it.

By her prayers, help us to endure all suffering for love of you

and to seek you with all our hearts,

for you alone are the source of life.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

*Citation: Edith Stein, Essays on Woman, p. 8, ICS Publications.

For the complete 9-Day St. Teresa of Benedicta Novena for the Discerning Hearts visit here

A Novena in Honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri – Day 4 – Mp3 audio and Text

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A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary

Day 4 – Strengthening the Reasons to be Joyful

1. Our gratitude requires it. We have an obligation to be thankful for the spiritual goods we possess. How will we ever show enough appreciation for them unless we really enjoy them and celebrate them?
2. Our honor demands it. How can we rejoice and show gratitude [for spiritual goods] if we are sad and melancholy? One would enjoy, most certainly, being favored by a prince, receiving worldly riches and the hope for even more. Do we have any excuse for not enjoying being favored by God, receiving spiritual riches and the well-founded hope of eternal riches yet to come?
3. Sacred Scripture testifies that God’s manifest desire is our joy. Here are some of the Lord’s invitations:
• “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
• “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
• “I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12)
• “Nothing is more delightful than joy of the heart.” (Sirach 30:16)
• “Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because your works are pleasing to God.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7)
• “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; exult, all you upright of heart.” (Psalm 32:11)”

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to open my heart to your gifts of consolation. Even if I struggle, I will rejoice that you are with me.

Daily Novena Prayer

Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, “It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything.” You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.

By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.

O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Begin Again” Discerning Hearts series

A Novena in Honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary

Day 3 – Turning toward Spiritual Joy

“Spiritual joy is experienced when one ponders the spiritual goods it possesses. What are these goods? Participation in the divine nature (as children of God), union with Jesus Christ, being in the bosom of the Church as her children, God’s special protection, the gifts of the theological virtues, the Sacraments, the communion of saints, grace, friendship with God, the merits of our actions, the glory of heaven that is already almost ours by the firm hope we have (as a son already almost possesses the inheritance that awaits him from his father).

This is the joy that we must seek. Few possess it, because they fail to call these
goods to mind and fail to understand how valuable they are. They are like people who never stop to look at a beautiful painting, or to listen to beautiful music, and really enjoy them. They are like children who possess precious things but do not realize how valuable
they are. Such people fail to ponder and take delight in the state of grace.

Unlike worldly joy, spiritual joy is true joy; it is not based on anything false or illusory. It is to be preferred to all else, because it is good, holy, and superior to anything temporal. Spiritual joy is angelic, because the angels themselves experience it. It is real, and it strengthens.”

Daily Novena Prayer

By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Begin Again” Discerning Hearts series

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts podcast

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O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel,
when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel,
you gave assurance of your Motherly love
and help to those faithful to you and to your Son.
Behold us, your children.

We glory in wearing your holy habit,
which makes us members of your family of Carmel,
through which we shall have your powerful protection in life,
at death and even after death.

Look down with love,
O Gate of Heaven,
on all those now in their last agony!

Look down graciously,
O Virgin, Flower of Carmel,
on all those in need of help!

Look down mercifully,
O Mother of our Savior,
on all those who do not know
that they are numbered among your children.

Look down tenderly,
O Queen of All Saints,
on the poor souls!
(State your request here…)

Recite the following prayers…

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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You give us hope,

O Mother of Mercy,
that through your Scapular promise
we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory
to the Kingdom of your Son.
Be our comfort and our hope.

Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that,
ever faithful to your Son and to you,
we may speedily enjoy after death
the blessed company of Jesus and the saints.
(State your request here…)

Recite the following prayers…

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena - Text and Mp3 audio download 9

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 9

O adorable Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe what your holy Word teaches. I believe that you were made a priest forever by the solemn oath of your eternal Father and that you offer sacrifices forever. I believe that you offer the most sublime, holy and pure sacrifice most pleasing to God in the fire of your love, your Heart, your infinite merits, even your entire self. I believe that the most profound compassion of your priestly Heart impels you to carry on the function of your priesthood forever and ever in order to reconcile your Father with us and to offer him adoration, praise and thanksgiving for us as well to entreat him and grant us every needed grace.

Inspired by this faith I come to you, O loving Jesus. I place all my needs with great confidence in your priestly Heart and upon the altar of your Heart. The eternal Father cannot refuse anything to such a priest and his sacrifice. Remember me then in all the Masses in which you offer yourself today throughout the world. Let your petition ascend from your Sacred Heart that the eternal Father may decide, through your merits, to forgive me all my sins which I detest from the bottom of my heart and in his fatherly love to grant me the grace for which I have so ardently pleaded during this novena (mention your request). O Sacred Heart, if the heavenly Father grants this request for your sake it will redound to your own glory because it will be a testimony to your Father’s love for you. Procure this honor for yourself and from the sanctuary of heaven bring to me this desired grace so that my faith in you may be strengthened and my love of you may be more enkindled, O loving and priestly Heart of Jesus. Amen.
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O Divine Jesus who has said, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)

From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?

