Podcasts about Gethsemani

Mitch Jeserich reads excerpts from the classic writings The Way of Chuang Tzu translated by Thomas Merton. Thomas Merton composed a series of his own versions of the classic sayings of Chuang Tzu, the most spiritual of Chinese philosophers. Chuang Tzu, who wrote in the fourth and third centuries B.C., is the chief authentic historical spokesperson for Taoism and its founder Lao Tzu (a legendary character known largely through Chuang Tzu's writings). Indeed it was because of Chuang Tzu and the other Taoist sages that Indian Buddhism was transformed, in China, into the unique vehicle we now call by its Japanese name―Zen.   Excerpts from THE WAY OF CHUANG TZU by Thomas Merton, copyright ©1965 by The Abbey of Gethsemani. Reproduced by permission of New Directions Publishing Corp. The post The Taoist & Christian: The Way of Chuang Tzu appeared first on KPFA.

Dr. Ricardo Febres Landauro, https://feuerstrom.com/ https://gottessoehne.de/maennerkonferenz-marienfried-2025/

Joan shares fantastic food gift ideas for the holidays. She highlights Schaller and Weber, a renowned German deli in Manhattan, known for its Christmas boxes curated by Sophie Sadler. Featured items include Bratwurst, tea sausage spreads, and gingerbread cookies. Joan also recommends Royal Riviera pears from Harry and David, great cheese selections from Murray's Cheese, and delicious fruitcakes from the Abbey of Gethsemani and the nuns of New Skete. Listeners can find these gifts conveniently available for order online or via phone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is a special solo episode! I just did my first silent retreat. I went to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky for a silent retreat. I was there from Monday to Thursday. During that time, I had 3 conversations. One with a monk for spiritual direction. The other 2 were with a guy from my church. The rest of the time, I was silent. I was nervous going into it. I'm an extrovert. I love to talk to people. I'm also addicted to email and social media. Yet, I unplugged. It was hard at first. Then it got easier. Then it got to the point I was scared to turn it all back on! Ha! There are tons of learnings I learned, and I am excited to share my experience with you.   In this episode, you'll discover…  Why did Cory do a silent retreat? (2:04) How was Cory able to do the retreat? (5:02) Set yourself up for success during the retreat. (9:08) What questions did Cory ask? (11:09) What did Cory hear? (17:00)   Find out more about the Abbey of Gethsemani https://monks.org/visit-us/retreats/   What's Next?  Are you struggling to win at both home and work? Maybe you're crushing it at work, but home life is tough. Or maybe home life is great, but work is challenging.  I want to give you 10 tips that I share with clients. Go to my website at www.corymcarlson.com/subscribe and download your free copy of “10 Ways To Win At Home and at Work.” Have you read ‘Rise and Go'? All leaders get knocked down from time to time, so this is a resource to help you get back up quicker.  Check it out on Amazon. Also, if you have not checked out my first book, please do! It is called Win At Home First and you can purchase it on Amazon Here. Forbes Magazine rated it one of 7 books everyone on your team should read.

How can we live in solidarity with the pain of the world without being overwhelmed by it? In this episode, we're joined once again by CAC Faculty member James Finley and an additional co-host from the CAC, Director of Mission Integration Drew Jackson. Together, we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Eager to Love with Chapter 2: “A Happy Run Downward: The Inner Authority of Those Who Have Suffered.” This episode explores the themes of suffering as a path to compassion, the transformative power of mystical union, and the importance of finding solace in belovedness. Before we dive into the interview with Jim, Mike and Paul catch up with Richard at his hermitage to hear his reflections on the first chapter of Eager to Love. James Finley, a clinical psychologist and spiritual director, is one of the core faculty members of the Center for Action and Contemplation and is the host of our sister podcast on the CAC network, Turning to the Mystics. A former novice under Thomas Merton at the Abbey of Gethsemani, he is the author of the classic book Merton's Palace of Nowhere: A Search for God through Awareness of the True Self, The Contemplative Heart, and most recently, The Healing Path. Hosted by CAC Staff: Mike Petrow, Paul Swanson, and Drew Jackson Resources: A PDF of the transcript for this episode is available here. Grab a copy of Eager to Love here. To learn more about James Finley, visit his CAC Faculty website here. Jim's latest book, The Healing Path, can be found here.

Khatungmani Khorang

Sharing inspiration from the monk Thomas Merton, James Finley explains what he has learned about God, healing, and mystical paths.Grab James Finley's Memoir, The Healing Path, HEREThis week, James and Raghu have a deep conversation about: How James discovered a connection to God through Thomas MertonJames' time living in the Abbey of Gethsemani immediately after high schoolThe resonance that happens between awakened peopleThe secret, safe place that God can commune with usNever forgetting what we learn from dark timesHaving empathy for others through our own sufferingSeeing children as our mentorsBecoming an act of acceptance for the unexplainable mysteryThe healing stories in the gospelsAbout James Finley:James Finley is an author, clinical psychologist, and spiritual director. He is one of the core faculty members of the Center for Action and Contemplation (with Richard Rohr) and is host of the CAC podcast “Turning to the Mystics.” A former novice under Thomas Merton at the Abbey of Gethsemani, he is the author of the classic book Merton's Palace of Nowhere: A Search for God through Awareness of the True Self. A leading figure in the integration of psychology and spiritual direction, he has led workshops and retreats around the country.“Often, when the terror is overtaking us, it isn't until later that we reflect on it. We realize it isn't that it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't just terrible. That precisely because it got so dark I was able to see a light shining in the darkness that had come in looking for me, or it was there all along and I didn't know it.”– James FinleySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today I sat down with MuuvWell CEO, Kevin Winn, as we discussed his weekend adventure to New Haven, KY. to stay with the Monks of Abbey of Gethsemani. Kevin gives us a glimpse of what their daily lives look like, and how they live only to serve and grow closer to God. Join us for an interesting conversation about his weekend of silence, reflection, and growth with the Monks of Abbey of Gethsemani. Follow MuuvWell online here - https://linktr.ee/muuvwell

