In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the spirituality of St. John Paul II, whose feast day is celebrated October 22nd. St. John Paul II rooted his papacy in the Eucharist and devotion to Mary, inspiring holiness in people of all backgrounds from across the globe. There are many aspects we can learn from the papacy of St. John Paul II, but most importantly he taught us: how to pray, how to love, and how to serve. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote: “Everyone knows John Paul II: his face, his characteristic way of moving and speaking; his immersion in prayer and his spontaneous cheerfulness. Many of his words have become indelibly engraved in our memories, starting with the passionate cry with which he introduced himself to the people at the beginning of his pontificate: ‘Open wide the doors to Christ, and be not afraid of him!’ An entire pontificate is condensed in words like these. It is as though he would like to open the doors for Christ everywhere and wishes to open up to people the gate that leads to true life, to true love.”View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Javier del Castillo shares insight into the life of St. Teresa of Avila and reflects on an important lesson we can learn from her: the necessity of prayer.St. Teresa understood that people are not born saints but can achieve sainthood through cooperation in God’s divine plan. Her time of prayer was most frequently spent in quiet contemplation upon the suffering of Christ, which allowed her to become more aware of her own sinfulness and to rely more fully on God. St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast day is celebrated October 15, is a Doctor of the Church known for her renewal of the spiritual and monastic life of Spain during the Counter-Reformation. Her written works are highly regarded among mystical literature in the Catholic Church and continue to inspire readers today.View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: as we celebrate the month of the Holy Rosary, Fr. Leo Austin shares a reflection on deepening our devotion to Our Lady through the Rosary, in which we discover our role in God’s plan of salvation. Reflecting on the Annunciation, Fr. Leo reminds us that Mary’s fiat, her openness to the will of God, is a pivotal moment for humankind. As she freely accepts the will of God, Mary embraces her role as our spiritual mother and demonstrates for us the power in redeeming the ordinary moments of everyday life.St. Josemaria wrote: “Develop a lively devotion for Our Mother. She knows how to respond in a most sensitive way to the present we give her. What is more, if you say the Holy Rosary every day, with a spirit of faith and love, Our Lady will make sure she leads you very far along her Son’s path” (Furrow, no. 691).View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on how St. Josemaria Escriva was inspired by the light of God with the mission to bring Christ into the heart of the entire world in a way that he had never been before, especially into a world gripped by a culture of death and in need of healing through God’s mercy.St. Josemaria wrote: “God is the same as always. It is men of faith that are needed: and then, there will be a renewal of the wonders we read of in the Gospel” (The Way, no. 586). Therefore, as Fr. Peter explains, St. Josemaria understood that all of God’s children are needed and called to participate in this beautiful mission! And our mission is to replicate both the joy and the affection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, which can be cultivated through a well-formed interior life of prayer. It is our prayer life that exudes the joy and light of Christ in the world.“[God] wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world” (St. Gregory Nazianzen; Oration, no. 39). We are called to be light, but this is no ordinary light; it is a light in which we are bathed in the glory of God. Our Blessed Mother, Mary, helps us to enter into the light, the light of her son, which is nothing more and nothing less than the mercy of God.View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Leo Austin reflects on how Our Lady opens our hearts to giving ourselves as a ransom for many, as we say in the Mass when we receive the Eucharist. To be a ransom for many, as she teaches us, means desiring to make ourselves humble instruments of God.Drawing on the scene of the ten lepers in St. Luke's Gospel, Fr. Leo reminds us that when we are confronted with the healing power of God's grace, whether we feel worthy or not, all of us have the possibility of giving ourselves to make an encounter between people and God possible. Our Lord takes everything we offer him and exchanges our life and our pain for the needs and sufferings of others. And only in Heaven we will see the results of our actions and prayers. Through entrusting our prayer, our sacrifices, and the desires of our heart to Our Lady, we can be sure of them having a positive impact on those around us and create a beautiful crown of the Church adorned with our prayers and sacrifices.  VIEW TRANSCRIPTVISIT SHOW PAGESupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the meaning of St. Josemaria’s teaching that, “An hour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer” (The Way, no. 335). Approaching academic learning as a form of prayer is not a way of life designed solely for students. Rather, it is a way of life that all Christians should adopt as it helps us develop a stronger worldview. Fr. Javier discusses how we are to approach Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the writings of the Church Fathers as a form of prayer. He also explains how to overcome three common obstacles – lust, curiosity, and falsehood – that inhibit our desire to study.View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on the significance of the Holy Cross in our lives and leads us to question: Have we become used to, or even indifferent, to Jesus on the Cross? Where’s the Cross in our lives?As we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), we are called to contemplate Christ's humanity as he embraces his suffering with love, transforming it into a redemptive gift for humanity. In doing so, as Fr. Donncha explains, we can find meaning in our own trials, suffering, and disappointments. And we can turn to Our Lady, who faithfully accompanies Christ to Golgotha, showing us how to unite our pain with his and embodying steadfast faith and hope in the triumph of the Cross.View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week, Fr. Peter Armenio guides us to reflect on Jesus' declaration, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), and how we are called to radiate his light in the world.Living out the Gospel and being a light in the world is not about moralizing or winning theological arguments, but about being a genuine reflection of Christ through our love, words, and deeds. Therefore, Fr. Peter encourages us to connect to Jesus, the power source of light, through prayer and a personal relationship, through which he can shine light in our darkness and give joy and meaning to our lives.VIEW TRANSCRIPTVISIT SHOW PAGE(Please note: This meditation was recorded live during a spiritual retreat for women.)Support the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Leo Austin focuses on living the present moment with meaning and gratitude, recognizing our time and talents as gifts from God. Fr. Leo reflects on the parable of the talents, emphasizing that God entrusts each of us with unique gifts and opportunities, allowing us to participate in his creation. Our life and time are opportunities to give what we have received by transforming them and filtering them through our hearts into something better and greater. Therefore, it is important for us to use our talents or vocation for the good of others, co-creating with love and freedom, and transforming ordinary moments into encounters with God.VIEW TRANSCRIPTVISIT SHOW PAGESupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week, Fr. Fred Dolan reflects on how some of the most remarkable moments in the New Testament are those moments when one person or another came up to Jesus and begged him for a favor. And how Our Lord also waits for us to ask him for the favors that we desire, by approaching him with the same boldness and passion. Drawing on the life of St. Josemaria, particularly the witness of piety given by his mother, Fr. Fred explains how great things happen when we focus on asking for God's help. In doing so, we are identifying our will to the will of God and we are admitting that he is the one who truly knows the depths of our need. VISIT SHOW PAGEVIEW TRANSCRIPTSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how she helps us to rise up to Heaven in our daily lives. For St. Josemaria, the Assumption or the Dormition of Our Lady played a vital role in his life as a young boy in Barbastro, Spain. St. Josemaria’s devotion to Our Lady became so great that he wished to “rise up” to Heaven with Mary by clinging to the tassel of her cloak in an effort to bring a piece of Heaven to Earth.Fr. Javier invites us to look to Mary who teaches us that the essence of bringing Heaven to Earth lies in our ability to rise above challenges and adversities. By following her example, we can forgive even the unforgivable, serve others selflessly, and rise above our own tiredness and hardships. Mary's life exemplifies humility and the power of faith, showing us how to bring Christ's presence into our daily actions. As we emulate Mary's virtues and focus on the needs of others, we can transform our lives and actions, creating a piece of Heaven on Earth. VIEW SHOW PAGEVIEW TRANSCRIPTSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio leads us to listen and reflect on the meaning of the Transfiguration of the Lord and how it should transform us today.The Transfiguration of Jesus encourages us in our commitment to discipleship. When we commit to protracted prayer - deep, silent, concentrated prayer - we can see God through our eyes of faith and deeds of love. The mystery of Our Lord’s Transfiguration helps the apostles to trust in the Cross and to believe that there is no such thing as a failure when we follow Christ. By deeply meditating on the scene of Transfiguration, we begin to see him, to take on his capacity for self-giving love, and we become more empowered to give of ourselves with the heart of Jesus. VISIT SHOW PAGEVIEW TRANSCRIPTSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

St. Josemaria Escriva wrote that, “A very important characteristic of the apostolic man is his love for the Mass” (The Way, no. 528). In this meditation, we listen and reflect on the Sacrifice of the Mass, the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and how it is the center and summit of our spiritual lives.Our belief in the Eucharistic Sacrifice comes from God. We don’t achieve that belief through technique but through God’s grace. Our task is to correspond to the faith that God gives us and to ask him to intensify it so that in our heart and in our gut we believe that the Eucharist is our center.As Fr. Peter Armenio explains, we also want to tap into the spirit and fervor of the saints. We can learn from their reverent examples and love for the True Presence. Every saint is valuable for our own edification and for helping us labor in our “yes” to God.VISIT SHOW PAGE VIEW TRANSCRIPTSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week, Fr. Leo Austin reflects on the gospel of St. Luke, particularly the scene of Jesus’ visit to Bethany. At Bethany, Our Lord was able to find refuge in his friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Fr. Leo reminds us that similar to Bethany, Christ longs to take refuge in our heart, to find a place where he can rest as our friend. In this way, we are called to make our hearts a place of warmth and sincerity, inviting Our Lord into our lives as a dear friend. St. Josemaria reminds us, “For me the tabernacle has always been a Bethany, a quiet and pleasant place where Christ resides. A place where we can tell him about our worries, our sufferings, our desires, our joys, with the same sort of simplicity and naturalness as Martha, Mary and Lazarus” (Christ is Passing By, no. 154).VISIT SHOW PAGEVIEW TRANSCRIPTSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio sheds light on the mystery of redemption and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In the life of every saint—and here he draws upon personal encounters with John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and Alvaro del Portillo—there is an intimate connection with Christ and his Eucharistic sacrifice.  Through the Holy Mass, our work and sufferings can also take on an infinite value when we unite them to our Lord, because it allows us to say, along with St. Paul, “it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).Therefore, as St. Josemaria encourages us: “Keep struggling, so that the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar really becomes the center and root of your interior life, and so your whole day will turn into an act of worship — an extension of the Mass you have attended and a preparation for the next. Your whole day will then be an act of worship that overflows in aspirations, visits to the Blessed Sacrament and the offering up of your professional work and your family life…” (The Forge, no. 69).Visit Show PageView TranscriptSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the importance of detachment in our spiritual lives in order to make a generous gift of ourselves to our Lord and to others.  He reminds us that while the comforts of this world can be good in themselves, they are ultimately fleeting.  Drawing upon the story of the Rich Young Man, Fr. Peter urges us to give all that we have so that we obtain Jesus. In the words of St. Josemaria, “I want you to be completely convinced that, if we really want to follow our Lord closely and be of real service to God and the whole of mankind, then we must be thoroughly detached from ourselves, our intellectual talents, our health, our good name, our noble ambitions, our triumphs and successes” (Friends of God, no. 144).As you pray and reflect upon this message, what attachments can you begin to “hack away” at today that will make the joy of Christ shine through your life more clearly?Visit Show Page View TranscriptSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: in light of the Feast of St. Josemaria on June 26th, Fr. Peter Armenio invites us to reflect on St. Josemaria's legacy and his role as an "evangelical sacramental." The canonization of a saint is an infallible declaration that the person is an actual sacramental, an outward sign of Jesus Christ. Through canonization, the Church acknowledges that person as a faithful reflection of the heart of Our Lord.St. Josemaria exemplified what it means to radiate Christ's presence in everyday life. Fr. Peter references St. Paul's words to the Ephesians, emphasizing that to be like Christ, we must strive for perfection in love, as Christ has destined us all for Heaven.By cultivating our devotion to St. Josemaria, we learn that sanctity works. It is through our personal pursuit of holiness that we can change the world, bringing Christ to its center. We are all destined by God in love to be saints. This month, through the intercession of Our Lady and St. Josemaria, let us commit ourselves to more fervently radiate Christ's presence, remembering: "I am called to do what I can to witness the gospel and to contribute to witnessing it to the very ends of the earth."View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on how the saints are those who best radiate Jesus Christ in the world. It is through their humanity and personalities that we can see and touch the humanity and the personality of Jesus. The whole gamut of human experience-- health, work, rest, marriage, friendship, joy, sorrow, humor-- everything can be full of Christ, can radiate Christ, and make present the beauty of the person of Christ. Fr. Donncha reflects especially on St. Thomas More, the great saint, patron of politicians and lawmakers. He explains that when we think about St. Thomas More, we celebrate especially the humanity of holiness. He was a person who achieved great holiness in and through ordinary everyday things, which is what St. Josemaria particularly enjoyed and savored in St. Thomas More, his secularity. From St. Thomas More we learn that it is not necessary to isolate ourselves from the world or from professional or family or married life, or our country. We must be totally immersed in all those realities. And, in and through those realities, we find Jesus Christ. We love Christ. We speak with Christ. And we bring Christ to those around us.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week, in preparation for Father's Day, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the important and necessary role fathers have within the family unit and in society today. Drawing upon anecdotes and heartfelt memories from his relationship with his own father, Msgr. Dolan shares seven points that can help fathers renew and strengthen their relationship with their spouse and children.Msgr. Dolan explains that children have a need for authentic care, love, and affection in order to develop into responsible, morally and religiously mature, and psychologically stable persons. He encourages fathers to treat their children in the same way that God treats each one of us: with high standards, loving protection, great hopes for the future, affectionate understanding, a readiness to forgive, and never failing love. In doing so, children will be drawn into a deeper relationship and will seek to imitate this love among their friends and family for generations to come.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha helps us to understand how God's immense love is revealed to us in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart each year, we are reminded that the Sacred Heart is not just a profound symbol, but an invitation to experience the immense, tender, and life-giving love of Christ. Therefore, Fr. Donncha invites us to allow the Sacred Heart to renew and strengthen our hearts so that we might embrace the love of Jesus by seeking Christ, loving him, and sharing his love with the world through our daily lives.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio helps us to pray and go deeper in our understanding and love for the Eucharist as we prepare for the feast of Corpus Christi.On Corpus Christi, it is a common practice in many Catholic churches to hold a Eucharistic procession following Mass. This procession is symbolic of our work as modern day apostles. We are each called to be a living monstrance, bringing the light of Christ into every aspect of our life: our family, our work place, our social gatherings, etc. Like the saints, Eucharistic devotion should be a common trait in our personal witness of Christ and our personal ability to spread the Gospel. Fr. Peter, therefore, encourages us to make the resolution to spend time regularly in front of the Blessed Sacrament— our oasis where we are nourished and fueled by love.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week, Fr. Peter Armenio explores the profound significance of the Blessed Virgin Mary's role in bringing Christ to others. Fr. Peter emphasizes how Mary, our mother and queen, is the shortcut to Jesus Christ. She's not just for comfort, but also a force against evil and for evangelization. In Scripture, she's our hope, revealed from Genesis to Revelation as the one who crushes evil. Just as she appeared to humble shepherds at Fatima, she calls us to spread her son's kingdom, no matter our size or influence.Fr. Peter reflects on how our apostolate is a war of love and peace, fought with prayer as our primary weapon. Mary's intercession has led to victories over communism and countless conversions. With faith and humility, let's join her in changing the world through prayer and action. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

 In our meditation of the week, Fr. Leo Austin contemplates the transformative experience of the Holy Spirit beginning at Pentecost and the command to go out into the world and transform it with the fire and love of our faith. Fr. Leo asks us to imagine the emotional and spiritual journey of the apostles, placing ourselves in their shoes, grappling with the profound implications of Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. Like the apostles, we will discover that anything that is spiritually relevant in our lives is seen only through prayer. It is through prayer, acquired by recollection, patience and perseverance, that we can transform and enjoy the world way better--that's the grace of our sanctification.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Fred Dolan beautifully reflects on the period between Easter and the Ascension, transporting us to the Upper Room where Mary, the holy women, and the Apostles awaited the promised coming of the Paraclete.Through his insightful words, we envision their emotional journey from the despair of the Lord's apparent defeat to the elation of Easter Sunday and the miraculous moments of Jesus' appearances. Their unwavering faith and hope in the Resurrection serve as an inspiration for us today.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio delves into Christ’s new commandment to love one another as he has loved us emphasizing the “vertical” and “horizontal” aspects of this commandment, likening it to the shape of a Cross.Fr. Peter also explains how strengthening our prayer life empowers us to live out this commandment and how embracing a life of piety serves as the foundation for our spiritual journey.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the Show.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio delves into the profound significance of the Resurrection challenging the notion that the Christian’s life is one defined by suffering alone. Instead, Fr. Peter emphasizes how Jesus’ Resurrection offers us a beacon of hope, turning our focus from pain to the promise of transformation when we unite ourselves to the Cross. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week:  Fr. Peter Armenio inspires our prayer this Easter season reminding us that the heart of our calling as Christians is to always be credible witnesses to the Resurrection by making the living Jesus real in the world.But how do make the Resurrection of Jesus credible today? If we're going to announce the Resurrection, like our early Christian brothers and sisters, we have to aim for intimate union with Christ. As Fr. Peter explains, we have to "constrain Jesus to stay with us" like the disciples on the way to Emmaus. And, as St. Josemaria said, "Christ is passing by, don't let him go. Be attentive to him when he's coming by."We must constrain Jesus, therefore, with our desire to be with him, to speak with him, and to implement his words. We must recognize him in the breaking of the bread and be centered on the Eucharistic table; we must learn to listen and talk to Jesus through Scripture; and we must be faithful to our designated time of prayer. Prayer is very much in the first place to making the Resurrection credible.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio offers a reflection on Easter-- the highest celebration of Our Lord's life and victory. But, we must never forget that we wouldn't have that victory without the Cross. To believe in the Resurrection, we have to believe in the power of the Cross. As Fr. Peter explains, every day is a good day to bring the Cross to our prayer and to meditate on the dynamic of the Cross. Our union with Christ through our contradictions and sufferings--the little crosses that we have to bear--produce a Resurrection of Christ in our own hearts and souls.Fr. Peter also reflects on the feast of the Annunciation, explaining how everything is a spinoff from Our Lady's "yes." By work of the Holy Spirit, her "yes" allowed us to enjoy the gift of God's humanity and the dynamics of the Cross and Resurrection.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In this meditation for Easter Sunday: Fr. Javier del Castillo invites us to contemplate the Resurrection of Christ and how the Resurrection is an event that can only be accessed by people of faith who have had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Why is the Resurrection such a mysterious event that is not public, but is only accessed through a personal encounter with Our Lord? Because, as Fr. Javier explains, God preordained that the news of his Resurrection be spread through witnesses that had the credentials of having seen, heard, and touched Our Lord. This is the nature of a witness. Jesus appeared to the apostles, so that they could spread the great news of the Resurrection.Our personal encounter with Jesus today comes from meeting him in our baptism, in holy communion, and in confession. The sacraments make him present here and now. Thanks to the priesthood, we have Jesus Christ present in the Church so that every generation can have the same encounter that the Apostles had. Therefore, as Christians, we are sharers in the great light of the Resurrection, which is the love of Christ that is alive today and that can enlighten all of humanity. View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Javier del Castillo explains the great lesson Jesus teaches us in the gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 12:20-33), which is that we have to die -- to self and in this world-- in order to really see who he is.From a Christian outlook, death is a passageway to eternal life where we get to see God, face to face, if we have lived according to the faith. Because of Jesus, we can no longer think that our death in this world is the end or something to be feared, it is actually now a new beginning.Therefore, as Fr. Javier explains, the consideration of death is needed to help us to precisely put our heart in the right place. Not knowing when we're going to die is actually something that has has to help us be more faithful every day and to always be prepared for whenever God calls us to himself. And Jesus came to also teach us that all we need to prepare for eternity is love, everything else is superfluous.Today is is what we have; we don't have tomorrow yet. We need to love today, so that we can love for eternity. In the presence of Our Lord, Fr. Javier encourages us to ask ourselves: What is it that I am attached to? Am I placing God above all that and placing him first? View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week:  Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the revolutionary teaching of St. Paul who preached that Our Lord who is rich in mercy will always forgive us (Ephesians 2:4-10). It is a message that is intended to make our hearts rejoice on this Fourth Sunday of Lent or Laetare Sunday.Salvation is a gift. God became man for this purpose, to have mercy on us. We don't forgive our own sins. It is not a conquest of our own. We can't take our spiritual life in our own hands. Where our struggle lies is in opening up our soul to God and having the humility to recognize our sins. Even if we live good lives, as Fr. Javier explains, we must never assume that we are without sin. Our lives will find peace and joy only when we continue to ask for forgiveness: "Lord, I want to hold on tighter to your hand, because I see myself in danger all the time, as long as I am in this world. And I want to be very close to you, really change, try to change my lifestyle, that's what I want to do."View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week:  Fr. Javier del Castillo helps us to contemplate the Gospel of the Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent— Jesus cleansing the Temple (John 2:13-25). This is a rare moment in the Gospel when Jesus gets angry because the worship that was due to his Father was being mingled with human motives and was not worthy of his Father God. As Fr. Javier explains, when it comes to the sacred, Our Lord makes no allowances for competition. The same is true for us as the temples of the Holy Spirit. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19) The virtue which allows us to love God and to worship God rightly with an undivided heart is holy purity. Purity is not simply a virtue for the single person but for everyone—married, single, priest, and religious. It is a virtue that allows us to see God behind everyone and every situation in our lives. And it allows us to be a contemplative, to carry that temple, to carry God with us wherever we go.Our heart is something great, something valuable, and we have to keep it pure for God. There's many manifestations of this virtue and they are all beautiful, but they do require sacrifice. And that is where we need to really make a commitment to living these sacrifices so that the valuable gift of holy purity can be safeguarded.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Javier del Castillo helps us to contemplate the scene of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor, which we read in the Gospel of the Mass for the Second Sunday of Lent (Mark 9:2-10).Fr. Javier explains how Jesus took the Apostles up Mount Tabor to show them the full truth about himself, about his divinity, so that they could have hope in eternal life and remember this experience of bliss and eternity, especially when it comes time to suffer through the Passion. That is, Jesus took them aside to show them the glory that is a consequence of the Cross and that can only come after the Cross: the Tabor behind the Calvary.In considering this scene at Tabor, we also try to go to Jesus, to look at him, so that we may be enlightened and have our hopes placed correctly in that which is eternal. When we try to discover the Tabors behind the Calvaries, we are freed up of any worry and from thinking about ourselves, and that allows us to recover our peace and our inner joy in order to serve others and shine a new light around us. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.orgAlso, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio helps us to enter into the season of the Lent with a desire for becoming good repenters. And he shares the easy steps for coming back to Christ and beginning again. Although we might believe that God must be sick of us for doing the same sinful things all the time, Fr. Peter reminds us that Our Lord never gets sick of us because he loves us infinitely. That is why his favorite penance is a humble and contrite heart, not to shame us but to get us back. Therefore, a spirit of self-knowledge--sincerity and self-honesty--is the raw material for repentance, not to wallow in our defects and sins, but as a springboard to begin again. A humble and contrite heart releases those barriers between ourselves and Jesus Christ. Fr. Peter also highlights numerous examples of good repenters in Scripture, from King David to Peter, from Matthew to the Samaritan Woman and Dismas (the Good Thief). Their stories remind us that all saints begin as very good repenters, and Our Lord is asking us to be good repenters too. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.orgAlso, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio helps us to pray about the sacrificial and redemptive true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, and how we should make the greatest treasure of the universe the center of our life.The source and summit of the Christian life is the Eucharist. Therefore, as Fr. Peter explains, "everything hinges on the Mass. In a certain sense, every devotion is an extension of the Mass and must lead to the Mass." And, how much we get out of Mass depends on our presence of God throughout the day, and how well we embrace the Cross. Jesus' crucifixion and death were a culmination of his life of self-giving through his work and through his public life. We have to join Jesus in his death and resurrection, through the cross, expressed in our work and expressed in our suffering. St. Josemaria Escriva referred to the workbench as our altar, not sacramentally or liturgically, but that everybody's altar is in whatever they do. And he says that what really counts is how much self-giving love we put into our work, because that's how much we're going to get to be part of the Mass. "While you are at Mass, think that you are sharing in a divine Sacrifice. For that is how it is: on the altar, Christ is offering himself again for you" (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 831).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.orgAlso, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In this meditation: Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on how holiness is like the seeds that Jesus speaks about in the Gospel. Holiness grows in each one of us, but it grows by being in a constant state of converting; that is, we are all a work in progress.Conversion requires an overhaul of our lives and a complete change of heart. And, as Fr. Peter explains, step number one is to speak with Our Lord and ask him to enlighten us, so that we see ourselves with the idea of changing, repenting, and becoming more like Christ. Our Lord desires a humble and contrite heart. Step number two, we need faith. We must take to heart every word Jesus enunciated—his example, his witness, his sentiments, and his teachings. Our faith is not where it should be until we embrace everything the Lord says. When we look to Our Lord and ask for his grace, we will discover the tiny ways (or seeds) that allow the natural growth of our Christian life and our progress in holiness.As St. Josemaria Escriva said, "Conversion is the matter of a moment. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime" (The Way, no. 285).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the lives of the early Christians and martyrs and the way they gave witness to their faith through the simple actions of everyday life. He explains how we should also foster an awareness of our personal sanctification and strive to be heroic in and through our ordinary circumstances. The call to holiness is a real gift from God, there's nothing we have done to deserve it. As Fr. Javier says, "it's not about us doing anything as much as us getting out of the way so that God can do everything. Every ordinary thing that we do, if we look at it with supernatural colored glasses, can be a little step on our path to holiness." Therefore, as we respond to the gift of holiness with the same faith of the martyrs, we become cooperators in God’s divine plan and witnesses to the love of Christ.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In our meditation of the week: Msgr. Fred Dolan speaks to us about our love for a good vocation story-- that amazing moment when someone's life is changed radically. There is something very special about people who have discovered what it is that God has in store for them. Msgr. Dolan explains that the mission that Jesus offers us can change our life and fill it with light. It all comes down to that conviction that we were created, each one of us, in the Lord's image. We were called personally into existence and given a personal name. And, very compellingly, God has dreams for our life.Therefore, during this time of prayer, Msgr. Dolan helps us make the resolution to maintain a vocational sense of life every day. Our prayer can help us to see how much depends on our response, day after day, hour after hour, to the realization that God is there, following us always with his tender love and with his tremendous interest in our lives.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In our meditation of the week: Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the greatest gift that we have from God-- the supernatural virtue of charity. Many of the Mass readings during Christmas, Epiphany and the following days, remind us that God really wants us to think about charity. We are especially reminded of Jesus's desire that we, his disciples, should be known by the love we have for one another. Fr. Peter explains that through our baptism, all of us have charity, together with faith and hope, written in our supernatural genetic code or DNA. God gives us what it takes to love with the heart of Christ.As his disciples, no matter what the culture is like, we know that charity is more powerful than resentment, hatred, and coldness. The light of charity always dissipates darkness, just as life overcomes death and grace overcomes sin.So, as we listen to this meditation, Fr. Peter guides us to pray and ask ourselves: When I'm with my family, my friends and my colleagues, how do they detect that I'm a disciple of the Lord? What are the characteristics of my charity?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this meditation for Christmas Day: Fr. Leo Austin helps us to contemplate the first nativity scene. Entering into Bethlehem and the stable, he invites us to look first of all to Mary and Joseph and to learn from them. All they had were each other (unity), poverty and happiness.In their simplicity, Mary and Joseph are telling us that we don't need anything but each other. We don’t need anything else but to look at the baby Jesus and focus on him. Look at Jesus-- this is what all the saints have done throughout history. He will clean our eyes and our hearts. He will make us simple in a good way. This also makes it possible for us to just stop and look at each other as human beings. Bethlehem, the city of bread. Bethlehem, the place where Jesus was born. The Eucharist is Jesus coming to us, the person of Jesus Christ taking possession of our hearts and the Blessed Trinity dwelling in our souls. And then, after realizing the love that we have received, looking at each other and at every single human being throughout history, with different eyes, with the eyes that are cleansed and purified by contemplating Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In Jesus, we have a brother. In the Holy Family, we have a family. In Bethlehem, we have a home and we are always welcome. As Fr. Leo says, "Mary, Joseph, Jesus, I want to be always with the three of you. I don't want to leave Bethlehem. I don't want to get complicated. I don't want to grow up in a bad way. I want to just take advantage of my family, of my home in Bethlehem, to be more simple, to be more poor, in order to bring the simplicity of a heart made clean to the rest of the world."View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast for the Fourth Sunday of Advent: Fr. Leo Austin guides us in our prayer as we near the end of the Advent journey that is bringing us closer and closer to the day of Jesus's nativity and to the day that changed history forever. Our Lord, in his providence, has been leading us towards the destination that is the encounter with him. There are 7 billion people on the planet right now, more or less, and God is actually coming to us personally. He knows our past and our limitations. The good news is that he is coming to change us and not to inform us about your limitations. He is coming to tell us that we can change and that's what vocation means: a calling to a better situation and happiness in life. Jesus invites us to be open to divinity and to divine intervention in our history. In her humility and purity, the Blessed Virgin Mary did not understand such an honor. But we learn from Mary her readiness to use all her talents, with freedom, to adapt herself to the plans that God has for her and to see things in the big picture.As Fr. Leo says, like Mary, Jesus is asking us: "Are you accepting my visitation? Are you open to that?” And with all our hearts, we want to say yes, obviously, because we are the sons and daughters of the handmaid of the Lord. Mary will always give herself to God, not in an obedience that is blind and absurd, but in an obedience that is both hearts connecting at the same time. And that's what we can learn and imitate from Mary, our Mother, this Advent and Christmas.View TranscriptVisit Show PageMissed the podcasts for the first - third Sundays of Advent? It's not too late to tune in! Explore "A Time for Hope: Advent with St. Josemaria Escriva" - a collection of devotions, readings, and meditations from the St. Josemaria Institute to help you prepare for the Nativity of Our Lord and the season of Christmas.Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast for the Third Sunday of Advent, Fr. Leo Austin encourages us to continue our interior journey this season -- a journey to (re)discover our vocations by asking ourselves the deeper questions of life: Who am I? What's my identity? What's the reason of my existence?St. John the Baptist was asked a similar question to which he immediately answered, “I am not the light, but came to testify to the light” (Jn 1:6-9). We will discover that our vocation is also to testify to the light and to be glowing witnesses of Christ who walks by our side and calls us to happiness. Pope Paul VI said, "In our world today, we need glowing witnesses who know how to break open the dark skies of the world, not with words, but with the witness of their lives."  As witnesses to Christ, we can look around at the world and at every single human being as tabernacles-- all of our friends are dwelling places of the Blessed Trinity.In this meditation, therefore, Fr. Leo helps us to consider the importance of our mission and our vocation as apostles in order to make a lot of friends and to be a friend of friends who radiates the light and friendship they have received from God. View TranscriptVisit Show PageMissed the podcasts for the first and second Sundays of Advent?  It's not too late to tune in! Explore "A Time for Hope: Advent with St. Josemaria Escriva" - a collection of devotions, readings, and meditations from the St. Josemaria Institute to help you prepare for the Nativity of Our Lord and the season of Christmas.Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast for the Second Sunday of Advent, Fr. Leo Austin reflects on the invitation we receive this season to go to the desert-- a mysterious and quiet place where we can meet Our Lord face-to-face without distractions and without hiding to contemplate our lives and specifically our vocations.Even if he already knows everything, it is good for our relationship with Jesus Christ to open our hearts to him and tell him the story of our lives. This is always a little bit scary, as Fr. Leo explains, but God does not come to accuse us or threaten us. He comes to walk with us and offer us his light. This Advent, therefore, can be a great opportunity to open our eyes and allow Our Lord to point out things that maybe need to change or scars from the past that are not completely healed. Through an examination of our lives and through confession, we experience God's healing and the peace of having him inside us. A bonus of being forgiven is being able to forgive and to bring that peace and dignity to the world that sometimes is so hectic and also in need of God.View TranscriptVisit Show PageDid you enjoy this podcast? Explore "A Time for Hope: Advent with St. Josemaria Escriva" - a collection of devotions, readings, and meditations from the St. Josemaria Institute to help you prepare for the Nativity of Our Lord and the season of Christmas.Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast for the First Sunday of Advent, Fr. Leo Austin offers an inspiring meditation to help us focus not necessarily on what we are going to give to Jesus, but on the gifts that Jesus gives to us. He is not asking us to be perfect. He is inviting us to a relationship with him saying, "Come to me."Advent is a preparation for an encounter. It's not about being scared or tense because God is going to show up at any moment and catch us. Advent is a time for us to realize that Our Lord is coming to this world to call us to happiness. As Fr. Leo explains, "It's God coming to see you, to be with you." This is our vocation: God coming into this world, creating us, and then giving us freedom to develop, to unfold, to discover, and to explore. God is telling us, "I love you before you were aware of that and I'm preparing for you something special--an encounter, a friendship, that is unconditional." Yet, if sometimes we don't trust God, the funny thing is that he trusts us. God knows that sometimes we are blind, scared, wounded, and discouraged. For those moments, he provides us with the gifts of faith, hope, and love. And, as we read in the Gospel, he comes to heal us and he tells us these three consoling words, "Come to me." _________Did you enjoy this podcast? Explore "A Time for Hope: Advent with St. Josemaria Escriva" - a collection of devotions, readings, and meditations from the St. Josemaria Institute to help you prepare for the Nativity of Our Lord and the season of Christmas._________View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on the authority of Christ as King of heaven and earth to help us renew our desire for Christ to reign deeply in our hearts and to proclaim with the saints and martyrs, "Long live Christ the King!" The Solemnity of Christ the King was established in the 1920s by Pope Pius XI in response to the great rise of secularism in which people increasingly lived their lives as if God didn't exist. It is not unlike the battles and crises that we are confronting today that also fuel our desire to spread God's kingdom on earth. But for that to happen, Christ has to reign in our hearts now. Fr. Eric reflects on the ways in which we see Christ depicted as king in scripture and in art. Among those images is Jesus's entry into Jerusalem on a humble donkey. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest” (Mt 21:9). What is an hosanna? Hosanna is a word that was used in the Hebrew liturgy, and then later in the Christian liturgy, as a shout of jubilation and a sign of respect and honor for he who saves. But in Jerusalem, it was especially a shout of praise and adoration and a kind of recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. Like those people, we can also offer so many hosannas to Our Lord to acknowledge him as our king. Fr. Eric encourages us to throw our cloaks under Our Lord as a beautiful sign of our submission to his will. We want to let him trample on our comforts and willfulness, under his donkey, so that we rely more not on our things but on his will, and so that his will is what really reigns in our heart. Tune in as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan guides us to pray and ask God to help us to stand back to take a look at our life on earth and to realize that our time here is very short.The great project of our life is gradual transformation into another Christ, explains Fr. Fred. We long to change and to be transformed. Therefore, a sign that we truly and passionately want to be fully alive is our willingness to be mindful of every moment and day of our life. We don't want to be sleepwalking or flying blind through life. We want to reflect on deeper things and focus on things that are important, asking ourselves often: Why do I give so much importance to things that just do not matter in the bigger scope of things? This gives us perspective and peace. And it allows us to give ourselves and our souls space to take time to do things calmly and in the right order. Fr. Fred also shares strategies that can help us to live heroically every minute of our life, including not allowing ourselves to waste time trying to undo the past and focusing on the importance of helping our loved ones prepare for death. The fact is that a life well lived, which is what we're all looking for, will have reverberations down through the centuries.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reminds us of our invitation as disciples of Jesus Christ to connect with God through the humanity of Jesus, especially through the Gospels and through the geographic area revealed by the Gospel itself. Like Christian pilgrims throughout the ages, Fr. Peter shares how he had always dreamt and aspired to the possibility of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and how the experience exceeded his expectations. It is a very profound spiritual experience and an extraordinary privilege to walk among the sites and landscapes where Jesus lived. The Holy Land is the only place on earth that also has an eternal dimension to it because of Jesus Christ, God made man. These places are not just sites from a historical period of time, but they are sites made holy by the Eternal Word made flesh who lived there, worked there, socialized there, worked miracles there, died there, and redeemed us there. The redemption of the world took place there in a given place and set of circumstances. Therefore, Fr. Peter explains, it is obviously the will of the Holy Spirit that we encounter Christ in a special way in the Holy Land. We encounter Christ by contemplating his humanity and seeing the land where he was born and dwelt among us. The Holy Land holds a special place in the hearts of all Christians around the world. During this period of war and unimaginable suffering in the region, we join our prayers with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, asking for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land, especially through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha guides us to pray about the gift of the month of November. It is a great gift because it gives us the opportunity to focus on reality, to focus on the truth and love of God, and to recover our perspectives on our own journeys through time and to eternity. This is important, as Fr. Donncha explains, because when we elevate and perfect all the bits and pieces that make up our day, seeing them within the horizon of eternity-- one universal horizon-- we will find the integrity and maturity that give meaning to all the aspects of our being. In the month of November, especially with the Feast of All Saints and then the Commemoration of All Souls, we're also reminded straight off that when we consider time and eternity, we're not alone before this mystery; we're not alone before this journey. In life and in death, we're always accompanied, loved, and supported by our brothers and sisters who have gone before us, who love us, and intercede for us. The saints are our good friends. They're our brothers and sisters. We can be sure that we are always surrounded by the reassuring company and consoling presence of the saints and the souls in purgatory, and by the whole Church. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on how our faith and fidelity can increase through our genuine self-giving to the will of God. Faith is more than just believing or trusting. An ongoing faith or fidelity requires us to go beyond the limitations of our experiences and of our intellects in order to give ourselves more to the will of God and to our vocation as Christians. And, as Fr. Peter explains, our collective vocation as Christians is to evangelize and to attract people to Christ through our friendship, through our charity, and through our counsel. Our Lord is asking of us to bring everyone to him which requires a fidelity and partnership with him. And, we enter into a partnership and into the heart of Christ through three entrance ways: the Eucharist (the vine), the Cross (pruning), and the Word of God (nourishment). Under no uncertain terms, therefore, Jesus says we will be fruitful and we will work miracles. But without that kind of fidelity, we can do nothing. Even as an instrument, we could do nothing. An intimate and faithful union with Christ needs to be there fueled by prayer, sacrifice, and our self-giving.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai leads us in a time of reflection and prayer to check up on our spiritual health. He explains that when we are spiritually healthy, we are grateful and cheerful. But when we are not, even the smallest thing drives us crazy. All those times when we're kind of irritable, restless, disconcerted, really worried about how things are going to turn out, what people might say, that's a sign we need a checkup and we need to get more spiritually healthy. Our spiritual health will come, he explains, if we are men and women of prayer; if we are men and women who turn prayer into a real dialogue with God. Prayer puts us in contact with God, with our purpose and meaning, and therefore has the profound effect of giving us hope. There is nothing more essential for us than hope, to live by hope. We can't really live without hope. We can't even pray without hope. The hope that comes from our prayer is also a reminder that we're never alone-- that's how some of the great saints survived. Prayer doesn't have to be a super perfect, forceful, or calm concentration. Prayer is a correspondence and dialogue with Our Lord.As St. Josemaria Escriva says, “Prayer is the most powerful weapon a Christian has. Prayer must make us effective. Prayer must make us happy. Prayer gives us all the strength we need to fulfill God's commands" (The Forge, no. 439). View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio challenges us individually to answer the question, Why must I pray the Rosary? October is the month dedicated to Our Lady through the Holy Rosary. Our Lady herself has asked us to pray the rosary in the battle against evil and to win sinners back, ourselves included. She wants our prayers because they connect us with her Son-- she is the shortcut to him. As Fr. Peter explains, when Mary takes our prayer and brings it to her Son, it has more effectiveness. And Mary, what does she want more than anything else? She wants to bring everlasting life to every human being. And how does her Son want this done? Through his children--his saints and witnesses. We must be inspired to pray the rosary, meditating on the life of Christ through the mysteries, so that Mary can facilitate our growth in holiness and charity and so that we can take on this war of love and peace, drowning out evil, with an abundance of good in the world.Note: This podcast was recorded live during an Evening of Recollection in October 2016.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

