The monastery has a new member of the community! Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about the service for the entrance of a dokimos, specifically Intern Olivia! We've broken this up into two episodes. Also, it's our one year anniversary! Thanks for being a listener! References: The Year of Grace of Our Lord by Lev Gillet An overview of the different steps in the vocation process at Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! J...
Jun 02, 2021•42 min
A few weeks ago Father Michael and Sister Natalia were on Instagram Live. We recorded that session for our general podcast listeners. If you want to see this "in person", we've saved the video up on IGTV . References: Our episode on The Jesus Prayer Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 52
Who's keeping track of consecutive in-person recordings? We're at four now! This week Sister Natalia talks about lessons she's learned from her encounters with children and how those encounters lead her to reflect on her relationship with God. References: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text ...
May 19, 2021•59 min•Ep. 51
Another in-person episode. This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia talk about putting forth effort to pray during Divine Liturgy. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
May 12, 2021•50 min•Ep. 50
Another week of in person recording! What a blessing. This week Sister Natalia reflects on some things she learned during her retreat, including how we can get in the way of the work God wants to do in our lives. References: How to Profit From Your Faults by Claude-Joseph Tissot Homily on the Healing of the Paralytic by Alexander Schmemann Litany of Trust Litany of Humility Lux Catholic - iPhone Lux Catholic - Google Play Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTub...
May 05, 2021•59 min•Ep. 49
Sister Natalia and Father Michael are in person this week! In this episode they talk about what it's like to be out and about as a nun and priest and the encounters they have which they only have because they're dressed as a nun or priest. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Apr 28, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 48
This week we're joined by Fr. Joel Barstad who talks about his thoughts around the Cappadocian House Document. References: Cappadocian House Document - written by Fr. Joel Barstad Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Apr 21, 2021•1 hr
Fr. Michael and Sister Natalia talk about the beauty and necessity of community. Fr. Michael has a realization on the differences in people with structured personalities vs people with unstructured personalities. References: Communion and Liberation - movement founded by Fr. Giussani and Fr. Carron in Milan, Italy Cappadocian House Document - written by Fr. Joel Barstad 20 Answers: Eastern Catholicism by Fr. Daniel Dozier The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander A few weeks ago Sister Natalia read ...
Apr 14, 2021•58 min
Happy Bright Week! This week Sister Natalia walks through the Gospel for Thomas Sunday. We talk about Thomas' unbelief, our unbelief, and asking for grace and strength to believe. References: John 20:19 - 31 , Gospel for Thomas Sunday The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander Humane Vitae Ancient Christian Commentary - John 11 - 21 edited by Joel C. Elowsky Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Tw...
Apr 07, 2021•58 min•Ep. 45
This week Father Michael talks about a theme he's picked up in the Sunday Gospels of the Great Fast, and in this episode he walks through Mark 9:17 - 31. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Mar 31, 2021•58 min
This week Sister Natalia talks about her reflection on humility while she was on poustinia. Father Michael and Sister Natalia Out and About Hope in the Desert: Sr. Natalia spoke at St Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church Link to Sister Natalia's poem Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Mar 24, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 43
Father Michael picks up where Sister Natalia left off with the Prayer of St Ephraim. References: First Episode 1 covering the Prayer of St Ephraim Prayer of St Ephraim - there are various versions of this prayer throughout, so you may find different translations online. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Mar 17, 2021•1 hr 1 min
This week we're talking about the Prayer of St Ephraim, and walk through the specifics of the prayer with suggestions of what to look for in your life to put the prayer in action. References: Prayer of St Ephraim - there are various versions of this prayer throughout, so you may find different translations online. Proto-Cathedral of St Mary FB Page for Livestreaming of Matins Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us...
Mar 10, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 41
This week we're going back in time a few weeks and talking about the saints of the day of recording, February 11th: St Charalampus and Venerable Prochorus the Orach Eater. References: Link to Father Michael's guidance on the Great Fast to his parishioners Proto-Cathedral of St Mary FB Page for Livestreaming of Matins The Prologue of Ohrid Erin Planned Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch Little Women Father Michael and Sister Natalia Out and About Fr Michael was on National Catholic Register's Regist...
Mar 03, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 40
This week Sister Natalia shares a reflection from her recent time in poustinia, and talks about a word that she heard during her time in poustinia. References: Poustinia by Catherine Doherty Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Christ the Bridegroom's Writeup on Poustinias Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Suppo...
