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Consoling the Heart of Jesus: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat- Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Endorsed by EWTN hosts Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, and Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, this do-it-yourself retreat combines the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius with the teachings of Sts. Therese of Lisieux, Faustina Kowlaska, and Louis de Montfort. The author, Br. Michael Gaitley, MIC, has a remarkable gift for inspiring little souls to trust in Jesus, The Divine Mercy. As Danielle Bean, editorial director of Faith & Family magazine, puts it, "The voice of Christ in these pages is one that even this hopelessly distracted wife and mother of eight could hear and respond to." Includes practical helps an in appendices.
426 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2009
362 people are currently reading
1690 people want to read
About the author
Michael E. Gaitley
18 books237 followersFather Michael Gaitley, MIC, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood, he received a Masters Degree in Theology and a Licentiate Degree in Moral Theology.
After his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Michael succeeded Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, as the director of the Association of Marian Helpers, a spiritual benefit society with more than 1,000,000 members. As director, he has launched a new pastoral initiative called Hearts Afire: Parish-based Programs for the New Evangelization (HAPP).
He frequently appears on EWTN and preaches retreats throughout the country on topics such as Divine Mercy, Consoling spirituality, and Marian Consecration.
When he is not preaching missions and retreats, Fr. Michael lives and works on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass., home of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.
After his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Michael succeeded Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, as the director of the Association of Marian Helpers, a spiritual benefit society with more than 1,000,000 members. As director, he has launched a new pastoral initiative called Hearts Afire: Parish-based Programs for the New Evangelization (HAPP).
He frequently appears on EWTN and preaches retreats throughout the country on topics such as Divine Mercy, Consoling spirituality, and Marian Consecration.
When he is not preaching missions and retreats, Fr. Michael lives and works on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass., home of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 18, 2014
I would love to find a small group of women, 4 or 5, who ardently desire to become saints, true saints, with holy lives of heroic virtue, who would spend a weekend retreat with this book.
UPDATE: Am now working through this book with 4 other gals who do love the Lord and desire to walk with Him more closely and to know and love Him more every day. Thanks be to God! (Jan 17, 2014)
UPDATE: Am now working through this book with 4 other gals who do love the Lord and desire to walk with Him more closely and to know and love Him more every day. Thanks be to God! (Jan 17, 2014)
March 29, 2014
March 27, 2014: We finished our 10 week retreat using this book and I’m so glad I stuck it out. It’s been a roller coaster ride at times, as are most retreats—well the effective ones anyway—those which draw us closer to Jesus. As with any relationship, but even more so when it comes to God, the loving must precede the knowing, so He allows the pain that we can truly understand Him. This is not to say He is a God who only desires our misery, or even wants us to be unhappy. On the contrary, He wants joy for us, total joy in Him and not for selfish reasons but because He knows He is what we truly hunger for; He is our destiny. It is usually our choice to seek something less than joy and to look for it somewhere other than in Him. Therefore He meets us in our own suffering and helps us draw good from it. He does this by drowning the drop of our pain in the ocean of His Passion.
Our group was smaller (by 2) than when we began and we had endured a number of tragedies, such as the accidental death of one member’s 4 year old cousin, the break-up of another member’s significant relationship, not to mention minor illnesses and other less obvious life changes. Even so we were ready to sign our pledge to do all we can (in prayer, word and deed) each day thus bringing consolation to Our Lord in response to His own great outpouring of Mercy to His Suffering World.
A beautiful experience overall and one I hope to repeat again in a few years. There are a number of appendices to this book which merit owning a copy and keeping it nearby for easy reference, especially those for discernment of spirits. I cannot recommend this retreat or this book enough.
===================
February 21, 2014: Last night as I was listening to Fr. Gaitley (on the DVD which accompanies this book) it seemed that in learning to love Jesus as taught in this retreat, I'm simply learning to really keep the First Commandment. How does one, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'? I've always wondered what such total love looked like, and how it could be lived out by a little soul such as myself. Difficult theological books depress me because I can't understand them or figure out how they apply to ordinary life. I can't hope to impress God with my knowledge, and who else is worth impressing? Great saints often discourage me with their incredible sacrifices and heroic virtues. Fr. Gaitley says Jesus understands all this and doesn't expect or want us to be to be other than we are. In fact, He loves little souls for their very littleness, because in them He can demonstrate His own Greatness as our God. He wants us exactly as we are, where we are. But He wants us to come to Him in trust and to be with Him constantly assured of His greatest attribute, His Mercy.
January 16, 2014: Rereading this as part of a group retreat...
