Heroic Hearts

Amy Chase
Heroic Hearts

Heroic Hearts is a podcast about healing, enchanting, and elevating our hearts through the stories and spirituality of St. Joan of Arc and St. Therese of Lisieux. www.heroic-hearts.com

  1. 08/02/2022

    Bonus Episode! In Joan of Arc's Footsteps

    Hey Heroic Hearts listeners! Season 2 is over, but we’re pleased to bring you this bonus episode in which Walter interviews Amy about her recent pilgrimage to France, following in the footsteps of St. Joan of Arc. If you didn’t catch Season 1 on the life of St. Joan of Arc, begin the adventure here! From Amy:This past June, I had the great privilege of joining Chris and Catherine Snidow of Pilgrim Witnesses and seven other Joan of Arc enthusiasts for a very special pilgrimage to France. For 10 idyllic days, we explored the villages, churches, battlefields, and castles in which the incredible, almost unbelievable drama of Joan of Arc’s heroic life played out. Even though I’d read the books and watched the films, nothing prepared me for standing in the very places where “Joan the Maid” walked, prayed, fought, and sacrificed. I think my fellow pilgrims would agree that we encountered not just a story, or even a legend, but a real human being whose soul shines with strength and beauty. Here’s a brief itinerary: June 17-19: “Base Orléans” * The monastery of St. Benoit-Sur-Loire where St. Benedict’s relics rest and through which Joan of Arc and the Dauphin Charles VII passed on their way to Reims for Charles’ coronation * The Chateau Sully-Sur-Loire, which hosted Joan during her Loire campaign * The city and Cathedral of Orléans * The historic site of Les Tourelles, where Joan fought the final battle to free Orléans June 20-23: “Base Domrémy-La-Pucelle” * The Basilica of Joan of Arc in Domrémy-La-Pucelle * The Fairy Tree * Maison de Natale de Jeanne D’Arc (i.e. the house where Joan was born) * Joan’s childhood church, St. Remy * Vaucouleurs, where Joan traveled to convince Robert de Baudricourt to give her escorts and an introduction to Charles VII * The Chapelle de Bermont where Joan prayed as a girl, and which contains the oldest known image of Joan of Arc June 24-26: “Base Reims” in Champagne, France * The Benedictine Monastery of St. Thierry * The Cathedral of Reims, where Charles VII had his coronation (made possible by Joan of Arc’s military victories and strategic foresight) June 27: Rouen, France * The Cathedral of Rouen * The Tower where Joan was imprisoned * The Vielle Marche where Joan was burned at the stake Chris and Catherine are planning another pilgrimage in summer 2023. Please visit Pilgrim Witnesses to learn more and sign up! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.heroic-hearts.com

    35 min
  2. 07/26/2022

    Season 2 Finale: "My Vocation is Love"

    In the final episode on the life of St. Thérèse, co-hosts Walter and Amy reflect on their “Heroic Hearts” journey with this extraordinary saint. As her young life draws to a close, Thérèse makes the life-changing discovery that her vocation is love. The members of her community at last begin to recognize her great sanctity while her sister Pauline records her “Last Conversations". From these notes we hear again and again of Therese's desire to suffer for souls, to spend her time in heaven doing good on earth, and above all, of her ardent desire for God's will concerning her life and her death. Thanks to all our listeners for accompanying us on this journey with our favorite saints, Joan of Arc and Thérèse of Lisieux. We hope you’ve enjoyed the show. Please share it with others and stay tuned for future bonus episodes! Reflective Questions * How would you describe The Dark Night of the Soul? What is your experience with such dark nights? * How has this time with Therese taught you to love, suffer, and die to self with joy? Prayer Thérèse, by your generous intercession:May we, too, suffer in joy and peace.May we, too, like only whatever God does.May we, too, see that we are often in agony over silly things.May we, too, be patient with those who annoy us when we’re in pain.May we, too, praise the trees, the birds, the flowers.May we, too, know that unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. May we, too, become little—more and more. Resources * Heather King’s Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux * Prayer of the Heroic Hearts Hosts: Walter Emerson and Amy ChaseContact: podcast@heroic-hearts.comFollow us on Instagram! heroic2hearts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.heroic-hearts.com

