Hey Everybody! It's Fr. Edward

There are 94 Catholic basilicas in the United States, and Grady Connolly has visited every single one of them!

What began as a fascination with one basilica became a remarkable pilgrimage across the country. In this episode, Grady shares the story of his first basilica visit, how the idea of visiting every American basilica came about, and what he learned along the way.

What makes a church a basilica? What is the significance of the bell and umbrella found in basilicas? What does Grady do when he visits one? And are there churches in America that should be designated basilicas but aren't?

Grady also reveals his three favorite basilicas and shares a beautiful encounter from his travels that remains with him to this day.

His journey inspired his new book, Basilicas: A Pilgrim's Guide to America's Most Remarkable Catholic Churches, published by Ave Maria Press.

If you've ever visited a basilica or wondered what makes these churches special, Grady's story might inspire you to begin a pilgrimage of your own.

Get Grady's book: https://www.avemariapress.com/collections/pilgrimage-collection/products/basilicas

When Laura Frederickson's eight-year-old son Francisco was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood brain cancer, her life changed forever. In this episode, Laura introduces us to Francisco and shares what happened in the days following his diagnosis.

How do you make the most of the time you have with a son who is dying? What role did prayer and the intercession of the saints, especially St. Carlo Acutis, play during his illness? Initially given only six to nine months to live, Francisco lived for 18 months.

How does a mother prepare for the death of her child when she knows it is coming? What were Francisco's final days like? And how did his family celebrate his life at his funeral?

Throughout his illness, Francisco looked forward to what he called "Heaven's Party." Laura shares how his faith and hope shaped their family's journey, why she wrote the book Pilgrim of Hope, and why Francisco's story continues to matter.

This is a conversation about faith, suffering, a mother's love, and the hope of eternal life.

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Pilgrim-Hope-Childs-Terminal/dp/B0HHJ54LVX/

Fr. John Bartunek, LC, spent time on the set of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. In this episode, he begins by sharing memories from that experience before turning to a book that has profoundly influenced Fr. Edward's spiritual life and preaching: The Better Part.

Why did Fr. Bartunek write The Better Part? How is the book organized, and what makes its reflections on the Gospels so helpful for prayer? Fr. Bartunek and Fr. Edward share some of their favorite Gospel passages and discuss how Scripture continues to speak to our lives.

With The Better Part now available as an app, what's different from the original book? And Fr. Edward asks an intriguing question: If Fr. Bartunek were writing the book today, what would he do differently?

Discover more videos, reflections, and spiritual resources from Fr. Bartunek at RCspirituality.org.

https://sophiainstitute.com/promo/the-better-part/?srsltid=AU7gw4Xnvh7I8RUvcGM9jMYTB9kym8YWy7yyCZIcV2yCYfXkVtAQtYvW

October is Respect Life Month, a time when Catholics are invited to reflect on what it truly means to be pro-life—not only in what we believe, but in what we do.

Fr. Edward Looney welcomes Deacon Kevin Cummings, a permanent deacon from Kansas who is doing remarkable pro-life work through Deacons of Hope and St. Mary’s Home for Mothers.

Deacon Kevin shares his journey to the diaconate, including his years as a dentist for the Kansas City Chiefs, and how God eventually led him into a ministry serving pregnant women experiencing homelessness.

Their conversation explores the founding and expansion of residential homes for mothers, the mission of Deacons of Hope as a clerical association for deacons, and the practical ways Catholics can help women choose life.

Deacon Kevin also explains why he would like to change the way we talk about the term “pro-choice.” Pro-life people want women to have real choices, real assistance, and real alternatives so that choosing life is truly possible.

They also discuss how this ministry can become a place of healing for women who have experienced abortion.

Fr. Edward was so impressed by the work that at one point he told Deacon Kevin, “I don’t know how more people don’t know about what you are doing.”

After hearing this conversation, you probably will be wondering the same thing.

Learn more:

A simple shoebox can make an incredible difference in the life of a child.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney talks with Michele Sagarino of Cross Catholic Outreach about Boxes of Joy, a ministry bringing Christmas gifts—and the love of Christ—to children living in poverty around the world.

This year, Boxes of Joy is celebrating an extraordinary milestone: the delivery of its one millionth box!

Michele shares the history and mission of Cross Catholic Outreach and explains how Boxes of Joy works.

Is it a Catholic alternative to Operation Christmas Child?

You’ll also hear moving stories from the mission field, learn what happens when the boxes reach children and their families, and discover how you can participate even if your parish does not sponsor Boxes of Joy.

A small box can become a powerful expression of generosity, faith, and Christmas joy.

Learn more and get involved at boxofjoy.org.

What do St. John Paul II, John Wayne, the saints, cowboys, classic novels, Westerns, and even Clint Eastwood have to teach Catholic men?

Bear Wozniak joins Fr. Edward Looney to discuss his new book, Men of Grit and Grace: 365 Days with the Saints, Scripture, and the Wisdom of Men. Designed as a daily meditation book specifically for men, it brings together Scripture, Catholic tradition, the saints, literature, film, and culture to give men something substantial to reflect on each day.

Fr. Edward asks Bear about the themes running through the year, how he found the many religious and secular quotations used in the book, and which saints have most influenced his own spiritual life.

They also take a closer look at several meditations that caught Fr. Edward’s attention—from February 29 and May 10 to August 11 and October 5.

And what about the man who doesn’t connect with the cowboy model of masculinity? Bear explains why the book’s vision of manhood is broader than one particular image—and even considers what Clint Eastwood might have to say to Catholic men today.

Whether you are looking to deepen your own spiritual life or searching for a gift for a Catholic man in your life, Men of Grit and Grace offers 365 days of faith, wisdom, challenge, and encouragement.

Buy the book:

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified on September 24, and in this episode Fr. Edward Looney welcomes author and Sheen devotee Allan Smith to help us prepare for this historic moment.

Allan shares what is happening in Peoria during Sheen Week and discusses his book The Soul of a Disciple, which helps readers encounter the spirituality and wisdom of Fulton Sheen. He also tells the story of how he became a disciple and devotee of Sheen and reflects on what made the famous bishop such a captivating preacher and media personality.

Fr. Edward and Allan discuss what Sheen might say to today’s Catholic content creators, podcasters, and media personalities. Allan identifies five important themes in Sheen’s spirituality and preaching—and one of them catches Fr. Edward completely by surprise.

They also explore:

Whether you have loved Fulton Sheen for years or are only beginning to discover him, this conversation will help you get to know the man behind the famous voice—and prepare spiritually for his beatification.

Buy the book:

Fr. Charles Kram lived a remarkable priestly life marked by suffering, perseverance, and a deep desire to serve God’s people.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney talks with Deacon Joe Machacek, who personally knew Fr. Kram and shares memories of his life, illness, vocation, ordination, and ministry. Despite significant physical challenges, Fr. Kram persevered in his call to the priesthood and became a source of inspiration to many who encountered him.

Deacon Joe reflects on what made Fr. Kram such a memorable priest, why people continue to be inspired by his witness, and what he might someday become a patron saint of. The conversation also explores Fr. Kram’s writings, the stories people continue to tell about him, and the growing interest in his life and possible cause for sainthood.

Discover the story of a Texas priest whose suffering did not define his vocation, but became part of the extraordinary witness he offered to the Church.

Learn more about Fr. Kram at: http://fatherkram.com

Who was Mary Pyle, the American woman remembered as one of Padre Pio’s closest spiritual daughters?

Author Susan De Bartoli, whose book Padre Pio’s American Daughter: The Story of Mary Pyle tells her remarkable story, joins Fr. Edward Looney to introduce us to this fascinating—and often overlooked—woman in the life of St. Padre Pio.

Born into wealth and raised Protestant, Mary Pyle converted to Catholicism and eventually left behind her life in America for San Giovanni Rotondo, where she became a devoted spiritual daughter of Padre Pio and supported his ministry for decades.

Susan shares how her own devotion to Padre Pio developed through pilgrimage and explains why the Capuchin saint continues to fascinate people around the world. She also explores what Padre Pio meant when he spoke of his “spiritual children”—and whether Catholics today can consider themselves among them even though they never knew him during his earthly life.

Along the way, Fr. Edward and Susan discuss:

Mary Pyle could have lived a comfortable and privileged life in America. Instead, she discovered something greater—and gave her life, her resources, and her friendship in service to Padre Pio and his mission.

Learn more about Susan De Bartoli and her work:

Book: Padre Pio’s American Daughter: The Story of Mary Pyle- https://sophiainstitute.com/product/padre-pios-american-daughter/?oid=856&affid=203

Mother Antonia Brenner’s vocation story is anything but ordinary.

She wasn’t someone who dreamed of becoming a religious sister from childhood. She was married. She was a mother. She experienced divorce. She raised a family and spent years serving others—at one point helping send medical equipment to people in need around the world.

And then God led her somewhere almost unimaginable: into a Mexican prison.

Mother Antonia eventually gave away much of what she owned, moved into a cell at La Mesa Prison in Tijuana, and devoted her life to serving the men incarcerated there. Known throughout the world as the “Prison Angel,” she would eventually found the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour, a religious community created especially for women who discover a vocation to religious life later in life.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield, who knew Mother Antonia personally and served alongside her for six years.

Sr. Anne shares Mother Antonia’s remarkable vocation story, including the prayer she made asking God to show her whether she was truly doing His will—and how God answered that dangerous prayer. She also shares Mother Antonia’s poem “My Call to Prison” and explains how she herself discovered the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour.

They also discuss:

📖 Learn more about Mother Antonia in the biography The Prison Angel.

Learn more about the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour at EudistServants.org.