Discernment of Spirits 1 Archives

IP#284 Fr. Mike Driscoll – “Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment” on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

In “Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment : Separating Fact from Fiction about the Spirit World” Fr. Mike Driscoll offers a fascinating glimpse into a subject much discussed these days. Published by the great folks at Catholic Answers, this work is informative and well researched. Fr. Driscoll is a counselor/chaplain and did his doctoral dissertation on the area of possession and exorcism. He covers many areas in this work, including possession and exorcism in Sacred Scripture and in various cultures. How a diagnosis is made in regards to a particular activity and the discernment process which actually ascertains whether or not the occurrence is rooted in a psychological issue or something potentially demonic is rather interesting.

One chapter in particular was a standout for me: it was entitled the “Deliverance Drama”. This portion of the book will bring peace of mind to many and for others shake up particular paradigms. Fr. Driscoll makes the strong point that this area of “ministry” for laity is not found in any official authorized rite or teaching issued by the Roman Catholic magisterium. When practiced by laity, they are actually working “outside” of the genuine authority of Roman Catholic Church. Founded by what Fr. Driscoll terms “deliverance professionals” (for again there is nothing in the Roman Catholic Church which authorizes this activity to be truly termed “deliverance ministry”), he offers a strong cautionary note to Catholic laity who participate in these “rituals” founded in Protestant practices. He offers plenty of warnings regarding this and suggests what true lay involvement could be in this area (if any). A very interesting chapter indeed.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 25.6MB) | Embed

You can find here

From the book publisher, Catholic Answers Press:

Drawing on his experience as a priest and counselor, and on his research with exorcists, Fr. Driscoll clears up many popular misconceptions about demons and the spirit world and offers sound information and pastoral advice rooted in Catholic tradition, including: – What we know about demons from history, Scripture, and Church teaching -How to tell whether personal problems come from mental illnesses or demonic attacks – What exorcists actually do and don t do when they help people suffering possession – Why homemade deliverance ministries are not a truly Catholic way to counter the influence of demons – Authentic prayers and practices that will make evil spirits flee and invite God s grace into your heart The devil has designs on our soul and hosts of wickedness who want to win it for him. Know your enemy! Read Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment and prepare yourself for the fight.

IP#295 Dr. Peter Kreeft – How to be Holy on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Video Podcast

Once again a spiritual classic has been given to us from the prolific Catholic philosopher Dr. Peter Kreeft!. “How to be Holy: First Steps in Becoming a Saint” derives it’s direction from the incredible “Abandonment to Divine Providence” by Jean-Pierre de Caussade, S.J. and it’s simple message that God reveals himself through the daily events of our lives. How we respond is the key to faith and our opportunity to grow in holiness. Do you place your trust the Father’s will? Can you respond in love? Do you truly believe Romans 8:28 “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (RSV)? To be holy, we must take the first step…Dr. Kreeft shows us the way. Outstanding!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:18 — 974.9MB) | Embed

You can find the book here

From the book description:

The ever-popular and prolific Peter Kreeft says that the most important question he has written about is how one becomes holy; or to put it another way, how one becomes a saint. This question is central to all the great religions, Kreeft demonstrates, for striving toward holiness, moving toward perfect love, is the whole purpose of life.

Kreeft admits that he is only a beginner on the climb to holiness, and it is to novices like him that he has written this engaging and encouraging book. Using the insights and experiences of saints and great spiritual writers throughout history, Kreeft shows what holiness is and how it can be achieved.

IP#219 Fr. Kenneth Baker S.J. – The Will of God on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“The Will of God: Finding and Fulfilling Your Purpose in Life” is a great book which uses the great Psalm 119 to help us in the area of discernment. Taking a lifetime of steeped in prayer and sound theology, Fr. Baker gives us a unique and penetrating resource to aid in our growth in the areas of contemplation and discernment. Father Baker was the editor of Homiletic & Pastoral Review for more than 40 years, and currently serves as Editor Emeritus of the online edition. He was a joy to talk with and to learn from….not to be missed for the discerning heart!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:11 — 47.9MB) | Embed

You can find the book here

“Father Baker helps us to discover God’s will and, what is even more, important how to live God’s will! He uses the Holy Scriptures,the teaching of the Church and the saints to help us become holy and transformed into the saints that God created us to be. Read this book and discover what God wants you to do!” —Fr. Larry Richards, Author, Be a Man!

IP#131 Fr. Louis Cameli – The Devil You Do Not Know on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“The Devil You Don’t Know: Recognizing and Resisting Evil in Everyday Life” is not about some “sensationalistic” overview of the “creepy”, instead it is a solid resource for those seeking to vanquish the ordinary means in which evil disrupts and damages our spiritual lives. Highly recommended, I’ve passed this book along to many.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (25.6MB) | Embed

You can find this book here

Publisher’s Weekly says it well:

In some ways, it’s easy to believe in a devil who makes heads spin round and enables people to levitate. Ubiquitous movies and books about possession and exorcism have trained spiritual seekers to identify evil by its expected Hollywood conventions. By contrast, Rev. Louis J. Cameli, nationally renowned pastoral leader and priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, paints a challenging, unsettling portrait of the devil as a formidable adversary who works great harm, often in quiet, less-seen ways.

While remaining a fixture of popular culture, the devil has–until now–been largely ignored in contemporary spiritual writing. Cameli exposes the devil’s tactics of deception, division, diversion, and discouragement, in individuals and also in institutions. This thoroughly biblical, deft exploration considers the personal and social dimensions of sin, and offers both enlightenment and hope in the power of Christ at work to overcome evil.

Exorcism and Deliverance – What is the difference? – Discerning Hearts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:57 — 14.6MB) | Embed

Part 1: Msgr. Esseff describes the difference between Exorcism and Deliverance:

The role of the Bishop and the priest. The power we have by virtue of our baptism. What is possession? What is a curse? The rite of Exorcism and the need for inner healing of the individual. The ministry of Deliverance and how it differs from the need for Exorcism. Addictions that effect the person and how . Priests and gifted individuals work in harmony to free the person from the evil spirit. The wounds that contribute to the affliction experienced by the individual. The need to distinguish between spiritual pain and psychological pain, and the need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation….”one good confession is worth 100 exorcisms.” The role of the laity today in deliverance ministry.

Download (right click & choose “Save Link As”)

In part 2, after the intial recording, Msgr. Esseff answers various questions posed on various topics:

The priesthood and the role of spiritual healing. Do we give the devil too much credit? The role of Mary. The power of the Cross. How do slip back into oppression or sin? How can we prevent that? The power of prayer in temptation.

visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building A Kingdom of Love”

The Prinicipal and Foundation of Prayer and Discernment: a teaching from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:06 — 42.3MB) | Embed

I had the opportunity to speak with Msgr. Esseff, who is conducting a spiritual retreat for the Sisters of the

Missionaries of Charity in Sydney, Australia. He shares with us the teachings from the first day, which is on the principal and foundation of prayer as taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Msgr. Esseff begins by reflecting on the Awe of God and the difference between “being” and “becoming”. He shares a special memory of an experience that helped him to understand this which occurred when he was a young boy on his grandfather’s farm. Many years later, he would learn this was a basic teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas on the nature of God and creation. God is being and creation (including man) is becoming.

With that foundation, Msgr. Esseff proceeds to teach us that all of our are becoming therefore because mankind has a soul and has the capacity for reflection, we have the power to glorify God. That is the first call we have, to glorify God. To often we focus on our selves and what serves our needs. St. Ignatius would say, that instead when faced with a decision or direction, each human being is called to discern, to ask whether if this is what God wants or is this is what I want. The key is to take ask the Father “What do you want us to do?” This is discernment at its basic level.

