On the Son Rise Morning Show, Stephanie Mann, author of Supremacy and Survival: How Catholics Endured the English Reformation, joins us to continue exploring the devotional poetry of John Keble, one of the key figures of the Oxford Movement.

This time, Stephanie shares Keble’s beautiful poem for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a work filled with strikingly Catholic imagery and devotion. From his reflection on Christ’s relationship with His mother to the repeated “Ave Maria” and his beautiful images of Mary as the mother of the Incarnate Word, Keble’s poetry reveals the depth of his Marian devotion.

The conversation also explores the fascinating relationship between John Keble, John Henry Newman, and Edward Bouverie Pusey and the way the Oxford Movement sought to recover the Catholic roots of Christianity within Anglicanism. While Keble and Pusey remained Anglican, Newman ultimately followed his conscience into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Stephanie and Matt also discuss why Anglicans have historically been among those drawn toward Catholicism, precisely because of the many Catholic elements already present in their tradition.

A fascinating look at Mary, the Annunciation, John Keble’s poetry, the Oxford Movement, and John Henry Newman’s journey to the Catholic Church.

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On the Son Rise Morning Show, Father Augustin Wetta, author of Humility Rules: St. Benedict’s 12-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem, joins us for the final step on St. Benedict’s ladder of humility: reverence indeed.

Father Wetta explains St. Benedict’s teaching that “nothing should be preferred to the work of God” and why even arriving late for prayer was treated seriously in the monastic community. With plenty of humor—including Father Wetta’s own reputation for being chronically late—he explores why prayer should be treated as real work rather than something we simply do when we happen to feel inspired.

The conversation looks at the importance of arriving early, preparing our minds and hearts, eliminating distractions, and making prayer a genuine priority. Just as an athlete, musician, or artist must put in the hours to grow in their craft, Christians must put in the work of prayer if they want to grow in holiness.

Father Wetta also shares a memorable story from the Desert Fathers about a monk who immediately stopped writing when the bell rang for prayer, demonstrating that the opus Dei—the work of God—takes precedence over everything else.

A humorous and challenging reflection on prayer, discipline, reverence, humility, and making God the true priority of our lives.

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On the Son Rise Morning Show, Father Frank Donio, SAC, of the Catholic Apostolate Center, reflects on celebrating 40 years as a Pallottine and the vocation that has shaped his life and ministry.

Father Donio shares how his devotion to St. Vincent Pallotti, his confirmation patron, began at an early age and eventually led him to religious life. He explains the difference between a Society of Apostolic Life and a religious order that takes vows, as well as the six promises Pallottines make: chastity, poverty, obedience, a spirit of service, sharing of resources, and perseverance.

He also discusses how these promises help Pallottines live the evangelical counsels and follow Christ more closely. Looking back on four decades of ministry, Father Donio explains how learning to stop making his own plans allowed him to become more attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, Father Donio offers advice to young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Rather than focusing only on external factors, he encourages them to ask an important question: Does this charism and spirituality draw me deeper into Christ and inspire me to serve the Church more fully?

A powerful conversation about vocation, religious consecration, discernment, perseverance, and trusting God with the direction of your life.

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On the Son Rise Morning Show, Shaun McAfee, author of Compendium of Eucharistic Miracles from TAN Books, shares the remarkable story of St. Mary of Egypt and an extraordinary Eucharistic miracle near the end of her life.

After a dramatic conversion before an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Mary spent decades living as a hermit in the Egyptian desert. Sean recounts her encounter with Abba Zosimus, the monk who became the instrument through which she was able to receive Holy Communion after many years without the Eucharist.

The story reaches its extraordinary climax when St. Mary crosses the Jordan River on foot to receive the Eucharist from Zosimus. She would receive Holy Communion one final time shortly before her death, making the Eucharist her Viaticum—the food for her journey into eternal life.

Shaun explains why this story belongs in a collection of Eucharistic miracles and how it points to God's mercy, the sanctity of St. Mary of Egypt, and the incredible gift of every Holy Communion. Her story also reminds us to pray for the grace of final perseverance and the opportunity to receive the sacraments at the end of our lives.

Listen to this powerful reflection on the Eucharist, conversion, mercy, and the extraordinary faith of St. Mary of Egypt.

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On the Son Rise Morning Show, we continue our series with Father John Gavin, author of Growing into God: The Fathers of the Church on Christian Maturity. This time, Father Gavin introduces us to the fascinating and challenging life of St. Simeon the Holy Fool.

Why would a Christian deliberately appear foolish in the eyes of the world? Father Gavin explains the tradition of the “holy fool” and how St. Simeon used provocative and unconventional actions—not to draw attention to himself, but to wake people up to God.

The conversation connects Simeon's life with the Old Testament prophets, whose dramatic actions were often intended to shake people out of spiritual complacency. As Christianity became more accepted in the Roman world and the age of persecution began to fade, Simeon's radical witness reminded Christians that following Christ does not mean conforming to the ways of the world.

Father Gavin also explains how Simeon's apparent foolishness concealed a deep ministry of humility, compassion, healing, and conversion, particularly among the poor, those suffering from spiritual affliction, and those who had fallen into sin.

St. Simeon's example raises an important question for Christians today: Are we willing to look foolish in the eyes of the world if doing so helps us faithfully witness to Christ?

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On the Son Rise Morning Show, Annie Mitchell welcomes back Deacon Nathan Beiersdorfer, permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and president of Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori, to continue their series on St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout LifeThis conversation explores three chapters filled with practical wisdom for anyone trying to grow in holiness: faithfulness in small things, being reasonable, and ordering our spiritual desires.

St. Francis reminds us that great opportunities to serve God may come only rarely, but small opportunities surround us every day. A headache, an inconvenience, a difficult interaction, getting up early to pray, or patiently dealing with the ordinary frustrations of life can all become offerings to God. Deacon Nathan explains why learning to embrace these small sacrifices helps prepare us for whatever greater crosses God may ask us to bear.

The discussion then turns to the problem of being unreasonable with ourselves and others. St. Francis warns about the “little foxes” that can destroy the vineyard of our spiritual lives—small acts of selfishness, impatience, double standards, and pride that we are quick to excuse in ourselves while condemning them in others.

Finally, Deacon Nathan and Annie consider St. Francis' advice about pious wishes and grand spiritual ambitions. We may dream of heroic sacrifices or even martyrdom, but St. Francis says we should first learn to faithfully carry the crosses already in front of us. Rather than trying to do everything at once, we should grow gradually under the guidance of a spiritual director, allowing God to lead us toward greater holiness.

The lesson is simple but challenging: holiness begins with the little things. Before asking God for extraordinary opportunities to serve Him, we can start by faithfully offering Him the ordinary moments of every day.

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Father Philip-Michael Tangorra joins the Son Rise Morning Show to discuss the history and significance of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the beloved Marian devotion at the heart of Polish Catholic life. He also reflects on the devotion's importance to St. John Paul II and the way Mary leads us closer to her Son.

The conversation explores why Catholics ask Mary and the saints to intercede for us, the Communion of Saints, and the spiritual motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Tangorra explains how devotion to Mary does not compete with devotion to Jesus, but instead points us more deeply toward Him.

Father Tangorra is a priest of the Diocese of Paterson and has written Holiness and Living the Sacramental Life, a work of mystagogical catechesis designed to help Catholics understand the deeper sacramental life of the Church.

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On the Son Rise Morning Show, Anna Mitchell welcomes back Stephanie Mann, author and Catholic historian, to continue their series on the devotional poetry of John Keble, the Anglican priest whose writings profoundly influenced John Henry Newman.

This time, Stephanie explores the dedication to Keble's The Christian Year and the humility that shines through his poetry. Keble openly acknowledges that he is no George Herbert or Henry Vaughan, yet he doesn't allow his limitations to keep him from attempting to praise God and help others grow in prayer.

Anna and Stephanie reflect on Keble's beautiful understanding of prayer as the source of inspiration. Rather than relying on poetic talent alone, Keble begins by turning toward God, asking for the grace to understand the mysteries of faith and express them for the benefit of others.

The conversation offers an important lesson for all of us: we don't have to be professionals to offer something beautiful to God. Whether through poetry, music, prayer, or another gift, our imperfect offerings can still bear fruit far beyond what we imagine.

Stephanie also discusses the poetry of George Herbert, including his magnificent poem Prayer (I), and encourages listeners to visit her blog, Supremacy and Survival, to read more about Keble, Herbert, and the devotional tradition that helped shape Newman and the Oxford Movement.

Sometimes our “frail offerings” can become instruments of God's grace in ways we never see.

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On the Son Rise Morning Show, Matt Swaim speaks with Dr. Terrence Sweeney, a professor at Villanova University, about his thought-provoking Church Life Journal essay, “Sing Me More Songs About Jesus: Country Music, Sin, and Grace.”

What can country music teach us about sin, grace, repentance, and our hunger for God?

Sweeney explores the spiritual themes running through the music of artists such as Johnny Cash and Billy Joe Shaver, pointing to country music's remarkable ability to acknowledge human brokenness while still longing for redemption.

The conversation considers the familiar “Saturday night/Sunday morning” dynamic of country music—stories of drinking, failure, broken relationships, and bad decisions alongside a recognition that we need forgiveness and grace.

Sweeney also discusses the difference between merely knowing something intellectually and knowing it “in your bones,” drawing on the thought of John Henry Newman. Matt and Sweeney explore how that distinction applies not only to country music but also to Catholic faith.

And the conversation takes an intriguing turn toward the Blessed Virgin Mary, considering the prominent role mothers play in country music and whether that cultural affection for motherhood might provide an unexpected bridge toward a deeper appreciation of Mary.

It's a fascinating look at country music through a Catholic lens—and at the way popular culture can reveal a deep human desire for grace.

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Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell remember Dolly Parton, not just as a beloved figure in pop culture, but also as a believing Christian. Guests include Gary Zimak on one of the only uplifting verses from the Book of Lamentations, Fr. Philip-Michael Tangorra on Our Lady of Czestochowa, and Deacon Nathan Beiersdorfer to continue our series on Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

*****

Prayer of St. Anselm of Canterbury

O Lord my God.
Teach my heart this day,
where and how to find you.

You have made me and re-made me,
and you have bestowed on me all the good things I possess,
and still I do not know you.
I have not yet done that for which I was made.

Teach me to seek you,
for I cannot seek you unless you teach me,
or find you unless you show yourself to me.

Let me seek you in my desire;
let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you;
let me love you when I find you. Amen.

*****

Full list of guests

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