Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts
Trusted Catholic spirituality podcasts offering spiritual formation, prayer, and guidance for the interior life.
Dr. Vincent Ryan – Joan of Arc and the Maid of Orleans on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Dr. Vincent Ryan joins us to discuss Sven Stolpe’s “The Maid of Orleans: The Life and Mysticism of Joan of Arc”
Dr. Vincent Ryan joins Kris McGregor to discuss The Maid of Orleans: The Life and Mysticism of Joan of Arc by Sven Stolpe, published by Ignatius Press. Dr. Ryan explains that although Joan of Arc is one of the most written-about figures of the Middle Ages, Stolpe’s book offers a fresh and compelling approach by focusing on her mystical life rather than reducing her to a political, national, or psychological symbol. Drawing from the...
Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Saturday of the Eighth 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 of St. Mark 11:27-33
Jesus and h...
HR 14 – In place of wanting the latest….sustainability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
In place of wanting the latest….sustainability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B
In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on sustainability, stewardship, and the Benedictine wisdom of resisting the constant desire for the newest and latest things. Drawing from Chapter 31 of the Rule, St. Benedict instructs the cellarer to care for the monastery’s goods with reverence, avoiding wastefulness and treating all possessions as “sacred vessels of the altar.” Fr. Mauritiu...
Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Friday of the Eighth 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 of St. Mark 11:11-26
After he ha...
Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Tuesday of the Eighth 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 of St. Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus le...
IP#484 – Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Abiding in Christ on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D. – Abiding in Christ on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World, a book aimed at helping the laity cultivate a deeper spiritual life. Abiding in Christ requires intentionality amidst the distractions of modern life and the importance of regularly recalling God’s presence, particularly through Scripture and the sacraments. Using the analogy of a physical move, he describes the spiritual journey as a transition from the fleeting pleasures of sin to the lasting fulf...
Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Wednesday of the Eighth 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 of St. Mark 10:32-45
The discipl...
SJ9 – A Brief Reflection on Prudence – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast
A Brief Reflection on Prudence – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina
Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor reflect on St. Joseph as a model of prudence, describing him as a man whose prayerful reflection naturally led to decisive action. Prudence is often misunderstood as hesitation or fearfulness, when in fact it involves seeing reality clearly, seeking God’s perspective, and responding faithfully to circumstances. Through examples such as Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy and the flight into Egypt, it presents Joseph as someone deeply rooted in faith, capable of making difficult decisions with humility, courage...
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Tuesday of the Eighth 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 of St. Mark 10:28-31
...
Introduction – The Discernment of Spirits w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Introduction – The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola
In this foundational episode, Fr. Gallagher shares how the Ignatian teaching on the Discernment of Spirits grew out of his own priestly formation and retreat ministry. He explains that discernment is not simply about making decisions, but about learning to notice and understand the interior spiritual experience that unfolds daily within the heart and mind. These interior movements include times of spiritual energy, clarity, and desire, as well as periods of heaviness, resistance, and discouragement.
D...
Mary, Mother of the Church – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Mary, Mother of the Church – 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 John 19:25-34
Near the cr...
IP#478 Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, O.P. – Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, O.P. – Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Sr. Mary Ann Fatula discusses her book Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit: Keys to a Transformed Life and a Joyful Heart with host Kris McGregor. They explore the central theme of the book: the profound impact of developing a close relationship with the Holy Spirit on leading a joyful and transformed life. Sr. Mary Ann emphasizes that true joy and the foretaste of heaven on earth are impossible without the Holy Spirit, who is th...
Pentecost: “Come Holy Spirit” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Pentecost: “Come Holy Spirit” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor celebrate Pentecost, emphasizing its significance as the birthday of the Church and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Monsignor Esseff describes Pentecost as the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit, who brings unity and love to humanity. He reflects on the event in the Acts of the Apostles where the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, enabling them to speak in different languages, symbolizing the reunification of humanity through divine love.
Msgr...
The Feast of Pentecost – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
The Feast of Pentecost – 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. John 20:19-23
In the evening of the firs...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Nine – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Nine
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earne...
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – 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 John 21:20-25
Peter t...
