The Inner Life

Father Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss the Stations of the Cross

• (3:29) what is the origin of the stations of the Cross?
• What is the order of the stations of the Cross?

(17:50) Break 1

• Email from Bob about the unique way he prays the stations of the Cross.
• (19:38) Marsha - I was able to go with my parish to the holy land and pray them in January. I think that is the change and memories and the places of Christ's passion. It was beautiful.
• Simon of Serene Stations of the Cross.
• (31:50) what is the benefit of praying the stations communally?
• (34:41) Greg - It's very simple. In order we become worthy to share in the resurrection, we need to share in his crucifixion.

(36:33) Break 2

• Mary - In Madison, for 40 days for life, the conclusion will be at Planned Parenthood. They will have the stations of the cross. It will be on Good Friday.
• (40:48) Barbara - I belong to the church of Jesus in Milwaukee. The upper church has such beautiful stations. There is so much detail and every one of them is so rich in material and great to meditate upon.
• Linda - I went on the Camino. While we were there, we walked to where the pilgrims were from. There were stations on the way to the village. It was very enlightening to walk where our Blessed mother appeared to the children.
• (46:29) Nicole - Before coming back to the church, I felt there was a bit of a patriarchal problem. I found the stations to be so female-centric. It was so profound (Veronica's veil). It felt very inclusive. I felt there was a patriarchal prayer to many prayers. Broke down when I first prayed them.

Check out this awesome show from April 3, 2025 

IL:

Father Sam Martin joins Patrick to discuss Patience

(2:58) Patience is a fruit of the Spirit and a key part of the spiritual life

(6:37) Holiness is humility and accepting help. Sometimes it is more blessed to receive than to give 

(13:10) Patience does coincide with slowing down, solitude and time in prayer 

(13:38) Contemplative life is one of the best ways we can spend our life in this planet – 

(20:21) Break 1

(22:03) Mark - Patience in prayer. I see signs that say keep praying. Isn't there a point where the answer is no and you should go on, or should you go on? How do you know when it's no? 

(28:50) Prayer is friendship and relationship and not just to make sure I am still “in the will”

(30:40) Carlo - Could you describe the difference between patience and self-control? – 

(36:02) Break 2

(37:35) Is there something we can do in the moment to stave of impatience and foster patience in our minds? 

(45:13) Mary Lou I take care of my elderly mother. Patience is always on the tip of my tongue and heart. She moves really slow and bringing God into those moments where I want to rush her and God is helping me to stop and be present with her.

Resources:

Humility Rules by Fr. Augustine Wetta, O.S.B.

Father Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Marriage and the Cross

• (3:09) What is Marriage?

(22:09) Break 1

• (23:25) Margaret - I'm in the process of converting and husband is against it. Any advice?
• (27:41) How is the man the head of the family?

(39:32) Break 2

• Carlos - I'll be married 58 years. The criticality is covenant vs contract. That's my experience.
• (43:04)  Elizabeth - My husband and I are on our 2nd marriage for 21 years. Love each other a lot. Hardest thing is the baggage. I've overcome it, but he doesn't want to speak about certain things. He's estranged from his kids. He's very involved in my children's lives.

Father Elliot Zak joins Patrick to discuss Evangelization in Modern Times

• Father shares a little bit about himself.
• (5:03) what is evangelization?
• (10:13) Nick - Love how you started the show. Key is finding where they're at and listening in. The greatest thing we can do to evangelize is give our witness. Lord gives us the inspiration to evangelize. We have to pray on those inspirations.
• Philip - I evangelize. I was able to continue this mission since 2000. It's entering into the unknown and not being afraid. Mine was nursing home care. Finding out if anyone is praying the Rosary. So many assisted living/nursing homes. Bring your rosary and bring it up with permission (activities coordinator).
• (17:48) Dana - Choosing a particular book that may be of interest to my daughters. We are in a book club. I chose a book and they tore it down. It was a religious book. If I'm going to be part of their club, it has to include what I have. Evangelization with my daughters...what would be an interesting book to capture their attention and get them thinking?

(22:43) Break 1

• (25:48) Joel - I have been wearing a cross outside my shirt. People always comment, 'That's a beautiful cross.' Really brings up Christianity. A lot of guys and women are wearing the cross because of an organization in Fargo, ND. I give them out and it's a great way to spread evangelization.
• (28:26) what is the “new evangelization”?
• how do you respond to Christians who have questions about the Catholic Faith?
• Janet - A couple friends have started restaurant ministry. We go out to eat and say grace before meals. We ask our server how we can pray for them. Amazing some of the stories we hear. Easy way that's non-threatening.