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Pius X, Pope Lectionary: 421The Saint of the day is Saint Pius XSaint Pius X's Story Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at age 68. He was one of the 20th century's greatest popes. Ever mindful of his humble origin, Pope Pius stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up,” he said in tears to an old friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani.” Interested in politics, Pope Pius encouraged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections—a practice that reduced the freedom of the 1903 conclave which had elected him. In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand. While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense. On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it, but it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war began, and was canonized in 1954. Reflection His humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. Pius X gained his strength, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of Jesus. In contrast, we often feel embarrassed by our backgrounds. Shame makes us prefer to remain aloof from people whom we perceive as superior. If we are in a superior position, on the other hand, we often ignore simpler people. Yet we, too, have to help “restore all things in Christ,” especially the wounded people of God. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Full Text of ReadingsFeast of Saint James, Apostle Lectionary: 605The Saint of the day is Saint JamesSaint James’ Story This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20). James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in Gethsemani. Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this man and his brother. Saint Matthew tells that their mother came—Mark says it was the brothers themselves—to ask that they have the seats of honor in the kingdom. “Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They said to him, ‘We can'” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the implications of their confident “We can!” The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all; the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life. On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?' Jesus turned and rebuked them…” (Luke 9:54-55). James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. “About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3a). This James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be confused with James the Lesser or with the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community. Reflection The way the Gospels treat the apostles is a good reminder of what holiness is all about. There is very little about their virtues as static possessions, entitling them to heavenly reward. Rather, the great emphasis is on the Kingdom, on God's giving them the power to proclaim the Good News. As far as their personal lives are concerned, there is much about Jesus' purifying them of narrowness, pettiness, fickleness. Saint James the Greater is the Patron Saint of: ChileLaborersNicaraguaRheumatism sufferersSpain Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Friends of the Rosary, Today, July 25th, we celebrate the feast of St. James, the Apostle, also known as James the Greater (to distinguish him from the other Apostle, St. James, who was chosen later.) James the Greater was St. John's brother and the son of Zebedee, the fisherman from Galilee. Christ Jesus called him Boanerges, "son of thunder.” Along with John and Peter, he witnessed the Transfiguration and accompanied later Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemani. He started evangelizing Spain, a country that is his patron saint today. In Saragossa, along with some followers, he received the visit of the Blessed Virgin — Our Lady of Pillar. Later, he would be beheaded in Jerusalem in the year 42 or 43 A.D. on the orders of Herod Agrippa. Since the ninth century, the faithful have been going on pilgrimage to St. James of Compostella in Galicia, Spain. There, they can visit a breathtaking shrine with the saint's relics. The Camino de Santiago, "the Way of St. James," is one of the most frequented pilgrimages in Christendom along with Rome or the Holy Land. The pilgrim paths to Compostella form a network over Europe, dotted with pilgrims' hospices and chapels. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!St. James, Pray for Us! Come, Holy Spirit, come! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • ⁠July 25, 2024, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET  

My relationship with silence is complicated. I know silence is important. I know it's healthy. I know silence is conducive to prayer and meditation, to peace and reflection. I also just really like noise of all kinds. I like the sound of things happening, I like hearing people talking. Even when they're not talking to me: I like to go places where people are talking to each other and just hear different voices and snippets of different conversations. I love all accents - even the ones you think are ugly. Mostly I love music. It is playing most of the time I am awake, and even when at bedtime I often play music very quietly. My entire sophomore year of college my roommate and I fell asleep to the same album every night. It was Bob Dylan's World Gone Wrong. I would not say I'm afraid of silence - at least I don't think I am. I even enjoy it sometimes. But I forget about it. I forget silence is an option. I think I'm about to remember. As you are reading this I am on sabbatical. Don't worry: I'm not working. I wrote this before I left. But the very first thing I'm doing during this sabbatical is going on a 4-day silent retreat. Four whole days without talking to anyone or listening to anyone. No kids around. No spouse. No work. No music. I will be at a monastery and retreat center in Kentucky called The Abbey of Gethsemani. It is run by Cistercian monks who are apparently very serious about their silence. It's going to be very quiet. Maybe I am actually a little afraid.

What if we could feel at home wherever we are? In this episode, we're joined by James Finley as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 7: "Home and Homesickness." In this episode, we discuss a lifelong exploration of contemplation, healing, and facing the challenges of our times through a lens of love and finding "home" in a challenging world . Before we dive in to the interview with Jim, CAC staff catch up with Richard at his hermitage to hear his reflections on the sixth chapter a decade after he originally wrote it. James Finley, a clinical psychologist and spiritual director, is one of the core faculty members of the Center for Action and Contemplation and is the host of our sister podcast on the CAC network, Turning to the Mystics. A former novice under Thomas Merton at the Abbey of Gethsemani, he is the author of the classic book Merton's Palace of Nowhere: A Search for God through Awareness of the True Self, The Contemplative Heart, and most recently, The Healing Path. Resources: A PDF of the transcript for this episode is available here. Grab a copy of the newly revised version of Falling Upward, with a new foreword by Brené Brown here.