    44 min
  3. 07/19/2022

    St. Thérèse on Suffering

    Walter and Amy explore the deeper aspects of St. Thérèse’s spirituality related to the problem of suffering. Whether it was losing her parents at a young age, enduring the loneliness of rejection, or her own physical suffering, Thérèse bore her crosses with equanimity and even joy. Join Walter and Amy’s discussion of this perennial mystery: Why does Christ allow us to suffer? What purpose does it serve in our sanctification? How can we redeem our experiences of pain and rejection in order to live a more Christ-like life? Reflective Questions * Have you watched a loved one suffer? What did you experience? * Have you felt insignificant or unnoticed? What can you learn from the life of St. Thérèse? Reading * This episode: Heather King’s Shirt of Flame, Chapters 9 and 10 * Next episode: Heather King’s Shirt of Flame, Chapters 11 and 12 Prayer Lord, when the world tells me I am nothing, help me to remember that you are not of the world. When everything I do turns to ashes, help me to remember to turn to you. When everywhere I turn is a blank wall, help me to see your face. When I feel like an orphan, help me to remember that you are my Father. When I feel like a frightened bird in a dead universe, help me to remember that love reigns eternal. When I feel like I’m being stripped down to nothing, help me to know that you are especially near. Resources * Heather King’s Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux * Prayer of the Heroic Hearts * Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena (traditionally July 7th-16th) * Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement Hosts: Walter Emerson and Amy ChaseContact: podcast@heroic-hearts.comFollow us on Instagram! heroic2hearts Thank you for listening to Heroic Hearts. This episode is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.heroic-hearts.com

    48 min
  4. 07/12/2022

    Big Desires, Little Way: Living like St. Thérèse

    Join Walter and Amy in this pivotal episode wherein they explore St. Thérèse’s famous spirituality of “the Little Way”. How did St. Thérèse reconcile her desires for greatness while pursuing spiritual humility? What did penance look like in her life and how can we practice it in our own? What can we learn from St. Thérèse about courage in the face of aridity, or spiritual dryness? If you ever struggle with overcoming judgment or negativity (and who doesn’t?), let Thérèse’s story this week encourage you! Reflective Questions * How do you (or could you) apply Thérèse's Little Way in your own life? * When have you felt aridity or emptiness in your spiritual life? What was that experience like? Reading * This episode: Heather King’s Shirt of Flame, Chapters 7 and 8 (July and August) * Next episode: Heather King’s Shirt of Flame, Chapters 9 and 10 (September and October) Prayer Oh God, have mercy on us. Show us how to love each other.  I don’t know how to love. I can’t separate my pain from self-pity, dishonesty, selfishness. I don’t know how to turn my will and my life over to your care.  Sometimes I can’t feel you anywhere: not in solitude, not when I’m with people.  Sometimes I feel like any move I make is wrong.  Sometimes I feel as if I’m invisible and that no one sees or cares about the good  I try to do.  Sometimes I feel like I’m going to be alone all my life.  Sometimes I don’t trust anyone, and maybe you, dear God, least of all.  Resources * Heather King’s Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux * Joan of Arc’s legacy in Rouen, France * Prayer of the Heroic Hearts * The Jansenist heresy * True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort (Marian consecration) - on SALE! Hosts: Walter Emerson and Amy ChaseContact: podcast@heroic-hearts.comFollow us on Instagram! heroic2hearts Thank you for listening to Heroic Hearts. This episode is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.heroic-hearts.com