March 10-15, 2013: Consoling the Heart of Jesus is subtitled a ‘Do-It-Yourself Retreat’ inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola but in fact also includes the spirituality found in Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. Our human appreciation of Divine Mercy, in turn, grew out of the Church’s traditional understanding of Our LORD’s revealed treasures contained with His Sacred Heart. Here, in this book, these three beautiful spiritualities are braided together to form a new way of developing a deeper and more responsive relationship with Jesus. It offers many helpful insights into common fears, objections and pitfalls to which we are all prey—whether we are cradle Catholics of many years, new Christians, going through some form of spiritual ‘Dark Night’ or even intimate friends of Our LORD, very familiar with the art of prayer.
The ‘retreat’ itself can be done as a retreat or read as any other book. It is also neatly divided into short segments perfect for short meditations on a myriad of topics beginning with a very user-friendly explanation of the Spiritual Exercises themselves. Less than ½ of the book is the narrative; the second part consists of very useful appendices including rules for discernment of spirits and relevant selections from Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. For this reason I plan on purchasing my own copy of this book. It’s one of those books I’m certain to refer to often!
Interestingly I had been asking the question – part to myself part in prayer – what return do I, sinner that I am, make to Our LORD in return for all the many Graces He bestows on me? ... when I picked up this book and found the answer to my question. Praise be to Him!
More information about this book is available at here
Our group was smaller (by 2) than when we began and we had endured a number of tragedies, such as the accidental death of one member’s 4 year old cousin, the break-up of another member’s significant relationship, not to mention minor illnesses and other less obvious life changes. Even so we were ready to sign our pledge to do all we can (in prayer, word and deed) each day thus bringing consolation to Our Lord in response to His own great outpouring of Mercy to His Suffering World.
A beautiful experience overall and one I hope to repeat again in a few years. There are a number of appendices to this book which merit owning a copy and keeping it nearby for easy reference, especially those for discernment of spirits. I cannot recommend this retreat or this book enough.
===================
February 21, 2014: Last night as I was listening to Fr. Gaitley (on the DVD which accompanies this book) it seemed that in learning to love Jesus as taught in this retreat, I'm simply learning to really keep the First Commandment. How does one, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'? I've always wondered what such total love looked like, and how it could be lived out by a little soul such as myself. Difficult theological books depress me because I can't understand them or figure out how they apply to ordinary life. I can't hope to impress God with my knowledge, and who else is worth impressing? Great saints often discourage me with their incredible sacrifices and heroic virtues. Fr. Gaitley says Jesus understands all this and doesn't expect or want us to be to be other than we are. In fact, He loves little souls for their very littleness, because in them He can demonstrate His own Greatness as our God. He wants us exactly as we are, where we are. But He wants us to come to Him in trust and to be with Him constantly assured of His greatest attribute, His Mercy.
January 16, 2014: Rereading this as part of a group retreat...
March 10-15, 2013: Consoling the Heart of Jesus is subtitled a ‘Do-It-Yourself Retreat’ inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola but in fact also includes the spirituality found in Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. Our human appreciation of Divine Mercy, in turn, grew out of the Church’s traditional understanding of Our LORD’s revealed treasures contained with His Sacred Heart. Here, in this book, these three beautiful spiritualities are braided together to form a new way of developing a deeper and more responsive relationship with Jesus. It offers many helpful insights into common fears, objections and pitfalls to which we are all prey—whether we are cradle Catholics of many years, new Christians, going through some form of spiritual ‘Dark Night’ or even intimate friends of Our LORD, very familiar with the art of prayer.
The ‘retreat’ itself can be done as a retreat or read as any other book. It is also neatly divided into short segments perfect for short meditations on a myriad of topics beginning with a very user-friendly explanation of the Spiritual Exercises themselves. Less than ½ of the book is the narrative; the second part consists of very useful appendices including rules for discernment of spirits and relevant selections from Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. For this reason I plan on purchasing my own copy of this book. It’s one of those books I’m certain to refer to often!
Interestingly I had been asking the question – part to myself part in prayer – what return do I, sinner that I am, make to Our LORD in return for all the many Graces He bestows on me? ... when I picked up this book and found the answer to my question. Praise be to Him!
More information about this book is available at here
March 1, 2019
As the title states, this is a do-it-yourself retreat, which I have done more than once. This is one of my favorite spiritual books. It is incredibly inspiring and gives great encouragement for God's love for each of us and the importance of each person. It also gives great suggestions of how to live out your faith. I can't recommend this enough.