Ep. 109 (Part 2 of 2) | Dr. James Finley, clinical psychologist, trauma specialist, scholar, poet, and author of the powerful memoir, The Healing Path, has an extraordinary breadth and depth of understanding about trauma and the alchemical effects of adding a depth dimension to therapy. Here, he shares about his own experience of trauma and healing, the therapeutic effects of introducing the depth dimension to his clients, the dynamics of anger and forgiveness, the path of longing, and how love gives itself away in the preciousness of each moment, rendering ordinary life sacred. James' profound understanding of grace is unmistakable, beautiful, riveting—both from personal experience and as a student of Thomas Merton, who introduced him to the wisdom of the mystics at the Trappist monastery, Gethsemani.Practically everything James says is both a poem and a revelation, so whether you are Christian, Buddhist, or atheist, this conversation offers a therapeutic wisdom and understanding of trauma that goes way beyond the norm, as well as a transmission of infinite love, bottomless mercy. At the end, James laughs at how he is talking: “I can't believe I'm talking like this…a traumatized kid from Akron, Ohio. It's not coming from me; it's flowing through me. All I'm doing is passing on what was passed on to me. So as it catches fire in you, it might pass through you into others.” Recorded August 17, 2023.“Each person I meet is an infinitely loved broken person.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2A story about the root broken place: Is there an end to love? (01:22)The bottomless abyss of love gives itself away in the preciousness of this moment, which renders it sacred (02:58) We can't bear being unconditionally loved (04:17)The path of longing: one longs to be freed of suffering, but there is also the longing that is an echo of God's longing for us (05:21)The “thorn in the flesh” is your teacher and reminder, and how powerlessness unites us all (07:53)The “set aside” prayer in James' memoir The Healing Path and the recognition that we live in bottomless mystery (09:36)A deeper way to understand lies in the deep acceptance of the limits of our understanding (10:55)The first pillar of three-fold practice: finding a quiet place for a daily rendezvous with God, discursive meditation, journaling (12:01)When you ask for help, that is the prayer—the prayer from the heart (15:34)The second & third pillars of practice: a teacher/guidance and community (17:08)James' daily meditation practice and passing on the lineage, heart to heart (20:01)What is James' attitude toward death? (24:19)How can I learn to die of love, at the hands of love, till there's nothing left of me but love? (28:07)Accepting death you have freedom from the tyranny of death in the midst of death (29:15)Learned helplessness can transmute into a profound capacity to surrender and merge (31:30)How God enters through the wounded place, and the parable of being broken and whole (35:01)James' thanks and his upcoming book on the mystical depths of the Enneagram and psychological and mystical discernment...

Ep. 108 (Part 1 of 2) | Dr. James Finley, clinical psychologist, trauma specialist, scholar, poet, and author of the powerful memoir, The Healing Path, has an extraordinary breadth and depth of understanding about trauma and the alchemical effects of adding a depth dimension to therapy. Here, he shares about his own experience of trauma and healing, the therapeutic effects of introducing the depth dimension to his clients, the dynamics of anger and forgiveness, the path of longing, and how love gives itself away in the preciousness of each moment, rendering ordinary life sacred. James' profound understanding of grace is unmistakable, beautiful, riveting—both from personal experience and as a student of Thomas Merton, who introduced him to the wisdom of the mystics at the Trappist monastery, Gethsemani.Practically everything James says is both a poem and a revelation, so whether you are Christian, Buddhist, or atheist, this conversation offers a therapeutic wisdom and understanding of trauma that goes way beyond the norm, as well as a transmission of infinite love, bottomless mercy. At the end, James laughs at how he is talking: “I can't believe I'm talking like this…a traumatized kid from Akron, Ohio. It's not coming from me; it's flowing through me. All I'm doing is passing on what was passed on to me. So as it catches fire in you, it might pass through you into others.” Recorded August 17, 2023.“In the momentum of the day's demands, we feel we are skimming across the surface of the depths of our own lives: we are suffering from depth deprivation.” (For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing Dr. James Finley, clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, spiritual therapist, author of The Healing Path & Merton's Palace of Nowhere (00:58)How does James bring the worlds of psychotherapy and spirituality together? (03:32)James' experience of God responding during his traumatic childhood and how Thomas Merton introduced him to the mystics at the Trappist monastery (04:22)Teaching high school religion, writing Merton's Palace of Nowhere about how to find our way to our true self, leading silent contemplative retreats, and becoming a clinical psychologist (07:25)Where trauma and the presence of God touch each other: into the broken places, the light shines through (08:54)There is healing without forgiveness, but there is no healing without anger (11:21)Standing in the clear mindedness of anger, you're not completely free until you forgive (14:29) Self-hatred and how we perpetuate the violence until we find a safe place to work it through (18:14)Finding refuge in zazen, forgiving abuse at home and in the monastery, and how James found his way back into mystical Catholicism and the depth dimension (20:58)Where faith comes in to interior healing, where the alchemy happens: being carried along by mercy equals salvation (25:00)Getting past the distortions of religiosity: regrounding therapy in the depth dimension, moving back and forth from the hurting place to infinite love and mercy (26:36)What shines forth out of love or out of tragedy: being intimately overtaken by the nearness of the unexplainable (30:11)When we have just lost everything, we glimpse the infinity of mercy, and a longing is born

Marc Aronoff found himself at the Abbey of Gethsemani to conduct research about Thomas Merton. As he read Merton's journals, he discovered one sentence about St. Catherine of Genoa and that led Marc Aronoff on a life changing discovery of St. Catherine of Genoa. In this interview, Marc introduces listeners to the life and writings of St. Catherine of Genoa and Thomas Merton. Learn more about Marc's book at: https://www.lovesguest.com/

Hugh Turley - Thomas Merton Betrayed - The case against Abbot James Fox and author John Howard GriffinHugh Turley returns to discuss more revelations concerning the assassination of Thomas Merton in 1968.The secret assassination of Thomas Merton and its subsequent cover-up required planning. For over fifty years, the U.S. government and the leadership of Merton's home abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani were able to perpetuate a virtually transparent lie concerning his death. They were abetted, unfortunately, by the Catholic Church, the Catholic press, and Catholic academia, along with the press and scholarly world generally.Thomas Merton's Betrayers: The Case against Abbot James Fox and Author John Howard Griffin focuses upon that long-successful lie about the cause of Merton's death in Thailand in 1968, that is, that he was electrocuted by a faulty fan. How did it become so widely accepted? It was not the official conclusion reached by the investigating authorities, the Thai police, who concluded that Merton had died of “heart failure,” although they did make mention of a fan that they said had a faulty wire installed and could have killed him had he not been dead already when he encountered it.He tells Ed Opperman about the book and the events it catalogues and why, in many ways, Merton's killing was even more sinister than RFK and MLK, which happened in the same year.Book : Thomas MertonThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