BONUS EPISODE OF THE WEEK - In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the commemoration of the canonization of St. Josemaria Escriva (October 6, 2002).  The commemoration of feasts and anniversaries are designed for conversion and inspiration from the Holy Spirit to connect with Jesus Christ in a closer way. As Fr. Peter says, "although we may feel like a zero or insignificant, if Christ is dwelling in us, Christ is unstoppable." He will use us as that divine pathway to spread the Gospel "to every corner of the earth,” as he did with St. Josemaria.A canonization is an infallible declaration of the Church, which means there is no possibility of error in this determination or judgment of the Church that this person is a saint. This person has lived the Gospel to a heroic degree, which does not mean that the person didn't have defects or weaknesses or sins. Cooperating with the work of the Holy Spirit, he or she has allowed Christ to reach a culmination in their life that they could say, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal 2:20). Fr. Peter helps us to pray and remember that holiness is not about me, it's not about my devotions, or my interior life. We have as much responsibility in evangelizing and spreading the Gospel as anyone else in the Church. And, we are called to have the same level of heroic love for God as any saint. St. Josemaria, the saint of the ordinary, is a great example for each one of us!View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares how God desires everyone to be a recipient of his message to become saints in the middle of the world and to change the world. This message probably sounds familiar to us today, but it was an unprecedented message in the Church in the early 20th century.In 1928, St. Josemaria Escriva was a young priest in Spain who since seminary had developed a reputation for special graces and holiness. However, as Fr. Peter explains, he was not a mystic or visionary, a missionary, or a founder of a religious order, like St. John Bosco, SS. Jacinta and Francisco, St. Teresa of Avila, or Mother Theresa. Yet, God chose to show St. Josemaria a specific pathway through which he wanted to be in the world in a way that he had never been there before. It was a reiteration of what Our Lord did with his disciples when he ascended into Heaven. God didn't show St. Josemaria a specific institution or organization; he showed him how all the faithful, especially the laity, are called to change the world and bring Christ to the middle of the world through their work and ordinary lives. From that moment on October 2, 1928, when St. Josemaria saw Opus Dei, the Work God, he dedicated his life to spreading the message and specific pathway to finding God in the world, to being contemplatives in the world, and to leading holy lives that truly change the world.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on how the universal call to adoration is the source of our happiness and the source of our true human flourishing and maturing. We can achieve our fullest human and spiritual potential insofar as we worship and adore God with our whole being and with our lives. The universal call to adoration, to give all the glory to God, especially through our ordinary, secular, daily, and sometimes mundane/repetitive realities, in no way demeans the human person, but rather raises us up, embellishes all that we have, and enhances all that we are. As we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels (September 29), Fr. Donncha reminds us that the first function of the angels is to give glory to God. St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael are adorers of the Lord! It's not surprising that the saints, like St. Josemaria Escriva, would have great devotion to the Archangels, who stand before the throne of God and who kneel before the throne of God in adoration. The Book of Job tells us that man's life on earth is a struggle or battle. There is, undoubtedly, a battle going on between good and evil. For all of us in the Church, the Archangels are our great allies. We're not alone in our battle. In our call to adoration, we are praying within the warmth, the company, the presence of a family, in communion with the Holy Church.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina invites you to imagine inviting Jesus to dinner as he passes by you at home, your dorm, your office, your kitchen, or your desk. Would you welcome him and listen to him? Would you allow him to open your horizons and give meaning to your whole life? This was the way of St. Matthew (also called Levi) as we read in the Gospels.Jesus was sending a huge message by passing by people at their jobs and at work. He is present, he is aware, and he really cares. But you must be humble enough to accept that your vocation means you inviting Jesus to meet you first, to talk to him, and to follow him. Jesus says “follow me,” if you want to. The calling of St. Matthew reminds us that our vocation is a combination between our freedom and the grace of God--our freedom and his invitation--and that's the beauty of every vocation. In every vocation, there's a story to be told and to be unfolded. And, Jesus is happy to be creating that story together with the protagonist. Our vocation is truly a treasure. But the principle and most important treasure of our life is our relationship with Jesus—-it's the treasure that we should rediscover every single day.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on Our Lady, the Woman of Sorrows, and how contemplating her during the Passion of her Son and at the foot of the Cross helps all of our worries and sufferings to pass away.Our Lady of Sorrows places us at her side before Jesus on the Cross to help us mature in our share in the mission of her Son. Bringing us to the Cross means helping us to face up to the difficulties of life, since learning how to deal with suffering is a major step in our personal growth. And, it means sharing in the mission of the redemption of Christ, which gives great depth to the purpose of our lives.As we celebrate the feasts of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), Fr. Fred invites you to also place yourself at the foot of the Cross:Ask yourself: How do I handle difficulties? Do I dig deeper to find its deeper meaning?Contemplate the great miracles of Jesus and see how most of them were messy.Consider: If we don't have the Cross, what are we left with?Ask for the grace of great serenity, joy, and efficacy in your mission to co-redeem with Christ.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina helps us to prepare our hearts for the feasts of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8) and Mary's Holy Name (September 12). Her feasts remind us, like St. Joseph, that God is also telling us, “Do not be afraid to take Mary” (Mt 1:20). Mary is a wonderful reality that makes us want to do like St. Joseph, like St. John the Apostle, and bring her into our lives and into everything.In human history, there is a deep line that divides it into two: before and after Jesus Christ. Because of divine providence, we happen to be in the afterwards of His birth and life; and that happened, in part, because of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is wonderful to think about the unity between Mary and Jesus: both hearts beating at the same rhythm, both eyes looking at the same people with the same love, both of them connected in a beautiful symphony of thoughts, loves, and desires. They both look at us individually, wanting to help us in every step we take and in every situation we live. The connection that we have with Mary is very special. The good news is that it's not just for some people, it's for everyone, just like the love of God that precedes us. So, on Mary's birthday, we unite ourselves to thank God for creating such a beautiful Mother, for pouring all His imagination, all His creativity in such a wonderful human being. And especially we want to say thank you for sharing His Mother with us, for giving us the possibility of calling her Mother, and to be adopted in such a wonderful family.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others. And, leave us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org

In this podcast, Fr. Donncha Ó Haodha offers a profound reflection on St. Josemaria Escriva as a great teacher of prayer to help us renew our awareness of the essential nature of prayer and how transformative it is.In society, we tend to measure things by people's doings and achievements. But what ultimately gives value to any life is communion with Christ. Without prayer, nothing! With prayer, everything! Prayer produces the fine wine of Christian holiness in and around us. Prayer fills ordinary life with the greatness of God.Our Christian faith teaches us that it is God who seeks man out. He does everything to seek us out and to win our hearts. Therefore, we don't want our prayer to be purely formal, routine, or superficial. We want our prayer to be a genuine conversation, an expression of love, and real communion.To learn how to do this well, we have the example of Our Lady, because there is nobody who surpasses her in the life of prayer. She also reminds us that a person who prays, who seeks an encounter with Christ, leaves a deep, lasting, and somehow eternal imprint on history.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on how the secret ingredient of contrition gives our spiritual life tremendous dynamism and keeps us joyful, youthful, and approachable because we no longer give excuses for our improper behavior and it restores our proper place in God's eyes. Contrition plays an important role in helping us shake things up and renew our quest for holiness. Contrition also leads us to seek the Sacrament of Confession, which restores and rejuvenates our friendship with the Lord. We allow Jesus to enter our life and give us the grace to be freed from our tendency to simply do the things as we've always done them, simply because we've always done them that way. To be a contrite soul is to recognize the heights to which we are called and the result is that we then fight harder to root out the obstacles that prevent us from experiencing true joy. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how this feast is a cause for joy and hope for all of us.Whenever we see the Assumption depicted in art, it's always joyful and beautiful! Why? Because it is a reminder of the ancient teaching that Mary knew no corporal decay, but entered into Heaven and was received by God in body and soul. It fills us with peace to know that she is waiting for us and wants us to come to be with her Son.The Assumption is a feast that we're encouraged to not let just pass us by without really, truly being affected in some deep way. One way to be affected is to enter into a deeper joy, regardless of our situation in life, as we contemplate that something really wonderful happened to Mary because she let herself be guided by God's Divine Logic.  We are sons and daughters of Mary-- St. Josemaria took this deeply to heart, and we should try to do this too. On this beautiful Feast of the Assumption, St. Josemaria reminds us that: "the supernatural value of our life does not depend on accomplishing great undertakings suggested to us by our overactive imagination. Rather, it is to be found in the faithful acceptance of God’s will, in welcoming generously the opportunities for small, daily sacrifice. If we strive to imitate Mary’s fidelity, God will surely do great things in us” (Christ is Passing By, no. 172).Tune in to this podcast as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption on August 15th.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast,  Fr. Peter Armenio reflects upon joy as the foundation for all evangelization and how living joy in our daily lives can lead others to encounter Christ, because He is joy. The particular role of the laity in bringing Christ to the world, especially in the places we live and work, requires that we not only bring the truth of the Gospel to all those who we encounter, but that we always lead with joy and witness to the happiness found in our friendship with Jesus.Fr. Peter shows that authentic joy is not artificial, but is a happiness which results from having the fullness of joy within you.  This joy is easily perceived by others and is fueled by our friendship with Jesus. In order to increase our joy, we can more intentionally abide with the Lord through the Eucharist, mental prayer, the rosary, the cross, and through our effort to love others.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio leads us to listen and reflect on the Gospel and the meaning of the Transfiguration of the Lord, and how it continues to transform us today.The Transfiguration of Jesus encourages us in our commitment to discipleship. When we commit to protracted prayer—deep, silent, concentrated prayer—we can see God through the eyes of our soul and heart.The Transfiguration helped the apostles to trust in the Cross—the raw materials that make up our crosses—and to believe that there is no such thing as failure when we follow Christ.Contemplating this scene and Jesus’ words (Mt 17:1-8), we begin to see Him, to take on His capacity for self-giving love, and we become more empowered to give of ourselves with the heart of Jesus.Tune in to this podcast as we celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord on August 6th.View Transcript | Visit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a reflection on the Gospel scene in which Martha welcomes Christ into her home (Luke 10:38-42) and reveals to us the meaning of letting go and letting God into our lives.In the Gospel passage, we notice Martha become caught up in the activity and details of serving Christ which inhibit her from fully enjoying the presence of Christ in her home. This theme is echoed in society today with a strong push for perfectionism in our work and at home. To contradict this vice, Fr. Javier reminds us to identify the intention behind our work, so that we may glorify God in all that we do. Working with intention allows us to be receptive to the grace of the Holy Spirit and helps us to recognize the presence of Christ in the ordinary moments of everyday life.Tune in to this podcast as we celebrate the feast of SS. Martha, Mary and Lazarus on July 29th.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Fred Dolan reflects on the great gift of unity that God gives to us through His Son: “That they may be one, even as you, Father, are in me and I in you” (Jn 17:21). Jesus prayed that we may be one, united in God’s love. However, as Fr. Dolan explains, this gift of unity is not automatic. In fact, it is hard work. And, therefore, Fr. Dolan helps us to identify those attitudes that can get in the way of unity, and some of the key ingredients to establishing unity in our lives, like humility and patience.  This is especially true in family life. If we were to insist that everyone in the family — and, for that matter, everyone around us — should react, should deal with situations the way we do, we would be setting ourselves up for an awful lot of tension and a lot of disunity. In any given setting, we want to be a source of unity through our youthfulness, optimism, and charity. We want to be the source of unity that will show the world that the Lord has indeed sent us and dwells within us.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Fred Dolan leads us to reflect on freedom. Rightly understood, freedom is a gift from God, Our Creator and Father. If we do not recognize that fact, we run the risk of becoming existentially orphaned and homeless.“Do you love me?”, Jesus asks Peter. We hear the Lord looking at each one of us and asking the same thing. The Christian life is a free response, imbued with initiative and availability to this question of the Lord.We are not self-created, but rather, we are creatures of a loving Creator. We do not dare to attribute to ourselves the so called right to define our own concept of existence, because God has given that to us.God has given to each one of us very specific, unique qualities. Along with those qualities, come our own limitations. Therefore, Fr. Dolan reminds us that we need to remove the chief obstacles that hinder us from achieving it; for example, self-centeredness, egotism, grudges, arrogance, deceit, and resentment.God loves each one of us, as we are, and he loves to see us struggling to become better and to be free.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai helps us to reflect on the distinction between what it means to be productive/successful in life and what it means to be fruitful. Some of us might be productive, but we are called to bear fruit, which frees us from the danger of thinking that our life is useless.Fr. Eric explains, "God said to the first man and to the first woman, when He blessed them, Adam and Eve, to be fruitful and multiply, fill the Earth and govern it. God directs us to be fruitful, but we interpret this often to be productive." To be fruitful requires authentic humility and transparency in our life. It requires docility to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who produces in us the gifts of love, joy, peace, and understanding. As Our Lord promised, the gifts of the Spirit lead us to a fruitful life: to patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, and gentleness. In this way, we are able to multiply the good that our lives, our undertakings, and our work would have for all souls.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on St. Josemaria’s last moments on earth and how his docility to the Holy Spirit and good humor until the end led him to have so much effect on people's lives.God granted St. Josemaria a deep spiritual paternity through which he embraced everyone that would come in contact with him. "And since this paternity was completely supernatural," Fr. Eric explains, "it was strengthened by the fact that he went to Heaven. He could continue to exercise that spiritual paternity by interceding for us." St. Josemaria became somebody to emulate as he was somebody with impressive dreams, magnanimity, and great apostolic zeal. He was driven by his sudden understanding that sanctity is within the reach of anyone who freely wants to let themselves be led by God.  Therefore, he knew how to bring out the best in people and helped them to realize their dreams of pursing what God was really calling them to. He formed saints that came in contact with him; that is, he provoked great desires in others and opened up their horizons. St. Josemaria had many reasons to be cynical and even pessimistic about his mission and the work that he was doing for God. But, with the grace of God, he flourished through the power of his good humor. His good humor and cheerfulness helped him to have a greater vision, for himself and for others, beyond the immediate. As we celebrate the feast of St. Josemaria (June 26), Fr. Eric encourages us to go to St. Josemaria to learn what it means to have good humor, to be cheerful, and to open up our horizons to a greater vision of life led by the Spirit.Note: Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation in Toronto, Canada on June 19, 2023, in preparation for the feast of Saint Josemaria.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on how the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of our "need to have a heart within us that beats at the same pace as Christ's, because that's what it means to be truly human."St. Augustine wrote, “You have made us for you, O Lord, and restless will our heart be until it rests in you.” Fr. Javier explains that "we can interpret this as our hearts will be restless until we actually synchronize our hearts to the heart of Christ." And, our hearts are made to be synchronized with the heart of Christ in timing, intensity, and extension. It is through these three aspects that God can renew our hearts so that we can truly love the way He wants us to love-- in a human and divine way, with one heart with which we love God and with which we love everything else.Only a heart synchronized to Jesus' heart can love and can actually co-redeem with Him by loving with His own heart. And it all happens if we allow Him to do it... substituting our heart of stone with a heart of flesh which is capable of Divine Love.Visit Show PageView TranscriptSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo guides us to contemplate the beautiful gift of the Eucharist in which Jesus fulfills the promise to remain with us and to transform the world from within.The Eucharist, Fr. Javier explains, has "a double effect of restoring the spiritual losses caused by sins and defects and of increasing the power of the virtues. This is what happens when we go to Communion, when we receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord... this food is not transformed into us, we are transformed into Him."As we prepare for the feast of Corpus Christi, therefore, we can pray about "how we can correspond to Our Lord... Anything we do for Our Lord will be little in comparison to what He deserves." So, we want to be humble even though "He outdoes us in humility. He lowers Himself; He stoops Himself even more than we ever can.The Eucharist is truly that which will allow us to persevere in our call, in our call to holiness. It keeps you going and gives you strength when you're tired, when you're exhausted, in, your works of charity, in your Christian life... Turn to Our Lord in the Eucharist and draw new life from that infinite well of holiness and charity, which is the Eucharist."In the Eucharist, God is with us. We have to be in awe that God is with us, all the power of God. He doesn't have anything else to give, He has given everything to us. We should cast away our fears of giving ourselves to others. We should adopt this Eucharistic generosity in our lives." Visit Show PageView TranscriptSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo leads us to pray and reflect with humility on the mystery and eternal love of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have been in love, from all eternity, before the foundation of the world," explains Fr. Javier. “Because that love is so great… the Holy Trinity has freely chosen to create us, to have creatures with which they can share this great happiness that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have had from all eternity.”Especially as we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we recognize that our hearts and minds cannot fully understand this great mystery of faith. "It's too big to fit in our minds. And yet, through faith, it has been revealed to us that it exists and that truly it is the end of our existence. We know that there must be something we do not know towards which we feel driven, and that is the Blessed Trinity, in whose image we are made." In baptism, the Holy Trinity sanctifies us and elevates us to a new level of children of God.Visit Show PageView TranscriptSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

This week, we're sharing a bonus episode as we end the Month of May dedicated to Our Lady!In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai helps us reflect on the times when our faith and trust in God may seem quite fragile, even weak. In these moments, Fr. Eric explains, St. Josemaria would recommend recourse to little aspirations, glances at images of our Lady and other simple devotions, because these small acts end up awakening something within us. Mary seems to stir up devotion in us. She awakens our faith and makes us strong. She helps us, as St. Josemaria would say, to “stir up that fire of faith. Christ is not a figure that has passed. He is not a memory that is lost in history.” She does this because she was both the Mother of God, and our Mother. She has two motherhoods. She is twice a mother. First she became the mother of God when consenting freely to the incarnation, her “Fiat" made her mother of Jesus. But then she became mother again, when she stood at the foot of the Cross, and became our mother at the request of Jesus, by taking care of John. But that too required a Fiat.Visit Show PageView TranscriptSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo helps us prepare for the great solemnity of Pentecost by guiding us to ask ourselves: What is my relationship with the Holy Spirit? Am I docile? Do I listen?  "Wherever the Spirit is, there is newness, there is life," explains Fr. Javier. "There is definitely a difference between what the Apostles were before, and what the Apostles are after they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:1-11). And, "it's the power of humility... of the docility of the Apostles that let go and let God. Let God the Holy Spirit act in and through them in spite of their own weaknesses..." Fr. Javier says that, "Our Lord is challenging us to be docile to the Spirit. And, to be docile means to give the Holy Spirit a blank check... It means to take a risk, it means that we won't know where He comes from and we don't know where we're going. But we know we're in sure hands. And that's what it means to commit ourselves to the Christian life."  We ask the Holy Spirit "to come in a new Pentecost" to each one of us today to help us be docile in order to let God into our lives and to take us wherever He wills. We also ask the Holy Spirit for His gifts, especially wisdom, to understand the ways of God and to understand the things of the world from God's point of view.Visit Show PageView TranscriptSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENINGLet us know that our podcast is important to you by sharing your favorite podcast episodes with others and leaving us a rating or review. Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep the all of our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram.

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on Christ’s last words before his Ascension issuing the commission to his disciples to preach the Gospel to every creature. In fact this commission is a “global apostolic assignment” that will remain until the end of time. It is an assignment, “to make disciples of all nations,” that reaches us today and should encompass every dimension of our lives as Christians. “Out of a hundred souls we are interested in a hundred,” said St. Josemaria Escriva. This means, as Fr. Peter explains, that “we need to reach for the peripheries… those people completely alienated from Christ.” To do this effectively will require that we get out of our comfort zones with God's help. It also requires that our apostolic spirit and evangelization "come from the heart and from the gut," says Fr. Peter. "We have to love so much that we will take the risk of being rejected, and being judged, and being labeled.” Visit Show PageView TranscriptSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the profound role for Our Lady in our lives as Christians and our need “to embrace Our Lady to remind her of how much we love her.” He especially reflects on the meaning and devotion to the Holy Rosary and how it is an expression we can you use to repeat our love for Our Lady “again and again and again.”As St. Josemaria Escriva wrote: “Today as in other times, the rosary must be a powerful weapon, to enable us to win in our interior struggle and to help all souls. Exalt holy Mary with your tongue: God asks you for reparation, and for praise from your lips. May you always want to know how to spread peace and happiness throughout the world, through this beautiful devotion to our Lady, and through your watchful love.”View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In our podcast of the week, Fr. Donncha O hAodha reflects on the title of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, on this anniversary of the Dedication of the Prelatic Church of Opus Dei (May 2). The church was built by St. Josemaria Escriva as the central church of Opus Dei, the heart of the Prelature, in Rome. And he dedicated it to Our Lady of Peace.Like all of Our Lady’s titles, “Queen of Peace” stems from her motherhood, from being the Mother of Jesus Christ who is our peace. “For he is our peace… he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:14,17). Therefore, as Fr. Donncha explains, in the image and title “Queen of Peace,” we see how she is “full of joy and full of peace that comes from redemption, from salvation, from Our Lord’s cross, death, and resurrection. And that’s the peace that can never ever be taken away. And that’s also our peace."“In the advocation of Mary, Queen of Peace, we read, we sense, we feel, we understand, all the joy of Redemption because Christ is our peace.” It is suitable, therefore, that title of the church designated by St. Josemaria would be Our Lady, Queen of Peace, because the Church is the place of peace and reconciliation—“where the peace of Our Lord, merited for us on the Cross, pours forth.”View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast for the Easter Octave, Fr. Leo Agustina takes us to the morning of the Resurrection when Mary Magdalene first encountered the risen Lord. He reminds us how “we know that it’s the morning of the Resurrection, but she didn’t know that.” Mary was just “trying to cope with the reality of Jesus being dead.” But that morning Jesus spoke to Mary Magdalene asking her, “Why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” In the voice that she recognized, he said her name in such a way that she immediately knew it was him. As Fr. Leo explains: “In every person’s life, there will be an encounter like the one that Mary Magdalene had… when everything seemed to be shut down, when humanity felt lost, where there was no hope.” But then Jesus Christ calls us by name, in a voice we also recognize, and he tells us to continue the legacy of Mary Magdalene and go to our brothers and to the whole world to tell them that “Christ is alive.”View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, as we continue our Lenten devotions, Fr. Peter Armenio explores the theme of taking up the yoke of Jesus in order to follow him. Following Jesus inevitably entails bearing our cross daily of which suffering is the raw material: “Whether it's emotional, mental, psychological, moral, spiritual, physical, that's the raw material.”We all experience suffering to a greater or lesser degree. The key is not to turn away from suffering or to give up following Jesus when our suffering, our cross, seemingly becomes too great to bear. Rather we must become the grain of wheat that falls to the earth and dies; in doing so, we become Christ to others. As Fr. Peter says, “I become intimately part of the Holy Mass, the Eucharistic sacrifice, if I die with Him, if I connect with His cross, I become Christ.”In this podcast, you will also hear how:The cry of modern society is to see Jesus, and he wants his followers to show him to others through the witness of their lives.Two young people used their illness and suffering to become grains of wheat and gave life to others through their unity with Christ.When we connect with the cross of Christ, we “buy grace” for others, and as we do so, we become that “grain of wheat.”View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, as we continue our Lenten devotions, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on Jesus' fasting in the desert for 40 days. Why did he do that? Because the desert didn’t offer him absolutely anything, so he relied entirely on his Father. He overcame the devil’s temptations. As soon as he left the desert, he began his ministry. The purpose of our mortification is not to become stoic and impervious to pain. The real purpose was outlined by St. Paul: "I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Gal 2, 20).  For Christ to live in us, we have to go up the four steps: First, corporal mortification: The most superficial one. It is for our purification. St, Josemaria said, "One has to give the body a little less than its due. Otherwise it turns traitor" (The Way, no. 196).Second, care for little things: The purpose is not to become obsessive about order or having things in their place, but to acquire a spirit which allows us to reach out to others and make their life more agreeable.Third, interior mortification: This area that purifies us from all that has to do with honor, with our good reputation, our attachment to what others think of us. And the whole world of our imagination.Fourth, passive mortification: This is the most difficult. This is where the Lord comes to seek us out. "I will tell you which are man's treasures on earth so that you will appreciate them: hunger, thirst, heat, cold, pain, dishonor, poverty, loneliness, betrayal, slander, prison..." (The Way, no. 194).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, as we continue our Lenten devotions, Fr. Peter Armenio reminds us of the importance of getting to know Christ, our Divine Friend, and using the Gospels as a medium to hear him and to speak to him. Fr. Peter explains how “the purpose of Lent is to get closer to Jesus” and one of the best ways of doing this is by following the Church’s three Lenten pillars—prayer fasting, and almsgiving—as they all lead us to keep us focused on and in communication with Christ. In the same way that people become friends by means of conversation and spending time with each other, Jesus wants us to spend time with him. “Our Lord wants us to insert ourselves into the scenes of the Gospel. He wants us to listen to what he says...” Lent, therefore, can be a time for us to make progress in our prayer and conversation with Our Lord. We must show up for our time of prayer and commit to it; we cannot make excuses. It is Jesus who waits for us.In this podcast, you will also hear how:Lent can serve as a “springboard” for asking Our Lord to teach us how to pray and spending time each day in dialogue with him.“Jesus is your friend. The Friend. With a human heart, like yours. With loving eyes that wept for Lazarus. As much as He loved Lazarus, He loves you” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 422).Every prayer of ours should be true contemplation; it should mean something to us and come from the heart.Jesus is the Word of God spoken by God the Father to us from all eternity, and there is a personal message for each one of us in the Gospel.The Gospel is a compilation of conversations Jesus had with his friends. And there is an element of each Gospel character in everyone.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio explains how knowing about Jesus Christ differs from knowing him. And, in order to know Christ, Fr. Peter encourages us to foster a personal relationship with him, with “the knowledge of the heart, the knowledge of a relationship, the knowledge a man and a woman have of each other when they’re courting…”Getting to know him requires intimate conversation, which begins with the “desire to seek Christ.” As St. Josemaria would say, we must seek him “hungrily” and determinedly: “If you act with determination, I am ready to guarantee that you’ve already found him, and have begun to get to know him and to love him, and to hold your conversation in Heaven” (Friends of God, no. 300).In this podcast, you will also hear how:An atheist Jewish writer embraced the Catholic faith after a profound encounter with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.Conversion never begins with a guilt trip, or even an examination of conscience, but with an encounter with Christ.Getting to know a person doesn’t mean knowing more facts about the person, it means loving that person and having a relationship with that person.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo invites us to reflect on how love makes God visible in the world because God gives himself entirely to us. “God is loving us with his 100%. He actually has nothing else to give us, except himself… Think of the Eucharist. There’s nothing else for Him to give.” And so, how can we pay back such great love? With love.Recalling the Gospel passage of the Widow’s Mite, Fr. Javier reflects on Jesus’ comment to the Apostles: “She has put in from her want, not from her surplus.” This is an example of a worthy response to God’s love to hold nothing back. The only way to love God is to never be satisfied with what we have given up to this point. As St. Josemaria Escriva would say, “love is with love repaid.”In this podcast, you will also hear how:• If it is 100% of our love, then it is worthy of God.• When we are united to God through the state of grace, we are able to love in and through the fulfillment of our ordinary duties.• It’s a false assumption to think that in any vocation God does not ask us to give him 100%.• Love is never satisfied with what it has done before because love is not about the logic of the least or the minimums.• We cannot pay 100% of what we have been given, but we could do little details or pay attention to details of love and affection for others.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

“Now is the day of salvation, now is an acceptable time… For what?” As we begin the holy season of Lent, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the readings for Ash Wednesday which remind us once again that now is the time for conversion — Lent is a time for conversion. Our Lord gives us an entire season of the liturgical year to turn back to Him, to be reconciled to God, to purify ourselves, and to identify ourselves with God’s suffering. Our conversion does not have to be big and showy. In fact, Fr. Javier explains how simple acts of penance— like offering up our food and drink, setting a time for prayer, and participating in works of mercy— allow us to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ on the Cross and to bring about deeper conversions. He also explains how the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are ultimately participation in the life and mission of Jesus Christ that help us in our earthly life toward the goal of eternal salvation.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a historical reflection on the 80th anniversary of St. Josemaria Escriva’s founding of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross on February 14, 1943. Fifteen years after founding Opus Dei (October 2, 1928), St. Josemaria finally saw “a way, a canonical solution to have priests in Opus Dei.” St. Josemaria had realized early on that Opus Dei needed priests “who have that heightened awareness that Christ wants to be in the workplace. He wants to be in the family, he wants to be in social relations… The layperson can’t just receive the sacraments in a perfunctory way. Those sacraments need to be administered by holy priests who completely understand that the layperson is called to a first-class sanctity.”As Fr. Peter explains, “the priest and the layperson are an organic unity.” Both “have their own role that is indispensable for the New Evangelization, to bring Christ to the middle of the world, and they complement each other and they’re profoundly united to each other.” This is why the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross is so important to Opus Dei and the Church: to meet the “burning need for holiness among the priests” so that they meet the “burning need for holiness among laypersons.”View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this special podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the feast of Mary, Mother of Fairest Love (February 14th), and the significance of this Marian title in the life of the Church and the history of Opus Dei.Rooted in the Old Testament, Fr. Javier explains how “fair” in this title of Our Lady refers to “beauty” and “fairest love” means “the most beautiful love.” He also explains how St. Josemaria Escriva helped to revive the devotion to this title applying it to Mary as “the guardian of the beauty of chastity” and “as a way of praying for holy purity, for the sanctity of marriage, for the sanctity of the family, and for vocations to celibacy."The virtue of holy purity is not just about control, as Fr. Javier explains, but it is primarily about love. Holy purity is a gift from God that helps us safeguard the image of God we have in our soul and in our heart, which is “where we are able to love God and make a covenant with God. The heart is the place of truth… So many things happen in the heart. And this interior world has to be protected.”Mary brings us the hope we need to struggle, to tell the truth in our hearts, to repent, and to have the holy purity “to make room in our hearts for God, for true love, for the fairest and most beautiful love… which is her Son.”_____St. Josemaria’s desire to build a shrine to Mary, Mother of Fairest Love in the United States is underway! The shrine will be “a place where people come and ask Mary for many favors for their marriage, for their families, for their vocation, and also for holy purity.” Learn about the “Mary, Mother of Fairest Love Family Shrine” at: https://fairestloveshrine.org/.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the meaning of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ and why “to be a follower of Christ, we have to love the Church.”In the Letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul writes about the Church being “without stain or wrinkle.” Fr. Peter points out that, in today’s media, we often read about and see things that make this seem impossible. Yet the Church is lovable because it was founded by “God himself, God made man,” and Christ defines the Church as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.We don’t judge the Church by the misbehavior but by the “salt and light of the world”—men and women who accept and live by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Church, and who make good use of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. The Church, as Fr. Peter explains, “brings the very best out of the human person. The more that human person embraces the teachings of Christ, the greater that person is.”In this podcast you will also hear how:The Church is a sacrament, a sign, and not just a symbol.The Church is a sign of unity, life, conversion, and salvation.Wherever we are—among our family, in our workplace, in all social relations—we are members of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.Scripture, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Church are an extension of Christ.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on how Jesus’ example and teachings on humility are key to knowing ourselves and to knowing God. Reflecting on Scripture, specifically the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, Fr. Peter highlights how we can only know God, and give ourselves to Him, when we own ourselves and are not held back by our pride, resentments, self-absorption, or sinfulness. St. Josemaria Escriva said that Jesus’ greatest act of humility is to be a “prisoner behind the appearance of bread” in order to have an intimate relationship with each one of us and to serve us. Jesus remains in the Blessed Sacrament so that we may have him “all to ourselves; no lines, no tickets, no waiting rooms.” Fr. Peter reminds us to learn from Jesus’ example of self-emptying humility and self-giving love. “Though he was in the form of God, [he] did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Philippians 2:6-7).So, the more we empty ourselves, the more we experience Christ and allow him to live in us and take over our lives. And the more we allow this happen, the more all those around us will be able to see the compassionate and merciful face of Our Lord.In this podcast, you will also hear how:The Pharisee’s prayer “doesn’t work” but the prayer of the Publican is effective because he humbled himself.We can’t be self-satisfied with what we have and try not to give it away - that’s pride.Holiness is more about being a good repenter than being a good performer.Humility is enhanced when we’re honest with ourselves, and making a good confession is a great antidote to pride.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio guides us to reflect upon the importance of loving God, being united to Him, and being a light in the world that extends and radiates His love to others. But how does God expect us to do this in our lives? Drawing upon the Gospel story of the Rich Young Man, Fr. Peter points out the “three steps” that Jesus shares with the young man to be happy and attain eternal life: 1) make God the center of your life because only God is good and can satisfy you; 2) live the commandments to gain the freedom to own yourself; 3) make a self-gift of yourself to Christ who is number one in your life.To be totally centered on Christ, like all of the saints, is to begin to experience the joy of eternal life here on earth. But, it's not going to work and we will always go away sad if we don't make the decision to give ourselves completely to Christ and become light and joy in the world. In this podcast, you will also hear how: A talented college girl who left the Church found her way back to the Eucharist through the joyful witness of her Catholic friends.Why a modern-day “rich young man” was not happy even though he had everything a boy his age would want.Jesus expects us to interact with the world in order to be its salt and light and preach to every creature (and it’s what being Catholic is all about).The decision to be totally centered on Christ will ultimately make us join the ranks of the saints.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Dolan reflects on how “our spiritual life is a school of happiness where we learn how to be happy, no matter what.” The Christian way of life involves great difficulty and sacrifice, yet as the Apostles understood, “nothing could compare with the joy of a life with Jesus.” Jesus teaches us what it means to be really and truly happy.Msgr. Dolan also explains that our life of prayer sharpens our vision of the things that really matter and helps us protect that happiness that the Lord wants for us. Therefore, the more clearly we set our sights on goals that move our heart, the better our chances of forging ahead without minding the difficulties.As St. Josemaria said, “To be happy, what you need is not an easy life but a heart in love.” (Furrow, no. 795). A strong heart always fixed on the goal can struggle for Love until the end. In this podcast, you will also hear how:▪The more clearly we set our sights on goals that move our heart, the better our chances of forging ahead without paying attention to the difficulties.▪Ensuring our joy and peace depends more on what we truly want and less on the petty tyrannies of the moment.▪Patience is neither naïve optimism nor resignation. It is the attitude of the free person whose love is unfailing and whose sight is always set on the goal.View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina helps us realize that no matter how much we prepare, spiritually or materially, Christmas comes, and we never feel ready. There is always a contrast “between the purity and the beauty” of Christ’s coming and the “inadequacy” of our hearts to receive Him.Therefore, Fr. Leo invites us to adopt the humility and openness of the “broken figures” (or characters) who we find and imagine at the first nativity scene. They show us how all that is needed to welcome Christ is the willingness to receive the Good News. And, regardless of our brokenness and imperfections, Our Lord is always happy to welcome us when we approach him."As you kneel at the feet of the child Jesus on the day of his Epiphany and see him a king bearing none of the outward signs of royalty, you can tell him: 'Lord, take away my pride; crush my self-love, my desire to affirm myself and impose myself on others. Make the foundation of my personality my identification with you'" (Christ is Passing By, no. 32).In this podcast, you will also hear how:• Our Lord uses “broken figures” to deliver the most revolutionary message in human history, a message of hope and joy, a message that will change our history forever.• With our imperfections, wounds, and scars, we are gracious before God, and He comes to us whether we’re ready or not. He takes the lead and anticipates when we need His love.• Dorothy Day wrote that: “I believe that if Jesus can be born in stable, he can also be born in me…”• Wherever you are, God is knocking on your heart. He is not interested in external things and that gives us a lot of peace.• We need to learn from Christmas that God is always happy to come to us and to welcome us—that is the Epiphany.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan invites us to reflect more deeply on the Nativity of Our Lord. “In the Incarnation,” he says, “God has come not only to unleash our power of loving and adoring God but also to give us a model on how to become more fully human."Recalling a famous short story from 1906, titled, “The Gift of the Magi,” Msgr. Dolan gives us the “antidote” to that attitude of commercialization that often accompanies the Christmas season. He helps us ponder the fact that what matters most is “the amount, the extent to which we love each other.” We are reminded that the greater our love, the greater our freedom. And so we want our love to remain open to absolutely everyone; we want the willingness to befriend others in imitation of Christ, who made friends with “tax collectors and sinners.”We pray and ask the Holy Family: “Do whatever it takes to give me that same degree of love [you have]. Help me to contemplate. Help me to develop the capacity to be still, to see that you, Jesus, are God. Help me to grow in love so that I can grow in freedom. Help me to grow in detachment so that I can be happy regardless of the circumstances. And help me to become a better and more understanding friend of all those around me.”Visit Show PageView TranscriptSupport the show

