The Inner Life

Father Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Motherhood

• (2:47) Father shares his thoughts on the new Pope Leo
• The importance of Mary our mother
• (17:58) Anne - She wasn't a saint, but she gave her 4 children the gift of knowing God. She made sure we went to Catholic school. Up until she died, she prayed the rosary and talked to us about Jesus and passing that along to our kids. I know many who didn't have that kind of mom. Feel so blessed.

(20:40) Break 1

• How can mothers bring the faith to their children.
• JoAnn - I'm one of 9. Mom is deceased. Greatest gift is our faith. She was raised Catholic. Her mom started the Rosary society in Brooklyn, NY. Great role model.
• What if mom
• (30:47) Mario - My mom passed away 4 years ago. I was in charge of her Rosary. Wrote a eulogy about her.
• (35:41) Teresa I struggled because I didn’t remember my mom but now I am thankful for it.

(41:26) Break 2

• (45:07) Vince - My mom (immigrant Italian) married at the shrine of Pompeii. I remember her being very devoted. Watched the angelus every Sunday. She went through so much growing up in WWII Italy.
• Sharon - My mom was a convert and raised us all Catholic. What do you do when the father isn't Catholic and teaches them not to follow what the mother says?

The Inner Life was pleasantly interrupted by the announcement that we have a new pope!

(5:53) Check out this Live and in the moment commentary on the election of the new pope! Pope Leo XIV

Check out this encore show from April 30, 2025

Father John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Confirmation

• What is a Sacrament?
• (5:12) What is Confirmation?
• What are some misconceptions about confirmation?
• (13:19) Laura - I'm 57 and converted when I was 19. My mom was Catholic and dad was Lutheran. We didn't have formal RCIA at that time. Feel like I missed something in the process. I did get a certificate of confirmation from the church. My kids are in Catholic school and I've learned so much from them.

(20:00) Break 1

• Sandra - Born in Mexico. Confirmation and baptism was done at the same time. I just want to make sure that is valid when you don't have full knowledge of your confirmation.
• (24:20) David - I taught CCD for a number of years. Some weren't interested in becoming confirmed, How is grace confirmed at confirmation when they are accepting it but not really wanted?
• Katie - I made my first communion in April of the 1960s...three weeks later I made confirmation because the bishop only came every 4 years.
• (30:46) How is Confirmation a missionary Sacrament?
• John - I was confirmed in 72. I remember we being nervous. Reaffirming that you had attitudes of people being bored, but others being nervous and perhaps more serious about it.
• John - I have fond memories about it. I was an altar boy and when I was confirmed I was able to be a lector. Very rewarding. It forced me to learn and study the readings.

(40:15) Break 2

• Why does the Bishop need to be the one to Confirm people?
• (44:05) John - Question:  I recently got confirmed but my wife and I were supposed to get convalidated. I was wondering about the process and whether that is true or not.
• Who can be confirmed?
• Niki - Confirmed in 2014. Felt so much joy and cried happy tears. Daughter was my sponsor. I became catholic when Pope Francis stepped out on the balcony. Felt the holy spirit tell me I had to become Catholic.

Father Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Forgiveness

• (4:01) What is forgiveness?
• (15:08) Patsy - Married 47 years. Difficult marriage. I find myself touched by the holy spirit. Devoted myself to believing. However, my husband has continued on his path the way he has lived his life. Difficult time talking to him. I don't know if that's the same as not forgiving him. I feel no sense in trying to communicate.

(21:32) Break 2

• Fred - How far does forgiveness go when you think you have someone and make contact, and no response? I thought I did my duty before God in asking for forgiveness. Did I do enough.
• (26:15) Crystal - I've been struggling with this topic. My family escaped communism. It's created a broken situation with my family. Sibling and father don't talk. Done a lot mentally, spiritually, physically, but they're not open to relationships unless it's conditional. I still struggle with getting to answer to this. I think forgiveness is a process and some days I'm unhappy with the situation.
• 11:36 Rob - Struggling with a brother in law. I've forgiven him, but I don't want to talk to him. It always ends up the same way. What should I do?
• Ann - My late husband died several years ago. Was a permanent deacon. He was obliged to say the divine office. I prayed part of it with him. If couples pray together everyday, they'll get rid of a lot of these issues. I wonder how many people who have trouble forgiving would be better off by praying together. I think it applies to those having difficulties.

(37:26) Break 2

• How do we know if we haven’t forgiven someone?
• (44:02) Patrick shares an email about how to forgive someone with narcissistic tendencies?
• (46:28) Yvonne - Someone very close to me did some things he shouldn't have. I think that I've forgiven him, but the hurt keeps coming up. I keep questioning as to whether I really forgave him.

Father Tom Wilson joins Patrick to discuss Spiritual Hunger and the Eucharist

• What is Spiritual hunger?
• (7:18) What should we be looking for when it comes to spiritual hunger?
• Why is it a blessing to be hungry?

(20:07) Break 1

• (22:02) What happens when people say they are not being fed?
• (27:49) Sebastian - in my experience, I have relied on my relationship with Jesus with my attempt of fidelity to Him with constantly a sense of anxiety. I have a family member who grew up Catholic and eventually became protestant. He gives the impression that he's living the sense of bliss and roll with the punches by the use of psychedelics. I don't feel the need to use them.
• Annette - Not Catholic, but watch mass etc. Spiritual hunger for me is when I'm not in my daily reading devotions. That's when I huger for God most because I'm out of place.

