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A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning HeartDay 8 – Rosary DevotionA teaching from St. Dominic:
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
St. Dominic’s words emphasize the profound importance and power of the Rosary in the life of a faithful Christian. According to tradition, St. Dominic was given the Rosary by the Blessed Virgin Mary in an apparition after his prayer and fasting seeking a way to combat heresy spreading in the world. During his time, many people did not have access to the Bible in their homes. The Rosary became a means of catechizing the faithful through prayerful reflection and immersion in the Gospel message. By responding to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s call to pray the Rosary, we follow her guidance and grow closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. The Rosary is a personal prayer and a means of calling upon God’s grace for ourselves and the world. Each mystery draws us into the biblical narrative, helping us to embrace and live out the teachings of the Gospel. This practice deepens our understanding of Scripture and strengthens our relationship with God, opening us to receive blessings that address both our spiritual and temporal needs.
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
How can you incorporate the regular recitation of the Rosary into your life, seeking blessings and growing in your understanding and relationship with Christ, as well as addressing the needs of the world?
To incorporate the Rosary into your life, dedicate a specific time each day for its recitation. Focus on the mysteries, which reflect significant events in the life of Christ and Mary, as presented in Scripture and Tradition. Meditating on these mysteries helps embrace Gospel teachings and apply them to daily life. This practice not only strengthens our connection with God but also allows us to receive unseen graces that extend beyond our personal needs to address the spiritual and temporal needs of the world. Through the Rosary, we can intercede for global peace, healing, and conversion, trusting that our prayers contribute to the outpouring of divine grace for the benefit of all.
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
The Dominican Blessing, from an anonymous 13th-century English Dominican, captures St. Dominic’s timeless call for blessings, healing, and divine guidance.
May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see to God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God’s work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the eternal Kingdom.
Amen
Lord God, you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day as a great preacher of your truth.We pray that he will help us in our time by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.Amen.St. Dominic Quotation taken from: Constitutions of the Order of Preachers
For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Dominic visit hereThe post Day 8 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning HeartDay 8 – Rosary DevotionA teaching from St. Dominic:
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
St. Dominic’s words emphasize the profound importance and power of the Rosary in the life of a faithful Christian. According to tradition, St. Dominic was given the Rosary by the Blessed Virgin Mary in an apparition after his prayer and fasting seeking a way to combat heresy spreading in the world. During his time, many people did not have access to the Bible in their homes. The Rosary became a means of catechizing the faithful through prayerful reflection and immersion in the Gospel message. By responding to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s call to pray the Rosary, we follow her guidance and grow closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. The Rosary is a personal prayer and a means of calling upon God’s grace for ourselves and the world. Each mystery draws us into the biblical narrative, helping us to embrace and live out the teachings of the Gospel. This practice deepens our understanding of Scripture and strengthens our relationship with God, opening us to receive blessings that address both our spiritual and temporal needs.
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
How can you incorporate the regular recitation of the Rosary into your life, seeking blessings and growing in your understanding and relationship with Christ, as well as addressing the needs of the world?
To incorporate the Rosary into your life, dedicate a specific time each day for its recitation. Focus on the mysteries, which reflect significant events in the life of Christ and Mary, as presented in Scripture and Tradition. Meditating on these mysteries helps embrace Gospel teachings and apply them to daily life. This practice not only strengthens our connection with God but also allows us to receive unseen graces that extend beyond our personal needs to address the spiritual and temporal needs of the world. Through the Rosary, we can intercede for global peace, healing, and conversion, trusting that our prayers contribute to the outpouring of divine grace for the benefit of all.
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
The Dominican Blessing, from an anonymous 13th-century English Dominican, captures St. Dominic’s timeless call for blessings, healing, and divine guidance.
May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see to God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God’s work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the eternal Kingdom.
Amen
Lord God, you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day as a great preacher of your truth.We pray that he will help us in our time by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.Amen.St. Dominic Quotation taken from: Constitutions of the Order of Preachers
For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Dominic visit hereThe post Day 8 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning HeartDay 6– Mastering PassionsA teaching from St. Dominic:
“A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either rule them, or be ruled by them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.”
St. Dominic practiced a disciplined lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of self-control and temperance. He believed that mastering one’s passions is key to achieving true freedom and spiritual growth. This aligns with the Catholic virtue of temperance, which helps individuals regulate their desires and actions in harmony with God’s will.
