The Presence of God in Moments of Discernment

The 14 Rules of the Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor

Episode Two: The life of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the foundational elements of the Spiritual Exercises

In Episode Two of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free, Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues the foundational teaching by turning directly to the lived experience of St. Ignatius of Loyola. In conversation with Kris McGregor, Fr. Gallagher recounts the dramatic events surrounding Ignatius’s conversion and the quiet interior discovery that gave birth to the discernment of spirits.

This episode traces Ignatius’s life before his conversion, marked by ambition, violence, and the pursuit of worldly honor, and the pivotal injury at Pamplona that forced him into a long season of recovery. During that time of convalescence, Ignatius began to notice something new. As he reflected on thoughts of worldly success, his heart was left dry and unsettled. When he imagined imitating the saints and serving God, his heart remained peaceful and content even after the thoughts passed.

Fr. Gallagher explains how this simple but profound observation became a turning point. Ignatius’s “eyes were opened a little,” allowing him to recognize patterns within his interior life. Rather than dismissing the experience, Ignatius reflected on it, pondered it, and acted upon it. This moment of awareness marked the beginning of a new way of living and ultimately led to the development of the Spiritual Exercises and the fourteen rules for discernment.

Episode Two introduces the core structure of discernment that will guide the rest of the series: becoming aware of interior spiritual movements, understanding their source, and responding with action by accepting what is of God and rejecting what is not. Fr. Gallagher invites listeners to recognize that this grace is not reserved for saints alone. These moments of clarity are available in ordinary life, wherever one is willing to notice and reflect on what is happening within.

This episode prepares listeners to enter more deeply into the rules themselves by grounding discernment in real human experience and the transformative power of attentive spiritual awareness. 

Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study

Personal Reflection

1. Can you recall times when certain thoughts left your heart restless or empty after they passed?

2. When have thoughts centered on God or service brought a deeper and more lasting peace?

3. How attentive are you to what remains in your heart after prayer, reflection, or decision-making?

4. What might it mean for your life if your “eyes were opened a little” to interior spiritual movements?

5. Where might God be inviting you to reflect more deeply rather than move quickly to action?

Group Reflection or Study

1. Why is Ignatius’s convalescence such an important setting for the birth of discernment?

2. How does this episode challenge the idea that holiness depends on extraordinary experiences?

3. What role does reflection and patience play in Ignatius’s discovery?

4. How does Ignatius’s experience help us understand spiritual freedom?

5. Why is awareness the essential first step before understanding and action?

 The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
“The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul” as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here

 For the other episodes in this series visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” click here

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.  Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life:  The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. 

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