Discerning Hearts

"Be Saints! An invitation from Pope Benedict XVI", edited by Amy Welborn and illustrated by Ann Engelhart is simply wonderful, a must for every family library. Marvelous for children and adults alike, this compilation is taken from the talks given by Pope Benedict to children during his 2010 visit to England. In this conversation with Ann Engelhart, we discuss this work. We also discuss the nature of art and beauty, in particular for children, and it's ability to evangelize.

What a delight to talk once again with Dr. Thomas Howard. This time we discuss "Hallowed Be This House: Finding Signs of Heaven in Your Home". Dr. Howard has such a beautiful gift of recognizing the sacred. Through this marvelous book, he helps us all to appreciate the many ways in which we too can dive deeper into the "mystery", especially in those ordinary places and things in found in our lives. This book is a treasure!

Fr. Joe Kempf has given us two excellent resources for both adults and kids to help us deal with loss. Fr. Joe really understands the grieving process and offers excellent advice for those at any stage of that journey. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York says this about Fr. Kempf’s books: “Fr. Kempf, with grace and sensitivity, helps us learn what to say – and do – in moments when people long for a word of hope and consolation.”

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/O-Key-of-David.jpg)O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open.” (22:22), and “His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” (9:6). For greater text and musical credit visit the  Discerning Hearts O Antiphon page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1941)

Catherine Doherty addresses the Eastern Catholic Charismatic Renewal conference in 1979. Her subject is sobornost, a Russian term, translatable as "unity".

How often we should go to Confession. In this weeks episode, Monsignor Kennedy brings us on a journey of rediscovery of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.”

Episode 28- Regnum Novum: Bringing forth the New Evangelization through Catholic Social Teaching with Omar Gutierrez(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Omar-Gutierrez-1.bmp) - We continue the study of the "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html)"  Chapter 5 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/procession_800x600.jpg) CHAPTER FIVE (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#CHAPTER FIVE) THE FAMILY, THE VITAL CELL OF SOCIETY I. THE FAMILY, THE FIRST NATURAL SOCIETY (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#I. THE FAMILY, THE FIRST NATURAL SOCIETY) a. Importance of the family for the person (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#Importance of the family for the person) b. Importance of the family for society (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#Importance of the family for society) II. MARRIAGE, THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAMILY a. The value of marriage (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The value of marriage) b. The sacrament of marriage (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The sacrament of marriage) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Compendium-195x300.jpg) We live at a very special time. The confluence of many things has brought forth the clear need to be able to articulate the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that is accessible and applicable. This is not to be an effort where high-minded theories are to be bandied about. Rather, this is a time of opportunity wherein we can apply the Social Doctrine to the concrete so as to bring about a New Kingdom, a Revolution. - Omar G. (http://www.regnumnovum.com/socialdoctrine/)   Also visit Omar's "Discerning Hearts" page Catholic Social Teaching 101 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=40)

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Moses-on-Burning-Bush.jpg)“O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” (11:4-5); and “Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us.” (33:22). For greater text and musical credit visit the  Discerning Hearts O Antiphon page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1941)

he Liturgy of the Eucharist part 4 : the Communion Rite...The moment of radical surrender...can we do it? We when come forward to communion, what are doing...what are we saying? Will we allow ourselves to be transformed? The moment of silence...will we allow ourselves to be transformed within so we can go out to transform the culture for Christ?

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/O-Wisdom1.jpg)O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29). For greater text and musical credit visit the  Discerning Hearts O Antiphon page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1941)

Dr. Regis Martin, as Dr. Scott Hahn has said, is "a sage for our times". By presenting the truths of our faith with such beauty, he evangelizes directly the heart. Dr. Martin is a joy to read.

The Living Flame Of Love -Songs of the soul in the intimate communication of loving union with God. 1. O living flame of love that tenderly wounds my soul in its deepest center! Since now you are not oppressive, now consummate! if it be your will: tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!

This episode offers Fr. Gallagher discusses the call to the marriage vocation and the call to the religious life. What are the differences found in each and how do we begin to discern our call.

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Msgr.-John-Kennedy.jpg)(Vatican Radio (http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2012/11/20/questions_of_faith:_pace_and_baptism/en1-639129)) In part two of our series answering listeners questions of faith, Monsignor John Kennedy, an official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, answers a question from the USA on the pace we should apply to reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church; from the UK on why we are baptised as infants and not later on in life; and reveals a little known fact regarding who can minister the Sacrament of Baptism (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/catechism-of-the-catholic-c.jpg) Listen: