Episodes

  • St. Scholastica – In Conversation with Teresa Monaghen – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    St. Scholastica – In Conversation with Teresa Monaghen – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Feb 10 2026
    St. Scholastica – In Conversation with Teresa Monaghen Kris and Bruce McGregor, along with Teresa Monaghen of the ProSanctity movement, reflect on St. Scholastica and her relationship with her brother, St. Benedict, presenting their sibling bond as a window into holy friendship. Drawing from the account preserved by St. Gregory the Great, Teresa Monaghen describes how the twins influenced one another’s vocation, with St. Scholastica following St. Benedict into monastic life and founding the Benedictine women’s communities. Their shared love of God shaped not only their personal holiness but also the spiritual legacy that flowed through their communities and, eventually, the wider Church. The heart of the reflection centers on the well-known account of their final meeting, when St. Scholastica prayed for St. Benedict to remain longer in spiritual fellowship, and a sudden storm prevented his departure. This moment is presented as a sign of the depth of their interior union and the power of prayer rooted in charity. Their bond did not end with death: St. Benedict later perceived her passing through a vision of her soul rising to heaven, and he arranged for her to be buried in his own tomb. Teresa invites us to see in St. Scholastica and St. Benedict a model for relationships marked by prayer, attentiveness to the Spirit, and a shared pursuit of holiness that continues to bear fruit beyond a single lifetime. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions How do my closest relationships shape my prayer life and draw me more deeply into friendship with God?In what ways do I invite holy conversation into my family or friendships rather than settling for surface-level talk?Where might the Holy Spirit be asking me to slow down, listen, and remain present to a grace-filled moment as St. Benedict was invited to do?How open am I to receiving loving challenge or correction from those who truly seek my good?What role does intercessory prayer play in strengthening the people God has entrusted to my care?How attentive am I to the quiet movements of the Spirit that prompt me to pray for or reach out to someone?In what ways do my daily choices help build up the Church through small, faithful acts of love? From Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), Dialogues, Book II (Life and Miracles of St. Benedict). Courtesy of the Saint Pachomius Library. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: Of a Miracle Wrought by his Sister, Scholastica. GREGORY: Who is there, Peter, in this world, that is in greater favor with God than St. Paul? Three times he petitioned our Lord to be delivered from the thorn of the flesh, and yet he did not obtain his petition. Speaking of that, I must tell you how there was one thing which the venerable father Benedict would have liked to do, but he could not. His sister, named Scholastica, was dedicated from her infancy to our Lord. Once a year she came to visit her brother. The man of God went to her not far from the gate of his monastery, at a place that belonged to the Abbey. It was there he would entertain her. Once upon a time she came to visit according to her custom, and her venerable brother with his monks went there to meet her. They spent the whole day in the praises of God and spiritual talk, and when it was almost night, they dined together. As they were yet sitting at the table, talking of devout matters, it began to get dark. The holy Nun, his sister, entreated him to stay there all night that they might spend it in discoursing of the joys of heaven. By no persuasion, however, would he agree to that, saying that he might not by any means stay all night outside of his Abbey. At that time, the sky was so clear that no cloud was to be seen. The Nun, hearing this denial of her brother, joined her hands together, laid them on the table, bowed her head on her hands, and prayed to almighty God. Lifting her head from the table, there fell suddenly such a tempest of lightning and thundering, and such abundance of rain, that neither venerable Benedict, nor his monks that were with him, could put their heads out of doors. The holy Nun, having rested her head on her hands, poured forth such a flood of tears on the table, that she transformed the clear air to a watery sky. After the end of her devotions, that storm of rain followed; her prayer and the rain so met together, that as she lifted up her head from the table, the thunder began. So it was that in one and the very same instant that she lifted up her head, she brought down the rain. The man of God, seeing that he could not, in the midst of such thunder and lightning and great abundance of rain return to his Abbey, began to be heavy and to complain to his sister, saying: “God forgive you, what have you done?” She answered him, “I desired you to stay, and you would not hear me; I have desired it of our good Lord, and he has granted my petition. Therefore if you can now depart, in God’s name return to your monastery, and leave me here alone.” Departure ...
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    28 mins
  • Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Feb 10 2026
    Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 9

    O glorious Mother of God, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death. O Mother of our Divine Lord, as we conclude this novena for the special favor we seek at this time.