    49 min
  5. 07/05/2022

    Seeking Signs, Shedding Illusions: St. Thérèse Enters the Convent

    In this episode, Walter and Amy reflect on St. Thérèse’s great faith and ardor for souls as she prepared to enter cloistered life at Carmel. What was it about Thérèse’s faith that allowed her to ask boldly for signs of God’s favor and receive them with such confidence? Whether praying for an unrepentant murderer or tending to the sick and dying, St. Thérèse shows us how to deal with unresolved tensions and illusions of life with unfailing strength and grace. Reflective Questions Have you ever prayed for a sign from God and received it? What meaning did it have for you? Thérèse had no illusions about life in the convent, but what kind of illusions might we have about our lives? Reading * This episode: Heather King’s Shirt of Flame, Chapters 5 and 6 * Next episode: Heather King’s Shirt of Flame, Chapters 7 and 8 Prayer Lord, relieve me of my illusions: that love is easy, that the spiritual path isn’t strewn with sharp rocks. Help me to see that maybe my anger is at myself: anger at a lifetime of doing things I think are going to make other people happy. Help me instead to figure out the things that make me happy, and to do them.   True freedom—from what people think, from failure, from the fear that I’m unworthy or incapable of love—is a long way off. So I will just continue to offer up my nothingness, along with St. Thérèse, and to seek your will. Resources * Discover Domrémy-la-Pucelle, St. Joan of Arc’s birthplace * Prayer of the Heroic Hearts * Heather King’s Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux * Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart Hosts: Walter Emerson and Amy ChaseContact: podcast@heroic-hearts.comFollow us on Instagram! heroic2hearts Thank you for listening to Heroic Hearts. If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share it! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.heroic-hearts.com

    46 min
  6. Thérèse's Second Conversion and Papal Visit

    06/28/2022

    Thérèse's Second Conversion and Papal Visit

    In this episode, Walter and Amy explore the themes of “learning to serve” and “daring to ask” seen in St. Thèrése’s life during the various trials of her adolescence. How was Thèrése able to transcend the rejection and loss of her early life in order to practice what Heather King calls an “agape of wholeness”? We’ll discuss some of the pivotal moments in Thèrése’s life that show us the power of grace and conversion in our spiritual lives. Reflective Questions Have you ever had a “Christmas Eve” moment of immediate and grace-filled conversion in your life like St. Thérèse? In what ways may God be asking you to lay down your life for others right now as you learn to “die to self”? Prayer God, be with me in my loneliness. God, give me the courage to stay the course. God, lead me to the people who will help me to discern your will. God, let me be willing to shed my blood to the last drop, even though most of the time I’m not willing to shed even one drop. God, if I’m called to go against the wishes of those who are close to me, let me do so with humility and love. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Resources * “Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux” by Heather King * Heather King’s Blog * National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown Hosts: Walter Emerson and Amy ChaseContact: podcast@heroic-hearts.comFollow us on Instagram! heroic2hearts Thanks for listening to Heroic Hearts! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.heroic-hearts.com

    47 min
  7. 06/21/2022

    The Childhood Struggles of St. Thérèse

    Welcome back to Season 2 of Heroic Hearts, in which we will discuss the spiritual journey of St. Thérèse of Lisieux! In this episode, Walter and Amy introduce the season’s featured book, “Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux” by Heather King. In the first two chapters, King draws a portrait of Thérèse as a loving but sensitive child who lost her mother early in life and suffered from a mysterious and debilitating illness. In spite of these challenges, Thérèse always remained open to grace and spiritual childhood. Reflective Questions In what ways can you identify with Thérèse that might help you in your personal spiritual journey? Reflect on the "I choose all!"story: are you more restrained like Céline or expansive like Thérèse? What prevents you from giving or wanting more out of life? Prayer For those of us whose minds tend to run in obsessive ruts, For those of us with the impulse to manage and control, For those of us who can’t stop taking our emotional temperature, For those of us who tend to hoard money and love, For those of us who think we know best, For those of us who tend to strive for straight A’s on some cosmic re- port card, For those of us who are disciplined, sometimes to a fault, For those of us who have difficulty forgiving ourselves and difficulty forgiving others, For those who didn’t make it— St. Thérèse, pray for us. Resources * “Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux” by Heather King * Heather King’s Blog Hosts: Walter Emerson and Amy ChaseContact: podcast@heroic-hearts.comFollow us on Instagram! heroic2hearts Thanks for listening to Heroic Hearts! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.heroic-hearts.com