(39:28) Break 2

• (41:00) Colleen - Eucharist and presence of Christ. Years ago, my husband and I (dating) I remember receiving Christ and then going to my husband's church (Lutheran) and he wasn't there. It's in your soul...you know when he's there, in the Eucharist.
• Is it ever appropriate to abstain from communion to build up our spiritual hunger?
• Patrick shares an email about receive
• Mayra - I was raised without any faith. Found myself in a Baptist church at age 10. As the pastor held up the bread, he said we're only doing this to remember Jesus. He said the words, this is my body given up for you. I had a long faith journey and I feel learning about the Eucharist was the easiest part because I already believed that was the body and blood of Christ.

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss the Immaculate Heart of Mary

• (4:00) What is the Immaculate Heart of Mary?
• Images of the Immaculate heart.
• How can we emulate the Immaculate heart of Mary?

(19:24) Break 1

• Monica - When you go to Friday Mass, what do  you do to honor her? do you say certain prayers?
• (22:25) How do you pray the Seven sorrows of our lady Rosary?
• What is Saint Maximilian devotion to the Immaculate Lady?
• (29:24) Can someone be too close to Mary?

(37:21) Break 2

• Jasmine - I recently came back to the church. Immaculate Heart has helped me and led me to Jesus. Praying the Rosary.
• (40:49) Adrian Email – speaks about being able to receive Jesus better through Mary. How is Mary receptive?
• (45:44) Coky - Miracle from Our Lady. Was diagnosed with illness.

Father Michael Maher joins Patrick to discuss the Feast of St Joseph the Worker

• (3:05) What is the devotion to Saint Joseph like?
• Why is Marxist communism so evil?
• what is the importance of the family in society?
• (16:22) Roland - Devotions to him for years. Was unemployed and prayed for his intercession. Has helped me many times.

 (20:38) Break 1

• Robert - I am curious about when someone consecrates themselves to a saint. I've heard of the St. Joseph consecration. What is it about?
• (27:00) Father shares 5 points on how we can consecrate our lives through our work?

(36:36) Break 2

• Work being a gift even when it is hard.
• (41:09) Work and human dignity.
• (45:50) Ann - I was taught a prayer to St. Joseph. O Saint Joseph whose protection is so great... Wanted to share this prayer with you. Husband was a deacon.
• How are we co-creators in our own work with God?

Resources:

• Consecration to St. Joseph
  • https://ignatius.com/consecration-to-st-joseph-csjp/

Father John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Confirmation

• What is a Sacrament?
• (5:12) What is Confirmation?
• What are some misconceptions about confirmation?
• (13:19) Laura - I'm 57 and converted when I was 19. My mom was Catholic and dad was Lutheran. We didn't have formal RCIA at that time. Feel like I missed something in the process. I did get a certificate of confirmation from the church. My kids are in Catholic school and I've learned so much from them.

(20:00) Break 1

• Sandra - Born in Mexico. Confirmation and baptism was done at the same time. I just want to make sure that is valid when you don't have full knowledge of your confirmation.
• (24:20) David - I taught CCD for a number of years. Some weren't interested in becoming confirmed, How is grace confirmed at confirmation when they are accepting it but not really wanted?
• Katie - I made my first communion in April of the 1960s...three weeks later I made confirmation because the bishop only came every 4 years.
• (30:46) How is Confirmation a missionary Sacrament?
• John - I was confirmed in 72. I remember we being nervous. Reaffirming that you had attitudes of people being bored, but others being nervous and perhaps more serious about it.
• John - I have fond memories about it. I was an altar boy and when I was confirmed I was able to be a lector. Very rewarding. It forced me to learn and study the readings.

(40:15) Break 2

• Why does the Bishop need to be the one to Confirm people?
• (44:05) John - Question:  I recently got confirmed but my wife and I were supposed to get convalidated. I was wondering about the process and whether that is true or not.
• Who can be confirmed?
• Niki - Confirmed in 2014. Felt so much joy and cried happy tears. Daughter was my sponsor. I became catholic when Pope Francis stepped out on the balcony. Felt the holy spirit tell me I had to become Catholic.

Father Rob Kroll joins Patrick to discuss St. Catherine of Siena

• Why do we even celebrate feast days?
• (8:04) Early life and highlights of St Catherine of Siena.

(19:50) Break 1

• Cathy - My friend gave me a book about her written by a priest who knew her. Wasn't catholic at the time, but made me mad I didn't hear about her earlier after reading her story and then becoming a Catholic. I joined the church about 30 years ago.
• (27:44) How did Saint Catherine help reform the Church and the Pope?
• St. Catherine of Siena’s espousal to Christ.

(37:17) Break 2

• What are some of her aesthetical practices and how can we relate with that?
• Catherine of Siena as a Doctor of the Church
• (45:06) How can we set the world on fire with our own lives?

Resources:

• Catherine of Siena by Sigrid Undset
  • https://ignatius.com/catherine-of-siena-casip/

Father John Eckert joins Patrick to discuss Consecrations

• (2:36) what are consecrations?
• Who was St. Louis De Montfort?
• How do consecrations fit into God’s plan of salvation?

(22:56) Break 1

• Ronny - I did a consecration in 2021. Approved by Pope Francis. It's a consecration to Jesus over 33 days. We read the 4 gospels, pray, fast on Wednesdays and at the end, we receive 5 topics.
• (29:48) David - Question:  I've never consecrated myself to anything. I'm wondering if I might have missed an opportunity. There was a time that St. Faustina kept coming up before I even knew who she was.

(38:24) Break 2

• (39:17) What do you do in a consecration?
• Is it okay to be consecrated to multiple Saints?

Resources:

• Divine Mercy Consecration: 33 Days to Merciful Love
  • https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/introduction-33-days-merciful-love
• Consecration to Jesus Christ
  • https://elsembradorministries.com/esne/iam73/