In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, Adam Minihan and David Niles sit down with Matt Walsh — Catholic commentator, author, and host of The Matt Walsh Show — for a conversation on leisure, manhood, and how technology is reshaping our minds.

Matt shares his perspective on the modern man’s crisis of leisure, the dangers of mindless scrolling, and why intentional hobbies like fishing or board games are more than just recreation — they’re necessary for the soul.

They discuss:

• Why men today are worse at leisure than their grandfathers
• How social media disorders our view of rest
• The connection between leisure, joy, and being fully human
• How to foster habits of real leisure in your home and family
• Why every man needs one good hobby — and why that hobby should help you disconnect

Matt also reflects on the importance of silence, presence, and being able to simply “be” without needing to consume content or noise.

Sponsor:

Check out The Catholic Woodworker for heirloom-quality rosaries: https://catholicwoodworker.com/

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles share personal anecdotes and deep spiritual insights, focusing on the challenge of distractions in prayer. From road trip stories to household mishaps, the hosts set the stage with relatable humor before diving into a discussion inspired by St. Thomas Aquinas and Father Frederick Faber. They explore the five fountains of distraction in prayer, offering practical advice for cultivating a deeper prayer life by addressing distractions outside of prayer time.

Key Discussion Points:

• Opening Banter (00:00:19 - 00:04:50): David recounts his family road trip to Wyoming, including an unexpected stop in Denver and the challenges of traveling with six kids. Adam shares his chaotic week of household breakdowns, from a malfunctioning dishwasher to a beeping van door and a broken lawnmower, humorously reflecting on the "throwaway culture" he’s trying to resist.
• Health Struggles (00:09:01 - 00:11:24): Adam discusses a rare bout of heartburn that kept him up at night, highlighting his lack of Tums and his struggle to lead a meeting while sleep-deprived and feverish. David relates to his heartburn experience from a past "one chip challenge" on the show.
• Sponsorship Spotlight (00:12:00 - 00:12:39): The hosts thank Select International Tours, a long-time sponsor, for their reliable pilgrimage offerings. They encourage listeners to visit selectinternationaltours.com for details on their upcoming October pilgrimage to Italy, emphasizing the ideal weather and transformative experience.
• What We’re Drinking (00:37:02 - 00:37:26): Adam and David enjoy Wyoming Whiskey, a bourbon David praises for its affordability ($30 in Wyoming) and delicious flavor, making it a fitting choice for the episode.
• Main Topic: Distractions in Prayer (00:15:28 - 01:11:09):
• Personal Reflection: Adam shares a moment of grace in adoration, where he asked God to reveal impediments in his prayer life. A distracting phone check during a conversation revealed his struggle with presence, sparking a realization about the need for focus in both human and divine relationships.
• Theological Foundation: Drawing from St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica (Second Part of the Second Part) and Father Walter Farrell’s Companion to the Summa, the hosts discuss prayer as an act of the will, preceded by the intellect. They reference the Baltimore Catechism’s teaching that we are made to “know, love, and serve” God, emphasizing that knowing God fuels love, which leads to service.
• Five Fountains of Distraction (Father Frederick Faber):

1. Disordered Health: An obsession with health (valetudinarian state) can distract from tranquility in prayer, unlike true suffering, which can draw one closer to God when united with the Cross.
2. Actions of the Holy Spirit: Distractions can serve as a crucible to humble and purify, grounding believers in deeper devotion by burning away self-love.
3. The Devil: Demonic distractions are marked by their abundance, vivid imagery, soul-disquieting nature, disconnection from daily life, repetitive patterns, and potential to lead to sin. Custody of the eyes, especially against sins of the sixth and ninth commandments, is crucial to limit the devil’s influence.
4. Inculpable Self: Unintentional distractions arise from temperament, imagination, or poor spiritual direction, which are not deliberately chosen but still disrupt prayer.
5. Culpable Self: Deliberately entertained distractions are grave sins if knowingly allowed during time owed to God. These include:

• Bodily Sources: Lack of mortification, irreverent postures (e.g., not kneeling when able), and frequent position changes. Kneeling can orient the mind toward God, uniting discomfort with the Cross.
• Mental Sources (Seven Causes):

1. Carelessness about minute sins, which corrupt purity of intention.
2. Lukewarmness (tepidness), often unrecognized, blinds one to spiritual deficiencies.
3. Curiosity, especially a thirst for news or irrelevant knowledge, distracts from one’s vocation.
4. Lack of preparation for prayer, such as not reflecting beforehand or rushing in without focus.
5. Neglecting custody of the senses outside of prayer (e.g., excessive phone use or unchaste media).
6. Failing to practice ejaculatory prayers (e.g., “Jesus, I trust in you”), which redirect the mind to God.
7. Not addressing recurring distractions through mortification.

