The Inner Life

Fr. Bobby Blood joins Patrick to discuss How to Celebrate Halloween

• (6:47) what makes Halloween a holiday?
• What is the draw to Halloween?
• (15:02) Nancy - When I was a little girl our gas station had outdoor toilets and the kids decided they were going to tip them over. The guy who owned the station would move the out houses so the kids would fall in. It was really funny.

(21:24) Break 1

• Margaret - I am 83 and what we used to do in the 50s is pray down by the cemetery.
• (27:48) Sarah - I am struggling with the Idea of trick-or-treat. I want to know if participating gives Satan any power?
• (32:25) Adele - This year my son and friend are evangelizing by dressing up as bishops and nuns and giving out prayer cards and candy.
• Nathan - if Halloween is a good how do we celebrate for the glory of God.
• Patrick - its interesting that its turned into a season.

(39:30) Break 2

• Jan - I have a memory of when my husband made costumes for our kids. The best one was that my son was a front loading washing machine. I love the idea that its the people around us rather than what we do! so true!
• (43:09) Theresa - I was going to forgo Halloween but now I am going to use this open door night to give out my prayer cards. I am so excited now! I love you guys.
• (45:16) Crystal - I married into a catholic family who I love but they have very strict rules on Halloween. so for a long time I didn’t participate but with my newborn I want to start doing it again. How do I get my family on board by taking baby steps?

Fr. Rob Kroll joins Patrick to discuss Discerning the Will of God

• What lead Fr. Kroll in becoming a priest?
• How do you discern the will of God?
• (12:58) how does our Freedom play a key role in discerning the will of God?

(22:40) Break 1

• Megan - Fr. was a classmate at Georgetown. Trying to decide whether to return to nursing or help at my parish.
• (28:38) Angela - Having trouble discerning about different job employment and what God's will is for me.
• How does perseverance differ from stubbornness in our prayer?

(37:53) Break 2

• What re some principles in discerning the will of God?
• (45:01) Linda - 75 years old. Husband passed away. I'm alone. I have family, but all are busy with their lives. I don't know what to do with the rest of my life. Health is so-so. Feel it declining. What should I do with my life now?
• How can we communicate God’s will to others who don’t have Faith?

Fr. Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss St. Teresa of Avila

• (2:52) who was St Teresa of Avila?
• (11:52) what is a Doctor of the Church?
• What are some of the insights of writings in the life of St Teresa o Avila?

(20:29) Break 1

• Richard - Daughter is a Carmelite. Wanted to share what she's going through as a Carmelite and my experience as a father.
• (29:01) How did St. Teresa deal with opposition in her life?
• (35:42) Mike – I was able to visit her convent a few times. The greatest treasure of hers is her prayer 'Let nothing trouble you God is in control'

(38:23) Break 2

• What is a mystic?
• Why was it so difficult for St Teresa to be a Mystic?

Resources

• The Autobiography of Saint Teresa of Avila: The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus
  • https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-autobiography-of-saint-teresa-of-avila-the-life-of-st-teresa-of-jesus/?srsltid=AfmBOooK8aIC1CeGtVwc5AHCAgS3xjR3LCcN7ntShF88zsccjMxrxTeP
• The Way of Perfection: Study Edition
  • https://www.icspublications.org/products/teresa-of-avila-the-way-of-perfection-a-study-edition

Fr. Tom McCarthy joins Patrick to discuss Humility

• (3:21) what is true humility?
• How do we know when we are being humble?
• (11:46) Mary - Father mentioned humility leading to God. When I look at statues of Mary, she's frequently looking down out of humility. Very few paintings where you can look into her eyes.
• Why is Mary called blessed?
• (18:00) Hector - Balance between humility and the amount of work you expose yourself to at a non-profit organization. Within the context of working in a non-profit...the amount of work you lend yourself to in the context of humility. should you accept it every time? How does humility guide you?

(20:46) Break 1

• (22:26) Father shares his meeting with Pope Leo and how humility shapes hi life.
• (26:37) Bill - Regarding how pride is opposite of humility, but I've read that self-loathing is a sin against humility.
• Linda - Found something that's helped...Litany of Humility. Been praying it for years. I get a kick out of how it works.
• Emil from a listener who was told to be humble in order to love her husband.

(36:56) Break 2

• Email from Mary about choosing God’s will when it is different from your will?
• how can we use failure in our life to grow in humility?
• Email – How can I know if I am being humble or just being afraid of stepping out?
• Christine - Married 40 years, this past year, discovered indiscretions with my husband. Working on forgiving. Had an argument, he reminded me of things I had done that hurt him. I was completely humbled that I could hurt him the same way. Took it to confession and turned it around.

Fr. Daniel Klimek joins Patrick to discuss the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

• (4:04) Why do we call the Joyful mysteries by that name?
• What is the story of the miracle of the Sun?
• (8:39) First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
• (18:59) Richard - Immaculate Conception...Was Mary ever exposed to temptation?

(22:54) Break 1

• (24:27) Second Joyful Mystery the Visitation.
• Pat - Difference between blessed and blessed for Mary?

(37:16) Break 2

• (38:21) Jackie - Trying to understand in Luke 11 where the woman said blessed be the womb that carried you. Rather be those who hear the word of God and observe it. Gospel from Saturday Mass.
• (41:42) Third Joyful Mystery: Nativity

Fr. Allen Hoffa joins Patrick to discuss Apologetics: How to Defend the Faith

• What is apologetics?
• (13:02) John - Question about the blessed mother. Very detailed in 2 gospels. Where did this detailed info come from? Was it primarily dictated from the Blessed Mother?

