Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts
Trusted Catholic spirituality podcasts offering spiritual formation, prayer, and guidance for the interior life.
Which Son Are You? The Call to Conversion – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Which Son Are You? The Call to Conversion – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on Jesus’ parable of the two sons and the uncomfortable truth that both sons can be found within each of us. One son refuses his father and later changes his mind. The other says yes but fails to act. Jesus directs the parable toward the chief priests and elders, yet Msgr. Esseff reminds us that its challenge reaches every Christian. We are all sinners in need of conv...
Day 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Day 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff
Day 3: Humility
St. Francis, you embraced the profound humility of Christ, who “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). You considered yourself the least of all and sought not your own glory, but the glory of God. You saw in humility the path to holiness and the surest way to imitate Our Lord, who came “not to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). In a world that exalts pride and self-promotion, your example calls us to embrace the hidden...
A Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Day Six – Discerning Hearts Podcast
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Six
St. Therese you have said:
“My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words, I know it by experience.”
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...
Day 8 – The Archangels – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels – 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 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels
The ARCHANGELS primary duty, as is clear from their appearances in Scripture, is to carry out the will of God as it relates directly to humanity. They bring to the world the prayerful blessings of the Lord and the special concern of God for each and every human life. It is...
Day 2 – Mercy for All Sinners – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
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...
Sunday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Sunday of the Twenty-Sixth 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. Matthew 21:28-32
Jesus sai...
Day 2 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
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...
A Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Day Five – Discerning Hearts Podcast
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Five
St. Therese you have said:
“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
Day 7 – The Principalities – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
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...
Day 1 – Trust in Divine Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
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...
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Saturday 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 9:43-4...
Day 1 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Day 1 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff
Day 1: Simplicity
St. Francis, you gave up everything to follow Our Lord more perfectly. In embracing holy poverty, you lived the Gospel in its most radical form, imitating the poverty of Christ Himself. You found in simplicity the freedom to love God with an undivided heart, rejecting the fleeting pleasures of this world for the eternal joy of Heaven. In a society distracted by material wealth, your life is a beacon that points us to the true treasure—union with...
A Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Day Four – Discerning Hearts Podcast
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Four
St. Therese you have said:
“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 comple...
Day 6 – The Powers – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
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 t...
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
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 whe...
A Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Day Three – Discerning Hearts Podcast
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Three
St. Therese you have said:
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”
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 s...
Day 5 – The Virtues – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
Day 5 – The Celestial Choir of Virtues – 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 5 – The Celestial Choir of Virtues
The VIRTUES specifically preside over the elements of the world and the process of celestial life. Thus all heavenly bodies—from the stars and planets to the galaxies themselves—are kept in their divinely appointed routes and progress. On earth the Virtues maintain a watch over nature, marking and guiding eve...
Thursday 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
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
The Chisel of Grace – St. Padre Pio on Spiritual Trials and Trust | The Spiritual Journey for the Discerning Heart Podcast
When Jesus Seems Hidden: Prayer, Hope, Temptation, and Trust with Kris McGregor
About This Episode
What happens when we’re trying to remain faithful to God, but instead of peace we encounter darkness, fear, temptation, sadness, or a sense that Jesus has become hidden?
In this episode of The Spiritual Journey for the Discerning Heart, Kris McGregor reflects on a powerful letter from St. Pius of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio. Drawing on the image of a builder preparing stones for an eternal dwelling, Padre Pio describes God as the di...
St. Padre Pio and the Healing of the Church – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
St. Padre Pio and the Healing of the Church – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on his encounters with Padre Pio, especially the suffering and rejection that marked the saint’s life. He recalls visiting him during the years when Padre Pio was silenced and confined to a remote monastery, accused of falsifying his wounds. In spite of this, Padre Pio remained obedient, serving tirelessly in the confessional and carrying both the visible stigmata and the hidden wounds of abandonment. He shares personal experiences—such as being looked at deeply by Pad...
A Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Day Two – Discerning Hearts Podcast
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Two
St. Therese you have said:
“If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.”
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 s...
Day 4 – The Dominations – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
Day 4 – The Celestial Choir of Dominations – 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 4 – The Celestial Choir of Dominations
The DOMINATIONS are called also the Dominions. The Dominations belong to the second triad, with the virtues and powers, and are ranked fourth overall among the angelic choirs. The Dominations have the duty in the heavenly host of regulating the tasks of the angels, and “through them the majesty of G...
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Wednesday 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 9:1-6
Jesus cal...
A Novena to St. Padre Pio – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Day 9
St. Padre Pio you have said:
How fortunate we are to be slaves of this great God who submitted Himself to death for us.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly fo...
A Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Day One – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day One
St. Thérèse, you have said:
“I understood that every flower created by him is beautiful, that the brilliance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not lessen the perfume of the violet or the sweet simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all the lowly flowers wished to be roses, nature would no longer be enamelled with lovely hues. And so it is in the world of souls, our Lord’s living garden.”
Saint Thérèse, flower of Carm...
Day 3 – The Thrones – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
Day 3 – The Celestial Choir of Thrones – 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 3 – The Celestial Choir of Thrones
The THRONES belong to the first and highest triad of the heavenly host, standing just below the seraphim and the cherubim; this position makes them some of the most powerful angels in the service of the Lord. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the thrones have the task of pond...
Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Tuesday 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 8:19-21<...
Title Statement & Issue at Hand – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Episode 2 – Teachings on the Title Statement and a look at the Issue at Hand – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher breaks open the meaning of the term “greater discernment of spirits” and examens the issue at hand when entering second-week rule discernment
The Title Statement: “Rules for the same effect with greater discernment of spirits, and they help more for the second week. (328)
First Rule. The first: it is proper to God and to hi...
A Novena to St. Padre Pio – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Day 8
St. Padre Pio you have said:
Is it possible that you are never satisfied with yourself? Jesus loves you with a loving partiality in spite of all your unworthiness. He sends down a torrent of graces upon you, and yet you complain. It is about time this ended and you convinced yourself that you are greatly in the Lord’s debt. Hence, less complaints, more gratitude, and a great deal of thanksgiving. You ought to ask Our Lord for just one thing: to love Him. All the rest should be thanksgiving.
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Day 2 – The Cherubim – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
Day 2 – The Celestial Choir of Cherubim – 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 2 – The Celestial Choir of Cherubim
The CHERUBIM are some of the most powerful and awe-inspiring of all angels, standing below only the seraphim in direct closeness to God; they thus are second only to their seraphic brethren in the degree to which they emanate the love of God and possess knowledge and wisdom. Their illu...
The Feast of St. Matthew, Evangelist – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
The Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle – 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. Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was w...
The Laborers in the Vineyard – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
The Laborers in the Vineyard – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on Jesus’ parable of the laborers in the vineyard and asks us to look again at what the workers actually receive. The landowner promises each laborer a day’s wage, whether he begins at dawn or arrives near the end of the day. Msgr. Esseff sees the heart of the parable in the landowner’s generosity: the wage is heaven, and ultimately the gift is Jesus Himself. Through Baptism...
A Novena to St. Padre Pio – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Day 7
St. Padre Pio you have said:
May the Grace and peace of the Holy Spirit always be at the center of your heart. Place your heart in the open side of the Savior, and unite it with the King of your heart who is within it as on a royal throne, in order that He might receive homage and obedience from all other hearts. Keep your hearts door open, so that everyone can approach Him and gain an audience at all times. May the King of all saints also be the King o...
Day 1 – The Seraphim – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
Day 1 – The Celestial Choir of Seraphim – 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 1 – The Celestial Choir of Seraphim
The Seraphim are the highest and most splendid of the nine accepted angelic orders. Without question they are the closest in all of heaven to the very throne of God, and their primary function is to circle the incomprehensibly beautiful throne in perpetual adoration of the Lord, chanting: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the...
Sunday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Sunday 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. Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus sai...
A Novena to St. Padre Pio – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Day 6
St. Padre Pio you have said:
In the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, in this sacrament of Love, we have true life, a blessed life, and true sacrament of Love; we have true life, a blessed life, and true happiness. Because in it we receive not only those graces that perfect us but the very Author of those graces.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a po...
Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth 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 8:4-15<...
A Novena to St. Padre Pio – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Day 5
St. Padre Pio you have said:
St Therese of the Child Jesus used to say, “I don’t want to choose either to die or to live, but let Jesus do as He likes with me.” I see clearly that this is the image of all souls who are stripped of self and filled with God… What St. Therese has said ought to be said by every soul inflamed with love of God.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his...
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth 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 8:1-3<...
You Are the Trumpet – St. Hildegard on Spiritual Gifts and Discernment | The Spiritual Journey for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Temptation, Benedictine Listening, and Remaining Rooted in God with Kris McGregor
About This Episode
What happens when something God has given us begins to stir fear, self-doubt, anxiety, or even pride?
In this episode of The Spiritual Journey for the Discerning Heart, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Hildegard of Bingen’s remarkable counsel to St. Elisabeth of Schönau. Elisabeth, herself a Benedictine nun and mystic, was troubled by what was happening around her spiritual experiences. One of the first lessons in her story is easy to miss: when she became con...
