Spiritual Direction Archives

The Last Judgment, Michelangelo (1475–1564) 1541 fresco. Sistine Chapel / Wikimedia Commons

A Reflection on the Souls in Heaven

St. Anselm of Canterbury

Have you ever wondered what the souls of Heaven are like? Follow along with Saint Anselm of Canterbury as he mediates upon the attributes of

Discover the importance of interior mortification and its impact on our souls. Explore the two types of mortification and learn how to practice it in all aspects of life. Join Fr. John Croiset, SJ, in this insightful discussion.

Exercise on the Three Degrees of Humility

St. Ignatius of Loyola

The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola leads readers along the path to holiness through rich prayer and meditation on Christ and virtue. Join

Christmas Night Mass celebrated in a French Nunnery, Asta Nørregaard (1853-1933). 1889, oil on canvas. Nasjonalmuseet for kunst, arkitektur og design, photographed by Jacques Lathion / Wikimedia Commons

A Deceased Sister Visits Saint Faustina

TAN Books Editors

Hungry Souls recounts these stories and many other trustworthy and Church-verified accounts of earthly visitations from the dead in Purgatory. Read on for an account

Photograph of Fulton J. Sheen, Roman Catholic Bishop and early television preacher, on a set for one of his regular television series. 1952, photograph. photographed by Fred Palumbo. Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons

The Mystery of Love According to Fulton Sheen

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, DD

Venerable Fulton Sheen was famous for his evangelization. He spoke and wrote on a variety of pertinent topics of our age. Here, he discusses the

The Return of the Prodigal Son, Rembrandt (1606-1669). 1668 oil on canvas. Hermitage Museum / Wikimedia Commons

The Eternal Love of God for Us

St. Francis de Sales

God has loved each one of us since the beginning of time. He has willed our being into existence and like a tender mother, watches

Rorate Mass 2023, photo by Shalone Cason, S.D. Cason Catholic Gallery / https://sdcason.com/benedict/rorate-mass-2023

Why Pray in Latin?

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski

Turned Around answers all the most common objections to the traditional Latin Mass. Read on for Dr. Kwasniewski’s explanation of the use of Latin and

A Crocus Flower for Our Lady

St. Ildephonsus of Toledo

Mary is honored under many titles, often compared to flowers for her beauty, purity, and grace. In this meditation, St. Ildephonsus of Toledo offers the

Crucifixion, Andrea Mantegna (1431–1506). 1460, oil on panel. Louvre, photographed by Wilfredo Hernandez / Wikimedia Commons

Redemptive Suffering

TAN Books Editors

The Manual for Suffering shows each reader the purpose of redemptive suffering and the graces in store for those who unite themselves to the Holy

Coronation of the Virgin, Diego Velázquez (1599–1660). 1635, oil on canvas. Museo del Prado / Wikimedia Commons

Who Is Mary?

Fr. Ed Broom

Of all the women in the history of the created universe, in all the centuries of history, for all time as well as for all

The Vision of Saint Francis of Paola, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682). 1670, oil on canvas. J. Paul Getty Museum / Wikimedia Commons

How the Dark Night Enlightens the Soul

St. John of the Cross

In this excerpt from The Dark Night of the Soul, Saint John of the Cross discusses how the dark night transforms and enlightens a soul

The Flagellation of Christ, William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905). 1880, oil on canvas. Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Rochelle / Wikimedia Commons

The Agony of Jesus

St. Padre Pio

Follow along with Saint Padre Pio, a saint who bore the marks of Christ upon his body, as he meditates upon the agony of Jesus

Padre Pio Showing the Stigmata, Placido Bux (1886-1968). 1919, photograph. Frati Minori Cappuccini di San Giovanni Rotondo / Wikimedia Commons

Padre Pio Receives the Stigmata

Phillip Campbell

Wounds of Love follows the journey of Saint Pio from his youth as a farm boy to his days as the beloved wonderworker of San

Henrik Olrik, Sermon on the Mount (Wikimedia Commons)

A Prayer Among Prayers

Rev. Francis Spirago

The Our Father, taught by Our Lord, is a prayer of great power and should be recited frequently. The Catechism Explained discusses the seven petitions

Two Young Noblemen in the Cloister of a Monastery with Two Dominican Monks, Charles-Caïus Renoux (1795-1846). 1834, Oil on Canvas. Private Collection / Wikimedia Commons

Holy Silence

Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis’s Solitude and Silence presents two pillars of monastic life to people of any vocation. In this excerpt, à Kempis offers challenging advice

The Lazy Boy, Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725-1805). 1755, Oil on Canvas. Salle Greuze / Wikimedia Commons

The Ruins and Remedies of Sloth

Fr. Dennis Kolinski, SJC

Manual for Conquering Deadly Sin is your guide to crushing the head of the serpent through prayer, virtue, and the Sacraments. Read on for a

Giuseppe Molteni, The Confession, 1838 (Wikimedia Commons)

A Virtue Necessary for Salvation

St. Albert the Great

Without penance, salvation is impossible. For Our Lord Himself states, “Unless you do penance, you will all perish.” (Luke 13:3). In this reflection, Saint Albert

The Heart of Mary

St. John Henry Cardinal Newman

Meditate with Saint John Henry on the heart of Mary. In this reflection, written by the saint himself, readers will reflect upon the beauty and

Valentin de Boulogne, Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, 1620 (Wikimedia Commons)

Fighting the Good Fight with Perseverance

St. Albert the Great

Without the virtue of perseverance, nothing can be brought to completion or perfection. The following excerpt, taken from Saint Albert the Great’s, The Paradise of

Luca Cambiaso, Benediction of God the Father, 1565 (Wikimedia Commons)

Hallowed Be Thy Name

St. Teresa of Avila

The Way of Perfection is an astounding work by an astounding saint, guiding you through the degrees of meditative prayer and contemplation. In this excerpt,

Andrei Rublev, Trinity Icon, 1427, Tretyakov Gallery (Wikimedia Commons)

Meditating on the Trinity with Saint Ignatius

Dr. Sean M. Salai, D.Min

Saint Ignatius of Loyola is renowned for his Spiritual Exercises. His wisdom and counsel has been a guide for souls for centuries. Meditate with this

Luca Giordano, Death of Saint Joseph, 1696 (Wikimedia Commons)

The Words of a Dying Man to Jesus Crucified

St. Alphonsus Liguori

At the time of death, our life shall be like a mirror before our eyes. We shall see all our wrongs, our failings, and our

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