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The Prayer of St. John Paul II – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor reflect on the spiritual legacy of St. John Paul II. St. John Paul II’s profound theology of love, which he articulated during a 1976 retreat, tells us that love is the essence of creation and theology. Dr. Lilles recounts a personal encounter with John Paul II, noting his remarkable ability to connect deeply with individuals, even in a crowd. The pope’s openness and vulnerability, which manifested in his global travels and personal interactions, demonstrated his commitment to love and encounter.
His mysticism was not just theoretical but rooted in lived experience, shaping his understanding of the cosmos as centered on divine love.
St. John Paul II’s example for modern times offers hope and encouragement amidst struggles. His life serves as a reminder that God’s mercy is greater than any evil, and his continued intercession from heaven inspires believers to persevere in faith and love.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
- Reflecting on Love as the Core of Creation: How do I see the structure of love manifesting in my relationship with God and others?
- Encountering Christ Through Vulnerability: In what ways can I make myself more open and vulnerable in my relationships to better reflect Christ’s love?
- The Importance of Daily Prayer: How can I incorporate more intentional moments of prayer in my daily routine, following the example of St. John Paul II?
- Living a Life of Hope: What are the sources of discouragement in my life, and how can I cultivate greater confidence in God’s love and mercy to overcome them?
- The Communion of Saints in My Life: How can I deepen my relationship with the saints, especially St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII, to guide and inspire my spiritual journey?
- Responding to God’s Love Through Action: How am I called to actively share God’s love with others, ensuring that it is not only felt but expressed in my life?
- Learning from the Vulnerability of John Paul II: How can I embody the same vulnerability that St. John Paul II showed, particularly in my encounters with those in need of hope and love?
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious, and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity. For other episodes in the series visit t
