Day 2 – Mercy for All Sinners – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart
From the Diary of St. Faustina, 699 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:
“Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of My goodness? For you I descended from heaven to earth; for you I allowed Myself to be nailed to the cross; for you I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come, then, with trust to draw graces from this fountain.”
Jesus reassures us through St. Faustina that His mercy knows no bounds. No matter how grave our sins, His mercy is infinitely greater. We often let shame or fear of judgment keep us from approaching the merciful heart of Jesus, but He tells us clearly: there is no sin too great for His mercy. Reflect today on any barriers that may be preventing you from fully embracing God’s forgiveness. Know that Jesus suffered on the cross precisely to open wide the fountain of His mercy for you, and all He asks in return is that you come to Him with trust.
Lord Jesus, You suffered and died for me, not because I am worthy, but because of Your immense love. Help me never to fear Your judgment but to trust fully in the mercy that flows from Your heart. Lead me to receive Your mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where Your grace washes me clean. St. Faustina, intercede for me, that I may trust in God’s mercy and never hesitate to ask for forgiveness. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, I ask for the grace to live more fully in Your mercy. Help me to trust in You completely, to offer mercy to others, and to live in the joy of Your love. May St. Faustina guide me in my journey toward holiness, and may her prayers obtain for me the graces I most need. Amen.
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth 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 Luke 9:18-22
One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
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:
One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
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:
One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.
‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
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.
“I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbors’ defects–not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Day 2 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff
Day 2: Peace
St. Francis, you were a true instrument of peace, not only in your actions but in your entire way of life. You lived out the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), reconciling enemies, healing divisions, and spreading the message of the Gospel. You understood that true peace begins in the heart, with repentance and conversion, and is nourished through prayer and the Sacraments. You remind us that we must first be reconciled to God before we can become channels of His peace to others.
Let us pray:
Blessed St. Francis, through your intercession, help me to cultivate peace in my heart by drawing closer to Christ through the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Holy Eucharist. Teach me to foster peace in my relationships, to forgive those who have wronged me, and to live as a true disciple of the Prince of Peace. May I follow your example by being a peacemaker in my family, community, and the world.
Day 1 – Trust in Divine Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart
From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1578 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:
“The graces of My mercy are drawn by one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to Me, because I pour all the treasures of My graces into them. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very much. On the other hand, I am sad when souls ask for little, when they narrow their hearts.”
St. Faustina’s mission centered on the importance of trust in God’s mercy. Jesus revealed to her that trust is the vessel through which we receive the treasures of His grace. Reflect today on how much trust you place in Jesus. Do you open your heart to receive the abundant grace He wants to give you, or do you limit Him by asking for little? Jesus invites you to trust Him more deeply so that He can pour “much, very much” into your life. Expand your heart, knowing that His desire is to bless you far more than you can imagine.
Lord Jesus, I know that Your mercy is abundant and infinite. Help me to trust in Your Divine Providence and open my heart to receive all the graces You wish to pour into my life. May I never ask for too little, but always trust that You desire to bless me in ways beyond my understanding. St. Faustina, help me to trust in Jesus’ Divine Mercy in all things, especially in times of difficulty, doubt, and fear. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, I ask for the grace to live more fully in Your mercy. Help me to trust in You completely, to offer mercy to others, and to live in the joy of Your love. May St. Faustina guide me in my journey toward holiness, and may her prayers obtain for me the graces I most need. Amen.
Day 7 – The Celestial Choir of Principalities – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena
V/. O God, + come to my assistance R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory Be
Day 7 – The Celestial Choir of Principalities
The PRINCIPALITIES are the first of the choirs most concerned with the earth and are traditionally declared to have the roles of caretakers over every nation, province, county, district, city, town, village, and house, working with the guardian angels, who also are assigned to every spot and person. Two other areas of concern for the principalities are religion and politics. The former they encourage to spread by prayer and spiritual encouragement; the latter they seek to regulate for the good of humanity by guiding the thoughts and especially the ethics of what Dionysius termed the “leaders of people” all over the world.
Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z (Kindle Locations 4096-4110). Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. Kindle Edition.
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.
Our Father …Hail Mary
O GLORIOUS Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
V/. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R/. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, hast appointed the most glorious Archangel, St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee, to be delivered from all our enemies that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth 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 St. Luke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.
