How to Discern God's Will with the Spiritual Exercises w/Fr. James Mason | Ep. 174

In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais interviews Father James Mason, pastor and vicar of clergy for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, who has been giving Ignatian retreats for seventeen years. Father Mason shares his personal conversion story as a late vocation who entered seminary at thirty after a career in law, describing his spiritual struggle as fighting God until he finally surrendered. The conversation explores the four stages of Saint Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises: beginning with recognizing God's love and the reality of sin, journeying through Christ's life, contemplating the passion and death, and finally the resurrection. Father Mason emphasizes how these exercises are universal tools for spiritual growth, not just for religious but for all Catholics seeking deeper union with Christ. The discussion covers practical aspects of prayer, dealing with suffering redemptively, the challenge of evangelizing family members who have left the faith, and living with holy indifference to God's will. Father Mason concludes by sharing his daily spiritual practices and reflecting on how his understanding of faith deepened from a superficial teenage concept to a total surrender to Christ. ▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.