St. Clare of Assisi…how I love her so.  Cofoundress of the Order of Poor Ladies, or Clares, and first Abbess of San Damiano; born at Assisi, 16 July, 1194; died there 11 August, 1253.  I can’t even begin to describe the effect St. Clare has had on my life.  My relationship with her goes so deep that any words I could come up with would not honor her as I wish I could.

Instead, why not enter into her life’s story by listening to one of the best storytellers I know…Sr. Joan Mueller.  She is enthralling!!! 

The best DVD I have ever seen on the life of Clare and Francis is (and I’ve seen them all) the newest distributed by Ignatius Press. Clare is protrayed as a woman in love with Christ, not a starry-eyed hippy pining over Francis.  And she gets equal time…finally. This film is perfect!

If you ‘d like to see her life summed up in a quick read try here.
–

I should share this little story of my own.  In 2007, I had a chance to visit Assisi…I just wanted to be near St. Clare.  I didn’t plan it, but my hotel ended up being right across the street from St. Clare’s Basilica (it seems wrong to call it a street, it’s width is so small).  Really early one morning, I just couldn’t sleep so I got up and began walking around outside of the Basilica.  No one was out, all the shops closed, the sun was just coming up.  On a whim I thought I would see if the doors of the church were open (thinking to myself  of course they wouldn’t be), but to my surprise they opened.  So I entered.  No one was around.  I saw steps leading down to a lower level.  I stepped over the rope blocking the entrance (boorish American that I am) and walked down.  The path led down to an area that had a display of relics, like clothing and other items (I assumed they were Clare’s) and then I turned around and saw something incredible…the crypt of St. Clare.  It stopped me in my tracks, so much so that I had to remind myself to breath again.  I quietly walked over to the enclosure grates that blocked off getting any closer.  I knelt down, and I just started to weep…I just couldn’t help it.  It was so quiet, it was such a gift.  I began to pray. I brought to St. Clare all the petitions I held so deeply in my heart.  And when that was done, silence filled the space. After about 10 minutes, out of nowhere, I could here the sound of the Poor Clare Sisters in the distance chanting their morning prayers.  I knelt at that spot, for a good 30 minutes or so, all alone with St. Clare.  I then got up, praised God for this special moment and left the basilica.  She’s been with me, in a special way, ever since.  St. Clare, pray for us.

     

Despite the “lack of historical evidence” surrounding St. Philomena, the heart just “knows”.  The  relationships that this lovely little saint has had with us in the temporal order from her seat in the Cloud of Witnesses is the greatest evidence of all for her presence there.  The great Cure de Ars, St. John Vianney,  had a great devotion to St. Philomena, along with many, many others.   Beloved St. Philomena, pray for us!

Having the chance to sit down with the one and only Al Kresta and ask him questions is one of my “moments of grace”.  Al is extraordinary, and combined with the talent of Nick Thomm, special moments happen.  We hear that every day on “Kresta in the Afternoon”.  But now Al and Nick reveal the hidden gems of grace contained in the lives of some ordinary people, who have gone on to do extraordinary things because of “moments of grace”.  More than just individual stories (which on their own are wonderful), but include AL Kresta’s guidance and commentary, they become very special testimonies to guide and inspire us all.

Al and Nick’s book can be found at www.servantbooks.org

and don’t miss “Kresta in the Afternoon”

Compelling just isn’t a big enough word to capture the work that Fr. Paul Hamans has given us in this book.  “Edith Stein and Companions on the Way to Auschwitz” not only gives us a portrait of the great saint, but gives us the faces and insights into the hearts of those we call “companions”…be prepared to be both heartbroken and inspired at the same time.

Find this book at the Ignatius Press website
-[powerpress]

 

The issue of marriage is more than just a “religious” one…the institution of marriage and it’s destruction has societal and economic ramifications that many don’t realize. It  is so much bigger than just two people getting together because they want share a space.  

“Discerning Hearts” will now begin to offer educational pieces which I hope will help strengthen our balanced understanding of the Church’s position on marriage.  It’s a tough issue to talk about with family, friends, and co-workers…educating ourselves will be a key to a loving, understanding, and truth-filled response.

To begin, here is Brad Wilcox, one of the contributors of “The Meaning of Marriage” discussing with Bruce and myself how marriage got to this point.

I was a junior in high school when Pope Paul VI died…was it really 32 years ago?  Wow.  It makes me sad to think it took so long for me to really appreciate and understand his legacy.

[powerpress url=”http://discerninghearts.com/Morning_Show/Karl_Schultz_Pope_Paul_VI.mp3″]Download (right click & choose “Save Link As”)
To really enter into his legacy, take a listen as Bruce and I discuss our late Holy Father w/ Karl Schultz, author of “Pope Paul VI: Christian Values and Virtures”, :

–

.

.

Why me?  Who hasn’t asked them self that question over and over again throughout the course of their life.  With a smile of joy in his voice and compassion in his heart, Mike Aquilina attempts to answer the age old question…Why Me? With Mike’s help, we look toward the saints, and ultimately to Our Blessed Lord, for the answer.  Mike tackles this tough subject with love and grace.  After all, isn’t that exactly how God attempts to break through to us in our suffering with His answer?  On a personal note:  Mike Aquilina is one of the finest men I know. It is a joy to talk with him about any subject, but when it comes to matters of the Church and God, watch out…your heart will swell up with faith, hope and love.  He’s like your pal on the road to Emmaus.

