As we welcome in the New Year, this episode is a special repeat from earlier in 2024—one of our most popular episodes! As we close out the year and take the last two weeks to recharge for an exciting new year, we wanted to revisit this powerful conversation with Alessandro DiSanto, co-founder of Hallow, the leading Catholic prayer and meditation app. Alessandro shares profound insights on faith, prayer, and the intersection of discipline and spirituality, especially for Catholic men.
*5 Key Takeaways for Catholic Men:*
1. *Discipline Begets Discipline:* Alessandro explains how developing discipline in physical fitness often translates to discipline in spiritual practices like prayer.
2. *Prayer Transforms Lives:* He recounts how Lectio Divina and the Examen led him to deeper peace and clarity in his calling.
3. *The Power of Community:* Hallow grew from a small community into a global mission, emphasizing the importance of sharing faith journeys.
4. *Surrender to God’s Will:* Alessandro highlights the transformative impact of trusting God with every aspect of life, as demonstrated in the Surrender Novena.
5. *Beware of Secular Meditation:* He cautions against purely inward-focused mindfulness and stresses the need for Christ-centered meditation.
*3 Actionable Steps for Catholic Men:*
1. *Start Your Day with Prayer:* Commit to 5–10 minutes of prayer each morning. Try Lectio Divina with the daily Gospel reading.
2. *Incorporate the Examen:* At the end of each day, reflect on moments of consolation and desolation, asking God for guidance and strength.
3. *Try the Surrender Novena:* Embrace this powerful prayer to entrust your life fully to God’s will.
*Food for Thought*
1. “Discipline in physical fitness translates to discipline in prayer and virtue. Discipline begets discipline.”
2. “Meditation is not just about quieting the mind; it’s a quest to discern what the Lord is asking of us.”
3. “When we surrender to God’s will, we realize it’s not all on our shoulders. He provides what we need.”
Links and Resources:
- Download Hallow: https://hallow.com/
- Learn about Lectio Divina: https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/lectio-divina-beginners-guide
- Explore the Surrender Novena: https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-surrender-novena/
Thank you for making 2024 an incredible year for *The Manly Catholic*! Enjoy this impactful episode, and we’ll see you in the new year with fresh content to inspire Catholic men in their spiritual journeys. Until then, go out there and be a saint!
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*Partners*
📙 TAN Books → TAN has been one of the most well-known and respected Catholic publishers for a long time. Their objective? To make men and women saints. Take 15% off your order and help support the podcast by using the code “manlycatholic” at checkout.
🐪. Exodus 90 → Join thousands of men who have changed their lives through cold showers, holy hours, and fraternity. Exodus 90 is just what you need to start becoming the man God created you to be. Defeat the flesh and become a spiritual master here: https://exodus90.com/
☕️ Mystic Monk Coffee → For the best coffee for a great cause, we recommend Mystic Monk Coffee. Roasted with prayer by the Carmelite Monks in Wyoming, Mystic Monk Coffee has the ultimate cup waiting for you. See more at mysticmonkcoffee.com
As always, please pray for us! We are men who are striving every day to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost!
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