September 30, 2012
Life transforming. Amazing. Buy this for everyone you know or at least yourself. My only objection is that the subtitle is "A Do it yourself retreat" and that can be intimidating! Just pick it up and start reading where ever. Doesnt matter, it is all good.
July 15, 2017
Love.
This book stole my heart all spring. I was so sad to finish it because it really spoke to me.
"Oh Jesus, your sacred heart must be so sorrowful because so many people neither love you, nor trust in you. Behold, Lord- here I am. I love you! I trust in you!"
This book stole my heart all spring. I was so sad to finish it because it really spoke to me.
"Oh Jesus, your sacred heart must be so sorrowful because so many people neither love you, nor trust in you. Behold, Lord- here I am. I love you! I trust in you!"
April 27, 2020
An annual read for sure.
April 27, 2015
I've had "going on a retreat" on my "to do" list for years, but I couldn't make it fit in my family schedule. When I saw this book as a do-it-yourself retreat, it fit in at a perfect time! I'm sure this book is one I'm going to enjoy reading again and again.
This book was amazing. It pulled together SO MANY of the BIG IDEAS that we've learned over the last 6-8 years. And it did so in such a conversational, invitational, natural way.
This sounds strange, it also made me feel comfortable getting "close" to Jesus, maybe for the first time. As a friend. I think I had the head-knowledge but not the heart-belief of this before this.
And I know now what "consoling the Heart of Jesus" really means, why He wants and needs to be consoled by us (which is a crazy concept to accept on the surface!), and how to do it in a way that is natural, and works in a realistic, busy schedule.
It was like the author was in my head as he spoke through the words of the book. He anticipated my next thought or objection and addressed it. Again and again this happened.
These are some of the things that this book pulled together for me, weaving a picture of how they work together to form a powerful whole:
Sr. Faustina, Divine Mercy devotion, image, & chaplet, the 3:00 hour devotion, and "Jesus, I Trust in You" <-- and likewise, what Jesus really meant when he said "I THIRST!"
I still don't "like" the Divine Mercy Image... I have the feeling so much was lost when it was translated to oil & canvas... but I appreciate it much more.
St.Therese, the little way, the elevator of Jesus' heart and arms, removing obstacles to desire becoming a saint <-- it sure has done this!
St. Louis de Monfort's total consecration to Jesus through Mary <-- I thought I understood this, but his summary of it is AMAZINGLY HELPFUL
All for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, all through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary... <-- previously I think I understood these words much more in my head than in my heart
Spiritual Communion <-- we covered this idea in POH and it frequently comes to mind, and now is interweaved with everything else
The Culture of Death <-- the idea that our culture doesn't just cause physical heart attacks, it causes spiritual heart attacks
Mercy in deed, word, and prayer <-- wow this book opened these wide open and integrated them into the whole
Morning Offering (for Consolers) <-- I've had this on my desk and have used it for the last 6-8 months just because it "clicked" with me. Word for word as written in the book. No idea where I got it. Now I realize I didn't really even fully understand it. In a way, this book took this morning offering I've been saying and broke it down to the next several layers of understanding.
Examen of Consciousness - received a few months ago by my Spiritual Director, also sitting on my desk. I've found it a helpful exercise in the past, but now I see how it fits into a much larger whole! (and I like his formula for it even better than the one I have been using)
St. Ignatius First Principle and Foundation (part of his Spiritual Exercises) <-- wow, nothing has quite struck a chord like this did when I read it!
How I'm living my life, trying to put the First Principle first, but not quite getting it. It's like God has been preparing me for this for the last 5 years. Preparing me to really understand and appreciate the contents of this book. Maybe more...
This book was amazing. It pulled together SO MANY of the BIG IDEAS that we've learned over the last 6-8 years. And it did so in such a conversational, invitational, natural way.
This sounds strange, it also made me feel comfortable getting "close" to Jesus, maybe for the first time. As a friend. I think I had the head-knowledge but not the heart-belief of this before this.
And I know now what "consoling the Heart of Jesus" really means, why He wants and needs to be consoled by us (which is a crazy concept to accept on the surface!), and how to do it in a way that is natural, and works in a realistic, busy schedule.
It was like the author was in my head as he spoke through the words of the book. He anticipated my next thought or objection and addressed it. Again and again this happened.
These are some of the things that this book pulled together for me, weaving a picture of how they work together to form a powerful whole:
Sr. Faustina, Divine Mercy devotion, image, & chaplet, the 3:00 hour devotion, and "Jesus, I Trust in You" <-- and likewise, what Jesus really meant when he said "I THIRST!"
I still don't "like" the Divine Mercy Image... I have the feeling so much was lost when it was translated to oil & canvas... but I appreciate it much more.