  8. 06/14/2022

    Bonus! St. Thérèse's Offering to Merciful Love

    Heroic Hearts Podcast is on a recording break between seasons. In lieu of a regular episode this week, we invite you to pray St. Thérèse’s Offering to Merciful Love with us. We hope you’ll be blessed by it. Walter and Amy will return the week of June 20, 2022 with the first episode of Season 2, in which we’ll follow the spiritual journey of St. Thérèse! Offering to Merciful Love O My God! Most Blessed Trinity, I desire to Love You and make You Loved, to work for the glory of Holy Church by saving souls on earth and liberating those suffering in purgatory. I desire to accomplish Your will perfectly and to reach the degree of glory You have prepared for me in Your Kingdom. I desire, in a word, to be a saint, but I feel my helplessness and I beg You, O my God! to be Yourself my Sanctity! Since You loved me so much as to give me Your only Son as my Savior and my Spouse, the infinite treasures of His merits are mine. I offer them to You with gladness, begging You to look upon me only in the Face of Jesus and in His heart burning with Love. I offer You, too, all the merits of the saints (in heaven and on earth), their acts of Love, and those of the holy angels. Finally, I offer You, O Blessed Trinity! the Love and merits of the Blessed Virgin, my dear Mother. It is to her I abandon my offering, begging her to present it to You. Her Divine Son, my Beloved Spouse, told us in the days of His mortal life: "Whatsoever you ask the Father in my name he will give it to you!" I am certain, then, that You will grant my desires; I know, O my God! that the more You want to give, the more You make us desire. I feel in my heart immense desires and it is with confidence I ask You to come and take possession of my soul. Ah! I cannot receive Holy Communion as often as I desire, but, Lord, are You not all-powerful? Remain in me as in a tabernacle and never separate Yourself from Your little victim. I want to console You for the ingratitude of the wicked, and I beg of You to take away my freedom to displease You. If through weakness I sometimes fall, may Your Divine Glance cleanse my soul immediately, consuming all my imperfections like the fire that transforms everything into itself. I thank You, O my God! for all the graces You have granted me, especially the grace of making me pass through the crucible of suffering. It is with joy I shall contemplate You on the Last Day carrying the scepter of Your Cross. Since You deigned to give me a share in this very precious Cross, I hope in heaven to resemble You and to see shining in my glorified body the sacred stigmata of Your Passion. After earth's Exile, I hope to go and enjoy You in the Fatherland, but I do not want to lay up merits for heaven. I want to work for Your Love alone with the one purpose of pleasing You, consoling Your Sacred Heart, and saving souls who will love You eternally. In the evening of this life, I shall appear before You with empty hands, for I do not ask You, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is stained in Your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in Your own Justice and to receive from Your Love the eternal possession of Yourself. I want no other Throne, no other Crown but You, my Beloved! Time is nothing in Your eyes, and a single day is like a thousand years. You can, then, in one instant prepare me to appear before You. In order to live in one single act of perfect Love, I OFFER MYSELF AS A VICTIM OF HOLOCAUST TO YOUR MERCIFUL LOVE, asking You to consume me incessantly, allowing the waves of infinite tenderness shut up within You to overflow into my soul, and that thus I may become a martyr of Your Love, O my God! May this martyrdom, after having prepared me to appear before You, finally cause me to die and may my soul take its flight without any delay into the eternal embrace of Your Merciful Love. I want, O my Beloved, at each beat of my heart to renew this offering to You an infinite number of times, until the sha

    6 min

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About

Heroic Hearts is a podcast about healing, enchanting, and elevating our hearts through the stories and spirituality of St. Joan of Arc and St. Therese of Lisieux. www.heroic-hearts.com

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