Here are a few of my favorite links.
Advent:
Here is a good Advent resource from the Irish Jesuits site, Sacred Space:
www.pray-as-you-go.org/home/
And from Loyola Press:
https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/advent?utm_source=emagislist&utm_medium=email&utm_content=201711&utm_campaign=emagis
Franciscan media also has some wonderful Advent resources;
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/advent-a-season-of-surprises/
Another consistently excellent resource (throughout the year) is found at Creighton University Online Ministries.
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/christmas.html
Lent:
Loyola Press has some good resources for those interested in some enrichment during Lent.
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/lent
There is also an excellent resource at Creighton University's site called Praying Lent. You can find it at:
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/
Bishop Robert Barron also has some daily Lenten reflections which can be found at
Scroll down the page and you will see the purple box to click on. You can subscribe for daily emails of each reflection also.
https://www.wordonfire.org/
The Jesuits have a good general resource here: http://jesuitprayer.org/
Always good is Sacred Space. You can click here to find the link: Prayer and Spirituality or you can scroll down the page to find it again. https://www.sacredspace.ie/
Embracing the Way Series from Loyola Press: (Insights on our Faith) by James P. Campbell, D.Min.
http://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/scripture-and-tradition/catholic-living/embracing-the-way-the-old-testament?utm_source=FbTwI&utm_campaign=EWS201702&utm_medium=social
The Arts and Iconography:
I have a passion for icons. While there are many beautiful icons one can use for prayer and meditation, some of my favorites are the work of Rev. William Hart McNichols, a renowned iconographer. You can find is work by clicking on either of the two following links: FrBillMcNichols-SacredImages.com
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/william-hart-mcnichols.html?tab=artwork
Here is a site about the arts and faith from Loyola Press. I am attaching a specific article, but it can lead you to other articles and discussions on the site.
http://www.loyolapress.com/from-paleolithic-to-present-art-unlocks-the-divine.htm
Blogs and podcasts:
-Heather King writes a very thought provoking blog which is one of my favorites. She has written many books, and one that I really love is called Shirt of Flame: A Year With Saint Therese of Lisieux. You can find more of her books listed on my book list page.
https://www.heather-king.com/
-I love the writing of Immaculée Ilibagiza. She has a powerful message of forgiveness and is a woman of prayer. She survived over 90 days in hiding during the Rwandan massacre in the 1980's and has spread the message of forgiveness since then. You can find all her books and her schedule at http://www.immaculee.com/
-Another blog that I would suggest is Word on Fire, which is provided by Bishop Robert Barron. There are often articles written by others. Bishop Barron also offers podcasts, such as his Sunday homilies.
written by others at this site as well.
http://www.wordonfire.org/Home.aspx
Fr. Mike Schmitz offers two excellent programs as podcasts: The Bible in a Year and the Catechism in a Year. You can access them through Apple podcasts, through the app Hallow or through Ascension Press at this link: ascensionpress.com/pages/biy-registration
Fr. Mike also offers Sunday homilies: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/sundayhomilies?utm_campaign=gs-2020-10-16&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQiA54KfBhCKARIsAJzSrdo1_0Dzty3CKS2SB7BQ_Au5VhJOwESTcbzoX38lnwrkozJ5k9hHJMwaAjzeEALw_wcB
Spiritual Direction and Discernment, Ignatian Spirituality:
This is a good article about the benefits of receiving spiritual direction:
https://bustedhalo.com/features/why-spiritual-direction-is-good-for-my-soul?fbclid=IwAR0Zxv1AxZvVs5Er-G2M_wljF9Y0x2TkNBLKryccsQUnirpCbYpbeL4MdKA
Here is a link to an article about the rising need for spiritual directors.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/05/05/growing-demand-for-spiritual-directors/caxImzYEdDDbI8lEJ9OqQO/story.html?s_campaign=8315
Another good article about spiritual direction and the benefits of having a good spiritual director can be found at this link:
http://ignatianspirituality.com/13380/in-praise-of-spiritual-direction/
These are good resources on the art of discernment of spirits:
Great article excerpted from an excellent book by Rev. William Barry, SJ:
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/how-to-know-that-a-choice-is-right/
Also, https://ignatianresources.com/discernment
https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/discernment-different-stages-life/
https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/discernment-in-a-nutshell/
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/the-devil-comes-cloaked-as-an-angel-of-light/
http://www.marquette.edu/faith/ignatian-principles-for-making-decisions.php
Excellent video, Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire) on Finding God in All Things, the core of Ignatian spirituality: https://pivotalplayersfilming.com/commentary1/#top
Loyola Press has a site which is fantastic for Ignatian Spirituality, found at
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/
Here is a great article on Ignatian Imagination from America Magazine:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/ignatian-imagination-qa-mark-bosco-sj?utm_content=buffer43815&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Prayer and more Spirituality:
A great article for how to make a Holy Hour in Adoration:
https://aleteia.org/2018/11/25/a-minute-by-minute-guide-for-a-holy-hour-of-adoration/?utm_campaign=NL_en&utm_source=daily_newsletter&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=NL_en
I believe we are all called to be holy men and women. A holy man who has been very inspiring to me is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. This link will take you to a site that gives information about him.
