Patrick kicks off the show with news of Pope Leo's surprise appearance at the Jubilee of Youth and his heartfelt words to young people gathering in Rome. Shifting tone, Patrick unpacks the life of St. John Henry Newman, tracing his unexpected journey from Anglican critic to Catholic convert and soon-to-be Doctor of the Church, while listener calls spark practical wisdom about conscience, daily Catholic living, and the turmoil of scrupulosity. Pastoral advice meets snippets of history and lively conversation, leaving listeners with both fresh perspective and food for thought.

• Pope Leo XIV made a surprise appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday evening to greet the thousands of participants at the welcoming Mass for the Jubilee of Youth. (00:51)
• St John Henry Newman set to become newest Doctor of the Church (03:51)
• Elizabeth - I am paying someone out of pocket for childcare. I realize this is wrong. How can I make this better? (21:22)
• Sean – “Lead Kindly Light” is a famous hymn that was written by Cardinal Newman (34:06)
• John - My son is getting married civilly but I want him to get married in the Church. You said you can do civil wedding after, but the priest is telling me we have to do civil wedding first. (39:02)
• Morgan (email) – Does God change his mind? (46:33)

Patrick wrestles with the rise of foul language in daily life, pulling in emails and thoughtful calls to weigh how movies and workplaces normalize swearing. Practical ideas like media filtering services and scriptural reflections tumble in, stirring lively back-and-forth about raising children and fostering respect. A sudden shift brings up deep questions about biblical history and the nature of God beyond time, all woven together in Patrick’s signature blend of candor and humor.

• Karen (email) - Is St John Henry Newman the same person as St John Newman? (00:28)
• Jane (email) - Do people swear more at work nowadays than they did decades ago? (01:37)
• James (email) - I sometimes hear other Catholics say that swearing is ok.  I refer them to Col 3:8. I also tell my children that he who curses lives a cursed life. (11:23)
• Nicki - On the topic of movies and language, we have a special program that allows us to take out bad language. (13:26)
• Todd - As a Catholic man, I ignore it when people take God's name in vain. During Lent, I gave up profanity and I had a great change in my life. (22:11)
• Gale - There is an app called VidAngel that removes cuss words and avoids sex scenes and nudity. (26:39)
• Nancy - How do we know that the Jews are the Chosen people? Also how do we know that God is out of time and space in relation to Purgatory? (29:11)
• Patrick shares more bible versus in response to God being outside of time (39:23)
• Mark - I agree and have trouble with bad language. Can it be good in story telling for adults? Mark Twain used the N word sometimes. (47:45)

Patrick answers questions that range from the morality of working for an alcohol distributor to what happens to the souls of unborn babies, and whether people can become angels after death. Listeners open up about addiction, struggles with faith, and complicated religious topics like Christ’s knowledge as both human and divine; Patrick responds with a balance of candid stories and theological clarity. He moves between practical dilemmas, heartfelt stories, and doctrinal mysteries with a pace that’s anything but predictable.

• Patrick continues his conversation with Mark from the end of the last hour as they talk about cursing in movies (00:33)
• Mike - What did Jesus know in His human nature vs what He knew in His divine nature? (05:51)
• Troy - I am a Christian and started working for a nationally known distribution company that ships pallets of alcohol. Is this sinful for me to engage in this? (21:02)
• Mary - Where do the souls of unborn babies go to? (28:47)
• Joe - I think, when you hit rock bottom, that is when you come to the cross. (39:34)

Patrick fields honest questions from callers about sin, suffering, and spiritual growth, and responds with scripture, stories of saints, and practical encouragement for families struggling to keep faith alive amid work and changing traditions. He slips in candid thoughts on the Traditional Latin Mass, suggests resources for Protestants considering Catholicism, and offers simple acts of charity for those encountering homelessness, letting each topic flow from personal experience and caller connection.

• Marion - Does God really punish sin in our personal lives, and as a nation, like in the Old Testament? (01:39)
• Dennis - The Latin Mass is very holy. I want the Relevant Radio audience to know how holy it is. (12:16)
• Marie - How do you keep adult children Catholic when you feel them drifting away? How do you not feel resentment to your spouse? (13:16)
• Robert - A lot of destitute people are in my town. I am retired now and feel bad that I can't do more for these people. I always think of Lazarus and the rich man. I feel terrible. Do you have any advice? (30:30)
• Andrew (email) – The Walton’s was the first show I can recall on TV that brought up anti-Catholic views on TV (34:30)
• Steve - Does a person who knows what the Church teaches, but does not convert, be saved? (41:03)
• Melanie - Confession and Penance: I know a teenager forgot his penance and I also was not given a penance. What do you do when this happens? (48:28)

Patrick welcomes listeners to a hour packed with unexpected turns, heartfelt advice, and real human challenges as he answers questions about faith, the struggle of unanswered prayers, and the pain of homelessness voiced by callers like Rose. Compassion comes through as he connects people with tangible support, tackles fears of returning to confession, and genuinely wrestles with what trust in God looks like in the everyday mess.