To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.

But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.

Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.

Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm. Give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.

Completion of the novena requires recitation of: Litany of the Sacred Heart; Act of Reparation; Petition to the Sacred Heart; Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory.

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Sacred Heart Novena – Day 8

My God and my Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe it to be an undeniable truth. I believe it firmly, O Jesus, that you are my good shepherd. Even if you had not said it, I would believe it because I know that you have in my behalf always manifested the heart of a good shepherd. Would that I, during my entire life, had permitted the goodness and solicitude of your Heart to lead me; would that I had never departed from your side, for then I would not have suffered so much misery and tribulation. But alas, I was untrue to you so often that in consequence I fell into the abyss of sin and was mortally wounded. Now, however, your straying lamb calls to you from the depths of its misery.

O my Good Shepherd, have mercy on me; give me proof again of your compassionate Heart. After all that you have thus far done for me, I cannot believe that your Heart will reject me. Consequently, I beseech this Heart, I embrace it with confidence; and conjure you by all your merits that you obtain for me from your heavenly Father the forgiveness of my sins and the grace for a complete conversion. And then I also pray for the grace of (mention your request) which I am so much in need and which I hope to receive as the fruit of this novena. O Heart of the Good Shepherd, have mercy on me. Amen
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O Divine Jesus who has said, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena - Text and Mp3 audio download 7

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 7

O my Divine Savior, according to the words of the Holy Scriptures, you are in truth our advocate before our Father. You have freely taken this office upon yourself and unceasingly exercise it with faithful and loving zeal for all who trust in you. Your influence with the Father is so great he will not refuse you. He always hears you as you have testified at the grave of Lazarus. Filled with this faith and with confidence in your Compassionate Heart I come to you to plead my cause. I have offended your Father and have called the anger of his Majesty upon myself. I am heavily indebted to his strict justice. I have nothing with which to pay the debt and therefore must fear the punishment. Besides all this, I am in the present need of the request I place before you (mention your request) where only the power of the Father can help me. For the salvation of my soul I sorely need this grace.

O may it come to me from the riches of your Father. O my beloved advocate, from your throne in heaven to your Father and to my Father, to your God and to my God, reconcile me with him. Repay my debts out of the infinite treasury of your merits and obtain for me assistance in my present trial and the grace that I need so much. In the “Our Father” you have composed a prayer with which I will now approach the Father. Accompany me and with the fervor and power of your most Sacred Heart as my mediator, say with me: Our Father, who are in heaven…
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O Divine Jesus who has said, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Sacred Heart Novena – Day 6

O Jesus, my divine model and teacher, what can I do when I see you the Son of the Eternal Father, full of glory and honor, laden with the cross, walking the awful road to death, especially when thereby you show me the way to salvation without selfishness but only for my benefit? O Jesus, what can I do but have faith in you and return your love by at least bearing my trials in patience and humility. And this, particularly, my God, because I have so often experienced the great power that my passions have over me, and how seldom I can withstand the temptations of the world. How hard do I not find it to deny myself the pleasure to mortify my desires and to renounce the false splendor of the world although I know full well that all these things so easily lead me into sin.

O give me strength to resist my passions and close my eyes to the allurements and charms of the world, help me to imitate your poverty, purity and humility, and send me trials. Therefore, if it be the Father’s holy will, permit me to drink all of your chalice of suffering. Heart of Jesus, burning for love of me, inflame my heart with love for you.

O Divine Jesus who has said, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts

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Sacred Heart Novena – Day 5

O Divine Savior, the infinite love of your Sacred Heart was so inflamed for us that it brought you as a sacrifice of propitiation for our sins to the altar of the cross. You have given us the wounded Heart and kept it open not only that we might find therein a protection against the justice of the Eternal Father whom we have offended by our sins but also that this source of grace and mercy may always be open to us in our needs.

Why then do I come to you so seldom and so indifferently? Why do I not fly to this source of all grace? O dearest Jesus forgive me these insults which through want of confidence in you I have so often committed against you. Behold, I now come to you with living faith with the intention never to leave you. Here I shall seek what I need so much, first the forgiveness of my sins, the grace to do better, and then I pray for your assistance in my present need.
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart

Day 1 -Intrinsic Value of Women

A Prayer of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

For the complete 9-Day St. Teresa of Benedicta Novena for the Discerning Hearts visit here

For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Begin Again” Discerning Hearts series

For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Begin Again” Discerning Hearts series

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 9

Completion of the novena requires recitation of: Litany of the Sacred Heart; Act of Reparation; Petition to the Sacred Heart; Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory.

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 8

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 7

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 6

Sacred Heart Novena – Day 5

For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Begin Again” Discerning Hearts series

For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Begin Again” Discerning Hearts series