Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts » Current Novena(s)

A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 9 – Enduring Influence A teaching from St. Dominic: “Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and shall help you then more effectively than during my life.” St. Dominic’s life was a testament to his deep faith in ... Read more The post Day 9 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Disc...

powerpress] A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 8 – Rosary Devotion A 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 ... Read more The post Day 8 &#...

A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 7 – The Power of Marian Devotion A teaching from St. Dominic: “One day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world” St. Dominic’s prophecy about the Rosary and the Scapular highlights the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in ... Read more The post Day 7 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discer...

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,...

A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 6– Mastering Passions A 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, ... Read more The post Day 6 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart &#82...

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 Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 5– Spiritual Defense A 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 ... Read more The post Day 5 – A St. Dominic N...

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 The post A Novena in Honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri Day 7 &#8211...

A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 4– Guiding Charity A 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 ... Read more The post Day 4 &#8211...

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 The post A Novena in Honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri – Day 6 &#821...

A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 3– Spiritual Vigilance A teaching from St. Dominic: “The enemy never sleeps, yet you seem to sleep.” St. Dominic was known for his dedication to a life of prayer and vigilance, often spending nights in prayer and seeking God’s guidance. This calls us to be ... Read more The post Day 3 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discer...

A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 2– The Power of Prayer A teaching from St. Dominic: “I would be of more use to you if I prayed for you than if I preached to you.” St. Dominic was renowned for his deep devotion to prayer, often spending entire nights in prayerful ... Read more The post Day 2 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning He...

A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 1– Sharing Faith A teaching from St. Dominic: “We must sow the seed, not hoard it.” St. Dominic devoted his life to preaching the Gospel and spreading the Christian faith. He traveled extensively, establishing the Dominican Order to continue this mission of evangelization. His approach ... Read more The post Day 1 – A St. Domin...

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 The post A Novena in Honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri – Day 4 – Mp3 audio and...

Day 9 From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola: I recommend that virtue to you which includes all others, and which our Lord so greatly praised by calling it His great commandment: "This is My commandment that you love one another" (John 15:12). You are not only to maintain a union of love among yourselves, but you must extend it to every one and set your hearts on fire with the desire for your...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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, H...

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 The post A Novena to St. Teresa of Avila Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared firs...

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...

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...

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...