In this podcast, from our Day of Recollection resources for the month of July , Fr. Peter Armenio poses the important question: Do you really want to be a saint? As we reflect upon this question, Fr. Peter reminds us that we cannot rely solely on the desire for sanctity, but that we must actively choose to live in the presence of God. We are encouraged to form ourselves through prayer, spiritual reading, and the sacraments. These opportunities for spiritual formation allow us to remain confident...
Jul 09, 2020•31 min
A Spiritual Retreat on the Temptations of Christ invites you to journey with Christ through six key moments in which he encountered and resisted temptation. This retreat prompts us to look inward and assess the temptations we face in our daily life – in our profession, in our spiritual life, with family, among friends. As we look at the example of Christ, we come to understand the necessary virtues we need to overcome temptation and persevere in our journey toward heaven. A Spiritual Retreat on ...
Jul 07, 2020•31 min
As we prepare for and celebrate the Feast Day of St. Josemaria Escriva on June 26, we share a new podcast from Fr. Peter Armenio reflecting on the spiritual aspiration of St. Josemaria: to hide and disappear, wanting Jesus alone to shine.Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Josemaria set out to encounter Christ in the ordinary moments of everyday life. In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the humble, yet impactful, life of St. Josemaria and connects his life to the lessons Christ shares wi...
Jun 23, 2020•33 min
In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the immeasurable love of Christ as we prepare for and celebrate the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Christ became incarnate and took on a human heart to model for us the ability to love with our own heart of flesh if we are receptive to the grace of God. As Christians, we must allow for the love of Christ to permeate our daily actions so that others may see and encounter the heart of Christ. St. Josemaria explains: “The source of all ...
Jun 16, 2020•34 min
In today’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares a reflection on the mystery of the Eucharist, the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice of infinite love, that we can use for our prayer as we celebrate and contemplate today the beautiful gift of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). Saint Josemaria explains: “Eternal happiness begins now for the Christian who is comforted with the definitive manna of the Eucharist. This is the Good News. News, because it speaks to us of a deep love which we ...
Jun 09, 2020•35 min
On June 1 the Church celebrates the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. Traditionally the Church is also called Mother, through which we are nourished, consoled, washed, embraced, and reborn. We run to it in times of difficulty. The Church is an extension of Christ, and in the background is the icon of the Church—Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church. In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on this mystery; how we can bring the mystery to our daily lives; and, how Mary wants us to...
May 31, 2020•29 min
In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the spiritual transformation the Apostles went through upon receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As disciples of Christ, if we are docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we can continue the work of the Apostles in sharing the Gospel message in the world today. St. Josemaria explains: “The Holy Spirit is present in the Church of Christ for all time, so that it may be, always and in everything, a sign raised up before all nations, annou...
May 26, 2020•35 min
In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on Christ’s last words before his Ascension and explains that in the work of evangelization no one can be ignored – “out of a hundred souls we are interested in a hundred.” St. Josemaria explains: “What compassion you feel for them! You would like to cry out to them that they are wasting their time… Why are they so blind, and why can’t they perceive what you – a miserable creature – have seen? Why don’t they go for the best? Pray and mortify yourself. ...
May 19, 2020•29 min
St. Josemaria Escriva made many pilgrimages throughout his lifetime seeking opportunities to encounter God and praying for his conversion and of the whole world. Today’s podcast commemorates the 50th Anniversary of St. Josemaria Escriva’s pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City from May 15-24, 1970. His pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, on the Hill of Tepeyac, is recognized as the longest and one of the most important pilgrimages in his life. in this...
May 15, 2020•29 min
A Spiritual Retreat on the Conversion of St. Mark invites you to contemplate the life of St. Mark and accompany him through the central moment in his life in which we witness the man who was once a runaway from Christ become an evangelist for the Catholic faith. This retreat helps us to reflect on our vocation and personal call to holiness, regardless of our state in life. In his own pursuit of holiness, we see St. Mark overcome fear to become a daring, courageous disciple of Christ. Like St. Ma...