POA5 – Know Your Commander and Comrades – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hears Catholic Podcasts
Episode 5 – Know Your Commander and Comrades – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D
In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Kris McGregor and Dr. Paul Thigpen shift the focus from the enemy to the great help God has given His people in the battle. Dr. Thigpen reflects on Jesus Christ as the victorious commander who has already conquered Satan through His Passion, death, and Resurrection. Because of Christ’s triumph, Christians do not fight from fear or uncertainty, but from hope and confidence. The conversation highli...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Eight – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Eight
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earne...
Friday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Friday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – 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 John 21:15-19
Jesus s...
GWWL12 – Bram Stoker – Dracula – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Bram Stoker  – Dracula – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce
In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore Bram Stoker’s Dracula, one of the most influential and misunderstood novels in modern literature. Far more than a gothic horror story, Dracula reveals a profound spiritual battle between good and evil, faith and skepticism, life and death. Pearce explains how modern culture has radically distorted Stoker’s original vision by transforming Dracula from a monstrous embodiment of evil into a romanticized antihero. In the novel itself, Dracula is presen...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Seven – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Seven
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earne...
Thursday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – 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 John 17:20-26
Jesus r...
HR 13 – In place of idealistic spirituality…acknowledging one’s needs – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
In place of idealistic spirituality…acknowledging one’s needs – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B
In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on the challenge of balancing spiritual ideals with the honest acknowledgment of human needs. Drawing from several passages in the Rule, especially St. Benedict’s practical guidance concerning sleep, food, drink, and daily rhythms, Fr. Mauritius highlights the deeply human realism of Benedictine spirituality. St. Benedict does not separate p...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Six – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Six
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earne...
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – 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 John 17:11-19
Jesus r...
SJ8 – Handing on the Passover – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Handing on the Passover – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina
Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore the Finding in the Temple through the experience of Joseph and Mary, placing the event within the rich setting of Jewish pilgrimage and Passover tradition. Aquilina explains how twelve-year-old Jesus was entering adulthood according to Jewish custom, learning from Joseph how to participate fully in the Passover rites, including the offering of the lamb and the sacred meal that foreshadowed the Eucharist. Joseph’s role as teacher and father takes on deep significance as he guides Jesu...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Five – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Five
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – 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 John 17:1-11
Jesus raised his...
SISL19 – Conclusion – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
Conclusion – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor reflect on the lifelong formation involved in recognizing spiritual consolation and desolation through the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Gallagher explains that spiritual growth comes through learning to recognize the movements of God’s grace and the discouraging tactics of the enemy, allowing a person to respond with greater clarity and freedom. He describes Ignatian spirituality as practical, simple, and deeply respectful of the human heart, rooted in the way Christ Himself encounters wounded and...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Four – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Four
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits
You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor I so ear...
Monday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Monday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – 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 John 16:29-33
His dis...
Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. – Three Moments of the Day on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
“Three Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus” by Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
In this episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor speaks with Fr. Christopher Collins, SJ, author of The Three Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus, about a simple yet profound rhythm of prayer that can shape the whole of daily life. Rooted in Eucharistic spirituality, Ignatian prayer, and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Collins reflects on three essential moments that can anchor the day: the morning offe...
IP#510 Dr. Matthew Bunson – Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Dr. Matthew Bunson – Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Kris McGregor interviews Dr. Matthew Bunson about his new book on Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. Dr. Bunson recounts the extraordinary events surrounding Pope Francis’s final days and the surprising election that followed. He offers a deeply personal perspective on the historic transition, describing his experience covering the month-long period in Rome with EWTN. Dr. Bunson reflects on the unexpected yet providential choice of Pope Leo XIV—a U.S.-born August...
Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – 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. John 17:1-11
Jesus raise...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Three – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Three
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Two – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Two
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks
for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant...
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – 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 John 16:23-28
Jesus s...
HR 12 – In place of self-righteousness…seeking God – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
In place of self-righteousness…seeking God – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B
In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, and Kris McGregor reflect on the danger of self-righteousness and the lifelong Christian call to seek God with humility. Drawing from Chapter 58 of the Rule, St. Benedict teaches that the true sign of spiritual maturity is not claiming to possess God, but remaining open to continually seeking Him. Fr. Mauritius explains that self-righteousness often grows from f...
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day One – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day One
Begin by reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks
for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the fa...
Friday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Friday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – 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 John 16:20-23
Jesus s...