• Practical Advice: The hosts emphasize that the battle against distractions is won outside of prayer through habits like custody of the senses, scheduled prayer times, and preparation (e.g., silent reflection before adoration). Adam shares his practice of focusing on intentions during the drive to adoration, while David highlights the value of ejaculatory prayers and teaching children to offer Mass intentions.
• Key Insight: Faber’s teaching that “the time of prayer is not the time for the true combat with distractions” underscores the need to build disciplined habits throughout the day, such as avoiding phone distractions during conversations or limiting exposure to sensational news.

Events and Announcements:

• Pilgrimage to Italy (00:13:17 - 00:14:43): Join Adam and David in mid-October for a transformative pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi with Select International Tours. Limited spots remain—visit selectinternationaltours.com to sign up.
• Catholic Man Show Campout: Details not mentioned in the transcript, but typically held at Clear Creek Abbey in September. Check thecatholicmanshow.com for updates.

Resources Mentioned:

• Scripture: John 15:15 (“I no longer call you servants, but friends”).
• Books:
• Companion to the Summa by Father Walter Farrell (Loreto Publications).
• Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales.
• The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
• Other: Baltimore Catechism for teaching children the faith.

Quotes to Ponder:

• “The heart cannot run before the head.” – Father Walter Farrell, Companion to the Summa
• “The time of prayer is not the time for the true combat with distractions.” – Father Frederick Faber
• “You cannot love that which you do not know.” – Adam Minahan, referencing the Baltimore Catechism
• “Ejaculatory prayers are the heavenly side of distractions, thoughts of God which distract us from the world.” – Father Frederick Faber

Call to Action:

• Reflect on your distractions in prayer and identify their sources using Faber’s five fountains.
• Practice custody of the senses daily, such as limiting phone use during conversations or avoiding unchaste media.
• Prepare for prayer with intentional silence or reflection, as St. Francis de Sales suggests.
• Join the upcoming pilgrimage to Italy at selectinternationaltours.com.
• Subscribe to The Catholic Man Show podcast for more insights and share this episode with others.

Episode Overview:

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles dive into a lighthearted yet profound discussion about the phrase "killing two birds with one stone," the joys and challenges of high school reunions, and a deep exploration of friendship—both human and divine. The episode centers on John 15:14-15, where Jesus calls His disciples friends, not servants, offering a transformative perspective on what it means to live in communion with Christ. A powerful confession experience ties the conversation together, emphasizing the shift from doing things for God to doing them with Him.

Key Discussion Points:

• Opening Banter (00:00:16 - 00:04:55): Adam and David humorously debate the origins and modern misuse of the phrase "killing two birds with one stone," referencing historical and biblical imagery like David and Goliath, and even a viral video of Nolan Ryan hitting a bird with a baseball.
• Life Updates (00:05:00 - 00:11:39): David shares his excitement for an upcoming family reunion in Wyoming, while Adam talks about his son Leo’s second-place finish in mutton busting at a local rodeo and his anticipation for a 20-year high school reunion, sparking a funny reflection on aging and pride.
• Sponsorship Spotlight (00:12:00 - 00:13:15): The hosts highlight their long-time sponsor, Select International Tours, encouraging listeners to explore pilgrimage opportunities at selectinternationaltours.com and join their upcoming trip to Italy in October.
• What We’re Drinking (00:13:29 - 00:15:47): Adam and David enjoy The Sassenach, a blended Scotch whiskey with a Gaelic name meaning "outsider" or "stranger." They praise its Highland-like flavor and art deco bottle, likening it to a Mad Men-style decanter.
• Literature and Reading (00:16:46 - 00:20:43): David discusses reading G.K. Chesterton’s Man Alive, recommended by Monsignor Gallus, a Chesterton scholar, and touches on Plato’s The Republic. The hosts reflect on Chesterton’s whimsical style and the influence of classical works on Christian thought.
• Main Topic: Friendship with Christ (00:22:08 - 00:58:51):
• Biblical Foundation: Adam introduces John 15:14-15, where Jesus says, “You are my friends if you keep what I command you. No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends.” This passage sets the stage for a discussion on authentic friendship.
• Philosophical Insights: Drawing from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (Books 8-10), the hosts explore his three types of friendship—pleasure, utility, and authentic (virtuous) friendship. Aristotle views authentic friendship as the highest moral achievement, impossible without virtue, as vice renders true friendship unattainable.
• Christian Perspective: The discussion connects Aristotle’s ideas to Christian theology, with references to Augustine, Aquinas, and Cicero. Aquinas describes charity as the highest form of friendship, requiring mutual love, willing the good of the other, and a shared life—mirrored in Christ’s relationship with His disciples.
• Old vs. New Covenant: The hosts contrast the Old Covenant’s servanthood (e.g., Abraham obeying without full understanding) with the New Covenant’s friendship, where Christ shares divine knowledge, inviting us into intimacy and communion.
• Confession Insight: Adam shares a transformative moment from confession, where a priest challenged his mentality of doing things for God, urging him to focus on doing things with God. This shift reframes Christian life as a relationship of friendship, not obligation, aligning with John 15’s message.
• Communion of Saints: The episode explores how the communion of saints reflects perfect friendship, unhindered by human vice, and how Christ’s infinite love desires this communion with us.
• Practical Takeaway: The hosts encourage listeners to reflect on John 15:9-17 in adoration, emphasizing that God doesn’t need our works but desires our companionship. This perspective relieves the pressure of performance and combats pride, fostering a deeper relationship with Christ.