May 14, 2020•27 min
In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on this joyous Easter season and the consoling truth of the faith in which we know that Christ has conquered sin and death for all. This season encourages us to look inward and foster a resurrection within our spiritual life. As we continue to grow in holiness, we receive the grace needed to be a vessel in which others can encounter Christ through our witness. St. Josemaria explains: “Easter is a time of joy – a joy not confined to this period of the l...
Apr 19, 2020•31 min
St. Josemaria Escriva recognized that God’s forgiveness is even more impressive than his ability to create something out of nothing, and that “his absolute power is best shown in his power to forgive.” On our part, we ultimately have to accept God’s gift of Divine Mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation that he established. In this reflection from Fr. Javier del Castillo, we learn how Christ forgives us, just as he forgave Thomas and the Apostles for running from the Cross and not having b...
Apr 17, 2020•33 min
As we celebrate Easter Sunday and rejoice in the Resurrection, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the insurmountable joy we receive in awareness of the good news that Christ is alive. This message leads us to cultivate an interior conversion in which we can discover the presence of Christ in everyday life. Amidst the current challenge of social distancing, Msgr. Dolan encourages us to remain steadfast in prayer and to use this time as an opportunity to discover the plans God has for us so that we may ...
Apr 11, 2020•24 min
In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the five sorrowful mysteries to help us slow down and go deeper as we pray each decade of the Holy Rosary. St. Josemaria explains: "As we draw closer during this Holy Week to the suffering of Jesus Christ, let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to enable us, like her, to keep all these things in our minds and ponder over them in our hearts” ( Friends of God , no. 126). Each mystery is time marked below: 0:00 First Mystery: The Agony in the Garden 5:10 S...
Apr 08, 2020•24 min
In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the mystery of Christ’s suffering as we approach the Sacred Triduum and look forward to celebrating the joy of the Resurrection. As we look at the final hours before his Crucifixion, we see Christ contemplate the sins of humanity and willingly embrace the Cross. He takes on our suffering and bears the weight of our sins so that we too may dwell with him in heaven. St. Josemaria explains: “Let us meditate on our Lord, wounded from head to foot out of...
Apr 08, 2020•27 min
In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the Gospel passage of the Passion of Christ (Luke 22:14-23:56) which is read on Palm Sunday. During this time, the Church invites her people to focus directly on the suffering of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The longer Gospel readings help us to honor Christ’s request to “keep watch and pray” with him as he asked the Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this scene, we prayerfully rediscover God’s love for us expressed through his humanit...
Apr 05, 2020•30 min
In today’s podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on seeking the presence of God amidst the challenging reality we face today. Throughout Lent we have been journeying alongside Christ in the desert, looking inward to assess what we need to change to become a Christ-like image in the world today. During this period of social distancing, we are reminded to seek consolation in the Gospel message and to seek opportunities for spiritual growth. St. Josemaria explains: “I am happy…for I see that the Lord ...
Mar 29, 2020•17 min
As we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also referred to as Laetare Sunday, we are reminded to rejoice in the joy of the Lord as we approach the midway point of the Lenten season.In today’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo draws inspiration from the parable of the prodigal son and reflects on the joy of returning to our Father’s house. During Lent, we are encouraged to look inward and reflect upon the everyday moments that provide opportunities for conversion. With the grace of God, we can tu...
Mar 22, 2020•33 min
In today’s podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo explains how this current world crisis and pandemic is a wake up call to conversion, helping us to realize that we need to put order back into our lives – an order in which God has to be first. It is an opportunity that makes us think and forces us to act. Fr. Javier also shares experiences from the life of St. Josemaria Escriva that can help us learn how to live through times of personal and world crises. During this challenging time for the world tod...
Mar 19, 2020•36 min
In today’s podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the virtues lived out by St. Joseph in his role as a father, husband, and tradesman. St. Joseph exemplifies servant leadership and sacrificial love and models for us how to say yes to the will of God. By growing in our understanding of these virtues, we can resolve to grow in holiness in our daily life and seek sanctity in the world today. As St. Josemaria Escriva explains: “As you get to know [St. Joseph], you discover that the holy p...
