Category: Mystical

Like so many things in life, self-esteem needs to be balanced. The balance is between humility and pride. The following is attributed to Rabbi Simcha Bunim, one of the leaders of Hasidic Judaism in Poland in the late 1700s and early 1800s: Everyone must have two pockets so that he can reach into one or… Continue reading The Need for Two Pockets

As I embarked on my journey with a new spiritual director I brought with me a mental list of ways the spiritual director might help. Our regular meetings would bring greater accountability in my commitment to daily prayer, mass, and regular confession. I was looking forward to having another partner in discernment, and I of… Continue reading How Spiritual Direction Made Me a Better Parent

Taking a mental glance at the day’s calendar, we preview what awaits us in terms of places to go and things to do and people to see. Here we activate the insightfulness of Salesian spiritual­ity — namely, that the responsibilities of our personal vocation constitute the real place where we act out the devout life. But this conjecture… Continue reading Live Today Well with Saint Francis de Sales

“With persons more advanced in the way of perfection, the devil is more oblique. Where open attack would fail, he simulates the spiritual joys given by the good spirit in order to lead people astray.” (Servant of God John Hardon) I don’t know why, and maybe it’s cabin fever, but weed seeds have been on… Continue reading Weeding the Garden of the Soul

Anthony Lilles Anthony Lilles, a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, completed his graduate and post-graduate studies in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas. He and his lovely wife, Agnes, are blessed with three children and live in California, where he is the Academic Dean, and Associate Professor of Theology, St. John’s Seminary,… Continue reading The Pathway of Extreme Humility

After reading Memoirs of a Happy Failure by Alice von Hildebrand several years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing the great Belgian-born philosopher, professor, and author.  I wanted to know more of the story behind some of the themes of the book, which began with her escape to the United States during World War… Continue reading Alice von Hildebrand: ‘A Happy Failure’

Spiritual jealousy can hit a lot of people who are striving for holiness, even a religious sister like myself. And if you’re honest and deeply self-reflective, you may find yourself feeling sad or irritated when people look to others for spiritual advice or gush about another persons’ virtues.  Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Sometimes I… Continue reading Spiritual Jealousy – SpiritualDirection.com

This summer, while attending the Avila Summit, I was handed an envelope; the contents inside marked the conclusion of several years of study, prayer, and growth: a graduate certificate for formation in Spiritual Theology from the Avila Institute.   It now hangs in my office, and rather than marking the end of a journey it… Continue reading Is This Your Next ‘Yes’?

The Mass Is Adoration The Latin term adoratio originally meant a gesture of reverence made toward a worthy person or object, before whom one would bow slightly, touching the object of reverence with one’s right hand, while with one’s left hand wafting a kiss (ad os) toward the recipient of the adoration. We, however, must… Continue reading The Catholic Mass – Bishop Athanasius Schneider

Every month I meet individually with various people to discuss their relationship with God.  This includes men and women of different ages, vocations, and life experiences.  Each one of them has sought spiritual direction because they want greater intimacy with God.  Despite this common desire, each person’s relationship with God is as unique as the… Continue reading Spiritual Direction: My Greatest Joy