In this podcast for the Fourth Week of Advent, Fr. Peter Armenio helps us continue our preparation to "be ready" for Christmas—the celebration of our transcendent God breaking into our own world in the fullness of time—by contemplating Jesus Christ as the true source of peace and joy.St. Paul preached not that Jesus is peaceful but that He is peace; Isaiah calls Him the Prince of Peace; and Jesus tells us: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you" (John 14:27). God wants everyone to be recipients of this description of Jesus. This great joy is for all people and it fills all people with hope.Fr. Peter directs us, therefore, to ask God’s help to penetrate this definition of peace so that we can "always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope" (1 Peter 3:15).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast for the Third Week of Advent, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the readings for the Mass of the third Sunday of Advent also known as “Gaudete Sunday” or “Rejoice Sunday”.The very first description of Jesus in the Gospel is that he is "good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10). Great joy always surrounds Him and there is always a joyous reaction in the presence of Our Lord. Therefore, one tell-tale sign that we are in the right disposition for Him to come to us is the prominent fruit of the Holy Spirit: joy.Fr. Peter explains that permanent, deep joy exclusively comes from Christ and is the fruit of a close relationship with Him. Joy outside of Christ is just a good mood, a thrill, or a momentary pleasure. Our true joy comes from being that good soil where we habitually seek Our Lord with our whole heart.And, if we are lacking joy, this is the time to examine ourselves: Am I looking for Jesus with all my heart? Is He number one in my life? Do I want Him to be number one?We pray to Our Lady, Cause of Our Joy: "Help me to be less crazy busy so my prayer becomes a habitual activity and my day revolves around Our Lord, and so that I can rejoice in Christ and more effectively transmit His life to my family and friends."View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast for the Second Week of Advent, Fr. Peter Armenio directs our attention to the metaphors of conversion found in the gospel description of St. John the Baptist: "A voice of one crying in the desert, 'prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.'" We, too, want to be imitators of John the Baptist, "albeit in a flawed and imperfect way," as Fr. Peter explains. He points out, "It’s not about my talents, my gifts, my skills; but it is about letting that Christ who lives in me through Baptism, to let him grow so He reveals Himself […] through myself, being an imperfect vessel, but a vessel of Jesus Christ, nevertheless.”During these days of Advent, our calling is to "put on Jesus Christ" more intentionally so as to let His life and His love be revealed through us. Only in this way can we make Christ "real" to those who earnestly seek Him. And, as St. Josemaria wrote, we have two points of entry available to us: "the Bread and the Word." By constantly nourishing ourselves with Scripture and the Eucharist, we will be better equipped to abide in Him amid the busyness of our daily lives.View Transcript Visit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Fred Dolan reminds us how this time of meditation and prayer is so important to preparing ourselves for the feast of Christmas, especially because Our Lord wants us to make the resolution "to have our eyes wide open in order to discover all the growth that must be taking place on the inside" during this season of Advent.Fr. Dolan explains how our interior growth greatly depends on our acknowledging our dignity as God's beloved children. The core of our identities and our deepest realities comes from the fact that we are children of God. And, our personal worth depends on God's love who has created us and who has big dreams for us.Therefore, one of the consequences of reflecting on our divine filiation will be "supernatural vision"--learning how to see God's providence in everything. Because, as Fr. Dolan says, "we do not know what is good for us... but we think we do. We have our own plans for happiness and too often we merely regard God as somebody who will help us accomplish them. The true state of affairs is just the opposite. God has his plans for our happiness. And, he is waiting for us to help Him accomplish those plans."As we wait for the coming of the Christ Child, let us ask Him in our prayer today: What are you up to in my life and the lives of all those in my household? We cannot improve on God's plans because His path is the only path leads us to the greatest fruitfulness and joy. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast for the First Week of Advent, Fr. Fred Dolan helps us to reflect on this time that we are given to prepare for that central moment in history when God took on our flesh and began to walk among us. Advent is a time to ready ourselves for our eventual meeting with the very person whom we are awaiting and trying to imitate, Our Lord Jesus Christ.Advent, therefore, is a time for conversion. We should not be content with making a few small adjustments that really don’t make much of a difference in our transformation in Christ. Instead, we should aim for the stars seeking the kind of transformation and conversion that the Holy Spirit longs to bring about in our souls so that we can become what he wants us to become. We want a conversion that reaches every aspect of our being.Through the intercession of Our Lady, we can ask for growth in the contemplative spirit so that we decide freely and lovingly to find Our Lord in everything we do and to allow us to see everything from God’s point of view.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the fact that "we're not called to make it [to Heaven] by the skin of our teeth." We are called to make use of all of our time on earth to become saints. But, as St. Josemaria Escriva said, "Time is short, too short to love!" Therefore, Our Lord wants us always to have an overarching goal, which is holiness.This doesn't mean that we don't have other interests, explains Fr. Peter, or that we must become indifferent to everything else. What it does mean is that we are called to make this phrase our mission statement: "I'm going to put the love of Christ into everything I do."Rather than fearing the judgment of God at the end of our lives, Fr. Peter counsels us to be afraid of not having loved enough. "The meaning of human life, and especially Christian life," he says, "is to fill [our] day with deeds of love." And, in this way, to become saints.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio explains an important aspect regarding the Communion of Saints: "the holier you are, the more you help the Church, the more you help the world; it's that simple, that challenging as well." If we want to help the Church, we need to become holier, so that by our deeds of love and charity we will draw many souls to Christ.St. Josemaria Escriva said, "The Communion of Saints. How shall I explain it to you? You've heard what blood transfusions do for the body. Well, that's what the Communion of Saints does for the soul" (The Way, no. 544). The Lord calls us to sanctity, and illustrates the meaning of sanctity by preaching to us about the corporal works of mercy. Our Lord's heart contains everyone, the whole Church, such that whatever we do for the least among us, we do for Our Lord, Himself. And our works of love can also go so far as to merit great spiritual benefit for the holy souls in purgatory, who will in turn help us by their prayers."The results of the Communion of Saints are real," says Fr. Peter, "and they surface, not immediately, but surely [...] the ones who extend the Kingdom are those intimately united to Christ."View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares the importance and conditions for transmitting our gift of faith, “especially to our loved ones and especially to our children.” Recognizing that faith is a gift that all Christians receive at baptism, the main thing that our children (and everyone around us) must see is whether we are willing to live and die for our faith.Fr. Javier explains that to live by faith means, “I have to give witness, not a counter witness… I have to preach with my life. I have to preach with my deeds, transmitting the faith.” Because “ultimately, it’s going to be our example… it’s going to be whether or not we believe it, whether or not we put it into practice, in how we actually carry out our lives.”We must strive to live and die for our faith if we hope “to teach our children that they have to be men and women of their word, that they have to be men and women who stand up to their commitments… able to take risks for Our Lord, and when the risk goes bad that they stick and they stand up for Our Lord.”View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai reminds us that praying the Way of the Cross can often be a moment of conversion for a soul that feels impelled by the realization that Jesus suffered out of love for us. It makes us want to undertake greater things in our life, and to open our heart to the call of God. He explains that, “for us to do something truly great, it must somehow be a response to God’s grace, God’s transformative love.”After Peter betrayed Jesus, he experienced that gaze from Jesus in the courtyard and it was everything he needed to undertake the adventure of being a true apostle. A vocation is always a call to greater love and greater magnanimity. Many have launched into their vocations after experiencing the penetrating and loving gaze of Jesus in their prayer.Have you experienced the gaze of Jesus in your life of prayer?Take time each day to let Jesus look at you with all the tenderness and affection of His love, and you will soon discover a loving desire to do great things for Him too.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Donncha helps us consider that the Christian vocation to holiness rests upon our ability to let God work in and through us. So often may believe that becoming saints is a matter of our own personal striving. Yet "holiness, to a great degree," he says, is "letting God work."He continues: "It's not a matter of gritting my teeth and straining my muscles...holiness is fundamentally going at God's pace. It's saying to Our Lord, with the spirit of Mary...'Let it be done unto me according to your word.'" If we want to become saints, we must allow Our Lord to shine forth in us according to His will.At the Wedding Feast of Cana, Mary notices the lack of wine and tells the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." Jesus says, to each of us, "Fill up these jars to the brim." We too will give all we can, without holding anything back. But then we will let Our Lord transform our efforts, "our poor water," into the choicest wine.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan examines three critical players in our spiritual life: the intellect, will, and heart. He offers a view of our life as a “journey back home,” relating the perilous journey in Homer’s Odyssey as a way of understanding the dangers confronting the Christian life in the modern world.“What a shame it would be,” he says, “to allow our day, our life, to be shipwrecked by the sirens of YouTube, a Netflix series, or Tik Tok.” Ultimately, Odysseus and his crew made it home because they knew the sirens were a “deadly menace,” and they did everything in their power to overcome them.If we form our intellect, will, and heart, giving each faculty its proper place, we too will overcome the obstacles that assail us on our journey Home. And we must totally commit to our destination: with all the power of our intellect, the strength of our will, and the passion of our heart.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter commemorates the canonization of St. Josemaria Escriva as well as the background of the founding of Opus Dei. He talks about the light St. Josemaria received on that fateful 2nd of October, after a decade of constant prayer, and how that light came to illuminate the rest of his life.We are also privileged to hear about Fr. Peter's own experience at the canonization of St. Josemaria, which he says was filled with people from all walks of life, and from many different countries and cultures. The ceremony itself, we learn, was a witness to the great impact of St. Josemaria's life on the whole world.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio speaks of the New Evangelization, a term coined by St. John Paul II, as the “original evangelization.” The early Christians did not go into far off lands to convert others to Christ, they started where they were: in their families, their workplace, their circle of friends. By sharing the Gospel with others, one by one, they eventually changed the culture and the world.The example of the early Christians reminds us that we don’t need to leave our place in the world to become great evangelizers. Christ calls us to be “the light of the world” in our everyday occupations and in the ordinary circumstances of our life. Our mission territory is right where we find ourselves. This is where Christ calls us to share His life.Ultimately this is what St. Josemaria envisioned for the laity, especially for “the life of the members of Opus Dei, ordinary Christians who strive to live their Christian vocation fully without leaving the world” (Conversations, no. 33). All of us are called to be the light, leaven, and salt in the middle of the world, “that by our very presence, by our very witness, Jesus says, we will start to change the world.”This podcast is part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of October. Access and download the full resources for free at www.stjosemaria.org.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares an insightful reflection on the Holy Archangels – St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael – in honor of their feast day on September 29. Fr. Javier explains how "the work of the Archangels is really one of service to God, adoring God, being messengers of God, and helping mankind reach its ultimate end of going back to God."As he reflects on the tasks of the Archangels in the history of salvation, Fr. Javier also shares anecdotes about St. Josemaria Escriva's personal devotion to the Guardian Angels and Archangels, to whom he entrusted "the specific apostolic endeavors that he was to undertake as part of the mission that God wanted of him... founding Opus Dei." We learn how St. Josemaria's devotion to the angels was rooted in Scripture and grew from their loving intervention in his daily life, which inspired him to write: "Drink at the clear fountain of the Acts of the Apostles. In the twelfth chapter, Peter, freed from prison by the ministry of Angels, comes to the house of the mother of Mark. Those inside will not believe the girl, who says that Peter is at the door. Angelus ejus est! It must be his Angel!' they said. See on what intimate terms the early Christians were with their Guardian Angels. And you?" (The Way, no. 570).On this feast day, let us strengthen our devotion to the angels by invoking them often and seeking their help to overcome our daily struggles against evil and increase our loving desire to serve God.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan underscores the perennial importance of persevering in our ascetical or interior struggle for "going higher and higher, doing whatever it takes to aim high, and to reach Heaven." We know that the Christian life is not compatible with self-satisfied mediocrity, love of comfort, and lukewarmness. We need great moral strength to reach Heaven and that means a daily perseverance towards sanctity. Therefore, as Msgr. Dolan explains, "to go higher and to get there requires a 'struggle' or 'warfare'... against the enemies of our sanctity, which include pride, laziness, love of comfort, sensuality, and a whole host of others." With practical advice and anecdotes from the life of St. Josemaria, Msgr. Dolan encourages us to fight our daily interior battles through which the discipline of a plan of work, good use of time, and small sacrifices will keep us exercising control over our appetites and keep us from falling into dissipation and lukewarmness.As you end this time of prayer, looking ahead into the new season and keeping your eyes on Heaven, what struggles do you want to conquer with a positive, cheerful, constant, and energetic spirit?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo explores the meaning that our human suffering can assume when we offer it out of love to God. He explains that “the Lord has not come to get rid of suffering–we continue to suffer all the time–but he has come to give it meaning with his Cross; he has come to give it the meaning of love.”As we unite ourselves to the Cross of Christ, our hearts expand to a deeper outpouring of love among those around us. If we embrace our Cross in this way, we too will "find Mary on the way, just as Jesus did," and she will comfort and sustain us with her maternal care (Holy Rosary, no. 9).As you pray with this meditation today, think of ways you can begin to see the Cross, whether it is one or several in your life, as a source of joy instead of sorrow. And, ask yourself: how can I better unite myself to Jesus and Mary by means of the Cross?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan invites us to remember how closely the Good Shepherd walks with us in our daily lives. He knows everything about us and is there at every moment, ever ready to guide, inspire, and support us as we aim to live out the particular vocation He has lovingly entrusted to us.God takes a risk with you. As St. John Henry Newman explains, “[God] has committed some work to [you] that he has not committed to another. [You] have [your] mission. He has not created [you] for nothing.” Ultimately, we are free to say ‘no’ to the mission God gives us. Yet only in fulfilling that mission wholeheartedly will we become truly happy and truly free.As you pray and reflect on this meditation, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and light to see how you can put your gifts and talents at the service of God. Remember that our human limitations and weaknesses need not deter us from responding generously to God’s will.This podcast is part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of September, available for free online at www.stjosemaria.org.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the standard of holiness which St. Josemaria characterizes by the following three points: holy intransigence, holy coercion, and holy shamelessness. He explains that we must form our heart and mind according to the gospel message so that we will have a firm foundation when confronted with opposition.We are encouraged to look to the example of the saints who were steadfast in seeking the truth despite facing opposing viewpoints. Inspired by their witness, we too can seek to attain the plane of sanctity through the ordinary moments of everyday life and be a reflection of Christ in the world today.In this podcast Msgr. Dolan shares excerpts from the Letter from the Prelate of Opus Dei dated February 14, 2017. This letter can be read in full online at opusdei.org.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio sheds light on the mystery of redemption and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  In the life of every saint—and here he draws upon personal encounters with John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and Alvaro del Portillo—there is an intimate connection with Christ and His Eucharistic sacrifice.  “My professional work,” says Fr. Peter, “even if I make my bed out of love, could have an infinite value when I allow it to be absorbed by Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.”As you meditate with this podcast today, think of any concrete efforts you can make this week to join yourself more intimately with the Eucharistic sacrifice.  When you are at Mass, remember that your work and sufferings can have an infinite value when you unite them to Our Lord.  Allow yourself to say, along with St. Paul, “it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).“Keep struggling, so that the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar really becomes the center and root of your interior life, and so your whole day will turn into an act of worship — an extension of the Mass you have attended and a preparation for the next. Your whole day will then be an act of worship that overflows in aspirations, visits to the Blessed Sacrament and the offering up of your professional work and your family life…” (The Forge, no. 69).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the importance of detachment in our spiritual lives, in order that we may be better able to make a generous gift of ourselves to Our Lord and to others.  He reminds us that while the comforts of this world can be good in themselves, they are ultimately fleeting.  Drawing upon the Parable of the Rich Young Man, Fr. Peter urges us to give all that we have so that we obtain Jesus.  In the words of St. Josemaria: “Bearing in mind what I have just said I want you to be completely convinced that, if we really want to follow Our Lord closely and be of real service to God and the whole of mankind, then we must be thoroughly detached from ourselves, our intellectual talents, our health, our good name, our noble ambitions, our triumphs and successes” (Friends of God, no. 144). As you pray and reflect upon this message, what attachments can you begin to “hack away” at today that will make the joy of Christ shine through your life more clearly? View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the life of faith modeled by Our Lady and how we too can be filled with a trust and joy that is unable to be shaken by difficulties.Looking to her example, Msgr. Dolan explains that our life of faith can also prosper through contemplative prayer, docility to the Holy Spirit, and trust in the will of God as we seek to share the light of Christ in the world today.In honor of this great feast of the Assumption, how will you continue to learn from Mary and ponder important things in your heart and to think deeply about the will of God in your life?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the spirit of detachment and the freedom from material goods as we seek to live more fully in the presence of God.As St. Josemaria explains: "The ordinary Christian has to reconcile two aspects in his life that may at first seem contradictory. There is on the one hand, true poverty, which is obvious and tangible and made up of definite things. This poverty should be an expression of faith in God and a sign that the heart is not satisfied with created things and aspires to the Creator; that it wants to be filled with love of God so as to be able to give this same love to everyone. On the other hand an ordinary Christian is and wants to be one more among his fellow men, sharing their way of life, their joys and happiness; working with them, loving the world and all the good things that exist in it; using all created things to solve the problems of human life and to establish a spiritual and material environment which will foster personal and social development" (Conversations, no. 111). This podcast is part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of August, available for free online at www.stjosemaria.org.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

As we conclude our mini-series on St. Josemaria’s homily, Passionately Loving the World, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the inestimable value of ordinary life and how it serves as a medium through which we encounter the presence of God. Drawing upon the hidden years of Christ’s life, Fr. Peter highlights the importance of being formed by the witness of our family and being nurtured by prayer so that we can lead a heroic life of faith, generosity, and service.Fr. Peter explains: “Don’t underestimate [your] individual calling. We are all called to be saints because sanctity does not depend on exactly what [we’re] doing, but how much love [we] invest in what [we’re] doing.”As you pray and reflect today, what steps forward can you take in your prayer life to strengthen your resolve to invite Christ into the ordinary moments of each day?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Do you love your life and the world with passion?In this podcast, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha continues our mini-series on St. Josemaria’s homily Passionately Loving the World with a reflection on our call to profoundly love and serve the Lord in and through our ordinary circumstances, especially our work. Fr. Donncha shares that, although worldliness can receive a negative connotation, we are called to give witness to the love of Christ in our daily actions as God became incarnate so that we can see and experience the world through his eyes.St. Josemaria explains: “A man who knows that the world – and not just the church – is the place where he finds Christ, loves that world. He endeavors to become properly trained, intellectually and professionally. He makes up his own mind, in full freedom, about the problems of the environment in which he moves, and he takes his own decisions in consequence” (In Love with the Church, no. 54).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Continuing our mini-series, “Passionately Loving the World”:  In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai shares a reflection on the dangers of keeping our faith solely within the confines of our personal life rather than allowing it to permeate every aspect of our life–from the church, to the office, and among friends. Fr. Eric encourages us to cultivate authentic friendships through which we can carry out the work of evangelization, seeking to bring the light of Christ into every corner of our world.St. Josemaria explains: “We cannot lead a double life. We cannot be like schizophrenics, if we want to be Christians. There is only one life, made of flesh and spirit. And it is that life which has to become, in both body and soul, holy and filled with God: we discover the invisible God in the most visible and material things. There is no other way, my daughters and sons: either we learn to find Our Lord in ordinary, everyday life, or we shall never find him” (Conversations, no. 114).As you pause and reflect today, in what area of your life do you need to more intentionally share and reflect the light of Christ?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In a homily given by St. Josemaria Escriva in the 1960’s, he called everyone gathered there to imitate Jesus’ love for humanity. But what does this call invite us to do today?As we begin a new four-part series on Passionately Loving the World, Fr. Peter Armenio enlightens us in this meditation by explaining that the call to passionately love the world invites us to leave our comfort zone, find new compassion for others, and to be present for those who do not know that they hunger for Christ, his consolation, and his peace. In turn, our efforts of imitating Christ will ultimately give our lives meaning and we will have found true love.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the simple question, can I truly become a saint? In this week’s podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares practical tips to seek guidance in our spiritual life when access to a spiritual director may be limited or unavailable. Although it may sound impossible to us, the path to sainthood challenges us to persevere in our daily life as we seek to imitate the life of Christ and discover God’s will. Inspired by the lives of the saints who have gone before us, we too can explore our unique path to sanctity as we attune our heart to the guiding voice of the Holy Spirit.This podcast is part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of July, available for free online at www.stjosemaria.org.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the heroic lives of these two great saints who accepted Christ’s invitation to repentance and fearlessly proclaimed the Kingdom of God. Their lives model for us a pathway of discipleship and illustrate the boundless love of God made known through the power of forgiveness.On this feast day, we pray for an increased trust in the Lord and the strength to fearlessly proclaim the faith in our daily life. As St. Josemaria reminds us: “Depend on Jesus for everything. You have nothing, are worth nothing, are capable of nothing. He will act, if you abandon yourself to him” (The Way, no. 731).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

As the Church concludes the year “Amoris Laetitia Family” on June 26, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection that challenges us to “launch out into the deep” and discover the Lord’s vision of the human family. Focusing on the relationship between parents and children, Msgr. Dolan suggests four essential values that should be instilled in each child raised in a Christian family: prayer, identity in Christ, service, and vocational awareness. St. Josemaria explains: “[The family] is a home full of light and cheerfulness. The unity between the parents is transmitted to their children, to the whole family, and to everyone who is involved in their life. In this way, every truly Christian family reproduces in some way the mystery of the Church, chosen by God and sent to be the guide of the world” (Christ is Passing By, no. 30).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this week’s podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina shares a reflection on the treasure of Christ, present in the Eucharist, and how we can become a living tabernacle in the world today. Fr. Leo draws our attention to the moments prior to the Ascension as Christ shares with his disciples the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:19-20).This powerful message is an invitation from Christ to participate in his salvific work, drawing all men and women toward Heaven. Christ humbles himself to become bread so that he may dwell fully within us, as a living tabernacle, and gives us the opportunity to participate more fully in his mission to share the gift of faith with future generations to come.As you pause and reflect today, how will you continue to mold your life of faith and prayer to draw closer to our Eucharistic Lord?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha shares a reflection on the Holy Trinity and how we are called to respond to God’s invitation of self-giving and love. He explains that “God, who is all perfect and self-sufficient, has no need of us. But, because he is love, he reaches out and draws us into his divine life, into the Trinity.” Our life, therefore, is transformed through the grace received in baptism which propels us forward to lead a life of love as we seek to be a reflection of Christ in the world today. St. Josemaria explains: “We do not exist in order to pursue just any happiness. We have been called to penetrate the intimacy of God’s own life, to know and love God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and to love also–in that same love of the one God in three divine Persons–the angels and all people” (Christ is Passing By, no. 133).As you pause and reflect on the mystery of the Holy Trinity, how will you respond to God’s invitation to participate in this relationship of divine Love?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

“Make friends with the Holy Spirit. Don’t speak to him; listen.”Drawing upon this simple direction given to St. Josemaria in regard to his devotion to the Holy Spirit, Msgr. Dolan prompts us in this week’s podcast to deepen our personal friendship with the Holy Spirit and encourages us to strengthen our conviction that the Holy Spirit is as active and as powerful as ever. We, therefore, must cultivate the virtue of docility to follow His lead and practice the virtue of hope as we seek to fulfill the will of God on Earth.As we prepare our hearts this week for the Solemnity of Pentecost, in what specific way do you want the Holy Spirit to manifest himself more powerfully in your life?View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Are you attune to the work the Holy Spirit is doing in your life? Is it hard to tune in sometimes?In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai shares a reflection on the Risen Christ and his time with the disciples between the Ascension and Pentecost. During these days together, the disciples were learning everything they needed to know for their profound mission on Earth. Christ was entrusting them to “go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).Following in the disciples’ footsteps, we too are called to proclaim the Gospel message in the world today. Fr. Eric encourages us to turn to the Lord in prayer and seek the grace of the Holy Spirit so that we can be filled with apostolic zeal to spread the light of Christ among those we encounter each day.As we listen to this reflection and pray, let’s take up the challenge to make one resolution this week through which we can give witness to the presence of Christ among those around us.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on embracing Mary as our spiritual Mother. He illustrates the idea that Mary is a great miracle worker through whom we can identify with our Lord and conquer the struggle to become holy by drawing inspiration from the Marian devotions of St. Josemaria Escriva, St. John Paul II, and Bl. Alvaro del Portillo.As St. Josemaria Escriva explains: “I would recommend that, if you haven’t already done so, you find out for yourself by personal experience the meaning of Mary’s maternal love. It is not enough just to know she is our Mother and to think and to talk about her as such. She loves you as if you were her only child in this world.” (Friends of God, no. 293).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo celebrates the Marian month of May and reflects on the importance of turning to Mary’s powerful intercession, especially through the Holy Rosary. He offers suggestions of how to honor Mary during this important month and reminds us to seek out the graces from Our Lord through the intercession of our Blessed Mother.Looking at the theology of intercessory prayer, Fr. Javier explains that we must “think bigger than favors just for [ourselves]; think of the Church, think of souls, think of conversions, think of vocations… for people who desire to take their baptismal call seriously. We need a lot of those people, the laity. We need to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers through the intercession of Mary.”View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan brings our attention to the days between the Ascension and Pentecost where we join Mary, the holy women, and the Apostles in the Upper Room as they eagerly await the coming of the Holy Spirit. As he explains, “Thinking of those in the Upper Room, there was nothing static about their daily life during those days between Easter and the Ascension. After all, they had spent three long years being constantly nourished by the Master. And so, during that time in the Upper Room, each of them had to dig deep into their interior life in order to grapple with their new situation, in order to seek strength.”As we continue to contemplate the events surrounding Christ’s death and Resurrection, Msgr. Dolan reminds us that Christ is not merely a distant figure of the past but that he is truly alive and present among us! So we also can find strength today in the same charisms that strengthened the Apostles during this pivotal time: contemplation, the Eucharist, and Our Lady’s maternal love. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Is Christian life growing in and around you?Concluding our Easter Mini-Series: In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a meditation on the relationship between contrition and our effectiveness as an evangelizer, in which both are dependent upon the other. Fr. Peter explains that contrition of our sinfulness propels us in a positive direction for we are admitting to the Lord we cannot go forward on our own but instead need his grace and love. By drawing closer to Christ through repentance and contrition, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and, like Peter, we are called to feed the sheep in the flock of Christ through giving witness in word and deed.St. Josemaria explains: “Whenever sanctity is genuine, it overflows from its vessel to fill other hearts, other souls, with its superabundance. We, the children of God, sanctify ourselves by sanctifying others. Is Christian life growing around you? Consider this everyday” (The Forge, no. 856).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Continuing our Easter Mini-Series: In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio turns our attention to the Apostles’ encounter with the Risen Lord along the shore of Galilee in which Peter jumps out of the boat and swims to shore out of his urgent desire to be with Christ. Peter’s actions surrounding the events of the Paschal Mystery show us that we all have the capacity to fall from the grace of God. However, Fr. Peter reminds us that the devil is always conquered if we freely turn to Christ through the sacraments and our life of prayer.Reflecting on the interaction of Peter with Christ on the shore, we see that repentance and contrition is the foundation of holiness. Jesus is inviting Peter back into a loving relationship with him, just as he continues to invite us into a deeper relationship each day. As we seek the Lord through the sacrament of confession, we freely express our love for him and encounter a more profound experience of his mercy.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Are you eager to run to Jesus this Easter season?In this podcast, the first in a three-part series on St. Peter and the Resurrected Christ, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the life of St. Peter and the circumstances surrounding his selection as the first Vicar of Christ. Leading up to the events of Good Friday, we encounter Peter in a moment of temptation as he denies his association with Christ. As the events unfold, Peter realizes his offense and runs to the Lord seeking his love and mercy.Peter’s steadfast hope and trust in the Lord gives witness to the importance of placing Christ at the center of our lives. Fr. Peter encourages us to run to the presence of Christ in the tabernacle, setting apart time for prayer and contemplation, and placing our spiritual life as the high point of each day.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

"Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" (John 8:4-5).Join the St. Josemaria Institute each week of Lent as we open our hearts to Jesus and wonder at His love, especially as we listen to His word in Scripture and reflect upon and live the Lenten practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.View Resources:Lent 2022: Jesus is Passing ByMeditation TranscriptSupport the show

"Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours" (Luke 15:32).Join the St. Josemaria Institute each week of Lent as we open our hearts to Jesus and wonder at His love, especially as we listen to His word in Scripture and reflect upon and live the Lenten practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.View Resources:Lent 2022: Jesus is Passing ByMeditation Transcript Support the show

Hand in Hand with Mary: A Spiritual Retreat guides us in the season of Lent to prepare, “hand in hand with Mary”, for the glorious Resurrection of her Son, Jesus Christ. By her life and intercession, Mary brings us to an encounter with Jesus Christ to experience true sorrow and repentance of our sins, true abandonment to God’s will, and the humility and strength to accept His will always and in everything.“With immense love Mary looks at Jesus, and Jesus at his Mother. Their eyes meet, and each heart pours into the other its own deep sorrow. Mary’s soul is steeped in bitter grief, the grief of Jesus Christ. O all you that pass by the way, look and see, was there ever a sorrow to compare with my sorrow! (Lam 1:12). But no one notices, no one pays attention; only Jesus. Simeon’s prophecy has been fulfilled: thy own soul a sword shall pierce (Luke 2:35)” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way of the Cross, 4th Station).Hand in Hand with Mary: A Spiritual Retreat is a collection of three meditations preached by Rev. Gavan Jennings, priest of the prelature of Opus Dei. Access the full retreat collection for free at www.stjosemaria.org.Support the show

"The first step to conversion is recognizing our own sins. God, in his Mercy, is always ready to forgive our sins, but He needs to find a repentant heart" (Fr. George Boronat).Join the St. Josemaria Institute each week of Lent as we open our hearts to Jesus and wonder at His love, especially as we listen to His word in Scripture and reflect upon and live the Lenten practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.View Resources:Lent 2022: Jesus is Passing ByMeditation TranscriptSupport the show

Have you ever felt rage or anger over things that are wrong in the world? Go to Joseph…In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai shares a reflection on the life of St. Joseph and how he sought to choose the good in every circumstance despite the many challenges he faced. He explains that we must seek interior healing from accepting our personal history and embracing those things in life that we cannot change. In doing so, we receive the virtue of creative courage which gives us the grace needed to follow the voice of God and helps us to discern our true good.Pope Francis explains: “Our lives may at times seem to be at the mercy of the powerful, but the Gospel shows us what counts. God always finds a way to save us, provided we show the same creative courage as the carpenter of Nazareth, who was able to turn a problem into a possibility by trusting always in divine providence” (Patris Corde, no. 5).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

"Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered" (Luke 9:28-29).Join the St. Josemaria Institute each week of Lent as we open our hearts to Jesus and wonder at His love, especially as we listen to His word in Scripture and reflect upon and live the Lenten practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.View Resources:Lent 2022: Jesus is Passing ByMeditation TranscriptSupport the show

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil” (Luke 4:1-2).Join the St. Josemaria Institute each week of Lent as we open our hearts to Jesus and wonder at His love, especially as we listen to His word in Scripture and reflect upon and live the Lenten practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.View Resources:Lent 2022: Jesus is Passing ByMeditation TranscriptSupport the show

As we begin a new season of Lent, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the importance of connecting with the Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a season to look inward and assess what the Lord is asking us to deny, offer up, so that we can share in his self-emptying and experience the joy of everlasting life.St. Josemaria Escriva reminds us that “conversion is the task of a moment; sanctification is the work of a lifetime” (Christ is Passing By, no. 58). The Lenten season is an opportunity to begin again, to continue laying the foundation of your spiritual journey, and to grow in holiness in your everyday life. By accompanying Christ in the desert, we can put into practice the spiritual tools needed to become a saint in the world today.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the role of marriage and family as catalysts in revitalizing Christianity in the world today. Contemplating the gospel of the Wedding Feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-12), Fr. Peter explains the significance of the sacramentality of marriage which facilitates a bond of fidelity, love and self-giving between a husband and wife. Through this bond, the home is able to become a school of prayer, joy, contemplation, dialogue, and love. Mother and father are able to share the light of Christ with their children and form their children in society. As St. Josemaria said: “I always look upon Christian homes with hope and affection, upon all the families which are the fruit of the sacrament of matrimony. They are a shining witness of the great divine mystery of Christ’s loving union with his Church. We must strive so that these cells of Christianity may be born and may develop with a desire for holiness” (Conversations, no. 91).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina reflects on the family as a school of love where we learn to use our freedom, and where we learn the meaning and value of life, sexuality, friendship, weakness, forgiveness and love. “Love is a powerful word,” says Fr. Leo, “and this is our legacy as Catholics… It is a treasure that we have received from Jesus Christ. Love is ultimately what brings people back to the truth.” Drawing upon the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-13), Fr. Leo reminds us that “we don’t love our families because they are perfect, we love our families precisely because they are imperfect… Family is the place where you’re welcome no matter what. And this is something that we need to convey to the world.” If we want to build solid families and relationships, we must learn to love everyone as sons and daughters of God by fostering trust, freedom, and understanding in our homes.As St. Josemaria explains: “What a son or daughter looks for in a father or mother is not only a certain amount of knowledge or some more or less effective advice, but primarily something more important: a proof of the value and meaning of life…” (Christ is Passing By, no. 28).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Is your family a happy family, filled with love and mercy?In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on what it means to be a family, following in the example of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In this Year of the Family proclaimed by Pope Francis, “we are called to rediscover the educational value of the family unit… being founded on the love that always regenerates relationships, opening up horizons of hope.”Fr. Eric challenges us to look inward within our family to find consolation in the moments of joy and happiness so that we may be filled with the strength to persevere in moments of trial. Looking to the Holy Family as our model, we can learn how to: forgive, be affectionate, and care for others, accompanying one another in our journey toward Heaven.[ Transcript ] [ Visit Show Page ]Support the show

In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of February, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on the importance of the Holy Mass in our daily life. He explains that in every Mass the healing work of Christ becomes present and effective in our world. Fr. Donncha offers encouragement for those times when we may not feel like going to Mass, for it is then when we absolutely need the Mass as it is an encounter with God’s love and a catalyst for our work of evangelization.[ Transcript ]Support the show

How can you create a family environment in which each person can thrive?In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan concludes our series, Marriage: A Christian Vocation, by reflecting on the virtues and ideals necessary to build up a strong, Christian family. Looking to the Holy Family as our example, Msgr. Dolan encourages all men and women to go about parenting in a thoughtful way, ready to invest the time and effort necessary to foster the following virtues in the home: faith, trust, patience, resilience, and joy.As St. Josemaria explains: “Every Christian home should be a place of peace and serenity. In spite of the small frustrations of daily life, an atmosphere of profound and sincere affection should reign there together with a deep-rooted calm, which is the result of authentic faith that is put into practice” (Christ is Passing By, no. 22).[ Transcript ] [ Visit Show Page ]Support the show

Continuing our series, Marriage: A Christian Vocation: In this podcast, Msgr. Dolan reflects on safeguarding the holy sacrament of matrimony through the trials and temptations that may arise. He explains that couples are called to continually seek the good of the other and to give of oneself just as Jesus gave himself to the point of death for each one of us.St. Josemaria reminds us: “We would have a poor idea of marriage and of human affection if we were to think that love and joy come to an end when difficulties arise. It is precisely then that our true sentiments come to the surface. Then the tenderness of a person’s gift takes root and shows itself in a true and profound affection that is stronger than death” (Christ is Passing By, no. 24).[ Transcript ] [ Visit Show Page ]Support the show

Through June 2022, in union with the whole Church, the St. Josemaria Institute podcasts, reflections and programs will be celebrating the topic of the Joy of the Family. This month, we will begin with a three-part series from Msgr. Fred Dolan offering a deeper reflection on the sacrament of marriage as a Christian vocation.Msgr. Dolan begins this series by sharing considerations from Pope Francis’ recent Letter to Married Couples for the “Amoris Laetitia Family” Year. Drawing upon the example of Mary and Joseph, we are given an example of how to respond to unexpected circumstances with faith and confidence in God’s loving providence.Pope Francis reminds us: “Marriage, as a vocation, calls you to steer a tiny boat across a sometimes stormy sea. Let us never forget, though, that by virtue of the sacrament of matrimony, Jesus is present in that boat; he is concerned for you and he remains at your side amid the tempest.”[ Transcript ] [ Visit Show Page ]Support the show

In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of January, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on our call to be sowers of peace and joy in the world today as we seek to lift up one another in charity. We see in Scripture that Christ comes to us as the good news of great joy, coming to Earth to save each person from sin. Fr. Peter reminds us that we are called to be an extension of Christ, reflecting his light and love to all people, living out the mission of the universal Church.St. Josemaria explains: “Christian apostolate is not a political program or a cultural alternative. It implies the spreading of good, infecting others with a desire to love, sowing peace and joy. We have the obligation of leading a fully Christian life, of becoming saints, of not betraying God and all those who expect a Christian to be an example and a source of truth” (Christ is Passing By, no. 124).[ Transcript ]Support the show

