Summary of Pope Francis’ catecheses on discernment

♦ AUGUST 31, 2022: “Discernment is difficult but essential to live”

During the General Audience on August 31, 2022, Pope Francis began a new cycle of catecheses on the theme of discernment, “an important act that concerns us all because choices are an essential part of life”. A discernment that Jesus approaches in the Gospel by proposing images… ► Read more

♦ SEPTEMBER 7, 2022: “To make good decisions, you have to listen to your heart”

Pope Francis continued his catechesis on discernment which he had begun the previous week. A reflection inspired by a “decisive” episode in the life of Ignatius of Loyola “recovering at home after being wounded in combat in a leg” ► Read more

♦ SEPTEMBER 28, 2022: “Through prayer, ‘we can discern whether it is Jesus speaking to us'”

After his trip to Kazakhstan, Pope Francis resumed catechesis on discernment, focusing “on the first of its constituent elements, which is prayer”, which he described as “entering into intimacy with the Lord, with affectionate spontaneity”. ► Read more

♦ OCTOBER 5, 2022: “Good discernment also requires self-knowledge”

Pope Francis has begun the fourth part of his catechesis on discernment. After recalling that, during the previous catechesis, “we considered prayer as its indispensable element”, the pope indicated that “good discernment also passes through self-knowledge”. ► Read more

♦ OCTOBER 12, 2022: “An indispensable ingredient of discernment: desire”

In his catechesis on discernment, Pope Francis spoke of “an indispensable ingredient”, specifying: “I would like to speak to you about desire”. He explained that “discernment is a form of search” that always arises “from something that we lack but that we know in one way or another”. ► Read more

♦ OCTOBER 19, 2022: “Knowing your history is essential for discernment”

Pope Francis, during his catechesis on discernment, was interested in “another indispensable ingredient for discernment: the story of one’s own life”. He specified: “Knowing one’s history is an indispensable element for one’s own discernment”. ► Read more

♦ OCTOBER 26, 2022: “Sadness is an obstacle with which the tempter wants to discourage us”

Pope Francis clarified his catechesis on discernment by focusing on desolation. He quoted St. Augustine’s definition: “Darkness of the soul, inner turmoil, craving for low and earthly things…so the soul is inclined to mistrust, it is hopeless and loveless… ► Read more

♦ NOVEMBER 16, 2022: “It may seem strange to ask the Lord, “How are you?” »

Pope Francis resumed his catechesis on discernment, continuing on the theme of desolation that he had approached on November 3. He pointed out that this state “can be an opportunity for growth”, noting that “desolation causes a ‘shaking of the soul’…” ► Read more

♦ NOVEMBER 23, 2022: “Spiritual consolation promotes familiarity with God”

Pope Francis completed his catechesis on discernment by meditating on consolation, “another important element for discernment”, which it has the quality of “profound experience of interior joy, … ► Read more

♦ NOVEMBER 30, 2022: “Learning to read in our hearts what happened during the day”

Pope Francis delivered the tenth part of his catechesis on discernment, continuing “on the spiritual experience called ‘consolation'”. He warned of “consolations that are not true”, hence the importance of understanding “the journey of this consolation: where it leads me, … ► Read more

♦ DECEMBER 7, 2022: “Making a good decision gives a lasting peace”

Pope Francis continued his catechesis on discernment, emphasizing “the phase that immediately follows the decision taken”. He explained that making a good decision “gives peace, a peace that lasts over time”. Taking the example of prayer, the pope explained that by deciding “to dedicate an extra half hour to prayer” ► Read more

♦ DECEMBER 14, 2022: “It is essential to be vigilant”

Continuing his teaching on discernment, Pope Francis calls for vigilance “not to be trapped by the evil one and to make the right decision” ► Read more

♦ DECEMBER 21, 2022: “the Holy Spirit is discernment in action”

This week, Pope Francis evoked, in his catechesis on discernment, “a first indispensable aid (which) is the comparison with the Word of God and the doctrine of the Church”, indicating that they help “to read this happening in our hearts, learning to recognize the voice of God… ► Read more

♦ January 4, 2023: “Spiritual accompaniment is important for self-knowledge”

Pope Francis has completed his cycle on discernment, reflecting on “the helpers who can and must support it”. He noted that “one of them is spiritual accompaniment, important for self-knowledge, which we have seen is an indispensable condition for discernment”. ► Read more

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