The Poco a Poco Podcast with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal - podcast cover

The Poco a Poco Podcast with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Franciscan Friars of the Renewalwww.franciscanfriars.com
Join Fr. Innocent, Fr. Angelus, Fr. Pierre Toussaint, and Fr. Mark-Mary, priests of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, each week to discuss authentic faith in today's world as they share stories and wisdom from years of prayer, community life, and work with the poor. It all comes back to this: finding deep friendship with Jesus. Seeing him work in our lives everyday. Through topics as varied as mental health, the confessional, and NYC neighbors, the Poco A Poco Podcast is here to accompany all pilgrims as they walk step by step, little by little, poco a poco on their pilgrimage to the Father's house. The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are a Catholic religious order founded in the South Bronx, NY. Learn more or subscribe to their updates at www.franciscanfriars.com

Episodes

Ordinary But Extraordinary (2022)

As Fr. Mark-Mary mentioned, the friars will be taking a meaningful break to embrace the rest and the joy of the Jubilee Year. While they are away, please enjoy listening (or re-listening) to this previously released episode, and join us in continuing to pray for Fr. Mark-Mary, Fr. Innocent, Fr. Angelus, and Fr. PT as they follow God’s will and heed the call of the Jubilee. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinki...

Jun 25, 202559 min

End of the Season

Episode 269 - End of the Season What would the Jubilee rest look like on your end? After 269 episodes, the friars are stepping away for a season of Jubilee, renewal, and obedience. In this heartfelt season finale, they share honest life updates, reflect on God’s invitation to deeper trust, and remind us that real rest isn’t about burnout. It’s about surrender. This one’s full of laughter, brotherhood, and real discernment. Thank you so much! See you in Season 2! The Poco a Poco podcast happens b...

Jun 18, 202544 min

The Beatitudes

Episode 268 - The Beatitudes Is following Jesus just another self-help plan? The Beatitudes flip that idea upside down. This isn't about fixing yourself, it's about letting God meet you in your need. In this episode, the friars unpack how the Beatitudes aren't a checklist for spiritual success, but an invitation to deep dependence on God. They explore how true blessings often look like weakness, surrender, and a poverty of spirit because that's where grace breaks in. The Poco a Poco podcast happ...

Jun 11, 202541 min

Intentional and Wanted by God

Episode 267 - Intentional and Wanted by God Were you just a surprise, or were you really wanted by God? In this episode, the friars speak into the quiet questions many carry, especially those born outside traditional circumstances. They unpack the pain, confusion, and identity struggles that can come with that and speak truth into it all that no matter how you came into the world, whether your story includes surprise, brokenness, or uncertainty, one truth stands firm: Your life is not an acciden...

Jun 04, 202531 min

Joy and the Valley of Tears

Episode 266 - Joy and the Valley of Tears - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 14) Ever feel too tired, too broken, or too behind to be joyful? You’re not alone. But the gift of Paschal Joy isn’t about having it all together—it’s about Jesus coming to you right where you are. This joy isn’t manufactured; it’s a gift rooted in the Resurrection. Even in our weakness, Jesus says: “It’s not about you—it’s about Me.” In this episode, the friars talk about joy in the midst of suffering and how the ...

May 28, 202540 min

The Fullness of God

Episode 265 - The Fullness of God - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 13) Can we let God be the one who provides, who carries us, who fills us with His presence and love? This week, the friars reflect on the heart of the Jubilee rest. True rest isn’t just doing less or stopping work—it’s a radical shift in mindset and posture from striving to receiving. The invitation is clear—come home to the Father and let Him be enough. This podcast episode invites you into the deep rest your heart’s been...

May 21, 202541 min

Jubilee and the Good Samaritan

Episode 264 - Jubilee and the Good Samaritan Why do we leave what’s good and go searching for answers in places that break us? This week, the friars unpack the story of the Good Samaritan through the lens of the Jubilee year. What draws us away from the peace and identity we have in God—toward places that leave us wounded and empty? Whether it’s the orphan mindset, performance pressure, or endless distractions, we all carry brokenness. But Jesus meets us there, not with judgment, but healing. He...

May 14, 202538 min

Freed by the Cross

Episode 263 - Freed by the Cross How can the wounds of Jesus at the cross set us free? Could the cross be more than a symbol—could it be an exorcism, a place of real freedom and healing? His open heart invites us to lay down our disordered loves and be delivered from the false attachments that enslave us. Could the cross be where we find freedom, not just from sin, but from the Egypt still within us? This is the freedom Jesus offers: deep, lasting, and born from love. Join us as we explore how t...

May 07, 202549 min

Jubilee and Prophets

Episode 262 - Jubilee and Prophets - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 11) What does our identity as prophets really mean? We are baptized in Jesus and called to be prophets as well, meaning that we are called to reveal the Father in everything we do. In our words, our actions, our personalities, our vocations, our mission, in everything we are and everything God has given us, we are called to reveal God. In this podcast episode, we're talking about living the Jubilee and restoring our ident...