(37:57) Break 2

• (39:48) Justin - Handing out little Jesus statues. I buy them off Amazon and hand them out. Easy way to spread the word.
• (41:19) Stephanie - How to approach in conversation with my non-believer friend. She told me she was baptized Catholic, raised Jehovah Witness. Now she's a non-believer. She's dear to my heart and it hurt me when she said she doesn't believe. Going to see her this week and hesitant, maybe scared, to approach it.
• (46:22) Role of social media and AI in Evangelization.

Fr. Michael Hurley joins Patrick for the sixth of a special Lenten Series on the 7 Last Words of Jesus – today’s topic: “It is Finished”

• What would have the people heard from these words of Jesus who where there?
• (9:43) What is the deeper meaning of this message.
• (12:56) Robert - I don't understand the debate. it was about his mission on earth. I don't understand the bewilderment. That is what the father had him do.

(18:20) Break 1

• Susan - The Latin being consumatem est...more literally translated to it is consummated. As in he's married to his church.
• (24:06) Timothy -You mentioned Came to save sinners...don't know what that exactly means.
• How does this connect with the Old Testament and the fourth cup?

(38:33) Break 2

• (41:43) The enduring wounds of Jesus even after it is finished.
• Jesus Shouts, it is Finished!

Bishop Joseph Coffey joins Patrick on the Solemnity of St. Joseph to discuss St. Joseph and Fatherhood

• Bishop Coffey shares a bit about himself and his ministry of the Archdiocese of the Military.
• (7:11) What is the Church’s teaching on Fatherhood?
• How was Saint Joseph the Father of Jesus even though they were not biologically connected?
• (11:41) What does God being referred to as Father tell us about Fatherhood?
• (15:55) Charles - I am a 93 year old veteran of the Korean war. How much difference in age was Joseph compared to Mary?
• What are some virtues of Saint Joseph?

(21:44) Break 1

• (22:40) Lily - Thank you Bishop for your guidance to our military men and woman. My son is in the Marines (ERIC).
• (26:30) What is the highest virtue of Saint Joseph?
• (30:39) Richard - St. Joseph devotion: he is the foster father of Jesus. I am also the foster Father of a little boy. I had to lean on St. Joseph when we were discerning what to do.

(36:31) Break 2

• (42:13) What if you don’t feel worthy of being a father?
• How can men and women strengthen Fatherhood in our society?

Check out this encore show from March 26, 2025

Father John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Spiritual Movies

• (4:06) what are the dangers of movies the spiritual life
• Father shares a movie which he really enjoys
• (13:52) Sean - The Adventures of Robinhood from 1938. It's a very Catholic movie. Had a good impression on my life. Saw it when I was 6.
• Greg – Nefarious outstanding movie. Certain groups played it off as a horror film. It's good vs. evil. Some have avoided it because it deals with evil. The guy who did it also did God is Not Dead. One priest said every priest should see it for giving advice for confession.
• Mark - Calvary...Irish Film. 10 years old. About a priest who really lays down life for his flock.

(22:47) Break 1

• John - Of Gods and Men...French film. About monks serving souls in north Africa. Based on a true story.
• Barb - The Shack...about what it's like to be God and sacrifice your son. It shows God sacrificed his son as this guy sacrificed his daughter. Bring your tissues.
• (29:50) Nels - The Last Supper....newly released film.  Emphasis on Judas in that movie.
• Miriam - 7th Heaven...1930's.  Star5ring Jimmy Stewart. Unlikely love story ever told. Mention of God in the movie. He's an atheist and then things happen. My favorite movie.

(35:43) Break 2

• Roland - Journey to Bethlehem....nativity story.  Silence...the story of the Japanese Martyrs. Ignition Martyrs
• (39:16) Matt - Beckett, and the Cardinal.  Excommunication scene in Beckett is most powerful scene.  The Cardinal being more recent. Pope Benedict was advisor for this movie. Came out when V2 was written.
• Patrick shares some movie recommendation from listeners who write in.
• Roxanne - The Most Reluctant Convert...untold story of CS Lewis.  Very good.
• (43:02) Jean - King of Kings...1925. It's a silent movie and beautiful.
• Eric - The Scarlet and the Black. Based off the Scarlet Pimpernel. Hides thousands of Jews during WWII. I think it's a must see.