Khatungmani Khorang

Full Text of ReadingsFeast of Saint James, Apostle Lectionary: 605The Saint of the day is Saint JamesSaint James’ Story This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20). James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in Gethsemani. Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this man and his brother. Saint Matthew tells that their mother came—Mark says it was the brothers themselves—to ask that they have the seats of honor in the kingdom. “Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They said to him, ‘We can'” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the implications of their confident “We can!” The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all; the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life. On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?' Jesus turned and rebuked them…” (Luke 9:54-55). James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. “About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3a). This James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be confused with James the Lesser or with the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community. Reflection The way the Gospels treat the apostles is a good reminder of what holiness is all about. There is very little about their virtues as static possessions, entitling them to heavenly reward. Rather, the great emphasis is on the Kingdom, on God's giving them the power to proclaim the Good News. As far as their personal lives are concerned, there is much about Jesus' purifying them of narrowness, pettiness, fickleness. Saint James the Greater is the Patron Saint of: ChileLaborersNicaraguaRheumatism sufferersSpain Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Today's poem is by Thomas Merton OCSO (January 31, 1915 – December 10, 1968), an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist and scholar of comparative religion. On May 26, 1949, he was ordained to the Catholic priesthood and given the name "Father Louis".[1][2] He was a member of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, near Bardstown, Kentucky, living there from 1941 to his death.Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years,[3] mostly on spirituality, social justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Among Merton's most enduring works is his bestselling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain (1948). His account of his spiritual journey inspired scores of World War II veterans, students, and teenagers to explore offerings of monasteries across the US.[4][5] It is on National Review's list of the 100 best nonfiction books of the century.[6]—Bio via Wikipedia This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dailypoempod.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode we will talk about loss and the grieving process. More specifically, we will be joining Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemani and discuss how He processed grief before going to the cross. And we will close with practical ways to allow God to transform our lives through loss and the grieving process, in order to accomplish our mission here on earth.  My desire is that after you listen to this episode, you can feel God's peace in the midst of your situation and are empowered to process any past loss or feelings of grief in a healthy and biblical way. Mentioned Episodes:E17: Embrace Your SeasonE9: The Thief of JoyConnect with me: www.sarahimontoya.cominfo@sarahimontoya.comInstagram: @sarahi__montoya Instagram: @Sarahimotivations Christian Brigades:Instagram: @ChristianBrigades

«Die Seele gelangt zu einer lauteren Gottesliebe, indem sie nur noch um Gottes Willen handelt.» Manchmal erfahren wir die volle Härte des Lebens. Wir finden uns alleine im Ölgarten. Doch allein sind wir nie; gerade in den Notsituationen ist unser Gott bei uns. In Gethsemani erfährt Jesus die ganze Last menschlicher Abgründe. Freiwillig nimmt Er dies auf sich, um mit uns mitzufühlen, um uns Vorbild zu sein, um uns zu erlösen. Er fällt auf die Erde nieder und betet: «Abba, Vater...» Auch wenn Gott sich unserem Erkennen entzieht, ist Er doch immer bei uns – gerade in den schwierigsten Momenten. Es ist erstaunlich, wie Jesus in seiner Todesangst betet: genauso wie früher, als er zusammen mit seinen Jüngern war, als das Leid noch entfernt war: «Dein Wille geschehe» - im «Vater unser» und in Gethsemani. Das ist Liebe: sie schaut nicht auf sich selbst, auf den eigenen Komfort, auf das eigene Wohlergehen; sie schaut auf das Wohl des Geliebten. - - - Zurichtung des Schauplatzes: Wir folgen mit der Kirche Christus nach Gethsemani. Das Evangelium der Passion nach Markus beginnt mit der Todesangst Jesu im Ölgarten, als er den Vater bittet, der Kelch möge an ihm vorüber gehen; doch Jesus betet: «Non quod ego volo, sed quod tu. / Nicht was ich will, sondern was du willst». Versuchen wir, uns in das Innerste, das Herz Jesu, einzufühlen. Seien wir bei ihm in der Stunde, die sein Leiden einleitet. Punkt 1 – Die menschliche Todesangst Christi: Die Furcht vor dem schweren Leiden, die Abscheu vor den Sünden, die Er auf sich nimmt, die Trauer darüber, dass Sein Tod für viele vergeblich sein wird – seine menschliche Natur kann nicht anders, als sich vor dem kommende Leid zu fürchten. Freiwillig nimmt Er dies auf sich. Punkt 2 – Das Gebet: Trotz aller Pein, die sein Herz erfasst, von allen verlassen, unter Blutschweiß spricht Er Sein Ja zum Willen des Vaters. «Abba, Vater...» – dies ist der Ausweg, der dem Menschen immer bleibt. Auch wenn Gott sich unserem Erkennen entzieht, ist Er doch immer bei uns – gerade in den schwierigsten Momenten. Punkt 3 – Die Liebe schaut auf den Geliebten: «Dein Wille geschehe» - im «Vater unser» und in Gethsemani. Aus Liebe zu Gott und zu uns betritt Christus willentlich den Weg der Selbstentsagung und des Verzichtes auf den eigenen Willen. Gespräch mit Jesus Christus über Seine demütige Opfergesinnung und sein liebendes Vertrauen zum Vater in aller Pein: «Dein Wille geschehe». Bitte, Ihm darin folgend zu dürfen.

