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In this episode, we conclude our series on sacred elements and reflect on wine as a sign of surrender, transformation, and new life. Just as grapes are pressed to release their juice, we too go through seasons of being pressed, and God is right there with us in the pressing, bringing new wine out of what we suffer. We talk about the difference between surrender and resignation, how old patterns can keep us from receiving what He is doing, and what it looks like to become new wineskins. The One who turned ordinary water into extraordinary wine is still making new wine in the places where we feel pressed, and He longs to fill us with His Spirit until our joy overflows. Heather's One Thing - <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/track/4XeTham03yDlaC0WhXHxC2?si=3b7bc0b27bbc4ddb"> God of Wonders/ Agnus Dei</a> by Brianne Heather's Other One Thing - <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/track/4P2wK8atFaGi41Vp9Kirit?si=62ce536e7af0460b"> New Wine</a> by Hillsong Worship Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Milwaukee Brewers World Series Win! Michelle's One Thing - <a href= "https://giveninstitute.com/">The GIVEN Institute</a> | <a href= "https://giveninstitute.com/2027givenleadershipprogram/">APPLY HERE for the 2027 Forum</a>! | <a href= "https://giveninstitute.com/2027givenleadershipprogram/#mentors">Apply here to be a 2027 Mentor!</a> Other Resources Mentioned: <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://youtu.be/a5RkQmkoWcM?si=c-bCjwgKcS5qt6vw">I Love Lucy Video Clip | Lucy Crushing Grapes</a></li> </ul> Announcement: This year for Advent we will be doing a series called "Held in His Story". Within Jesus' genealogy are the stories of women who knew longing, heartache, courage, brokenness, and hope. Together, we will journey with Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary to discover the sacred gift of God woven within our own stories. Journal Questions: <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How is God inviting me into being pressed and crushed?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What is my suffering bringing to the surface?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Where have I become resigned in my life?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Where in my life have I allowed the wine of the Holy Spirit to run out?</li> </ul> Discussion Questions: <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How is the Lord purifying you in this season of life?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How has the Lord transformed your sorrow into glory?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What is the difference between surrender and resignation?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Where do you need to choose to trust the Lord?</li> </ul> Quote to Ponder: "He wants her to drink in conformity with her desire and become wholly inebriated, drinking of all the wines in God's storehouse." (St. Teresa of Avila, Meditations on the Song of Songs, Chapter 6) Scripture for Lectio: "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Matthew 9:16-17) Sponsor - The University of Mary: What if advancing your education didn't require choosing between your family, your work, and your faith? Many of us sense God inviting us to grow, whether by advancing a career, moving into a new field, or serving others more fully. But with work and family commitments, graduate school can feel out of reach. The University of Mary offers fully online graduate programs designed to fit real life, so you can study on your schedule and keep moving forward. Programs that prepare you to serve. Earn your degree in nursing, counseling, social work, business, education, and more. Mary's programs build the skills to lead well, serve others, and make a difference in your field. Faithfully Catholic. Mary has more Newman Guide-recognized graduate programs than any other Catholic university in America. Faith isn't separate from the education here. It informs how students learn and how they work. Affordable by design. Mary is the nation's most affordable serious Catholic university, with graduate tuition about half the private-college average. That's intentional. People called to serve their families, communities, and the Church shouldn't have to take on overwhelming debt to answer that call. Built for every season of life. Programs are fully online, built for working professionals and busy families, and many can be completed in as little as one year. Exclusive offer for Abiding Together listeners: Listeners of Abiding Together are for scholarships of up to $7,000 – nearly 25% off the total cost -- toward select graduate programs. Learn more at <a href= "https://abide.umary.edu/">abide.umary.edu</a> → Timestamps: 00:00 The University of Mary 01:32 Intro 02:14 Advent Announcement 03:24 Welcome 06:13 Surrender, Transformation, and the Winepress 08:19 The Process of Crushing 13:25 Resignation vs Surrender 15:06 The Wedding at Cana 19:22 The Gift of Wine 22:31 Making Room for New Wine 26:26 The Winepress is Messy 29:14 One Things

S19 E7 - Sacred Elements: Wine

Matrimonial consent is an indispensable element of the Sacrament of Marriage. Fr. Mike explains why it is essential for those entering marriage to express their consent freely and why in the Church’s eyes, “if consent is lacking, there is no marriage.” Fr. Mike also guides us through the Church’s teaching on annulment and clarifies why it can be complex. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1625-1632. 