Do you have the aspiration, the desire, to give yourself completely to God? What is holding you back?In this podcast, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1), Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on our vocation as children of God and our calling to begin again as we give witness to the incarnate love of God the Father. Fr. Donncha explains: “The Lord wants to become incarnate in us, to live in and through us. You and I are called to live out our vocation as beloved daughters and sons in Christ and to become identified with Christ.” As we begin the New Year, we turn to the example of Mary and contemplate her docility to the Holy Spirit as she freely responded to the will of God in her role as our Blessed Mother. We can, therefore, seek the grace of the Holy Spirit in our own life and renew our desire to say yes to God more each day as we set forth in the New Year.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family on December 26, marking the halfway point for The Year of the Family: March 19, 2021 - June 26, 2022.In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on keys themes from Amoris laetitia, an Apostolic exhortation on love in the family written by Pope Francis. This exhortation sets forth the goal for us and our families to resemble more and more closely the Holy Family of Nazareth so that we become, as Msgr. Dolan encourages us, “leaven of a new humanity and of a concrete and universal solidarity.”[ Transcript ]Support the show

To conclude our Advent series:  In this week’s podcast, Fr. Javier reflects on the last of the cardinal virtues: temperance. The holiday season, in particular, is a good time to reflect on this virtue as we battle the temptations of partaking in so many pleasurable things and activities all around us! Temperance, the “virtue which allows us to regulate those things that give us pleasure here and now”, helps us “to use them, but not abuse them—to use them temperately insofar as they lead us to our ultimate end.” From his humble birth to later in life, Jesus Christ lived a spirit of temperance which allowed him to use the created world in order to save souls and bring them closer to God. As Fr. Javier explains: “For Jesus, the world is good— we have to know that. In fact, everything is created in the Word, everything is created in Him, and unto Him, and for Him. And so, there are no bad things that exist. But all those good things that exist need to be thought about very carefully, because the way we use those things in the world that are good, could lead us closer to God or could lead us away from God.“This last week of Advent, as we prepare to welcome Jesus, we ask ourselves: What am I looking for? Am I looking for safety and security in material things? How can I let go of those things that pass away?Download the companion to our Advent series and go deeper to enrich your prayer throughout the week: Be Ready![ Transcript ]Support the show

Have you heard the good news of great joy?In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on the moment within the Christmas narrative when the angels proclaimed the good news of Christ’s birth to the shepherds. The shepherds saw this incredible appearance of God’s glory around them, and they were given a sign: not some strange, obtuse and complicated puzzle, but rather a simple sign of a baby lying in a manger in the city of Bethlehem.God chose first to appear to the shepherds– a simple, watchful group of people. In doing so, God also invites us to set out within our hearts and to seek the infant Jesus in the manger. Fr. Eric prompts us to reflect: “If the Lord came today, are we that watchful? Or, maybe we’re more attentive to our screens, our devices, or our worries, or the latest sports results or political debates.” Rather, this Christmas, we seek the grace to be a watchful and contemplative people, ready to welcome the Infant Jesus and to hold him close in our heart.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Continuing our Advent series: In this week’s podcast, Fr. Javier reflects on the virtue of fortitude, which allows us to overcome difficulties when we need to achieve the good. When confronted by evil and suffering in the world, or challenges in our daily lives, we can easily lose our peace and sense of reason. But, as Fr. Javier explains, it is possible to coexist with pain and suffering and not lose our sense of reason when we seek and grow in the virtue of fortitude.Fr. Javier reflects on the reality that, “suffering is not something we look for; but when it comes, we certainly want what it takes in order to not get bogged down by it.” For this reason, we must look to the virtue of fortitude, and to the Holy Spirit, to be able to do things that go beyond our strength and overcome difficulties with courage.Download the companion to our Advent series and go deeper to enrich your prayer throughout the week: Be Ready! [ Transcript ]Support the show

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, honoring the dogma that Mary was conceived without Original Sin.In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on the joy of this great solemnity in which we are encouraged to pray for an increase in our docility to the work of the Holy Spirit so that we may turn away from sin and allow the Lord to work through us as we work to build up the Kingdom of God.Fr. Eric explains: “Even though we have sin, even though we have rebellion, even though we have those things that lead us away from God, the Lord can transform us nevertheless, and with Our Lady’s intercession, can truly make us into the saints that the world needs today, that the Church needs today, and that we truly want to become.”[ Transcript ] [ ASL Interpretation ]Support the show

Continuing our Advent series: In this week’s podcast, Fr. Javier reflects on the virtue of justice, in which we are called to give each person his or her due, and how we must foster this virtue in our relationships with God, our neighbors, and ourselves. The virtue of justice challenges us to examine ourselves and see how we can improve on a personal and spiritual level. In doing so, we are able to more freely correspond to the grace of God and will become more charitable in our actions within our everyday life.Download the companion to our Advent series and go deeper to enrich your prayer throughout the week: Be Ready![ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute is pleased to share a new four-part series for Advent— Be Ready!—reflections on the four cardinal virtues and how they can help us prepare our hearts for Christmas.In this week’s podcast, the first of the series, Fr. Javier reflects on the virtue of prudence which lays the foundation for us to grow in practice of the three other cardinal virtues: justice, fortitude, and temperance. The virtue of prudence challenges us to meditate on the life of Jesus so that we begin to acquire the way he thought, felt, and acted within his everyday life. Therefore, we must draw upon the grace received in prayer to help us discern the right action on our journey toward Christ.Download the companion to the series to go deeper and enrich your prayer throughout the week: https://stjosemaria.org/advent-2021/.[ Transcript ]Support the show

What does Christ’s teaching by the Sea of Galilee, surrounded by crowds, teach us about the waves that rise up in our lives and our need to keep our eyes on Christ?In this podcast, Fr. Donncha invites us to meditate upon the Gospel scene of Christ along the Sea of Galilee in which he shows his desire to enter into our lives to dwell in constant communion, conversation, and love with us. He explains that “Christ seeks us out, enters into our ordinary life, and fills the texture of ordinariness with the sublime beauty of his presence.” Therefore, through the divine grace of Christ, we can see our life which was once barren be transformed into something holy and divine. As St. Josemaria explains: “Your boat – your talents, your hopes, your achievements – is worth nothing whatsoever, unless you leave it in Christ’s hands, allowing him the freedom to come aboard” (Friends of God, no. 21).[ Transcript ]Support the show

Are you seeking to draw near to Our Lord more each day?As heard in the Gospel for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, we encountered the endearing figure of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who had a poor reputation among his Jewish confreres, but nevertheless had a deep desire to meet Jesus. He overcame his shame and reached out to be close to Jesus who was passing by. In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on the promptness of Zacchaeus– his initiative and the grace of conversion that he received on account of his own generosity. Fr. Eric challenges us to have this same initiative in our interior life and reminds us that it requires humble examination of conscience and a willingness to begin again. In doing so, we will obtain a lasting serenity and joy found only in the grace of Christ.[Transcript]Support the show

Do you live each day with the urgency and desire to bring the gospel message into your work, family, and social relations?In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the value of living an ordinary Christian life in the middle of the world. He prompts us to reflect on the fading Catholic identity in the world today and challenges us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our everyday life.Fr. Peter explains that: “Catholics, laity especially, have to give people an experience of Christianity, of Catholicism. The Church has to be brought to the workplace and to the family, to the party and to the sports field” because “the ordinary Christian in the middle of the world is, in fact, the true hope of the Church.”[Transcript]Support the show

In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of November, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on fulfilling our divinely given mission. He explains that “this inspired life begins with the awareness that God dwells within us, that he is keenly interested in everything we do, and that he awaits our loving response all day long. The challenge is to maintain that vocation sense every single day.” As we respond to our divine mission, we are strengthened with the grace to become a living witness to the love and mercy of Christ each day.[Transcript]Support the show

Is the Communion of Saints just a comforting idea? Or a true and deeply consoling reality? In this podcast, as we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints (Nov. 1) and the Commemoration of All Souls (Nov. 2), Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on the importance of community in our faith journey as we pursue the goal of eternal life with Christ in Heaven.Through the sacrament of baptism, we are welcomed in to communion with the Church and united to one another through the mystical body of Christ. We are never alone. Fr. Donncha explains: “The saints are cheering us on. They bear witness to the fact that holiness is indeed possible and that we too are called to that holiness, and that they help us by praying and interceding for us.”[Transcript] [ASL Interpretation]Support the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on three key themes from Guardian of the Redeemer, an Apostolic exhortation on St. Joseph in the life of Christ and of the Church written by St. John Paul II. The key themes—obedience of faith, work as an expression of love, and the primacy of the interior life—help us meditate on “the one into whose custody God entrusted his most precious treasures,” particularly as we near the close of the Year of St. Joseph on December 8.Msgr. Dolan explains: “The goal is not only for us to turn to Joseph with greater fervor and to invoke his patronage with trust but also to keep before our eyes his humble, mature way of serving and of taking in the plan of salvation. The stated goal helps us tremendously to focus on the fact that each of us has as our main mission to continue the work of redemption.”[Transcript]Support the show

In this podcast, as we celebrate the month of the holy Rosary, Fr. Leo Agustina shares a reflection on deepening our devotion to Our Lady through the holy Rosary, in which we discover our role in God’s plan of salvation. Reflecting on the Annunciation, Fr. Leo reminds us that Mary’s fiat, her openness to the will of God, is a pivotal moment for humankind. As she freely accepts the will of God, Mary embraces her role as our spiritual mother and demonstrates for us the power in redeeming the ordinary moments of everyday life.St. Josemaria explains: “Develop a lively devotion for Our Mother. She knows how to respond in a most sensitive way to the present we give her. What is more, if you say the Holy Rosary every day, with a spirit of faith and love, Our Lady will make sure she leads you very far along her Son’s path” (Furrow, no. 691). [Transcript]Support the show

In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of October, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on pursuing sainthood in and through the realities of our ordinary work. Fr. Javier illustrates this principle by incorporating examples from the hidden life of Christ and lessons from the parables in Scripture. He explains that, “if we let the Lord give supernatural prominence to our work, we will be able to sanctify our own work, sanctify ourselves in our work, and sanctify others through our work.” [Transcript]Support the show

In this podcast, as the Church prepares to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Archangels on September 29, Fr. Eric Nicolai shares Scriptural context on the creation of the angels and offers insight on how we can seek to imitate the virtues modeled by the Holy Archangels in our everyday life.Fr. Eric explains: “The Archangels motivate us to live for others in a true contest of meaning and purpose. No matter where we are, we always see the angels [present] in our life. They help us to live with hope, purpose, and courage.” As we strengthen our relationship with the Holy Archangels, we are filled with the grace to live courageously as an instrument of God at home, at work, and in our daily interactions.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In a society focused on external success and recognition, do we take time to look within and reflect: What do I love? Where am I going? How will I change the world?In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina shares a reflection on discovering the beauty of creation within our ordinary circumstances – our work, our interactions, our home – and how, by welcoming God into our midst, we can participate in his work of creation and transform the world around us.Fr. Leo explains: “Whatever is in [our] hands can be transformed, molded, into a masterpiece for [God]. It is up to [us] to discover the divine pearl in ordinary situations.” By contemplating our identity as a child of God, we come to a deeper understanding that our life is not defined by the label society may give us nor is it defined by our individual skill set – it’s about the love and interest we put into our vocation, for it is there that a miracle can occur.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Have we become used to, or even indifferent, to Jesus on the Cross? Where’s the Cross in our lives?In this podcast, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha shares a meditation in honor of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), which are “a great opportunity for us to deepen once more in the wisdom of the Cross and to ask the Holy Spirit to open our souls to this profound wisdom which is expressed in the phrase the Triumph of the Cross”. We contemplate Christ in the fullness of his humanity as he embraces his pain and suffering, allowing it to become a selfless, compassionate gift of love through which he redeems humanity. And, in this, we find the meaning of our suffering, trials, heartaches, and disappointments.Fr. Donncha then encourages us to turn to Our Lady who quietly accompanies Christ to Golgotha and remains with him at the foot of the Cross. Our Lady, therefore, teaches us how to unite our pain and suffering with Our Lord and gives witness to steadfast faith and hope found in the triumph of the Cross.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of September, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a meditation on the sanctification of human love as witnessed through the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. This gift of sacrificial love encourages us to look inward and reflect upon the opportunity to be a witness to the love of Christ is our daily life. Through the grace made present to us in the sacraments, we are strengthened to lay down our life for one another and inspired to love others out of love for Christ.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a meditation inspired by the phrase, “an hour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 335). Approaching academic learning as a form of prayer is not a way of life designed solely for students. Rather, it is a way of life that all Christians should adopt as it helps us develop a stronger worldview.Fr. Javier discusses how to approach Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the writings of the Church Fathers as a form of prayer. He also explains how to overcome three common obstacles – lust, curiosity, and falsehood – that inhibit our desire to study.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Is Christian life growing around you?In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio invites us to reflect upon the apostolate of attraction as the means by which we are to fulfill the Great Commission and lead others into a relationship with Christ. This type of apostolate, as old as the Gospel itself and encouraged by Pope Francis, begins by our faithful witness to the love of Christ: people need to see us as an oasis of joy and peace. It is our witness, only later accompanied by doctrine, that will prove the presence of Our Lord[ Transcript ]Support the show

As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary on August 15, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on the role of Mary as the new Eve and how we can obtain the joy of salvation through her intercession.Fr. Eric encourages us to enter into this feast day in a unique way, allowing ourselves the opportunity to be led into a deeper joy guided by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We are challenged to see ourselves through the prism of God’s love, to abandon the old ways of sin, and to set our eyes on eternal happiness in Heaven.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of August, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the importance of forming children in virtue so they become witnesses to the love of Christ. Msgr. Dolan explains this essential task requires sacrifice, time, intentionality, and authenticity, as children watch and respond more willingly to witnesses than teachers.Support the show

In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of July, Fr. Leo Agustina reflects on fostering bright and cheerful homes so that the family can be a source of grace and a witness to the love and mercy of Christ.Support the show

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the heroic lives of these two great saints who accepted Christ’s invitation to repentance and fearlessly proclaimed the Kingdom of God. Their lives model for us a pathway of discipleship and illustrate the boundless love of God made known through the power of forgiveness.On this feast day, we pray for an increased trust in the Lord and the strength to fearlessly proclaim the faith in our daily life. As St. Josemaria reminds us: “Depend on Jesus for everything. You have nothing, are worth nothing, are capable of nothing. He will act, if you abandon yourself to him” (The Way, no. 731). [ Transcript ]Support the show

In honor of the Feast Day of St. Josemaria on June 26, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on the origin and meaning of St. Josemaria’s title, “Saint of Ordinary Life”, and invites us to contemplate what God is saying and revealing to us as we seek the company and intercession of St. Josemaria.St. Josemaria said, “There is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary circumstances, and it’s up to each one of us to discover it.” Fr. Donncha, therefore, reminds us that the invitation of this feast day is to discover that something holy in the ordinary circumstances of our lives. And, that something is none other than “the living Christ, Jesus, close by us in our work, in our rest, in our families, in our friendships, in our social life, in our pains, in our sorrows, in our joys… whatever it is, the Lord is there with us.”[ Transcript ]Support the show

As we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day in the United States, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the important and necessary role fathers have within the family unit and in society today. Drawing upon anecdotes and heartfelt memories from his relationship with his own father, Msgr. Dolan shares seven points that can help fathers renew and strengthen their relationship with their spouse and children.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In preparation for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the Sacred Heart as an infinite treasure of love and mercy through which we come to know how much we are loved by God. We are invited to bring the truths of the Sacred Heart into our daily life for it is through this devotion which we can find the strength to withstand temptation and bear our cross, find hope amid discouragement, and find courage to evangelize no matter the circumstances. As we participate in the treasures of Jesus’ heart, we are able to draw upon the grace of Christ and in turn become transmitters of the love of Christ to those hearts that are empty of meaning, of hope, and of consolation.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the importance of spiritual direction as we pursue the path of holiness in everyday life. Fr. Javier shares Scriptural context for the basis of spiritual direction, offers practical advice on seeking out a spiritual director, and suggests what to discuss within the context of spiritual direction.This podcast is part of our Day of Recollection resources June 2021.Support the show

A Spiritual Retreat on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit guides us through a deeper understanding of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and shares practical applications of how to foster these gifts in our prayer and conversation with God.“We should be aware of the work of the Holy Spirit all around us, and in our own selves we should recognize the gifts he distributes, the movements and institutions he inspired, the affections and decisions he provokes in our hearts” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Christ is Passing By, no. 130).However, in our human weakness, our soul is clouded with the impurities of sin which inhibits our awareness to the work of grace. As we progress in our spiritual journey, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit help us overcome the obstacles of sin and lead us to the highest summits of holiness.Weaving together stories from the life of St. Josemaria and spiritual insights from Scripture, this retreat is an opportunity to enlighten our minds, purify our hearts, and strengthen our wills as we come to know the Holy Spirit in a more profound way and seek to encounter his presence in the ordinary moments of everyday life.Listen free audio retreat online: download today!Support the show

Concluding our Easter series, To and From Emmaus: In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on how the disciples’ encounter with Jesus Christ along the road to Emmaus serves as a template of evangelization, and how true evangelization is the ultimate fruit of our prayer and interior life.Jesus profoundly affected the hearts of his two companions – the disciples sense their hearts being uplifted, they sense that they are loved and affirmed, they sense the kindness and affection of Christ, and they become recipients of his joy and peace. We learn from Our Lord, therefore, that the way of true evangelization doesn’t necessarily consist in an ability to win theological debates nor does it consist in constant moralizing or defending good moral causes. These are all important elements of evangelization, but what’s essential in the work of true evangelization is that we attract, we encounter, and we accompany.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Continuing our Easter series, To and From Emmaus: In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the importance of nurturing our interior life in order to draw close to our Heavenly Father and to share the light of Christ with others. As we see in the gospel passage, Christ makes himself known to the disciples through the breaking of the bread and in sharing of the Word.In this time of prayer and reflection, Fr. Peter challenges us to make resolutions that can help deepen our Eucharistic piety so that we can be transformed by the grace of Christ and inspired to live out the Divine Commission. As St. Josemaria explains: “If you don’t keep in touch with Christ in prayer and in the bread, how can you make him known to others?” (The Way, no. 105). [ Transcript ]Support the show

Continuing our Easter series, To and From Emmaus: In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the disciples’ desire for Jesus to remain with them as evening falls along their journey as a template for our vocation in which we seek to remain with Christ through our pursuit of holiness. The journey of the disciples provides for us a framework which we can apply to our Christian life as we turn away from sin and conform our life to Christ.St. Josemaria prompts us to ask: “Why don’t you give yourself to God once and for all… really… now?” (The Way, no. 902). As we spend this time in prayer and conversation with God, we are encouraged to seek the grace of the Holy Spirit so that we may recognize the presence of Christ in our daily lives and burn with the fire of his love in our personal quest for sanctity.[ Transcript ]Support the show

As we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1, we are pleased to share “Go to Joseph”: A Spiritual Retreat, a collection of meditations that invites us to contemplate the life of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus Christ and model of virtue and leadership, and to understand more deeply: Why is the life of St. Joseph so important? Why did God choose St. Joseph to be his foster father on earth? What does St. Joseph’s life teach us about our own identities: where we come from and why God has also chosen us?As we turn to the example of St. Joseph, we learn how his life of virtue was fostered through his docility to the Will of God and perseverance in the tasks and struggles of daily life. This time of prayer on retreat is an opportunity to look inward and assess how we respond to the grace of Christ in our daily life. By imitating the life of St. Joseph, we too can overcome obstacles and sanctify the ordinary moments of daily life.Listen to the full retreat for free online: download today!Support the show

Continuing our Easter series, To and From Emmaus: In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the disciples’ desire for Jesus to remain with them as evening falls along their journey. As we compare the journey to Emmaus with our personal journey toward eternal life with Christ, Fr. Peter reminds us that our time on Earth is short and therefore we should set out with urgency to fill our life with deeds of love.In this time of reflection and prayer, we are challenged to ask ourselves: “How much can I do for Jesus in a given day?” When our time on Earth comes to a close, can we look back confidently and know that we have taken full advantage of our time as we pursue the path of holiness toward Heaven?[ Transcript ]Support the show

On April 23, 1912, at the age of 10, St. Josemaria Escriva made his First Communion.In this podcast, on the anniversary of St. Josemaria’s First Communion, Fr. Leo Agustina reflects on Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, and how the Eucharist shows us Jesus as he is and ourselves as we are. As we pray and contemplate the presence of Christ in the silence of our heart, we see that Christ seeks to redeem us and to transform our hearts so that we may imitate his presence in the world today. His presence in the Eucharist teaches us how to love— not only how to love God but also how to love others and how to love ourselves. As each of us remembers the first time we received Christ in the Eucharist, we can ask him to increase our desire to receive him better and to believe more in the reality of his love.St. Josemaria explains: “Jesus has remained in the Sacred Host for us! So as to stay by our side, to sustain us, to guide us. And love can only be repaid with love. How could we not turn to the Blessed Sacrament each day, even if it is only for a few minutes, to bring him our greetings and our love as children and as brothers?” (Furrow, no. 686).[ Transcript ]Support the show

Continuing our Easter series, To and From Emmaus: In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the desire for conversion that Christ inspires within the disciples and how we can imitate this act of repentance and change of heart in our daily lives. Amid their journey to Emmaus, Christ prompts a conversation with the disciples and identifies the interior pain and restlessness they experience as a result of what they believe to be an absence of Christ. It is through this conversation that Christ encourages the disciples to examine their conscience, seek repentance, and share the good news of the Risen Lord.As we too open our hearts to the grace of Christ, what sinful barriers do we need to break through to pursue a life of friendship with the Risen Lord?[ Transcript ]Support the show

Continuing our Easter series, To and From Emmaus: In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the disciples’ feeling of dejection and tragedy in response to Jesus’ death, not recognizing yet how his death and resurrection will become a symbol of conversion and transformation. We see, therefore, in the story of Emmaus that it is in the midst of our difficulties that we must turn to the Lord and unite our suffering to the Cross. Fr. Peter explains that though we may not always feel or perceive the presence of the Lord, we must remain rooted in the truth that the Lord never abandons us.God loves us and desires our happiness. By reflecting on the disciples’ journey to Emmaus, especially in our suffering, we are encouraged to draw near to Christ and respond to his outpouring of love by opening our heart to him in prayer.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute is pleased to present a new seven-part podcast series by Fr. Peter Armenio on the road to Emmaus as a complement to your time of prayer as we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord this Easter season.In this week’s podcast, the first of the series, Fr. Peter introduces us to the circumstances surrounding the disciples’ journey to Emmaus – what events are they leaving behind and what are they seeking as they walk ahead? The events that occur on the road to Emmaus serve as an allegory to the circumstances of our personal discipleship with Christ, illustrating that we can overcome our defeats with interior strength and spiritual victory.As we reflect with Fr. Peter on this spiritual journey over the next seven weeks, we are challenged to look inward and place ourselves within the experiences of the disciples and apply these events to our daily lives. In doing so, we will come away with a renewed desire to walk with and imitate Christ through the joys and sorrows of everyday life.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Praying the Stations of the Cross with St. Josemaria Escriva is an invitation and guide to praying and contemplating the traditional fourteen stations following the way of Jesus Christ’s passion and death. Like the original, this adaptation of St. Josemaria’s beloved devotion, The Way of Cross, seeks to help people to pray and, with God's grace, to grow in a spirit of reparation and of gratitude to Our Lord, who has rescued us at the cost of his blood.Physical copies of Praying the Stations of the Cross with St. Josemaria Escriva are available online to accompany this audio recording: order online. Each station is time marked below:00:00 Introduction06:35 Opening Prayer07:27 Station One10:25 Station Two13:12 Station Three16:07 Station Four18:43 Station Five21:26 Station Six24:36 Station Seven27:30 Station Eight29:59 Station Nine32:48 Station Ten35:48 Station Eleven38:32 Station Twelve42:15 Station Thirteen45:04 Station FourteenSupport the show

Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha concludes our Lenten podcast series by reflecting on how we can become vessels of God’s love and instruments of God’s grace through our participation in the Way of the Cross and sharing in Christ’s passion and death.Despite our sinful nature, Christ continues to call each of us to be witnesses of his love and mercy. Fr. Donncha explains that through our participation in the sacraments and through sanctifying our daily work, we can respond freely to the love of Christ and be a channel of grace to those we encounter in the midst of everyday life.As St. Josemaria explains: “Do everything for love. Thus there will be no little things: everything will be big. Perseverance in little things for love is heroism. A little act, done for love, is worth so much! (The Way, nos. 813-814).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19, honoring St. Joseph as the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and earthly father of Christ. During this Year of St. Joseph proclaimed by Pope Francis, we are reminded to go to St. Joseph and discover in him an intercessor, a support and a guide.In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina shares a reflection on the freedom of St. Joseph which allowed him to be an instrument in the story of salvation and share in the joy of the life of Christ. Fr. Leo explains that God counts on each one of us to be docile to the Holy Spirit in partaking in the work of Jesus Christ and bringing those we encounter closer to God through our personal freedom. Modeling the life of St. Joseph, we too can seek to live freely in the grace of Christ as we pursue the adventure of sainthood in the midst of everyday life.St. Josemaria explains: “Faith, hope, love: these are the supports of Joseph’s life and of all Christian lives. Joseph’s self-giving is an interweaving of faithful love, loving faith and confident hope. His feast is thus a good opportunity for us to renew our commitment to the Christian calling God has given each of us” (Christ is Passing By, no. 43).[ Transcript ]Support the show

What is it like to be there on Mount Calvary, on Golgotha, at the moment of the death of Jesus in the company of Mary and St. John the Apostle and the Holy Women?Continuing our Lenten podcast series, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on the wounds of Christ which helps us to realize our vocation to share in Our Lord’s suffering. As we contemplate Christ in his Passion, we are challenged to take part in it, allowing the cross to become a part of our daily life. By sharing in the cross of Our Lord, we become channels of grace through which we can lead others into an encounter with God.As St. Josemaria explains: “Do you want to accompany Jesus closely, very closely? Open the Holy Gospel and read the Passion of Our Lord. But don’t just read it: live it. There is a big difference. To read is to recall something that happened in the past; to live is to find oneself present at an event that is happening here and now, to be someone taking part in those scenes. Then, allow your heart to open wide; let it place itself next to Our Lord” (The Way of the Cross, Ninth Station).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

A Spiritual Retreat on St. Joseph, Father and Protector guides us on a prayerful reflection on St. Joseph as our father and protector, and his role in our salvation.On this retreat, we are guided to contemplate the life of St. Joseph, his virtues and zeal, and take a contemplative look at our own lives. St. Joseph teaches us– despite our weaknesses, doubts, frailty, and sinfulness– how to see all the things of our lives as having a higher purpose and he helps us to desire and grow in virtue in all the circumstances of our lives. With St. Joseph as our father and protector, we are able to see our lives as being a part of a larger guided providence and not as a random series of events.A Spiritual Retreat on St. Joseph, Father and Protector is a collection of five meditations preached by Rev. John Henry Hanson, O. Praem., a Norbertine priest of St Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, California and contributor to the St. Josemaria Institute.Listen to the full retreat for free online: download today! Support the show

What does it mean to be healed by the wounds of Christ? And, through understanding this saving mystery, how can we make reparation and show our love for the body of Christ?In this podcast, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha continues our Lenten podcast series contemplating Christ as a Man of Sorrows. Looking to the example of Christ, we come to realize that his suffering and Cross are also an essential part of our own biography as we cannot fully understand our past, present, and future without looking at Our Lord and meditating on his Passion. As we meditate on Christ’s sorrows, Fr. Donncha challenges us to live out the Passion of Our Lord with the same zeal as the saints. We must turn to the Crucifix in the midst of our suffering, meditating on the sorrows of Christ, allowing him to speak to us. In doing so, we will be renewed with the grace to persevere in our trials and we will receive a strengthened desire to love the Lord through our devotion to the Holy Eucharist.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

What is it like to see an adult who falls or has fallen to the ground?… And what does it mean for Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to fall to the ground?Continuing our Lenten series on the Way of the Cross, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects in this podcast on the tangible way God’s love is shown through his falls and physical weakness along the way to his crucifixion and death. Christ embraces his humanity and falls down out of love and solidarity with us to show that he is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives and that we are not alone in our suffering and death.Along the way, Veronica’s encounter with Jesus reminds us of our need to seek the face of Christ and fix our gaze upon Our Lord as he looks upon us with love, especially when we are faced with our weaknesses and our own moments of falling down. And Simon’s encounter with Jesus reminds us of the need to make reparation by trying to love in return, by living out the three pillars of Lent: prayer, sacrifice, and alms.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

Published in 1981, The Way of the Cross -- a posthumous work of St. Josemaria Escriva -- has become a beloved devotion for Catholics worldwide. This season of Lent, we will be sharing a new five-part podcast series from Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha on the prominent themes found in The Way of the Cross that can help us to be renewed and strengthened in Christ’s love through the contemplation of his Passion and death on the Cross.In this first podcast of the series, Fr. Donncha shares a brief history of The Way of the Cross as he introduces listeners to this beloved devotion in the Church. Fr. Donncha challenges us to spend time this Lent to discover how Our Lord loves us and gives himself up for us through his Passion and death on the Cross. Through our meditation on Christ’s pain and suffering, we can come to a deeper understanding and appreciation for the depth of God’s love and can seek to remain close to him in our most difficult moments.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In your decision to follow Christ, how can you become more in love with Jesus and never let that love grow stale?In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on how the grace received in responding to our vocation to follow Christ gives us a lense through which we can continue to grow in loyalty, fidelity and constancy. With this spiritual outlook, maintaining our daily practice of prayer to keep our focus on Christ, we are encouraged to forge ahead through those moments in which we may encounter spiritual dryness and disillusionment. Msgr. Dolan reminds us that it is also through offering simple aspirations and sticking to a daily plan of prayer each day that we are able to persevere in the face of temptation and remain faithful in our relationship with Christ.Saint Josemaria explains: “You told me that God sometimes fills you with light for a while and sometimes does not. I reminded you, firmly, that the Lord is always infinitely good. That is why those bright days are enough to help you carry on; but the times when you see no light are good for you too, and make you more faithful” (Furrow, no. 341).[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the Presentation of the Lord and the Church’s celebration of this feast on February 2. He explains the historical background of the event and what it means for us today, primarily that it is through the Presentation that we recognize Jesus as the Light of the World and we are given the hope of salvation. As disciples, Jesus’s Presentation is an invitation to bask in the Light and to radiate the Light among those we encounter each day, especially those in need of the consolation, joy and peace of Christ.St. Josemaria explains: “We are children of God. Bearers of the only flame that can light up the paths of the earth for souls, of the only brightness which can never be darkened, dimmed or overshadowed. The Lord uses us as torches, to make that light shine out… It depends on us that many should not remain in darkness, but walk instead along paths that lead to eternal life” (The Forge, no. 1).[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Rev. Javier del Castillo reflects on the lives of the early Church martyrs and the way they gave witness to their faith through the simple actions of everyday life. He explains how we too should foster an awareness of our personal sanctification and strive to be heroic in and through our ordinary circumstances. As we respond to the call to holiness with the same faith of the martyrs, we become cooperators in God’s divine plan and witnesses to the love of Christ.St. Josemaria explains: “We have been chosen gratuitously by Our Lord. His choice of us sets us a clear goal. Our goal is personal sanctity. Let us not forget, then, that we are in our Master’s sheepfold in order to achieve that goal” (Friends of God, no. 2).[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan continues our series on St. Josemaria’s homily The Richness of Ordinary Life by reflecting on the image of Christ as the Good Shepherd. The Gospel of John sets before us the imagery of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, capturing the selfless, sacrificial love Christ has for each one of us.Following in the example of Christ, Msgr. Dolan explains that we too are called to be good shepherds in our ordinary lives, having a constant concern for souls. He encourages us to pray about our role in the lives of others and stresses the importance of building community and creating fruitful interactions with one another. In doing so, we become imitators of the love of Christ and good shepherds in the world today.[ Transcript ]Support the show

How can we live a sanctified life and inherit the gift of eternal life?St. Josemaria explains: “Detach yourself from the goods of this world. Love and practice poverty of spirit: be content with what is sufficient for leading a simple and temperate life. Otherwise, you will never be an apostle” (The Way, no. 631).This reflection from Fr. Peter Armenio offers three practical considerations in applying St. Josemaria’s teaching on detachment: to recognize that God is good and offers a lasting joy, to live out the Ten Commandments so that we can freely choose Christ as our ultimate good, and to foster a spirit of self-giving. By detaching ourselves from the goods of this world, we become a reflection of Christ in the world today and partakers in the joy of everlasting life.[ Transcript ]Listen to the full Day of Recollection for January 2021 online.Support the show

As we look forward to the New Year and seek opportunities to begin again, we are pleased to begin a new podcast series reflecting on St. Josemaria’s homily The Richness of Ordinary Life, in which St. Josemaria puts before us the goal of personal sanctity and reminds us that the path of holiness lies in the little things of ordinary life.In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina draws inspiration from the Parable of the Sower and challenges us to cultivate an interior life full of “rich soil” through which we can produce spiritual fruit and grow in personal friendship with Christ. Fr. Leo reminds us that we do not have to seek out Christ in extraordinary ways, but that we can transform the ordinary moments of everyday life into opportunities in which we can encounter Christ. In doing so, we will find greater meaning and fulfillment in our daily life and work, and allow ourselves to be used as an instrument in the work of God’s salvation.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the Holy Family as the foundation and model of the love of Christ. We are reminded of the greatest event in history – God becoming human, becoming part of this universe. God came into this world through a family, spending the majority of his life in his home in Nazareth. It is through the hidden life of christ that we come to understand the great commandment, “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13.34). Christ spent the majority of his life putting this commandment into practice at home before spending his final years teaching it to others.Our ‘arena’ in which we can put the love of Christ into action is at home. The homy of a family is a natural setting in which prayer, service, joy, and love, among other virtues, are first taught and lived out. If we seek to change the world, we must first begin at home, in our own corner of the world, exhibiting a love that fosters a family atmosphere. We must also be rooted in prayer. Saint Paul tells us that through prayer, the love of God is poured into our heart. We cannot love like Christ is we do not know Christ. And thus, we turn to the words of St. Josemaria Escriva, “My God, teach me how to love! My, God, teach me how to pray!” (The Forge, no. 66).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the Annunciation of the Lord, as told in the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and invites us to contemplate and imitate Mary’s listening heart. Our expectation, preparation, and contemplation are heightened during these final days of Advent– this is true both as we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas and as we prepare to receive Christ in the Eucharist. Looking to the example of St. Josemaria, Fr. Javier explains that we can prepare to welcome the Lord by repeating brief prayers or aspirations throughout the day, asking Our Lady to help us listen to the voice of God as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on St. John the Baptist to show how, like the saint, we can become active listeners of the Word in our hearts. In particular, this talk aims to persuade you to embrace a lifestyle where there is room for meditation on Sacred Scripture and spiritual reading, such as the lives of the saints and spiritual classics, that can help us grow in our interior lives.Among the recommendations in this talk are three steps to get started on your spiritual reading plan:1. Make Time: Each day set aside time for spiritual reading (10-15 minutes) and Biblical reading (5-10 minutes).2. Take Notes: As you are reading or when you finish, write down what strikes you and what moves you. Also, start writing a list of passages from the Bible that you can frequently take to your prayer - make a top 100 list!3. Practice: What are you going to put into practice— a resolution, a goal, or a small sacrifice— that day (or the next) from your reading?Support the show

As we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, marking the halfway point of the Advent season, we are prompted to approach the manger scene in haste as we seek to discover the good news of our Savior’s birth.In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo draws upon the birth of our Lord in a lowly manger to illustrate our brokenness and need of a Redeemer. He explains the three kinds of concupiscence – lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life – and looks at how we can overcome these temptations with the virtues of purity and humility. Challenged by the gospel message, we can continue in our path to holiness as we join the shepherds and magi in preparing to welcome the Lord with purity of heart and joyful praise.Download the 2020 Advent Devotional: Come, Let Us AdoreSupport the show

St. Josemaria Escriva made many pilgrimages throughout his lifetime seeking opportunities to encounter God and praying for his conversion and of the whole world. Today’s podcast commemorates the 50th Anniversary of St. Josemaria Escriva’s pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City from May 15-24, 1970.His pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, on the Hill of Tepeyac, is recognized as the longest and one of the most important pilgrimages in his life. In this podcast, Fr. Javier shares historical insight to the pilgrimage and the lessons we can learn from St. Josemaria’s example of Marian devotion.Support the show

Fr. Javier del Castillo continues our Advent podcast series reflecting on the call we receive at baptism to become a saint. In looking at the vocation of the twelve apostles, we see Christ choose ordinary men with defects and shortcomings to be instruments in the work of grace. Fr. Javier reminds us that the Lord works in all people through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Though we may notice our own individual shortcomings, if we are susceptible to the work of the Lord, we too can pursue our vocation and be instruments of grace in our daily life.Download the 2020 Advent Devotional: Come, Let Us AdoreSupport the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan looks to the example of the Holy Family as a model of living out authentic virtue in every area of our lives. He reflects on the importance of being a witness to the love of Christ and shares practical examples of how we can create an environment at home that strengthens children in the fundamental areas of virtue: authentic piety, the use of technology, the need for silence, holy purity, and generosity.St. Josemaria explains: “If a man fosters and cultivates the seeds of virtue within him, God will smooth out his path, and such a person will be able to become holy because he has known how to live as a man of good will” (Friends of God, no. 75).Listen to the Day of Recollection for December 2020 online.Support the show