Day 6 in a series of daily readings and meditations from "The School of Jesus Crucified" by Father Ignatius of the Side of Jesus.  Rob will read sections from this book aloud daily throughout Lent to help draw us in deeper to our blessed Lord's Passion. Today we meditate on how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemani and how we should mirror our own prayer after His.#catholic #christian #lent********************************************************Avoiding Babylon was started during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During these difficult and dark days, when most of us were isolated from family, friends, our parishes, and even the Sacraments themselves, this channel was started as a statement of standing against the tyrannical mandates that many of us were living under. Since those early days, this channel has morphed into an amazing community of friends…no…more than friends…Christian brothers and sisters…who have grown in joy and charity.Avoiding Babylon does not criticize the hierarchy or institutional Church, especially Pope Francis. We recognize there is an unprecedented crisis in the Church, but we feel that there are other shows that address these issues that are more qualified than us. Instead, we try to remind ourselves and those who enjoy the channel that being Catholic is a joyful and exciting experience. We seek true Catholic fraternity and eutrapelia with other Catholics who, like us, are doing their best to live out their vocation with the help of God's Grace. Above all, we try to bring humor and joy to the craziness of this fallen world, for as Hillaire Belloc has famously said:“Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,There's always laughter and good red wine.At least I've always found it so.Benedicamus Domino!”https://www.avoidingbabylon.comTelegram Chat:  https://t.me/+AMwZ2f9ChPg5NWNhRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss Support the showCheck out our new store!

Jesus is King, you are not. In this series, we are looking into the gospel of Mark to learn more about Jesus' identity as king, and the significance of the Cross. This week, Pastor Rory Lewellyn continues in Mark 14 with Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemani and the disciples who couldn't stay awake.  Fill out our online connect card here: https://summitspokane.churchcenter.com Visit https://summitchurchnw.com/kids-online for our Sunday Kids experience! For more resources and info on upcoming events visit our website, https://summitchurchnw.com.

Does God really have hands? No. God, is Spirit. This is an anthropomorphism, a big word. That just means we ascribe human qualities to God in order to better understand Him. You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their hands. You can tell if the person is young or old, male or female. You can tell if they have an office job or if they do manual labor. The hands of a surgeon look different from the hands of a mechanic. In John 1:1, it says, "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we be held His glory, glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." The hands of Jesus, show us His humanity as He entered public ministry. They became the hands of a miracle worker. Hands that turned water into wine, open the ears of the death and the eyes of the blind healed the sick, the lame, and the lepers. The hands of Jesus show us His deity. And though His hands were the hands of deity, they were also the hands of a humble servant. Hands that welcomed the little children, said the hungry and humbly wash the feet of His disciples. "Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many." In the garden of Gethsemani, His hands were first hands of prayer until the betrayer arrived, bringing the soldiers with them. His hands did not resist, but lay idle by His side as he was unjustly arrested, beaten and scorched. Finally, heavy nails were driven into the hands of God at the crucifixion, holding Him to a cross that he did not deserve to pay for sins that He did not commit. The hands of the Savior, the hands of Messiah, are hands that now reach out to us with the offer of life abundant, free and eternal. As we turn to Jesus Christ in faith, trusting Him for our salvation, we enter into a relationship with our Lord and we come under the care of His almighty hands. This is a relationship that can never be broken because no one and no thing can snatch us out of His mighty grip. Isaiah 64:8 and Psalm 92:4 says "We should sing with joy at the work of His hands, hands of faithfulness. "Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the sun of her womb? Even those may forget, but I will not forget. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. Your name. My name inscribed on the palms of God's hands." Isaiah 49:15-16. His hands are hands of help, the hands of a caregiver. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save. Neither is his ear so dull that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1. "Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him because he cares for you." 1st Peter 5:6. His hands are. Hands of friendship. Hands of fellowship. "The steps of a man are established by the Lord and he delights in his way when He falls. He shall not be hurled headlong because the Lord is the one who holds His hand." Psalm 37:23-24. His hands are hands of protection, though I walk in the midst of trouble. You will revive me. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies. And your right hand will save me. Psalm 138 seven. In the shadow of his hand, he has hidden me. And he has also made me a select arrow. He has hidden me in his quiver. Isaiah 49:2. This indicates that each one of us are an arrow kept hidden in the quiver of God. Until the time that His skillful hand draws us into His bow to send us out to impact a time and a place ordained by Him, ordained for His glory and His aim is sure. In other verses, the Bible calls the hands of God mighty valiant, righteous, strong, holy, glorious and good. And understanding these qualities should cause us to shout with David the words of Psalm 31, "As for me, I trust in you, a Lord. I say, you are my God. My times are in your hands." And we do live in perilous times. What a comfort to know that our times are in the mighty glorious and good hands of God. These are the hands of God that worked invisibly behind the scenes in the days of Esther. And these are the hands that work invisibly behind the scenes in your life and my life today, long ago, centuries ago. Today, the hand of God is working in your life to write your story, the part your life is to play in his wonderful plan. That story can only be written in time. But the glory of that story will last for all of eternity. Commit your life, therefore, into the mighty hands of God.

Khatungmani Khorang

We all want peace, but no one wants to deal with the problems! Why would God command us to step into conflict? Join us as we discuss this and the difference in peacemakers and peacekeepers. Which one are you? Free In Christ Women's Conference What We Love Blue Magic Carpet Stain and Spot Lifter The Abbey of Gethsemani   CONNECT WITH HOLLY: IG: @Hollybird72 Facebook: @HollyJohnsonProsser   CONNECT WITH ELAINA: www.elainabarron.com Instagram: @drelainabarron Facebook: @ElainaBarron