Events and Announcements:

• Catholic Man Show Campout: Scheduled for the last Saturday in September at Clear Creek Abbey. Sign-ups open in August, with new activities planned for this milestone event (approximately the 10th annual campout).
• Pilgrimage Opportunity: Join Adam and David in Italy this October with Father Stuart Kravcor. Visit selectinternationaltours.com for details.

Resources Mentioned:

• Scripture: John 15:9-17, particularly verses 14-15.
• Books:
• G.K. Chesterton’s Man Alive
• Plato’s The Republic
• Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (Books 8-10)
• Ignatius Study Bible
• Sponsorship: Select International Tours (selectinternationaltours.com)
• Social Media: Check Adam’s Facebook for a video of his son Leo’s mutton busting performance.

Quotes to Ponder:

• “You are my friends if you keep what I command you. No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends.” – John 15:14-15
• “The Lord doesn’t need anything from you… You have to start thinking about doing things with the Lord.” – Priest in confession
• “Friendship is the point of the Christian life.” – David Niles
• “Charity is the highest form of friendship.” – St. Thomas Aquinas

Call to Action:

• Reflect on John 15:9-17 in prayer or adoration to deepen your understanding of friendship with Christ.
• Sign up for the Catholic Man Show Campout at Clear Creek Abbey in September.
• Explore pilgrimage opportunities with Select International Tours.

Share this episode with friends to spark conversations about authentic friendship and faith.

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles welcome Michael Knowles, conservative commentator and host of The Michael Knowles Show, to discuss the critical role of language in shaping truth, culture, and faith. Drawing from philosophy, theology, and literature, Knowles explores how the corruption of language distorts our perception of reality, the dangers of slogans and propaganda, and the rebellious power of silence in a distracted world. From Dante’s view of fraud to the importance of interpreting the “signs of the times,” this episode is a thought-provoking call to reclaim language for truth and virtue.

Key Discussion Points:

• Language as a Lens for Truth: Knowles explains that language is not a neutral tool but shapes how we perceive the world. Misusing it, such as through euphemisms like “undocumented American” instead of “illegal alien,” can obscure truth and manipulate thought.
• Euphemisms and Lies: While polite euphemisms (e.g., “woman of a certain age”) can be charitable, dishonest ones cross into lying, undermining civil discourse and societal standards.
• The Battle of Standards: The real fight isn’t between free speech and censorship but between competing norms. Knowles critiques free speech absolutism, advocating for standards that reject obscenity and fraud in the public square.
• Philosophy and Language Degradation: Drawing on Josef Pieper, Knowles notes that denying objective truth turns language into a tool for manipulation, eroding reasoned debate and civil society.
• The Power of Silence: In a world of constant noise, silence is a rebellious act that allows us to hear God’s voice and interpret the “signs of the times,” as Christ urges.
• Dante and Fraud: Knowles connects Deacon Harrison Garlick’s idea of lying as “contraceptive speech” to Dante’s Inferno, where fraud, especially betrayal, is among the gravest sins, as it perverts language’s purpose of conveying truth.
• Christian Task of Interpretation: Knowles emphasizes that Christians are called not to “do” but to interpret the world’s meaning, aligning actions with truth rather than reconstructing it.

Resources:

• The Catholic Woodworker – Discover heirloom-quality rosaries, including the “Saint Michael the Defender” rosary gifted to Michael Knowles.
• Check out The Michael Knowles Show on your favorite podcast platform or at dailywire.com.
• Explore Josef Pieper’s works on language and truth, such as Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power.
• Learn more about Dante’s Inferno for insights into the moral weight of fraud and betrayal.

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles dive into the topic of spiritual idleness, drawing from Father Frederick Faber’s Growth in Holiness: Progress of the Spiritual Life. Recorded around the Fourth of July, the episode begins with a celebration of small-town Americana, from mutton busting at the local rodeo to the ordination of their friend, Father Robert Williams. The hosts then explore seven developments of spiritual idleness—dissipation, sadness, sloth, and more—offering practical insights on how to stay vigilant and prioritize a life oriented toward God. Sipping on Balvenie’s American Oak 12-Year Scotch, Adam and David discuss how modern distractions, like smartphones and excessive communication, fragment our focus and hinder our prayer life, and share strategies for cultivating presence, joy, and intentionality in both spiritual and daily routines.

Key Discussion Points:

• Small-Town Americana: The hosts celebrate the Heart of America rodeo, mutton busting, and the communal prayer and patriotism of small-town events, reflecting on their importance in fostering connection.
• Priestly Ordination: David shares a moving story of his son’s emotional response to Father Robert Williams’ ordination, highlighting the eternal nature of the priesthood and the call to discernment.
• Spiritual Idleness Defined: Drawing from Father Faber’s Growth in Holiness, the hosts unpack seven developments of spiritual idleness: dissipation (misprioritizing tasks), sadness (rooted in self-love), sloth (hatred of existence), useless industry (excessive communication), and general indifference to time.
• Dissipation’s Impact: Putting less important tasks first disrupts the hierarchy of goods, leading to a loss of peace and distractions in prayer, as Faber notes: “He who is diligent will soon be cheerful.”
• Sadness and Self-Love: Sadness, driven by self-improvement rather than God, gives the devil power over the soul, undermining spiritual progress.
• Sloth as a Culmination: Sloth combines dissipation and sadness, fostering a distaste for existence and duties, disrupting the tranquility of order (Aquinas’ definition of peace).
• Useless Industry: Faber’s critique of excessive letter-writing in the 1800s applies to today’s text messaging and social media, which fragment focus and reduce meaningful communication.
• Indifference to Time: Wasting time, especially on addictive platforms like YouTube Shorts, is a “stupid” sin that squanders the precious, irrevocable gift of time, which Faber calls “the stuff out of which eternity is made.”
• Focus and Presence: True focus requires saying “no” to distractions to prioritize God’s will, fostering presence in both daily life and prayer, as exemplified by a man eating lunch under a tree without multitasking.
• Leisure Done Right: Leisure must align with one’s state in life, be tethered to joy, and have a contemplative aspect, avoiding compulsory or utilitarian ends.

Notable Quotes from Father Frederick Faber:

• “Dissipation… consists in putting things off beyond their proper times so that one duty treads upon the heels of another, and all duties are felt as irksome obligations.”
• “He who is diligent will soon be cheerful.”
• “The soul of sadness is self-love… How many are there whose real end in the spiritual life is self-improvement rather than God?”
• “Nothing gives the devil so much power over us [as sadness].”
• “Time is the stuff out of which eternity is made… we shall have to give the strictest account of it at the last.”

Resources:

• Growth in Holiness: Progress of the Spiritual Life by Father Frederick Faber (available from Koreasoo Press).
• Select International Tours – Join Adam and David on their October pilgrimage to Italy or explore other holy sites worldwide.
• Explore St. Hesychios’ writings on watchfulness for insights on vigilance in the spiritual life.

A special thank you to our sponsor, The Catholic Woodworker. Get your heirloom quality rosaries here: https://catholicwoodworker.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles sit down with special guest Harrison Butker, NFL kicker and devout Catholic, to discuss fatherhood, faith, and leading a virtuous life in today’s world. Harrison shares his insights on being the head of the household, raising children in the faith, and balancing a high-profile sports career with family responsibilities. From practical tips on prayer routines to the importance of grandfathers in passing down wisdom, this episode is packed with wisdom for Catholic men striving to live authentically for Christ.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Role of a Father as the Head of the Household: Harrison emphasizes the responsibility of men to lead their families with virtue, drawing parallels to great leadership in sports, like his coach Andy Reid, who takes accountability as a true leader.
• Raising Faithful Children: As the primary educators, parents must prioritize their children’s relationship with Christ over worldly achievements. Harrison shares how he and his wife teach their children, including preparing his six-year-old son for First Communion and altar serving.
• Building a Prayerful Family Life: Harrison discusses the importance of a family rosary, praying before meals, and striving for quality in prayer to foster a deep connection with God.
• The Role of Grandparents: Harrison reflects on the value of grandparents in passing down faith and life lessons, advocating for multi-generational households to strengthen family bonds.
• Advice for Young Boys: Harrison’s heartfelt advice to the hosts’ sons: “You are enough.” He encourages young men to follow Christ and the saints, embracing their unique vocations without succumbing to societal pressures of pride or competition.

