Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts Discerning Hearts

Journeying with Jesus – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing

Fr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss the guide for discernment, which is not just for those considering priesthood but for all seeking to discern God’s will in their lives. They explore lessons based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, emphasizing the importance of encountering Jesus, desiring what he desires, and trusting him. The process involves becoming aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and desires, understanding them in God’s presence, and taking action. Discernment takes time, akin to the gradual conversion experienced by the apostles.

Fr. Hoesing delves into the incremental nature of discernment, where individuals progress step by step, rather than seeking immediate answers to complex questions. The importance of seminary formation is to provide young men with the necessary human and spiritual development; addressing societal pressures on career decisions and the need for proper human formation, especially in the seminary environment.

The role of spiritual direction is important, guiding individuals through discernment and helping them articulate their prayers and petitions. Fr. Hoesing concludes with reflections on finding peace in Jesus, recognizing his presence, and anchoring oneself in Christ for fruitful discernment.





Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:



* Encountering Jesus and Trusting Him: How does the encounter with Jesus impact one’s discernment process?

* Understanding Thoughts, Feelings, and Desires in God’s Presence: Reflect on the importance of becoming aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and desires in the discernment journey.

* Patience in Discernment: How can we cultivate patience in our discernment process, understanding that it takes time?

* Incremental Nature of Discernment: Consider the idea of discernment as an incremental journey rather than seeking immediate answers. How does this perspective shift our approach to discernment?

* Role of Seminary Formation: Reflect on the significance of seminary formation in providing the necessary human and spiritual development for those discerning priesthood.

* Navigating Societal Pressures: How can we navigate societal pressures on career decisions, especially regarding vocations, and prioritize discernment of God’s will?

* Importance of Spiritual Direction: Reflect on the role of spiritual direction in guiding individuals through discernment and helping them articulate their prayers and petitions.

* Finding Peace in Jesus: How do we recognize and anchor ourselves in the peace that comes from encountering Jesus in our discernment journey?

* Closing Reflections: Consider St. Teresa of Jesus’ prayer: “Let nothing trouble you. Let nothing frighten you. Everything passes. God never changes. Patience obtains all.” How does this prayer resonate with your discernment journey?

* Prayer for Guidance: Pray for God’s blessing and guidance in your discernment, seeking to live fully and radically in Christ.





Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic  Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.

Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as President Rector

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day One

Begin by 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 all favors,

I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor

I so earnestly seek…

State your request here…

O Holy Spirit,

spirit of truth, come into our hearts:

DAY ONE

O Holy Spirit,

bestow upon us Your seven holy gifts.

Enlighten our understanding that we may know You.

Give us wisdom that Your will may be clear to us

and that we may accept it.

Grant us the gift of counsel

that we may always perceive what is right.

Fortify us that we may always be capable

of fulfilling Your Divine Will.

Inspire us with the spirit of learning

that we may be able to penetrate more deeply

into the truths that You have revealed.

Let our hearts be steeped in the spirit of childlikeness

that we may bring You joy.

Let us have proper fear of God

that we may never grieve You

or wander from the path of goodness. Give us the fulness of Your gifts

that we may glorify You.

Look with compassion upon us,

O Holy Spirit,

and grant us the favor we seek in this novena…

State your request here…

if it be in accordance with Your Holy Will.

Come, O Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

Amen.

 For the complete novena visit :  The Discerning Hearts’ Holy Spirit Novena page



Friday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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 with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to John 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

you will be weeping and wailing

while the world will rejoice;

you will be sorrowful,

but your sorrow will turn to joy.

A woman in childbirth suffers,

because her time has come;

but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering

in her joy that a man has been born into the world.

So it is with you: you are sad now,

but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,

and that joy no one shall take from you.

When that day comes,

you will not ask me any questions.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?



What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

you will be weeping and wailing

while the world will rejoice;

you will be sorrowful,

but your sorrow will turn to joy.

A woman in childbirth suffers,

because her time has come;

but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering

in her joy that a man has been born into the world.

So it is with you: you are sad now,

but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,

and that joy no one shall take from you.

When that day comes,

you will not ask me any questions.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

you will be weeping and wailing

while the world will rejoice;

you will be sorrowful,

but your sorrow will turn to joy.

A woman in childbirth suffers,

because her time has come;

but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering

in her joy that a man has been born into the world.

So it is with you: you are sad now,

but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,

and that joy no one shall take from you.

When that day comes,

you will not ask me any questions.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?



Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

 but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

Ep. 10 - A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin - Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Ascension of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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 with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to St. Mark 16:15-20

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:

‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’

And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.

What word made this passage come alive for you?



What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:

‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’

And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:

‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’

And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?



Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

 but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.



Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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 with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I still have many things to say to you

but they would be too much for you now.

But when the Spirit of truth comes

he will lead you to the complete truth,

since he will not be speaking as from himself

but will say only what he has learnt;

and he will tell you of the things to come.

He will glorify me,

since all he tells you

will be taken from what is mine.

Everything the Father has is mine;

that is why I said:

All he tells you

will be taken from what is mine.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?



What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I still have many things to say to you

but they would be too much for you now.

But when the Spirit of truth comes

he will lead you to the complete truth,

since he will not be speaking as from himself

but will say only what he has learnt;

and he will tell you of the things to come.

He will glorify me,

since all he tells you

will be taken from what is mine.

Everything the Father has is mine;

that is why I said:

All he tells you

will be taken from what is mine.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I still have many things to say to you

but they would be too much for you now.

But when the Spirit of truth comes

he will lead you to the complete truth,

since he will not be speaking as from himself

but will say only what he has learnt;

and he will tell you of the things to come.

He will glorify me,

since all he tells you

will be taken from what is mine.

Everything the Father has is mine;

that is why I said:

All he tells you

will be taken from what is mine.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?



Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

 but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.