The Inner Life

Msgr. Robert Dempsey joins Patrick in studio to discuss Liturgical Practices in Lent

• What is the Liturgy?
• How is the liturgy different in Lent?
• What is the reason for the missing of the A

(18:26) Break 1

• Addison – Not Catholic. Doing a lot of research. What should I expect at a Mass during Lent?
• (26:25) Bonita - Tenebrae...when is it done and why?
• (30:07) Why is purple used during Lent?
• Laetare Sunday

(34:54) Break 2

• (36:21) Monica - Good Friday is also the first Friday, but they don't celebrate Mass...how do I fulfill my first Friday obligation?
• Why are things like flowers and music made less during Lent
• (41:52) What are the scrutinies?
• What is Passiontide?
• (46:34) Vinny - What about Holy Saturday when there's no mass during the day. The vigil Mass is there, but is the obligation?

Fr. Craig DeYoung joins Patrick to discuss Self Denial

• What is self-denial?
• (5:21) How does self-denial lead to freedom?
• How does self-denial lead to virtuous living?
• (16:27) Nicole - How this lent has been more fruitful for me and helping me lean more into it this way.

(20:24) Break 1

• How does time play into self-denial?
• (25:09) the community’s role in helping us with self-denial?

(34:03) Break 2

• (35:43) Sylvia - Trying to understand when I do something for others, I feel a lot of joy, but when they thank me, I don't know how to respond. I want to understand that part.
• How can we discern what would be best for us to give up in our lives?
• (42:21) Heather - OCIA and wanted to know if you're allowed to change what you're doing for Lent. I don't know if I'm doing enough?

Fr. Spencer Howe joins Patrick to discuss English Literature

• (2:41) what is the role of Literature in the life of the Church?
• What is the history of the Catholic Church in England?
• (10:26) what is the Catholic influence of Shakespeare.

(18:55) Break 1

• (19:50) Richard - I'm a reader of CS Lewis, George McDonald. I can tell you how I was put on to CS Lewis and then George McDonald.
•  (23:54) C.S. Lewis one of the evangelists?
• (28:43) Karen - Wanted to talk about reading Tolkien and then becoming Catholic. Heard about it on Fr. Simon's show.

(34:00) Break 2

• WWI’s influence on English Writers in their literature.
• (37:56) St John Henry Newman’s authorship and teaching.
• Who was Ronald Knox and why is he so important?
• (45:32) Chesterton’s importance in the common people’s mind.

Resources:

• Newman Studies
  • https://www.newmanreader.org/

Check out this great show from March 24, 2025

Father Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss Anxiety in the Spiritual Life

• What is Anxiety?
• (6:49) What is the biggest source of anxiety?
• What is scrupulosity?
• (12:58) Email - How can we stop worrying we aren’t going to go to heaven?
• Barbara - I have suffered with OCD and scrupulosity. In the last couple years, I discovered Dr. Greg Bottaro's book and he has a chapter called Surrender to the Will of God. Admitting we are powerless over this. That is what I have to do every day. Just turn it over to God.

(22:09) Break 1

• What is the difference between anxiety, fear and stress?
• (27:41) Lisa - Are there are people who are predisposed to worry and anxiety genetically.? If they don't have faith, but tendency toward perfectionism. How advice would you offer to them?
• Thomas - Comments on healing between psychiatric approach and spiritual approach. Action between mental health work and spirituality. Finding healing and that people have the power to trust God and not get anxious.

(40:51) Break 2

• Leticia - Anxiety developed into a eating disorder. I battle with that. I do what you are suggesting...Jesus I trust in you. I take some medication. I teach catechism...takes my mind off it.
• (46:38) what can we do to keep anxiety down?

Msgr. Tom Richter joins Patrick for the fourth of a special Lenten Series on the 7 Last Words of Jesus – today’s topic, Spiritual Abandonment

• The Allusions of Control.
• (8:53) Jesus and Psalm 22.