Special Mention:

• Harrison praises the durability of rosaries from The Catholic Woodworker, a sponsor of the show, and receives a handmade “Terror of Demons” rosary as a gift.
• The hosts and Harrison discuss the importance of intentional prayer, with practices like the Angelus and family rosary to anchor family life in faith.

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts David Niles and Adam Minihan dive into the spiritual wisdom of Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite lay brother, and his timeless book, The Practice of the Presence of God. From a heartfelt story about Adam’s son asking, “Can patience exist without annoyance?” to exploring how Brother Lawrence found God in the chaos of a busy kitchen, the hosts discuss cultivating a constant awareness of God’s presence. They address modern distractions like smartphones and share practical ways to reclaim presence in daily life, drawing inspiration from Brother Lawrence’s disciplined yet joyful spirituality.

Key Topics Covered:

• Adam’s son’s profound question: “Can patience exist without annoyance?”
• Brother Lawrence’s life as a lay brother and former soldier, finding God in mundane tasks
• The importance of disciplined prayer to build a habit of God’s presence
• Overcoming modern distractions like technology to stay present with God and others
• Practical tips: Cultivating natural focus to enable supernatural awareness

Action Item:

Practice presence by setting aside your phone during family time or conversations. Start with disciplined prayer to build a habit of offering every moment to God, as Brother Lawrence did.

Resources:

• The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence (ICS Publications: icspublications.org)
• Join a pilgrimage with Select International Tours: selectinternationaltours.com

Keywords: Brother Lawrence, Practice of the Presence of God, Catholic spirituality, patience, spiritual discipline, overcoming distractions, presence with God, Catholic men’s faith, Christian living, technology and faith

David and Adam welcome Father Mike Schmitz to discuss the transformative power of prayer. With humor and candor, they explore the difference between merely saying prayers and truly praying, addressing how to cultivate a prayer life that aligns with God’s will. Drawing from Saint John Chrysostom and Fr. Thomas Dubay, the conversation emphasizes the universal need for prayer, especially for laypeople navigating the challenges of daily life, and offers practical insights for moving from rote recitation to a deeper, relational encounter with God.

• Prayer for All Vocations: Fr. Mike Schmitz challenges the assumption that monks have a deeper prayer life, citing Saint John Chrysostom’s teaching that laypeople need prayer and scripture more than monks due to the “arrows and spears” of daily life—annoying bosses, irritating spouses, and bothersome kids. This resonates as a call for everyone to prioritize prayer, regardless of their state in life.
• From Saying to Praying: The hosts and Fr. Mike discuss the transition from reciting set prayers to engaging in mental prayer (e.g., Ignatian prayer, Lectio Divina). Fr. Mike shares a personal story of a silent retreat where a memorized psalm provided words when his own failed, highlighting the value of rote prayers as a foundation for deeper communion.
• Distractions in Prayer: The conversation addresses the common struggle of distractions, distinguishing between intentional distractions (e.g., checking a phone during prayer) and natural ones that God may use to purify prayer. Adam emphasizes the beauty of “wasting time” with God in contemplative presence, akin to an old couple silently enjoying each other’s company, versus being distracted by external devices.
• Why Prayer Matters: Prayer is an act of faith, rooted in the belief that time spent with God transforms us into the person He calls us to be. Fr. Mike compares prayer’s motivation to health practices like intermittent fasting: if you’re convinced it makes a difference, you’ll commit. Prayer changes us to love like Jesus, even when we feel inadequate.
• Overcoming Apathy and Ignorance: Referencing a humorous anecdote about a coach and player discussing “ignorance and apathy,” Fr. Mike stresses that convincing someone to pray requires sparking a desire to become more like Christ. Without an encounter with Jesus (the kerygma), prayer may seem irrelevant to those who don’t yet care to grow in holiness.
• Practical Advice for Laymen: Fr. Thomas Dubay’s blunt wisdom—“If you’re content being a mediocre dad or mom, don’t pray”—underscores that prayer is essential for excellence in any vocation. Fr. Mike encourages introducing children to mental prayer early, as seen in his summer camp where sixth graders learn Lectio Divina and Ignatian prayer.

