Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Day 2
Mary, Assumed into Heaven, we venerate you as the Queen of Heaven and earth. As you tasted the bitterness of pain and sorrow with your Son on earth, you now enjoy eternal bliss with Him in Heaven.
Loving Queen, intercede for us in our needs.
(mention your request)
We praise Jesus for giving us such a loving mother.
The kingdom of heaven is promised and given by the Lord only to the poor: for he who loves temporal things loses the fruit of love. Such a person cannot serve God and Mammon, for either the one is loved and the other is hated, or the one is served and the other despised.
You also know that one who is clothed cannot fight with another who is naked, because he is more quickly thrown who gives his adversary a chance to get hold of him; and that one who lives in the glory of earth cannot rule with Christ in heaven.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your mother’s love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart
Day 8 – Love of Neighbor
From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Our love of neighbour is the measure of our love of God. For Christians—and not only for them—no one is a ‘stranger’. The love of Christ knows no borders.*
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross emphasizes the universal call to love, suggesting that our love for others reflects our love for God. This love transcends boundaries, reaching beyond personal preferences and prejudices to embrace all people. Edith Stein, through her writings and her life, including her solidarity with her Jewish heritage during the Holocaust, demonstrated an expansive and inclusive love rooted in God’s example. This perspective challenges us to practice inclusive and unconditional love, mirroring Christ’s boundless love for humanity.
Our love of neighbour is the measure of our love of God. For Christians—and not only for them—no one is a ‘stranger’. The love of Christ knows no borders.*
How can you expand your understanding of love to include all people, regardless of differences?
Strive to see each person as a child of God, deserving of love and respect. Actively work to break down barriers of prejudice and division, and seek to serve others with compassion and humility, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ. Engage in acts of charity and outreach, particularly those who are marginalized or in need, embodying the Christian call to love without limits.
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, On the Mystery of Christmas (Intellectual Charity, 2012), p. 25
For the complete 9-Day St. Teresa of Benedicta Novena for the Discerning Hearts visit here
“Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and shall help you then more effectively than during my life.”
St. Dominic’s life was a testament to his deep faith in the communion of saints, believing that he would continue to intercede for his followers after death. This reflects the Catholic belief that saints remain actively involved in the lives of the faithful, offering prayers and support from heaven. It provides comfort and a sense of connection to the larger community of believers, both living and deceased.
“Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and shall help you then more effectively than during my life.”
How do you find comfort or guidance in the teachings and lives of spiritual figures?
Finding comfort and guidance involves studying the lives of saints and their writings to draw inspiration and learn from their examples. Praying for the intercession of saints, like St. Dominic, can bring spiritual support and guidance. Participate in the Church’s liturgical life, especially during feasts dedicated to saints, to deepen your connection with the communion of saints. Reflect on their virtues and strive to emulate their dedication to God in your own life. Additionally, forming or joining a community that shares devotion to a particular saint can provide mutual support and encouragement.
“Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and shall help you then more effectively than during my life.”
The Dominican Blessing, from an anonymous 13th-century English Dominican, captures St. Dominic’s timeless call for blessings, healing, and divine guidance.
May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see to God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God’s work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the eternal Kingdom.
Amen
Lord God,
you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day
as a great preacher of your truth.
We pray that he will help us in our time
by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.
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.
St. Dominic Quotation taken from: Constitutions of the Order of Preachers
For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Dominic visit here
Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 16:13-23
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
From that time Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
From that time Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
From that time Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
When Was Your Transfiguration? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the mystery of the Transfiguration and its deep personal meaning for every Christian. Just as Jesus was transfigured on Mount Tabor in preparation for the suffering of Calvary, each Christian also experiences moments of radiant grace that prepare them to endure life’s inevitable trials. These moments are signs of the glory to come and serve as encouragement for the journey through suffering, death, and eventual resurrection with Christ.
Msgr. Esseff shares stories of individuals—including a father holding his newborn son, a radiant bride, his own ordination day, and a Peruvian street child named Walter—to illustrate how such moments reveal the divine presence and joy amid the hardships of life. We should reflect on our own lives to recognize these transformative experiences, which often go unnoticed amid modern distractions and lack of interior reflection.
“Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.”
When have you experienced a moment in your life that felt like a “Mount Tabor” — a glimpse of God’s glory?
What “cross” are you being asked to carry right now, and how might God be preparing you through it?
Have you taken time recently to reflect on the sacred events in your life where God’s presence was unmistakable?
In what ways has suffering deepened your relationship with Christ?
Who or what has helped you see God’s love during your darkest moments?
Can you identify a moment when you were transformed by love, beauty, or grace?