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 222: Matrimonial Consent (2026)

Could your heart be growing hard without you even realizing it? Jeff explores the biblical meaning of a hardened heart, revealing how sin, pride, disappointment, and apathy can slowly diminish our ability to hear God's voice and respond to His grace.

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Can a Hardened Heart Be Healed?

Fr. Mike shortly touches on David's honest prayer in Psalm 109 before diving into the unending love God has for his people. As we continue to journey through our readings, we will begin to see the words of the prophets come to fruition as those who return to the Lord in faith will experience his undying love and forgiveness, despite their unfaithfulness. Today's readings are 2 Kings 9, Hosea 11-14, and Psalm 109.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.

Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.<a rel="payment" href="https://ascensionpress.com/products/support-ascension">Support The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)</a>

Day 177: Return, O Israel (2026)

We continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically the celebration and effects of the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike explores the different elements of the rite of Confirmation and the ways in which Confirmation increases and deepens our baptismal graces. He emphasizes, in particular, the special strength of the Holy Spirit that we receive to spread and defend the Faith by our words and actions. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1297-1305.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 177: The Celebration of Confirmation (2026)

Beginning our look at the seventh commandment, the Catechism focuses on the universal destination of goods and the private ownership of goods. Fr. Mike helps us understand that at first glance, these concepts may seem contradictory, but upon closer inspection, they are paradoxical. Each concept is necessary, and they must be held “in tension”. We have the right to private property, and at the same time, we should have the mindset that we are stewards of our earthly possessions and talents with the intention of using them to benefit others. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2401-2406.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 313: Ownership of Goods (2026)

William Albrecht and Pastor Samuel Farag debate the bodily Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary in honor of the feast of The Assumption, August 15.
 
Ep. 591
 
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Eastern Orthodoxy Through The Lens of Sola Scriptura - Samuel Farag: https://freegracepress.com/products/eastern-orthodoxy-through-the-lens-of-sola-scriptura
Eastern Orthodoxy 10 Part Series - Samuel Farag: https://youtu.be/ulRtk6dscLU?si=YiuvU0G7vzHP1Zpj
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Is the Assumption of Mary Biblical and Ancient? (William Albrecht vs Pastor Samuel Farag) | Ep. 591

Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P., examines Thomas Aquinas’s teaching on the Mass as the sacramental representation of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, drawing on medieval liturgical texts, sacred images, and Eucharistic prayer to show how believers share in the fruits of redemption. This lecture was given on March 6th, 2026, at University of California, Berkeley. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at <a href="https://thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events" target="_blank">thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events</a> About the Speaker: Innocent Smith, O.P., is Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. After undergraduate studies in music and philosophy at Notre Dame, he entered the Order of Preachers in 2008 and was ordained priest in 2015. Fr. Innocent served in parish ministry for several years before completing a doctorate in liturgical studies at the University of Regensburg in 2021. After teaching for several years in Baltimore and Washington, DC, he joined the Department of Theology in 2025. His research focuses on the material and musical aspects of medieval liturgical books as well as the relationship between liturgy and theology. His monograph Bible Missals and the Medieval Dominican Liturgy explores medieval manuscripts of the Bible that also contain liturgical texts for the celebration of Mass. Keywords: Christ’s Passion, Corpus Christi, Eucharistic Sacrifice, Liturgy, Mass, Medieval Manuscripts, Redemption, Sacrifice Of The Mass, St. Thomas Aquinas, Vatican II

The Work of Our Redemption Is Accomplished: Thomas Aquinas and the Sacrifice of the Mass - Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P.