To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of Love”

IP#36 Neil Lozano – Resisting the Devil on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

It’s all about conversion…continually turning towards the Lord and allowing Him to heal us. Deliverance ministry really acknowledges the power of Jesus Christ to make all things new and to heal the damage done to us by sin and those spirits which get into our brokeness and wounds to drive us away from God. Neil Lozano has done extraordinary work with the “Unbound Ministries” ; it truly allow us to let the Father “deliver us from evil”. This is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject. Absolutely a must for everyone on the spiritual journey!!! “Be not afraid”, and really “all you need is love”.

find Neil’s work at www.heartofthefather.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 25.6MB) | Embed

From the book description:

Do you feel chained to a particular sin pattern that you cannot break?

Do you still feel guilty, ashamed, and doomed to repeat a besetting sin even after receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation?

Then you may find a way to spiritual freedom through deliverance prayer.
In Resisting the Devil, author Neal Lozano shows that sometimes evil spirits tell us lies that lock us into sins and personal problems. He explains the practice of deliverance, a way of dealing with such demonic influences that is supported by the teaching and traditionof the Catholic Church.
–Learn how to recognize the activity of evil spirits
–See how deliverance from spiritual bondage can be gentle, safe, and effective –Understand how deliverance differs from exorcism and how deliverance and Reconciliation can work together–Read the testimonies of women and men who have been freed through deliverance ministry.

IP#218 Dick Lyles – Answer Your Call on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

I cannot recommend a book more highly than this, “Answer Your Call: Reclaim God’s Purpose For Faith, Family, and Work” is OUTSTANDING! The combined gifts of Dick and Martha Lyles have brought us must a gem which serves as a practical everyday guide for prayer and discernment. The book description below and the interview I have with Dick can provide just some of the reasons why this work is so important, but neither really goes far enough. I have heard from so many men and women looking for spiritual directors, guides, mentors, anyone or anything that could help them to respond to that “still, small voice” deep inside themselves; here is the book I’ll now tell them to start with. While this isn’t the answer to all questions and quests, this is work offers a great start and foundation. Great for individual study, as well as for groups. For pastors, deacons, pastoral ministers, parents, but most importantly, for the every day man or woman trying to “answer God’s call”!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 25.6MB) | Embed

You can find the book here

From the book description:

Answer Your Call helps Christians discern their purpose from a Catholic perspective—think of it as a Catholic response to The Purpose Driven Life. Building on the premise that every person has a unique set of natural gifts meant to be used in concert with God’s supernatural graces, readers will find practical insights on what prevents someone from hearing and responding to God’s call, as well as how to reclaim and live their calling in the home, workplace, and community. Answer Your Call goes beyond mere theory, using key questions, short quizzes, and practical exercises to help the reader implement the material. You’ll learn:

What causes us to lose sight of God’s presence

How we lose touch with our natural gifts

The three dimensions of our divine call

Understanding discernment in relation to purpose and call

How you can plan to implement your call

Interspersed with Scripture and Catechism quotes, as well as wisdom from popes and saints, Answer Your Call will guide you to carry out God’s purpose in every dimension of your life.

DOS#8 The Sixth Rule – Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. – Discerning Hearts

Episode 8 -The Sixth Rule:

Although in desolation we ought not to change our first resolutions, it is very helpful intensely to change ourselves against the same desolation, as by insisting more on prayer, meditation, on much examination, and by giving ourselves more scope in some suitable way of doing penance.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:18 — 25.9MB) | Embed

The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free – Serves as an introduction to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Igantius of Loyola

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”.

“The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free” series is based on Fr. Gallagher’s book “Discern ment of Spirits” published by Crossroads Books.

For more information on the work of Fr. Timothy Gallagher check out his website

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

IJCY7-Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing episode 7

Is Jesus Calling? A Spiritual Guide to Discerning Your Vocational Call with Fr. Paul Hoesing – episode 7: It’s all about relationship. What to do now.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:31 — 21.7MB) | Embed

1. Go to Mass, if possible, daily Mass
2. The sacrament of confession
3. Daily Prayer
4. Talk to a priest
5. Read the Gospels
6. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
7. Eucharistic adoration
8. Live a life of virtue
9. Spiritual reading
10. Hang around good people