• Florence (email) - How do we know, when we don’t receive, it’s because of a lack of faith or it’s not God’s will? (01:07)
• Rose - There are many homeless people who are decent people who are on the streets in NJ because of tenant/landlord problems in certain areas. (07:41)
• Melody - My best friend didn't want to go to Communion because she was afraid as she has just returned to the faith. Should I encourage her to go? (14:31)
• Annabelle - We pray the Memorare to end abortion. Why don't we pray for adoption and foster care more? Is it right to pray for this person who died? (21:45)
• Theresa (email) - Doesn't the person who is handling the host and the monstrance have to have consecrated hands and to be a man? Can you clarify for me how and if this is acceptable to the Church's teaching, doctrine or tradition? (34:44)
• Ozzie - We have a mutual friend who is Pentecostal and said she would go to our service if we went to hers. Is this ok? (40:30)
• Jim – Confession: Those of us who go regularly, know who the good confessors are. They can make an appointment with the right priest for someone who needs it. (44:25)

Patrick brings listeners through fresh archaeological findings—could a 3,800-year-old inscription mention Moses, and what do modern discoveries say about Pontius Pilate? He tackles the perils of early smartphone access for kids, shares raw stories of faith and community resilience from callers, and offers thoughtful guidance on real-life ethical puzzles, all while weaving in personal memories, playful banter, and on-the-spot reactions.

• Mysterious message 'from Moses' found in ancient Egyptian mine could prove the Bible true (00:36)
• Kids Who Get Smartphones Before 13 Face Skyrocketing Suicide Risk, Study Warns (09:34)
• Patrick finishes the “cliff hanger” from the end of the 2nd hour where he’s talking about the thorn in St. Paul’s flesh (21:59)
• Sean - I love your voice and mustache. I have been in the hospital for 21 days because of an automobile accident. Thank you, Patrick! (25:44)
• Mary Ann - What should a good Catholic do when there is an ethical mistake made on a rental/lease? (36:01)
• Michael - For the first Friday devotion and the First Saturday Devotion, could I go to Confession one time to serve both requirements? (45:48)

It All Started at a Tea Party...

Rosalie from Chula Vista calls in after attending a “Deanery Tea Party” (which, btw, sounds like something Jane Austen would've loved) where a little girl asked a whopper of a question:

“Is everyone going to die?” 

Rosalie’s friend was troubled that the adult nearby didn’t offer any spiritual explanation... just the cold, hard facts. So, Rosalie did what any good Catholic would do: she called Patrick Madrid. 

How Do You Tell a Child About Death Without Freaking Them Out?

Patrick, being the dad of 11 kids and a wise Catholic thinker, totally gets it. We live in a culture that avoids death like kale at a kid’s birthday party. We want youth, health, and Instagram filters, not funeral talk. 

But here’s the truth from Patrick:

🕊️ “It’s actually good for children to understand death... in a gentle, age-appropriate way, because it opens the door to talking about hope, eternity, and Jesus.” 

So, Here’s the Game Plan, Catholic Parents & Godparents:

Age-Appropriate Honesty

Don’t lie or pretend death isn’t real. Patrick suggests saying something like:

“Yes, everyone dies eventually. But we don’t need to be afraid, because Jesus came to save us and bring us to Heaven.” 

Frame Death Through the Lens of Salvation

Patrick reminds us: God didn’t want death. Death entered the world through sin. But Jesus became one of us, died for us, and rose again so we could have eternal life. That’s the real focus, not death itself.

Describe Death as a Portal

Don't mention it as a scary monster but explain it as a doorway to being with God. That shifts the narrative entirely.

“We hope Grandma is in Heaven now because she loved Jesus. And if we love Jesus too, He’ll bring us there one day.” Great advice from Patrick! 

Takeaway for You, Friend:

If a child ever asks, “Is everyone going to die?”, don’t panic. Don’t brush it off. And definitely don’t just say, “Yep” and walk away. 

Instead, use it as a sacred opportunity: to speak truth wrapped in love, hope, and the greatest promise ever:

“Jesus loves you, and He wants to be with you forever.”

That’s beautiful.

Need to Hear It Again? Share this with a fellow Catholic parent, godparent, or that friend who just survived a toddler asking the "Big Questions" at bedtime.

Jesus isn’t afraid of death. And thanks to Him... we don’t have to be either. 

This episode of The Patrick Madrid Show is tender, raw, and packed with grace.

It all starts with an email from Aaron, a Catholic school teacher who teaches grades 2–8. His school just suffered a devastating tragedy: a young boy — just about to enter sixth grade — was killed in an accident. Aaron, heartbroken, is reaching out for help. He's thinking ahead: how do I help my students process this? What do I say when they ask, “Why did God allow this?”

What Patrick Said:

“Words can only go so far.” He starts there — with brutal honesty. When your heart is shattered, “God is with you” can feel... empty, even if it’s true.

Patrick encourages him to use the moment as a “Catechetical Popcorn Trail” Start small and lay the groundwork. Help kids understand why death even exists by going back to Adam and Eve, the Fall, and the entrance of sin into the world. This tragedy, as awful as it is, becomes a gateway into the bigger story of salvation. 

“Death is not natural. It’s not how we were meant to live.” God created us for life, forever, with Him. Death entered through sin. That helps kids understand their instincts are right — this feels wrong because it is wrong. But that’s not the end...

Jesus didn’t just die — He conquered death. Kids can look at the crucifix with new eyes. He chose to suffer, chose to die, so that death wouldn’t be the final word for us.

But Also... Teach Them This:

Original Sin is not the same as personal sin. Patrick offers a great analogy: Imagine your billionaire parents lose all their wealth due to a crime. You didn't do anything, but you still lose the inheritance. That’s original sin. Through baptism, God gives it all back, and more.

This boy might be in heaven. Patrick encourages Aaron to comfort the students with hope — if the boy was in 5th grade, it would make sense that he probably never committed a mortal sin. That’s theologically solid hope. 

Teach them how to pray for him, through offering Masses and praying the Chaplet. Let them participate in his journey to Heaven.

The Most Beautiful Part

At the end of the show, Aaron calls in; he just wants to say thank you. You can hear how much he loves his students and how much he’s leaning on the Holy Spirit. It’s one of those quiet holy moments that makes you realize the Church is so alive in people like him.

If You’re a Teacher, Parent, or Just a Catholic Who Cares…

This episode is worth your time. It reminds us that grief is the place faith speaks loudest. Our job isn’t to “fix” grief. It’s to walk through it with others, pointing to the Cross... and beyond it, to the Resurrection.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Patrick reads a heartbreaking email from Aaron, a Catholic school teacher shattered by loss, and shares how to talk honestly with children about death, original sin, and God's love without shrinking from their pain. He encourages Vivian as she wrestles with unending prayers for her son, blending stories of faith, persistence, and humility in the face of unanswered questions. When young Guadalupe calls in, Patrick breaks down the substance and words behind each sacrament, meeting curiosity with clarity and warmth, giving listeners both comfort and challenge as the morning unfolds.

• Aaron (email) – A young boy was just tragically killed. Why does God allow this? (00:52)
• Jocelyn - How long should I pray for any prayer intention? (17:44)
• Aaron – Thank you for responding to my email. I appreciate your comments. (30:56)
• Amanda (email) – There was a wandering dog at Mass (38:14)
• Guadalupe (11-years-old) - What are the sacraments made out of? (42:21)

Patrick opens the hour turning his attention to a recent Stanford study suggesting COVID-19 vaccine benefits might have been overstated, sparking a raw and honest exchange about public trust, mandates, and the fallout on those who refused the shot. As calls come in, Patrick listens to a moving story from a lifelong Mormon feeling pulled towards Catholicism, then offers heartfelt, practical direction to Jenny, a convert wrestling with obstacles on her path to the Church. Conversations zigzag between faith and personal struggle with a sincerity that refuses to gloss over the hard parts.

• Stanford-led study finds COVID vaccines saved far fewer lives than previously reported (00:36)
• Todd - The Holy Spirit is alive and well in Relevant Radio. (12:26)
• Email - I've been listening to you and Relevant Radio daily for about 3 months and have been feeling a swelling desire to become part of the great Catholic family but have no idea how to start. (18:13)
• Jenny - I am not Catholic and have been seeking the faith since 2022. I have an annulment, but I am told that my Catholic husband must come back to the faith. Is this true? (32:45)