Apr 30, 202546 min

Jubilee and Kingship

Episode 261 - Jubilee and Kingship - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 10) What makes a king in the Kingdom of God? Looking to Jesus, the Son who reigns with mercy and strength, we reflect on how true kingship flows from sonship. As we journey through this Jubilee, we continue uncovering the identities we’re meant to live. Today, we explore what it means to live out our kingly identity This episode dives into what it means to have a kingly heart—what it means to lead, heal, and restore like ...

Apr 23, 202551 min

Jubilee and Christ the High Priest

Episode 260 - Jubilee and Christ the High Priest - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 9) What if your true identity is more sacred than you ever imagined? Jesus is the High Priest, the one mediator who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father, offering not just prayers but our wounds, our brokenness, and all of humanity's sins back to God. As His followers, we are invited to imitate and be conformed to this sacred role—offering spiritual sacrifices and living lives marked by worship,...

Apr 16, 202554 min

Jubilee and Christ the Bridegroom

Episode 259 - Jubilee and Christ the Bridegroom - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 8) Who do we belong to? God shows us that from the beginning, Adam and Eve were bride and bridegroom. There's an original identity that God holds, which is super important for the meaning of our lives as men and women, for the meaning of our lives as sons and daughters. The covenant of marriage is established in the garden as something deeply meaningful. It's like it's a commentary on what we're made for. We ...

Apr 09, 202553 min

Jubilee and Identity

Episode 258 - Jubilee and Identity - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 7) Have you ever felt disconnected from your true purpose, your true identity? If you never felt security and safety in your sonship or daughterhood, or never felt at home anywhere in the world, or never experienced the truest form of love from The Father. We want to let you know that Jesus has a personal, unique desire to restore you back to the relationship with the Father. Jesus is the person of Jubilee, and he ushers ...

Apr 02, 202554 min

Jesus and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma

Episode 257 - Jesus and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 6) What does Jesus want for us this Jubilee? This Jubilee year, Jesus extends a heartfelt invitation to us all to experience His boundless mercy, forgiveness, and love—to share in His life. Join us as we reflect on His call to renewal, reconciliation, and deeper faith. Let this sacred time be a journey of spiritual transformation and a reminder of God's grace in our lives. In this episode, together with ...

Mar 26, 202548 min

Patriarchs, Prophets and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma

Episode 256 - Patriarchs, Prophets and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 5) What role do the prophets play in this Jubilee? The heart of the Jubilee is spiritual freedom and spiritual reconciliation, and the prophets saw that. They saw that the Jubilee is a year to recall ourselves to our fundamental relationship with God. Once again, this year, we are invited to reconcile with God and dive into this virtuous circle of reconciliation, forgiveness, and freedom s...

Mar 19, 202548 min

The Exodus and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma

Episode 255 - The Exodus and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 4) What does true freedom look like, and how can we restore what was lost? In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom is a profound story of spiritual liberation. Led by Moses, they confront the oppressive forces of Egypt and experience God's miraculous intervention through the plagues, ultimately leading to their escape and journey toward the Promised Land. This story is...

Mar 12, 202544 min

The Garden and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma

Episode 254 - The Garden and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 3) What is restored during the Jubilee? The Jubilee reminds us that hope is available to us, a hope that we can be restored to our original state and roles as it was in the Garden of Eden before sin came into the world. In this episode, together with our special guest, Dr. John Bergsma, we will discuss the Jubilee's gift and invitation and how it relates to the reality of the Garden of Eden. The Poc...

Mar 05, 202543 min

Lent Prep: Desert Spirituality

Episode 253 - Lent Prep: Desert Spirituality Why does the desert during Lent matter? Why do we journey there every year for three weeks, alongside our brothers in faith? The desert isn't just a place of physical challenge or adventure—it's a biblical invitation to encounter God in a profound way. It’s a place where we can strip away distractions, face our vulnerabilities, and open ourselves to God's transformative presence. The desert is both a terrifying and purifying place, just as it is for J...

Feb 26, 202553 min

Lent Prep: On Fasting

Episode 252 - Lent Prep: On Fasting What does fasting in Lent mean to you and to Jesus? Fasting from food for the sake of health benefits is good, however fasting to bring us closer in relationship with Jesus, now that's something else entirely. Fasting is also an opportunity to feel the hunger in our bodies so that God can come and fulfill our hunger in the deepest ways. In this episode, we'll dive deeper into what fasting truly means and how we can say No to ourselves, through simple sacrifice...

