Fr. Timothy Gallagher, Theology on Tap

When I walked into Bad Abbot's in Quincy, MA for Theology on Tap last night, I entered a familiar place. Theology on Tap has become a great outlet for me personally in clarifying my faith amongst like persons, with an ability to hear a varied messages and intellectual discourse on a multitude of Catholic topics. I was yet again impressed by the incredible speaker that the Theology on Tap council had brought for us to hear. Fr Timothy Gallagher, OMV, is an expert on St. Ignatius of Loyola's Rules for Discernment and how their insights are invaluable for our spiritual growth today.

I do have to say, walking into Theology on Tap last night, I was a newbie in the realm of St. Ignatius of Loyola and his Rules for the Discernment of Spirit. I will admit, I knew two things about St. Ignatius. One he was a Saint. Two he had a unique name. So needless to say just about everything Fr. Gallagher said last night was enlightening.

Fr. Gallagher, who is an expert with many literary works on the subject, is a highly requested international speaker and leader of retreats on the subject that we were blessed to hear. And those of us attending Theology on Tap in Quincy, were able to do so for free. He began his discussion on the background of St. Ignatius and spoke from St. Ignatius' Autobiography. Fr. read a passage on how St. Ignatius was enlighten by God and the moment when he put his, what could at best be called, dotty past behind him and started a pilgrimage for Jesus and began his saintly life. The passage describes how St. Ignatius was bed-ridden, due to a broken leg, and was reading about Jesus and the Saints.

St. Ignatius was essentially the first real Catholic Scholar and came to God not through singular way. His transformation wasn't only spiritual, but intellectual as well. St. Ignatius' Rules for Discernment essential is an intellectual practice of dividing ones feelings from one mind. It allows us to understand ourselves better and in doing, understand what God wants for and from each of us.

It is a topic that was just broached during an hour and half lecture and would take years to truly understand, but as a Catholic and man who believes in God, I find myself wishing to start the journey.

For more information on Fr. Timothy Gallagher and to order his books, please go here.