SJS Podcast

What does priestly fraternity actually look like in everyday life?

In this episode of the Saint John’s Seminary Podcast, Vice Rector Fr. Stanislaus Achu sits down with Rector Bishop Robert Reed to unpack the June 17 conference for priests hosted at Saint John’s Seminary, focusing on the importance of fraternity in the life and ministry of a priest.

Their conversation explores practical ways priests can cultivate meaningful relationships with their brother priests, including different models of living fraternity in community. They also discuss the role of rectory life and the importance of creating a healthy separation between the spaces where priests work and the spaces where they live, and rest.

The conversation also looks back to the seminary, where seminarians begin forming the friendships and bonds of brotherhood that can sustain them throughout a lifetime of ministry.

Listen as Fr. Stanislaus and Bishop Reed reflect on how priests can continue to grow together as brothers, supporting one another as they give their lives in service to Christ and His Church.

In this episode of the Saint John’s Seminary Podcast, Col. Mike Manning sits down with Bishop Reed to look toward the road ahead for Saint John’s Seminary and the work of forming the priests of the future.

Bishop Reed discusses his priorities for priestly formation, beginning with the men themselves: their prayer, spiritual direction, sacramental life, fraternity, and personal discernment of their vocation.

Looking beyond the seminary walls, Bishop Reed discusses opportunities to deepen relationships with parishes, welcome lay Catholics onto the seminary campus, and help more people discover the work taking place at Saint John’s.

In this episode of the Saint John’s Seminary Podcast, host Col. Mike Manning sits down with Bishop Robert Reed, the newly appointed rector of Saint John’s Seminary, for a personal conversation about vocation, priestly formation, and the life of the seminary.

Bishop Reed reflects on his appointment as rector, the parish and family experiences that first opened his heart to the priesthood, and the mentors who helped shape his journey.

Throughout the conversation, Bishop Reed offers a glimpse into the personal story, spiritual foundation, and pastoral vision he brings to his ministry as rector of Saint John’s Seminary.

In this episode of the Saint John’s Seminary Podcast, Most Reverend Robert Reed, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, President of CatholicTV, and Rector of Saint John’s Seminary, reflects on the foundations of healthy priestly fraternity.

Recorded during the conference “One Priesthood, Many Ages: Renewing Fraternity in the New England Presbyterate,” Bishop Reed explores how priests can remain united in mission while honoring the different personalities, experiences, gifts, and perspectives each priest brings to the presbyterate.

At the heart of his reflection is the spiritual principle that “grace builds on nature.” The grace of ordination does not erase a priest’s unique gifts and temperament; rather, it elevates and perfects them for service to the Church. Healthy fraternity, therefore, does not require sameness. It requires clarity, communication, mutual support, and a willingness to offer our individual gifts for the good of the whole.

Bishop Reed also offers practical guidance for strengthening fraternity, emphasizing the importance of clear and charitable communication, a consistent daily rule of life, ongoing renewal in the grace of priesthood, and a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ. Above all, priests are called to live Christ’s commandment to love one another even amid their differences.

In this episode of the Saint John’s Seminary Podcast, Fr. James J. Ronan, Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary’s and St. Catherine of Siena Parishes in Boston, reflects on the essential role of fraternity in the life and mission of the priest.

Drawing from his own experience as a priest, Fr. Ronan explores how strong relationships among priests directly contribute to healthy parishes, flourishing vocations, effective evangelization, and the joy of priestly life. He offers practical wisdom for sustaining fraternity amid the inevitable differences in opinions, personalities, pastoral approaches, and theological perspectives.

Fr. Ronan emphasizes the importance of humor, honesty, and transparency, sharing how these simple practices can strengthen relationships and help priests navigate difficult conversations. At the heart of it all, is a priest’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ. True fraternity, he explains, is rooted in an encounter with the living Christ and a deeper participation in the mystery of the Body of Christ through the sacraments.

Fr. Ronan invites listeners to consider two fundamental questions: Who is the living Jesus Christ to you? And what is your personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

In this bonus episode of the Saint John’s Seminary Podcast, we share a recording of Fr. Najim’s presentation from the Saint John’s Seminary Summer Conference on June 17, 2026.

Beginning with the familiar saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” Fr. Najim examines the divisions that can emerge between generations of priests—from perceptions of pastoral approaches to differences in theological outlook. Rather than allowing these differences to become sources of division, he asks how they can become complementary gifts within the presbyterate.

Drawing on Sacred Scripture and the teachings of Lumen Gentium and Presbyterorum Ordinis, Fr. Najim offers a simple framework for priestly life: Relationship, Identity, and Mission (RIM). A living relationship with Jesus Christ gives rise to a deeper priestly identity, and from that identity flows the priest’s mission. When this order is reversed, he warns, ministry can become a “recipe for burnout.”

Ultimately, Fr. Najim invites priests to rediscover their shared identity in Christ, strengthen fraternity across generations, and embrace the diversity of experiences and assignments within the presbyterate as gifts that contribute to the unity and mission of the Church.

In this episode of the SJS Podcast, Fr. Stanislaus Achu, Interim Vice-Rector and professor of Sacred Scripture, and Fr. Denis Nakkeeran, Dean of Men and professor of Moral Theology, explore Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.

While much of the public conversation has focused on artificial intelligence, Pope Leo XIV's central concern is something far more fundamental: the dignity of the human person created in the image and likeness of God. Frs. Stanislaus and Denis examine how the Holy Father challenges Catholics to approach technological progress with wisdom, moral discernment, and faith, ensuring that innovation serves authentic human flourishing rather than replacing or diminishing it.

Drawing on the biblical examples of the Tower of Babel and the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, the hosts discuss why technology is never truly neutral, the dangers of the technocratic mindset, the enduring dignity of human labor, and why the Church insists that progress must always be ordered toward the common good. Together, they unpack the encyclical's timely call to reject the mentality of "if we can, we should" and instead pursue technological development with God at the center.

Whether you're curious about the Church's teaching on artificial intelligence or seeking a deeper understanding of Catholic anthropology in the digital age, this episode offers a thoughtful introduction to one of the defining moral questions of our time.

Looking for a chapter-by-chapter overview? Read Fr. Denis Nakkeeran's Magnifica Humanitas summary on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/frdenisnakkeeran716717/p/magnifica-humanitas-summary?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

In this episode of the SJSPodcast, Fr. Stanislaus Achu is joined by Fr. Thomas Macdonald to explore one of the Church's most important teaching instruments: the papal encyclical.

Together, they trace the origins of encyclicals to the apostolic letters of the New Testament, explain their role within the Church's magisterium, and discuss the different levels of authority they carry. From the social upheaval of the Industrial Revolution to modern questions surrounding bioethics and artificial intelligence, they examine how popes have applied the timeless truths of the Gospel to the challenges of every age.

The conversation also looks at Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical on artificial intelligence, why AI presents unique moral questions, and how the Church continues to offer thoughtful, authoritative guidance rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and reason.

Whether you've heard of papal encyclicals but never understood their purpose—or you're wondering what the Church has to say about today's most pressing issues—this episode offers a clear introduction to why these papal letters remain as relevant now as ever.

In this episode of the SJSPodcast, Fr. Stanislaus Achu sits down with Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., to explore the art and mission of Catholic preaching in today’s world. Drawing from pastoral experience and the Church’s rich tradition, Bishop Lewandowski reflects on how preaching is meant to lead people into a deeper friendship with Christ—meeting them in moments of joy, struggle, and longing.

The conversation highlights the importance of keeping Christ at the center while thoughtfully weaving together personal experience and the story of the faithful. Bishop Lewandowski shares practical insights on homily preparation, from scriptural study and storytelling to structure and delivery, emphasizing clarity, authenticity, and spiritual nourishment.

He also offers a candid perspective on the use of AI in preaching, urging caution and underscoring the irreplaceable role of human creativity and charism in proclaiming the Gospel. Through memorable pastoral anecdotes—from a joyful embrace that reflects God’s eager love to a parishioner’s challenge to “feed” the faithful—this episode invites listeners to rediscover the power of preaching to inspire, nourish, and transform.

USCCB: Fulfilled in Your Hearing: The Homily in the Sunday Assembly

In this episode of the SJS Podcast, Dr. Michael Coughlin is joined by Fr. Stanislaus Achu for a thoughtful and timely conversation on the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s 2025 doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis. Together, they explore how the Church understands Mary’s role in salvation—and why clarity in language matters more than ever.

Grounded in Scripture, the discussion examines key moments in the New Testament—from the Annunciation to Cana to the Cross—revealing Mary as “full of grace,” the first believer, and a model disciple whose life always points to her Son.

The episode also addresses common questions and pastoral challenges surrounding Marian devotion across cultures, including how certain titles—though well-intentioned—can sometimes lead to confusion. Why does the Church discourage the use of “co-redemptrix”? In what sense can Mary be called “mediatrix”? And how can the faithful honor Mary without obscuring the truth that Jesus Christ alone is the one mediator and redeemer?

Drawing from Scripture, Tradition, and theological insight, this conversation offers a clear and faithful framework for understanding Mary’s place in the life of the Church—one that deepens devotion while safeguarding the centrality of Christ.

Whether you’ve long had a devotion to Mary or are seeking clarity about her role, this episode provides a balanced and accessible guide to one of the Church’s most beloved—and sometimes misunderstood—teachings.