Feb 24, 2021•57 min
This week Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about experiences of hearing God in prayer, how they knew the voice they were hearing was of the Lord, and how that can be different for each individual. References: Sober Intoxication of the Spirit by Raniero Cantalamessa Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Feb 17, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 38
It's Question and Answer time! We cover a variety of topics in this week's episode. If you've got more questions send them our way: Email, Facebook, Instagram! References: Books: The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection Translated by Benedicta Ward The Art of Prayer Edited by Kallistos Ware The Paintings: Father Michael suggests that you zoom in on the faces in both paintings. The Assumption or The Dormition , a fresco by Juan de Jesus Munera Ochoa in the Cathedral of San P...
Feb 10, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 37
This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia reflect on living without. We're often mistaken on what we "need", what we can do without, and what we can't do without. References: Forgiveness Vespers - Page 21 of the Order of Vespers for the Great Fast Summary of 8 Evil Thoughts defined by Evagrius Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Feb 03, 2021•57 min
Father Travis joined us for a second episode. This week we're talking about spiritual friendship, how our friendship with each other can build each other up and draw us closer to Christ. References: From Christendom to Apostolic Mission by University of Mary Outcast Catholic with Fr. Travis and Fr. Shane Deman Companions of Christ, Denver Quote from Evagrios : "When suffering from the fever of unclean passions, my intellect afflicted with shameful thoughts, I have often been restored to health b...
Jan 27, 2021•1 hr 14 min
It's finally here! The most shouted-out person on the podcast joins Sister Natalia and Father Michael for two episodes. This week we're wrapping up the series on the Byzantine Divine Liturgy. The people receive Communion and are sent forth on mission. References: Outcast Catholic with Fr. Travis and Fr. Shane Deman Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Part 4: Creed and Anaphora Part 5: Epiclesis ...
Jan 20, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 34
"We all experience time, and we all get to the future, but when we're only focused on the future as something that needs to be attained, then we're failing to live in this present moment." That's an episode quote from Sister Natalia. This week we're talking about time, the poverty of time in the monastic life, and watching the way we spend our time. We're joined this week by Talka (Natalia). References: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis Pints with Jack - podcast currently going through The Scr...
Jan 13, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 33
It's part 7 of our review of the Divine Liturgy, and we're still preparing for Communion, albeit we're a little closer this week! Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Part 4: Creed and Anaphora Part 5: Epiclesis Part 6: Preparation for Communion Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support ...
Jan 06, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 32
This week we're talking about a few saints and feast days the nuns at Christ the Bridegroom felt more people should know about. References: St. Mary of Egypt Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 31
It's part 6 of our review of the Divine Liturgy. This week we're preparing for Communion. Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Part 4: Creed and Anaphora Part 5: Epiclesis Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Dec 23, 2020•53 min•Ep. 30
This week we're talking about examining your day-to-day life and interactions to identify what brings you closer to Christ, and training ourselves to want more and more of Him in our daily life. Also, we have a guest appearance from the producer and editor of the Created and Called podcast. References: Created and Called Podcast The Daily Examen Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 29
Continuing on with part 5 of our walk-through of the Divine Liturgy. This week we're looking at the Epiclesis Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Part 4: Creed and Anaphora Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 28
Time for part 4! Father Michael continues his walk-through of the Divine Liturgy with the Creed and Anaphora Links for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy: Part 1: Preparing to Prepare Part 2: Liturgy of the Catechumens Part 3: Great Entrance Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 27
Philip's Fast started a week ago! This week we're talking about practical ways to prepare for Christmas. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Nov 24, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 26
This week we're looking at the types of the Theotokos found in the Old Testament. And intern Olivia is featured this week too! References The Theotokos in Scripture and Hymnography Summary of Akathist Hymn: Laudation of the Theotokos The Akathist Hymn and Small Compline Thank you for your generosity at the Bridegroom's Banquet. The monastery raised a record amount and donations are still coming in. More details on the donation plans can be found here . Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Mic...
Nov 18, 2020•59 min•Ep. 25
Time for part 3! Father Michael continues his walk-through of the Divine Liturgy with the Great Entrance. If you've missed part 1 you can find it here: Preparing to Prepare And part 2 is here: Liturgy of the Catechumens Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Email us! [email protected] Send us a text Support the show...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 24