(22:00) Break 2

• Duke - How do we know about the afterlife? Does our soul go to heaven or reincarnated?
• (27:01) Leslie - My son just left the church after several years after trying to convince son to become Catholic. Joined whatever his girlfriend is with. What do you do with that? How do you bring him back?
• Ed - Cradle Catholic. Recently finding my faith. Went to Catholic school and now reading scripture and bible and getting back to faith. Watching the Chosen and brother was asking me questions. Asked about Jesus being Jewish and why was he Jewish. Trying to talk to people with kindness and love.

(36:36) Break 2

• How do you approach apologetics with each group of people?
• (43:47) Mary Lou - I do apologetics a lot as a hairdresser. I was evangelized into the church 'quietly.' 5 people displayed holy, lovely, reverent attitude toward God. I'd have to ask them to give me more. Someone gave me a copy of a Thomas Merton book, and that was it...it was a conversion. Very happy ever since.
• Margaret-Mary - Now that I'll be 84 in December, this is the time in my life that I live in a Baptist community in NC. I am very proud of my Catholic faith. I'm professing Catholicism as I reach heaven. I was in religious life for 5 years. Was married and have children. Apologetics scared me. I understand it now and the Holy spirit is guiding me now that I have time to listen to RR and discern my faith.

Check out this Awesome encore from September 25, 2025

Fr. John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Anointing of the Sick

• What was it like for Father to administer the anointing of the sick during Covid times?
• (6:39) what is the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
• Bret – Some parishes have sessions of anointing of the sick. Is that allowed?
• (13:51) Walt - I have a sister in law who is not catholic and dying of cancer. If a non-Catholic requests it, can it be granted?
• Theresa - My granddaughter received a miracle hearing. She had seizures. It was my time to get anointed (I'm elderly) and a lady followed us and I asked Father to anoint my granddaughter. Said no because she isn't catholic, so I just anointed her myself. Started to be healed a week later.

(22:54) Break 1

• A woman writes in about getting anointed before an emergency C section and everything went well.
• (26:59) Scott - My son is having a surgery to remove his tousles. Would it be appropriate to have him get anointed? He has down syndrome?
• Margaret - Talking about niece and anointing of sick...Could you get anointing of the sick for someone who is on the autistic spectrum?
• (35:18) Robert - One of my best mates was to be anointed. He died 24 hours later. I think it was a great blessing.

(39:56) Break 2

• Johnny - Is it different from the apostolic pardon?
• (43:02) Tom - I was in a hospital in '23. Almost died. Priest gave me the sacrament and I popped up immediately. Still alive today!
• Bella - My brother in law is baptized and has all the sacraments. Has leukemia, but refusing to see a priest or the sacraments. Any advice how to take it from here.
• (47:01) Cynthia - I went through an experience with my brother who had cancer. Pain out of control. Priest came and at first wasn’t going to receive communion. 15 minutes later we got a room and it was like my brother wasn't sick. Our Lord was so generous.
• What if you aren’t sure if you can receive the anointing of the sick?

Check out this awesome encore show from September 26, 2025!

Fr. Ramil Fajardo joins Patrick to discuss Living a Life of Virtue

• Why is living virtuously needed for those in your family?
• (12:18) What are the Four Cardinal Virtues and how do they help?

(21:39) Break 1

• Dolores - My son is getting married tomorrow. I invited God parents to the wedding without him knowing. what should I do?
• (29:05) Leo - I have fallen into sloth. What virtue can I work on to combat that?

(39:32) Break 2

• How can your life your life virtuously by making a plan?
• (44:34) Joshua - It is my birthday and on Friday's I normally fast. Should I still fast today?
• How do I know which virtue to build more when dealing with a difficult spouse?

Fr. Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Marian Apparitions

• (4:02) What is the reason for the feast of the Lady of the Rosary?
• (9:22) Do Catholics honor Mary too much?
• Father gives some recommendations on books about Marian Apparitions.
• Guy - I recently went to Our Lady of Champion with my wife. It was wonderful. We are going to Fatima in two weeks. Been praying the Rosary daily and have RR to thank for that.

(20:44) Break 1

• Jill - How Mary has affected my life. Visited our Lady of Champion many times. Sitting there praying and image of her watching her son suffer and trust and love she had in God knowing there was a purpose. I continually draw on that.
• (26:58) How many Marian apparitions are there?
• (32:46) Gail - I've been to Lourdes. Went when I was 16. 65 now. Last year, I was at Our Lady of Czestochowa. The faith of the people there was amazing. People walking on their knees.

(38:06) Break 2

• Email – Father answers an email about Our Lady of Banneux.
• (40:40) Richard - I took people to Medjugorie for 15 years. Role of Mary and the lives of those who were affected by these experiences.
• (46:20) Victoria - Our Lady of the Rockies. It's monstrous how big it is. To go up there and stand under her, it's overwhelming.

Fr. Marcel Taillon joins Patrick to discuss the Precepts of the Church

• (2:06) What are precepts given by the Church?
• (8:37) first precept: Attend Mass on Sunday’s and Holy days of obligation.

(22:17) Break 1

• What is the second precept of the Church?
• (28:15) What is the third precept of the Church?
• Can you not attend Mass if it is difficult but not impossible to go to Mass?

(39:34) Break 2

• (40:29) Sal - I think a lot of it is that people want to go fishing, football game, etc. Is it okay to go to the vigil Mass?
• (46:22) What are the Fourth and Fifth Precept of the Church?