Feb 19, 202555 min

Jesus's Favorite Things: Seeing the Unseen

Episode 251 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Seeing the Unseen, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 6) How do you think Jesus sees us? Jesus's heart desires to see us, to have the unseen be seen. But he doesn't just want us to be seen as collected and consumed. Jesus likes us for us and sees us for who we are and how we want to be truly seen. This episode talks about how Jesus sees us, particularly the person or parts of our lives that are overlooked and the unseen. The Poco a Poco podcast happens...

Feb 12, 202553 min

Jesus's Favorite Things: Faith

Episode 250 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Faith, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 5) Why is Faith so important to Jesus? Faith is the proof of our belief in God's goodness. It's seeing that God is all-seeing, all-powerful, and all-good. Ultimately, faith shows that we have complete trust and confidence in Him and that He matters more to us than anything else. These are some of the reasons why Faith means so much to Jesus. In this episode, we'll dive deep into the definition of Faith, learn w...

Feb 05, 202552 min

Jesus's Favorite Things: Repentance

Episode 249 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Repentance, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 4) What does repentance truly look like? A good way to look at repentance is that it brings us back to love. It's one of Jesus's favorite things because he sees our hearts and desires change so that we do not live sinfully anymore. Repentance is not just about wanting to change our behaviors, it's about wanting to change because we love God, it's being sorry because we love God and that we don't want to li...

Jan 29, 202558 min

Jesus's Favorite Things: Quality Time

Episode 248 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Quality Time, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 3) Do you also spend quality time with Jesus? We believe part of Jesus's favorite thing is to be with us. He desires to be with us and wants to spend time with us. He chooses people to be with Him as He's with His Father. Jesus has given himself to us in the most holy Eucharist. It's a true testament that He chooses to give himself, his love and that he desires to spend quality time with us and a way in ...

Jan 22, 202544 min

Jesus's Favorite Things: Lowliness

Episode 247 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Lowliness, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 2) What does lowliness mean to you and to God? The experience of lowliness can sometimes be what we dislike about ourselves. These are times when we're not doing great, or when we're not rich or not attractive—these are usually the parts that we reject about ourselves. But part of the mystery is that in this lowliness is where God mostly manifests His love for us and where he reveals His heart for us and Je...

Jan 15, 202545 min

Jesus's Favorite Things: The Father

Episode 246 - Jesus's Favorite Things: The Father, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 1) Have you ever wondered how Jesus experienced The Father? What was it like for Him to be in His Father's presence in the temple? What was it like to offer himself and suffer for the Father? What was it like for Him as he loved the Father with his every being? The Father was the center of everything for Jesus—He is most likely His most favorite thing, His most favorite person. Jesus deeply desires to actu...

Jan 08, 202549 min

Jubilee Year

Episode 245 - Jubilee Year Where is your focus set on this new year, 2025? This year we begin a jubilee year in the church. It is a consecrated time, a special year to stop and take a step back—it's a year of rest to reset while inviting the Lord into it. It is also a year to make a breakthrough or a major shift in our lives with an invitation to a greater intensity of prayer and hope. In this episode, we're going to talk about the principles of the jubilee year and how they can be a good starti...

Jan 01, 202556 min

Merry Christmas

Episode 244 - Merry Christmas What does Christmas offer to the reality of our lives? The reality of holidays and people's lives is not always as happy or merry as we've hoped. But amidst all that, the invitation is to be with Jesus and go through whatever the reality of Christmas is with Him. The Lord desires to be born even in the mess of our lives or our hearts and during Christmas, we are invited to come closer to Jesus. This is why Christmas can be a good source of grace and connection-it's ...

Dec 25, 202447 min

Hot Takes 7

Episode 243 - Hot Takes 7 We have to understand that we are going through different journeys. God is doing something completely different in each of our lives and we have to be attentive to that. Let us not be so quick to judge—everything is not as simple as it may seem. As we continue our journeys through life, we will constantly encounter our own and other people's struggles, flaws, weaknesses, and even sins. In our Catholic life, there will be a lot of questions that will come our way and in ...

Dec 18, 20241 hr 3 min

Marian Consecration

Episode 242 - Marian Consecration, Series on the Sons in the Son (Part 7) What does it mean to be consecrated to Our Lady and what do we do after that? We've been on this journey of restoration in preparation for this consecration, so what should we expect during this consecration and the days after that? What happens next doesn't have to be super unreachable, but in the simpleness of our lives, it's having Our Lady be part of our days whether it's good or bad. It's learning to reference her mor...

Dec 11, 202445 min

Mary As Mother

Episode 241 - Mary As Mother, Series on the Sons in the Son (Part 6) What does your relationship with Mary look like? As we draw closer to the consecration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we believe it's a good time to reflect and look at our relationship, journey, and encounter with Mary. We are invited to dive deeper into our relationship with her, our personal love for her, and some moments of grace along the way. Today, we'll go in a slightly different and more personal direction and talk about ho...

Dec 04, 202447 min
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