• Catholic Woodworker Rosary: Fr. Mike receives an heirloom-quality rosary from The Catholic Woodworker, featuring handcrafted wood beads built to last. The hosts highlight its durability, even with young children handling it, and promote the official Catholic Man Show rosary.

Prayer is not just a checkbox but an act of faith that transforms us into the image of Christ. Whether through memorized prayers that anchor us when words fail or mental prayer that fosters intimate communion, the key is presence with God. Laypeople, facing daily trials, need prayer as much as—if not more than—monks. By committing to prayer, even amidst distractions, we grow in love and align with God’s will for our lives.

• Get a Catholic Woodworker Rosary: Visit catholicwoodworker.com to purchase an heirloom-quality rosary, including the official Catholic Man Show design, perfect for daily prayer.
• Practice Mental Prayer: Start with Lectio Divina or Ignatian prayer to deepen your prayer life. Set aside time daily, even if brief, to be present with God, trusting that it will transform you.

David and Adam share humorous anecdotes from their chaotic home lives—mice-catching kids, runaway cows, and pig feeder mishaps—before diving into a deep discussion on spiritual growth. Drawing from Father Frederick Faber’s Growth in Holiness, they explore five practical signs of progress in the spiritual life, offering insights for men seeking to deepen their relationship with God. The episode balances lighthearted banter with profound reflections on humility, perseverance, and living intentionally for Christ.

Life Updates:

• Adam recounts his son Leo’s antics, including catching mice and feeding them into traps, and opening a gate, letting a cow escape during relentless Oklahoma rain. He also shares the challenges of a kitchen remodel, leading to household disorder and a mouse infestation.
• David discusses his pigs knocking over their feeder, eating through plywood, and his frustration-driven rebuild with metal siding, highlighting the manual labor woes of farm life.
• Spiritual Focus: The hosts explore Father Frederick Faber’s Growth in Holiness (published by Cor Iesu Press), focusing on Chapter 1’s five signs of progress in the spiritual life. Faber, a 19th-century Oratorian and convert, offers timeless clarity on Catholic spirituality.
• Contradictions in the Spiritual Life: Faber notes the spiritual life is full of contradictions due to our fallen nature, particularly the tension between knowing ourselves deeply while thinking of ourselves humbly. David challenges the modern adage that humility is “thinking about yourself less,” arguing that true humility requires rightly ordered self-reflection.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t Ask Your Spiritual Director for Progress Reports: Faber advises against seeking your spiritual director’s judgment on your progress, as it places unfair pressure on them and risks oversimplifying complex spiritual states.
• Avoid Arbitrary Benchmarks: Setting personal, artificial markers of progress can lead to disquietude, distracting from genuine growth and forfeiting graces.

Five Signs of Spiritual Progress:

1. Discontent with Your Present State: A desire to be holier, coupled with humility and gratitude for past graces, indicates progress. This discontent must avoid sloth (acedia) or unease with devotional practices.
2. Constant Fresh Starts: Persevering through repeated failures by recommitting to holiness (e.g., overcoming a persistent sin like pornography) is a sign of growth, reflecting perseverance.
3. Specific Goals in View: Actively pursuing a particular virtue, overcoming a specific fault, or adopting a penance shows intentionality, akin to a business plan for spiritual growth.
4. Feeling God’s Particular Call: An “attraction” to a specific fault to correct or pious work to undertake, guided by the Holy Spirit, signals progress. Not all experience this, but it’s significant when present.
5. General Desire for Perfection: A broad desire to be more perfect, if acted upon through prayer, penance, or zealous acts, is valuable but must be channeled into action to avoid spiritual stagnation.

Practical Reflections:

• Adam shares his practice of writing down elements of a “good day” (waking early, praying, reading, working hard, family dinner, early bedtime) to replicate satisfying days, aligning with Faber’s call for specific goals.
• David reflects on overcoming obsessive thoughts by offering gratitude to God, transforming burdens into opportunities for grace, illustrating the power of fresh starts.

Hot Takes:

• Faber’s claim that “we must not be without fear even of forgiven sin” sparks debate. David questions fearing forgiven sins, suggesting it doubts God’s mercy, while Adam interprets it as acknowledging lingering attachments or temporal consequences requiring atonement.
• Faber’s assertion that exact knowledge of our growth in grace is harmful is clarified as a caution against prideful self-assessment, emphasizing trust in God’s measurement over our own.

• Duchess de Bourgogne (Regular and Cherry): A Flemish red ale from Brouwerij Verhaeghe in West Flanders, Belgium. The regular version offers a refreshing, slightly tart complexity, while the cherry variant is overly tart and less balanced. Priced at $25 for a four-pack, it’s a rare find but best sampled if you enjoy sour beers.

