Testimonials
About Spiritual Direction:
"Michele Catanese is an inspiring spiritual director. She has a gift to listen with compassion and sensitivity. She advises by sharing her great knowledge of the scriptures and the lives of the saints, and her own experiences so that you feel invigorated and renewed in your faith. Most of all she reminds me that everything unexpected in life, including happiness and suffering, is just a different face of our relationship with God, and I have been uplifted to know that we can share of this and be stronger for it. Michele guides us along the journey where we live and love more intensely, and she helps us look at ourselves and the world with understanding and humor."
-D.M.
"I recognize in Michele the fruits of the Holy Spirit that assure me she is personally walking a path of holiness, that she understands that journey and is a good leader. She has helped me recognize God’s presence and providence in my life. She challenges me to a more active prayer life. She gives me advice on ways to mature in my faith. She recommends books, scripture passages, and ways of praying and focusing my conversations with God. She helps me identify the things that I need to pray for. She is knowledgeable about many spiritual traditions and her theology is orthodox and strong. From the experience of all her years of teaching, she makes even complex theological concepts comprehensible.
"I need help in my faith journey. I need focus and direction to discern where my relationship with God stands and how to participate in that relationship more fully. Michele listens to me and seeks to know me so that she can help me know myself better. She hears more than just the words I say. She helps me identify thoughts and actions that get in the way of my being open to God. She prays for me and I experience the benefit of her prayers. I am grateful that God has placed such a wonderful person in my life to be both a companion and a resource on my spiritual journey."
-M.H.
About Michele's blog:
"I just finished reading her blog and some other links that she offered. I really, REALLY appreciate her writings- she’s very discerning and able to express her experiences eloquently, while still retaining full humility… I feel so serene right now, after having read her thoughts… (I especially liked her blog during Holy Week, about being holy…)"
"This filled me with such peace… Her blog just gets better and better…"
-Norma M.
"What an incredible instrument for our Lord Jesus Christ you are! I read your words but hear God's voice."
-Carmella W.
"This is truly one of your most beautiful and inspiring posts -and one I really needed today as I struggle to keep part of my Lenten offering. Your ministry is such a blessing."
-David C.
About Michele's book, The Beauty of Holiness:
"A deeply prayerful, moving collection of reflections on the holiness of Saints and saintly figures of the Church. Accessible and inspirational."
-Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ, author of Armchair Mystic, God I Have Issues, and God's Voice Within
"I was down and your book brought me up!"
-Anonymous
About programs given:
"I'm over 70 years old with limited understanding to my Catholic doctrine. I believe in God because I grew up in a household of believers who thought that was the thing to do with no questions asked. I was obedient. That's different now because of my attendance to Michele's Old & New Testament classes of its history...the whys, the how's, who & what made it simple. Her explanation of my faith leaves me wanting more personal knowledge of Jesus' love. Believing in Him who loves me is a gift I come to know, feel & act upon thanks to Michele's teachings of our Christ. May God continue to bless her with His gift of Knowledge."
-Mrs. Vasquez
"What a gift your lectures on the Bible have been for me. Your enthusiasm to share God’s love for us has given me a much closer relationship with Him. And, your incredible knowledge of God’s Word a has made the Bible come alive for me. Thank you for a beautiful seminar."
-Joanie
"I have attended three series of classes given by Mrs. Catanese....Christian Spirituality, Introduction to the Old Testament, and the New Testament Series. Classes were informative, meaningful, factual and punctuated with years of teaching experience and touches of humor. I was left with an added appreciation of my faith and a pathway for continued prayer and study. It was time well spent. Thank you."
-L.B.
"Michele Catanese is an inspiring spiritual director. She has a gift to listen with compassion and sensitivity. She advises by sharing her great knowledge of the scriptures and the lives of the saints, and her own experiences so that you feel invigorated and renewed in your faith. Most of all she reminds me that everything unexpected in life, including happiness and suffering, is just a different face of our relationship with God, and I have been uplifted to know that we can share of this and be stronger for it. Michele guides us along the journey where we live and love more intensely, and she helps us look at ourselves and the world with understanding and humor."
-D.M.
"I recognize in Michele the fruits of the Holy Spirit that assure me she is personally walking a path of holiness, that she understands that journey and is a good leader. She has helped me recognize God’s presence and providence in my life. She challenges me to a more active prayer life. She gives me advice on ways to mature in my faith. She recommends books, scripture passages, and ways of praying and focusing my conversations with God. She helps me identify the things that I need to pray for. She is knowledgeable about many spiritual traditions and her theology is orthodox and strong. From the experience of all her years of teaching, she makes even complex theological concepts comprehensible.
"I need help in my faith journey. I need focus and direction to discern where my relationship with God stands and how to participate in that relationship more fully. Michele listens to me and seeks to know me so that she can help me know myself better. She hears more than just the words I say. She helps me identify thoughts and actions that get in the way of my being open to God. She prays for me and I experience the benefit of her prayers. I am grateful that God has placed such a wonderful person in my life to be both a companion and a resource on my spiritual journey."
-M.H.
About Michele's blog:
"I just finished reading her blog and some other links that she offered. I really, REALLY appreciate her writings- she’s very discerning and able to express her experiences eloquently, while still retaining full humility… I feel so serene right now, after having read her thoughts… (I especially liked her blog during Holy Week, about being holy…)"
"This filled me with such peace… Her blog just gets better and better…"
-Norma M.
"What an incredible instrument for our Lord Jesus Christ you are! I read your words but hear God's voice."
-Carmella W.
"This is truly one of your most beautiful and inspiring posts -and one I really needed today as I struggle to keep part of my Lenten offering. Your ministry is such a blessing."
-David C.
About Michele's book, The Beauty of Holiness:
"A deeply prayerful, moving collection of reflections on the holiness of Saints and saintly figures of the Church. Accessible and inspirational."
-Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ, author of Armchair Mystic, God I Have Issues, and God's Voice Within
"I was down and your book brought me up!"
-Anonymous
About programs given:
"I'm over 70 years old with limited understanding to my Catholic doctrine. I believe in God because I grew up in a household of believers who thought that was the thing to do with no questions asked. I was obedient. That's different now because of my attendance to Michele's Old & New Testament classes of its history...the whys, the how's, who & what made it simple. Her explanation of my faith leaves me wanting more personal knowledge of Jesus' love. Believing in Him who loves me is a gift I come to know, feel & act upon thanks to Michele's teachings of our Christ. May God continue to bless her with His gift of Knowledge."
-Mrs. Vasquez
"What a gift your lectures on the Bible have been for me. Your enthusiasm to share God’s love for us has given me a much closer relationship with Him. And, your incredible knowledge of God’s Word a has made the Bible come alive for me. Thank you for a beautiful seminar."
-Joanie
"I have attended three series of classes given by Mrs. Catanese....Christian Spirituality, Introduction to the Old Testament, and the New Testament Series. Classes were informative, meaningful, factual and punctuated with years of teaching experience and touches of humor. I was left with an added appreciation of my faith and a pathway for continued prayer and study. It was time well spent. Thank you."
-L.B.