Brother Luke from Gethsemani in Kentucky tells his story

Full Text of ReadingsTwenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 123All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is Saint Pius XPope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at age 68. He was one of the 20th century's greatest popes. Ever mindful of his humble origin, Pope Pius stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up,” he said in tears to an old friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani.” Interested in politics, Pope Pius encouraged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections—a practice that reduced the freedom of the 1903 conclave which had elected him. In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand. While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense. On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it, but it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war began, and was canonized in 1954. Reflection His humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. Pius X gained his strength, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of Jesus. In contrast, we often feel embarrassed by our backgrounds. Shame makes us prefer to remain aloof from people whom we perceive as superior. If we are in a superior position, on the other hand, we often ignore simpler people. Yet we, too, have to help “restore all things in Christ,” especially the wounded people of God. Click here to meet seven holy unknown saints! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Full Text of ReadingsFeast of Saint James, Apostle Lectionary: 605All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is Saint JamesThis James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20). James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in Gethsemani. Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this man and his brother. Saint Matthew tells that their mother came—Mark says it was the brothers themselves—to ask that they have the seats of honor in the kingdom. “Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They said to him, ‘We can'” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the implications of their confident “We can!” The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all; the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life. On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?' Jesus turned and rebuked them...” (Luke 9:54-55). James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. “About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3a). This James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be confused with James the Lesser or with the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community. Reflection The way the Gospels treat the apostles is a good reminder of what holiness is all about. There is very little about their virtues as static possessions, entitling them to heavenly reward. Rather, the great emphasis is on the Kingdom, on God's giving them the power to proclaim the Good News. As far as their personal lives are concerned, there is much about Jesus' purifying them of narrowness, pettiness, fickleness. Saint James the Greater is the Patron Saint of: Chile Laborers Nicaragua Rheumatism sufferers Spain Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Friends of the Rosary: Today is the feast day of the apostle St. James, brother of St. John. Along with John and Peter, she witnessed the Transfiguration. Later, he was in the garden of Gethsemani, during Jesus' agony. St. James — Santiago, in Spanish — was active in the work of evangelization. He arrived into the old Hispania, where he received the visit of the Mother of Jesus in Zaragoza. In the nine century, faithful started to walk into what was then the end of the earth, the Finisterre, in Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of the saint are kept, according to the tradition. The Way of St. James, el Camino de Santiago, has originate millions of conversions since then. James the Greater would end his earthly life by shedding his blood for Christ. He was beheaded in Jerusalem in the year 42 or 43 A.D. on the orders of Herod Agrippa. Ave Maria! Jesus, I Trust In You! St. James, Pray for Us! + Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York [ Third Year Anniversary | In the Memory of María Blanca ] • July 25, 2021, Today's Holy Rosary on YouTube — Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Dr. Greg Hillis of Bellarmine University in Louisville. He is author of the recent book Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton's Catholic Vision from Liturgical Press. Dr. Hillis and I discuss Merton's reputation, his role as novice master at the Abbey of Gethsemani, his interaction with the Kentucky literary scene, and the significance of Merton's interest in Eastern religions.   Cultural Debris Patreon - Support the podcast! Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton's Catholic Vision Greg Hillis website | Twitter   Cultural Debris on Twitter Front Porch Republic Archive

Season 5, Episode 7 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh. "We have more than one calling, depending on the will of God." - Judith Valente LISTEN HERE: IN THIS EPISODE: In this episode of Messy Jesus Business, Sister Julia Walsh talks with authors Judith Valente and Brother Paul Quenon about their motivations behind the book they most recently co-authored. They discuss callings, how it's possible to have several and how each of them came to know their respective callings. They consider what it means "to be," and how vastly that differs from our productivity-focused culture, which Judith says she knew all too well when working as a journalist, where the idea of simply being was a foreign concept. "More, more, better, better. You gotta work all the time you've got to be plugged in all the time," she explains of the mindset. That raises the question: what then, is success? Brother Paul weighs in, "I think success is to be authentic; to live according to your true self, which is...to be a child of God." Top L-R: Judith Valente, Sister Julia Walsh. Bottom: Brother Paul Quenon. Judith, Brother Paul and Sister Julia also explore the inherent messiness of living in community, how the pandemic has served as a spiritual teacher, and how Thomas Merton influenced both of them and the way they live their spirituality. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Brother Paul Quenon and Judith Valente are co-authors of the books: How to Be: a Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship; and The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed. Brother Paul entered the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky in 1958 at the age of 17, where Thomas Merton was his novice master and spiritual director. He sleeps under the stars each night and is an avid hiker and hill climber. Br. Paul is the author of the award-winning book In Praise of the Useless Life: A Monk's Memoir....as well as nine collections of poetry. He is also a sought-after and inspiring speaker. Judith Valente is a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism and is the recipient of many awards for her coverage of faith and culture for national PBS-TV's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly. A former staff writer for both The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, she has been a contributing correspondent for Chicago Public Radio, and her articles appear in U.S. Catholic and National Catholic Reporter. Judith is the author of four previous spirituality titles, she is a lay associate of the Benedictine monastery Mount St. Scholastica, and she speaks and leads retreats on living a more contemplative life and discovering inner wisdom. You can read more about her at her website: judithvalente.com/. Copies of Judith Valente's and Brother Paul Quenon's books may be purchased at Gesthamani book store . CONTEMPLATIVE MOMENT is a reading from Psalm 46. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is produced and hosted by Sister Julia Walsh, and edited by Charish Badzinski. Email us at messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness

In this episode, my guests are Judith Valente and Br. Paul Quenon the authors of the new book How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship. In the conversation, we discuss: Discerning your pathBecoming a personThe purpose of lifeHow meditation helps us Be in the worldThe role of friendshipWisdom in daily life and much moreJudith Valente is an award-winning author, journalist, poet, and essayist. She is a former staff writer for The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. And today she is a sought-after speaker and retreat leader on living a more contemplative life, discovering inner wisdom through poetry, and finding meaning in your work.Brother Paul Quenon, OCSO, entered the Trappists in 1958 at the renowned Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky at the age of 17. Thomas Merton was his novice master and spiritual director. Quenon is the author of 9 collections of poetry and his memoir is titled, In Praise of the Useless Life. Follow In Search of Wisdom:Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelTwitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). 

