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Conference 4 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues his talk on St. Ignatius of Loyola’s framework for discerning God’s will. He focuses on key spiritual tools essential for discernment: the Eucharist, confession, and especially prayer with Scripture. Drawing from both Ignatius and the Second Vatican Council, he highlights how regular, personal engagement with Scripture deepens one’s spiritual life by strengthening faith, nourishing the soul, and fostering a lasting connection with Christ. This prayer should be intimate, rooted in love and desire to follow Jesus more closely. Methods like Ignatian meditation, imaginative contemplation, lectio divina, or the Rosary can help personalize this engagement. The time devoted to such prayer should be realistic and sustainable—whether it’s five or thirty minutes—because consistency matters more than intensity.
Fr. Gallagher also outlines the indispensable roles of silence and spiritual accompaniment. Drawing from Elijah’s encounter with God and Søren Kierkegaard’s insight on silence: genuine discernment requires interior quiet to hear God’s subtle guidance. Spiritual direction is equally crucial; sharing one’s interior movements with a wise, trustworthy guide clarifies and enriches the discernment journey. Fr. Gallagher shares how his own priestly vocation began with a simple but pivotal conversation with his parish priest. He then introduces Ignatian tools for reviewing spiritual experience—especially the review of prayer and the examen—to help one track God’s activity throughout the day. These practices, often enhanced by journaling, help individuals notice patterns, understand their spiritual movements, and bring clarity to their discernment.
You can find various handouts spoken of by Fr. Gallagher in the links below:
- Handout 1: https://www.discerninghearts.com/PDF/Discerning_the_Will_of_God-DISCERNING_HEARTS.pdf
- Handout 2: https://www.discerninghearts.com/PDF/Text-of-St-Ignatius-SpirEx,175-188.pdf
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
- Am I currently making time each day to pray with Scripture in a personal and meaningful way?
- In what areas of my life do I need to grow in intimate knowledge of Jesus?
- How does my love for Christ influence my daily decisions and long-term choices?
- Do I allow silence in my life so I can truly listen for God’s gentle voice?
- Who is a spiritually mature person I can turn to for guidance in discernment?
- When was the last time I made a good confession and received the grace of reconciliation?
- How do I respond when I feel spiritually consoled or desolate during prayer?
- Am I reviewing my spiritual experiences and noticing where God is active in my life?
- Do I find ways to thank God daily for His love and presence throughout my day?
- What prevents me from making consistent time for prayer, and how can I realistically adjust?