Resources - Spiritual Movies:

• Babette’s Feast (1987)
• The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
• Nefarious (2023)
• Calvary (Irish film) (2014)
• Of Gods and Men (2010)
• The Mission (1986)
• Arrival (2016)
• The Blue Kite (Chinese) (1993)
• The Shack (2017)
• The Last Supper (2025)
• The Chosen (series) (2017 – present)
• Seventh Heaven (1937)
• A Hidden Life (2019)
• A Man for All Seasons (1966)
• All That Remains: Dr. Takashi Nagai (2016)
• Journey to Bethlehem (Christmas) (
• Nativity Story (Christmas)
• Silence (2023)
• Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
• The Ten Commandments (1956)
• Ben Hur (1959)
• The Robe (1953)
• Becket (1964)
• The Cardinal (1963)
• Gattaca (1997)
• The Most Reluctant Convert: the Untold Story of C.S. Lewis (2021)
• The King of Kings (1927)
• The Scarlet and the Black (1983)
• The Sound of Metal (2019)
• Life is Beautiful (1997)
• The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
• The Lord of the Rings (2001-03)
• Groundhog Day (1993)
• A River Runs Through It (1992)

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss St. Patrick's Day

• (3:33) who was Saint Patrick?
• (13:26) Sylvia - I heard St. Patrick raised people from the dead. Is that true?

(18:53) Break 1

• (20:29) Natalia - Origins...I wondered if father is familiar with How the Irish Saved Civilization. There's a discrepancy as to where St. Patrick was born. I think he was Roman and living in North Africa...I believe in Carthage when he was captured by the Irish and taken to Ireland.
• (26:38) Patricia - Could Patricia be synonymous with St. Patrick because there is no St. Patricia. I look at Catholic names...most of my kids have Catholic names.
• Carmen - My grandfather was Irish and American Indian. One tradition we had was about getting the family together and my mom would make a pot of Irish stew and dad would make corned beef and cabbage. I haven't heard anybody mention that. We have an Irish population in Hawaii. On St. Patrick's Day, they go all out with festivities.
• Drinking problems in Ireland, especially around St. Patrick’s Day.

(37:18) Break 2

• (39:11) Dr. Gerard - Thanks to my priest who gave me sacraments and communion. They came from Ireland to India. I'm now a cardiologist for the last 35 years. in US. Very thankful for St. Patrick.
• John - Could you comment on St. Patrick's prayer. Christ before me, behind me, etc. How could he survive in that environment? He had Christ present with him and it made him so powerful. This is what made people take heed of it. So many Irish hear...after the famine. People had to pay 7 pounds to live there or pay 4 pounds to come to America.
• (45:30) Cassidy - He's my patron saint and confirmation saint. How can I incorporate the life of St. Patrick during the feast with my family and share that with them?

Check out this great show from April 7, 2025

Father Patrick Hyde joins Patrick to discuss Joy in Lent

• (4:17) why do we talk about joy during Lent?
• What is joy?
• How important are circumstances in finding joy?
• (17:18) Danny - I find it's becoming hard to find joy in lent. In today's age, you don't see it. You tell people it's Lent, and then it's like...and then what?

(21:36) Break 1

• Susan - I've been going to daily Mass. Hoping to grow faith. I'm proud that I'm hauling myself out of bed every morning. Joy, getting closer to God...no. What more can I do?
• (31:00) How do you find joy in Lent if it has been a real struggle?

(35:57) Break 2

• Alfredo - I have found joy in the 7 charisms of the Holy spirit. Try to focus on that every day. Don't always get to all of them, but try. Enjoying Lent so far.
• (42:10) Maryann - 84 years old. Having trouble finding Joy in Lent because of my inability to participate because I'm home bound.
• (44:54) Annie - I had a pastor who made a point that joy and happiness are different. Happiness is fleeting...joy is forever...it's lasting. Jesus Others Yourself.

Resources:

• 5 Loaves and 2 Fish
  • https://paulinestore.com/5-loaves-2-fishes-43739-115997.html
• Five Loaves & Two Fish
  • https://www.amazon.com/Loaves-Francis-Xavier-Nguyen-Thuan/dp/0819826766
• He Leadeth Me
  • https://ignatius.com/he-leadeth-me-hlm2p/?searchid=2061706

Fr. Dave Heney joins Patrick for the fifth of a special Lenten Series on the 7 Last Words of Jesus – today’s topic: “I Thirst”

• How does this word of thirst relate with the old testament?
• (12:02) Biblical meaning of water.
• What is the significance of the Passover cup?

(20:10) Break 1

• What is the importance of the Woman at the Well with Jesus’ words of “I Thirst”
• (26:07) how can we satisfied Jesus thirst for us?

(36:32) Break 2

• Beatitudes I thirst and drink for riotousness
• (43:34) Madeline - I love this discussion. Years ago I read the 4th Cup. The new covenant is complete. This really has changed how I look at the Triduum.
• Richard – Did Jesus say Carry your cross before or after he died on the cross?