Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement: The Wisdom and Spiritual Power of Venerable Bruno Lanteri

by Timothy M. Gallagher

With warmth, understanding, and pastoral skill, Fr. Timothy Gallagher provides here a hopeful invitation to all who struggle to overcome the greatest obstacle of all in the spiritual life — discouragement. Our enemy actively exploits our vulnerabilities, shrewdly leading us time and again into an overwhelming sense of disturbance. But Fr. Gallagher pulls the curtain back on the wiles of the devil, offering gentle reflections that are remarkably effective in lightening the burdens of your day-to-day spiritual life. You'll learn practical ways to find peace amid your spiritual struggles, and patience in the face of even the most intense trials. Best of all, you'll learn how to profit spiritually from the afflictions that beset you. Each reflection in these pages begins with a quotation by Venerable Bruno Lanteri, the holy founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, whose wisdom has guided the uncommonly insightful spirituality of Fr. Gallagher. In these pages, you will

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Catholic, Spirituality, Faith, Theology

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2019

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venerable Bruno Lanteri was a humble priest from northern Italy; he died in 1759. He is currently a candidate for sainthood for many reasons. I had never heard of him until I came across this book by an author that I have read many times. I'm so glad that I've found this! Venerable Bruno had such a beautiful way with words, and a way to cut straight to the heart of the matter when it comes to spiritual discouragement. I would have loved to have met him! What a wonderful person he was.

Part of the cause of this discouragement is due to the fact that we tend to view God through our human lens. We limit Him within the framework of our human understanding and behavior. Because we are disappointed with ourselves for our endless sins and failures, we feel that our Lord is just as disappointed or disgusted with us. I know that I can forgive others much more easily than I forgive myself! I have indeed limited God to my own feelings of anger with my own self. To this behavior, I learned two simple words from Ven. Bruno: Begin again. In essence, as soon as I fail, humbly beg pardon of God, trust Him, and strive to begin again from that moment. This is one of the many passages that I highlighted, and I found it to be so true!


"If I should fall a thousand times a day, a thousand times a day I will begin again, with new awareness of my weakness, promising God, with a peaceful heart, to amend my life. I will never think of God as if he were of our condition and grows weary of our wavering, weakness, and negligence. Rather, I will think of what is truly characteristic of him and what he prizes most highly, that is, his goodness and mercy, knowing that he is a loving Father who understands our weakness, is patient with us, and forgives us."


I also have struggled with dry spells, and they always leave me feeling like the worst follower. Ven. Bruno has this to say:


"There is no shame in experiencing such spiritual desolation. I repeat this because it is so important: There is no shame in experiencing such spiritual desolation! Every saint has. We all do."


There are so many highlights in my copy that if I put them all in this review you'd actually be reading the book 😉. I will just say that this is one of the most heartening and encouraging books that I have read in recent years. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[catherine pawlicki]

Anything written by Fr Timothy Gallagher offers wisdom and strategy. He talks about how he became more aware of Ignatian spirituality and how that led him to study Bruno Lanteri. One doesn’t have to be spiritually discouraged to get much benefit for living a life United with the will of God.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem! Filled with PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS. Thank you Fr. Gallagher❤

[Heather K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something everyone ought to read.

If you've been considering this for spiritual reading, don't delay. If you've never thought about this for spiritual reading, think fast and get this book!
I don't tend to despair or discouragement, etc, but I read this and profited from it greatly anyway.
Get this book and read it!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem. Father Gallagher has written a helpful book teaching about the wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri. This book was perfect for me and so much of it spoke to my heart. I highly recommend!

[Fr Paul Gros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr Gallagher is an excellent author. I have become very interested in Venerable Bruno after this book! His writings are very encouraging especially if you struggle with being hard on yourself. He reminds me much of the spirituality of St Therese. I highly recommend this read!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is filled with encouragement and advice for those of us who face despair on the path to Christ. I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Spiritual reading!

[Nathaniel Cueto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the sort of book one ought to return to in times of despair and discouragement. Of course, these times return to us invariably, just as sin is a constant, unavoidable poison from which we cannot escape for even a day or an hour. Venerable Lanteri's mantra rejects any delusions we may have, or that we may have been told by others (no doubt with good intentions) that perfection is at all attainable in this life. Rather, when we do lose heart and give way to the worst of all conditions the soul may find itself in - discouragement - we may declare, courageously and defiantly, that we will "begin again"; and in this we find a most invincible hope.

[Sue Lanier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will turn to over and over again, and when it gets too dog-eared, underlined, and highlighted...I will treasure it even more.

[Jo Ann Adint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like I expected

I found, however better than I anticipated. It has given a much needed daily consecration to Mary, having made my consecration to her three years ago I have lately discouraged with my daily lack of redirecting my life to her. Venerable Bruno has given me the peace to know I must pick myself up and try again as soon as I realize my error. He also has increased my relationship with Jesus. A must to everyone who desire s to a more spiritual life