Click here to find Mike’s gift to us all
-[powerpress]

–

–

–

–

J. S. Bach died on this date 260 years ago.  I just couldn’t let the date pass without a small tribute to the great talent the Lord blessed him with.  From the “Sanctus” in the Mass in B minor, to the Toccata and Fugue in D minor…oh you name it, who can possibly pick from his legacy a favorite?  But I have to say, it always makes me sigh when I hear “May Sheep Safely Graze”, so for all you lambys out there a little reflection:

Also here is a conversation Bruce and I had with R. J. Stove on the importance of Western Classical Music

Sometimes you just smile through an entire interview wishing it wouldn’t end…that’s what it is like talking with Joan Wester Anderson.  What a truly lovely woman!  She seems to have a very special mission for the Father in Heaven – to make known the glory of those special messangers of the Lord, the Holy Angels of God, and to relate the heavenly miraculous moments which occur in  the everyday around the world.  Joan is a beautiful story teller both in print and on the air.  I know you will enjoy our conversation….[powerpress]

Visit Joan’s website at http://joanwanderson.com/
It’s really inspirational!

–

–

Here is another conversation with Joan on the Angels

 

Have you ever heard of  “The Catholic Truth Society”? Well thanks to Ignatius Press, you are about to.  In this edition of “Inside the Pages”, I talk with Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press and whois one of the leading Catholic apologists in the country (he’s also a really nice guy as well).  Ignatius Press is bringing the booklets, leaflets and tracks from the Society to America, and they’re fantastic.  The authors found on these booklets are enough to crow about, but the titles are so good…wow…beyond excellent.  You don’t want to miss them.  Take a look HERE! In this episode we talk the new evangelization, saints, history, apologetics…you name it.

[powerpress]

Here are just some of the conversations Bruce and I have had with Mark Brumley in the past 

Mark Brumley Did Jesus Really Rise.mp3

Mark Brumley Handbook of Catholic Apologetics.mp3

Mark Brumley Jesus of Nazareth Study Guide.mp3

Mark Brumley Lost Gospels.mp3

Today is the feast of one of my favorite “sister” saints, St. Praxedes.  I found out about her when I went a pilgrimage a couple of years ago to Rome led by Scott and Kimberly Hahn and Mike Aquilina.  It is believed that she, and her sister St. Pudentiana, were the daughters of St. Pudens (from 2 Timothy 4:21).  She and her sister are remembered as saints of true mercy. 

They lived in those early years of the Church, at a time of  extreme Christian persecution. They hid Christians in their homes and visited the imprisioned.  They even gathered the bodies of the dead after they were brutalized in the Coliesuum, and hid them in a well until they could be properly buried.  St. Praxedes is often depicted in art with a sponge soaked in blood; recalling how they cared for the precious blood of the martyrs after their awful executions. Their heoic virtue during these horrific years was so great that almost 2000 years later we still remember them.

Their home was one of the first “house churches” in Rome.  It is named after her sister, St. Pudentiana.  Later another church was built and dedicated to St. Praxedes.  Both are located near St. Mary Major in Rome.  Click on the pictures to have a better look…

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Here is one of the reports from that 2007 Rome pilgrimage where we talk about St. Praxedes and St. Pudentiana…what fun that was   

It’s always great fun to talk with Dr. Benjamin Wiker.  Intelligent and disarming, Dr. Wiker has a way of helping us see past the sound bite of the day to the heart of the matter…to the heart of the Church…to the heart of Truth.

Do you think you know what it means to be a “conservative”?  Do you really?  Read this first, and then let’s talk….

Visit Dr. Benjamin Wikers’s site:  www.ameaningfulworld.com

-[powerpress]

Here are just some of the conversations Bruce and I have had with Benjamin:

Dr. Benjamin Wiker 10 Books That Screwed Up the World.mp3
Dr. Benjamin Wiker Darwin Myth.mp3
Dr. Benjamin Wiker Meaningful World .mp3
10-04-07 – Dr. Benjamin Wiker – Reason.mp3

The author of  “The Path to Rome” died on this date in 1953.  Helaire Belloc, what a life, what a legacy…what a man; you have to wonder if G.K. would be the figure remebered today without Belloc’s role in his life. 

Joseph Pearce wrote the best biography (and a grand romantic tale it is) of Belloc’s life; it’s entitled “Old Thunder”.  Take listen to Joseph  talk about this extraordinary man…

Check out Joseph’s “Discerning Hearts” page here

Here is part 2 of the discussion with Dr. Matthew Bunson, with the emphasis on the renewal and reform that has occured in the Church since the outbreak of the sexual abuse scandal.  Dr. Bunson is once again EXCELLENT in articulating the problems which have surfaced, but also the response of the Church from its heart to the issue.  It would be hard to find someone who does it better.

Dr. Bunson’s book can found at:
osv.com

[powerpress]

 Here’s the other doctor of the Church of the 1200’s (are you familiar with his counterpart…hint:  “Angelic Doctor”)

 Brilliant …simply brilliant…overshadowed in some ways by the great big figure of St. Thomas Aquinas (literallly and figuratively), a saint not to be missed.  I simple don’t have what it takes to explain him  here in my words. It’s so much easier to have Dr. R. R. Reno tell us about him; here is Professor R. R. Reno discussing with me the legacy of St. Bonaventure on show 6 of his Christian Apologetics…click here to listen    

And what is really remarkable…Dr. Reno kind of looks like Bonaventure…go figure

For more of Dr. R. R. Reno’s shows just click here