St.Therese, the little way, the elevator of Jesus' heart and arms, removing obstacles to desire becoming a saint <-- it sure has done this!
St. Louis de Monfort's total consecration to Jesus through Mary <-- I thought I understood this, but his summary of it is AMAZINGLY HELPFUL
All for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, all through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary... <-- previously I think I understood these words much more in my head than in my heart
Spiritual Communion <-- we covered this idea in POH and it frequently comes to mind, and now is interweaved with everything else
The Culture of Death <-- the idea that our culture doesn't just cause physical heart attacks, it causes spiritual heart attacks
Mercy in deed, word, and prayer <-- wow this book opened these wide open and integrated them into the whole
Morning Offering (for Consolers) <-- I've had this on my desk and have used it for the last 6-8 months just because it "clicked" with me. Word for word as written in the book. No idea where I got it. Now I realize I didn't really even fully understand it. In a way, this book took this morning offering I've been saying and broke it down to the next several layers of understanding.
Examen of Consciousness - received a few months ago by my Spiritual Director, also sitting on my desk. I've found it a helpful exercise in the past, but now I see how it fits into a much larger whole! (and I like his formula for it even better than the one I have been using)
St. Ignatius First Principle and Foundation (part of his Spiritual Exercises) <-- wow, nothing has quite struck a chord like this did when I read it!
How I'm living my life, trying to put the First Principle first, but not quite getting it. It's like God has been preparing me for this for the last 5 years. Preparing me to really understand and appreciate the contents of this book. Maybe more...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2020
I liked parts of this book, and found spiritual value in some of it, but overall found it to be fluffy, and run-on. I felt it could have been much shorter.
Unrelated to the content, but very much related to it at the same time: the back cover has an endorsement from one of the catholic church’s most infamous serial sex abusers, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. I found this to be extremely off-putting and disturbing.
Unrelated to the content, but very much related to it at the same time: the back cover has an endorsement from one of the catholic church’s most infamous serial sex abusers, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. I found this to be extremely off-putting and disturbing.
November 6, 2022
So beautiful. I didn’t expect to like it so much since i don’t consider my spirituality very imaginative or “flowery”, but after years of sitting on my shelf i finally picked it up and made it as a weekend retreat (which i definitely recommend)!
November 28, 2021
This book is BEAUTIFUL. I highly recommend it!
Read
October 13, 2024I did this “retreat” with a church group in 2021, but just finished reading the appendices. I couldn’t count it as read until I’d read those!
January 28, 2013
Consoling the Heart of Jesus: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat by Br. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC is a great read. It reminded me of talking to good friends who have lots to say, only the book is organized. He weaves in the different ideas of Saints Ignatius, Faustina and Therese de Lisieux with the theme of mercy and trust underpinning it all. When Gaitley transitions from teaching to praying he tells you. He makes little jokes in the text. He encourages you to do what you can and not worry about the 'right' way of doing this retreat; the idea is to do it, on a weekend, in little pieces of time, whatever fits into your lifestyle and schedule. The best part of the book was the conclusion. Not because I was done reading but because of the great ideas as to how to add prayer in your daily life. His breakdown of St. Ignatius's examen is one of the best I have read. Br. Michael includes two appendices; one on the Rules for Discernment of Spirits (for Little Souls) and the other is selections from the Diary of St. Faustina. He includes an extensive Reference and Notes section as well.
If I were to use one word to describe this book it is accessible. Doing this retreat would be a great way to start the new year or Lent. Don't pass this up if you are looking for a way to give a boast to your spiritual life.
If I were to use one word to describe this book it is accessible. Doing this retreat would be a great way to start the new year or Lent. Don't pass this up if you are looking for a way to give a boast to your spiritual life.
February 22, 2014
I enjoyed most of this book, and I will definitely be re-reading it in the future. However, with that said, I believe the book contained unnecessary repetition and I got very bogged down in Appendix 2 (which gives substantial quotes from St. Faustina's Diary). I find it difficult to comprehend how Fr. Gaitley believes -- as he writes in the book -- that one can do this retreat in one weekend. There is too much material to digest thoroughly. Even if one has no other responsibilities -- and very few people in the 21st century fit this category -- I don't believe it is possible to do this retreat in a weekend. I also did not see the connections Fr. Gaitley tried to make between Ignatian spirituality and Saints Teresa of Avila and St. Therese of Lisieux. Perhaps another reading or two of this book will help that become clearer to me, or perhaps I'm simply a purist and prefer concentrating on one saint's spirituality at a time.
