On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: A Partridge in a Pear Tree ….” The partridge symbolizes Jesus, the Christ. He is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless chicks. Prayer: Oh Lord who sacrificed for us, so that we may live in the safety of the knowledge that our death…

On Christmas Eve, the grand sweeping journey of salvation history comes to an important epoch with the “yes” of a virgin named Mary. From that point, the world is transformed forever. Msgr. Esseff challenges all of us to identify the tendency or flaw that cripples us. Give whatever that is to God. Christ has the power to heal you and change you int…

O Emmanuel O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His mes…

The Gift of Holiness – Advent Retreat Reflection by Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Deacon James Keating reflects on the spiritual journey of focusing on “the one thing necessary,” inspired by the story of the Magi in Matthew 2, and the human tendency to be attracted to many distractions and how the saints exemplify unwavering commitment to God despite …

Spiritual Masters: Living and Praying in the Catholic Tradition by Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Kris McGregor discusses with Archbishop Hughes his recently published book, “Spiritual Masters: Living and Praying in the Catholic Tradition.” Archbishop Hughes explains that the book was inspired by a widespre…

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS Day 25: Christ Born in Us Today The crib showing the nativity, in all the cities and villages and Catholic homes of the world, is not only there to commemorate Christ’s first coming to earth, it is there as a symbol of Christ’s birth in us. Christmas does not only mean that God became…

Christmas Day – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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…

On Christmas Eve, the grand sweeping journey of salvation history comes to an important epoch with the “yes” of a virgin named Mary. From that point, the world is transformed forever. Msgr. Esseff challenges all of us to identify the tendency or flaw that cripples us. Give whatever that is to God. Christ has the power to heal you and change you int…

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS Day 24: A Gentle Love Born in Our Hearts How small and gentle his coming was. He came as an infant. The night in which He came was noisy and crowded; it is unlikely that in the traffic of the travelers to Bethlehem the tiny wail of the newly-born could be heard. God approaches gently,…

A Christmas Novena – Day 9 – Life Eternal O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us to live eternal with You! Jesus, your nativity was not without purpose. Your purpose was to bring us to You. We pray that you will bring us to Life Eternal with you this Christmas. Divine Infant, after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem, You wished to extend Your infinite …

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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 …

Image of God – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues the story of Bob to illustrate how the Ignatian spiritual exercises can reveal deeper wounds and foster healing. Bob experiences spiritual desolation while praying about sin and God’s justice, which evokes unresolved feelings tied to his…

This Advent and Christmas season, Kris McGregor, Founder of Discerning Hearts, shares a heartfelt message of gratitude and hope for our listeners. For over 14 years, Discerning Hearts has been blessed to provide free spiritual resources to millions of listeners in over 265 countries, rooted in the timeless wisdom of saints like St. Ignatius of Loyo…

O Emmanuel O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His mes…

Seventh Antiphon – December 23nd: O Emmanuel O Emmanuel,[1] king and lawgiver,[2] desire of the nations,[3] Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. We have here a variation on the theme that …

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS Day 23: Resting in Christ, Living His Love In Advent, Christ rested in Mary—still, silent, helpless, utterly dependent. The Creator trusted Himself to His creature. He trusted the expression of His love to her, the expression of God’s love for the world, and of His love of His Father.…

A Christmas Novena – Day 8 – Holiness O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin! You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas. Divine Infant, after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem, You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world by calling the Wise …

Monday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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 w…

The Fourth Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary; her profound humility and obedience, which serve as the cornerstone of salvation through Christ. Drawing on scriptural passages, he highlights Mary’s pivotal role in the Incarn…

The Fourth Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary; her profound humility and obedience, which serve as the cornerstone of salvation through Christ. Drawing on scriptural passages, he highlights Mary’s pivotal role in the Incarn…