http://www.frassatiusa.org/
Two sites that always have great aids for reflection and prayer are the following:
Creighton University Online Ministries
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Another site which I have found very helpful especially when I am at the computer and I am in need of a break is called Sacred Space. It is put out by the Irish Jesuits.
www.sacredspace.ie
A great article on what it takes to become a saint, written by Rev. Kevin O'Brien, SJ:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/07/08/how-to-become-a-saint/
For poetry lovers, especially that of Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ, here are a series of audio retreats:
http://pray-as-you-go.org/prayer-resources/gerard-manley-hopkins/
On intercessory prayer: https://aleteia.org/2018/06/06/a-few-practical-tips-on-how-to-pray-for-someone/
News:
If you are interested in following news stories about the Church or our Pope, here is a great source:
http://www.catholicnews.com/
Also, the Vatican News Service is a fantastic source:
http://www.news.va/en
Here is a good Advent resource from the Irish Jesuits site, Sacred Space:
www.pray-as-you-go.org/home/
And from Loyola Press:
https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/advent?utm_source=emagislist&utm_medium=email&utm_content=201711&utm_campaign=emagis
Franciscan media also has some wonderful Advent resources;
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/advent-a-season-of-surprises/
Another consistently excellent resource (throughout the year) is found at Creighton University Online Ministries.
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/christmas.html
Lent:
Loyola Press has some good resources for those interested in some enrichment during Lent.
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/lent
There is also an excellent resource at Creighton University's site called Praying Lent. You can find it at:
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/
Bishop Robert Barron also has some daily Lenten reflections which can be found at
Scroll down the page and you will see the purple box to click on. You can subscribe for daily emails of each reflection also.
https://www.wordonfire.org/
The Jesuits have a good general resource here: http://jesuitprayer.org/
Always good is Sacred Space. You can click here to find the link: Prayer and Spirituality or you can scroll down the page to find it again. https://www.sacredspace.ie/
Embracing the Way Series from Loyola Press: (Insights on our Faith) by James P. Campbell, D.Min.
http://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/scripture-and-tradition/catholic-living/embracing-the-way-the-old-testament?utm_source=FbTwI&utm_campaign=EWS201702&utm_medium=social
The Arts and Iconography:
I have a passion for icons. While there are many beautiful icons one can use for prayer and meditation, some of my favorites are the work of Rev. William Hart McNichols, a renowned iconographer. You can find is work by clicking on either of the two following links: FrBillMcNichols-SacredImages.com
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/william-hart-mcnichols.html?tab=artwork
Here is a site about the arts and faith from Loyola Press. I am attaching a specific article, but it can lead you to other articles and discussions on the site.
http://www.loyolapress.com/from-paleolithic-to-present-art-unlocks-the-divine.htm
Blogs and podcasts:
-Heather King writes a very thought provoking blog which is one of my favorites. She has written many books, and one that I really love is called Shirt of Flame: A Year With Saint Therese of Lisieux. You can find more of her books listed on my book list page.
