Guidelines For Spiritual Discernment

Based on the time-tested spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the 16th-century founder of the Jesuits who developed a systemic way of considering and making choices, this revised edition helps those who want to make fruitful choices and manage decisions with faithfulness to God.

Winner of a 2018 Catholic Press Association Award: Sacraments. (Second Place). In the first book to directly integrate the Twelve Steps with the practice of Catholicism, Scott Weeman, founder and director of Catholic in Recovery, pairs his personal story with compassionate straight talk to show Catholics how to bridge the commonly felt gap between the Higher Power of twelve-step programs and the merciful God that he rediscovered in the heart of the sacraments. Weeman entered sobriety from alcohol and drugs on October 10, 2011, and he's made it his full-time ministry to help others who struggle with various types of addiction to find spiritual wholeness through Catholic in Recovery, an organization he founded and directs. In The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments, Weeman candidly tackles the struggle he and other addicts have with getting to know intimately the unnamed Higher Power of recovery. He shares stories of his compulsion to find a personal relationship with God and how his tentative steps back to the Catholic Church opened new doors of healing and brought him surprising joy as he came to know Christ in the sacraments. Catholics in recovery and those moving toward it, as well as the people who love them will recognize Weeman's story and his spiritual struggle to personally encounter God. He tells us how: Baptism helps you admit powerlessness over an unmanageable problem, face your desperate need for God, and choose to believe in and submit to God’s mercy. Reconciliation affirms and strengthens the hard work of examining your life, admitting wrongs, and making amends. The Eucharist provides ongoing sustenance and draws you to the healing power of Christ. The graces of Confirmation strengthen each person to keep moving forward and to share the good news of recovery and new life in Christ. Weeman's words are boldly challenging and brimming with compassion and through them you will discover inspiration, hope, sage advice, and refreshingly practical help.

This handy, easy-to-use workbook is chock full of probing questions, real-life stories, and practical tips on how to apply the profound spiritual insights from the Ignatian tradition of patient, prayerful self-examination. Acclaimed interpreter of Saint Ignatius, author Father Gallagher provides clear explanations of the centuries-old Jesuit method of discerning God's will in one's life--and avoiding evil. A practical guide and journaling tool, it includes ample space on every page for notes, reflections, and journaling, all to help readers track their progress toward a closer, more loving union with God.

This is not a book for the 'book-taster.' Those who are, however, really committed to relating their theology of justice to concrete sociopolitical options will be thankful for it. As clear, insightful, and biblically faithful a piece of writing on hermeneutics as I have recently seen." Alfred Krass, author of Evangelizing Neo-Pagan North America North American Christians can benefit from Libanio's approach to discernment and politics. Particularly helpful are the sections that analyze our current situation. I, too, believe that religious acts carry a political meaning, and their meaning is perverted if they publicize or confirm instances of injustice or exploitation.' The religious witness must be critical of the dominant ideology, which is described as 'economic transcendence' glorifying those already rich while oppressing the poor majority. Religious groups who enter the discernment Libanio suggests will risk the pain of conversion and the resistance of those satisfied with the status quo." Carol Coston, OP, Executive Director, Network

The author describes the nature of Christian spiritual discernment, drawing on the teachings of the Spanish saints and mystics: Ignatius of Loyola, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. He then applies their insights in a series of brief chapters on the major temptations in the two principal areas of our Christian life: ministry and prayer. In wise and practical terms, he discusses activism, entrenchment, pastoral envy, discouragement in prayer, misuse of prayer methods, and many similar problems, showing us throughout how to distinguish good spirits from evil. He closes with a short reflection on the connection between Christian self-renunciation and our natural desire for happiness. For both individuals and groups, this book offers indispensible guidance for a review of life and authentic spiritual discernment.