“A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either rule them, or be ruled by them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.”
What steps can you take to better manage your passions and desires?
To manage your passions and desires, start by practicing self-discipline through regular prayer and meditation. Participate in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, to receive grace and strength. Embrace the virtue of temperance by moderating your consumption of food, drink, and other pleasures. Reflect on your actions and motivations regularly through an examination of conscience. Engaging in spiritual exercises, such as retreats or fasting, can help strengthen your will and focus on God’s will for your life. Seek guidance from a spiritual director or confessor to stay accountable and receive personalized advice.
“A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either rule them, or be ruled by them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.”
The Dominican Blessing, from an anonymous 13th-century English Dominican, captures St. Dominic’s timeless call for blessings, healing, and divine guidance.
May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see to God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God’s work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the eternal Kingdom.
Amen
Lord God, you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day as a great preacher of your truth.We pray that he will help us in our time by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.Amen.St. Dominic Quotation take from: Constitutions of the Order of Preachers
For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Dominic visit hereThe post Day 6 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning HeartDay 5– Spiritual DefenseA teaching from St. Dominic:
“Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”
St. Dominic, renowned for his humility and dedication to a simple life, advised using spiritual tools over physical ones. He promoted prayer and humility as true defenses in life. This reflection invites us to consider what we rely on for protection and strength—encouraging a shift from external symbols of power to internal virtues.
“Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”
How can you cultivate humility and spiritual discipline in your life? Cultivating humility and spiritual discipline involves setting regular times for prayer, such as daily morning and evening prayers, and engaging in fasting and almsgiving to foster self-denial and charity. Simplify your lifestyle, focusing on spiritual growth over material possessions. Seek guidance through spiritual direction, and participate in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, to maintain a close relationship with God. Additionally, involve yourself in acts of service within your community to cultivate a humble heart and a deeper understanding of Christ’s love.
“Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”
The Dominican Blessing, from an anonymous 13th-century English Dominican, captures St. Dominic’s timeless call for blessings, healing, and divine guidance.
May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see to God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God’s work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the eternal Kingdom.
Amen
Lord God, you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day as a great preacher of your truth.We pray that he will help us in our time by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.Amen.St. Dominic Quotation take from: Raymond of Capua, “Life of St. Dominic.”
For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Dominic visit hereThe post Day 5 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning HeartDay 4– Guiding CharityA teaching from St. Dominic:
“Charity, above all things, must guide our actions.”
St. Dominic, known for his compassionate approach, founded the Dominican Order with a focus on preaching and charitable works. This highlights charity as the highest guiding principle, aligning with the Catholic call to love and compassion in our actions. This reflection encourages us to prioritize the well-being of others in a world often driven by competition and self-interest.
“Charity, above all things, must guide our actions.”
How can you prioritize charity and kindness in your daily interactions?
You can prioritize charity by engaging in acts of kindness, offering help to those in need, participating in charitable works, and fostering a spirit of generosity and compassion in all your interactions.
“Charity, above all things, must guide our actions.”
The Dominican Blessing, from an anonymous 13th-century English Dominican, captures St. Dominic’s timeless call for blessings, healing, and divine guidance.
May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see to God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God’s work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the eternal Kingdom.
Amen
Lord God, you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day as a great preacher of your truth.We pray that he will help us in our time by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.Amen.St. Dominic Quotation take from: Raymond of Capua, “Life of St. Dominic.”
For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Dominic visit hereThe post Day 4 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning HeartDay 1– Sharing FaithA teaching from St. Dominic:
“We must sow the seed, not hoard it.”
In Catholic teaching, evangelization is a fundamental aspect of living out one’s faith. This quote reminds us of the parable of the sower, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of spreading the Word of God. Sharing our faith is not just about preaching but also about living a life that reflects Christian values, thus becoming a witness to others. By sharing the “seed” of faith, we contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom on earth.
“We must sow the seed, not hoard it.”
How can you actively share your faith or beliefs in your daily life?
Consider participating in parish activities, engaging in meaningful conversations about your beliefs, volunteering in church ministries, or simply living out Christian values in your interactions. These actions not only spread the faith but also demonstrate it through a life well-lived.
“We must sow the seed, not hoard it.”
A Prayer of St. DominicO, Spem Miram (O Wonderful Hope)
O wonderful hope which you gave to those who wept for you at the hour of your death, promising that after your death you would be helpful to your brethren.
Fulfill, Father, what you have said, and help us by your prayers.
You who did shine with great merits on the earth and worked miracles innumerable, obtain for us the grace to follow in your steps.
Fulfill, Father, what you have said, and help us by your prayers
Lord God, you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day as a great preacher of your truth.We pray that he will help us in our time by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.Amen.The post Day 1 – A Novena St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4: THE SOUL
St. Teresa you have said
“It is that we consider our soul to be like a castle made entirely out of a diamond or of very clear crystal, in which there are many rooms, just as in heaven there are many dwelling places. For in reflecting upon it carefully, Sisters, we realize that the soul of the just person is nothing else but a paradise where the Lord says He finds His delight...I don’t find anything comparable to the magnificent beauty of a soul and its marvelous capacity. Indeed, our intellects, however keen, can hardly comprehend it, just as they cannot comprehend God’ but He Himself says that He created us in His own image and likeness.”
—Interior Castle I:1.1
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Day 2 INTIMATE AND TRANSFORMATIVE PRAYER St. Teresa you have said “Whoever has not begun the practice of prayer, I beg for the love of the Lord not to go without so great a good. There is nothing here to fear but only something to desire…And if one perseveres, I trust then in the ... Read more
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DAY 1: QUALITY SPIRITUAL READING
St. Teresa you have said:
“The prioress should see to it that good books are available, especially The Life of Christ by the Carthusian, the Flos Sanctorum, The Imitation of Christ, The Oratory of Religious, and those books written by Fray Luis de Granada and by Father Fray Pedro de Alcantara. This sustenance for the soul is in some way as necessary as is food for the body.”
—Constitutions 8
In chapter 4 of her autobiography, Teresa recounts the story of a particular visit to her uncle, Pedro Sánchez de Cepeda, wherein he gave her a copy of Francisco de Osuna’s book, the Third Spiritual Alphabet. It provided the foundations for her spiritual life and remained an important reference for many years. In time, Teresa added other works to her list of spiritual influences, including those listed in her Constitutions. It was essential to her spiritual growth and to that of her sisters to be educated by knowledgeable people in the realm of the interior life.
Through her example and counsel, we are also invited to enrich our faith and our interior lives by reading and studying the writings of the many holy authors whom the Church recommends to us. Of course, among these, Teresa is one who is especially recommended. Perhaps one way of preparing for the feast during these nine days of novena would be to prayerful read and reflect on one of her writings.
May she and all of the saintly authors continue to inspire us through their teachings and experience.
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Ninth Day – Holiness is Jesus Living and Acting in Me
Thought for the day:
“Charity for each other is the surest way to great holiness.”
Ask for the grace to become a saint.
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Eighth Day – Jesus Made Himself the Bread of Life and the Hungry One
Thought for the day: “Believe that He, Jesus, is in the appearance of Bread and that He, Jesus, is in the hungry, naked, sick, lonely, unloved, homeless, helpless and hopeless.”
Ask for the grace of a deep faith to see Jesus in the Bread of Life and to serve Him in the distressing disguise of the poor.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
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Seventh Day – God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Thought for the day:
“Joy is the sign of union with God, of God’s presence. Joy is love, the normal result of a heart burning with love.”
Ask for the grace to find joy in loving and to share this joy with all you meet.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
The post Novena to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Day 7 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sixth Day – True Love is Surrender
Thought for the day:
“Allow God to use you without consulting you.”
Ask for the grace to surrender your whole life to God.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
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Fifth Day – Trust Jesus Blindly
Thought for the day:
“Confidence in God can do all things. It is our emptiness and lowliness that God needs and not our plenitude’”
Ask for the grace to have an unshakeable trust in God’s power and love for you and for all.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
The post Novena to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Day 5 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fourth Day – Our Lady Will Help You
Thought for the day:
“How close we must keep to Our Lady who understood what depth of Divine Love was being revealed as she stood at the foot of the Cross and heard Jesus cry out: ‘I thirst.’”
Ask for the grace to learn from Our Lady to quench Jesus’ thirst as she did.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
The post Novena to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Day 4 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Third Day –
Hear Him Say to You: “I Thirst”
Thought for the day:
“Just think! God is thirsting for you and me to come forward to satiate His thirst.”