Are you ready to open your heart to Jesus this Advent?Fr. Javier del Castillo begins our Advent podcast series reflecting on St. Josemaria’s simple instruction for a fruitful and peaceful Advent: “Open your own hearts to Jesus and tell him your story” (Christ is Passing By, no. 1). To understand how Christ enters into the lives of His people, Fr. Javier reflects on key gospel figures whose encounter with the Lord opened their eyes to new horizons and provided a source of countless graces to say yes and to find true peace.As we listen to this reflection, Fr. Javier helps us to open our hearts in conversation and prayer with Jesus and to allow Him to accompany us in our daily experiences in preparation for the celebration of His birth at Christmas. To accompany your time of prayer and reflection, download our Advent Devotional ‘Come, Let Us Adore’. Support the show

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Fr. Javier del Castillo reminds us in this meditation, as St. Josemaria Escriva often did, that we ought to thank God always by habitually making frequent acts of thanksgiving, acts of gratitude.Fr. Javier explains: "We were never asked by God to come into existence. Everything we have – our talents, our virtues, even our defects – all have been foreseen by God, allowed by God, and given to us by God so that we can fulfill the single mission that we have received from before the foundation of the world."As we strive to maintain a constant spirit of gratitude in our lives we will realize that thanksgiving enlarges our hearts to receive even greater gifts from God.Support the show

The Solemnity of Christ the King is a day to celebrate and remember that "Christ, true God and true man, lives and reigns. He is the Lord of the universe. Everything that lives is kept in existence only through him" (Christ is Passing By, no. 180). On this feast we also end the liturgical year and begin to prepare for Advent and Christmas.In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on St. Josemaria's approach to the spiritual life in which we must be open and willing to begin again. At the start of a new liturgical year, we are encouraged to look inward, assess our spiritual life, and identify the ways in which we can renew and strengthen our relationship with Christ.Support the show

Are you attune to the voice of God and open to the plans he has for you?In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina reflects on the life of Mary and the pivotal moment in which she changed the course of history through accepting her vocation as the Mother of God. Following in her example, we too must seek to make room in our heart for the Lord. Fr. Leo reminds us that it is first at home in our daily life where we discover our vocation which then leads us to discover holiness in the midst of the world.St. Josemaria explains: “God is calling you to serve him in and from the ordinary, material and secular activities of human life. He waits for us every day, in the laboratory, in the operating theater, in the army barracks, in the university chair, in the factory, in the workshop, in the fields, in the home and in all the immense panorama of work. Understand this well: there is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it” (Conversations, no. 114).Support the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the standard of holiness which St. Josemaria characterizes by the following three points: holy intransigence, holy coercion, and holy shamelessness. He explains that we must form our heart and mind according to the gospel message so that we will have a firm foundation when confronted with opposition.We are encouraged to look to the example of the saints who were steadfast in seeking the truth despite facing opposing viewpoints. Inspired by their witness, we too can seek to attain the plane of sanctity through the ordinary moments of everyday life and be a reflection of Christ in the world today.Support the show

The Church commemorates the faithful departed on November 2, praying in a special way for those in purgatory who remain in hope of entering the joy of heaven. In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of November, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares examples of how we can remember and honor loved ones who have passed away and encourages us to remain steadfast in praying for the holy souls in purgatory.As we remember the faithful departed, we are reminded that life is a gift from God in which we will be held accountable for our actions at the conclusion of our earthly pilgrimage. Fr. Javier reminds us to take advantage of the time we have now to seek holiness each day and to love others with the heart of Christ.Support the show

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1, honoring both the known and unknown saints. In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina shares a reflection inspired by the lives of the unknown saints and challenges listeners to pursue sainthood in the world today amid the joys and trials of daily life.As St. Josemaria explains: “Don’t wait until you are old to start becoming a saint. That would be a great mistake! Begin right now, in earnest, cheerfully and joyfully, by fulfilling duties of your work and of your everyday life” (The Forge, no. 113).Support the show

What do authentic, faith-filled friendships look like?Reflecting upon the life of Pope Saint John Paul II, we see the witness of his authentic, faith-filled friendships come to fruition through his life of piety, trust in the Lord, and love of neighbor. In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio examines the life of Pope Saint John Paul II and draws inspiration from the personable interactions he shared with those close to him.By imitating the lives of the saints and pursuing a relationship with Christ, we can learn to foster genuine friendships in our own life and journey with others along the path of holiness. As St. Josemaria explains: “In a Christian, in a child of God, friendship and charity are one and the same thing. They are a divine light which spreads warmth” (The Forge, no. 565).Support the show

Have you felt the desire to make a spiritual retreat but overwhelmed at how to begin?In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo offers practical tips and suggestions to make the most of a spiritual retreat by eliminating distractions to avail ourself to the voice of Christ. He examines three purposes for a retreat: to re-kindle our love for God, to examine ourself in light of God’s love and truth, and to consider the life of our Lord by placing ourself within the Gospel. By making an annual spiritual retreat, we can find solitude with Christ and return to daily life with a renewed love and energy to share the grace of Christ with others.Listen and download our spiritual audio retreat collections online.Support the show

Are you living with the desire to become a saint?In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the month of October, Fr. Peter Armenio shares spiritual insights from his experience of attending the canonization Mass of St. Josemaria Escriva in 2002. Reflecting back on this historic moment, Fr. Peter looks at the impact the life of St. Josemaria continues to have upon countless people throughout the world and reminds us to live out the gospel message in the ordinary moments of everyday life. In doing so, we too can follow in St. Josemaria’s footsteps along the path to sainthood.Support the show

October 2nd marks a special anniversary in the life of St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei. In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo explains how God showed St. Josemaria his vocation to be the founder of Opus Dei and the prayers and circumstances that led up to that moment. Reflecting on this anniversary will help lead us to ask ourselves: “What does God want of me?” “What does He want me to do?” And, we learn practical ways in which we can answer those questions through our daily life and work.To learn more about Opus Dei, its history and mission, visit: www.opusdei.org.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a reflection on the Holy Archangels–St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael–in preparation for the feast of the Holy Archangels on September 29. As we reflect on the tasks of the angels in the history of salvation, we are encouraged to strengthen our own devotion to the angels, especially through the example of St. Josemaria Escriva.St. Josemaria explains: “We must spend our life completely in the service of the Lord. If our desire for holiness is sincere, if we are docile enough to place ourselves in God’s hands, everything will go well. For he is always ready to give us his grace – grace for a new conversion, a step forward in our lives as Christians” (Christ is Passing By, no. 59).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Justin Gillespie reflects on true friendship as a rare and precious gift. While it is a gift, friendship is also something that we need. Jesus provides it, and by praying about what true friendship is, we can rediscover the vital importance of friendship with Christ.St. Josemaria explains: “God never abandons us. It is not a proper Christian attitude to look upon friendship with God only as a last resort. Do we think it normal to ignore or neglect the people we love? Obviously not! Those we love figure constantly in our conversations, desires and thoughts. We hold them ever present. So it should be with God” (Friends of God, no. 247).Support the show

In this podcast we rebroadcast a cherished meditation from the first five years of the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast. This reflection from Msgr. Fred Dolan leads us to consider our own relationship with Mary, through whom we are led closer to the heart of Christ.As St. Josemaria Escriva wrote: “Today as in other times, the rosary must be a powerful weapon, to enable us to win in our interior struggle and to help all souls. Exalt holy Mary with your tongue: God asks you for reparation, and for praise from your lips. May you always want to know how to spread peace and happiness throughout the world, through this beautiful devotion to our Lady, and through your watchful love” (Holy Rosary, Author’s Note).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on Mary’s title "Mother Most Amiable", showing us how Mary invested in the lives of others as true friends. As we reflect upon the Visitation and the Wedding Feast at Cana, it is evident to see the genuine concern and authentic love Mary has for those around her. These stories offer inspiration and encouragement for us as we foster holy friendships in our own lives and seek to imitate the joyful example of our Blessed Mother, Mary.St. Josemaria explains: “What does a mother want most of all from her children, from those who are flesh of her flesh and blood of her blood? Her greatest desire is to have them close to her. When the children grow up and it is no longer possible to have them beside her, she waits impatiently for news from them, and everything that happens to them, from the slightest illness to the most important events, concerns her deeply” (Friends of God, no. 289).Support the show

Do you find yourself lacking resilience in the spiritual life, often resulting in taking “two steps forward, one step back” when it comes to your relationship with Christ?In this podcast, part of our Day of Recollection resources for the Month of September, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on confronting the struggles we face in strengthening and maintaining our relationship with God. Drawing upon the lives of the saints, he reminds us of the importance in establishing a plan of life to foster discipline within our spiritual life. As we create order in our daily life of work and prayer, we become less inclined to act on temptations and will instead have the strength to remain focused on Christ.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a meditation inspired by the phrase, “an hour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 335). Approaching academic learning as a form of prayer is not a way of life designed solely for students. Rather, it is a way of life that all Christians should adopt as it helps us develop a stronger worldview.Fr. Javier discusses how to approach Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the writings of the Church Fathers as a form of prayer. He also explains how to overcome three common obstacles –– lust, curiosity, and falsehood –– that inhibit our desire to study.Support the show

Do you have the desire and goal to love others well?In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on sharing the love of Christ with those we encounter each day: among our family, friends, and colleagues. He explains that to love others well, we must first deny ourself by embracing our daily struggles and sacrificing for the good of others. As we transform our disposition toward our challenges, we can become more receptive to the grace attained through charity.St. Josemaria explains: “Charity is not something we ourselves build up. It invades us along with God’s grace. We would do well to fill, to saturate ourselves with this most beautiful truth: ‘If we are able to love God, it is because we have been loved by God.’ You and I are able to lavish affection upon those around us, because we have been born to the Faith, through the Father’s love for us” (Friends of God, no. 229).Support the show

In this podcast, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Fr. Javier del Castillo revisits the dogma of the Assumption, discusses St. Josemaria’s devotion to Our Lady, and explains how we too can participate in the mystery of the Assumption.St. Josemaria explains: “As we meditate on these truths, we come to understand better the logic of God. We come to realize that the Supernatural value of our life does not depend on accomplishing great undertakings suggested to us by our overactive imagination. Rather it is to be found in the faithful acceptance of God’s will, in welcoming generously the opportunities for small, daily sacrifice” (Christ is Passing By, no. 172).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Justin Gillespie shares some considerations on ways that we can speak to our Lord in the stillness, in the silence, of being present in his presence in the Eucharist. He also reminds us to call upon the Blessed Virgin Mary for help and guidance as we make efforts to improve our relationship with God and in turn improve our lives.Support the show

What is the vocation of a priest, and how can we as the lay faithful support them in their path of life?In this podcast, as we celebrate the feast of St. John Vianney, Fr. Javier del Castillo explains why priests need our prayers and reflects on the four characteristics of a priestly soul according to St. Josemaria Escriva.St. Josemaria explains: “The Church needs priests, and always will. Ask the Blessed Trinity for them each day, through Holy Mary. And pray that they may be cheerful, hard-working, effective; that they may be well trained: and that they may sacrifice themselves joyfully for their brothers, without feeling that they are victims” (The Forge, no. 910).Support the show

Has anyone ever told you to let go and let God?In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a reflection on the Gospel scene in which Martha welcomes Christ into her home (Luke 10:38-42) and reveals to us the meaning of letting go and letting God into our lives.In the Gospel passage, we notice Martha become caught up in the activity and details of serving Christ which inhibit her from fully enjoying the presence of Christ in her home. This theme is echoed in society today with a strong push for perfectionism in our work and at home. To contradict this vice, Fr. Javier reminds us to identify the intention behind our work so that we may continue to glorify God in all that we do. Working with intention allows us to be receptive to the grace of the Holy Spirit and helps us to recognize the presence of Christ in the ordinary moments of everyday life.Support the show

Why is marriage important to society today? And, what distinguishes a healthy marriage from one that is in serious trouble?On this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the Sacrament of Marriage and how it is the cornerstone to society and the image of the eternal love between Christ and his Church.Marriage is the pathway for spouses to lead one another to heaven. For a marriage to flourish, it must be grounded so that each spouse is able to see the other as God sees him or her. Spouses must seek out genuine admiration for the gifts of the other, realizing that two lives become one as they build the foundation upon which they can strive for sanctity.Marriage is hard work. We marry imperfect people, yet are called to love them with their defects and limitations. Men and women are very different. We may not understand each other, but we are called to accept and love one another. Marriage is like a pearl of great price – it is worth fighting for it.Support the show

Amid the challenges of your day, do you find God there with you as a Loving Father?In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the fatherly love of God and the joy we can experience when we live in proper relationship with him. This timely meditation speaks to the challenges present in society and inspires listeners to be a reflection of the love of God in the world today.St. Josemaria explains: “Charity is not something we ourselves build up. It invades us along with God’s grace, ‘because he has loved us first’. You and I are able to lavish affection upon those around us, because we have been born to the Faith, through the Father’s love for us. Ask God boldly for this treasure, for the supernatural virtue of charity, so that you may practice it even in the smallest details” (Friends of God, no. 229).Support the show

In this podcast, from our Day of Recollection resources for the month of July, Fr. Peter Armenio poses the important question: Do you really want to be a saint?As we reflect upon this question, Fr. Peter reminds us that we cannot rely solely on the desire for sanctity, but that we must actively choose to live in the presence of God. We are encouraged to form ourselves through prayer, spiritual reading, and the sacraments. These opportunities for spiritual formation allow us to remain confident in the Gospel message and inspire us to share the love of Christ to those we encounter each day.Support the show

A Spiritual Retreat on the Temptations of Christ invites you to journey with Christ through six key moments in which he encountered and resisted temptation.This retreat prompts us to look inward and assess the temptations we face in our daily life – in our profession, in our spiritual life, with family, among friends. As we look at the example of Christ, we come to understand the necessary virtues we need to overcome temptation and persevere in our journey toward heaven. A Spiritual Retreat on the Temptations of Christ is ideal for anyone seeking to take 1 - 2 days from daily life to spend quiet time in prayer and reflection. This retreat is a collection of seven meditations preached by Fr. Javier del Castillo, priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei and Vice President of the St. Josemaria Institute. Originally given to a group of educators in February 2020, the themes addressed in this retreat are applicable for those in any profession. Included with this retreat is a guide to help you reflect upon the temptations you encounter each day and identify how you can overcome them with the grace of God.Support the show

As we prepare for and celebrate the Feast Day of St. Josemaria Escriva on June 26, we share a new podcast from Fr. Peter Armenio reflecting on the spiritual aspiration of St. Josemaria: to hide and disappear, wanting Jesus alone to shine.Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Josemaria set out to encounter Christ in the ordinary moments of everyday life. In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the humble, yet impactful, life of St. Josemaria and connects his life to the lessons Christ shares with us in the parable of the mustard seed.As Christians, we also desire to be inspired by the Holy Spirit to have the faith, hope and love to begin again in our pursuit of following Christ more closely and settling for nothing less than personal holiness.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the immeasurable love of Christ as we prepare for and celebrate the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Christ became incarnate and took on a human heart to model for us the ability to love with our own heart of flesh if we are receptive to the grace of God. As Christians, we must allow for the love of Christ to permeate our daily actions so that others may see and encounter the heart of Christ.St. Josemaria explains: “The source of all grace is God’s love for us, and he has revealed this not just in words but also in deeds. It was divine love which led the second Person of the holy Trinity, the Word, the Son of God the Father, to take on our flesh, our human condition, everything except sin. And the Word, the Word of God, is the Word from which Love proceeds” (Christ is Passing By, no. 162).Support the show

In today’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a reflection on the mystery of the Eucharist, the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice of infinite love, that we can use for our prayer as we celebrate and contemplate today the beautiful gift of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).Saint Josemaria explains: “Eternal happiness begins now for the Christian who is comforted with the definitive manna of the Eucharist. This is the Good News. News, because it speaks to us of a deep love which we never could have dreamed of. Good, because there is nothing better than uniting ourselves to God, the greatest Good of all. It is Good News, because in an inexplicable way it gives us a foretaste of heaven” (Christ is Passing By, no. 152).Support the show

On June 1 the Church celebrates the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. Traditionally the Church is also called Mother, through which we are nourished, consoled, washed, embraced, and reborn. We run to it in times of difficulty. The Church is an extension of Christ, and in the background is the icon of the Church—Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church.In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on this mystery; how we can bring the mystery to our daily lives; and, how Mary wants us to treat her as Mother in every sense of the word.St. Josemaria explains: “Find out for yourself by personal experience the meaning of Mary’s maternal love. It is not enough just to know she is our Mother and to think and to talk about her as such. She is your Mother and you are her son. She loves you as if you were her only child in this world. Treat her accordingly: tell her about everything that happens to you, honor her and love her” (Friends of God, no. 293).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the spiritual transformation the Apostles went through upon receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As disciples of Christ, if we are docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we can continue the work of the Apostles in sharing the Gospel message in the world today.St. Josemaria explains: “The Holy Spirit is present in the Church of Christ for all time, so that it may be, always and in everything, a sign raised up before all nations, announcing to all men the goodness and the love of God. The presence and the action of the Holy Spirit in the Church are a foretaste of eternal happiness, of the joy and peace for which we are destined by God” (Christ is Passing By, no. 128).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on Christ’s last words before his Ascension and explains that in the work of evangelization no one can be ignored – “out of a hundred souls we are interested in a hundred.”St. Josemaria explains: “What compassion you feel for them! You would like to cry out to them that they are wasting their time… Why are they so blind, and why can’t they perceive what you – a miserable creature – have seen? Why don’t they go for the best? Pray and mortify yourself. Then you have the duty to wake them up, one by one, explaining to them – also one by one – that they, like you, can find a divine way, without leaving the place they occupy in society” (Furrow, no. 182).Support the show

St. Josemaria Escriva made many pilgrimages throughout his lifetime seeking opportunities to encounter God and praying for his conversion and of the whole world. Today’s podcast commemorates the 50th Anniversary of St. Josemaria Escriva’s pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City from May 15-24, 1970.His pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, on the Hill of Tepeyac, is recognized as the longest and one of the most important pilgrimages in his life. in this podcast, Fr. Javier shares historical insight to the pilgrimage and the lessons we can learn from St. Josemaria’s example of Marian devotion. Toward the end of this meditation (at 21:52), Fr. Javier shares an excerpt from Dream and Your Dreams Will Fall Short by Pedro Casciaro, available in our online shop at www.stjosemaria.org.Support the show

A Spiritual Retreat on the Conversion of St. Mark invites you to contemplate the life of St. Mark and accompany him through the central moment in his life in which we witness the man who was once a runaway from Christ become an evangelist for the Catholic faith.This retreat helps us to reflect on our vocation and personal call to holiness, regardless of our state in life. In his own pursuit of holiness, we see St. Mark overcome fear to become a daring, courageous disciple of Christ. Like St. Mark, when faced with difficulty in our own life, will we choose to flee bravely from temptation or will we flee cowardly from grace?A Spiritual Retreat on the Conversion of St. Mark is ideal for anyone seeking to take 1 - 2 days from daily life to spend quiet time in prayer and to enter more deeply into the Gospel. It is an opportunity to examine our spiritual life, reflecting upon the moments in which we have abandoned God and rejoicing in the gift of His merciful love.Access the full retreat online: download today!Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the continual call toward conversion as we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. Drawing on the familiar story of the road to Emmaus, Fr. Peter encourages us to persevere in our daily prayer and to remain faithful through the moments in which we may not always recognize the presence of Christ.St. Josemaria explains: “Persevere in prayer. Persevere, even when your efforts seem sterile. Prayer is always fruitful” (The Way, no. 101).View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on this joyous Easter season and the consoling truth of the faith in which we know that Christ has conquered sin and death for all. This season encourages us to look inward and foster a resurrection within our spiritual life. As we continue to grow in holiness, we receive the grace needed to be a vessel in which others can encounter Christ through our witness.St. Josemaria explains: “Easter is a time of joy – a joy not confined to this period of the liturgical year, but to be found really and fully in the Christian’s heart. For Christ is alive. He is not someone who has gone, someone who existed for a time and then passed on, leaving us a wonderful example and a great memory. No, Christ is alive. Jesus is the Emmanuel: God with us.” (Christ is Passing By, no. 102).Support the show

St. Josemaria Escriva recognized that God’s forgiveness is even more impressive than his ability to create something out of nothing, and that “his absolute power is best shown in his power to forgive.” On our part, we ultimately have to accept God’s gift of Divine Mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation that he established.In this reflection from Fr. Javier del Castillo, we learn how Christ forgives us, just as he forgave Thomas and the Apostles for running from the Cross and not having believed on Good Friday. After this encounter with the resurrected Christ, we must be sure of God’s forgiveness, and move on to forgiving others.Support the show

As we celebrate Easter Sunday and rejoice in the Resurrection, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the insurmountable joy we receive in awareness of the good news that Christ is alive. This message leads us to cultivate an interior conversion in which we can discover the presence of Christ in everyday life.Amidst the current challenge of social distancing, Msgr. Dolan encourages us to remain steadfast in prayer and to use this time as an opportunity to discover the plans God has for us so that we may continue to carry out his mission here on earth.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the five sorrowful mysteries to help us slow down and go deeper as we pray each decade of the Holy Rosary. St. Josemaria explains: "As we draw closer during this Holy Week to the suffering of Jesus Christ, let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to enable us, like her, to keep all these things in our minds and ponder over them in our hearts” (Friends of God, no. 126).Each mystery is time marked below:0:00 First Mystery: The Agony in the Garden5:10 Second Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar8:51 Third Mystery: The Crowning of Thorns13:18 Fourth Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross17:15 Fifth Mystery: The CrucifixionSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the mystery of Christ’s suffering as we approach the Sacred Triduum and look forward to celebrating the joy of the Resurrection. As we look at the final hours before his Crucifixion, we see Christ contemplate the sins of humanity and willingly embrace the Cross. He takes on our suffering and bears the weight of our sins so that we too may dwell with him in heaven.St. Josemaria explains: “Let us meditate on our Lord, wounded from head to foot out of love for us. At the sight of Christ bruised and broken – just a lifeless body taken down from the cross and given to his Mother – at the sight of Jesus destroyed in this way, we might have thought he had failed utterly. But this is victory, not defeat. We are nearer the resurrection than every before; we are going to see the triumph which he has won with his obedience” (Christ is Passing By, no. 95).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the Gospel passage of the Passion of Christ (Luke 22:14-23:56) which is read on Palm Sunday. During this time, the Church invites her people to focus directly on the suffering of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The longer Gospel readings help us to honor Christ’s request to “keep watch and pray” with him as he asked the Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this scene, we prayerfully rediscover God’s love for us expressed through his humanity and sacrifice on the cross. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we see his love poured out for us and discover the meaning in the crosses that he invites us to bear.Support the show

In today’s podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on seeking the presence of God amidst the challenging reality we face today. Throughout Lent we have been journeying alongside Christ in the desert, looking inward to assess what we need to change to become a Christ-like image in the world today. During this period of social distancing, we are reminded to seek consolation in the Gospel message and to seek opportunities for spiritual growth.St. Josemaria explains: “I am happy…for I see that the Lord is seeking me again, that the Lord is still my Father. We are loved by God, and we will let the Holy Spirit act in us and purify us, so that we can embrace the Son of God on the cross, and rise with him, because the resurrection is rooted in the cross” (Christ is Passing By, no. 66).Support the show

As we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also referred to as Laetare Sunday, we are reminded to rejoice in the joy of the Lord as we approach the midway point of the Lenten season.In today’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo draws inspiration from the parable of the prodigal son and reflects on the joy of returning to our Father’s house. During Lent, we are encouraged to look inward and reflect upon the everyday moments that provide opportunities for conversion. With the grace of God, we can turn these opportunities into moments of joy that lead us closer to the arms of our heavenly Father.Support the show

In today’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo explains how this current world crisis and pandemic is a wake up call to conversion, helping us to realize that we need to put order back into our lives – an order in which God has to be first. It is an opportunity that makes us think and forces us to act.Fr. Javier also shares experiences from the life of St. Josemaria Escriva that can help us learn how to live through times of personal and world crises. During this challenging time for the world today, we see that it is possible to draw out the good from this natural evil and give hope to the world through our hope in Jesus Christ.Support the show

In today’s podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the virtues lived out by St. Joseph in his role as a father, husband, and tradesman. St. Joseph exemplifies servant leadership and sacrificial love and models for us how to say yes to the will of God. By growing in our understanding of these virtues, we can resolve to grow in holiness in our daily life and seek sanctity in the world today. As St. Josemaria Escriva explains: “As you get to know [St. Joseph], you discover that the holy patriarch is also a master of the interior life – for he teaches us to know Jesus and share our life with him, and to realize that we are part of God’s family. St Joseph can teach us these lessons, because he is an ordinary man, a family man, a worker who earned his living by manual labor – all of which has great significance and is a source of happiness for us” (Christ is Passing By, no. 39).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the challenging question: Where do we find the Lord in the midst of the uncertainty?Drawing inspiration from the parable of the vine and the branches (John 15:1-17), Fr. Peter offers encouragement as we continue through this challenging time. He reminds us that Christ not only meets us in our joys and triumphs, but accompanies us through our trials and sorrows.Support the show

Jesus Christ came to earth not only to save us from sin and death but also to show us how to embrace suffering and persevere through temptation.In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the three temptations Christ endured while in the desert and explains how we can follow his example when facing temptation in our daily life.Through his humanity, Christ gives witness to the intentional effort needed to turn away from sin and achieve growth in our spiritual life. As St. Josemaria Escriva writes: “The whole episode is a mystery which man cannot hope to understand: God submitting to temptation, letting the evil one have his way. But we can meditate upon it, asking our Lord to help us understand the teaching it contains” (Christ is Passing By, no. 61).Support the show

The Lenten season provides an opportunity for conversion and purification of the soul so that we may be more closely configured to the heart of Christ. In today’s podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on fostering a contrite heart to detach ourselves from the prideful areas of our life that inhibit our relationship with Christ. By removing these obstacles we can find interior peace and joy as we embrace the merciful arms of God.Support the show

As we begin a new season of Lent, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the importance of connecting with the Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a season to look inward and assess what the Lord is asking us to deny, offer up, so that we can share in his self-emptying and experience the joy of everlasting life.St. Josemaria Escriva reminds us that “conversion is the task of a moment; sanctification is the work of a lifetime” (Christ is Passing By, no. 58). The Lenten season is an opportunity to begin again, to continue laying the foundation of your spiritual journey, and to grow in holiness in your everyday life. By accompanying Christ in the desert, we can put into practice the spiritual tools needed to become a saint in the world today.Support the show

On the Way to Damascus: The Journey of Our Vocation (Acts 9:1-3)St Josemaria Escriva pointed out that all of the apostles somehow were called to follow Jesus in and through their work, including Saint Paul. Don't be surprised, therefore, to discover that God is also calling you in and through your work.In this meditation, we will reflect on these questions: What is your Damascus? What have you chosen as that activity through which you serve society and that gives you meaning in how you live your life?We all have a mission and it is most likely right where we are already. During this time of meditation and prayer, we will ask God to help us to keep doing what we are doing, but with a new light and with new meaning.To listen to and download the eight meditations of "A Spiritual Retreat in the Footsteps of St. Paul" go to: https://stjosemaria.org/st-paul-retreat/Support the show

In today’s podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on embracing Mary as our spiritual Mother. He illustrates the idea that Mary is a great miracle worker through whom we can identify with our Lord and conquer the struggle to become holy by drawing inspiration from the Marian devotions of St. Josemaria Escriva, St. John Paul II, and Bl. Alvaro del Portillo.As St. Josemaria Escriva explains: “I would recommend that, if you haven’t already done so, you find out for yourself by personal experience the meaning of Mary’s maternal love. It is not enough just to know she is our Mother and to think and to talk about her as such. She loves you as if you were her only child in this world.” (Friends of God, no. 293).Support the show

In today’s podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the charity of God as “fuel” that enables us to seek holiness in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Our receptivity to God’s grace increases as we continue to strengthen our relationship with him through prayer and the sacraments. The grace we receive fills our life and will overflow into our relationships with one another, leading those we encounter closer to Christ.As St. Josemaria explains: “Charity is not something we ourselves build up. It invades us along with God’s grace, ‘because he has loved us first’. We would do well to fill, to saturate ourselves with this most beautiful truth: ‘If we are able to love God, it is because we have been loved by God.’ Ask God boldly for this treasure, for the supernatural virtue of charity, so that you may practice it even in the smallest details” (Friends of God, no. 229).Support the show

In today’s podcast, we conclude our three-part series exploring the prominent themes in Towards Holiness – a homily by St. Josemaria Escriva on the universal call to holiness.St. Josemaria Escriva explains that “Our Lord Jesus Christ preached the good news to all, without distinction. He calls each and everyone to holiness; he asks each and every one to love him: young and old, single and married, healthy and sick, learned and unlearned, no matter where they work, or where they are” (Friends of God, no. 294).Reflecting on this passage in Towards Holiness, Fr. Javier del Castillo reminds us to foster our interior life and relationship with Christ so that we can draw others to the faith. There are no limits upon who is called to holiness. Our witness each day should be such that when people meet us, they are immediately drawn to the love of Christ and inspired to pursue holiness in everyday life.Support the show

In today’s podcast, we continue with the second installment of our three-part series exploring the prominent themes in Towards Holiness – a homily by St. Josemaria Escriva on the universal call to holiness.St. Josemaria explains that “in order to bring peace, genuine peace, to souls; in order to transform the earth and to seek God Our Lord in the world and through the things of the world, personal sanctity is indispensable. We must come to know him through prayer; we must speak to him and show him, through a heart-to-heart conversation, that we love him” (Friends of God, 294).Reflecting upon the importance of genuine peace, Fr. Javier explains that we must seek peace with God through examining our conscience and going to confession regularly and getting to know God in prayer. We must also seek peace within ourselves so that we can fully embrace our identity as a child of God. As we obtain peace with God and within ourself, we are then motivated to go out and seek peace with others in order to build a culture rooted in the love and mercy of Christ.Support the show

As most of us look forward to the New Year for a fresh start and the opportunity to begin again, especially our resolutions and goals, you have likely spent time time reflecting on resolutions for your spiritual life and the ultimate (lifelong) goal to become a saint. To inspire and motivate our spiritual goals, we are launching the New Year with a three-part podcast series from Fr. Javier del Castillo exploring the prominent themes in Towards Holiness— a homily by St. Josemaria Escriva on the universal call to holiness.In this podcast, the first of the series, Fr. Javier reflects upon two important questions set forth in "Towards Holiness": What does it mean to be holy? What does it mean that God’s will for us is to become saints? The writings and spirituality of St. Josemaria continually remind us that holiness can be found in each moment of everyday life. In seeking the grace of Christ in each moment, we increase our desire and capacity to love others and communicate God’s light to the world.Support the show

In this podcast, as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the three gifts the Magi presented to the infant Jesus and the significance of those gifts in our spiritual life today.As St. Josemaria explains, “[The Lord] does not care for riches, nor for the fruits or the beasts of the earth, nor for the sea or the air, because they all belong to him. He wants something intimate, which we have to give him freely: ‘My son, give me your heart’. Do you see? God is not satisfied with sharing. He wants it all. It’s not our things he wants. It is ourselves. It is only when we give ourselves that we can offer other gifts to our Lord” (Christ is Passing By, no. 35).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the three Advents we encounter in life and, as we come closer to Christmas, explains what it means to become Bethlehem–to get to know Jesus Christ, follow him, and bring him to others.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on joy as an essential characteristic to our participation in the new evangelization. Throughout the Advent season, we seek to remove the obstacles that separate us from God and prepare to receive the outpouring of joy so that we may become a witness to the love of God the Father.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the connection between joy and our personal encounter with Jesus Christ, and how that connection overflows and influences our ability to bring Jesus Christ to others. He also emphasizes how our Lady, the first evangelizer, teaches us how to lead with joy when she visits her cousin, Elizabeth, and announces her Magnificat.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio leads us through steps we can take to help prepare our hearts to welcome God Incarnate this Christmas season. These steps include: contact with Christ by making a commitment to speak with Him and seek Him in our daily prayer; contemplate the mystery of the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ; and conform our life to the way of Christ.Support the show

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Fr. Javier del Castillo reminds us in this mediation, as St Josemaria Escriva often did, that we ought to thank God always by habitually making frequent acts of thanksgiving, acts of gratitude.Fr. Javier explains: “We were never asked by God to come into existence. Everything we have–our talents, our virtues, even our defects–all have been foreseen by God, allowed by God, and given to us by God so that we can fulfill the single mission that we have received from before the foundation of the world.”As we strive to maintain a constant spirit of gratitude in our lives we will realize that thanksgiving enlarges our hearts to receive even greater gifts from God.Support the show

Drawing inspiration from the Feast of St Andrew celebrated on November 30, the first day of the Novena to the Immaculate Conception, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on our role as witnesses to the love of Christ and participants in the work of evangelization. Following in the example of Mary, who put Christ first and journeyed alongside Him throughout her life, we too must place Christ at the center of our lives. Once we surrender ourselves to the will of the Father, we allow for His grace to work through us and attract others to the Gospel message.Support the show

On Sunday, November 24, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is a day to celebrate and remember that “Christ, true God and true man, lives and reigns. He is the Lord of the universe. Everything that lives is kept in existence only through him” (Christ Is Passing By, no. 180). On this feast we also end the liturgical year and begin to prepare for Advent and Christmas.In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on St Josemaria’s approach to the spiritual life in which we must be open and willing to begin again. At the start of a new liturgical year, we are encouraged to look inward, assess our spiritual life, and identify the ways in which we can renew and strengthen our relationship with Christ.Support the show

Throughout the month of November, the Catholic Church commemorates all the faithful souls who have departed this life but have not yet attained the joy of heaven. The Church encourages us to pray for the souls in purgatory, so that they may be freed from the bondage of sin and admitted to their eternal reward in heaven.In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares how we can approach our responsibility to intercede for the holy souls in purgatory. Keeping in mind those who have gone before us leads us to contemplate our own spiritual journey and encourages us to look inward and assess how our actions today will affect the demands of eternal life.As St Josemaria reminds us, “The Holy Souls in Purgatory. Out of charity, out of justice, and out of excusable selfishness – they have such power with God! – remember them often in your sacrifices and in your prayers. May you be able to say when you speak of them, ‘My good friends the souls in purgatory’” (The Way, no. 571).Support the show

The Catholic Church in the United States is celebrating National Vocation Awareness Week from November 3-9, 2019. The celebration is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renewing our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the call to live out our baptismal vocation to be a saint. The path to sainthood begins with our response to the grace we receive through Baptism and is nurtured by our participation in the Eucharistic liturgy, prayer, and Marian devotion. Our openness to the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit helps us to realize our mission as a disciple to live the Gospel, to bring the Gospel to others, and to attract others to Christ.Support the show

On November 1, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints and, in the Gospel for the day, we hear Jesus’ teaching on the beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12A). In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on how Christ gave us the beatitudes as an explanation of what it means to be holy and to help us navigate our personal journey towards holiness. We reflect on how striving for holiness is influenced by our correspondence to God’s grace as we see in the example of the saints. In contemplating the lives of the saints, we can be inspired to discover new ways of living out the beatitudes as we pursue holiness in everyday life.[Transcript]Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the spirituality of St. John Paul II, whose feast day is celebrated October 22. St. John Paul II rooted his papacy in the Eucharist and devotion to Mary, inspiring holiness in people of all backgrounds from across the globe. There are many aspects we can learn from the papacy of St. John Paul II, but most importantly he taught us: how to pray, how to love, and how to serve.As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote: “Everyone knows John Paul II: his face, his characteristic way of moving and speaking; his immersion in prayer and his spontaneous cheerfulness. Many of his words have become indelibly engraved in our memories, starting with the passionate cry with which he introduced himself to the people at the beginning of his pontificate: ‘Open wide the doors to Christ, and be not afraid of him!’ An entire pontificate is condensed in words like these. It is as though he would like to open the doors for Christ everywhere and wishes to open up to people the gate that leads to true life, to true love.”Support the show

St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast day is celebrated October 15, is a Doctor of the Church known for her work in the movement of spiritual and monastic renewal within Spain during the Counter-Reformation. Her written works are highly regarded among mystical literature in the Catholic Church and continue to inspire readers today.In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares insight into the life of St. Teresa of Avila and reflects on an important lesson we can learn from her: the necessity of prayer. Saint Teresa of Avila understood that people are not born saints but can achieve sainthood through cooperation in God’s divine plan. Her time of prayer was most frequently spent in quiet contemplation upon the suffering of Christ, allowing her to become more aware of her own sinfulness which led her to rely more fully on God. In following the example of Saint Teresa of Avila and turning away from sin, we too can walk the path toward sainthood.Support the show

In celebrating the month of the Holy Rosary, we share a reflection from Msgr. Fred Dolan on the importance of Marian devotion. This reflection leads us to consider our own relationship with Mary, through whom we are led closer to the heart of Christ.As St. Josemaria Escriva wrote: “Today as in other times, the rosary must be a powerful weapon, to enable us to win in our interior struggle, and to help all souls. Exalt holy Mary with your tongue: God asks you for reparation, and for praise from your lips. May you always want to know how to spread peace and happiness throughout the world, through this beautiful devotion to our Lady, and through your watchful love” (Holy Rosary, Author’s Note).Support the show

October 2 marks the anniversary of the founding of Opus Dei by St. Josemaria Escriva in 1928. St. Josemaria saw and understood that the laity, not only priests and religious, are called by God to a life of holiness through their work, family, and personal interests, married or single. He set out to found Opus Dei as a means to offer a spirituality for the laity and the means to help them persevere in their calling to live and work as one more in the world.In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo talks about Opus Dei—its beginnings and mission—and explains the essence of the vocation to holiness, specifically the vocation to Opus Dei. He also explains what it means to have a secular outlook—a characteristic of the lay faithful who are called to sanctify temporal affairs in the world by bringing Christ into that world.Today Opus Dei has thousands of members around the world and many more who are just discovering it and want to know more about it. If you would like a brief introduction to Opus Dei, what is is and does, this talk is for you.Support the show

Throughout the month of September, the St. Josemaria Institute is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the first publication of The Way by St. Josemaria. For thousands of people today, The Way is a beloved guide to prayer that helps readers in their effort to get to know Jesus Christ and to strive for holiness in everyday life.We end our four-part podcast series on The Way with a talk by Fr. Javier del Castillo who reflects on the top four points shared and referenced across social media in the past year. Fr. Javier helps us to explore these points offering insights as to why they continue to challenge readers to holiness today.Support the show

The Way is a practical guidebook for our spiritual life that offers insight into real life experiences. The points found in The Way came about from the fruit of St. Josemaria’s interior life paired with intense spiritual direction. He wrote frequently about what he was experiencing, and although the points touch on many facets of life, the core of St. Josemaria’s message is that we are all beloved children of God.In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan offers a reflection on key points from The Way that are useful for consideration in prayer. He brings a deeper appreciation to these points by explaining the meaning behind each point and shares what St. Josemaria was experiencing during that particular period in his life.Support the show

Continuing our celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the first publication of The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva, we share a new podcast on utilizing The Way as a spiritual resource during your time of prayer. Throughout his life, St. Josemaria stressed the importance of maintaining a strong prayer life and used it as the foundational element of his apostolate, Opus Dei. He explained that if we are to be holy and centered on Christ, we must first contemplate Him in prayerful recollection and silence.In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the spirituality of St. Josemaria and shares practical tips for how to utilize The Way during your time of prayer. Acting as a compliment to Sacred Scripture, the 999 points in The Way serve as a stepping stone in starting a dialogue with the Lord and a practical tool in forming your spiritual life.Support the show

Published in 1939, The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva has become a spiritual classic that has been translated to over 40 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo introduces listeners to The Way: what inspired its content and how it continues to provide spiritual wisdom and counsel to readers today.Unlike most spiritual works, St. Josemaria compiled the book to be used as an aid in prayer and it is not intended to be read straight through from cover to cover. When using this book with its original intent in mind, readers can find it to be a useful resource in starting a dialogue with the Lord, making the Gospel relevant to our lives, and leading others to the Truth. As you listen to this podcast, you will learn the context in which The Way was written, gain insight into the spirituality of St. Josemaria, reflect on key points written in The Way, and make firm resolutions in responding to the work of the Holy Spirit.Support the show

"Mary seated herself at the Lord's feet, and listened to his word." (Luke 10:39)"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; but only one thing is necessary." (Luke 10:41)A Spiritual Retreat on the Raising of Lazarus walks you through the Gospel account in which Christ demonstrates his power over death by restoring Lazarus to life - a prefigurement of our own resurrection to new life with Christ. As you listen to this retreat, you will be able to journey with Christ as he experiences the death of his friend, consoles Mary and Martha, prays to the Father, and reacts to the people gathered at the tomb.Taking time to quietly reflect with the meditations, we can pray and ask ourselves:- What can we learn from this Gospel account today?- What does this account tell us about the friendship of Christ?- Are we aware that it is only our friendship with Christ that can truly raise us up from the challenges of daily life and from the heavy burdens of sin?- Are we constantly seeking to reignite and deepen our friendship with him?A Spiritual Retreat on the Resurrection of Lazarus is a collection of eleven meditations preached by Rev. Javier del Castillo, priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei and Vice President of the St. Josemaria Institute. This retreat was recorded March 30 - April 2, 2017 at the Shellbourne Conference Center in Valparaiso, Indiana. [Download the Retreat]Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a meditation inspired by the phrase, “an hour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 335). Approaching academic learning as a form of prayer is not a way of life designed solely for students. Rather, it is a way of life that all Christians should adopt as it helps us develop a stronger worldview.Fr. Javier discusses how to approach Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the writings of the Church Fathers as a form of prayer. He also explains how to overcome three common obstacles –– lust, curiosity, and falsehood –– that inhibit our desire to study.Support the show

On August 15, the Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Mother. She is the woman clothed with the sun, the moon is beneath her feet, and is crowned with twelve stars. We love her tenderly and through her actions she shows us what a life of faith looks like. What it means to become filled with trust and a joy that unable to be disturbed by difficulties.How does this life of Faith begin?Follow Mother Mary’s example:- When the Blessed Virgin Mary was in contemplative prayer she listened and received the Angel Gabriel’s message from God.- She was open to the Holy Spirit allowing herself to be totally abandoned to the truth of the word of the living God.- She listened to the word of God and responded with complete trust, giving God her life to do with as He pleased.We ask our dear Mother Mary to help us to become souls of faith as we nourish our faith through daily prayer and meditating on the Gospels.Support the show

On August 6th, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. On today's podcast, we listen and reflect on the “background” and meaning of the Transfiguration, and how contemplating the scene of the Transfiguration continues to transform us today:— The Transfiguration of Jesus encourages us in our commitment to discipleship.— When we commit to protracted prayer—deep, silent, concentrated—we can see God through the eyes of our soul and heart.— The Transfiguration helped the apostles to trust in the Cross—the raw materials that make up our crosses—and to believe that there is no such thing as failure when we follow Christ.— Contemplating this scene and Jesus’ words (Mk 9:2-10), we begin to see Him, to take on His capacity for self-giving love, and we become more empowered to give of ourselves with the heart of Jesus.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the home of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Nazareth, their example of a "bright and cheerful home", and why building a strong family foundation rooted in love and joy is essential to the new evangelization. Like St. Josemaria Escriva, we can go to St. Joseph to learn the "secret" to knowing Jesus Christ and bringing him to our family and others: “Saint Joseph, our Father and Lord: most chaste, most pure. You were found worthy to carry the Child Jesus in your arms, to wash him, to hug him. Teach us to get to know God, and to be pure, worthy of being other Christs. And help us to do and to teach, as Christ did. Help us to open up the divine paths of the earth, which are both hidden and bright; and help us to show them to mankind, telling our fellow men that their lives on earth can have an extraordinary and constant supernatural effectiveness” (The Forge, no. 553).Support the show

Why is marriage important to society today? And, what distinguishes a healthy marriage from one that is in serious trouble?On this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the Sacrament of Marriage and how it is the cornerstone to society and the image of the eternal love between Christ and his Church.Marriage is the pathway for spouses to lead one another to heaven. For a marriage to flourish, it must be grounded so that each spouse is able to see the other as God sees him or her. Spouses must seek out genuine admiration for the gifts of the other, realizing that two lives become one as they build the foundation upon which they can strive for sanctity.Marriage is hard work. We marry imperfect people, yet are called to love them with their defects and limitations. Men and women are very different. We may not understand each other, but we are called to accept and love each other. Marriage is like a pearl of great price – it is worth fighting for it.Support the show

Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (Jn 2:3)A Spiritual Retreat in the Footsteps of Mary guides us through the life of Mary as we seek to renew and transform our own life of faith through prayer. Following in Mary’s example of responding to God’s call to love and serve unconditionally, we are each called to reach that same height of holiness. As you listen to this retreat, you will be able to reflect with Mary upon the key moments the Holy Spirit impacted her life, culminating with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Mary, along with the apostles, were radically transformed by the Holy Spirit. Through spending time on retreat and allowing ourselves time to converse with God, we are allowing ourselves the opportunity to be transformed by the work of the Spirit so that we may faithfully continue on our journey toward heaven.A Spiritual Retreat in the Footsteps of Mary is a collection of ten meditations preached by Rev. Javier del Castillo, priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei and Vice President of the St. Josemaria Institute.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the importance of the virtue of humility in the spiritual life. The need for a spiritual life stems from a desire to reject our sinful nature; that is, our realization that we are sinners moves us to want to grow spiritually, to follow Christ. And, without humility, the biggest obstacle to following Christ is self-importance. Each one of us has certain gifts within the spiritual life but we are not the origin of these gifts – they have been given to us by God. As we become aware of our spiritual gifts, we are drawn deeper into a life of true discipleship with Jesus Christ.As St. Josemaria Escriva wrote: “Get rid of those proud thoughts! You are but the brush in the hand of the artist, and nothing more. Tell me, what is a brush good for if it doesn’t let the artist do his work?” (The Way, no. 612).Support the show

On Saturday, July 6, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Maria Goretti, who is honored for her heroic resistance when a young man tried to seduce her when she was eleven years of age. After resisting the young man’s actions, Saint Maria Goretti was stabbed fourteen times and died four days later as a result of the wounds. She forgave her assailant multiple times and prayed for his repentance and conversion throughout her final days.In this podcast, Rev. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the importance of holy purity, particularly at a time when this virtue clashes with the cultural norm. He shares five important resolutions that we can make when striving to live a life of purity: to make good confessions, to accept the guidance of the priest in living the virtue of purity, to pray three Hail Mary’s for purity each evening, to guard the senses to avoid looking at someone impurely, and to ask for the virtue of purity with humility as it increases our capacity to love.Support the show

In this podcast, as we prepare to celebrate the feast day of St. Josemaria, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the life of St. Josemaria and the inspiration behind Opus Dei.In Scripture, Christ compares the Kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed that will grow and flourish over time. On October 2, 1928, God led St. Josemaria to discover his own mustard seed - the work of Opus Dei. St. Josemaria showed the world that holiness is not something extraordinary, rather, something ordinary which can be found in our everyday work. God led St. Josemaria to see that the Church needs an institution that does nothing else but serve God through ordinary, daily realities. The life of St. Josemaria and the work of Opus Dei show us that the world is not an obstacle to holiness, but a place where holiness is found.Support the show

This Sunday the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) when “we come together to consider the depths of our Lord’s love for us, which has led him to stay with us, hidden under the appearances of the Blessed Sacrament” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Christ is Passing By, no. 150). Present under the property of bread and wine, the Church believes the Eucharist is fully the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection to help us pray and go deeper in our understanding of the Eucharist and our call to be living monstrances, the sacred vessels in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for veneration.On the Feast of Corpus Christi, it is a common practice in many Catholic churches to hold a Eucharistic procession following Mass. This procession is symbolic of our work as modern day apostles. We are each called to be a living monstrance, bringing the light of Christ into every aspect of our life: our family, our work place, our social gatherings, etc. The Eucharist is a source of grace and love, through which we are brought together as one in the body of Christ. Like the saints, Eucharistic devotion should be a common trait in our pursuit of holiness.On this solemnity, we can make the resolution to spend time regularly in front of the Blessed Sacrament— a powerful encounter with Christ through which we receive the grace to be a witness in the world.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a reflection on working for God, inspired by the homily given by Saint Josemaria on February 6, 1960. Fr. Javier poses three important questions for us to consider as we approach work each day:Do we work for Christ?We see in the beginning passages of Scripture that God gave man and woman the vocation to work – to till the garden. We are each called to put our talents at the service of God. Work itself is not to be seen as the end, but rather, to be seen as the means to pray, sacrifice, and give glory to God.Do we work in Christ?Christ, the source of love, spent his hidden years working. He spent this time working out of love for his heavenly Father as well as out of love for each one of us. By his example, Christ shows that we are called to sanctify the task at hand through the grace given to us by God. If we work out of love, we will see the fruit of our labor in heaven. As we work closely with God, we are slowly transformed and begin to reflect the love of Christ to others.Do we work through Christ?As we are transformed by the love of Christ, our daily actions slowly move away from being a choice of habit to being a choice of free will. Working through Christ creates in us the awareness for whom we are working as well as the reason behind our work.Support the show

This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost, recognized as the birthday of the Church, in which the apostles received an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and were inspired to go out and share the faith in a radical way.In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on recognizing the importance of the Holy Spirit within our own life. The Holy Spirit helps us discern the personal message of Pentecost to all of us who want to follow Christ and live the Gospel to the full. We must take to heart the final words of Christ, “to go out and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). In the account of Pentecost, those gathered not only heard the Gospel message proclaimed in their own language, but they witnessed the love of Christ shown to them through the apostles.As we seek to lead others to Christ, we must do so not just in words but also through our witness of the love of Christ. The Holy Spirit works through us to move the hearts of others and lead them into an encounter with Christ.Support the show

“And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.” (Lk 1:38)A Spiritual Retreat in the Footsteps of Mary guides us through the life of Mary as we seek to renew and transform our own life of faith through prayer. Following in Mary’s example of responding to God’s call to love and serve unconditionally, we are each called to reach that same height of holiness. As you listen to this retreat, you will be able to reflect with Mary upon the key moments the Holy Spirit impacted her life, culminating with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Mary, along with the apostles, were radically transformed by the Holy Spirit. Through spending time on retreat and allowing ourselves time to converse with God, we are allowing ourselves the opportunity to be transformed by the work of the Spirit so that we may faithfully continue on our journey toward heaven.A Spiritual Retreat in the Footsteps of Mary is a collection of ten meditations preached by Rev. Javier del Castillo, priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei and Vice President of the St. Josemaria Institute. Access the full retreat online.Support the show

On today's podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo sets the stage for a five-part series on The Road to Emmaus.In the Scripture passage, we see that the disciples do not make it all the way to Emmaus. This is a sign of their own conversion as they were running away from the events they had witnessed. In their eyes, they were let down. Christ was supposed to liberate them from the Romans, but as a result of the crucifixion, their Savior looks like a fraud. In the eyes of these two disciples, Christ wasn’t supposed to die, he was supposed to win.This Gospel scene challenges us to ask ourselves: Are we running away from something? What is our idea of salvation? Are we looking for safety or an “insurance policy”? What you read in the Gospel “is something that you should not only hear, but live. Everything, every point that is told there, has been gathered, detail by detail, for you to make it come alive in the individual circumstances of your life” (The Forge, no. 754). Saints find their mission in the Gospel. We see so many people in the world today running away from something and trying to “escape” in sinful ways. Deep down, we are longing for something greater. Where do we place our hope? The Gospel story needs to be repeated in each one of us. Christ seeks each of us out and radiates his love to us. Are we willing to let him find us?Additional information on the series can be found online: https://stjosemaria.org/product/a-spiritual-retreat-on-the-road-to-emmaus/.Support the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan recounts the story of the resurrection as told in the Gospel of Easter Sunday and to which the Apostles became witnesses and used as the basis for their preaching. This passage leads us to reflect on gratitude and our own relationship with Christ. We are encouraged to foster a spirit of gratitude, knowing that Christ loves each one of us and freely gave himself up so that we might have life and live it to the full. From this spirit of gratitude, we can strengthen our desire to grow in our relationship with Christ and never lose the conviction that, through the power of the Resurrection, Christ is always present with us. Love calls for love in return. As we think of Christ, we should recall the love that led him to pour out so many graces upon us.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the Gospel passage of the Passion of Christ (Luke 22:14-23:56) which is read on Palm Sunday. During this time, the Church invites her people to focus directly on the suffering of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The longer Gospel readings help us to honor Christ’s request to “keep watch and pray” with him as he asked the Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this scene, we prayerfully rediscover God’s love for us expressed through his humanity and sacrifice on the cross. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we see his love poured out for us and discover the meaning in the crosses that he invites us to bear.Support the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the gift of mercy as seen through the Gospel of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). This Gospel passage leads us to reflect inward and ask ourselves: how quickly do we pass judgement on others without even realizing it?The main goal of Satan is to create division among people, whether it be a family, a church community or an entire society. The main antidote to this divisiveness and negativity is mercy. Mercy is God’s free gift to us as his children and it allows us to reunite with one another. Pope St. John Paul II explains that every human being is a neighbor to be loved. If we have to ask ourselves “who is my neighbor?”, then we are already setting limits and conditions. Instead, the question we should seek to ask is: “to whom should I become a neighbor?” We must love our neighbors as ourselves and show mercy to all those around us.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with the Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. iPray with the Gospel is helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

On the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday, the Church marks the half-way point through the season of Lent. In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio renews in us a desire to grow in almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Lent revolves around the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, which is the greatest form of self-emptying and self-love. We, as followers of Christ, must embrace the cross and come to know Christ through sharing in His self-emptying.We come to know Christ more deeply through almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Although all three components go hand in hand, Fr. Armenio explains that without almsgiving, prayer and fasting will not work as almsgiving is the animating force behind prayer and fasting. We must live out the works of mercy and seek to love those around us, beginning first with our family and expanding to our friends and those we encounter each day. We must always be able to give a witness to the love of Christ.Fr. Armenio also explains the importance of prayer and fasting, drawing upon the time Christ spent in the desert. Following in this example, we must create a time for silence with our Lord which allows us the opportunity to be refueled in the love of Christ. By spending time receiving the love of Christ, we are then able to go out and share the love of Christ with others. Similarly, we must look inward at our life and ask: how can we deny ourselves to draw closer to the Lord? By taking up fasting, we receive the grace to fight temptation and turn our attention toward the heart of Christ.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with the Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. iPray with the Gospel is helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with the Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. iPray with the Gospel is helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent. He recounts the familiar story of how Moses encountered God through the burning bush. We see God reveal himself as a liberator, seeking to free the Israelite people. God reveals himself to Moses by stating his name, ‘I AM’, which is the first time God reveals this in Scripture. God desires a personal relationship with us, and like all relationships, this relationship begins with an introduction. This interaction points us toward Christ, as God will become man through whom he will have a personal relationship with his people. Through Moses, God seeks to defeat the Egyptians and save the Israelite people, prefiguring what Christ will do on the cross — defeat Satan and free God’s people from sin.Fr. Armenio also recounts the parable of the fig tree. We see Christ personified as the gardener and God the Father personified as the owner. The gardener is advocating to save the fig tree, explaining to the owner that he can cut it down eventually, but it has not yet had its time. Applying this parable to our own life, we see a sense of urgency in the Gospel. Our time here on earth is finite — at some point, it will end. This Lenten season allows us the opportunity to look inward and to begin again: to take advantage of reconciliation, to seek after Christ in prayer, and to reach out in charity toward others.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with the Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. iPray with the Gospel is helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Msgr. Dolan shares a reflection on the importance of silence as exemplified in the passage of the Transfiguration of Christ. This Scripture passage reminds us of a popular verse from the book of Psalms, “be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:11). The disciples who witnessed the transfiguration embraced the silence; they did not tell anyone what they had seen. They understood that anything other than silence would have ruined everything. Instead, they held on to the fresh memories they had made. Throughout the season of Lent, we are encouraged to create an interior silence that allows us to enjoy the presence of God.Pope Francis shares that “the Lord speaks to us in a variety of ways, at work, throughout others, and at every moment. Yet, we simply cannot do without the silence of prolonged prayer, which enables us to perceive God’s language and to see the whole of our existence afresh in his own light” (Gaudete et Exsultate, no. 171). It is our role as Christians to see the whole of our existence the way that God sees it—to see our role in the history of the world and to discover the will of God. As we make these discoveries, we should have the confidence to joyfully live out this way of life.Lent is a time of purification. The more we take time to think and pray about it, the more we realize the many distractions that are stirring within us. When we embrace silence in prayer, we can get away from the thoughts of what interests us and begin to see what interests God. Silence not only helps us understand the will of God but it also helps us to appreciate those around us and helps us to be charitable. Ultimately, the Lord will judge us on how we use our gifts, and as St. Josemaria shares in The Way, “after seeing how many people waste their lives…silence seems preferable to me, and more necessary than ever” (The Way, no. 447).Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with the Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. iPray with the Gospel is helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, we reflect on the virtue of fortitude as the motivation to overcome temptation. St. Josemaria Escriva tells us that “a task which presents no difficulties lacks human appeal - and supernatural appeal too. If you find no resistance when hammering a nail into a wall, what can you expect to hang on it?” (The Forge, no. 245). In order to win the prize, you cannot dodge the fight that takes you to the end.The virtue of fortitude is essential for the spiritual life and human development. Msgr. Dolan explains the reality of deferred gratification, which is putting off what we want and taking care of what we should do. He explains further that deferred gratification goes hand in hand with gumption, which is the ability to decide what is best in any particular situation and go straight into action. The danger in the spiritual life is abandoning the struggle and simply giving up. We can either view challenges with fear and stress, or we can choose to view them with excitement.In the Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Lent, we hear of the temptation of Christ in the desert. Christ, as the perfect model of virtue, embraces the virtue of fortitude when faced with the temptations from Satan. As you go through this Lenten season, how can you strengthen the virtue of fortitude and say ‘no’ to the temptations you face in our own life.Support the show

In this podcast, we reflect on self-denial as a way to increase our faith and relationship with Christ. If we are to follow Christ, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Self-denial allows us a certain freedom in which we can live out the Gospel message. The goal of becoming a saint takes a serious commitment, one of prayer and Eucharistic piety. We cannot let laziness get the best of us or hold us back from becoming the person we were created to be. Saint Josemaria tells us, “if you don’t deny yourself you will never be a soul of prayer” (The Way, no. 6). We need self-control to be prayerful, loving, kind, generous, and to live a life of holy purity.Living in a world where we are faced with temptation at almost every turn, self-denial and taking up our cross is of the utmost importance. We are faced with the temptation of the seven deadly sins - anger, pride, gluttony, envy, greed, lust, and sloth. In order to combat these sins, we must not put off holiness indefinitely. Paraphrasing St. Josemaria, he says, “Do it now! Now is the only shot you have. The past is gone, and the future doesn’t exist.”Support the show

As we prepare for the upcoming season of Lent, in this podcast we turn our attention to the life of Saint Paul. Paul, who once led the persecution of the early Christian church, had a profound conversion after encountering the love of Christ and in turn, began to lead the spread of the Christian faith. Paul shows us that we evangelize by giving others a similar experience to what we had when we first encountered Christ. Paul preaches ‘Christ crucified’, that we must ‘put on Jesus Christ’.During his visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Saint Josemaria Escriva shares that we ‘need more heart’. Josemaria explains that we have become a society in which we idolize work and the creature comforts of this world, when in reality, we must seek to put people first over work. He encourages us to invest in a small community in which we can share in the love of Christ. Josemaria explains that “sometimes you find serious shortcomings in Christians’ lives, but the important thing is not ourselves and our shortcomings. The only thing that matters is Jesus. It is Christ we must talk about, not ourselves” (Christ Is Passing By, no. 163).During his public ministry, Christ shares with us the analogy that “[we] are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). As Christians, we are always ‘on’. In a popular phrase commonly attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, he emphasizes Christ’s point in that we must “preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words”. In every analogy Christ uses in the Gospels, he never uses speech as an example: “you are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14); “you are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13); “I am the vine, you are the branches” (Jn 15:5) - these are just some of the examples. Christ shows us that presence takes precedence over preaching.In his letter to the Philippians, Paul tells them, “rejoice in the Lord always; your kindness should be known to all (Phil 4:4-5). We see that joy is an expression of charity. The more we experience the love of Christ, the more contagious our joy becomes. If we are to ‘put on Christ’, we should receive the Eucharist frequently, spend time in adoration and mental prayer, and pray the rosary. We must let people see our joy and kindness which will lead them to the love of Christ.Support the show

In this podcast, we reflect on the greatest gift of all: charity. Charity is the foundation for all virtues, for if a virtue does not come from a place of love, then it is for nothing. Saint Paul shares in his letter to the Corinthians that “if [we] speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, [we] are a resounding gong or a clashing symbol. Likewise, if [we] have a faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, [we] are nothing” (1 Cor 13:1-2). The gift of charity is instilled in each one of us throughout childhood. Parents must witness the love of Christ for their children. They must walk the walk so that their children may come to know and experience the love of Christ. In his letters, Saint Paul tells the early church to ‘put on Christ’ as a symbol of their faith. Just as a person can tell if someone is a cop, a nurse, a firefighter, etc. based on the certain uniform they wear, living out the virtue of charity is our sign that we live for Christ. Others need to see Him in us through the way we love.We foster the virtue of charity by spending time with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. As we spend time with Christ through prayer, our goal is that our “behavior and conversation be such that everyone who sees or hears [us] can say: this man reads the life of Christ” (The Way, 2).Support the show

As we celebrate National Marriage Week, we reflect in this podcast on the Holy Family as the foundation and model of the love of Christ. We are reminded of the greatest event in history - God becoming human, becoming part of this universe. God came into this world through a family, spending the majority of his life in his home in Nazareth. It is through the hidden life of Christ that we come to understand the great commandment, “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). Christ spent the majority of his life putting this commandment into practice at home before spending his final years teaching it to others. Our ‘arena’ in which we can put the love of Christ into action is at home. The home of a family is a natural setting in which prayer, service, joy, and love, among other virtues, are first taught and lived out. If we seek to change the world, we must first begin at home, in our own corner of the world, exhibiting a love that fosters a family atmosphere. We must also be rooted in prayer. Saint Paul tells us that through prayer, the love of God is poured into our heart. We can not love like Christ if we do not know Christ. And thus, we turn to the words of Saint Josemaria Escriva, “My God, teach me how to love! My God, teach me how to pray! (The Forge, no. 66)”.Support the show

On this podcast we reflect on beginning a new year and what it means to begin again. During this time of prayer, we want to ask ourselves: What can I do to make these twelve months ahead spectacular?First, we want to accelerate to the finish, which means hastening towards our goal of Heaven. This brings up the topic of strategy: How do we go about doing it? Jesus Christ shows us the way. He said to be perfect like His Heavenly Father is perfect and He gives us the gift of forgiveness of sins— the sacrament of confession. The Lord is telling us that when we begin again, when we give Him a chance to forgive us, He is filled with joy because we allow Him to exercise His mercy. As a result of the sacrament, we will reflect joy and serenity because of the marvelous gift of mercy. St. Josemaria called it the sacrament of joy because it guarantees our turning back to God and restores our divine friendship with Him.This reflection should inspire us to make the resolution to do whatever it takes to go to confession regularly. It should also inspire us to ask Our Lord to help us find the right time and way to bring up the topic of “beginning again” among our friends and coworkers, especially a friend who is hurting. We want to be like the faithful friends who carried the paralytic man to Jesus; his sins were forgiven and he was brought to life (Mark 2:1-12). We want to pray about that friend (or friends) during the coming weeks, knowing that our friends will never forget us for having helped restore them to life.Support the show

On this podcast we reflect on our personal journey to follow Jesus Christ. To follow Jesus is a journey and this is why he says he is the way (John 14:6). And, the geography of this journey is the human heart--our hearts. Like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), our journey begins by contemplating the love of the Father, how good we have it at home, and we repent for underestimating the infinite mercy of God. Like the son, we feel his heartfelt sorrow for alienating himself from his father. Repentance leads to faith. In the Gospel when we hear the word faith or belief it means a whole change in lifestyle. To have full belief means that we incarnate everything that Jesus Christ says. And, following the example of Jesus, our faith is inspired by deeds of love--the more love the more faith. Then, like the young rich man, Jesus asks us to keep the commandments. As Pope St. John Paul II explained, we live the commandments in order to own ourselves and have a threshold of self-control and freedom in order to live a higher law of holiness. And the raw material of holiness is the total gift of self, like Our Lady and St. Joseph.We need to live holiness the way Mary and St. Joseph did amid the ordinary. The Lord is asking us to have the disposition for putting Him first, by taking concrete steps--baby steps--in the direction of the center. And, He is the center. "Why don't you give yourself to God once and for all... really..., now?" (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 902).Support the show

Today on the podcast a reflection on the words of Jesus : “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me" (John 15:1-4).Jesus reserved these words for the Apostles within the intimacy of the Last Supper before His death. And, being a perfect teacher, He reserves these most profound and moving words for His last evening as a workshop for the first evangelization.With this imagery, Jesus is saying that there are three points of entrance into His Heart: the vine a Eucharistic symbol, pruning a symbol of the Cross, and His actual words. These three points are an instruction on the interior life.Jesus doesn't just say "remain in me". He says: "I want you to bear fruit" and "I appointed you". Our Lord is asking us to put the interior life first so that we develop the capacity to give others in a consistent way the experience of the Heart of Christ.As we reflect and pray with this meditation, we ask Our Lady: "Convert me to the need for a robust interior life where I abide in your Son so I bear the fruit of the Heart and Love of your Son."Support the show

On this podcast we are invited to contemplate the apostles' first encounter with Jesus Christ and how that experience was an encounter with the love He had for them. Jesus is human love with a human nature--the Word made flesh.After Jesus' first conversation with Andrew and John, Andrew left the Lord's house a new man and he want out to find his brother, Simon Peter, and brought him to Jesus. From the get go, Jesus asks them (and us): "Are there other people you can bring to me?"Part of this following Him is to detect how much He loves us and that's a key part of the spirituality of St Josemaria Escriva. The truth that we are children of God is the backdrop to everything--that this God of mine loves me infinitely.Language is a medium of love. To get to know and love someone is a consequence of conversation--a disclosure of each person's inner self. This is why Jesus is Word because words are a medium of love.When Jesus Christ taught the apostles how to pray he told them that when you pray begin by saying God loves you, by calling Him "Father".How do we experience that God loves us? We have to put Him first and unite ourselves to Him. Only when we walk with Jesus Christ can we experience the love of the Father. "Before God, who is eternal, you are much more a child than, before you, the tiniest toddler. And besides being a child, you are a child of God. — Don't forget it" (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 860).Support the show

This time of year is an especially spectacular and special time to penetrate the question: Who is God? What can we know about God?On this podcast we are invited to reflect on the mystery that our God has become one of us and how every prayer and reception of the Sacraments focuses on this incredible Truth. We [could] begin answering these questions by focusing on the suffering and solidarity of Jesus’s humanity and the fact that Our Lord shared in every component of human life. And, in turn, our contemplation of Jesus's humanity becomes an example for our lives. As St. Paul wrote: "Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).Continue reflecting on Our Lord's humanity by carving out time for mental prayer and adoration in front of the manger of the tabernacle. You will be transformed and you will be refueled. With His sentiments, you will be able to forgive; you will have the strength to bear your cross; and, most of all, you will be a light to others.Support the show

As we prepare for the season of Advent, we share a reflection on the fruits of the Holy Spirit: peace and joy. And how with these gifts we are called to create bright and cheerful homes and environments like the home of the Holy Family in Nazareth.“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22,23).  The gifts of peace and joy are also expressions of the Heart of Jesus which he promises to give to us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). Therefore: “May no one read sadness or sorrow in your face, when you spread in the world around you the sweet aroma of your sacrifice: the children of God should always be sowers of peace and joy” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Furrow, no. 59).Support the show

St. Josemaria Escriva wrote that: “A very important characteristic of the apostolic man is his love for the Mass” (The Way, no. 528). Today on the podcast, we listen and reflect on the Sacrifice of the Mass, the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and how it is the center and summit of our spiritual lives.Our belief in the Eucharistic Sacrifice comes from God. We don’t achieve that belief through technique but through God’s grace. Our task is to correspond to the faith that God gives us and to ask Him to intensify it so that in our heart and in our gut we believe that the Eucharist is our center. We also want to tap into the spirit and fervor of the saints. We can learn from their reverent examples and love for the True Presence. Every saint is valuable for our own edification and for helping us labor in our "yes" to God. "There he is: King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, hidden in the Bread. To this extreme has he humbled himself through love for you" (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 538).Support the show

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated annually in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. On today’s podcast, a reflection on the significance of this holiday and how it is a reminder that we ought to thank God always by habitually making frequent acts of thanksgiving– acts of gratitude.“We were never asked by God to come into existence. Everything we have— our talents, our virtues, even our defects— all have been been foreseen by God, allowed by God, given to us by God so that we can fulfill the single mission that we have received from before the foundation of the world, as St Paul would say, in giving glory to God: ‘Thank you Lord for everything because everything is good.’”As we strive to maintain a constant spirit of gratitude in our lives we will come to realize that “thanksgiving enlarges our hearts to receive even greater gifts from God.”“Give thanks often to Jesus, for through him, with him and in him you are able to call yourself a son of God” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 265).Support the show

On this podcast, we listen to the words of Jesus in the Gospel of St. John and reflect on what it means to our calling in life (vocation): "Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:4-5).Jesus tells us that our vocation is to be an apostle - to be the light of the world (Mt 5,14). But he doesn't give us specific instructions except that we are to remain in him. What does that mean for us? It means he wants us to be constantly united to him like the vine to the branches. We are to be contemplatives in constant dialogue with him wherever we are.Our efforts to live out our vocations and to transform the world won't work if we practice a hit or miss spirituality. "I didn't get to it today" is not the language of a saint. We need to be sincere in our desire to spend time with him, despite time constraints and the chaos and demands of daily life.Ask yourself: Am I giving my family and friends an experience of Jesus Christ?Jesus is telling us that he is the driving force of our love, peace, strength and courage. Through contemplation we charge the batteries of our hearts and minds. We will deprive others of Christ if we neglect our spiritual lives, our lives of prayer, because none of it comes from us: I'm not the source; I'm the light fixture."A saying of a soul of prayer: in intentions, may Jesus be our aim; in affections, our Love; in conversation, our theme; in actions, our model" (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 271).Support the show

On today’s podcast… We contemplate the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians to learn that the face of the early Church was primarily made up of ordinary men and women. But we soon come to see that their "ordinariness" was distinguished by a holy anxiousness and sense of urgency to bring the Gospel to every corner of the world.Like in every era, we are witnesses of great suffering and sadness and as Christians we recognize that the greatest suffering occurs through an absence of God. Without a doubt there is a strong correlation among sadness, despair, family disfunction, substance abuse, sexual addiction, and the absence of Christ and of the Gospel.Therefore, we are called, like the Early Christians, to make Jesus Christ real in these difficult times:“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:13-16).So, if we want to disseminate the message of the Gospel and bring the Light of the World into our environments, we need to start from scratch. Through the intercession of Our Lady, may today’s reflection lead us to want to make specific resolutions to help us go forward in our love for Jesus Christ.Support the show

The Gospel for the Solemnity of All Saints is Jesus’s sermon on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). This Gospel communicates to us that the individual has to be the message that speaks about Christ to others. And, to be able to speak about Christ, our conviction and desire for holiness needs to be sustained by savoring Christ’s friendship and His message.“It is impossible to persevere in a fervent evangelization unless we are convinced from personal experience that it is not the same thing to have known Jesus as not to have known him, not the same thing to walk with him as to walk blindly, not the same thing to hear his word as not to know it, and not the same thing to contemplate him, to worship him, to find our peace in him, as not to. It is not the same thing to try to build the world with his Gospel as to try to do so by our own lights. We know well that with Jesus life becomes richer and that with him it is easier to find meaning in everything. This is why we evangelize. A true missionary, who never ceases to be a disciple, knows that Jesus walks with him, speaks to him, breathes with him, works with him. He senses Jesus alive with him in the midst of the missionary enterprise” (Pope Francis; Evangelii Gaudium, no. 266).Support the show

Today on the podcast... We reflect on the virtue of faith and the power of fidelity--habitual/ongoing faith--to help us be fruitful imitators of the Apostles who worked miracles and attracted people to Jesus Christ. Like the Apostles, we need to exercise a certain kind of faith that can be attained by entering into the Heart of Christ through three entranceways: the Eucharist, the Cross, and the Word (meditating on the Word of God and mental prayer).“Stir up that fire of faith. Christ is not a figure that has passed. He is not a memory that is lost in history. He lives! 'Jesus Christus heri et hodie, ipse et in saecula', says Saint Paul. — 'Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be for ever'” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 584).Our desire for fidelity will also lead us to ask Him like the Apostles: Lord, what do you want us to do? We will feel a desire to give ourselves fully to our Christian vocation which is the collective vocation of the Mystical Body of Christ to evangelize and attract people to Him through our friendship, charity, and counsel.We ask Our Lady, through her intercession, that we be enlightened on how to be more faithful by giving of ourselves more to the will of her Son, Jesus Christ.Support the show

Ninety years ago, on October 2nd, God showed Opus Dei to the young St. Josemaria Escriva. It happened in an instant, he fell to his knees dazzled by all that God had just showed him. On this anniversary, our desire is not simply to celebrate this milestone in the history of Opus Dei but also to learn from the operating system of this faithful instrument of God’s providence. To relive the path taken by St. Josemaria will help us to desire the virtue of magnanimity—greatness of spirit and largeness of heart—a genuine craving for great and noble ambitions and adventures:St. Josemaria Escriva realized early on that God had a plan for him, that He wanted something from him. How could he find the answer? Where should he seek it? He set out to search above all by listening to the Word of God.Sacred Scripture, the Word of God, speaks to us today and we need to seek out our place in it to find our path.“Magnanimity means greatness of spirit, a largeness of heart wherein many can find refuge. Magnanimity gives us the energy to break out of ourselves and be prepared to undertake generous tasks which will be of benefit to all. Small-mindedness has no home in the magnanimous heart, nor has meanness, nor egoistic calculation, nor self-interested trickery. The magnanimous person devotes all his strength, unstintingly, to what is worthwhile. As a result he is capable of giving himself. He is not content with merely giving. He gives his very self. He thus comes to understand that the greatest expression of magnanimity consists in giving oneself to God” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Friends of God, no. 80).What was the secret that would not let St. Josemaria slow down? An overwhelming sense of being a child of God and the confidence and boldness that this reality entails.Tell Our Lord: “I really have no idea of the undiscovered qualities that I have—maybe this is my chance to discover the hidden greatness in me. This is a chance for me to be ready for great undertakings and to pass on to young people a great openness and eagerness for great ideas.”A resolution from this reflection: “To protect our times of prayer ferociously.”Support the show

Today on the podcast… We contemplate how, the renewal of the church many years ago, began in the monasteries with intense prayer of loving Christ and living a life of penance.  Now, St. Josemaria Escriva says to bring that contemplative prayer into our daily lives, in the thick of things, at the party, on the soccer field, at the library, in the court of law, and at home. In our personal relationship with Christ let us ask him:To transmit His light through us in the form of joy, affection, kindness, and the spirit of service.To find us in the silence of our prayer.To truly help us learn to be contemplative in the middle of the world.Let us ask Our Lady to help us throughout the day to contemplate on the real presence of Christ in our lives –to pray without ceasing.Support the show

Today on the podcast... In celebration of the anniversary of the founding of Opus Dei (October 2, 1928), we reflect on the early life of St. Josemaria Escriva and the historical circumstances that led him to receive the special light from God to found Opus Dei.This light from God helped St. Josemaria to see:It is possible to create a civilization of love—to bring Jesus Christ in a new way into the very heart of the world amid a culture that is antithetical to the Gospel.God was giving St. Josemaria the grace to change the world should he choose to follow this light and its certain path.The burden of changing the world falls on the shoulders of lay men and women who are called to bring Christ into the modern world.The transformation of the world can only happen if the laity are saints, if they are true contemplatives—someone who is habitually in dialogue with the Lord. But if they are not true contemplatives then they will be transformed by the world.As St. Josemaria Escriva wrote:“How I wish your bearing and conversation were such that, on seeing or hearing you, people would say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 2).“You must inspire others with love of God and zeal for souls, so that they in turn will set on fire many more who are on a third plane and each of these latter spread the flame to their professional companions. What a lot of spiritual calories you need! And what a tremendous responsibility if you let yourself grow cold! And — I don't even want to think of it — what a terrible crime if you were to give bad example!” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 944).Support the show

In September the Church celebrates the feasts of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14th) and Our Lady of Sorrows (15th).On today's podcast we prepare ourselves for the celebration of these feasts with the help of Our Lady by observing her example during the Passion of her Son and contemplating her at the foot of the Cross. Our Lady of Sorrows places us at her side, before Jesus on the Cross, to help us mature in our share in the mission of her Son. Bringing us to the Cross means helping us to face up to the difficulties of life, since learning how to deal with suffering is a major step in our personal growth. And, it means sharing in the mission of the redemption of Christ, which gives great depth to the purpose of our lives. Therefore, at the foot of the Cross: Ask yourself: How do I handle difficulties? Do I dig deeper to find its deeper meaning?Contemplate the great miracles of Jesus and see how most of them were messy.Consider: If we don't have the Cross, what are we left with?Ask for the grace of great serenity, joy, and efficacy in your mission to co-redeem with Christ.Support the show

On today's podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo, Vicar of Opus Dei in the Midwest (USA), offers a timely reflection on the current crisis in the Church and how we can respond to all of it by turning our sadness and anger into prayer. Like the disciples who were fearful that they would perish in the great storm (ref. Mark 4:38-41), we too should instinctively look to Jesus for help as we face the waves of scandal that leave us profoundly perplexed. Within the silence of our hearts, the Holy Spirit will give us the answers as we pray to know: Why is God allowing this to happen? Is God with us? Where is God in all of this? We will come to the realization that this time of difficulty is a time of justice and mercy. The crisis has to provoke the emergence of saints because we are all called to be saints who need to recommit ourselves to being faithful disciples, to rediscovering our priestly souls, and to spreading the joy of the Gospel. This time should also lead to a renewal of the Church as a missionary in the world, committed to evangelization where we disappear and only Christ shines.“Let us ask Holy Mary, our hope, to kindle in us a holy desire that we may all come together to dwell in the house of the Father. Nothing need disturb us if we make up our minds to anchor our hearts in a real longing for our true fatherland. Our Lord will lead us there with his grace, and he will send a good wind to carry our ship to the bright shores of our destination” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Friends of God, no. 221).Support the show

On September 12th the Church celebrates the feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.On today’s podcast we reflect on Mary's role and mission as a mother to give us the very best:  To help us in all of our needs- physical, emotional, and spiritual.To unite us with her Son, Jesus Christ.To win for us the grace to desire to be saints.Mary shows us that we can have confidence in her intercessory prayers when she spoke to the servants at the wedding in Cana, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). And that we can trust that she will see that our prayers are answered as long as they are compatible with God’s plan for our salvation.Our goal, therefore, is to imitate Mary’s holiness. We ask her to be a part of our spiritual life-- helping us to connect with her son, Jesus Christ, and to become instruments of evangelization, serving and attracting others to Him.Support the show

Today on the podcast… Faced with the present crisis of the Church, we are guided in this reflection to look to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Truth, for light and hope. Today we find ourselves in a similar situation as the Disciples of Jesus when he unveiled his teachings on the Eucharist in the Gospel of John (Jn 6:60-71). Many of the disciples felt that what Jesus was teaching was a hard saying and they turned away from him. What we see going on in the Church today is in a certain sense a very hard saying too; the answer, however, is not to turn away from Christ but to react the way Peter did and tell him: “Master, to whom shall we go?” (Jn 6:68).We want to read the signs of the time and see what Our Lord wants to tell us: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).The Church’s Founder is perfect; the constitution and law of the Church is Christ Himself; the Sacraments are perfect… The Truth that the Church teaches has no contradiction— it saves and liberates, and it is perfect.It is not about the ministers, the Church is about you as much as anybody else. We are called to change the world and the solution is Jesus Christ.Throughout the 2,000 year history of the Church there is a pattern of death and resurrection and then transformation… Now we have this crisis, but the Church will emerge because the Church is Divine.We should pray that those who act in His person are purified and act faithfully.“An act of faith: Nothing can prevail against God! Nothing can prevail against God’s people! —Don’t forget it.” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 219)“Don’t lose heart. Carry on! Carry on with that holy stubbornness which in spiritual terms is called perseverance.” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 220)“Fill yourself with confidence. The Mother we have is the Mother of God, the Most Blessed Virgin, the Queen of Heaven and the World.” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 273)Support the show

Today on the podcast… The Lord asks that our holiness exceed that of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-36). We recall that the Pharisees were a virtuous people who lived the moral law, prayed many times throughout the day along with fasting and almsgiving. But the Lord wants us also to love as He has loved—a love that reveals through our actions that we are His disciples. Desiring union with the love of Christ requires that we prioritize the formation of our heart's mission: to be humble, charitable, and pious in our actions and not just go through the motions.There are three components to this formation: Ask the help of the Holy Spirit to assist in our formation to be effective right where we are—in our piece of the world—our family, workplace, social acquaintances, and fellow parishioners.  We must be a light to others. Be salt to those around you affecting change in their lives and a desire to live the words of Christ— “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24). Ask our Lady to help in your formation and you will be assured of being formed according to the heart of Christ; thus your actions will be such that it may be said of you: "This person reads the life of Jesus Christ"; "This person lives the words of Christ".Support the show

On August 22nd the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.On today’s podcast, we reflect on the coronation of our Mother as Queen of the Universe. And, how as children of this Heavenly Queen we can learn to follow her example of reigning: Mary our Queen trusted all that the Lord spoke to her, and her answer remained a constant yes. Teach us to respond to the Lord with complete trust. Mary our Queen serves-- for to reign one must serve. Teach us to be faithful servants. Mary our Queen walks with purpose and usefulness. Teach us to follow in your footsteps being useful to the Lord.Support the show

Today on the podcast… How does God want us to view the virtue of faith?If we look to the Gospels, our Lord shows us many examples that will help us to see, like the Apostles (Lk 15:5-10), that the virtue of faith is connected to miracle working. Our Lord wants us to see that He needs our faith—our life of fidelity and self-giving—to work miracles: Our faith and correspondence to God allow us to become instruments in the ultimate miracle, which is conversion-- personal transformation through repentance and commitment to holiness.Miracles occur through deeds of faith: “So they said to him, ‘What can we do to accomplish the words of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent” (Jn 6:28-29).The poor widow who “put in more than all the rest” (Lk 21:1-2) is the example of faith and fidelity that we want to contemplate.If you give yourself completely, you are going to be fruitful and spread the Gospel. It’s all about letting God work in you; He needs your self-gift.Whether we have two small coins or a million to give, the important thing is to unload it all—that gift represents your heart, your will, and all your efforts.You must believe, have faith, that the Lord will not outdo you in generosity and will multiply everything that you give and that you do for him. He’s watching and he knows that you are filling the containers to the brim (Jn 2:7).Tell our Lord: “I want to give you everything, but I cannot do everything at once. Where do you want that spurt of growth and love in me?”Support the show

In a few days, on the 15th of August, the Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Mother. She is the woman clothed with the sun, the moon is beneath her feet, and is crowned with twelve stars. We love her tenderly and through her actions she shows us what a life of faith looks like. What it means to become filled with trust and a joy that unable to be disturbed by difficulties.How does this life of Faith begin? Follow Mother Mary’s example: When the Blessed Virgin Mary was in contemplative prayer she listened and received the Angel Gabriel’s message from God. She was open to the Holy Spirit allowing herself to be totally abandoned to the truth of the word of the living God. She listened to the word of God and responded with complete trust, giving God her life to do with as He pleased. We ask our dear Mother Mary to help us to become souls of faith as we nourish our faith through daily prayer and meditating on the Gospels.Support the show

Today on the podcast...How can we achieve a constant dialogue with God to help us live our Christian vocation to discipleship?Our Christian vocation by virtue of baptism is to spread the Kingdom of God--to attract people to Christ. This work of discipleship and evangelization is a work of a lifetime. To carry out this work, we need a daily plan to help us keep in constant dialogue with God--praying without ceasing--pushing ourselves realistically, expanding our hearts, to live a life in Christ:  God has a vision for our relationship with Him: that we be aware that we are always in His presence and that we remain in constant dialogue with Him. The person who is centered on Jesus Christ in everything he or she does will naturally attract others to Him.  There is an intangible glow, despite our sins and weaknesses, that reveals itself through our unceasing prayer, not because we are good but because Christ is good.- It doesn't work to have a daily plan and not live and abide by the plan. We have to say yes to our designated schedule and times of prayer. Our cooperation will lead to our goal, which is personal holiness. Our Lady helps us to see the urgency to be a man or woman of prayer by putting her Son first and implementing a realistic game plan to be a saint.Support the show

On August 6th, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. On today's podcast, we listen and reflect on the “background” and meaning of the Transfiguration, and how contemplating the scene of the Transfiguration continues to transform us today:— The Transfiguration of Jesus encourages us in our commitment to discipleship.— When we commit to protracted prayer—deep, silent, concentrated—we can see God through the eyes of our soul and heart. — The Transfiguration helped the apostles to trust in the Cross—the raw materials that make up our crosses—and to believe that there is no such thing as failure when we follow Christ.— Contemplating this scene and Jesus’ words (Mk 9:2-10), we begin to see Him, to take on His capacity for self-giving love, and we become more empowered to give of ourselves with the heart of Jesus.Support the show

Today on the podcast… We explore the characteristics of having true contrition for our sins:When we are truly sorry for our sins and receive forgiveness we have an interior peace; a serene joy. We are supple, joyful, and approachable.We not longer give excuses for our improper behavior.Support the show

Today on the podcast…We look to St. Josemaria Escriva to contemplate what it truly means to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth: Devotion to the Holy Spirit to strengthens our love, joy, prayer, and our desire to be close to Christ. Personally give witness to the Gospel and bring it to others no matter what the cost. Desire that the Gospel be heard everywhere so that Jesus will be known by everyone.Support the show

Today on the podcast… We look to St. Josemaria Escriva and consider what he learned from the divine inspiration he received on October 2, 1928: As a priest he would bring the Gospel to the world in much the same way the Apostles were commissioned at the Ascension.That Jesus desires to be with us; that is why he is in the Eucharist today. The importance of dialogue with Christ all of the time helps us stay united with Christ.Support the show

Today on the podcast… We are invited to listen and contemplate:How eternal happiness begins here on earth and is brought to its fullness in Heaven. Why it is a good idea to study the lives of the saints. The meaning of the “revolutionary message” revealed to St. Josemaria Escriva: to bring Christ into the heart of the modern world. At the end of our reflection and prayer, we ask Our Lady to help us learn to live each day imitating the saints.Support the show

Today on the podcast… We are asked to evaluate our appreciation for the precious gift that God gives to us so generously; our freedom. Msgr. Frederick Dolan helps us to understand which actions of ours make us free and which ones will hold us back from being free. And as we consider our actions to remember that we are not self-created; that we are creatures of a loving God. He ends with encouraging us to call on our Mother Mary to obtain many graces for our country.Support the show

Reflection…“Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church.”Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation: The keys of holiness are Grace and Freedom.  The freedom to choose the vocation in which we desire to make the presence of Jesus come alive in our hearts and in the heart of the world.  And the grace to aid us in living the Beatitudes where the heart of Jesus opens up to us the many ways we can imitate him in our desire to become saints.  Let us invoke Our Blessed Mother and the Holy Spirit asking them to help the word of the Father penetrate our hearts, bringing the words of the gospel to our lips, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).Support the show

In today’s podcast we ask the Lord to help us to not be satisfied with being a bystander, that we allow his words to enter deep into our hearts and change us. In the words of St. Josemaria Escriva: “We only love what we know well.”  Therefore, let us look to the lives of the saints and the life of Jesus himself in an effort to come to know God well; imitating daily, through our actions, a genuine love of neighbor.Support the show

In this reflection we are called to consider Jesus Christ as the High Priest and how all of us are called to participate in that priesthood according to our vocation in life. We are each called to a specific way of life and those who have chosen the priesthood as their vocation have additional responsibilities regarding the care of God’s people.  There are acts that the priest must do on behalf of the people as they work on guiding them towards the right path.  And yet, every priest needs and relies on the help of God’s people too, as they fulfill their vocation to the priesthood.  It is further explained that it is through the graces of our baptism that we receive the freedom to walk in Christ’s footsteps doing the works that are particular to our state in life.  Whatever our vocation may be, our life’s goal is to become saints through uniting with Our Lord in His Redemptive Sacrifice.Support the show

In this reflection on The Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, we encounter the realization that Mary offers us much in the way of teaching us about self-giving. Especially in the way she puts others first, always availing herself to acts of serving others for the love of God. There is an experience of true joy in all she does.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio invites us to reflect and pray about: What is the ordinary and how can it help us to be extraordinary?Jesus’ life growing up was not written down. There is no account of his activities after Joseph and Mary found him in the Temple until his baptism in the River Jordan. Jesus was so ordinary that there is nothing written about what a typical day might have been like for him; only a summary by Luke mentioning that Jesus grew in stature and grace before God and man.Out of his ordinary life came the revelation of the words of Jesus, “Eat my flesh and drink my blood” and “I am the Bread of Life.” These statements were utterly new to the thoughts of man. They are an insight into the extraordinary gift that God has given us. The Eucharist is the True Presence of the Resurrected Christ hidden in the appearance of bread -- ordinary bread.Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, while you carry out your daily activities, however small they may seem.  Like St. Therese of Lisieux, who was so ordinary that the nuns she lived with were dumbfounded that she was being considered for canonization, we should also strive to persevere in the little things.  For when little things are done out of love, they are worth so much in the eyes of God.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

On today's podcast we are reminded, for our contemplation, of the words Pope Benedict XVI offered on the meaning of freedom: “Who is freer than the One who is the Almighty? He did not, however, live his freedom as an arbitrary power or as domination. He lived it as a service. In this way he ‘filled’ freedom with content, which would otherwise have remained an ‘empty’ possibility of doing or not doing something. . .freedom draws its meaning from love . . .”If it is true happiness that we are looking for when seeking freedom, then we should observe the actions of Jesus Christ.  He himself showed us how to be obedient to God the Father no matter the cost. And, in return, God the Father nourishes Jesus’ strength to carry out his act of love for the Father.  This is the model the saints chose to follow and it would be wise for us to do the same.Support the show

Thank you for listening to the 10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast!10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 4 | Our faith in the Holy Spirit: necessarily completeFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/10-DAY DEVOTION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST: The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum. This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

Today on the podcast… “When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?' (Lk 24:30-32).”As we journey with those whom the Lord chooses to place in our lives, we can be apostles of today evangelizing simply through how we live our daily lives. Then will not our companions also exclaim, “Were not our hearts burning?” In today’s podcast we reflect upon and are reminded that our companions in life must see the truth in our convictions of how to live holy, joyful, saintly lives in the midst of the worldSupport the show

Today on the podcast… On May 1st, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.“…Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him'” (Matt. 2:13).In this reflection, Msgr. Fred Dolan invites us to bring to our prayer the great example of St. Joseph, especially his obedience and immediate response to the will of God– even if it meant he would find himself without a home and without established work.Support the show

Reflection… Easter is the highest celebration of the Church because it is the culmination of the Paschal Mystery with Jesus as victor over sin and death. The properties of his suffering on the Cross and his Resurrection stimulate change. Not only a visible change in our behavior but also a spiritual change in direct correlation with our relationship in prayer with the Lord.All of this is made possible through a young Jewish girl’s "yes" to an Angel sent By God. Mary’s Fiat! As this young girl recites her Magnificat to the angel, her heartfelt  knowledge of the old testament is very evident for her words are drawn from all over the old testament.Support the show

The Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday at the conclusion of the Easter Octave during which we are reminded to “be merciful, just as [our] Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the mercy of God by sharing a deeper understanding of the Eucharist. He explains that Christ is the incarnation of mercy itself which is revealed to us through the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. As we receive the Eucharist and allow Christ to dwell within us, we also receive the grace of the Holy Spirit which empowers us to show mercy toward those we encounter each day and inspires us to love with the heart of Christ.St. Josemaria explains: “Mercy is more than simply being compassionate. Mercy is the overflow of charity, which brings with it also an overflow of justice. Mercy means keeping one’s heart totally alive, throbbing in a way that is both human and divine, with a love that is strong, self-sacrificing and generous” (Friends of God, no. 232).[ Transcript ]Support the show

Reflection… “My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart” (Psalm 38:5-8).In the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus tells Peter, James, and John to watch and pray, he is also calling us to watch and pray.  In our prayer we contemplate who Jesus really is, what he did for us out of love and what this means for us today.  How can we make this time of prayer personal and allow what we learn to overflow into our daily lives.Support the show

Reflection… Lent is a season of conversion of the mind, heart, and soul through the acts of prayer, penance, and deeds of charity/alms giving. Though its exact time of origin is unknown, the practice of fasting and the offering of a penance during the 40 days prior to Easter was more widely visible in the church sometime soon after The First Council of Nicaea, AD 325. The councils’ program of liturgical and theological alignment may have been the springboard that aided in the formation of the structure of Lent as we practice it today.May the graces we receive this lent through our prayers of self-giving love, acceptance of our crosses of penance, and deeds of charity toward the least of our brethren, propel us to continue to perfect these newfound works in our daily lives.Jesus gently calls us to an improved relationship with Him, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).Support the show

Jesus prepared the disciples to bear fruit as they began to evangelize.  We too must prepare for evangelizing as well. During the season of lent let us practice being in the presence Jesus, to be in constant prayer.  In the early church St. Paul taught, to "Put on Christ".  To evangelize well our faith must grow and for our faith to grow one must pursue holiness.The Second Vatican Council has brought to the forefront that the laity are called to bring the modern world back to Christ.  Through obedience, let us begin in the silence of our meditation to commence with contemplative hearts to change the world.Support the show

During this season of lent we are called by the Church to repent of our sins and turn back to the gospels. The Gospel of Luke makes it clear that all are being addressed when Jesus gives instructions on how to be his disciples, “Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).Therefore, to be Jesus’ disciples, to put him first, we must practice temperance from our own desires, passions, and all that does not bring us closer to Jesus. As we reach detachment from those actions that pull us away from Jesus, we will begin to see the greater joy promised in the Beatific Vision.Support the show

When we attend Mass, do we really envision the joining of heaven and earth, which is about to become visible to us? Do we work on realizing how precious a gift Our Father has given us, our Daily Bread, given for our spiritual sustenance?We need to learn from the saints how precious a gift the Liturgy is for our spiritual growth. When it comes to praying at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass it can be helpful to keep in mind the words of St. Augustine, “The desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.”In the example of St. Augustine, let us prayerfully desire to become closer with Our Lord Jesus Christ during the Mass. And let's also keep in mind to call on Our Blessed Mother for help so that we may improve. This meditation will continue to give you other tools and examples for learning to truly pray the Mass.Visit Show PageSupport the show

Today in the podcast….. "Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear..." (1 Peter 3:14-16).This is the courage that the Apostles of Jesus Christ are calling us to embrace when approaching the ever approachable Godhead in His Divine Infancy.  Jesus Christ wants us to be free from all anxiety as we build our relationship with Him. Just as one would feel free to interact with a newborn baby, unafraid of what others think while lavishing a Baby with affection.This meditation will enlighten the faithful in how to, as St. Josemaria Escriva has stated many times, evangelize with great charity as one improves their pious relationship with the Lord.Support the show

In a homily given by St. Josemaria Escriva in the 1960’s he calls all to imitate Jesus’ love for Humanity. What does this call invite us to do today? Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest, enlightens us by mentioning that the call to “Passionately Love The World,” invites us to leave our comfort zone, find new compassion for others, be present for those who do not know that they hunger for Christ, His consolation, and His peace. In turn, our efforts of imitating Christ will ultimately give our lives meaning and we will have found true love.Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way." . . . Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," . . . "and a few fish. . . . Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.” Matt. 15:32-37We should take note that if we trust enough to give Our Lord Jesus Christ all that we have, as in the loaves and the fish, then there is nothing to worry about for Jesus will always take care of us.Support the show

Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest, is quoted in this podcast saying, “We are disciples of Christ marked with this unity of life that we give an experience of Christ through joy.”   He challenges us to evaluate our daily lives and see if we can find Christ there in the midst.He stresses that, as Disciples of Christ there should be a common thread that runs through our lives. This Common thread is the manner in which we interact with others through which they can see the presence of Jesus Christ in our very person. Just like the vessels of clay St. Paul refers to when telling the Corinthians that they must hold God within their being in order to be able to give Him to others.We must let others experience Christ through our very actions of love, kindness, affection, and joy then they can recognize the life of Christ alive in us. The receiver of these actions should feel loved through our being present to them.Support the show

Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest, reminds us that St. Josemaria was inspired by the light of God with the mission to bring Christ into the heart of the entire world in a way that He had never been before. Into a world that is gripped by a culture of death; to be healed by the intervention of God’s Mercy. “God is the same as always. It is men of faith that are needed: and then, there will be a renewal of the wonders we read of in the Gospel” (St. Josemaria; The Way, no. 586).Faith filled children of God are called to participate in this beautiful mission. We are to replicate both the joy and the affection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This can be done if first a well formed interior life of prayer is established, for it is our prayer life that exudes this joy, the light of Christ. Fr. Peter refers to what St. Gregory Nazianzen wrote in his Oration #39 that, “[God] wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shinning in the world.” This is no ordinary light he speaks of; it is a light in which we are bathed in the glory of God. Let us ask Our Blessed Mother Mary to help us enter into the light, the light of her Son, which is nothing more and nothing less than the Mercy of God.Support the show

Jesus spoke these words, “For I tell you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).In this passage, Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest, points out that we must not lack repentance, love for God, and affection and compassion for others, especially those alienated from God. Our Lord calls us to love our neighbor, for when we are loving our neighbor; we are loving God. In the spirit of St. Josemaria Escriva’s charism of living daily life, we can look at this quote from Archbishop Nguyen Van Thuan (1928-2002), when addressing the Lord, “I will no longer look back but do willingly, simply, humbly, and bravely the duties which come from the circumstances in which I find myself, as your will.” Then again, “ I want to turn every minute that remains in my life into an act of love.” These words can become our daily mantra when we are faced with our daily crosses and are struggling interiorly for the strength to carry them.Support the show

“My Father — talk to him like that, confidently — who art in heaven, look upon me with compassionate Love, and make me respond to thy love.—Melt and enkindle my heart of bronze, burn and purify my unmortified flesh, fill my mind with supernatural light, make my tongue proclaim the Love and Glory of Christ” (St. Josemaria, The Forge, no. 3).Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects upon the idea of divine filiation, that we have been made children of God through our Lord’s redemption. By being reborn in Jesus Christ through baptism, we become like Christ the Son, through whom God the Father loves us. By growing deeper in our relationship with Jesus, we can grow in our sense of divine filiation and benefit more from the love of God the Father.Divine filiation should serve as a reference point for our lives. Especially through our difficulties and anxieties, we can draw perspective by remembering that we are nothing less than children of God and that our Father is infinite, all-powerful love. This outlook will continue to fortify us through life’s struggles and help us to maintain our interior peace.Support the show

“I will get up an go back to my father and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants'” (Luke 15:18-19).While making use of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest, causes the observer to stop and think about the reason why a soul is moved to repentance. Fr. Peter explains that it is the devout contemplation of the goodness of God and the returning loving gaze of our Lord upon our souls that elicits a desire for profound repentance and thus to have a conversion of heart. If we take time to really consider our actions and are honest with ourselves and with God, we can receive freedom from sin, the healing that God is offering through Jesus Christ through the priest in confession.Support the show

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, invites us to come to understand the importance of the second most perfect gift that God has given us at the foot of the cross, the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, is also our Mother. He explains through her Immaculate Conception, she had been prepared for the sole purpose of helping us become children of God worthy of being saints.This generosity of God can be seen as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary, October 13, 2017, of Our Mother Mary appearing at Fatima showering us with her “Motherly Love” and asking us to let her help us by invoking her through praying the rosary. It is precisely in this act that Fr. Peter reminds us that the shortest way to Jesus is through Mary.In honoring the graces that God the Father has bestowed upon Our Beloved Mother, let us, “Sing to the Immaculate Virgin, reminding her: Hail Mary, daughter of God the Father: Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son: Hail Mary, Spouse of God the holy Spirit...Greater than you, none but God!” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 496).Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio invites us to reflect upon the cross, particularly as a medium to connect with the Lord.  Highlighting the imprisonment and martyrdom of St. Thomas More as an example, Fr. Peter illustrates that when faced with suffering, we might be tempted to discouragement if we are not quick to embrace the cross or delight in it.  But he reminds us that although suffering is essential for growing in intimacy with the Lord, as long as we are trying to bear it alone, we will struggle.  We need to remind ourselves: “It’s not my cross, it’s his, and he does the heavy lifting."In order to grow in our love for the cross, Fr. Peter suggests listening to Jesus’ words when he told his Apostles to “watch and pray.”  The Lord is our role model in his suffering and agony, since any cross we are enduring, he also endured.  Thus he is our template for suffering; by watching Jesus, our suffering can be lessened and we can grow in deeper unity and intimacy with him through the cross.“The Cross symbolizes the life of an apostle of Christ, with a strength and a truth that delight both soul and body, though sometimes it is hard, and we can feel its weight.”St. JosemariaThe Forge, no. 757View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the show

In this meditation from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to reflect upon the “apostolate of attraction” as the means by which we are to fulfill the Great Commission and lead others into relationship with Jesus Christ. This type of apostolate, as old as the Gospel itself and encouraged by Pope Francis, begins by our faithful witness to the love of Christ: “people need to see us as oases of joy and peace.”   It is our witness, only later accompanied by doctrine, that will prove that Jesus is real.“Whenever sanctity is genuine, it overflows from its vessel to fill other hearts, other souls, with its superabundance. We, the children of God, sanctify ourselves by sanctifying others. Is Christian life growing around you? Consider this every day” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 856). Before our Lord sent the Apostles out into the world, he gave them the new commandment of love, instructing them to remain united with him and replicate his heart. Despite any obstacles and difficulties they would face, Jesus promised them that in following this commandment, they would succeed in sharing the Gospel, since it would be him acting through them. This remains true for us still today; if we remain united to his heart and participate in his life, others will come to know him through our love.Support the show

Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, helps us to reflect upon the means of becoming like Christ using the story of the Rich Young Man (Mark 10: 17-22) as the model. The young man, desiring eternal life, asks Jesus what he must do. After exhorting the young man to follow the commandments, Jesus invites him to “give it all” and become his disciple. It is this invitation that Christ repeats to us as well; how is Jesus calling us to follow him more closely? One danger in the spiritual life can be to regard our life of prayer and formation as a time of personal training or self-improvement. Instead, Fr. Peter reminds us that the goal of prayer and formation is to encounter Jesus and grow more deeply in our love of him and others. By responding to prayer in this way, we will “become Christ” and our lives will be a witness to others, giving them an experience of the heart of Christ. “You lack drive. That's why you sway so few. You don't seem very convinced of what you gain by giving up those things of the earth for Christ. Just compare: a hundredfold and life everlasting! Would you call that a poor bargain?” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Way, no. 791).Support the show

In this meditation by Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we reflect upon “hunger to know the Master” as the source for apostolic zeal and the foundation for fruitfulness in the apostolate. Although Jesus gave the mandate to his followers to bring the Gospel to all the corners of the earth, his Apostles realized that this would not be accomplished through human efforts, but rather by God working through them. As such, it is the love of Christ that motivates us in our desire for conversion and urges us in sharing him with others. St. Paul spoke of Christ as the source of evangelization throughout his writings. In his letter to the Romans (13:14), he reminds us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” as it is not us who evangelize, but Jesus who works through us. Furthermore, in his 2nd Letter to the Corinthians (4:7), he explains that fruitfulness in the apostolate is not dependent on our own strengths and virtues, but on the power of God: “But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” Elaborating on this, Fr. Peter encourages us that despite our own faults and failings, we are not broken clay pieces, but vessels, meant to be filled and used as instruments for bringing the Gospel to the world. Only by hungering to know the Lord and being filled by him will we be able to cultivate our apostolic zeal.Support the show

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, invites us to reflect upon the “science of the cross” given by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. As the precondition for those who want to follow Christ, Fr. Peter shows how we can apply Christ’s words to ourselves and learn how to put them into practice.“He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me’” (Mark 8:34).Self-denial is often manifested through acts of mortification and fasting, yet the self-denial that Christ is addressing here is on a macro level. We are called to deny our whole persona: our minds, our wills, our hearts, our entire beings, just as Mary did in her “fiat” at the annunciation. No matter what our vocation, Christ is inviting us to put him first in our life.Although living out this type of self-denial is the work of a lifetime, it begins by cultivating the disposition of giving the Lord our entire self each day. In examining the lives of the saints, we see models of those who cultivated this disposition and responded to the Lord’s call with a total gift of themselves.Support the show

Today in the podcast... Fr Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on the New Commandment from Jesus Christ which he issued to the Apostles before the Last Supper.This commandment is particularly difficult to follow since we are asked to love one another as Jesus loves us, which is a very tall order. How can we match Jesus’ love for us!However, Fr. Peter Armenio makes a point to note that when God issues a commandment, it is because we can live it. Do not write yourself off!“No matter how much you may love, you will never love enough. The human heart is endowed with an enormous coefficient of expansion. When it loves, it opens out in a crescendo of affection that overcomes all barriers. If you love Our Lord, there will not be a single creature that does not find a place in your heart” (St Josemaria Escriva, The Way of the Cross; Eight Station, Number 5).Support the show

“Each and every event of this life, without exception, must be steps which take you to God, which move you to know him and love him, to give him thanks, and to strive to make everyone else know and love him” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 680). In this meditation from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to reflect upon work as a medium for prayer, using the hidden life of Jesus as an example. Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus spent many years working as a carpenter. Though nothing is written about these years, St. Josemaria considered this silence to be an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, exemplifying the ordinariness which characterized Jesus’s life until he began his public ministry. Thus, when we echo the Apostles’ request “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) we can hear Jesus’s response through his lived example. Work is a place where we are meant to encounter God daily. The idea of “sanctification of work” is simple, but the process is not easy. Fr. Peter explains that a personal life of prayer outside of work is the driving force behind our ability to sanctify our work, since sanctification of work is not about perfecting a routine as much as it is about giving a gift of love. As such, conversation with the Lord in mental prayer, frequenting the Sacraments, and making regular aspirations and acts of love are foundational to being able to sanctify our work, as they increase our love. Likewise, laxity in our spiritual norms can detract from our ability to sanctify our work, as there is less love given in that work. Ultimately, the one who prays more is the one who loves more.Support the show

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, invites us to reflect upon Mary, especially in light of her Assumption, as God’s great gift to us and as our great hope. ‘Mary has been taken up to heaven by God in body and soul, and the angels rejoice.’ Joy overtakes both angels and men. Why is it that we feel today this intimate delight, with our heart brimming over, with our soul full of peace? Because we are celebrating the glorification of our mother, and it is only natural that we her children rejoice in a special way upon seeing how the most Blessed Trinity honors her” (St. Josemaria Escriva, Christ is Passing By, no. 171). As Fr. Peter explains, the Feast of the Assumption is in one sense a celebration of ourselves. God has brought Mary into heaven and her glorification emphasizes her relationship with the Blessed Trinity. But as she occupies a place of honor and gazes at God face to face, she intercedes for us and serves us as our mother. In the Assumption, we receive an invitation to optimism, as Mary’s intercession from heaven is our own victory. Fr. Peter encourages us that we must become more “Marian”; relying on Mary as our hope, especially in our works of apostolate and evangelization. In facing the formidable obstacles of today’s culture, we can follow the example of the great saints and evangelists, such as St. Josemaria Escriva, Blessed Alvaro Portillo, and St. John Paul II, in loving Mary and relying on her for all the help that we need.Support the show

Using the story of the Rich Young Man as the model, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects upon Jesus’s search for “laborers” for the harvest (Luke 10:2) and highlights the three steps Jesus gives to help us lay down our lives for him and become laborers. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments…’”  And he replied, “All of these I have observed from my youth.”  When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Luke 18: 18-23) These three steps Jesus gives can be seen as a path leading us towards giving a total gift of self.  First, Jesus lays the foundation by reminding us that God alone is good and able to satisfy the human heart.  Next, Jesus shows that by keeping the commandments, we become free to give ourselves completely, as we are not bound by sins or attachments.  And lastly, Jesus invites us to lay our lives down for him by making him our ultimate good.  In following these steps, Fr. Peter explains that we will become laborers and be able to witness to others that it is only Christ who gives true joy, hope, and freedom.  If we are not capable of giving ourselves totally to God yet, Fr. Peter encourages us to seek God’s grace and Mary’s help in learning to courageously say “yes” as she did. “Why don’t you give yourself to God once and for all… really… now?  If you see your way clearly, follow it.  Why don’t you shake off the cowardice that holds you back? ‘Proclaim the Good News… I shall be with you…’  It is Jesus who has said this… and he has said it to you” (St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way: no. 902-904).Support the show

“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, highlights Jesus’s teaching during the Sermon on Mount and invites us to reflect on “holy purity” as a means to finding true joy and freedom in our lives.Fr. Peter explains that because God is revealed as self-giving love, and holy purity is an expression of self-giving love, the more we exercise purity, the more we see God face to face.  Holy purity, therefore, liberates us to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, seeing him in prayer, suffering, and through relationships with other people.Looking at our culture, Fr. Peter examines several falsehoods placed before men and women today concerning this virtue and shows how living out holy purity in our attitudes and relationships both reflects our dignity as children of God, and leads to a happiness that far surpasses what is found by living according to society’s false ideas of freedom as license.Fr. Peter emphasizes the need to not only pray for the grace of the virtue of holy purity, but to pray to desire the virtue, as both will be necessary in living it faithfully. Additionally, he stresses that holy purity is a difficult virtue to live in this day and age; we must avoid the tendency to become discouraged and follow the example of St. Mary Magdalene and continue to repent and begin again.Support the show

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects upon joy as the foundation for all evangelization and how living joy in our daily lives can lead others to encounter Christ. The particular role of the laity in bringing Christ to the world, especially in the places we live and work, requires that we not only bring the truth of the Gospel to all those who we encounter, but that we always lead with joy and witness to the happiness found in our friendship with Jesus. Fr. Peter, using the example of the saints, shows that authentic joy is not artificial, but is a happiness which results from having the fullness of joy within you. This joy is easily perceived by others and is fueled by our friendship with Jesus. In order to increase our joy, we can more intentionally abide with the Lord through the Eucharist, mental prayer, the rosary, the cross, and through our effort of the love others.Support the show

In this reflection from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to hear Mary’s words from the Wedding Feast of Cana, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5), as our instructions to listen and respond to Jesus’s command given during the Last Supper. “So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13: 12-15). After washing their feet, Jesus instructs his Apostles to follow his example by loving and serving each other. Referencing the lives of the saints, Fr. Peter explains that although we may not literally wash others’ feet, the attitude of service can always be present, especially in the way we interact with others. In order to grow in charity, we must begin by uniting ourselves with Jesus, the source of charity. Then can we examine ourselves: how can I show more affection, more joy, and more of a spirit of service in my daily life?Support the show

On June 26th, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Josemaria Escriva. In this reflection, Fr. Peter Armenio explains the reason why the Holy Spirit moved the Church to canonize St. Josemaria so quickly. The reason he suggests is because “the Church wants us to encounter Jesus amid work” following Jesus’s own example. “Jesus’ thirty-three years!...: thirty were spent in silence and obscurity; in submission and work…” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Furrow, no. 485).“God is self-giving love…and he manifests it in work and in family relations and friendships.” So we should ask ourselves: “how do I elevate my love for Christ in my work?” Fr. Peter explains that the key to encountering Christ in our work is mental prayer— spending exclusive time with our Lord each day in conversation with Him. In this way, our ultimate aim becomes to give glory to God and to serve the needs of others.Support the show

Reflecting on the scene of the Last Supper, when Jesus is “beginning to hand the baton to his followers,” Fr. Peter Armenio explains that another Divine Person begins to become more prominent: the Holy Spirit.In this reflection, we are invited to contemplate the Holy Spirit and his job “to penetrate the words of Jesus and to convert us and transform us.”“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you” (Jn 14:16-17).“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you” (Jn 16:13-15).Support the show

Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects on the poverty spirit we should cultivate in order to make Jesus Christ the priority of our lives. Like the rich young man in the Gospel (Mk 10:17-22), Fr. Peter explains how Jesus Christ is also asking us now:- Do you believe that only I (God) can fill you?- Do you keep my (God’s) commandments?- Do you put me (God) first? Am I (Jesus Christ) your passion?“To follow Christ — that is the secret. We must accompany him so closely that we come to live with him, like the first Twelve did; so closely, that we become identified with him. Soon we will be able to say, provided we haven't put obstacles in the way of grace, that we have put on, have clothed ourselves with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is then reflected in our behavior, as in a mirror” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Friends of God, no. 299).Support the show

In this reflection from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to contemplate the “workshop for the first evangelization” and learn how Jesus prepared the first disciples to go out into the world as his witnesses. “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).Using the image of the vine and branches, Jesus illustrates how remaining in him is the only way to become fruitful witnesses and to be his friends. And, to remain in Jesus, as Fr. Peter explains, “implies a constant union with him”, especially through the Holy Eucharist and prayer.Support the show

In this reflection, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, invites us to take time during the Easter season to ask God in our prayer: “What is it that you want me to contemplate in light of the Resurrection?” Fr. Peter explains that we will see that we are called to bring Jesus Christ into the world in a "new way", especially through our joy— the joy that comes from making “Jesus Christ the center of our work, sufferings, and recreation.” “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ‘I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you’” (Jn 15:10-12).As we contemplate the “cloak of joy surrounding the mystery of the Resurrection,” we can ask God for a “conversion of interior life.” And, the joy that overflows from our interior lives will help to draw those around us to Jesus Christ.Support the show

On May 1st, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. To help us get to know St. Joseph better, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects on the holiness of St. Joseph as the role model for the whole Church, especially the laity. St. Joseph is the template for the Christian vocation— the “all-star” of holiness.“We need devotion to St. Joseph,” Fr. Peter explains, “because my vocation is his vocation. He loved God with his whole mind, whole heart, and whole strength as a carpenter. He tried his very best. He made his carpentry the best. His carpentry was a medium to serve people. His work was a medium of prayer and sacrifice. And, his work was a medium of charity towards others.”Support the show

Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects on Jesus’s gentle and loving invitation, ‘Come to me,’ and how we are to translate what it means for each of us personally.“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Matthew 11:28-30).Often Jesus’s invitation is a gentle command to spend some quiet time with him in mental prayer. Jesus desires, as Fr. Peter explains, “that you open up your heart, vent, complain, unburden yourself, and tell him about your suffering. Because then our cross becomes his cross.” And, “God only gives us the grace to bear the crosses of the present moment. Jesus says ‘my yoke is easy and burden light…,’ not yours, but mine. Because it becomes mine, you participate in it, you share it.”Support the show

In this podcast for Easter Sunday, Fr. Javier del Castillo invites us to contemplate the Resurrection of Christ and how “the Resurrection is an event that can only be accessed by people of faith who have had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.” And, like the women at the tomb and the apostles, how “every Christian is a witness” and what that means for us today.Support the show

During this prayerful time of Holy Week, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reminds us in today’s reflection that “we need to accompany Jesus in his suffering” because “he needs me and he needs you.” “Jesus is counting on you and all of his followers to be with him.” “He saw you and he saw me,” Fr. Peter explains, “and as we connect with him, we console him. And, as we try to witness him to others and draw other people to him, we alleviate his pain. Therefore, as you progress through Holy Week, bring to your prayer the fact that: “he loves me infinitely and he wants me there.”Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the scene of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how her yes to God’s will is the model of vocational response for all generations.Mary’s fiat – let it be – has a very personal effect on our lives. Fr. Peter explains that everything we have in our Catholic faith - all the sacraments, the Eucharist - is traced back to a specific episode; it all originates in a teenage young lady. When Mary gave her answer to Gabriel, the world was forever changed. It was the most revolutionary yes. As we contemplate Mary’s yes which brought Christ into the world, we come to realize that we are each called to bring God into the world and to share the presence of Christ with those we encounter in everyday life.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, invites us in this Lenten reflection to seek a spirit of penance, of self-denial, and repentance in order to experience a true conversion and to enter into the heart of Jesus Christ. Contemplating St. Peter’s denial of Jesus Christ, Fr. Armenio explains: “How did St. Peter become effective? How did he convert? How did he become a witness, an evangelizer? It started when Jesus looked at him and he looked at Jesus. Peter contemplated how much Jesus loved him and how he loves him unconditionally.” Jesus asked St. Peter: Do you love me? (see Jn 21:15-17) Our ongoing conversion also begins with Jesus conversing with us and looking at us, and our contemplating his love and goodness in return.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, explains the Christian vocation using the example of salt and light. “Our being children of God, I insist, leads us to have a contemplative spirit in the midst of all human activities; to be light, salt and leaven through our prayer, through our mortification, through our knowledge of religion and of our profession. We will carry out this aim: the more within the world we are, the more we must be God’s” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 740).Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, explains what it means to “put on the face of Jesus” and why having an intimate connection with Jesus’ Eucharistic sacrifice is essential for evangelization.Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, contemplates St. John’s definition of God as “infinite self-giving love” and how the more we willingly give of ourselves, the more we can experience the heart of Christ.Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on Christ’s last words before his Ascension and explains that in the work of evangelization no one can be ignored — “out of a hundred souls we are interested in a hundred.” Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, shows how the Christian life is a continual purification of our self-love and a move towards perfect humility, which is a key virtue to encountering Jesus Christ.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on Jesus’s example and command at the Last Supper that we love one another and he has loved us.  And how this new commandment creates a connection between Jesus Christ and us, revealing to us and helping us to love with the heart of Christ.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, shares what the parable of the rich young man can teach us about detachment and temperance, and how the act of total self-giving is key to personal holiness. Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, encourages us to be contemplatives in the middle of the world, and explains why prayer is an essential ingredient, if we are to be leaven for the world.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… At the end of this Christmas season, Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on how our journey to Christ is like that of the magi, and what the three gifts of the magi can teach us about approaching Christ.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast…  As we continue our celebration of the Christmas season, Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on Mary, the Mother of God. He contemplates how the wise men and the shepherds had to go through Mary to encounter Jesus Christ, and how Mary is also our shortcut to him. Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… God’s Love For Us Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, explains how Jesus Christ is the revelation of the love of God, and how the more we exercise self-giving love, the more we will experience God’s love for us. Support the show

Today on the podcast…  Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on why the Incarnation is Good News of great joy, and how Christmas is ultimately a celebration of radical access to God. Support the show

Today on the podcast…  Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, invites us to reflect on why God is called “the Word” and why the humanity of Jesus Christ is such a unique and shocking truth of Christianity. Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the three Advents we encounter in life and, as we come closer to Christmas, explains what it means to become Bethlehem–to get to know Jesus Christ, follow him, and bring him to others.Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, invites us to reflect on Mary’s title “Mother Most Amiable,” showing us how Jesus and Mary invested in the lives of others as true friends.He explains how friendship was the vehicle in which the early Church grew, and why friendship should be at the heart of today’s New Evangelization.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today we bring you a homily from Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest for the Prelature of Opus Dei. It was recorded on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 2014 at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Chicago, IL (USA). Fr. Peter reflects on the verse “All generations will call me blessed,” and how Mary is the template for the New Evangelization.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the connection between joy and our personal encounter with Jesus Christ, and how that connection overflows and influences our ability to bring Jesus Christ to others. He also emphasizes how our Lady, the first evangelizer, teaches us how to lead with joy when she visits her cousin, Elizabeth, and announces her Magnificat.Support the show

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Father Javier del Castillo reminds us in this meditation, as St Josemaria Escriva also often did, that we ought to thank God always by habitually making frequent acts of thanksgiving, acts of gratitude. “We were never asked by God to come into existence,” Fr Javier explains, “everything we have— our talents, our virtues, even our defects— all have been been foreseen by God, allowed by God, given to us by God so that we can fulfill the single mission that we have received from before the foundation of the world, as St Paul would say, in giving glory to God. ‘Thank you Lord for everything because everything is good.’” And as we strive to maintain a constant spirit of gratitude in our lives we will realize that "thanksgiving enlarges our hearts to receive even greater gifts from God."Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, shares the biblical basis for giving glory to God through our work, and explains how Jesus’ hidden life of work is meant to be for us a model for holiness.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast…  Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. He speaks of the importance of “spiritual time management” and guides us in our prayer on how to make the most of our limited time here on earth. Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, explores our call to holiness according to the Beatitudes.He explains that the beatitudes are the only way to find peace and bring that peace to other souls.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, guides us in our prayer to see that it is God’s will for us to become saints. Reflecting on the example of the saints and the Catholic Church’s tradition of canonizing saints, he points out the importance of recognizing our own call to holiness and sainthood. Lastly, we learn how genuine holiness overflows to fill the hearts and souls of others with its superabundance.Correction Note: Fr. Peter mentions in the meditation that St. Thomas More was canonized by Pope Paul VI in the 1970s. St. Thomas More was actually canonized in 1935 by Pope Pius XI.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, explains how suffering is not a sign that should cause us to lose hope, but rather it is a sign of our sharing in the Cross of Christ, which according to St. Paul is the power of God.  We also hear how we can grow in hope by making Jesus and His Cross the center of our lives; and how that is also the best way to give hope to others.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, explains why we should meditate on the life of Christ through the mysteries of the Rosary so that Mary can facilitate our growth in holiness, our sanctity, and our charity. He also shows how Mary is the shortcut to the work of evangelization. Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, explains why the Sermon on the Mount is such a shockingly high calling, and encourages us to become “spiritual athletes” striving toward the Kingdom of God.You’ll also hear how St. Josemaria Escriva believed that the lay person was in “hibernation” and that they too are called to become saints.Lastly, Fr. Peter explains the “price” of the Kingdom of Heaven according to St. Matthew.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the podcast… Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, shares how St. Josemaria Escriva founded Opus Dei to build what he calls “a civilization of love” and to bring Jesus Christ, in a new way, into the very heart of the world amid a culture that is contrary to the Gospel. Fr. Peter tells the story of St. Josemaria’s calling to the priesthood when he was 16 years old, his inspiration for founding Opus Dei, and why he believed that the responsibility of extending the Kingdom of God would rest on the shoulders of lay women and men.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

Today on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast we bring you a meditation by Fr. Javier del Castillo on the Holy Archangels—St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael.On September 29 and October 2, the Church celebrates the feasts of the Archangels and the Guardian Angels respectively. This meditation will help us to reflect on the tasks of the angels in the history of salvation and how we can develop our devotion to the angels, especially through the example of St Josemaria Escriva.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

We are pleased to share with you today an excerpt from the audio edition of the book Praying 15 Days with St. Josemaria Escriva by Fr. Guillaume Derville. To get instant access to all 15 chapters of the audiobook, and to buy the book and 2-Disc CD set, please visit us online.Praying 15 Days with St. Josemaria Escriva invites us, under his guidance, to follow various characters in the gospels, placing ourselves in each scene as one more among the rest, as they live out their personal encounters with Jesus Christ.Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the role, purpose, and good of temporal authorities and why the right ordering of society should be built upon reason and natural law.Support the show

Today on St. Josemaria Escriva’s Feast Day (June 26th), Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the patron saint of ordinary life and his 41 years of intercession from heaven.What you’ll hear:- Why St. Josemaria said that he would be more useful after his death.- St. Josemaria’s favorite Gospel passage.- How God used footprints in the snow to call St. Josemaria to his vocation.- How St. Josemaria discerned the will of God.- Why St. Josemaria initially became discouraged when he went to London.- How St. Josemaria saw himself as a little child for Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 10 | Beginning: and beginning againFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum.This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 9 | Docility, life of prayer, and union with the Cross: fundamental pointsFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum.This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 8 | The Holy Spirit: living according to himFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum.This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 7 | The gift of wisdom: making us know God and rejoice in his presenceFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum.This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 6 | The action of the Holy Spirit: teaching how to correspond to itFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum.This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 5 | The Holy Spirit: present among usFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum.This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 3 | The Church: the body of Christ, enlivened by the Holy SpiritFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum.This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 2 | The Holy Spirit: present in the Church for all timeFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum.This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

!10-Day Devotion to the Holy Spirit - Day 1 | Pentecost: The day when the Holy Spirit came down upon the Lord’s disciplesFor the complete text of today’s reflection and for additional spiritual resources visit: http://stjosemaria.org/ten-day-devotion-holy-spirit/The prayers and reflections for this devotion are taken from the “Handbook of Prayers,” published by Midwest Theological Forum. This long standing custom of the Church in preparation for Pentecost is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts and make firm resolutions for our interior lives.Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ.[ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ. [ Transcript ]Support the show

The St. Josemaria Institute has partnered with iPray with Gospel to bring the popular daily Gospel reflections to life on our podcast. Now you can read and/or listen to the daily reflections during your time of prayer! iPray with the Gospel is especially helpful for those who want to use the Gospel for their daily conversation with Jesus Christ. [ Transcript ]Support the show

Today we bring you a homily from Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest for the Prelature of Opus Dei. It was recorded on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 2014 at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Chicago, IL (USA).Fr. Peter reflects on the verse “All generations will call me blessed,” and how Mary is the template for the New Evangelization.Support the show

Today on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast we bring you a meditation by Fr. Javier del Castillo on the Holy Archangels—St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. On September 29 and October 2, the Church celebrates the feasts of the Archangels and the Guardian Angels respectively. This meditation will help us to reflect on the tasks of the angels in the history of salvation and how we can develop our devotion to the angels, especially through the example of St Josemaria Escriva.Support the show

“Our Lady of Sorrows is truly blessed and she is there for us.”Since 1913 the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows has been celebrated in the Church on September 15th, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. On the podcast today we bring you a homily by Fr. John Waiss who reflects on on the beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” and how Mary is “blessed among women” because she mourns with love. Fr. Waiss is the Pastor of St. Mary of the Angels Church in Chicago, IL. Please note that this homily was recorded in the church during Mass.Support the show

In this podcast on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Fr. Javier del Castillo revisits the dogma of the Assumption, shares St. Josemaria’s devotion to Our Lady, and explains how we too can participate in the Assumption.What you’ll hear:0:30 – On the Dogma of the Assumption as proclaimed by Pope Pius XII on November 1st, 1950.2:50 – On the two artistic “scenes” of the Assumption4:35 – St. Josemaria’s insights into the Assumption and the radiant beauty of the Blessed Virgin Mary7:50 – Why St. Josemaria was so fond of our Lady of the Assumption when he was a child9:30 – What we are really celebrating on the Feast of the Assumption12:40 – How Mary’s Fiat brought heaven to earth and the Assumption brings earth to heaven16:50 – How do we bring heaven to earth, so that we might be brought to heaven?23:25 – How, on the Feast of the Assumption in 1951, St. Josemaria went on the pilgrimage to Loretto to consecrate Opus Dei to Our Lady25:55 – How we can participate in the AssumptionSupport the show

In today’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo explains why priests need our prayers and reflects on the four characteristics of a priestly soul according to St. Josemaria Escriva.What You’ll Hear:2:05 – Why pray for priests?4:05 – How priests are like great chefs5:30 – How the priesthood is a gift of God to the Church8:25 – What is the vocation of a priest?14:00 – How prayer for priests actually makes a difference16:05 – St. Josemaria’s advice to his brother priests17:35 – How St. John Vianney was a model priest18:35 – Why St. Josemaria turned down positions of prestige20:30 – Why St. Josemaria said that a priest is like a rug22:40 - The four characteristics of a priestly soul, according to St. JosemariaSupport the show

In today’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo meditates on St. James the Apostle, a “son of thunder,” and reflects on how we too can become a magnanimous, humble, and daring disciple of Christ.What you’ll hear:0:40 – About the nickname of St. James “son of thunder.”1:20 – A theory on why the mother of the sons of Zebedee asked Jesus, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21)5:20 – A reflection on the call of Sts. James and John9:00 – The purification and fortification of St. James and John’s enthusiastic and daring “Yes, we can!” in Matthew 20:2211:10 – How St. James can purify our intentions and enthusiasm when following Christ13:00 – How Jesus taught St. James and the Apostles humility15:30 – Christ’s teaching on humility in the Christian life17:25 – Story about Bl. Alvaro’s rejection of vanity18:55 – How St. James’ enthusiasm brought him to the “ends of the earth,” to Spain.19:20 – How Our Lady appeared to St. James (in modern day Zaragoza) while he was discouraged with his mission and on his way back to Jerusalem. She appeared to St. James, by a special grace while she was still alive, standing on a Roman pillar to encourage St. James to go back and not give up.21:05 – Why did St. James get discouraged? Why do disciples of Christ become discouraged and sad so often?23:40 – Why St. Josemaria Escriva was so confident and daring when sending inexperienced missionaries to different parts of the world25:05 – On becoming a “son of thunder” and being magnanimous, humble, and daring all at the same timeReferences: Gospel Reading on the Feast of St. James (Matthew 20:20-28)St. James at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13)Support the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the role, purpose, and good of temporal authorities and why the right ordering of society should be built upon reason and natural law.What you’ll hear:- What Jesus taught about temporal authorities- How Joseph obeyed government laws and traveled for the census, even though Mary was pregnant- How Jesus was subject to the authority of Mary and Joseph- When St. Paul had recourse to his Roman citizenship - How the state should help us fulfill the mandate to “till and keep the garden” (Gen 2:15) and promote the common good- Why the state is something willed by God- What happens when those is power ignore God and the natural law- Why the right ordering of society should be built upon reason and the natural lawSupport the show

Today on St. Josemaria Escriva’s Feast Day (June 26th), Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects in this new meditation on the patron saint of ordinary life and his 40 years of intercession from heaven.What you’ll hear:- Why St. Josemaria said that he would be more useful after his death- St. Josemaria’s favorite Gospel passage- How God used footprints in the snow to call St. Josemaria to his vocation- How St. Josemaria discerned the will of God- Why St. Josemaria initially became discouraged when he went to London- How St. Josemaria saw himself as a little child for GodSupport the show

In celebration of Father's Day, Fr. Javier del Castillo, Vice President of the St. Josemaria Institute, reflects in this new meditation on the important role of fatherhood in the family and modern society.Support the show

On the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Javier del Castillo (Vicar of Opus Dei in the Midwest) reflects on three ways in which we can draw closer to the Heart of Christ.What You’ll Hear:- How the Sacraments of the Church are “born” from the Sacred Heart of Jesus- How God gives us a renewed heart- The three ways that we can identify ourselves with the Heart of Christ- Living the “Heroic Minute”- How the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Christ are closely connectedSupport the show

On this Feast of Corpus Christi, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the mystery of the Eucharist, the memorial of Christ's sacrifice of infinite love.Support the show

On the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on what we know (by Faith), and what we cannot comprehend, about the three divine Persons of the blessed Trinity.What you’ll hear:- Why God created us- How the three Persons of the Trinity are distinguished from one another and how they are not- Our desire (and inability) to comprehend the great mystery of the Holy Trinity- How St. Athanasius fought to keep the mystery of the Trinity whole- The heresy that Arius taught about the Trinity- What the First Council of Nicaea and the First Council of Constantinople reaffirmed about the Trinity- How Jesus Christ is the “gateway” to the Holy Trinity- How St. Josemaria used the number 103 to explain the Trinity- Why studying the Trinity takes intellectual humilitySupport the show

In this week’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shows how the Apostles were changed after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and how we too can be docile to the promptings of the Spirit.What you’ll hear:- How the Church was truly universal at the very beginning- Why the Acts of the Apostles is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of the Holy Spirit”- How the Apostles were different after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost- The gifts of the Holy Spirit that the Apostles received at Pentecost- The Holy Spirit’s central role in evangelization- Why St. Josemaria referred to the Holy Spirit as “the Great Unknown”- How we can get to know the Holy SpiritSupport the show

In this homily from Blessed Alvaro’s Feast Day, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei, shares some personal stories of his encounters with Blessed Alvaro del Portillo.What you’ll hear:-About Blessed Alvaro’s pilgrimage to St. Mary’s of the Angels Church in Chicago, IL-Fr. Peter Armenio’s encounters with, and stories of, Blessed Alvaro-About Blessed Alvaro’s personality-Blessed Alvaro’s recipe for happiness-How Blessed Alvaro helped Pope Saint John Paul IISupport the show

Following the beatification of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo in 2014, the Church designated May 12th (the anniversary of his First Communion) as his feast day and it was celebrated for the first time in 2015. To mark the occasion, Fr. Javier del Castillo prepared a special meditation for listeners of the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast.Meditating on the nickname given to him by St. Josemaria, “Saxum,” which means “rock” in Latin, we reflect on Blessed Alvaro’s fortitude and how God sends us this gift of the Holy Spirit to help us overcome all obstacles, to become “rocks”— “a better building block for the Church wherever God has placed you.”Blessed Alvaro del Portillo was a close collaborator of St. Josemaria Escriva and his first successor as Prelate of Opus Dei. To learn more about his life and for the prayer through his intercession visit: www.alvarodelportillo.orgSupport the show

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo celebrates Mother’s Day by meditating on our Mother Mary, and why we should turn to her powerful intercession, especially in the Holy Rosary. He also reflects on the theology behind repetitive and intercessory prayer, and St. Josemaria’s suggestions for how to honor Mary in the month of May.What you will hear:- How Mary anticipates the needs of others in the Gospels- How becoming children of Mary leads to becoming children of God- Why we should turn to our Mother Mary’s powerful intercession, especially in the Holy Rosary- How we are missing out on graces from our Lord when we don’t ask for them- The theology behind repetitive and intercessory prayer- St. Josemaria’s suggestions for how to honor Mary in MaySupport the show

On this Feast of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1st), Fr. Peter Armenio explores how we can live like St. Joseph, following Christ amid the most mundane and ordinary circumstances of life.What you’ll hear:- How Joseph was central in the intellectual and social formation of Jesus- What Sacred Scripture and Tradition teaches about St. Joseph- How the lay vocation is perfectly illustrated by the life of Mary and JosephSupport the show

On April 25th we celebrate the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist. St. Mark wrote one of the Gospel accounts and was a companion of St. Paul on his first missionary journey. However, in the Acts of the Apostles, we discover that St. Mark abandoned St. Paul, and that St. Paul would not allow St. Mark to accompany him on his second journey.In this meditation, Fr. Javier del Castillo explores the interesting dynamic between St. Paul and St. Mark, and what we can learn for our own life.Support the show

Monday, April 20th 2015 is the anniversary of the election of the Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria. Just as all bishops, he makes the Fatherhood of God present to us here and now.To celebrate this special anniversary, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on St. Paul’s understanding of spiritual fatherhood in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 4:14-16), and illustrates how St. Josemaria Escriva understood his calling to spiritual fatherhood, even at the young age of 26.Support the show

As the Easter season continues, we encounter another great feast, Divine Mercy Sunday. We invite you to take some time to reflect on the Gospel for this Sunday (John 20:19-31) with Fr. Javier del Castillo on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast.In this meditation, we will see how Christ forgives us, just as He forgave Thomas and the Apostles for running from the Cross and not having believed on Good Friday. St. Josemaria recognized that God’s forgiveness is even more impressive than His ability to create something out of nothing, and that "His absolute power is best shown in His power to forgive.” On our part, we ultimately have to accept God’s gift of Divine Mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation that He established. After this encounter with the resurrected Christ, we must be sure of God's forgiveness, and move on to forgiving others. “Go out and tell people what God has done in your soul. If Christ has risen, and He has forgiven us, then the only logical thing is that we also forgive one another.”Support the show

Today’s meditation by Fr Javier del Castillo on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast invites us on this Good Friday to stand in the darkness with Mary, John, and the women at the foot of the cross of Jesus and to contemplate how Jesus, the Son of God, was able to overcome all his suffering and was able in his humanity to persevere until the end. Our encounter with Jesus on the cross leads us to understand how we are to embrace our cross, our ordinary cross. We are called to give freely what we have freely received. This is what gives us light in the darkness. “But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).Support the show

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. What does our Lord try to teach us through today's celebration? Today's meditation by Fr Javier del Castillo on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast helps us to reflect on the lessons that we can learn from the "little things" of today's Gospel- the donkey, the palm branches, and the rocks. Their apparently insignificant role in today's Gospel "point us to a deeper humility that will allow us to know the truth and have the courage to live by it."Support the show

As we begin the final week of Lent and prepare for Holy Week, we share with you on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast a meditation for the Fifth Sunday of Lent: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life" (Jn 12: 23-25).Fr Javier del Castillo encourages us in this meditation to reflect on the meaning of death-- death to self and death in this world-- and to understand "death as a remedy for evil and as a gift." Being aware of our death can help us to live each day with a supernatural desire "to do penance and to make many acts of love confident that God will be there at the end-- to love today so that I can love for eternity."Support the show

Today on the St. Josemaria Institute podcast we bring you a special meditation in honor of the Solemnity of St Joseph.Who was Joseph? What was he called to do? How did he answer God’s call? How did he provide for the needs of Mary and Jesus? Fr Javier del Castillo invites us in this meditation to contemplate the holy life of Saint Joseph who was “a family man and an upright worker and citizen.” We also prayerfully consider this two-fold vocation in order to learn from Saint Joseph how we can live these two aspects of our vocations (family and work) wherever we find ourselves.Ite ad Ioseph: “Go to Joseph"Support the show

In this meditation Fr Javier del Castillo invites us to reflect on a passage from the Second Reading of the Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Lent.God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved — raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Our greatest hopes lie in the richness of the mercy of God-- in His infinite amount of mercy, grace, and forgiveness-- which is always available to us. God will always forgive us, but to receive forgiveness is up to us. We should not stay away from His mercy, from the Sacraments, out of feelings of guilt. If we are challenged by guilt or a lack of humility, a good way to be open to forgiveness, as Fr Castillo explains, is by forgiving others and by doing it sooner and more generously each time. In this way we begin to open ourselves to receiving mercy in our lives."If a thief moved the heart of Christ on the cross, how could a Christian, you or I, not move the heart of Christ much more so." Support the show

Our meditation today invites us to reflect on the value of the virtue of Holy Purity. “People in love demand total exclusivity,” explains Fr Javier del Castillo, “if their love is going to be sincere and true. Love requires a purity of heart… This is in essence what our Lord teaches us today in the Gospel, this Sunday.” “Since the Passover of the Jews was near,Jesus went up to Jerusalem.He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said,‘Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.’His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:13-17).Lent is an appropriate moment to closely examine the aspects of our lives which can be transformed by living Holy Purity; for example, our choices of entertainment and relaxation, our conversations with friends and coworkers, our attractions and desires, and our dress and appearance. Our desire and effort to live Holy Purity is a joyful and positive affirmation of our desire to grow in intensity of love, especially when we serve others and when we truly and sincerely serve God.Support the show

In the Gospel for the Mass of the Second Sunday of Lent (Mark 9:2-10) we contemplate the Transfiguration of Jesus. "Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.And he was transfigured before them…" (Mark 9:2).He takes them up Mount Tabor, as Fr Javier del Castillo explains in today's meditation, "to show them the full truth about himself, about his divinity, so that they can have hope in eternal life and they remember this experience of divinity, of bliss, of eternity, when it comes time to suffer through the passion.""In considering this scene at Tabor, we try to go to Jesus, to look at him, so that we may be enlightened. So that whether we are ill, suffering or dying-- or sick and tired-- we actually try to discover the Tabors behind the Calvaries."Support the show

The Gospel for the Mass of the First Sunday of Lent (Mark 1:12-15) tells of Jesus' forty days and temptation in the desert. In today's meditation, Fr Javier del Castillo asks us to contemplate Jesus' temptation as we begin the first week of Lent "to learn how to say yes to our Father God and to renounce Satan." And, we can learn to do that by understanding temptation and recognizing our personal struggles with temptations.In particular, Fr Javier draws our attention to three important characteristics of temptations:1. Temptations are tailor-made for us, made to fit us individually.2. Temptations never appear in their ugliness; they always appear attractive.3. We should never dialogue with temptation; we must run away from temptation.As we learn in the meditation, "we have to take time to think about and decipher those temptations, whether it's a pleasure or fear, because then pride comes in and takes over, and then we commit the greatest sins."Support the show

On February 7, 2015, over 100 guests participated in the St. Josemaria Institute’s 2015 inaugural conference “Pope Francis: His Life and Papacy and the Synod of the Family”, which was held at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.Our speaker, Father Mark Manion, presented three talks on Pope Francis:First Conference-- Francis: A Brief Biographical Sketch in the Context of John Paul II and Benedict XVISecond Conference-- Unpacking the Joy of the GospelThird Conference-- Post-Synodal Air and the Upcoming Synod of the FamilyFr. Mark Manion is a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei and the chaplain of The Willows Academy in Des Plaines and Midtown Educational Foundation in Chicago. He preaches recollections and gives spiritual direction in Chicago. The conference talks are now available on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast to help us remain close to the Holy Father in preparation for his historic visit to the United States for the World Meeting of Families, September 26-27, 2015.Support the show

On February 7, 2015, over 100 guests participated in the St. Josemaria Institute’s 2015 inaugural conference “Pope Francis: His Life and Papacy and the Synod of the Family”, which was held at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.Our speaker, Father Mark Manion, presented three talks on Pope Francis: First Conference-- Francis: A Brief Biographical Sketch in the Context of John Paul II and Benedict XVISecond Conference-- Unpacking the Joy of the GospelThird Conference-- Post-Synodal Air and the Upcoming Synod of the FamilyFr. Mark Manion is a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei and the chaplain of The Willows Academy in Des Plaines and Midtown Educational Foundation in Chicago. He preaches recollections and gives spiritual direction in Chicago.The conference talks are now available on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast to help us remain close to the Holy Father in preparation for his historic visit to the United States for the World Meeting of Families, September 26-27, 2015.Support the show

On February 7, 2015, over 100 guests participated in the St. Josemaria Institute’s 2015 inaugural conference “Pope Francis: His Life and Papacy and the Synod of the Family”, which was held at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.Our speaker, Father Mark Mannion, presented three talks on Pope Francis:First Conference-- Francis: A Brief Biographical Sketch in the Context of John Paul II and Benedict XVISecond Conference-- Unpacking the Joy of the GospelThird Conference-- Post-Synodal Air and the Upcoming Synod of the FamilyFr. Mark Mannion is a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei and the chaplain of The Willows Academy in Des Plaines and Midtown Educational Foundation in Chicago. He preaches recollections and gives spiritual direction in Chicago.The conference talks are now available on the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast to help us remain close to the Holy Father in preparation for his historic visit to the United States for the World Meeting of Families, September 26-27, 2015.Support the show

As we begin the holy season of Lent, Fr Javier del Castillo invites us in this meditation for Ash Wednesday to reflect on the readings and Gospel of today’s Mass and on the works we are called to fulfill during this time for our conversion: fasting, praying and almsgiving.“Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2)Father Javier explains that “now is the time to convert and to turn to the Lord.. [He gives us] an entire season of the liturgical year characterized by acts and symbols of penance… A time of salvation is a time of conversion [during which] we can actually repent from our actions, from our sins…” “We can say, ‘I do not wish to be identified with that action of mine. I wish I had never done it. In fact, I will try to undo it as best as I can with subsequent actions.’ That is what we want to do during Lent as we begin this acceptable time for conversion… To purify ourselves and identify ourselves with our Lord’s suffering… And when we see the great mercy that has been bestowed upon us we want to voluntarily participate a little bit in that, even though our meager efforts will never be able to match our Lord’s love for us and His power to redeem us.”Pointing to the ways that our Lord calls us to pray, fast, and give alms, this meditation helps us to see how these works are ultimately a participation in life and mission of Jesus Christ. And that these works can be fulfilled by doing our everyday duties with love as well as by offering up our food and drink, setting a time for prayer, going to Mass during the week, praying the Rosary— works and penances that fit our schedules like a glove as well as prayer that keeps us closely united to our Lord.Support the show

In this talk, "On Faith and Reason", Very Rev. Peter Armenio stresses the urgency with which today’s burning issues (marriage, children, life, evolution, suffering, death, etc.) require not only an appeal to supernatural authority but also to science and nature. Fr Armenio addresses specific issues and situations confronting everyday life and how lay people in the middle of the world are often looked to by those around them (at home, work, school, etc.) “to be able to articulate these burning issues…” and “to point out with humility, with understanding, with mercy, that faith seeks understanding and that moral truth gives joy and gives fulfillment, gives freedom, makes for happier families, better society, and greater meaning in life.” Support the show

St. Josemaria Escriva pointed out that all of the apostles somehow were called to follow Jesus in and through their work, including Saint Paul. Don't be surprised, therefore, to discover that God is also calling you in and through your work.In this meditation, we will reflect on these questions: What is your Damascus? What have you chosen as that activity through which you serve society and that gives you meaning in how you live your life? We all have a mission and it is most likely right where we are already. During this time of meditation and prayer, we will ask God to help us to keep doing what we are doing, but with a new light and with new meaning. To listen to and download the eight meditations of A Spiritual Retreat in the Footsteps of St. Paul go to: https://stjosemaria.org/product/spiritual-retreat-footsteps-st-paul/Support the show

In this meditation for the Feast of the Epiphany, Fr Javier del Castillo helps us to learn from the Magi how to live a life of piety that is guided by love and magnanimity. The Magi “teach us a lesson in piety. Their piety is shown by the fact that they are capable of love. They leave the comfort of their home and kingdom. They are willing to go through hardship in order to find the King of the Jews and to worship Him.” The logic of love and of magnanimity demonstrated by the Magi shows us that “only the person in love never thinks that what he or she has done for his or her beloved is actually enough. They always seek to outdo themselves and to do too much.” “When their star disappears, they didn’t question, they seek help… The greatest proof of piety is that their love does not grow cold. They don’t doubt their love. They don’t become cynical of their love. And they don’t doubt the legitimacy of the star when it disappears…” As we celebrate this feast of the Church and the beginning of a New Year, our lives of piety are guided by the knowledge that “something greater than ourselves is what we need to adore. We do need a Savior to save us from sin and death.”Support the show

In this meditation for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Fr Javier del Castillo reflects on the Gospel of the day (Luke 1: 26-38) and invites us to prepare our hearts for Christmas by striving to have a listening heart like Mary. “This Advent we have to adapt the same kind of contemplative listening of Our Lady to be able to listen to the whisper of God that comes to us” and “to prepare a place for Him in our hearts.”Advent is a time of expectation, preparation, purification and contemplation— this is true both as we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also as we prepare to receive Him (daily or weekly) in the Eucharist.Reflecting on the life of St Josemaria Escriva, Fr Javier explains the ways that he would prepare himself for Mass every day. Among them was the practice of repeating brief prayers or aspirations throughout the day; for example, the prayer of the spiritual communion, which St Josemaria learned as a young boy: “I wish my Lord to receive you with the purity, humility and devotion with which your most Holy Mother received you with the spirit and the fervor of the saints.”We can repeat this prayer and other aspirations as well throughout our day asking Our Lady to help us to listen and to prepare for His coming. Support the show

In this meditation for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Fr Javier del Castillo reflects on the profound meaning of this passage from St Paul - “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). “We ought to rejoice. This is something really important, absolutely necessary, to rejoice in the Lord always because the Lord is near." "This presence of the Lord is the cause of our joy because it makes us joyful and makes us happy… not only when things are going well… always, no matter what… and then we can radiate our cheerfulness to others… doesn’t matter what’s happening on the outside… what matters is that we be close to our Lord. And only insofar as we let our Lord be close to us can we be truly joyful, cheerful, and can we radiate cheerfulness to others.”To have this joy and cheerfulness starting this Advent and Christmas we can follow three steps:1. Prayer2. Forgiveness3. Service (Jesus, others and then yourself)Support the show

In this new podcast from the St. Josemaria Institute, Fr Javier del Castillo reflects on St John the Baptist to show how, like the saint, “we can become active listeners of the Word in our hearts.”In particular, this talk aims “to persuade you to embrace a lifestyle where there is room for reading and meditation on Sacred Scripture or other spiritual reading, like the lives of the saints and other spiritual classics, that can help us grow in our interior lives.”Among the recommendations in this talk are the three steps to get started on your spiritual reading plan:1. Make TimeEach day set aside time for spiritual reading (10-15 minutes) and Biblical reading (5-10 minutes).2. Take Notes As you are reading or when you finish, write down what strikes you and what moves you. Also, start writing a list of passages from the Bible that you can frequently take to your prayer - make a top 100 list!3. PracticeWhat are you going to put into practice— a resolution, a goal, or a small sacrifice— that day (or the next) from your reading?For a list of recommended readings view our featured Book of the Month.Support the show

As we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th), Fr Javier del Castillo's homily, “Stella Matutina", helps us to reflect on the meaning of this special title of our Lady, "Morning Star", and how Mary “entrusted herself entirely to God, and in this we can hope to imitate her on our way to holiness.”“Stella Matutina” (Morning Star) is a homily by Fr Javier del Castillo given on the Eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Chicago, Illinois (USA) in 2010. Support the show

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Father Javier del Castillo reminds us in this meditation, as St. Josemaria Escriva also often did, that we ought to thank God always by habitually making frequent acts of thanksgiving, acts of gratitude.“We were never asked by God to come into existence,” Fr Javier explains, “everything we have— our talents, our virtues, even our defects— all have been been foreseen by God, allowed by God, given to us by God so that we can fulfill the single mission that we have received from before the foundation of the world, as St Paul would say, in giving glory to God. ‘Thank you Lord for everything because everything is good.’” And as we strive to maintain a constant spirit of gratitude in our lives we will realize that "thanksgiving enlarges our hearts to receive even greater gifts from God."Support the show

As we celebrate the Feast of All Saints on November 1, Fr Javier del Castillo helps us in this meditation to reflect on:- What is the Communion of Saints- The variety of saints (each unique in their way of holiness) that make up the Communion of Saints- How we participate in the Communion of Saints through our common union with Jesus Christ- How “Thinking Globally. Acting Locally.” can help us to grow in holiness as we care for the needs, struggles, pains, etc., of those near and far away from us.Support the show

In this meditation for October 2, a special anniversary in the life of St Josemaria, Fr Javier del Castillo explains how God showed St Josemaria his vocation to be the founder of Opus Dei and the prayers and circumstances that led up to that moment. Inspired by this anniversary, Fr Javier explains how we too are lead to ask ourselves: "What does God want of me?" "What does He want me to do?" And he offers practical ways in which we can answer those questions through our daily life and work.Support the show

In this meditation, Father Javier del Castillo contemplates the origin of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the meaning of suffering, and how both the little and big crosses in our lives are opportunities to be united in humility to the cross of Jesus Christ. As Father Javier explains, “God didn’t come to get rid of suffering but to give meaning to suffering with His cross… the meaning of Love…”Support the show