    (make your request)

    We feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard. O Mother of My Lord, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His Name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.
    O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.

    Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

    Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
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    2 mins
  • Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
    Feb 10 2026
    Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 of St. Mark 7:1-13 The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations. You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.’ 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: The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations. You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.’ 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: The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while...
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    15 mins
  • SISL4 – I Can’t Go On – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

    SISL4 – I Can’t Go On – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
    Feb 9 2026
    I Can’t Go On – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher walks through a detailed case study of a high school teacher named Paul to show how non-spiritual desolation can arise from ordinary human limits rather than from prayer itself. Paul begins with renewed prayer, Mass, and family harmony, but gradually overloads his life by taking on graduate studies, parish service, and full-time teaching without adequate rest. Over time he becomes exhausted, discouraged, and detached from things he once loved, including prayer and family life. With the help of a priest, Paul recognizes that he is nearing burnout and that the remedy lies in caring for his humanity: slowing the pace of studies, speaking honestly with his wife, restoring rest, and attending to physical health. As these adjustments take shape, the expectation is that his spiritual life will recover naturally because the underlying strain is being addressed. Fr. Gallagher highlights the value of journaling for gaining clarity and noticing patterns, choosing core spiritual practices that are realistic and sustainable, and learning from past periods of exhaustion so future decisions are made with greater prudence. He also reflects on living prayerfully amid unavoidable burdens—work, illness, family responsibilities—by gently lifting the heart to God throughout the day rather than forcing formal practices beyond one’s capacity. The closing reflections address modern distractions, especially smartphones, noting the need for intentional limits to preserve silence, rest, and interior freedom. Taken together, the reflections present balance, self-knowledge, and moderation as key supports for perseverance in the spiritual life. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions Where in my daily life might fatigue, overcommitment, or lack of rest be affecting my prayer and spiritual attentiveness?Have I recently taken on good responsibilities without honestly discerning whether they are sustainable for my vocation and season of life?What signs of discouragement or heaviness do I notice, and how might they be pointing to unmet human needs rather than spiritual failure?How do I currently care for my body, emotions, and relationships as part of my response to God’s grace?Would journaling help me notice patterns, changes, or warning signs in my spiritual life more clearly?Are my prayer practices realistic and sustainable, or do they rely on pushing myself when I am already depleted?How open am I to speaking honestly with a trusted priest, spiritual director, or loved one when I begin to feel overwhelmed?In what ways might my use of technology be diminishing silence, rest, or interior freedom?Where is God inviting me to meet Him in the ordinary duties and crosses of my current life?What practical adjustments could help restore balance so that love for God, family, and work can flourish again? An excerpt from the book: “In this and the preceding chapters, we have explored spiritual struggles arising from physical and psychological factors. As we have seen, the solution lies in suitable physical and psychological remedies. What, however, of struggles arising from specifically spiritual sources? What might these struggles be, and how can we best respond to them? We will begin now to address these questions.” Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 28). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book’s description: “Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It’s a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for ...
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    30 mins
  • Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

    Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
    Feb 9 2026
    Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 8

    O Immaculate Mother of God, from heaven itself you came to appear to the little Bernadette in the rough Grotto of Lourdes! And as Bernadette knelt at your feet and the miraculous spring burst forth and as multitudes have knelt ever since before your shrine, O Mother of God, we kneel before you today to ask that in your mercy you plead with your Divine Son to grant the special favor we seek in this novena.

    (make your request)

    O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.

    Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

    Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
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    1 min
  • Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
    Feb 9 2026


    Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 of St. Mark 6:53-56

    Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.

    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:

    Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.

    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:

    Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.

    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.

    May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

    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.

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    9 mins
  • Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Feb 8 2026


    Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 7

    O Almighty God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did prepare a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we humbly beseech you that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body. O most gracious Mother Mary, beloved Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, look with favor upon us as you did that day on Bernadette and intercede with him for us that the favor we now so earnestly seek may be granted to us.
    (make your request)

    O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen

    Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

    Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
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    1 min
  • Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
    Feb 8 2026


    Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 of St. Matthew 5:13-16

    Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
    ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

    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: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
    ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

    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: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
    ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

    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.

    May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

    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.

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    8 mins