March 16, 2022 Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Matthew 20:17-28 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031622.cfm 

In this episode, Austin interviews Will Peterson about his organization, Modern Catholic Pilgrim. Will's own experience as a pilgrim at the Abbey of Gethsemani and in Rome moved him to lead others on a similar journey.  He walks us through what it means to go on a pilgrimage and shares some history of the Church as a pilgrim people. Tighten your laces and get your walking stick as we explore all things related to pilgrimages and hospitality. Check out Modern Catholic Pilgrim's website here. 

Khatungmani Khorang

Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox, as they guide us through a pilgrimage to the Holy Land! This will be a different kind of journey compared to our past visits. We will be placing a particular focus on a man who with his extraordinary gifts and talent made a difference in the Holy Land, Antonio Barluzzi! An architect consecrated to God and committed his life in the mission of building several Churches at holy sites related to the life of Jesus Christ. During our journey, you will: Learn about the life of Antonio Barluzzi. Be introduced to 2 churches Antonio Barluzzi built. Hear excerpts from his diary. Much more! Click here to see photos of Antonio Barluzzi's work in the Holy Land, download a Guideline of Discerning God's Will, and a map view of Basilica of Agony and the Garden of Gethsemani and The Church of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor! Jewel for the Journey: “All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece.” – St. John Paul II. Taken from his Letter to Artist Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate The face of Antonio Barluzzi on the featured image appears courtesy of User:Bonio derivative work: Victuallers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Join me this week as we explore the great Thomas Merton! Thomas Merton, the original name of Father M. Louis, (born January 31, 1915, Prades, France—died December 10, 1968 – at the age of 53, Bangkok, Thailand), Roman Catholic monk, poet, and prolific writer on spiritual and social themes, one of the most important American Roman Catholic writers of the 20th century. This episode aires just two days after the anniversary of the passing of Thomas Merton. Source of information shared this week... https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Merton The Official Thomas Merton website... http://merton.org/ The Merton Prayer My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. “The Merton Prayer” from Thoughts in Solitude Copyright © 1956, 1958 by The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit our website...https://faithandmorepodcast.wixsite.com/my-site Contact me at... faithandmorepodcast@gmail.com or at anchor.fm/faith-and-more #thomasmerton #merton #mertonprayer #abbeyofgethsemani #themertonprayer #meditation #prayer #digdeep #faith #devotion #peace --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faith-and-more/message

How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship by Judith Valente, an award-winning author, journalist and poet, and Brother Paul Quenon, a Trappist monk of the famous Abbey of Gethsemani and an acclaimed poet and memoirist. How to Be is a dialogue in letters between two spiritual seekers — one following a monastic life framed by ancient prayer rhythms and the other a married, professional woman seeking a deeper sense of mindfulness in her busy life. In their letters, they ask universal questions about faith, work, prayer, balance, and meaning – questions that have become particularly relevant in the wake of our pandemic experience. How to Be provides ways to successfully navigate those questions through a spiritual lens. Brother Paul and Valente are popular speakers, retreat and workshop leaders, podcast guests, and media sources in print, radio, and video. Both are available to discuss their book. Interviews at the Abbey outside of Louisville, KY, offer stunning visuals. These are some interesting angles to pursue: § How to Be is a book for seekers, whether starting out or spiritually devout. The authors offer thoughtful, practical ideas for handling conflict, leaving jobs, coping with the unexpected, and dealing with loss, as well as spiritual guidance on prayer, meditation, and living a more contemplative life. § How to Be seeks to preserve the wisdom Brother Paul has gained from 60-plus years in the contemplative life. Monks like Brother Paul are becoming rare. He is also one of the few people alive who personally knew the great spirituality writer Thomas Merton, who was his novice director. § It is unusual for monks in a cloistered order, such as the Trappists, to become close friends with outsiders, especially women. The friendship between Brother Paul and Judith Valente spans more than a decade and has been nurtured through visits and their years of writing letters to one another in which they share their practical and spiritual insights. Judith Valente is a former staff writer for the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism. She is a former correspondent for PBS's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly and senior correspondent for investigative reporting and long features at the NPR affiliate in central Illinois. She was also a special correspondent covering faith and values and arts and culture for Chicago Public Radio. Valente contributes articles to US Catholic magazine and National Catholic Reporter. She lives in Normal, Illinois. Learn more at www.judithvalente.com. Brother Paul Quenon, OCSO, entered the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani in 1958 at the age of 17. Thomas Merton was his novice master and spiritual director. Quenon is the author of 9 collections of poetry. His memoir, In Praise of the Useless Life

How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship by Judith Valente, an award-winning author, journalist and poet, and Brother Paul Quenon, a Trappist monk of the famous Abbey of Gethsemani and an acclaimed poet and memoirist. How to Be is a dialogue in letters between two spiritual seekers — one following a monastic life framed by ancient prayer rhythms and the other a married, professional woman seeking a deeper sense of mindfulness in her busy life. In their letters, they ask universal questions about faith, work, prayer, balance, and meaning – questions that have become particularly relevant in the wake of our pandemic experience. How to Be provides ways to successfully navigate those questions through a spiritual lens. Brother Paul and Valente are popular speakers, retreat and workshop leaders, podcast guests, and media sources in print, radio, and video. Both are available to discuss their book. Interviews at the Abbey outside of Louisville, KY, offer stunning visuals. These are some interesting angles to pursue: § How to Be is a book for seekers, whether starting out or spiritually devout. The authors offer thoughtful, practical ideas for handling conflict, leaving jobs, coping with the unexpected, and dealing with loss, as well as spiritual guidance on prayer, meditation, and living a more contemplative life. § How to Be seeks to preserve the wisdom Brother Paul has gained from 60-plus years in the contemplative life. Monks like Brother Paul are becoming rare. He is also one of the few people alive who personally knew the great spirituality writer Thomas Merton, who was his novice director. § It is unusual for monks in a cloistered order, such as the Trappists, to become close friends with outsiders, especially women. The friendship between Brother Paul and Judith Valente spans more than a decade and has been nurtured through visits and their years of writing letters to one another in which they share their practical and spiritual insights. Judith Valente is a former staff writer for the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism. She is a former correspondent for PBS's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly and senior correspondent for investigative reporting and long features at the NPR affiliate in central Illinois. She was also a special correspondent covering faith and values and arts and culture for Chicago Public Radio. Valente contributes articles to US Catholic magazine and National Catholic Reporter. She lives in Normal, Illinois. Learn more at www.judithvalente.com. Brother Paul Quenon, OCSO, entered the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani in 1958 at the age of 17. Thomas Merton was his novice master and spiritual director. Quenon is the author of 9 collections of poetry. His memoir, In Praise of the Useless Life

Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemani, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most

Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemani, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most

Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemani, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. (Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here) Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.