Ask for the grace to understand Jesus’ cry of thirst.
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Second Day – Jesus Loves You
Thought for the day:
“Do not be afraid - you are precious to Jesus. He loves you.”
Ask for the grace to be convinced of Jesus’ unconditional and personal love for you.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
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First Day – Know the Living Jesus
Thought for the day:
“Don’t search for Jesus in far lands; He is not there. He is close to you; He is in you.”
Ask for the grace of an intimate knowledge of Jesus.
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Day 9 – Opening to the Supreme Joy: Friendship with Jesus
“[The heart of the human person] finds itself in great distress without a close union with God, because only the fullness of being, of intelligence and of love, the infinite Unity and ineffable Trinity of God, can fill and satisfy its immense capacity.”
“The Church sings the solemn chant: Nobis datus, nobis natus--For us he has been given, for us he is born! Who would ever doubt this truth after so many testimonies? Jesus Christ is all for us. His Father gave him to us. He gave himself to us. There is no other acquisition better than this gift. He is therefore mine. Yes, he is mine and belongs to me. Oh Love! Oh Goodness! What is necessary on my part to gain this gift, greater than any gift, that contains in itself every other gift? Three things are necessary: faith, confidence and offering.”
“They are always in Jesus’ company; they are always conversing with Jesus. They strive to keep their memory gently fixed on Jesus, to accustom their intellect to always see and judge everything according to Jesus, to keep their will always tranquil and united to that of Jesus.”
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Day 8 – Overcoming Excuses for being Sad
“It is necessary to notice that many times these sufferings are products of our imagination, and a joyful spirit dispels them easily. In fact, many times they are trifles, or even without any foundation whatsoever. For example: a person forgets to greet someone because of a distraction, causing that person to presume it is out of malice or scorn. Or again, a word comes from the mouth of someone--perhaps in simplicity or jest--and it is immediately interpreted as an offense. Many times the disgust is disgust because we want to be disgusted, like spooked horses who jump backwards not because there may be an occasion for fear, but because they themselves create the fear.
...As for true and real tribulations and adversities, notice that if they are not taken with a joyful abandonment to God, they will become much heavier! They will damage the spirit and lead to impatience, lack of charity, murmuring against God, and even against one’s own body. Drive sadness far away from you, for sadness brought death to many (Sirach 30:23). Thus, afflictions of soul, desolations, desperation--see how they foster more sadness!
...Yes, these things impede joy if one looks upon them with a worldly eye, if one seeks their causes in the earth, or in creatures, and does not look upon them with the eye of faith, or does not believe that all comes from God... nothing happens contrary to His will. And it is from God our father--he is a father like no other father--who permits all things for our good, so may we reflect on the grace attached to it and the reward prepared for us.”
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A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary Day 7 – Acquiring Spiritual Joy “Means for acquiring Joyfulness: 1. Ask the Lord for joyfulness. Joy or cheerfulness is the second fruit of the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5:22]. Blessed [John] Berchmans [1599-1621] was always so joyful that many ... Read more
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A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary Day 6 – Protecting against Sin and Vice “Through joyfulness one avoids sins and easily triumphs over temptation. It is proper to temptations to begin to instill despondency and sadness. And in these troubled waters the devil begins to ... Read more
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A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary Day 4 – Strengthening the Reasons to be Joyful 1. Our gratitude requires it. We have an obligation to be thankful for the spiritual goods we possess. How will we ever show enough appreciation for them unless we really ... Read more
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Day 3 – Turning toward Spiritual Joy
“Spiritual joy is experienced when one ponders the spiritual goods it possesses.
What are these goods? Participation in the divine nature (as children of God), union with Jesus Christ, being in the bosom of the Church as her children, God's special protection, the gifts of the theological virtues, the Sacraments, the communion of saints, grace, friendship with God, the merits of our actions, the glory of heaven that is already almost ours by the firm hope we have (as a son already almost possesses the inheritance that awaits him from his father).
This is the joy that we must seek. Few possess it, because they fail to call these
goods to mind and fail to understand how valuable they are. They are like people who never stop to look at a beautiful painting, or to listen to beautiful music, and really enjoy them. They are like children who possess precious things but do not realize how valuable
they are. Such people fail to ponder and take delight in the state of grace.
