"Love is an exodus from me to you" (Pope Benedict XVI). Oftentimes the spiritual life can be focused on." Am I growing? Am I getting after it? Am I, am I, am I... Of course, each individual's particular growth is important, and there is a place for examining our own lives, but discipleship is a team sport and it's in losing ourselves that we authentically find ourselves. In the latest episodes, the brothers take a look at how poverty of spirit helps us do the hard work of staying in communion.

Beggars and Beast Mode. Taking another look at the "Franciscan Sweet Spot," poverty of spirit, the friars reconcile our poverty and dependence with the call to scale the heights of sanctity. Fr. Innocent, Fr. Angelus, and Fr. Mark-Mary, looking at their own life experience, proclaim with conviction, that our poverty is not an obstacle to Christian excellence, but when it is properly brought to the Lord, our poverty becomes the very fuel for holiness.

It's time to go Holy Spirit-Anointed-Beast Mode. It's time to give God permission to make us saints.

Join Fr. Angelus, Fr. Innocent, and Fr. Mark-Mary, members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, in a deep dive into the "Franciscan sweet spot": Poverty of Spirit and The Kingdom of Heaven where our dependence meets the Father's providence. For this reason, the friars truly consider themselves, "Rich Kids." They are rich in intimacy with the Father and it's possible for you too!

Punctuating everything the friars discuss is the witness of Fr. Innocent, who as a 24-year-old friar, had what he calls a "conversion" moment after he woke up paralyzed from a routine back surgery. In was in that moment, he experienced the Lord's love for him not because of his gifts or abilities, but because he is truly his beloved son.

IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS! In the latest episode of The Poco a Poco Podcast, Fr. Innocent, Fr. Angelus, and Fr. Mark-Mary take a totally fresh look at the Beatitudes. And what do we discover in the beatitudes? We discover the face of Jesus and the invitation to become authentically, and overwhelmingly, fascinated with Jesus.

IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS! Jesus offers us the Beatitudes as a reminder of what it means to be truly blessed. We are invited to be blessed like Jesus, and that is very good news. But don't get caught on the first half of the beatitude (the hard or uncomfortable part). In each beatitude is also a promise, and we all know, we worship a Father who always keeps his promises.

Intimacy with the Father is for you! FACT! Get it!

This is the first episode of The Poco A Poco Podcast in which all three hosts are present: Fr. Innocent, Fr. Angelus, and Fr. Mark-Mary of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. After an extended introduction to their community, themselves, and the story behind "Poco a Poco" the friars proclaim with absolute conviction, rooted in lived experience, that radical relationship and intimacy with God IS POSSIBLE.

Join the friars in climbing to the heights of holiness by first entering into the depths of the interior life where the King of Glory and the fulfillment of every desire dwells.

Learn more about the friars, signup on their email list, and get a transcription of the podcast at www.franciscanfriars.com

Patience! It's the name of the game. During this third, and final, of the "Pandemic Episodes," Fr. Mark-Mary reminds us to be still and know that he is God! We can be sure that God is at work in our situation even though we don't know where he's leading and when we'll arrive.

In this second episode of the Poco a Poco Podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary gleams from the wisdom of Jesuit Spirituality as practiced by Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ during his years of "Quarantine" in Soviet prisons and labor camps. Learn how to pick your battle and so win the war!

Our First Episode! Join Fr. Mark-Mary is the first episode of the Poco a Poco Podcast, the new podcast of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Fr. Mark-Mary pulls from the wisdom of Catholics who have lived in "quarantine" to give some tips for thriving in faith during this uniquely difficult time.