Finding a Supercharged Faith

Faith, or belief and trust, presuppose a person in whom we believe and trust. Said another way, faith without the person in whom we have faith, is a meaningless concept. On the positive side, faith properly oriented to the one true Object, is sufficient to move mountains. (Mat 17:20) How do we come to more fully know this Person in whom we might have faith? There are several ways, one is through... Read More

Online Spiritual Formation Program – FAQ – The Avila Institute

  We were overwhelmed and delighted with the incredible response to our new online spiritual theology program. This really is a dream for us and many have expressed the same is true for them! If you missed the announcement you can find more information HERE. We were delighted to be deluged with questions and applications. In order to help better explain what we are offering, we put together... Read More

Exciting News! Announcing the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation

Dear RCSD Family, Some of you may have already received this notice in to your email in-box – the importance of this announcement warrants repeating. The purpose of this post is to let you know of the most important and exciting development since the birth of this apostolate. This development really reflects a miraculous confluence of resources and timing that have been awe inspiring. For... Read More

Unleashing the Power of Pentecost

With Pentecost, a new liturgical season will begin. Every new liturgical season is a spiritual fresh start, a spiritual clean slate. God is already getting ready for it – preparing the graces he wants to give you and the work he wants you to accomplish for his Kingdom. Are you getting ready? This month’s Retreat Guide, Unleashing the Power of Pentecost: A Retreat Guide on the Holy Spirit,... Read More

Drive-By Body Armor

After reading Paul’s post about how to respond to ‘Drive-By Theology‘ incidents, my friend, EWTN apologist John Martignoni, gently chided me and said, “Dan, there is a better way to answer in those types of situations then what you offered your audience.” I think John was referring to my advice that Paul referenced at the end of his post. John is very shy that way. He... Read More

Aridity and Progress – Divine Intimacy

Presence of God – O Lord, help me to seek for You and to unite myself to You, even through the aridity and powerlessness of my spirit. MEDITATION 1. Even without the presence of the physical or moral causes which we have mentioned before, it is possible to pass from a state of sensible fervor to one of absolute aridity. This happens by the direct work of God which makes it impossible for... Read More

Aridity – Divine Intimacy

Presence of God - O Lord, help me to be faithful to You, so that the spirit of prayer will not be extinguished in me through my own fault. MEDITATION 1. At the beginning of a more intense spiritual life the soul usually enjoys a sensible fervor which makes spiritual exercises easy and agreeable. Good thoughts, sentiments of love, and outpourings from the heart arise spontaneously. To be recollected... Read More

Introducing Paul McCusker

Dear CSD Family, there are times in life when blessings seem to rain down and this is one of them. Having Heather King agree to join us was a real treat. Then the Holy Spirit moved in the heart of my closest friend, a prolific writer and world class creative talent, Paul McCusker. Paul, has over 40 published works, including novels, plays, scripts, and lyrics. Paul helped us produce the videos... Read More

Report from Mundelein Seminary and the Institute for Religious Life

Dear CSD Family, My time with the religious and lay faithful at the Institute for Religious Life at Mundelein Seminary this past week was an absolute joy. I was moved to be able to bless the attendees with more than 500 copies of Navigating the Interior Life and to deliver about 200 books to Fr. Robert Barron for his seminarians – all on your behalf. I can’t thank you enough for allowing... Read More

Introducing Heather King

Dear CSD Family, many of you have commented at how blessed you have been to experience Anthony Lilles’ otherworldly writing. Well, I am delighted to announce that we have another extraordinary writer joining us. Heather King is a writer and nation-wide speaker with three memoirs: Parched; Redeemed; and Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux. A sober alcoholic, an ex-lawyer,... Read More