In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on the gift of friendship as a foretaste of heaven and a living image of God's love. We talk about how we are meant to journey through life with each other, how God bonds us together along the way, and how these friendships are meant to last forever. We also discuss the gift of praising God for our friends, what it means to behold and not possess beauty, and how focusing on gratitude allows us to hold joy and sorrow in tension. Announcement: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord from <a href= "https://www.avemariapress.com/products/friendship-in-the-lord">Ave Maria Press</a> (or <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Lord-Catholic-Classic-Christian/dp/0870613286/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1728BH4O6QWFG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KjWmJ6qpbNSyOJVq4rc5paCX3OLD4McE51g3aYHtBow5Ol41AfgR8FFGwgINvWixcs8XmKlIoDq_G4o15h97pL5T3DvtJ_Nt8lwZ8sZaocsO5s_mhujeaXwRb_7Fw_m4NaXPvQX3tk_XSAPdp_qGqJWkgK7zpT9PDZZT6oDDfsIMRwZfcxMEbuICJPSHgZFYdZnLFRlO-KcEqT88PHQG0o73IfMphrs9aC3VTMsMesI.lcnakqhQVU1W7oS3LcOUXKHV7qXEwDojsdy0gjisSAc&dib_tag=se&keywords=friendship+in+the+lord&qid=1779300218&s=books&sprefix=friendship+in+the+lord%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1"> Amazon</a>). </li> </ul> Journal Questions: <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Who has accompanied you through the valleys and mountaintops of your life?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">When do I show up to my friendships from a place of woundedness, deficiency, or insecurity? How is the Lord inviting me into deeper security?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What is the Lord inviting me to delight in?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How have I turned my unmet expectations into demands in my friendships?</li> </ul> Discussion Questions: <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">What are you grateful for?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Where in your life are you experiencing the Lord's presence in the midst of suffering?</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">When have unmet expectations turned into demands on a relationship? </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How do you cultivate delight and gratitude in your life?</li> </ul> Quote to Ponder: "Friends in the Lord always turn one another toward the Lord. They are not forever gazing at each other, but together they look to the Lord and to their brothers and sisters in the Lord." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 101) Scripture for Lectio: "We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love." (Ephesians 4:14-17) Sponsor - Word on Fire's new film, Heaven in Stone and Glass, produced in partnership with Spirit Juice Studios: Beauty has the power to draw us beyond ourselves and point us toward something more. One of our favorite places in the United States is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. When we are there, beauty has a way of speaking to the ache that we can't name. It is as though our soul knows where it belongs. It feels like a homecoming. Word on Fire's Heaven in Stone and Glass is a new film exploring the beauty, meaning, and evangelizing power of sacred architecture. Journey across France with Bishop Barron as he explores five of the world's most iconic Gothic cathedrals: Chartres, Notre-Dame, Reims, Amiens, and Saint-Denis. Through soaring arches, stained glass, sacred imagery, and centuries of history, Bishop Barron reveals the theological meaning embedded within these extraordinary spaces and explores why their beauty continues to stir something deep within the human soul. Heaven in Stone and Glass invites believers and skeptics alike on a cinematic pilgrimage and asks us to consider what these sacred spaces have proclaimed for centuries: that beauty can reveal something about God and awaken us to the transcendent. Word on Fire's Heaven in Stone and Glass, a production of Spirit Juice Studios, is coming to theaters nationwide on September 20th and 23rd. Get tickets for yourself or a group here: <a href= "https://heaveninstoneandglass.com/">https://heaveninstoneandglass.com</a> Timestamps: 00:00 Heaven in Stone and Glass 01:38 Intro 02:42 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder 05:07 Friendship is Meant to Last Forever 10:13 Faith as the Foundation of Friendship 12:05 Mature Love Gives Deepened Life to Others 13:39 Praising God for Your Friendships 17:20 Beholding Beauty in Others 20:11 Asking God for Gratitude 24:28 Closing Prayer

S18 E23 - Friendship in the Lord: Worship and Friendship in the Lord (Chapters 9 & 10)

Opening Credits

Introduction - Why Fatima Matters Now

Preparing the Children

The Beautiful Lady Comes

The Children's Personalities and How They Became Saints

A Story of Three Souls

Appendix 1 - The Response of Ordinary American Children

Appendix 2 - Subsequent Apparitions and Requests

Closing Credits

This illuminating guide moves beyond debates surrounding Fatima to reveal the spiritual heart of Our Lady&rsquo;s message and its enduring importance for every Catholic. Through the experiences of Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, readers discover a path of prayer, sacrifice, reparation, Eucharistic devotion, and love for the Immaculate Heart of Mary. By exploring the hidden spiritual lives of the three shepherd children, these pages show how ordinary souls can respond generously to grace, grow in holiness, and enter into deeper union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the maternal guidance of Our Lady.

Hearts Beating as One

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Dedication

Epigraph

Foreword

Introduction

The Seduction of Yoga

Yoga's Spiritual Roots

Yoga's Beloved Gurus

"Christian" Yoga

A Secret World

A Concealed Gateway to the New Age

Yoga's Spiritual Veil

Prelude to Awakening

Brought to My Knees

The Spiritual Power of the Sacraments and Prayer

Spiritual Protection and Strength

The Catholic Church on Yoga and the New Age

End Credits

In this compelling personal account, a former yoga instructor recounts her journey from deep involvement in yoga to a renewed life in Christ. Drawing on experience, research, and the light of Scripture, she examines the spiritual foundations of yoga and contrasts them with the truths of the Catholic faith. With honesty and compassion, these pages offer both a warning and a testimony of grace, guiding readers toward authentic peace through Christ-centered prayer, reverence for the body, and a deeper trust in God’s healing love.

Yoga Unveiled

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Author's Note

Syllabus

The Claim

Resurrection Defined

The Written Record

The First Proclamation

The Creed

Chain of Testimony

The Fourth-Century Verdict

Women at the Tomb

Competing Gospels

Self-Testimony

The Transformed Witnesses

The Reality of His Death

Misplaced, Mistaken, or Missing

The Hallucination Theory

Public Witness or Private Vision

The Power-Grab Theory

Testing the Alternatives

The Laws of Nature

Miracles

Science and the Resurrection

The Allegorical Interpretation

The Jewish Covenant and the Resurrection

The Resurrection and the World's Religions

One Resurrection, Many Churches

Doubting Geniuses

Philosophy and the Resurrection

Pentecost as Public Proclamation

Existential Consequences of the Resurrection

Cosmic Consequences of the Resurrection

The Holding - Faith as Reasoned Trust

Addressing the Dissent

Scope of the Holding - The Unity of Truth

Application of the Holding in an Age of Relativism

Appendix A - Methodology and Standards of Evaluation

Appendix B - The Testimony of Paul

Appendix C - The Ascension Claim Tested

Appendix D - The Resurrection and Artificial Intelligence

Epilogue - A Personal Resurrection

About the Author

This rigorous examination approaches the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as a formal legal case, weighing the evidence with the precision of a trial attorney and presenting its conclusions in the form of a Supreme Court opinion. Drawing from Scripture, early historical sources, philosophy, psychology, science, and arguments from skeptics and believers alike, it investigates the Crucifixion, eyewitness testimony, post-Resurrection appearances, and competing explanations for the rise of Christianity. Careful and methodical, these pages invite believers, skeptics, and seekers to consider whether the central claim of Christianity withstands serious historical and rational scrutiny.

Resurrection on Trial

Acknowledgments

Prologue: "In The Beginning"

A Darkling Plain

Father in Faith

Fire on Sinai

The Promised Land

The Divided Kingdom

The Holy City

The Quest and the Chosen

Two Hopes (499-404 B.C.)

The March Across the World (404-301 B.C.)

The Fortitude of Rome (301-201 B.C.)

Rome Ascendant, The Temple Regained (201-133 B.C.)

Rome and Caesar (133-44 B.C.)

The Winning of the Roman Peace (44-8 B.C.)

The Incarnation of the Lord (8-4 B.C.)

God in Galilee (4 B.C. - 29 A.D.)

"I Am the Resurrection and the Life" (29-30 A.D.)

He Chose Twelve - and Paul (30-70 A.D.) - Part 1

He Chose Twelve - and Paul (30-70 A.D.) - Part 2

The Seed in the Earth (70-249 A.D.)

Blood of the Martyrs (249-311 A.D.)

Triumph of the Cross (311-324 A.D.)

The Founding of Christendom is the first volume in “The History of Christendom” series. This series is the only in-print, comprehensive narration of Western history written from an orthodox Catholic perspective. How would a historical narrative read if the author began with the first principles that truth exists and the Incarnation happened? This series is essential reading for those who consider the West worth defending.

The History of Christendom - Volume 1: The Founding of Christendom

Silence in Prayer

Preparing for Mass (Ascetical)

Encountering the Word (Mystical)

The Silence of Offering (Sacrificial)

Silence of Adoration and Communion (Contemplative)

Savoring in Silence (Eternal)

Conclusion

Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., delves into the transformative role of silence within the Mass, illustrating how it fosters a deeper encounter with Christ. Drawing from the wisdom of saints and his own reflections, he guides readers to quiet their minds and open their hearts during the liturgy. The book examines the significance of the silent prayers and gestures of the priest, as well as intentional periods of silence, such as during the Liturgy of the Word and after Holy Communion. By embracing these moments, individuals can enhance their spiritual participation and receptivity to grace during Mass.

The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass

Part 1 - Saints, Angels, and Monsters

St. Michael - The Ideal Monster-Slayer

The Saints Who Slew Dragons

St. Nicholas, the Pickle Barrel, and a Devilish Tree

St. Patrick - Apostle to the Irish and Demon Chaser

Christian Werewolves?

St. Columba and the Loch Ness Monster

Do You Believe in Monsters?

Part 2 - Memento Mori

Ossuaries - Chapels Made of Bones

Christian Mummies?

The Incorruptibles

The Weird and Wonderful World of Relics

Catacomb Saints - The Bejeweled Skeletons of Catholicism

The Cadaver Synod - Putting a Corpse on Trial

Remember Death and the Dead

Part 3 - Spiritual Warfare and Catholic Campfire Stories

Catholic Ghost Stories

The Wizard Clip - A Catholic Ghost Story in Appalachia

Fr. Amorth - The World’s Most Famous Exorcist

Saints to Ward Off Evil

Part 4 - Unusual Miracles

Stigmata - The Wounds of Christ

Levitation - When Saints Fly

St. Padre Pio - A Saint in Two Places at Once

St. Joseph’s Miraculous Staircase

Part 5 - A Weird Catholic Pilgrimage

Acknowledgements

Michael Lichens delves into the peculiar and intriguing aspects of Catholic history, uncovering stories of saints confronting mythical creatures, the spiritual significance of bone chapels, and accounts of exorcisms and unusual miracles. Through engaging storytelling, he reveals the profound truths and spiritual lessons embedded in these oddities, illustrating how they have inspired devotion and a deeper understanding of the divine.

Weird Catholic Handbook

Christ is God! - The Arian Crisis (324-357)

Athletes of Christ (357-397)

The Necessity of Grace and The Mother of God (397-432)

Christ is Man! - The Monophysite Crisis (432-461)

"Eldest Daughter of the Church" (461-527)

Justinian, Theodora and the Popes (527-565)

Bridge Over the Abyss (565-610)

"Red Whirlwind of the Desert" (610-642)

"Not My Will, But Thine Be Done": The Monothelite Crisis (642-683)

The Climactic Arab Assault (683-733)

A King for France (733-772)

An Emperor for Christendom (773-814)

Slide Toward Chaos (814-867)

Men of Christian Hope (867-910)

Iron Age (910-962)

Conversions East and North (962-1002)

The Vikings Tamed, Rome Cleansed (1002-1049)

Renewal of the Papacy (1049-1073)

The Pope, Judge of Kings (1073-1085)

The Cross to Jerusalem (1085-1100)

The Building of Christendom, 324-1100 is the second volume in The History of Christendom series. This series is the only in-print, comprehensive narration of Western history written from an orthodox Catholic perspective. How would a historical narrative read if the author began with the first principles that truth exists and the Incarnation happened? This series is essential reading for those who consider the West worth defending.

The History of Christendom - Volume 2: The Building of Christendom

Preface (and a Promise)

Introduction - Out of the Darkness

Counterfeit Remedies

An Invitation to Healing

Foundations for Discernment and Navigating the Path of Peace

The Voice of the Devil - The Voice of God

Rule 1 - For Those Moving from Mortal Sin to Mortal Sin

Rule 2 - For Those Moving from Good to Better

Rule 3 - What Is Consolation Exactly

Rule 4 - What Exactly Is Desolation

Rule 5 - What Is the Most Important Decision I Can Make When in Desolation

Rule 6 - What Changes Should I Make When in Desolation

Rule 7 - How Can I Adjust My Thinking While in Desolation in Order to Better Overcome It

Rule 8 - How Can I Better Persevere When I Am in Desolation

Rule 9 - What Are the Causes of Desolation

Rule 10 - How Should I Act or Prepare When I Am in Consolation

Rule 11 - How Can Humility Help Me Deal with the Ebb and Flow of Consolation and Desolation

Drawing on the wisdom of Catholic mystics and the insights of St. Ignatius, this guide equips readers to recognize and resist the tactics of the Enemy. With practical tools for discerning spiritual movements, confronting desolation, and overcoming habitual sin, it reframes the spiritual life as a daily battle — one that is winnable through grace, vigilance, and faithful perseverance.

Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits