Discerning Hearts

Our Nicene Creed is the beautiful Profession of our Faith.  The Church has encouraged us to pray this prayer every day during the Year of Faith in order that we may live it every day for the rest of our lives. This is where the New Evangelization begins.... (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img002.jpg)

The Novena for Holy Souls in Purgatory, Day 3(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Day-3.jpg) composed by by St. Alphonsus of Liguori My God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I love Thee above all things, and repent with my whole heart of my offenses against Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. And thou, Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary… The Prayer to Our Suffering Saviour for the Holy Souls in Purgatory found below Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1166)

The Novena for Holy Souls in Purgatory, Day 2(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Day-2.jpg) composed by by St. Alphonsus of Liguori Woe to me, unhappy being, so many years have I already spent on earth and have earned naught but hell! I give Thee thanks, O Lord, for granting me time even now to atone for my sins. My good God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. Send me Thy assistance, that I may apply the time yet remaining to me for Thy love and service; have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary… The Prayer to Our Suffering Saviour for the Holy Souls in Purgatory found below. Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1166)

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/pope-benedict-217x300.jpg) (Vatican Radio (http://www.news.va/en/news/audience-the-nature-of-faith)) On Wednesday Pope Benedict XVI began the second installment in his general audience catechesis on faith, by putting a series of questions to the thousands of pilgrims and visitors to St Peter’s Square. He asked them: What is faith? Does faith still make sense in a world where science and technology have opened new horizons that were, until recently, unthinkable? What does it mean to believe today? Emer McCarthy reports These “unrelenting” questions, he told them, are typical of the world today of “a certain kind of culture, has educated us to move only within the horizon of things, of the feasible, to believe only what we can see and touch with our hands. On the other hand, the number of people who feel disoriented is growing and, in seeking to go beyond a purely horizontal reality, they are willing to believe anything and its direct opposite”. But, added the Pope, these questions also reveal that despite the “greatness” of our human discoveries, we need and want more than the simply tangible. We need and are looking for “love, meaning and hope, a sure foundation, a solid ground to help us live with an authentic sense even moments of crisis, darkness, difficulties and daily problems. Faith gives us just that: it is a confident trust in a "You", that is God”. Below a Vatican Radio translation of the Holy Father’s general audience catechesis: Dear Brothers and Sisters, last Wednesday with the start of the Year of Faith, I began a new series of catechesis on faith. Today I would like to reflect with you on an elementary question: What is faith? Does faith still make sense in a world where science and technology have opened new horizons that were, until recently, unthinkable? What does it mean to believe today? In fact, in our time what we need is a renewed faith education, which includes a certain awareness of its truth and the events of salvation, but that mainly arises from a real encounter with God in Jesus Christ, from loving Him, trusting him, so that our entire life is involved. Today, along with many signs of good, a sort of spiritual desert is growing around us. Sometimes, the events we hear about in the news every day, give us the feeling that the world is not projected toward building a more fraternal and peaceful community; the very ideas of progress and well-being show their darker shadows. Despite the greatness of the discoveries of science and the breakthroughs of technology, today man does not seem to have truly become freer, more humane; there are still many forms of exploitation, manipulation, violence, oppression, injustice ... Moreover a certain kind of culture, has educated us to move only within the horizon of things, of the feasible, to believe only what we can see and touch with our hands. On the other hand, the number of people who feel disoriented is growing and, in seeking to go beyond a purely horizontal reality, they are willing to believe anything and its direct opposite. In this context, some fundamental questions emerge, which are much more concrete than they appear at first sight: What is the meaning of life? Is there a future for the man, for us and for future generations? Where should we direct the choices of our freedom for a successful and happy life? What awaits us beyond the threshold of death? These unrelenting questions reveal how the world of planning, of exact calculation and experimentation, in a word, the knowledge of science, while important for human life, is not enough. We need not only material bread, we need love, meaning and hope, a sure foundation, a solid ground to help us live with an authentic sense even moments of crisis, darkness, difficulties and daily problems. Faith gives us just that: it is a confident trust in a "You", that is God,

The Novena for Holy Souls in Purgatory, Day 1(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Day-1.jpg) composed by by St. Alphonsus of Liguori Jesus, my Saviour, I have so often deserved to be cast into hell. how great would be my suffering if I were now cast away and obliged to think that I myself had caused my damnation. I thank Thee for the patience with which Thou hast endured me. My God, I love Thee above all things and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee because Thou art infinite goodness. I will rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of perseverance. Have pity on me and at the same time on those blessed souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary… The Prayer to Our Suffering Saviour for the Holy Souls in Purgatory found below Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1166)

On October11, 2012,  I began recording a new series that will soon begin(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Adrain-Walker-300x225.jpg) airing on Discerning Hearts with Dr. Adrian Walker, which we recorded at "Casa Balthasar (http://casabalthasar.org/index.php?id=324)",  a house of discernment for men located in Rome, Italy, where he was offering instruction.   Adrian served as the English translator of Pope Benedict XVI's  book "Jesus of Nazareth" . With  the historic events occurring with the Synod on the New Evangelization and start of the Year of Faith, we took some time aside to discuss that work and the influence of our Holy Father. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pope-Benedict.jpg) You can find the book here (http://www.ignatius.com/Products/JN-P/jesus-of-nazareth.aspx)   The Casa, located in Rome, was founded in 1990 by a group of friends  and is (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/casa-balthasar-300x224.jpg)directed by Rev. Jacques Servais, S.J.;  Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) has been closely associated with the Casa Balthasar (http://casabalthasar.org/index.php?id=324) from the very beginning as its Cardinal Protector.  

Episode 3 -The Way of Mystery:  The Eucharist and Moral Living– The(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Keating-2-293x300.jpg) Paschal Mystery and the importance of the Mass in our life of prayer Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “The Way of Mystery”. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Eucharist-190x300.jpg)The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IPF_logo-small.jpg) For more information on the “Institute of Priestly (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)Formation” and for oth (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)er material available by Deacon Keating, just click here (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Communion-with-Christ.bmp) Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Communion with Christ” , it is on (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks)e of the best (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) audio sets on prayer…ever! (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=624)

USCCA5- Episode 5- I Believe in God Archbishop Lucas offers (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Archbishop-George-J.-Lucas.jpg)insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 5: Revelation tells us that he living and personal, and profoundly close to us in creating and sustaining us. Though he is totally other, hidden, glorious, and wondrous, he communicates to us through creation us and reveals himself to us through the prophets and above in Jesus Christ, whom we meet in the Church, especially in Scripture and the Sacraments.  In many ways,  God speaks to our hearts where we may welcome his loving presence. The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.  For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Luca (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=7136)s page This programs is based on: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/United-States-Catechism-for.jpg) More information can be found here (http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?sku=5-450). We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series. Also we wish to thank Omar Gutierrez and Denise Wharton  for their vocal talents in this episode.

The Novena to St. Teresa of Avila (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=3149), Day 9(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/teresa_avila11.jpg) composed by  by St. Alphonsus of Liguori Join in on Day 9 Teresa, making her sweetly to die of love; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most affectionate spouse, to grant us a good death; and if we do not die of love, yet, that we may at least die burning of love for Thee, that so dying, we may be able to go and love Thee for evermore with a more perfect love in heaven. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Visit the Discerning Hearts “Teresa of Avila” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers

On October 7, at the beginning of the Synod on the New Evangelization, (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Matthew-Bunson-266x300.jpg)Pope Benedict XVI will declare St. Hildegard von Bingen and St. John of Avila  Doctors of the Church.  On this special edition of Inside the Pages I talk with Dr. Matthew Bunson about the significance of this declaration.  We talk about the lives and work of both saints and how their teachings can touch our lives today.

The Novena to St. Teresa of Avila, Day 8(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/st.-teresa-by-bernini.jpg) composed by  by St. Alphonsus of Liguori. Join in on Day 8 O most beloved Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the eminent gift of the desire for death which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most constant spouse, to grant us the grace of desiring death, in order to go and possess Thee eternally in the country of the blessed. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Visit the Discerning Hearts “Teresa of Avila” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers

The Novena to St. Teresa of Avila, Day 7(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/teresa_avila_7-300x233.jpg) composed by  by St. Alphonsus of Liguori. Join in on Day 7 O most loving Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the wonderful gift of the wound in the heart which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy seraphic spouse, to grant us also a like wound of love, that, henceforth, we may love Thee and give our mind to the love of nothing but Thee. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Visit the Discerning Hearts “Teresa of Avila” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers

The Novena to St. Teresa of Avila, Day 6 composed by  by St. Alphonsus of Liguori. Join in on Day 6 O most bountiful Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the gift of devotion towards Thy sweet (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Our-Lady-of-Mount-Carmel-1-300x240.jpg)mother, Mary and her holy spouse, Joseph, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most dear spouse, to give us the grace of a special and tender devotion towards Thy most holy mother, Mary, and towards Thy beloved foster-father, Joseph. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen Visit the Discerning Hearts “Teresa of Avila” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers

The Novena to St. Teresa of Avila, Day 5(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/st.-teresa-1.jpg) composed by  by St. Alphonsus of Liguori. Join in on Day 5 O most kind Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of humility which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most humble spouse, to grant us the grace of a true humility, which may make us ever find our joy in humiliation, and prefer contempt before every honour. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Visit the Discerning Hearts “Teresa of Avila” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers

The Novena to St. Teresa of Avila, Day 4(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/second__conversion_of_st_th-300x222.jpg) composed by  by St. Alphonsus of Liguori. Join in on Day 4 O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the gift of great desire and resolution which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa, that she might love Thee perfectly; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most generous spouse, to give us a true desire, and a true resolution of pleasing Thee the utmost of our power. Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. V. St. Teresa, pray for us: R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Visit the Discerning Hearts “Teresa of Avila” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers