The Catholic Couple

What’s drawing people to Catholicism—and how can we help them take the next step toward Christ?

Fr. Leo Patalinghug joins The Catholic Couple Podcast for a conversation about the “Catholic curious,” sharing the faith, and helping people move from online questions to a personal encounter with Jesus and His Church.

Known as the “cooking priest,” Father Leo brings together food, faith, and hospitality through his Plating Grace ministry. We explore his Feed My Faith pilgrimages for Catholic-curious content creators and the call within his priesthood to meet people who are searching for God.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Welcoming people who are curious about Catholicism and considering becoming Catholic.
• Our responsibility as Catholics to share the faith through our words, actions, and relationships.
• Meeting people where they are and making room for honest questions.
• The Incarnation: how God becoming man shapes the way we live and share our faith.
• Moving from conversations on a screen to encounters in person.
• The theology of food and the connection between physical hunger, spiritual hunger, and communion.
• How meals, hospitality, and friendship create opportunities for evangelization.
• The role of Catholic content creators in helping others discover the faith.
• Father Leo’s Feed My Faith pilgrimages and the invitation to encounter the beauty of Catholicism.

ABOUT FR. LEO PATALINGHUG

Father Leo is a Catholic priest and member of the Voluntas Dei community, founder of Plating Grace, award-winning chef, internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, and television, radio, and podcast host.

He hosts EWTN’s food, faith, and travel series Savoring Our Faith and The Father Leo Show podcast. He also defeated celebrity chef Bobby Flay on Food Network’s Throwdown! with Bobby Flay.

His books include Grace Before Meals, Spicing Up Married Life, Epic Food Fight: A Bite-Sized History of Salvation, Saving the Family, and Dining with the Saints, coauthored with Michael P. Foley.

His ministry also includes charitable work through the foundation behind Plating Grace, food ministry serving people in need and providing second chances, and leading pilgrimages that help people deepen or begin exploring their Catholic faith.

FEED MY FAITH PILGRIMAGE | NOVEMBER 4–7, 2026

Father Leo and the Plating Grace team are welcoming Catholic-curious social media content creators to Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., for an experience of prayer, formation, sacred places, meaningful conversations, community, and shared meals.

The ministry is sponsoring 12 all-expenses-paid pilgrimage scholarships for eligible non-Catholic applicants who are sincerely curious about Catholicism. Partial scholarships or discounted participation may also be available. Visit the official website for eligibility, applications, and current availability.

Explore Father Leo’s ministry:
https://platinggrace.com

Pilgrimage details and applications:
https://platinggrace.com/fmf

Scholarship information and FAQs:
https://platinggrace.com/fmf/faq

Help sponsor a pilgrim:
https://platinggrace.com/fmf/donate

What first sparked your curiosity about the Catholic faith? Share your story or your questions in the comments.

Subscribe to The Catholic Couple Podcast, like this episode, and share it with someone who is searching for God or exploring Catholicism.

#CatholicCurious #FatherLeo #CatholicPodcast #CatholicEvangelization #PlatingGrace

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Why does Fatima still matter today? Ralph Martin joins The Catholic Couple Podcast to explore Our Lady of Fatima’s message and his new book, Hearts Beating as One: The Spiritual Heart of Fatima, from Sophia Institute Press.

As October 13 approaches, Bobby and Katie sit down with Ralph for a conversation about Fatima, the three shepherd children, and the spiritual meaning of Mary’s message for our lives today.

Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta responded to Our Lady with extraordinary faith. Their story invites each of us to take prayer, sacrifice, conversion, and our relationship with Jesus more seriously.

Beyond the headlines about miracles and secrets, the spiritual heart of Fatima draws us toward the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What would change in our families and our world if we truly lived that message?

Whether you know the story of Fatima well or are discovering it for the first time, join us for a conversation about Catholic faith, holiness, and responding to God in everyday life.

EXPLORE RALPH MARTIN’S BOOKS

Hearts Beating as One: The Spiritual Heart of Fatima

The Fulfillment of All Desire: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Based on the Wisdom of the Saints
20 Year Anniversary Edition, with a foreword by Fr. Mike Schmitz

The Coming Judgment: Are We Ready?

CONNECT WITH RENEWAL MINISTRIES

What part of Our Lady of Fatima’s message challenges you most? Tell us in the comments.

Subscribe to The Catholic Couple for conversations about Catholic faith, marriage, family, and living as disciples of Jesus. Like this episode and share it with someone who wants to grow closer to Christ.

#Fatima #RalphMartin #CatholicPodcast

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Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

In this episode, we dive into the Feast of the Archangels and the powerful role of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael in Scripture, Catholic tradition, and the spiritual life.

Why are Catholics so drawn to Saint Michael? Why does the Church pray, “defend us in battle”? What does spiritual warfare actually mean? And what can Saint Michael teach us about courage, sacrifice, masculinity, holiness, and standing firm against evil?

For me, this is personal. Saint Michael is my confirmation saint, I have the Saint Michael prayer tattooed on my arm, and I pray this prayer every day after Mass and in my regular prayer life.

There is something about Saint Michael that especially resonates with men: the sword, the battle, the willingness to confront evil, and the call to protect. But authentic Christian strength is not about domination. True masculinity is strength placed at the service of others. It is sacrifice. It is courage. It is using what God has given you to protect, serve, and lead with love.

In this episode, we talk about:

Saint Michael the Archangel and spiritual warfare
 The Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
 The biblical role of the archangels
 Why Saint Michael is depicted with a sword
 The Saint Michael Prayer and its meaning
 Saint Michael as a patron of police officers, soldiers, and those who protect others
 Christian masculinity, strength, sacrifice, and service
 How Catholics should understand the reality of evil
 How to fight spiritual battles without fear
 Prayer, confession, the Eucharist, Scripture, and the sacramental life
 Why the battle ultimately belongs to God

Saint Michael is not powerful because he is independent of God. His strength comes from obedience to God.

That is the lesson for us too.

We do not overcome evil through ego, anger, or our own strength. We stand firm through grace, prayer, truth, humility, the sacraments, and fidelity to Jesus Christ.

Saint Michael the Archangel,
 defend us in battle.
 Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs strength in the spiritual battle, subscribe to the channel, and comment below:

What does Saint Michael mean to you?

#SaintMichael #SaintMichaelTheArchangel #SpiritualWarfare #CatholicFaith #CatholicPodcast

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A baby was born without a heartbeat. For 61 minutes, doctors fought to save his life while his parents prayed for the intercession of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. What happened next would become the miracle that advanced Fulton Sheen’s cause for beatification.

In this episode of The Catholic Couple Podcast, Bobby Fredericksen shares the extraordinary story of James Fulton Engstrom, whose remarkable recovery was officially recognized by the Catholic Church as a miracle attributed to Fulton Sheen’s intercession.

As the Catholic Church prepares for Fulton Sheen’s beatification on September 24, 2026, we explore the miracle, the unexpected postponement of his 2019 beatification, and the extraordinary life of one of the most influential Catholic evangelists in American history.

In this episode, we explore:

• The incredible story of James Fulton Engstrom and the 61 minutes without a heartbeat.
• How the Catholic Church investigates and recognizes miracles.
• The difference between Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, and Saint.
• Why Fulton Sheen’s beatification was postponed in 2019.
• Fulton Sheen’s influence on Catholic evangelization through television and media.
• His lifelong commitment to a daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.
• What Fulton Sheen’s life teaches us about prayer, suffering, holiness, and bringing others to Jesus Christ.

Fulton Sheen reached millions through television, but his public ministry was rooted in his private prayer life. His example reminds us that evangelization begins with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Whether you're discovering Fulton Sheen for the first time or have followed his teachings for years, this episode is an invitation to rediscover the power of Eucharistic adoration, the communion of saints, and the universal call to holiness.

JOIN US FOR THE FULTON SHEEN CONFERENCE!

We will be there on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, celebrating the life, legacy, and upcoming beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen!

Learn more about the conference:

https://FultonSheenConference.com

THIS MONTH'S CATHOLIC BOOK: TREASURE IN CLAY

Want to discover the incredible life of Fulton Sheen through his own words?

This month's featured book from My Catholic Library is Fulton Sheen's autobiography, Treasure in Clay.

Discover his journey of faith, his experiences as a priest and bishop, and the spiritual life behind his extraordinary ministry.

My Catholic Library

Use code COUPLE10 to save 10% on this wonderful Catholic book subscription!

LET'S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION!

What has Fulton Sheen taught you about the Catholic faith? Have his books, television programs, or devotion to the Blessed Sacrament influenced your spiritual life?

Share your favorite Fulton Sheen quote or story in the comments below!

Subscribe to The Catholic Couple Podcast for more Catholic teaching, inspiring stories, conversations about faith, and practical encouragement for living as disciples of Jesus Christ.

#FultonSheen #FultonSheenBeatification #CatholicMiracles #CatholicSaints #TheCatholicCouple

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A Catholic priest began weeping during the consecration and says the chalice became too heavy for him to lift. What happened to Father Brent Bowman during Mass — and was this a Eucharistic miracle?

Father Brent Bowman, a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and chaplain at Chesterton Academy, experienced an extraordinary moment while celebrating Mass on September 14, 2026, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

During the consecration of the Precious Blood, Father Bowman says he was given an interior awareness of the power of the words being spoken and of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. He described experiencing the weight of the chalice so intensely that he could no longer lift it.

Father Bowman has since released an official statement explaining exactly what happened — and he is very clear that he does not consider this a Eucharistic miracle in the traditional sense.

In this video, we look at:

•  The viral footage from the Mass 
•  Father Brent Bowman’s homily before the experience 
•  His complete explanation of what happened during the consecration 
•  Why he says the chalice became too heavy to lift 
•  The Catholic Church’s teaching on the Real Presence 
•  Transubstantiation and the Eucharist 
•  Private revelation and mystical experiences 
•  The difference between a private spiritual experience and a Eucharistic miracle 
•  Why Catholics believe Jesus Christ is truly present — Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity — in the Eucharist 
•  Why reverence at Mass still matters 

Father Bowman said his hope is that this experience leads people to contemplate more deeply “the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and the Precious Blood.” His official statement also stresses that private spiritual experiences are unmerited gifts and are not necessarily signs of personal holiness. 

OSV News reports that the video has circulated widely online and that Father Bowman described becoming overwhelmed during the Eucharistic Prayer, weeping for more than a minute and being unable for a time to elevate the chalice. 

The deeper question may not simply be, “What happened to this priest?”

It may be:

Have we forgotten what happens at every Mass?

Jesus Christ is truly present in the Holy Eucharist.

If this video helps you see the Mass or the Eucharist differently, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Subscribe to The Catholic Couple for Catholic faith, Scripture, the Eucharist, marriage, discipleship, apologetics and conversations about living the Catholic faith in the real world.

#Eucharist #Catholic #EucharisticMiracle

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What did Fulton Sheen teach about suffering, wounds, healing, and the Cross—and why does his message matter so much today?

In this episode of The Catholic Couple Podcast, we sit down with Chantal Howard, author of the new book Show Me Your Scars: Fulton Sheen’s Theology of Suffering for a Wounded World, to talk about Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s powerful understanding of suffering, redemptive suffering, and what God can do with the wounds we carry. Chantal helps us unpack why Sheen believed suffering does not have to be meaningless—and how our wounds can actually become places of grace, transformation, and deeper union with Jesus Christ. 

With Fulton Sheen’s beatification approaching on September 24, 2026, his teachings are reaching a new generation of Catholics. This conversation explores not only Sheen’s theology, but also his prayer life, his love for the Eucharist, his courage, and why his voice may be more relevant now than it has been in decades. 

Chantal and her husband, Dr. Peter Howard, are also behind the Fulton Sheen Movement, a worldwide effort dedicated to bringing Sheen’s life, teachings, spirituality, and mission to a new generation.

👉 Learn more about the Fulton Sheen Movement:
FultonSheenMovement.com

📕 Chantal Howard’s new book:
Show Me Your Scars: Fulton Sheen’s Theology of Suffering for a Wounded World
The book explores Sheen’s wisdom on finding grace in suffering and learning how Christ can transform our deepest wounds. 

America’s Saint: The Catholic Hour Is Now

On September 23, 2026, the Fulton Sheen Movement will host America’s Saint: The Catholic Hour Is Now at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac in St. Louis, Missouri. The full-day conference runs from 9:00 AM–9:00 PM on the eve of Fulton Sheen’s historic beatification and will focus on what it means to think like Sheen, pray like Sheen, suffer like Sheen, and lead like Sheen. 

👉 Conference information:
Fullton Sheen's American Saint Conference 

In this conversation we discuss Fulton Sheen and suffering, Catholic teaching on redemptive suffering, finding meaning in pain, carrying the Cross, spiritual wounds, healing through Christ, Eucharistic spirituality, the Fulton Sheen beatification, and why Fulton Sheen’s Catholic teaching still speaks so powerfully to a wounded world.

If you are walking through physical pain, loss, disappointment, spiritual suffering, or a season you never would have chosen, we hope this conversation helps you see that God does not have to waste your suffering.

Subscribe to The Catholic Couple Podcast for conversations about Catholic marriage, family, faith, evangelization, prayer, Scripture, the Eucharist, the saints, and living the Catholic faith in everyday life.

QUESTION FOR YOU:
What teaching or quote from Fulton Sheen has had the greatest impact on your life? Let us know in the comments.

#FultonSheen #CatholicPodcast #RedemptiveSuffering #CatholicFaith #ChantalHoward

For the actual YouTube upload, I’d also use “Fulton Sheen” within the first 100 characters of the title and description. Your thumbnail SHEEN KNEW HOW TO SUFFER pairs especially well with the searchable title “What Fulton Sheen Taught About Turning Wounds Into Scars | Chantal Howard.”

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Purposelycatholic.com

What if becoming healthier could actually help you become holier?

For many Catholics, physical health and spiritual health can feel like two completely separate parts of life. We pray, go to Mass, receive the sacraments, and work on our spiritual lives, while things like exercise, nutrition, sleep, discipline, and daily routines get pushed into another category.

But should they be separated?

In this episode of The Catholic Couple Podcast, Bobby sits down with Chase Crouse, founder of Hypuro Fit and author of the new book Sanctify Your Day, to talk about the connection between Catholic faith, physical health, discipline, prayer, and holiness.

Chase explains why taking care of your body isn't simply about looking better or living longer. Our bodies are gifts from God, and the habits we build each day can either help or hinder our ability to live out our vocation.

We talk about how Catholics can create an intentional daily structure that includes prayer, fitness, nutrition, sleep, work, relationships, and spiritual discipline without turning health into an idol.

If you've ever struggled to stay consistent with prayer, exercise, healthy eating, or simply creating order in your life, this conversation is for you.

In this episode:

• Why physical health and spiritual health are connected
 • What Catholics often misunderstand about taking care of the body
 • How discipline can strengthen your spiritual life
 • Why sleep, nutrition, and exercise matter for your vocation
 • Creating healthy habits without becoming obsessed with fitness
 • How to sanctify the ordinary parts of your day
 • Building a daily routine around prayer and purpose
 • Why holiness involves the whole person, body and soul
 • Chase Crouse's new book, Sanctify Your Day

📖 Get Chase Crouse's new book, Sanctify Your Day, from Sophia Institute Press:
 

💪 Learn more about Chase and Hypuro Fit:
 

🎙️ Subscribe to The Catholic Couple Podcast on Youtube:
 

If this conversation helped you, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a comment below:

Do you think Catholics sometimes neglect physical health when talking about the spiritual life?

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Purposelycatholic.com

What does a Catholic school principal wish every parent knew about raising their kids?

After years of working with students, teachers, and families, Katie has seen the same parenting challenges come up again and again.

In this episode of The Catholic Couple Podcast, we break down five things every parent should know about raising resilient, respectful, faith-filled children.

These aren't just lessons for parents with children in Catholic school. They're practical lessons about Catholic parenting, Christian parenting, discipline, education, resilience, reading, faith, and forming children who know their identity isn't determined by their accomplishments.

5 THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW

1. Kids are supposed to push boundaries.

Children testing boundaries doesn't automatically mean something has gone wrong. Part of growing up is discovering where the boundaries are.

Our job isn't to continually move the boundary so our children never become upset. Kids need loving, consistent expectations.

Eventually, the external boundaries Mom, Dad, and teachers provide should help children develop the internal boundaries, discipline, and virtue they'll need as adults.

2. Grades do not determine your child's worth.

We want our children to succeed, but sometimes our desire to protect them from failure prevents them from developing resilience.

A bad grade isn't the end of the world.

Sometimes struggling, failing, accepting consequences, learning, and trying again can form a child more than another easy A.

Our children need to know:

Your performance matters, but your performance does not determine your worth.

3. Pay attention to how you talk about other people.

Our kids are listening.

How we talk about teachers, coaches, family members, friends, priests, other parents, and even people we disagree with teaches our children how they should treat those people.

We can disagree with someone without disrespecting them.

One of the biggest questions parents should ask is:

Are our children learning how to disagree with people by watching how we disagree with people?

4. Read to and with your kids, regardless of their age.

Reading shouldn't disappear simply because our children learn how to read independently.

Read together.

Talk about books.

Let your kids see you reading.

Create a home where curiosity, learning, conversation, and books are normal parts of family life.

5. The most important formation starts with YOUR relationship with Jesus.

We can send our children to Catholic school.

We can take them to Mass.

We can put them in religious education.

We can teach them prayers.

But ultimately, our children need to see that Jesus actually matters to Mom and Dad.

Let them see you pray.

Let them see you go to Confession.

Let them see you open Scripture.

Let them see you struggle, repent, forgive, and begin again.

Because the Catholic faith isn't simply something we teach our children.

It's something we live in front of them.

BOOKS MENTIONED

📚 Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

📚 Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

Both books offer helpful insights into boundaries, personal responsibility, resilience, learning, failure, and developing a growth mindset.

Ultimately, Catholic parenting isn't about raising perfect children.

It's about helping form children who know they are loved by God, understand right from wrong, can struggle without falling apart, learn from failure, respect others, love learning, and ultimately develop their own relationship with Jesus Christ.

👇 PARENTS: Which of these five is the hardest for you right now?

Tell us in the comments.

And if you know another Catholic mom or dad who needs this conversation, send them this episode.

Subscribe to The Catholic Couple Podcast for conversations about Catholic marriage, parenting, family life, faith, and building a Catholic home centered on Jesus Christ.

#CatholicParenting #CatholicParents #CatholicFamily

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Can what you wear actually bring someone closer to Jesus?

On this episode of The Catholic Couple Podcast, Bobby sits down with Michael Kalivas, founder of Saintly Society, a Catholic clothing and apparel company creating hats, shirts, and Catholic gear designed to help Catholics boldly wear their faith.

We talk about the story behind Saintly Society, Catholic entrepreneurship, evangelization, masculine Catholic style, and why something as simple as a Catholic hat or shirt can open the door to a conversation about Jesus Christ.

Our Catholic faith was never meant to be hidden. Whether it’s at work, the gym, the grocery store, or walking through your neighborhood, what would happen if Catholics became more comfortable letting the world know who they belong to?

Michael shares why he built Saintly Society, the mission behind the brand, and how Catholic apparel can become a simple tool for evangelization.

Wear your faith. Start conversations. Point people toward Christ.

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to The Catholic Couple Podcast for more conversations about Catholic faith, marriage, family, culture, evangelization, and living boldly for Jesus Christ.

#Catholic #CatholicFaith #CatholicPodcast #Evangelization #SaintlySociety

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Purposelycatholic.com

What if evangelization doesn’t begin at church—but around your dinner table?

In Part 2 of our conversation on Catholic life and evangelization, we get practical about what it actually looks like to bring people closer to Jesus.

Evangelization doesn’t always mean having the perfect theological argument or convincing someone to come to Mass. Often, it begins with the ordinary things we’re already doing: inviting someone into our home, sharing a meal, letting our kids play together, building genuine friendships, and putting Christ at the center of it all.

The Catholic life is meant to be lived together.

When our homes become places of hospitality, prayer, laughter, good food, honest conversation, and real Christian friendship, people can encounter something different—sometimes long before they ever walk through the doors of a church.

The invitation to the altar may begin with an invitation to the table.

In this episode, we talk about Catholic hospitality, authentic friendship, evangelization in everyday life, and how ordinary families can participate in the Church’s mission without turning every relationship into a “project.”

If you want to share your Catholic faith but aren’t sure where to begin, begin with the life God has already given you.

Open your home. Set the table. Invite somebody in. And put Jesus at the center.

If this conversation encouraged you, subscribe, share the episode, and send it to someone who wants to help bring others closer to Christ.

https://linktr.ee/bobbyfred85

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