Join Rev. Renee Rossi and Rev. Dr. José M. Román as they explore modern monastic life in the latest episode of Open Heart Conversations. They will be joined by Brother Paul Quenon, who has been a Trappist monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani for more than 60 years, and his friend Judith Valente, a renowned journalist and student of religion and spirituality.

Prayer to Our Suffering Saviour for the Holy Souls in Purgatory O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemani, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most

On June 27, 1949, Merton was allowed, for the first time, to venture outside the Abbey of Gethsemani's gated enclosure to walk in the woods alone. His writing and his spirituality changed forever as a result. In Thomas Merton's Gethsemani: Landscapes of Paradise, author Monica Weis notes, "Once beyond the monastery walls, Merton's heart soared." Why? Perhaps, after being doused in words for years, suddenly he could share an expansive, silent space with God and just listen. This session will explore what Merton found beneath the branches, on the hills, and in all of nature: a sense of transcendence. Sophfronia Scott is a novelist, essayist, and leading contemplative thinker whose work has appeared in numerous publications. Her latest book, The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton, received a Louie award in 2021. Sophfronia's other books include Love's Long Line, and This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Child in a Secular World, co-written with her son Tain. She holds degrees from Harvard and Vermont College of Fine Arts. Sophfronia lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut and is the founding director of Alma College's MFA in Creative Writing, a graduate program based in Alma, Michigan.

Sibyl Towner has a passion to help people identify the voice of God that is within them and to encourage a responsiveness to that voice. She has over 50 years of experience in extended household living as well as decades of pastoral leadership positions at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati and Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. Noted for welcoming and listening across the ages and appreciating the gift of both men and women, she delights in creating a sacred and safe space to meet with God and others. She currently serves as a co- director of The Springs Christian Retreat Center where she teaches a two-year certificate program for Spiritual Direction through the School of Sustainable Faith. She is co- founder of One Life Maps and co-author of Listen to my Life, a tool for recognizing and responding to God in your life. Sibyl received training through The Sustainable Faith of School of Spiritual Direction and has served for ten years as a spiritual director at The Transforming Center. She is knowledgeable in the Enneagram. -- Some topics include: How does The Springs Retreat Center uniquely support pastors who are struggling with burnout? What is the arc of her ministry that led to becoming co-director at The Springs? How does Sibyl define spiritual mentoring and how does she practice it? How has she used her understanding of the Enneagram in her own life? -- Shownotes: The Springs Retreat Center - Sibyl's retreat center near Oldenburg, IN (halfway between Cincinnati and Indianapolis) One Life Maps - Sibyl's personal growth and spiritual mentoring website Abbey of Gethsemani, Thomas Merton's abbey - location of important spiritual development for Sibyl Enneagram Institute - Sibyl briefly touches on her use of Enneagram in her mentoring practice and personal development Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen Everything Belongs by Richard Rohr Prodigal God by Tim Keller

Even before the calendar marks the beginning of Autumn next week, we already know something is underway. One senses a subtle shift in mood: the angle and quality of light and diminishing daylight betrays the warm summer temperatures. It is no longer Summer, yet, it is not quite Fall. I noted that some of the trees had given way to this shift with changing leaves, in evidence since August. It's the time of year when personal reflection comes more easily and naturally for me, too; I reflect on personal goals, hopes, dreams. In this episode I referenced Rainer Maria Rilke's series of poems called The Book of Hours, its title coming from the book from which monks chant the canonical hours. Here's one of my best -loved excerpts: I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I give my life to it. I circle around God, around the primordial tower. I've been circling for thousands of years and I still don't know: am I a falcon, a storm, or a great song? I also referenced Thomas Merton and The Seven Storey Mountain, written during his first years at Gethsemani and is a moving, spiritual autobiographical account of Merton's search for faith. Merton has written numerous moving works, including poems. This one, which alludes to the canonical "time of day" is from his book of essays and poems, No Man is an Island: There must be a time of day when the man who makes plans forgets his plans, and acts as if he had no plans at all There must be a time of day when the man who has to speak falls very silent. And his mind forms no more propositions, and he asks himself: Did they have a meaning? There must be a time when the man of prayer goes to pray as if it were the first time in his life he had ever prayed, when the man of resolutions puts his resolutions aside as if they had all been broken, and he learns a different wisdom: Distinguishing the sun from the moon, the stars from the darkness, the sea from the dryland, and the night sky from the shoulder of a hill.

Doug and Eric reflect on their most recent visit to the Abbey of Gethsemani, in Kentucky, on a silent retreat. They share their experience from prayer to hiking the 2000 acres of land. The spiritually healing experience was born from the welcoming atmosphere of the Abbey and the time that they had visiting with Brother Tom. They highlighted the challenges of living optimally, and that there is no need to worry, because the OPT2LIV Team is here to help them along their journey. They break down the pearls for living optimally. Opt2Liv Virtual Wellness is a family owned business that spans three generations with over 100 years combined experience in health and wellness.  We design personal and customized plans to help you along your journey toward optimal living based off of the FOUR principles of Opt2Liv: Breath, Eat, Move, and Sleep Whether you are old or young, extremely active or ready for a change, we have solutions to help you live life to the fullest. ShamrockWellness.com