(21:24) Break 1

• (22:27) Tom - I've always wondered if Jesus felt because of his humanity we as human would feel abandoned by God. Was that an expression of his human feeling because he was fully human. How can Christ feel he was abandoned? if he were fully human, he would feel that way. Can you explain that?
• (26:27) How Jesus abandoned Himself to God.
• How can we trust that God still loves us through the challenging times in our life?

(38:54) Break 2

• How can we cultivate Faith in our lives?
• (45:18) Entrusting to God all of those who will be affected by my abandonment.

Bishop Donald Hying joins Patrick to discuss Surrender to God

• What makes surrender so important?
• (7:27) What is the motivation to spiritual practices?
• (12:34) John - I've got 2 sons struggling with drugs. Talk to them all the time about it. Not having control and putting it in God's hands.
• Bonita - My brother is in a nursing home. They're going to put him on hospice. Wondering if he's in the right place. How to navigate making decisions. Can't always meet what we're hoping to have. Hospice and not knowing how to navigate.

(18:54) Break 1

• What does Saint Therese of Lisieux teach us about surrender to God?
• (22:55) Marisa - Last year, for Ash Wednesday and Lent, I vowed to give up alcohol. I used it as a crutch rather than surrounding to the Lord. I did the surrender novena, drank that night, but seven nights later, I gave it up and it's been a year of sobriety.
• (31:01) Stan email – are there any short prayers to say to not despair over past sins?
• Patrick - I've had some success surrendering to God. I have this sloth. It's tough. Lack of discipline. Need more help from God.

(35:19) Break 2

• Email from a listener wanting husband getting her husband back to Mass.
• (39:24) Elanore - I was given my sister's ashes. I'm driving around with them right now. I surrender, but have no direction. I'm looking for sacred ground. Nobody understands the relationship. She died in a nursing home. I need guidance. I believe she was a sacrificial lamb. I hold her in high regard while the rest of my family doesn't agree.
• Email about surrender when others don’t listen as well
•  (45:42) Marge - I've learned to surrender to Him. I finally realized what the Our Father really means. I've experienced different things. Been praying for granddaughter for years. I have a lot of priest friends I'm in regular contact with. Was told to completely talk to Jesus and lay all in front of the cross. Mentor and confession is important.

Fr. Marc Lenneman joins Patrick to discuss Strengthening the Will

• (3:06) what is our will?
• What are the effects of original sin on the will?
• (10:11) what are good and bad convictions?
• (15:05) Mary from MN – How do you fight an affection to a specific sin?

(18:54) Break 1

• Suzie - I say I have a crazy or addict brain. I'm much better during Lent. Try really hard all year, but especially during Lent. I also know that I need to be patient. I'm working on my will and God's working on my will. My family and friends have to deal with this, too.
• (25:44) Where is the line between holy desires and earthly pleasures?
• (33:32) Ann Marie - Not to give into despair when God's working on your sinful nature. I'm working on a situation with jealousy and trying to deal with being angry or vindictive, but choosing to deal with my heart in the matter.

(39:19) Break 2

• (40:48) Carol - This show is so spot on. I needed it for my Lenten goal process. Opened up my path to be myself and understanding to what I need to achieve in my Catholicism in becoming a better person and what God wants for me.
• How does prayer fasting and alms giving increase our will power?

Msgr. Jason Gray joins Patrick to discuss Lessons from Bishop Fulton Sheen

• Msgr. Gray’s background
• (4:40) who was Bishop Fulton Sheen and what is his legacy?
• (9:34) Nick - Part of Militia of Immaculata. Headquarters was in Peoria until it moved. Tomb of Bp Sheen is there and adoration chapel. He had a saying...those who leave do it for what they think it is. He taught me how to love and learn the faith and serve the Lord. It's so intertwined. Stall in beatification. We know when that happens...it's good because Satan wants to mess things up.
• What were some challenges of the beatification of Fulton Sheen?
• (16:27) Ken - I was raised in a Catholic/Protestant home. Father was protestant and would listen to Bp Fulton Sheen with mom. He was impressed by Sheen and would laugh at some comments. When I started listening to RR, I can hear my father's laughter.

(21:02) Break 1

• How do you get canonized?
• (25:35) Art - When I was a boy in the 60's, my parents used to watch his program. I remember it was always brighter (we only had black and white). Always wondered why that was. I realized it was the holy spirit. Found that fascinating. Very blessed man.
• Regina - Received a minor miracle for surgery. Had bad cataracts. Didn't have health insurance at the time. I remember watching his program. Talked about angels. At the hospital, the surgeon was kind enough to get me an angel grant to pay for the surgery.

(35:03) Break 2

• (37:50) Dorothy - I missed him in the 50's. anecdote to share...his style. I worked in Catholic Charities. I didn't know the society of the propagation of the faith was a competitor of ours. Went to a performance and he was there. He had such a fun style. He asked me what I do...told him I was a secretary with CC...flung the cape over his shoulder almost in dismay. Had such a twinkle and fun personality.
• (40:41) Janine - My father was protestant, mom was catholic. Mom loved to watch him. Dad would watch with her. Made one wall black flocked wallpaper. We lived in uptown Chicago. To this day, I believe it had such an influence on dad because he did finally receive communion. I think it was Bp Sheen.
• Mary - I think Americans need to make a pilgrimage to some places. Champion to Peoria to Bp Sheen, and then to Quincy to Fr. Tolton.

Resources:

• Fulton J. Sheen Foundation:
  • https://www.celebratesheen.com/
• Treasure in Clay
  • https://ignatius.com/treasure-in-clay-tclayp/
• The Priest Is Not His Own
  • https://ignatius.com/the-priest-is-not-his-own-pnhop/

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Redemptive Suffering

• (3:19) What does the Church teach about suffering and God’s plan for suffering?

(20:34) Break 1

• Father talks about the importance of responding to suffering well
• (26:01) Yolie - A friend had a baby as the result of a rape. Refused to abort. Was alone after that and had to deal with shame. Is that redemptive suffering?
• (31:37) Philip - I'm a knight of the Immaculata...sub group called knights at the foot of the cross. They have extreme suffering...many wheel chair bound. When I've introduced the concept of redemptive suffering...suddenly, my back pain or chronic pain is less...receiving relief. I think it's a goodness of God as a thank you for offering it up.
• Mario - I've noticed in others...sometimes when God sends you a cross, you're carrying it for someone who is dear to you.

(38:21) Break 2

• How does punishment and suffering come from sin?
• (45:04) Ann - Live in independent living. Other floors have assisted living. Most people are 65+ up to 102. Lots of suffering going on. Don't know how to approach them sometimes. Feel funny by just saying 'offer it up.' How do I approach it?
• How do you cultivate joy in the midst of suffering?

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick for the third of a special Lenten Series on the 7 Last Words of Jesus – today’s topic: Mary’s Role at the Cross

• (3:26) What is the context in these words of Jesus from the Cross?
• What Who does John represent in this scene?
• (13:25) What is Mary’s role in the Passion of our Lord?

(18:08) Break 1

• What are practical ways in which we can share in the passion of Christ?
• (25:39) Jim - My mother is starting to fail. My wife asked who should we pray for as a caregiver. We stopped thinking about the saints and then turned to Jesus on the cross. Jesus found a caregiver for his own mother. Found great consolation.
• Kurt - Redemptive suffering and joining to Christ on the cross. Very rarely do I hear anyone talking about that. We not only have that opportunity, but for the redemption of the world. We are commanded to that in John 15 and John 13. I give you a new commandment...  There's no greater good than to offer suffering for them.

(34:06) Break 2

• How does the prophecy of Simeon play a role in Mary’s heart at the Cross?
• (38:37) what can we expect from the love of Mary and how it helps us in our lives?
• (41:21) Sharon - When my son died. I identified with Mary for release. My son was 50 and died of a rare cancer. The loss was something I knew she understood. Gave me a great deal of help during that time.
• Michelle - Abortion and aborted children. Great sorrow. I delivered that child into Mary's hands.