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:
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.
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:
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.
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.
How Can I Be Drawn to Such Things? – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss a character named Beth to illustrate the struggles of spiritual desolation and how to respond to them.
Beth, after a long and tiring day, finds herself discouraged and lacking the desire to engage in her usual evening prayers. Faced with the choice between praying the Liturgy of the Hours or calling a colleague, Maureen, for a potentially negative conversation, she opts for the latter. This decision leads her into a downward spiral of unproductive activities, including gossip, watching empty TV shows, and comfort eating. Despite feeling worse afterward, she pushes herself to pray briefly but with little engagement, ending the day feeling ashamed and disheartened.
Experiencing such struggles is common and not something to be ashamed of. He explains that in moments of spiritual desolation, there is often a pull toward “low and earthly things,” as described by St. Ignatius of Loyola. The key is to be aware of this desolation, name it, and then resist it. He highlights the importance of making choices that counteract desolation, like Beth choosing to pray despite her initial reluctance. This resistance can gradually lift the discouragement and lead to spiritual growth.
Fr. Gallagher differentiates between different types of friendships and stresses the importance of having friends who share a love for God and can encourage spiritual growth. He concludes by affirming that God never causes spiritual desolation but allows it for spiritual strengthening, and that the grace to take the first step in resisting it is always available.
Recognizing Spiritual Desolation: Have you experienced moments when you felt discouraged and distant from God, similar to Beth’s situation?
Responding to Desolation: How do you typically respond when you feel the pull toward “low and earthly things” during times of spiritual desolation?
Importance of Spiritual Disciplines: How can maintaining your spiritual practices, like evening prayer, help you overcome discouragement?
Role of Friendships: Do your friendships lead you closer to God, or do they sometimes pull you away from your spiritual goals, as seen in Beth’s conversation with Maureen?
Using Spiritual Tools: Are you aware of and using the spiritual tools, like the Ignatian Rules of Discernment, to recognize and reject spiritual desolation?
Trusting in God’s Grace: In times of trial, do you trust that God is providing you with the grace and strength needed to take the first step towards Him?
Growth Through Trials: How do you view trials and challenges in your spiritual life—as opportunities for growth or as setbacks?
An excerpt from the book:
Into this vulnerable space the enemy brings the further burden of spiritual desolation, and specifically what Ignatius calls a “movement to low and earthly things.” Obviously, telephones, refrigerators, the Internet, and similar things serve in good ways: that is why we have them. But, like Beth, in time of spiritual desolation we may feel drawn to them in “low” and “earthly” ways — that is, in ways harmful to us spiritually.
That Beth — and we — feel this pull in time of spiritual desolation should not surprise us, nor is there any shame in feeling this pull. It is simply a tactic of the enemy, a form of spiritual desolation. Again, such is the spiritual life in a fallen but redeemed and loved world. What does matter and matters greatly, is that we be discerning: that we note this pull to low and earthly things, identify it as the tactic of the enemy that it is, and, with God’s grace and courage, reject it.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 40-41). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
“Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It’s a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You’ll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you’ll learn to reject the enemy’s ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness.“
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
“I am convinced that one should tell one’s spiritual director if one has a great desire for communion, for our Lord does not come from heaven every day to stay in a golden ciborium; He comes to find another heaven, the heaven of our soul in which He loves to dwell.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Day 6 – The Celestial Choir of Powers – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena
V/. O God, + come to my assistance R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory Be
Day 6 – The Celestial Choir of Powers
The POWERS have the task of defeating the efforts of the demons in overthrowing the world and are declared the awesome defenders of the cosmos against all evil and the maintainers of all cosmic order and equilibrium. They are the guardians of the heavenly paths, policing the routes to and from heaven to the earth, which means that they concern themselves as well with all humanity. The great harmonizers, they assist each soul to overcome the temptations placed before it to do evil and to lean instead toward the proper action, which is to love and worship God.
Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z (Kindle Locations 3988-3999). Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. Kindle Edition.
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers, may the Lord vouchsafe to protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.
Our Father …Hail Mary
O GLORIOUS Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
V/. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R/. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, hast appointed the most glorious Archangel, St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee, to be delivered from all our enemies that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
.
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