Mar 19, 2020•28 min
In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the challenging question: Where do we find the Lord in the midst of the uncertainty? Drawing inspiration from the parable of the vine and the branches (John 15:1-17), Fr. Peter offers encouragement as we continue through this challenging time. He reminds us that Christ not only meets us in our joys and triumphs, but accompanies us through our trials and sorrows. Support the show THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Let us know that our podcast is important to y...
Mar 18, 2020•28 min
Jesus Christ came to earth not only to save us from sin and death but also to show us how to embrace suffering and persevere through temptation.In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the three temptations Christ endured while in the desert and explains how we can follow his example when facing temptation in our daily life. Through his humanity, Christ gives witness to the intentional effort needed to turn away from sin and achieve growth in our spiritual life. As St. Josemaria Escriva wr...
Mar 15, 2020•27 min
The Lenten season provides an opportunity for conversion and purification of the soul so that we may be more closely configured to the heart of Christ. In today’s podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on fostering a contrite heart to detach ourselves from the prideful areas of our life that inhibit our relationship with Christ. By removing these obstacles we can find interior peace and joy as we embrace the merciful arms of God. Support the show THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Let us know that ...
Mar 01, 2020•25 min
As we begin a new season of Lent, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on the importance of connecting with the Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a season to look inward and assess what the Lord is asking us to deny, offer up, so that we can share in his self-emptying and experience the joy of everlasting life. St. Josemaria Escriva reminds us that “conversion is the task of a moment; sanctification is the work of a lifetime” ( Christ is Passing By , no. 58). The Lenten season ...
Feb 25, 2020•28 min
On the Way to Damascus: The Journey of Our Vocation (Acts 9:1-3) St Josemaria Escriva pointed out that all of the apostles somehow were called to follow Jesus in and through their work, including Saint Paul. Don't be surprised, therefore, to discover that God is also calling you in and through your work. In this meditation, we will reflect on these questions: What is your Damascus? What have you chosen as that activity through which you serve society and that gives you meaning in how you live yo...
Feb 18, 2020•33 min
In today’s podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio shares a reflection on embracing Mary as our spiritual Mother. He illustrates the idea that Mary is a great miracle worker through whom we can identify with our Lord and conquer the struggle to become holy by drawing inspiration from the Marian devotions of St. Josemaria Escriva, St. John Paul II, and Bl. Alvaro del Portillo. As St. Josemaria Escriva explains: “I would recommend that, if you haven’t already done so, you find out for yourself by personal expe...
Feb 11, 2020•22 min
In today’s podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the charity of God as “fuel” that enables us to seek holiness in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Our receptivity to God’s grace increases as we continue to strengthen our relationship with him through prayer and the sacraments. The grace we receive fills our life and will overflow into our relationships with one another, leading those we encounter closer to Christ. As St. Josemaria explains: “Charity is not something we ourselves build up....
Feb 04, 2020•20 min
In today’s podcast, we conclude our three-part series exploring the prominent themes in Towards Holiness – a homily by St. Josemaria Escriva on the universal call to holiness.St. Josemaria Escriva explains that “Our Lord Jesus Christ preached the good news to all, without distinction. He calls each and everyone to holiness; he asks each and every one to love him: young and old, single and married, healthy and sick, learned and unlearned, no matter where they work, or where they are” ( Friends of...
Jan 28, 2020•35 min
In today’s podcast, we continue with the second installment of our three-part series exploring the prominent themes in Towards Holiness – a homily by St. Josemaria Escriva on the universal call to holiness. St. Josemaria explains that “in order to bring peace, genuine peace, to souls; in order to transform the earth and to seek God Our Lord in the world and through the things of the world, personal sanctity is indispensable. We must come to know him through prayer; we must speak to him and show ...
Jan 21, 2020•32 min
As most of us look forward to the New Year for a fresh start and the opportunity to begin again, especially our resolutions and goals, you have likely spent time time reflecting on resolutions for your spiritual life and the ultimate (lifelong) goal to become a saint. To inspire and motivate our spiritual goals, we are launching the New Year with a three-part podcast series from Fr. Javier del Castillo exploring the prominent themes in Towards Holiness — a homily by St. Josemaria Escriva on the ...
Jan 13, 2020•36 min