Unlike worldly joy, spiritual joy is true joy; it is not based on anything false or illusory. It is to be preferred to all else, because it is good, holy, and superior to anything temporal. Spiritual joy is angelic, because the angels themselves experience it. It is real, and it strengthens.”
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Novena to the Holy Spirit 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 ... Read more
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Novena to the Holy Spirit 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 ... Read more
The post Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to the Holy Spirit 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 ... Read more
The post Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to the Holy Spirit 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 ... Read more
The post Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
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 ... Read more
The post Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to the Holy Spirit 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 ... Read more
The post Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 4- Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to the Holy Spirit 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, ... Read more
The post Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
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 ... Read more
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“Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me; I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.”
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Day 7: SURRENDER
St. Teresa you have said
Myself surrendered and given,
The exchange is this:
My Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
When the gentle Hunter
Wounded and subdued me,
In love’s arms,
My soul fallen;
New life receiving,
Thus did I exchange
My Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
The arrow he drew
Full of love,
My soul was made one
With her Creator.
Other love I want not,
Surrendered now to my God,
That my Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
—On Those Words “Dilectus Meus Mihi”
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St. Teresa you have said
“A long time after the Lord had already granted me many of the favors I’ve mentioned and other very lofty ones, while I was in prayer one day, I suddenly found that, without knowing how, I had seemingly been put in hell...The fact is that I don’t know how to give a sufficiently powerful description of that interior fire and that despair, coming in addition to such extreme torments and pains. I didn’t see who inflicted them on me, but, as it seemed to me, I felt myself burning and crumbling; and I repeat the worst was that interior fire and despair.”
—Autobiography XXXII.1,2
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Day 5: HUMILITY
St. Teresa you have said
“O Eternal Father! How much this humility deserves. What treasure do we have that could buy Your Son? The sale of Him, we already know, was for thirty pieces of silver. But to buy Him, no price is sufficient. Since by sharing in our nature He has become one with us here below—and as Lord of His own will—He reminds the Father that because He belongs to Him the Father in turn can give Him to us. And so He says, “our bread.” He doesn’t make any difference between Himself and us, but we make one by not giving ourselves up each day for His Majesty.”
—Way of Perfection XXXIII.5
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Day 4: THE SOUL
St. Teresa you have said
“It is that we consider our soul to be like a castle made entirely out of a diamond or of very clear crystal, in which there are many rooms, just as in heaven there are many dwelling places. For in reflecting upon it carefully, Sisters, we realize that the soul of the just person is nothing else but a paradise where the Lord says He finds His delight...I don’t find anything comparable to the magnificent beauty of a soul and its marvelous capacity. Indeed, our intellects, however keen, can hardly comprehend it, just as they cannot comprehend God’ but He Himself says that He created us in His own image and likeness.”
—Interior Castle I:1.1
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Day 3: THE CENTRALITY OF THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST
St. Teresa you have said
“The thought comes to me now that our good Jesus showed us the weakness of His humanity previous to the trials, and when He was in the abyss of His sufferings showed such great fortitude that He not only did not complain but did nothing that would make it appear He was suffering with weakness. When He went to the garden, He said: My soul is sorrowful even to death. Yet, while on the cross, for He was already suffering death, He did not complain.”
—Meditations on the Song of Songs III.11.
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Day 5 – Honoring God by Joy
“Sometimes it may seem as though God does not react to evil, as if he is silent. And yet God has spoken. He has replied, and his answer is the cross of Christ: a word that is love, mercy, forgiveness.”
With spiritual joy, one gives greater honor and glory to God, manifesting with deeds that he thinks well of God and is content in His service and with His treatment. With persistent unhappiness, by contrast, one dishonors God, slights God by one's deeds and manifests that he thinks poorly of God. …If it is such a horrible thing to demean one’s neighbor, what then will it be to demean God? A sad servant dishonors his master, but a joyful and content servant honors him. For that reason we want to give to others a great idea of God our Father in order to give Him the glory that is His due. We want to serve Him with joy and delight, and not with sadness and against our will. We esteem, we appreciate, we magnify His gifts. We pray by hoping in Him, and we glorify Him again, as a God absolutely good, merciful, generous, and faithful. Let those be sad who serve tyrants, such as the world, the flesh, and the devil.