How do distractions in your daily life keep you from reflecting on God’s work in your story?
Have you ever resisted suffering, thinking only of pain, and missed the invitation to glory within it?
What role does silence and prayer play in helping you remember God’s faithfulness?
How might your story—both the joys and the trials—be a witness to Christ for others?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served 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 St. Pope 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 and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Day 1
Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, we believe in your triumphant assumption into heaven where the angels and saints acclaim you as Queen of Heaven and earth.
We join them in praising you and bless the Lord who raised you above all creatures. With them we honor you.
We are confident that you watch over our daily lives and we ask that you intercede for us now.
(mention your request)
We are comforted by our faith in the coming Resurrection and we look to you for prayers and comfort.
After this earthly life, show us Jesus, the blest fruit of your womb, O kind, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
O dearest, look on heaven that invites us, and bear the cross and follow Christ who preceded us; indeed, after various and many tribulations we shall enter through him into his glory. Love with your whole heart God and Jesus, his son, crucified for our sins, and never let his memory escape your mind; make yourself mediate continually on the mysteries of the cross and the anguish of the mother standing beneath the cross.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl, you imitated your mother’s love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart
Day 7 – Quest for Truth
From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Anyone who seeks the truth is seeking God, whether consciously or unconsciously.*
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross underscores the intrinsic connection between the search for truth and the search for God. She suggests that all genuine quests for truth, in any form, are ultimately directed toward God, the source of all truth. This idea encourages us to view our intellectual pursuits and spiritual journeys as deeply interconnected. Edith Stein, a renowned philosopher and theologian, experienced this connection profoundly in her own life, leading her to embrace the Catholic faith and eventually become a Carmelite nun.
Anyone who seeks the truth is seeking God, whether consciously or unconsciously.*
How can you approach your search for truth as a journey toward God, and how does this understanding influence your daily life and interactions?Approach all inquiries and learning with the awareness that they are paths to discovering God. Allow this perspective to inspire integrity and humility in your quest for knowledge, recognizing each step as part of a larger spiritual journey. Deepen your quest for truth by immersing yourself in the Sacred Scriptures, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. Participate regularly in the sacramental life of the Church, particularly in the Eucharist and Confession, which provide spiritual nourishment and guidance. Seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom, and ask for her guidance in your studies and pursuits. Engage in prayer and contemplation, allowing the Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind and heart, leading you closer to the fullness of truth found in Christ. This understanding enriches your interactions with others, fostering respect and openness, and encourages you to live out the truths of the Catholic faith in your daily life.
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, Finest Quotes: Collected Works of Edith Stein. ICS Publications.
For the complete 9-Day St. Teresa of Benedicta Novena for the Discerning Hearts visit here
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
St. Dominic’s words emphasize the profound importance and power of the Rosary in the life of a faithful Christian. According to tradition, St. Dominic was given the Rosary by the Blessed Virgin Mary in an apparition after his prayer and fasting seeking a way to combat heresy spreading in the world. During his time, many people did not have access to the Bible in their homes. The Rosary became a means of catechizing the faithful through prayerful reflection and immersion in the Gospel message. By responding to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s call to pray the Rosary, we follow her guidance and grow closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. The Rosary is a personal prayer and a means of calling upon God’s grace for ourselves and the world. Each mystery draws us into the biblical narrative, helping us to embrace and live out the teachings of the Gospel. This practice deepens our understanding of Scripture and strengthens our relationship with God, opening us to receive blessings that address both our spiritual and temporal needs.
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
How can you incorporate the regular recitation of the Rosary into your life, seeking blessings and growing in your understanding and relationship with Christ, as well as addressing the needs of the world?
To incorporate the Rosary into your life, dedicate a specific time each day for its recitation. Focus on the mysteries, which reflect significant events in the life of Christ and Mary, as presented in Scripture and Tradition. Meditating on these mysteries helps embrace Gospel teachings and apply them to daily life. This practice not only strengthens our connection with God but also allows us to receive unseen graces that extend beyond our personal needs to address the spiritual and temporal needs of the world. Through the Rosary, we can intercede for global peace, healing, and conversion, trusting that our prayers contribute to the outpouring of divine grace for the benefit of all.
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
The Dominican Blessing, from an anonymous 13th-century English Dominican, captures St. Dominic’s timeless call for blessings, healing, and divine guidance.
May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see to God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God’s work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the eternal Kingdom.
Amen
Lord God,
you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day
as a great preacher of your truth.
We pray that he will help us in our time
by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.
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.
St. Dominic Quotation taken from: Constitutions of the Order of Preachers
For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Dominic visit here
From a letter to St. Agnes of Prague
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart
Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