The spiritual life is not about mountaintop experiences or avoiding sin alone but pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ through intentional, humble efforts. Faber’s five signs encourage men to embrace discontent as a spur to holiness, persevere through fresh starts, set specific goals, respond to God’s unique call, and act on desires for perfection. By avoiding prideful self-measurement and trusting in God’s grace, we can grow in love and freedom.

• Join the Pilgrimage: Sign up for The Catholic Man Show’s pilgrimage to Italy, visiting Rome, Assisi, and the incorrupt bodies of Carlo Acutis, Saint Clare, and Saint Francis. Limited spots remain (less than 10). Visit selectinternationaltours.com for details.
• Subscribe: Stay updated with The Catholic Man Show by subscribing on your preferred podcast platform and leaving a review to support the show.
• Read Growth in Holiness: Purchase Father Frederick Faber’s book from Cor Iesu Press to deepen your spiritual journey.
• Reflect: Write down what makes a “good day” for you, focusing on habits that foster spiritual and personal satisfaction, and strive to replicate them.

• Barbecue Competition Judging: Adam shares his first experience as a barbecue competition judge at a local Catholic church and school fundraiser in Tulsa, where he was joined by his son Jude (assistant judge) and two priests.
• Judged four categories: chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and brisket (Adam insists brisket is the primary measure; David (wrongly) argues for ribs).
• 12 pit masters competed; judged on appearance, taste, tenderness, texture, uniqueness, and overall (max score 25).
• Advice from Joe Martin’s son: Take one bite per entry to avoid overeating (48 bites total across 40 minutes).
• Adam judged strictly (e.g., scores as low as 14, zero for appearance), while priests gave higher scores (23–24), highlighting differing standards.
• Event fostered camaraderie among pit masters (12 hours together) and service to attendees, teaching kids sacrifice, friendship, and craft articulation.
• Shout-out to Brian Schooley for organizing; Adam and David plan to enter as The Catholic Man Show next year, with Jim in a dunk tank.

• David’s Experience: David harvested two 45x45-foot wheat plots using a scythe, finding it soothing, peaceful, and in tune with nature despite being exhausting.
• Quotes Wendell Berry: “The means we use to do our work almost certainly affects the way we look at the world” (via an X account, @minahan8).
• Compared to last year’s sickle (felt “commie”), the scythe was efficient for small-scale farming; not practical for large-scale but satisfying.
• Kids raked straw (post-harvest, nutritionless due to seeding) for pig bedding or garden mulch; straw vs. hay explained (hay retains nutrition).
• Adam plans to borrow David’s scythe for his own wheat harvest, nervous about back strain.
• Wendell Berry Reflection: Hosts revisit Berry’s essays, appreciating his beautiful, idealistic conclusions but finding his reasoning insufficient (e.g., abandoning tractors would starve people).
• Compare Berry’s idealism to J.R.R. Tolkien and Guardini's Letters at Lake Como; both depict lovely worlds but lack practical solutions for modern challenges.

• Introduction to Pope Leo XIII: Adam introduces Pope Leo XIII (1810–1903), a prophetic figure who addressed modernity’s challenges (secularism, communism, liberalism) in the late 19th century.
• Known for Rerum Novarum (1891, Catholic social teaching), reviving Thomism in seminaries (to counter Nietzsche, Hegel, and communism), and engaging modern society.
• His encyclical Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae (1880) emphasizes Christian marriage as a divine, not secular, institution, foundational to society.
• Critiqued rise of divorce, moral relativism, and civil interference undermining marriage’s sanctity; argued church, not state, holds primary authority over marriage.
• Marriage as Trinitarian Image: Marriage mirrors the Trinity’s relational society, where spousal love is so real it produces a third (child), reflecting Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Secular view (Enlightenment-era and today) reduces marriage to a consensual contract, ignoring its sacramental, stable, and permanent nature.
• State has a role in regulating marriage per natural law, but church’s supernatural authority supersedes.

• Scriptural Basis: Leo XIII references Ephesians 5 (footnoted), where St. Paul instructs mutual submission out of reverence for Christ, with specific roles: wives submit to husbands, husbands love wives as Christ loved the church.
• Secular society fixates on “wives submit,” ignoring mutual submission and husbands’ sacrificial love.
• Submission Defined: Adam posits submission stems from extreme trust (in a good relationship) or fear (in a bad one); David nuances that even small decisions involve trust or fear, and submission means aligning with another’s mission (e.g., heaven).
• Ideal marriage: Both spouses are so submissive they forget themselves, sharing one mission (heaven), as exemplified by Mary and Joseph (near-perfect).
• Practical Mission: Couples must articulate what “getting to heaven” means (e.g., prioritizing Mass over sports, family dinners, or vacation choices).
• Early marriage decisions set family identity, reducing conflicts when children’s desires arise; trust builds when both spouses prioritize each other’s salvation.
• Example: Blessed Karl of Austria to Zita: “Now we must get to heaven together,” requiring intentional, sometimes extreme steps.