”Speak about God with all, however, in a way that is worthy of Him. It is in accordance with the counsel of the Holy Spirit: Think of God in a spirit of goodness (Wisdom 1:1).”
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Day 4
From a letter to Ermentrude of Bruges
This labour of ours is brief, but the reward is eternal; let the noises of the fleeting world and its shadow not confound you; let the empty spectres of the deceiving world not drive you mad; shut your ears to the whispers of hell and, strong, break down its attempts [against you]; willingly bear adverse evils and let provident goods not puff you up; for the one requires faith, the other demands it; what you promised God, faithfully render, and he will repay you.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
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Day 2 – Letting Go of Worldly Joy
“Such [worldly] joy is too shallow; it is as shallow as the thing enjoyed. This kind of childish joy, shared by the animals, soon passes away. Even if this joy lasts for a while, it can drag on and lead to boredom. This is the kind of joy sought by the worldly, since the sensible and material are all that they know. When some little struggle comes along, such as a toothache, this joy vanishes in a flash. This kind of happiness is not enough for the children of God, for they aspire to nobler and higher thoughts. They disdain the shallow, preferring deeper and more lasting joys, namely, the spiritual and eternal. Spiritual joys, therefore, should be the their happiness.”
“God and creatures go different ways in search of the human soul. The Lord, by his loving kindness and bounty, sets about gaining its affection; creatures, incapable of offering it any
real good, endeavor to allure it by vain and flattering appearances. If the soul, yielding to the loving invitation of the Lord, consecrates itself totally to him, it will find in God the means of self-perfection and true happiness; but if on the contrary, it turns towards creatures, it degrades itself, and finds continual disquiet, our hearts being unable to know, outside of God, any true good or sincere happiness.”
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Day 1 Beginning in Hope
Whatever my failings may be, I will never lose heart, aware that I will commit many such failings; but I will always ask God’s forgiveness immediately, and strive to do better. And I will be persuaded that discouragement is the greatest obstacle on the way of salvation.
[If I fall many times] I will get up immediately and with humility, and not hate myself (for that would be self-love); this is true love. A child falls thousands of times, but it never just stays there on the ground. It cries, and runs to his mother. And so do we to the crucifix.
How many grades of grace, of glory, of honor [do we gain and give to] God, each and every time we do this.
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DAY NINE Dear Mother, I now come before you on the last day of this novena. I know you have heard me, Mary. I believe you have prayed with me each day for my very special intentions. My heart is filled with so much gratitude as I think of you. I have in you, dear ... Read more
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DAY EIGHT
Holy Mary, Our Lady of Consolation,
I come before you today as your pilgrim.
My entire life is a journey,
a pilgrimage.
Constantly do I seek the way of your Son,
as I move toward our heavenly home.
I am inspired by you, Mary.
I call myself your pilgrim
as you are my special Patroness,
my gentle and loving Mother,
leading me each and every day
closer to your Blessed Son,
my Lord and Savior.
Oh Mary, please pray for me
as I continue my earthly pilgrimage.
Ask our Blessed Lord to strengthen me each day
that I may resist
the many temptations of this life.
Pray for me, Mary,
that I may always remember
that I was not created for this earthly home,
but rather for our heavenly home with my Father.
At this time, dear Mother,
please join me in prayer
for the particular intentions of this novena.
(pause)
Look kindly on these needs
and ask our Blessed Lord to help me.
Always be with me, Mary,
as I continue on this pilgrimage home.
When that day comes
when I shall end this pilgrimage,
I pray that you will stand with me
as I see, face to face,
the Father of all goodness,
my God and my all.
Amen.
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DAY SEVEN Most blessed Mary, kind and loving Mother, receive me, your child, into your tender care. In your life, Mary, you always offered kindness to those around you. Pray with me now to our loving Lord, that in my life I may reflect you through kindness. There are so many times in this ... Read more
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DAY SIX
Holy Mother Mary,
again I come before you as your child.
I pray with all my heart and mind
for all of God’s pilgrim people.
Pray for me, dear Mother,
for a greater understanding
of the wonderful gift of Christ
in the Eucharist.
Help me to see in this most Blessed Sacrament,
Christ Himself,
the great and unending gift of the Father.
Help me, Mary,
to feel the nearness of my Lord.
Through the celebration of the Eucharist,
He truly touches me;
He feeds me by His divine sacrifice,
His death and resurrection.
