In this episode, Christina Semmens shares insights on how to deepen your prayer life, embrace the Cross, and live out the Gospel with purpose and hope. She invites listeners into a meaningful Lenten journey centered on Scripture, virtue, and community, emphasizing that holiness is a daily choice rooted in God’s grace.

Takeaways

Using the Particular Examen guided by the five wounds of Jesus to confront hidden faults and sins
The importance of daily dialogue with the Word of God and how Scripture breathes life into our souls
Virtues inspired by the saints, like humility, poverty, patience, and obedience, and how to cultivate them
The significance of loving the Cross in small, everyday ways by trusting in God’s plan
The role of righteous anger and prayer in responding to injustice without division
How baptism and the Holy Spirit empower us as priests, prophets, and kings to bring Christ into our daily lives
Practical steps to begin loving the Cross, bearing suffering with faith, and finding joy amidst trials
Recognizing that each person’s path to holiness is unique, guided by the Holy Spirit

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the Lent journey

00:28 - Announcing the Say Yes to Holinessonline retreat

00:57 - UsingRooting Out Hidden Faults for spiritual growth

1:21 - TheParticular Examen and its focus on Jesus’ wounds

2:16 - Gratitude and review as tools for prayer

3:13 - Addressing the seven deadly sins through Scripture

4:08 - Pope Francis on making Sunday a day rooted in God’s Word

5:05 - Meditating on Scripture beyond Mass

6:02 - The living nature of God’s Word and its ongoing relevance

7:28 - Continuing the dialogue with Jesus throughout the day

8:44 - The importance of making space for God’s Word daily

9:45 - St. Ignatius of Loyola’s call to live for God’s glory

10:40 - Baptismal call to holiness and present in every moment

11:39 - Responding to injustice with prayer and Righteous Anger

12:42 - The Holy Spirit within us and our divine calling

13:17 - The nonviolent power of Christ’s sacrifice

14:17 - Embracing peace and hope through the Holy Spirit

15:39 - Virtues of humility, patience, obedience taught by St. Anthony

16:34 - The diversity of paths to holiness guided by the Holy Spirit

17:22 - The common traits of saints and how love unites us

18:09 - Love does—how Christian love manifests in action (Bob Goff)

18:57 - Allowing the Spirit to guide our words and actions

19:13 - Rooting in prayer, sacraments, and virtue for a holy life

20:09 - Responding to injustice with humility and prayer

21:08 - The importance of righteous anger guided by the Holy Spirit

21:36 - Avoiding division and trusting in God’s truth

22:09 - Comparing ourselves only to Jesus, not others

22:52 - The one path to holiness: your unique journey

23:21 - Loving the Cross through acceptance and trust in God

23:50 - Carrying suffering with love and presence of Christ

24:33 - Embracing pain as part of God’s divine plan

25:32 - Finding goodness and truth in suffering

26:17 - The journey from bearing to loving the Cross

27:14 - Trusting God to bring joy and purpose through suffering

28:11 - Mary as our model of faithful acceptance

28:52 - Asking Our Lady and saints to guide us in carrying crosses

29:21 - Closing prayer, encouragement, and invitation to the Lent retreat

Resources and Links

Join the Lent Online Retreat:

Send a message to Christina at: https://www.sayyestoholiness.com/

Say Yes to Holiness--Catholic Saints in Training

Christina Semmens

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