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• Husband as Leader: Husband is head of the household (per Genesis), leading with love, not dominance, kneeling beside his wife in prayer.
• David prays daily for the Holy Spirit to inspire Pamela’s intuition, valuing her as a “helper” (biblical term for Holy Spirit), taking her insights seriously for family decisions.
• Adam prays during Adoration for Haylee to grow closer to Mary, modeling humility and femininity.
• Leadership Analogy: Like business, where employees leave due to poor leaders, not the mission, wives stay committed if husbands lead with love toward heaven.
• Neglecting presence or duties undermines the mission, making separation easier despite shared goals.
• Formation: Husbands must prioritize prayer, Holy Spirit inspiration, and faith learning to pass tradition to children, adapting as family life grows louder and more complex.

• David’s Routine: Observes “great silence” mornings to foster prayer and silence as a virtue, though young kids (e.g., 2-year-old Susanna) need reminders.
• Older siblings model behavior, reinforcing communal prayer (before/after meals, morning, bedtime).
• Adam’s Struggle: Excels at communal prayer but struggles to safeguard individual prayer time for Haylee (10 minutes of silent contemplation); sees it as his role to protect her prayer, and vice versa.
• Homeschooling complicates silence (starts at 6 AM when kids sleep); mutual submission includes guarding each other’s prayer time.
• Husband’s Role: Create space for wives to flourish in femininity, free from burdens men ideally handle, requiring intentionality.

• Sacramental Calling: Marriage is a sacramental vocation for salvation, under church authority (Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae); natural institution (state-regulated) but primarily supernatural (church-governed).
• Polygamy isn’t against natural law, but church elevates monogamy as supernatural ideal.
• Instilling Marriage’s Importance in Children: In a secular world of promiscuity and dating apps, parents must:
• Model Complementarity: Display masculine men and feminine women (e.g., dresses enhance femininity, not mandatory) to show distinct, complementary roles.
• Shield from Technology: Delay exposure to apps like Tinder, which allure with shallow choice over marriage’s depth.
• Promote Virtue: Teach what to do (virtue) over what not to do, fostering human flourishing, not legalism.
• Measure Virtue: Name virtues (e.g., generosity, kindness) to give them value, like business metrics or Snapchat streaks, making them family goals.
• Set Mission: Reinforce family mission (heaven) through consistent leadership, building trust in parents’ heavenly intent.

• Leo XIII’s Legacy: Oldest pope at death (93), first recorded/photographed; addressed Freemasonry (1880s, less relevant today).
• Recommended reading: The Church Speaks to the Modern World (Doubleday, Image Books) compiles Leo XIII’s social teachings, available on abooks.com.
• Suggests great book groups intersperse encyclicals (e.g., Rerum Novarum, Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae) with classics for rich discussion.
• Patreon Support: Offers audiobooks of five Leo XIII encyclicals, professionally recorded by humans (pre-AI), at catholicmanshow.com.
• Father’s Goal: Reflect the Father’s love, giving children a glimpse of divine love through husbandly and fatherly sacrifice, despite failures.

• Takeaway: Christian marriage, as Leo XIII taught, is a sacramental foundation of society, requiring mutual submission, trust, and a shared mission to heaven, modeled through virtuous leadership and complementarity.
• Encyclical Recommendation: Read Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae (1880) for a primer on Christian marriage’s divine role.
• Final Cheers: “We’re on the Lord’s team, the winning side. Raise your glass! Cheers to Jesus!”

• Read Encyclicals: Explore Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae (1880) and Rerum Novarum (1891) for Leo XIII’s insights on marriage and society.
• Model Marriage: Display complementary masculinity and femininity; prioritize virtue over legalism to teach children marriage’s value.
• Protect Prayer: Safeguard communal and individual prayer times (e.g., great silence, 10 minutes for spouse’s contemplation).
• Set Family Mission: Articulate and live the mission to heaven through intentional decisions, building trust and identity.
• Support the Show: Join Patreon at catholicmanshow.com for access to Leo XIII encyclical audiobooks and more.
• Read Berry: Revisit Wendell Berry’s essays for beautiful, if idealistic, reflections on work and society.

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