April 30, 2015
I honestly didn't want to put this book down, wow! Everybody Catholic who want's to be a saint needs to have this book! Seriously. Great prospective! Total change of heart and mind on Suffering, and so much more. I absolutely love this book! it's definitely precious, heart to heart knowledge,that will bring you closer to our Lord & Savior himself. I feel so blessed now that I know this info and I plan to carry it with me forever. Something the Catholic Church needs to share with all of Christianity and the world. This book is so awesome! God bless whoever takes the time to read it beginning to end, it's all worth it. Such a blessing to read the saint's spiritual exercises,and insight. and for Fr. Michael's words as well, who put this book together. I thought it would take me forever to finish, but took me about a week or less.
October 15, 2016
This may be a great, inspiring encouragement for some and I did get much from my reading it but because it is exclusive to the Catholic faith and tradition, the opinions and suggestions can not be applied to every Christian's walk with Christ. So I found it only okay.
The repeated and stressed idea of keeping Christ crucified on the cross and not as Who He is, victorious over death, and as He appeared to the apostles and church for some time after that terrible day is too sadistic and cruel for me.
Still, because much of this is good and it can be read it less than three days, I will read it again. Skipping to what works for me and what I know is true!
Regretfully, I can not recommend this for everyone.
The repeated and stressed idea of keeping Christ crucified on the cross and not as Who He is, victorious over death, and as He appeared to the apostles and church for some time after that terrible day is too sadistic and cruel for me.
Still, because much of this is good and it can be read it less than three days, I will read it again. Skipping to what works for me and what I know is true!
Regretfully, I can not recommend this for everyone.
February 28, 2021
Wonderful. My husband and I read this "together" (separately, but around the same pace) over many weeks. It's designed that you can read the whole thing in a weekend, but we found it to be perfectly fine to do gradually. Not overwhelming, but lots of practical advice mixed with theology to help "little souls" on their journey of holiness. It also contains an extensive appendix if you want to read more in-depth information about topics contained in the retreat portion. I enjoyed this one so much I purchased his other two retreat books and immediately started one. Fr. Gaitley definitely appeals to both intellects and "feelers," a combination that I greatly appreciate in spiritual reading.
September 3, 2013
While this book can be read over a weekend - and is actually organized to be completed from Friday night to Sunday afternoon - I didn't have the luxury to get away. That did little to take away from the immense beauty of this book. Fr. Gaitley writes just as he speaks. The approachable language embraces the richness of the Catholic faith while peeling back a layer of loving Jesus I have never before considered. Catholic or Christian, this book is a MUST READ!
December 28, 2018
This is DEFINITELY one of my top favorite Catholic spiritual books. As a Catholic teen, this was just what i needed to understand how to grow in faith and strive for holiness. So many of his points just hit the spot for me and it is just packed with treasures from beginning to end. I am almost done reading it for the second time this year, but I know I will definitely read it again and again. I highly recommend this book.
November 8, 2012
Within these pages one will find a formula for spiritual growth, accessible to even the busiest among us. Gaitley's skillful synthesis of the writings of St. Ignatius, the "little way" of St. Therese of Liseux, and the revelations from Our Lord to given to St. Faustina (Divine Mercy), forms a beautiful patchwork of prayer and works to which even the "littlest" soul can attain.
August 7, 2017
To read this is one weekend seems crazy to me! Reading the book in a month was a challenge enough. While I got a lot out of this book, and it certainly helped me in my faith life, it was at times too wordy for me, and also didn't really feel like the Spiritual Exercises at all. I much prefer the format of his month long books.
March 13, 2013
I loved this. If you are new to faith, coming back to your faith or just want to learn more about how to recharge your faith this is for you. Very down to earth way to bring the Lord closer to you. Can be read in a weekend or as I said little bites when you have time.
July 5, 2012
The best spiritual book I have read other than the Bible.
August 19, 2013
just read it you don't have to do it as a retreat, father is awesome!
January 12, 2013
love. I have read this book twice and both times i couldnt put it down.
April 5, 2013
I love Father Gaitley's writing style. He writes about religion and theology in a way that I can understand what he is talking about and it means something to me.
June 5, 2013
Awesome everyone should read it!
August 12, 2013
For busy Catholics who want to learn how to turn their everyday life into an active prayer offered to Jesus :) The busy person's guide to holiness.
February 19, 2015
My favorite book. It's more then a book its a guide to living a Christ centered life.
May 24, 2018
A highly useful spiritual guide to the Ignatian spiritual retreat. Reads like a devotional. Excellent
April 4, 2020
To read over and over again, prayerfully. I can never get enough of this little holy book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews