Every time I catch something special on EWTN I know it is the Holy Spirit because I barely watch TV, and when I do watch TV it is usually a kids' show or a husband show.
Tonight I caught Fr. Michael Gaitley on Women of Grace. The show is on every week night at 11:30 p.m. EST. I think he'll be on through Wednesday, at least. I've never heard him before, but absolutely loved his Do-It-Yourself Retreat book.
I ordered the first copy as soon as I was in front of a computer, after my priest recommended it to me. While visiting him he told me that this book most helped him through his surgery for colon cancer. I did read it in a weekend, mostly while sitting alone in our Church, in front of the Tabernacle. It got me really excited. I also love the topically organized Diary of St. Faustina in Appendix. There are online versions of this, but I love being able to hold and linger over the words in book format.
I bought 8 copies to give to the other teachers of the Religion School at our Church, and also sent a copy to my Dad. This is one of the key books I loaned a friend that came back to the Catholic church this year.
Fr. Gaitley speaks with a heart that has felt the embrace of Christ and is on fire with love for God, and wanting to spread that love, and a way of living a life focused on consoling the heart of Jesus, of praising and thanking God in all things. He has deep understanding of the theology of St. Therese, St. Faustina, St. Ignatius, St. Louis de Montefort with a few quotes from Jesus's visitations to St. Margaret Mary as well.
Johnnette Benkovic was getting really fired up too with the spirituality, and the need for us all to grab hold of these helps to make a difference and lead others to the same path. In short, Fr. Gaitley's holy enthusiasm is contagious, thus this post!
I love "Woman of Grace". Thank you for sharing this, the show comes on a few times during the week. I will try to watch it.
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Colleen,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved the book "Consoling the Heart of Jesus"! I just read it for the first time this summer and the book really fired up my heart. I've never heard Fr. Gaitley speak but maybe I can still catch him on EWTN. I highly recommend this book too. Thanks for writing about it!
Was anyone else able to watch tonight? My heart was enkindled, if not burning within me. Fr. Gaitley pealed off quote after quote of Blessed Mother Teresa tonight, and Johnnette's zealous plea to each one of us in the audience, at just past the midway point, was also moving. I may need to get the DVD for this series, and think this just pushed me over the hurdle for getting a DVR.
ReplyDeleteWednesday night's show was great too! Memorable quote from Johnnette last night was, "I noticed that the sword of grief that pierced my own heart has given me the gift of being able to console others." The DVD series is called Women of Grace Week 41 - The Two Hearts: God's Plan for Our Day and Time available at http://shop.womenofgrace.com/category/dvds sort by newest first. You'll see Fr. Michael Gaitley listed as the guest. I am taking the fact that there are 5 DVDs to confirm he'll be on tonight and tomorrow.
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