https://www.heather-king.com/
-I love the writing of Immaculée Ilibagiza. She has a powerful message of forgiveness and is a woman of prayer. She survived over 90 days in hiding during the Rwandan massacre in the 1980's and has spread the message of forgiveness since then. You can find all her books and her schedule at http://www.immaculee.com/
-Another blog that I would suggest is Word on Fire, which is provided by Bishop Robert Barron. There are often articles written by others. Bishop Barron also offers podcasts, such as his Sunday homilies.
written by others at this site as well.
http://www.wordonfire.org/Home.aspx
Fr. Mike Schmitz offers two excellent programs as podcasts: The Bible in a Year and the Catechism in a Year. You can access them through Apple podcasts, through the app Hallow or through Ascension Press at this link: ascensionpress.com/pages/biy-registration
Fr. Mike also offers Sunday homilies: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/sundayhomilies?utm_campaign=gs-2020-10-16&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQiA54KfBhCKARIsAJzSrdo1_0Dzty3CKS2SB7BQ_Au5VhJOwESTcbzoX38lnwrkozJ5k9hHJMwaAjzeEALw_wcB
Spiritual Direction and Discernment, Ignatian Spirituality:
This is a good article about the benefits of receiving spiritual direction:
https://bustedhalo.com/features/why-spiritual-direction-is-good-for-my-soul?fbclid=IwAR0Zxv1AxZvVs5Er-G2M_wljF9Y0x2TkNBLKryccsQUnirpCbYpbeL4MdKA
Here is a link to an article about the rising need for spiritual directors.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/05/05/growing-demand-for-spiritual-directors/caxImzYEdDDbI8lEJ9OqQO/story.html?s_campaign=8315
Another good article about spiritual direction and the benefits of having a good spiritual director can be found at this link:
http://ignatianspirituality.com/13380/in-praise-of-spiritual-direction/
These are good resources on the art of discernment of spirits:
Great article excerpted from an excellent book by Rev. William Barry, SJ:
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/how-to-know-that-a-choice-is-right/
Also, https://ignatianresources.com/discernment
https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/discernment-different-stages-life/
https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/discernment-in-a-nutshell/
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/the-devil-comes-cloaked-as-an-angel-of-light/
http://www.marquette.edu/faith/ignatian-principles-for-making-decisions.php
Excellent video, Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire) on Finding God in All Things, the core of Ignatian spirituality: https://pivotalplayersfilming.com/commentary1/#top
Loyola Press has a site which is fantastic for Ignatian Spirituality, found at
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/
Here is a great article on Ignatian Imagination from America Magazine:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/ignatian-imagination-qa-mark-bosco-sj?utm_content=buffer43815&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Prayer and more Spirituality:
A great article for how to make a Holy Hour in Adoration:
https://aleteia.org/2018/11/25/a-minute-by-minute-guide-for-a-holy-hour-of-adoration/?utm_campaign=NL_en&utm_source=daily_newsletter&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=NL_en
I believe we are all called to be holy men and women. A holy man who has been very inspiring to me is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. This link will take you to a site that gives information about him.
http://www.frassatiusa.org/
Two sites that always have great aids for reflection and prayer are the following:
Creighton University Online Ministries
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Another site which I have found very helpful especially when I am at the computer and I am in need of a break is called Sacred Space. It is put out by the Irish Jesuits.
www.sacredspace.ie
A great article on what it takes to become a saint, written by Rev. Kevin O'Brien, SJ:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/07/08/how-to-become-a-saint/
For poetry lovers, especially that of Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ, here are a series of audio retreats:
http://pray-as-you-go.org/prayer-resources/gerard-manley-hopkins/
On intercessory prayer: https://aleteia.org/2018/06/06/a-few-practical-tips-on-how-to-pray-for-someone/
News:
If you are interested in following news stories about the Church or our Pope, here is a great source:
http://www.catholicnews.com/
Also, the Vatican News Service is a fantastic source:
http://www.news.va/en