How to Discern What’s Really Going On in Your Soul with Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV | Fr. Bonaventure Chapman

August 31, 2026

How to Know What’s From God—and What Isn’t

How can Catholics distinguish between the movements that lead us toward God and those that pull us away from Him?

Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, joins Fr. Bonaventure to discuss the Catholic tradition of discernment of spirits and the practical wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Drawing from his book Thinking Like a Saint: Discernment of Spirits in the Catholic Tradition, Fr. Gallagher explains how St. Ignatius’ 14 rules can help Christians understand what is happening within their spiritual lives and respond with greater freedom.

They explore the action of the good spirit and the enemy, the experience of spiritual consolation and desolation, the role of emotions in discernment, and why Ignatius warns against making changes during times of desolation. Fr. Gallagher also shows how Ignatius’ teaching belongs to the wider Catholic spiritual tradition, drawing upon saints including Teresa of Avila, Francis de Sales, John of the Cross, and Thomas Aquinas.

Rather than blindly following our emotions or repressing them, Christians can learn to discern them. As Fr. Gallagher explains, this allows us to move from reacting to the movements within us to understanding them and responding faithfully.

Get your copy of Thinking Like a Saint: Discernment of Spirits in the Catholic Tradition: here.
Listen to Fr. Gallagher’s podcast on Discerning Hearts: here.
Look into Ignatian Discernment Institute’s Upcoming Events: here.