So abundant is God’s love
through this Sacrament.
May I ever see this love,
this grace,
and live as a child of God,
a child of light.
At Mass, dear Mother,
our entire salvation unfolds before my eyes.
Jesus, our Savior, comes to us,
as the wonderful sacrifice
to the Father is renewed.
What a loving Father we have,
and how endless is His love
and mercy for all of us!
Mary, Mother of God,
keep me mindful of this great gift
of the Eucharist.
Please pray with me now,
dear Mother,
for these special needs of mine.
(pause).
Ask our blessed Lord
to keep me ever united to Him,
and always close in prayer to you.
Amen.
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DAY FIVE Dear Lady of Consolation, Queen of Peace, be with me now as I pray. Join your prayers to mine as I bring my needs before our most loving Father and His Divine Son. Throughout your life, dear Mother, you offered all around you a most perfect example of gentleness and peace. It is ... Read more
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DAY FOUR
Mary, Mother of Consolation,
again I come before you in prayer.
Help me to pray to our most loving Father.
Ever guide me to seek in my life
His divine will.
Help me to hold before my eyes
the saving life of your Son.
You are the chosen, Mary,
for your magnificent answer
to the desire of the Father,
the prompting of the Holy Spirit
and the request of the angel.
Your openness to the Father
has given joy to the world.
The Son of God your Son
and our Lord and Savior,
became man through your answer.
Oh Mary, grant that I might offer myself
to the Father as you did.
Help me on the true path of holiness;
this is the Father’s desire for me.
Assist me through your prayers
that I too might agree
to the prompting of the Holy Spirit within me.
Help me to offer others around me
the example your Son expects me to be.
In a special way,
I ask you to pray with me for these,
the main intentions of this novena.
(pause)
Holy Mary, I offer my prayers
for all of God’s people,
for the needs of all mankind.
We are all pilgrims ever on our way
toward our heavenly home.
Watch over us and guide us;
lead us to your Son, Jesus,
our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
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DAY THREE
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
bless me today.
Bless me and join me in prayer.
I am so lacking in patience, dear Mary.
I grow so weary and unhappy at times.
There are days when I even find it difficult
to raise my heart and mind in prayer.
Teach me, most holy Mother,
to turn to you as an example.
Your life is a most perfect example of patience,
acceptance and love.
How truly you can be called
“Mother of Consolation.”
You knew the ultimate grief
of witnessing the earthly death
of your loving Son.
You saw, as so few mothers do,
your own flesh and blood,
hurt, bleeding, and despised,
as He climbed Calvary.
This most precious offering of Himself
to all mankind,
you saw mocked and ridiculed.
Through all of this
you continued to offer for all time
the perfect example of a most patient
and compassionate mother.
Holy Mother, I ask you to help me
become more accepting and patient.
May I ever follow your example
and strive to make these virtues
of patience and acceptance
more real in my own life.
Pray for me, please, dear Mother.
Ask our blessed Lord to make me more like you.
Ask Him also for my very special intentions.
(pause)
Keep me in your love, Blessed Mary,
and guide me always closer
to your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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DAY TWO
Gentle Queen of Heaven, Mary, my Mother,
kindly turn your eyes toward me.
You who are so filled with compassion
and love for all your children on this earth,
be with me now as I kneel before you.
I call to mind, Mary,
the joy you gave to this world.
Your acceptance of the desire
of our loving Father gave all of us Jesus,
our Lord and our Savior.
You in turn, kind Mother,
knew the joy of holding God in your arms,
of guiding His first steps,
of bringing Him to manhood.
It is with a heart filled with gratitude,
dear Mother of God,
that I recall the joys in your life
which have given me a most wonderful Savior.
Blessed Mary, Mother of Consolation,
through the joy you knew with Jesus on earth
and the unending joy of being with Him in heaven,
please pray with me now.
Ask our Lord to assist me in this need of mine.
(pause)
Grant also, Blessed Mother,
that I may reflect the joy I have in my life.
I am so blessed by Our Lord.
His Gospel of love
must always remain in my heart and on my lips.
Amen.
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DAY ONE Blessed Mary, Mother of Consolation, I ask you to pray with me now as I come before you as your child. Kindly be with me, dear Mother; guide me in your gentle way. It was after nine days of prayer in the upper room that you, Mary, and the close friends of Jesus ... Read more
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