Podcasts about john paul ii

"When attention to the theological meaning of femininity is not accompanied by reflection on masculinity, men are left without a sense of the existential and sacramental significance of their own sex." A reading of a fascinating essay originally published in the journal Logos, about the work of Walter Ong, SJ. In the wake of an emphasis on the “feminine genius” as delineated by Pope St. John Paul II and others, this article attempts to develop a profile of the masculine genius. It supplements the teaching of Pope Francis on this subject in order to balance the more complete articulation of the feminine genius already provided by the Magisterium. Drawing primarily from the work of Walter J. Ong, whose presentation is corroborated and buttressed here with other studies, this article demonstrates that the masculine genius includes a set of gifts that complement those of women, both in the natural order and in the order of redemption. In Search of the Masculine Genius: The Contribution of Walter J. Ong full text: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/librarypdf/Raab-Masculine-Genius.pdf Text originally published by Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture, Volume 21, Number 1, Winter 2018. SUBSCRIBE to Catholic Culture Audiobooks https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-culture-audiobooks/id1482214268 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter http://www.catholicculture.org/newsletter DONATE at http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Theme music: "2 Part Invention", composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”The murder of Charlie Kirk and Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska reveals the fierce spiritual battle raging beneath today's headlines. Young people especially feel this tension as anxiety—a cognitive dissonance between what their hearts know to be true and the lies bombarding them from culture.The Claymore apostolate, named after the Scottish broadsword, equips young men with a blueprint for navigating this spiritual war. Knowledge becomes medicine to alleviate fear and confusion when we understand what's happening around us. Drawing from John Paul II's teachings, this three-step blueprint begins with developing friendship with Jesus Christ through daily practices like "knees before phone"—praying before engaging with technology each morning. By viewing temptation as an invitation to prayer rather than an occasion of sin, young men learn to transform struggles into opportunities for growth.Scripture reveals two paths: the wide gate leading to destruction and the narrow gate leading to life. Society follows what might be called an 80-20 rule: 20% actively follow Christ, 20% actively work against human flourishing, while 60% remain lukewarm. This apathetic majority has allowed cultural deterioration by refusing to stand for truth.Charlie Kirk exemplified speaking truth in love before his life was tragically cut short at 31. His legacy reminds us that authentic discipleship carries costs but also transforms culture. Through weekly podcasts, Substack articles, and community building, Claymore forms young men who, like Charlie, can become witnesses to hope in a world desperate for meaning.Ready to join the 20% who actively build a civilization of love? Download the Claymore Battle Plan at jp2renew.org and subscribe Jack's SubStack for access to our weekly formation materials. Your heart was made for more than anxiety—it was made for truth.Follow us on X! Contact us info@jp2renew.orgKeep Charlie and his family in your prayers!Support the show

Another installment of the series "OCIA: The Bridge to Rome." In this episode, Greg introduces the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). Discover the CCC's history as John Paul II's "sure norm," its four-pillar structure (Creed, Sacraments, Morality, Prayer), unmatched value for authoritative answers, and versatile use in study or reference. Greg contrasts with Protestant fragmented sources, offering reflections on unified truth. This episode empowers your OCIA with the CCC as your ally against misinformation and myths about the Catholic faith. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com  

Why do so many men feel like nothing they do is ever good enough? Join us in the pew this week as John unpacks the crushing weight of perfectionism, the very thing that keeps men stuck in cycles of inadequacy and self-condemnation. God isn't asking for perfection; He's inviting you into greatness. When you show up to Mass distracted or spend an imperfect hour with your kids, He sees your heart and effort, not your failures. If you're tired of the voice that says “it's never enough,” this episode offers a biblical shift in perspective. Don't let your mistakes define you; let them refine you. Download the Opportunities For Grace spreadsheet: https://justaguyinthepew.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/OFGSheet.pdf Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John

Thanks for spending some time with us! This show jumps back into the audiences of St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body. Starting at audience 49 we are looking at the section on the subject of "Purity". The next few audiences that cover Purity will challenge us to live life according to God's Holy Spirit and to have a transformation of heart toward authentic love and freedom. So prepare to listen in as Adele, Tom and Special Guest Hallee Mire dive into the topic of purity and how it can bring you closer to becoming the person God created you to be.

Pope St. John Paul II reminds us that the Catholic "breathes with both lungs east and west." There are actually 21 different, ancient and venerable ways to be Catholic

Adam speaks with Fr. Jeffrey Kirby about the importance of First Friday devotions. Fr. David Skillman wraps up our series on St. John Paul II's fourth encyclical. Fr. Joe Weber offers thoughts on today's Gospel. Download the Covenant Network app today! Pray the Visual Rosary at VisualRosary.org For more information on Covenant Network, visit OurCatholicRadio.org

You check all the boxes—good job, nice house, family, success—but still wake up asking, "Is this all there is?" You're not alone. This week in the pew, John is joined by his longtime friend Bart Schuchts, founder of Church on Fire and ministry leader with the John Paul II Healing Center, for an honest conversation about finding your God-given purpose when life feels like you're just surviving instead of thriving. Drawing from Scripture and raw personal experience, John and Bart explore why so many men are stuck in cycles of despair, working jobs that drain their souls while their hearts scream for something more. Check out more of Bart's work: https://www.churchonfire.live/ https://jpiihealingcenter.org/ And follow them on social media: https://www.instagram.com/churchonfire.live https://www.instagram.com/jpiihealingcenter/ https://www.facebook.com/JP2HealingCenter https://x.com/JPIIHealing https://youtube.com/@jpiihealingcenter?si=TgP-gv354daZcC8P Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John

The Holy See and the United Nations: The International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994) as a Case StudyPresenters:Jane Adolphe, LLB/BCL/JCL/JCD Dr. Jane F. Adolphe is a professor of law at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida (2001-present), with degrees in common law, civil law (LLB/BCL), and canon law (JCL/JCD). She is also a lawyer qualified to practice law in Alberta, Canada and New York, USA, with an expertise in international human rights law and the Holy See. She is a former external advisor (2002-2011) and internal advisor (2011-2020) to three Popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis through her work with the Papal Secretariat of State, Section for Relations with States. Jane is Founder and Executive Director of the International Catholic Jurists Forum.AbstractProfessor Adolphe will discuss the nature and mission of the Holy See within the international community and its status within the United Nations Organization (UN), with an overview of the Holy See's role during the 1990's when the UN launched a series of international conferences that form the basis of the current UN document: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainability Goals, and the Holy See's extensive reservations to the same.  John Klink, M.A. Former Papal Diplomat and Chief Negotiator for the Holy See over UN World Summits in mid-1990s Gift of Divine Providence: My Role as a Papal Diplomat under Saint John Paul IIJohn Klink holds a BA from Santa Clara University and an MA from Georgetown University in English Literature. John was an executive with Catholic Relief Services serving in underdeveloped countries in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He was recruited by the Vatican, and subsequently the White House, to serve as a diplomat/negotiator for scores of United Nations World Summits and Conferences during the critical period of the fall of the Soviet Union and the rise of the European Union. He became an advisor to Popes and Presidents, was elected President of the International Catholic Migration Commission, and with his wife Patricia began a sovereign securities firm on Wall Street.His distinctive honors include Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Knight of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, Knight of Columbus (3rd Degree), and a Knight of Sts. Maurice and Lazarus. Royal Thai Armed Forces Award for Humanitarian Assistance to Displaced Persons in Thailand; 41st CRS Anniversary Award for Humanitarian Assistance; Legatus Ambassador Award.AbstractThe Population World Battle of CairoWhile the Holy See's Mission to the United Nations observer status normally precludes its active participation in member state negotiations, the creation in the 1990s of UN world conferences/summits allowed for the Holy See's delegations to participate as Conference state members. Thus, when a gauntlet was thrown by the draft document for the Cairo Population Conference of 1994 prepared by the Secretariat of the infamously “progressive” UN Population Fund and the nomination of its Director, Dr. Nafis Sadik as the President of the Cairo Conference, the Holy See actively intervened. Pope St. John Paul II, who providentially had taken the time to read the draft document, confronted Dr. Sadik at her private Papal audience, and he issued a clarion call to his fellow heads of state to be aware of the dangers to humanity that lurked in the Cairo draft declaration pages. In my remarks, I will recount some of the background history of how John Paul's inspiration led to the blocking of attempts by the “progressive” governments of the US and EU to create an international right to abortion.

Pope St. John Paul II, humility and vulnerability. 

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

From Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (“The Big Dumper”) to Cracker Barrel pancakes to mother-son saints, Father Dave and Deacon Bob serve up another classic mix of sports, pop culture, and faith. This week's wide-ranging conversation moves from baseball nicknames and Ryder Cup golf to the Solemn Blessing of Christ the King Chapel and Franciscan University's theme for the year: keeping Jesus at the center.  Along the way, they debate Cracker Barrel's new logo, celebrate St. Monica and St. Augustine, and swap stories from recent travels to Corpus Christi and Superior. And since the podcast is nearing its final episodes, they invite listeners to share both favorite nicknames and treasured podcast memories as this chapter draws to a close.    Highlighted Sections  (00:00) A Podcast Nearing the Finish Line  Father Dave and Deacon Bob reflect on the bittersweet reality of wrapping up the show and invite listeners to send in nicknames and stories from past episodes.  (01:22) Nicknames and Sports Roundup  The guys kick things off their sports banter with Cal Raleigh's unforgettable nickname before rolling into football predictions, Buccaneers talk, and Ryder Cup golf. They even touch on Notre Dame's Sunday night matchup with Miami and the return of the so-called “Catholics vs. Convicts” rivalry, popularized in ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary.  (11:46) Cracker Barrel and Breakfast Theology  Cracker Barrel's new logo sparks a lively debate about breakfast chains, maple syrup, and cultural shifts. From First Watch to Bob Evans, the guys weigh in on their favorites.  (15:47) The Best-Named Diocese  From Superior, Wisconsin, to Corpus Christi, Texas, the hosts trade stories from recent travels and give shout-outs to friends and listeners along the way.  (19:07) Christ the King Chapel Blessing  Franciscan's newly expanded chapel is blessed and opened, a joyful moment for the University and its largest freshman class. The new space is full of Franciscan beauty, from the San Damiano Cross to a nativity carving at the altar.  (22:01) Saints of the Week and Theme of the Year  St. Monica and St. Augustine take center stage, with reflections on Monica's perseverance as encouragement for parents praying for their children. The episode closes with Franciscan's theme for the year: Jesus at the center of all things.    Resources Mentioned  Why is Cal Raleigh nicknamed 'Big Dumper'?– USA Today  Notre Dame vs. Miami Rivalry: Catholics vs. Convicts– ESPN 30 for 30 documentary  Cracker Barrel Rebrand Coverage – Coverage of the new logo and redesign  Christ the King Solemn Blessing Mass – Watch the solemn blessing  Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time) – St. John Paul II on catechesis 

Sometimes we get discouraged when our imperfect efforts fail our expectations, when in reality it is only God who can provide exactly what we need. Join us in the pew this week as John reflects on this truth through a story about his yard in the Memphis heat, and how one sudden downpour after weeks of drought became a powerful lesson in the way God intervenes with grace. Drawing from Psalm 63, he shows how relying on ourselves is futile, and how opening to God restores our souls—just as rain revived John's grass. You don't have to hold it all together. God's grace is real—ask Him to let it rain. Download the Opportunities For Grace spreadsheet: https://justaguyinthepew.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/OFGSheet.pdf Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John

We appreciate you spending some of your valuable time with us. This episode is the second part of our 2 part series with Diocese of Lafayette seminarians, Reid Bourgeois and Matthew Gomez. This episode we will discuss with these possible future priests the St. John Paul II's writings on sexual integrity and how it intersects with real life, virtue building and accountability.

Pope St. John Paul II reminds us that the Catholic Church breathes with both lungs East and West. There are actually 21 different ancient and venerable ways to be Catholic.

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”What happens when our deepest desires for connection and love become twisted by a pornographic culture? Father Thomas Morrow joins us to explore how we can reclaim authentic sexuality in a world that has reduced it to mere pleasure-seeking.Father Morrow, author of "Achieving Chastity in an Unchaste World," shares powerful insights about transforming our hearts rather than merely suppressing desires. Drawing from his decades of pastoral experience, he offers practical wisdom for those struggling with pornography addiction—including the story of a man who overcame a 20-year daily habit through prayer and intentional heart conversion.The conversation delves into Pope John Paul II's profound teachings on human love, explaining how we can move beyond mere attraction and desire toward authentic goodwill and self-gift. When temptation strikes, Father Morrow suggests simple but effective practices: repeating "Jesus" in your heart, redirecting thoughts, and transforming attraction into gratitude by mentally thanking God for the beauty He created.Purchase: Achieving Chastity in An Unchaste WorldPrayer emerges as the essential foundation for chastity. As Father Morrow explains, "Those who pray are saved, those who don't pray are damned"—not as a threat, but as a simple truth about relationship. Even when prayer feels boring (as it did for St. Teresa of Avila), perseverance leads to transformation. The Divine Mercy devotion offers particular strength, with Jesus's promise that those who venerate the image will not perish.For anyone struggling with sexual temptation, Father Morrow leaves us with this comforting truth: "The difference between a saint and a sinner is that a saint is a sinner who never stopped trying." No matter how many times we fall, God's mercy awaits our return—inviting us to a love infinitely more fulfilling than anything this world can offer.Read Jacks latest Blog on Substack: "Awakened by Beauty, Commissioned for Battle, Seeking Adventure"Support the show

Thursdays on Roadmap to Heaven are a time to learn from the encyclicals of St. John Paul II. Fr. David Skillman joins Adam to dive deeper into the encyclical "Slavorum Apostoli" written about Saints Cyril and Methodius. Later on, Fr. Brian Alford continues to reflect on the daily Gospel Readings of the week. Download the Covenant Network app today! Pray the Visual Rosary at VisualRosary.org For more information on Covenant Network, visit OurCatholicRadio.org

Who are men listening to in 2025? Join us in the pew this week for a conversation with longtime friend and guest Pete Burak, Vice President of Renewal Ministries. So many young men who desire discipleship are drawn to online influencers because they are validating that desire with a distorted version of masculinity. What they're really longing for is the radical call of Jesus—the only One who can truly transform a man's heart. Following Jesus means going all in. It means rejecting a lukewarm heart and letting Him radically transform your life as a man of God. Masculinity isn't toxic. It's holy—when Jesus is at the center. Check out Renewal Ministries and the awesome ways they're helping folks pursue true greatness. https://www.renewalministries.net/ Follow Pete on social media! https://www.instagram.com/peteburak https://www.facebook.com/pete.burak/ https://x.com/PeteBurak10 Follow Renewal Ministries on social media! https://www.instagram.com/renewalministries https://www.facebook.com/CatholicRenewalMinistries/ Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John

What was it like to be human before sin entered the world? Drawing on St. John Paul II’s insights in the “Theology of the Body”, Cale discusses the relationship between Adam and Eve ‘in the beginning’. Topics include: original solitude original unity original nakedness the meaning of life love

Thank you for sharing your precious time with us. Each summer thousands of young men attending Catholic Seminaries across the country return to their home dioceses to visit family and friends and help Parish Priests and their parishioners. In this episode we visited with 2 Seminarians from the Diocese of Lafayette, Reid Bourgeois and Matthew Gomez. Listen in as these two gifted young men share a little about themselves plus thoughts on a topic mentioned over 15 times by St. John Paul II in Theology of the Body, Celibacy for the Kingdom.

Today's Gospel is from Matthew 19 and tells the story of how a rich young man asked Jesus what he had to do to gain eternal life. Pope St. John Paul II said this question is an essential and unavoidable question for the life of every person. To find out why, listen to more in today's reflection from Fr. Kubicki.

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Former Border Patrol Deputy Agent JJ Carroll pulls back the curtain on America's darkest secret: government-facilitated child trafficking at our border. With 24 years of frontline experience, Carroll delivers a harrowing account of how our federal agencies became active participants in the largest child sex trafficking operation in modern history.The numbers are staggering and the implications horrifying. Upwards of 550,000 unaccompanied children crossed our border under the Biden administration—and all were subsequently lost in the system. Carroll explains how critical safeguards like DNA testing and background checks for sponsors were deliberately removed, creating a pipeline that delivered vulnerable children directly into the hands of traffickers and predators.What makes this crisis particularly disturbing is the complicity of trusted institutions. Religious organizations including Catholic Charities received billions in federal funding to transport migrants from the border into America's interior with minimal oversight. Meanwhile, Congressional leaders show shocking indifference when presented with evidence of trafficking, suggesting deeper corruption than most Americans are willing to acknowledge.Visit JJCarrell.com to learn more and watch his testimony to congress! Read Jacks latest Blog on Substack: "Awakened by Beauty, Commissioned for Battle, Seeking Adventure"For Discussion:Reflect on Personal Integrity and Moral Courage: America's status as the world's leading consumer of child pornography contributes to the broader crisis of child sex trafficking, warning that young men addicted to porn risk losing their hearts and the country itself. Drawing from John Paul II's Theology of the Body, which emphasizes the sacred dignity of the human person and warns against reducing others to objects of use, how can young men examine their own habits—such as exposure to pornography—and cultivate the courage to reject it, thereby standing against the exploitation of children? (Reference: John Paul II, Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body, Audience 24-29 on lust and objectification.)Protecting the Innocent as a Faith Imperative: JJ describes horrific abuses in trafficking, including children being "raped to death" for profit. Connect this to a profound spiritual decay in society. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus warns that it would be better to have a millstone tied around one's neck than to cause a little one to stumble. How might men discern their role in confronting institutional complicity—such as in religious organizations or government policies—and take concrete steps to protect children's innocence in their communities?From Awareness to Action in a Window of Opportunity: With the election of Donald Trump we have a "narrow window" to address the crisis. Christian men, there is an urgency to rebuild a society that values innocence. Consider Proverbs 31:8-9: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." As young men sensing "something's wrong" in culture, how can you move beyond voting or passive awareness to bold, faith-driven actions against child sex trafficking and pornography, such as volunteering with anti-trafficking groups or educating peers?Support the show

In this episode, Deacon Charlie sits down with Chase Crouse, founder of Hypuro, a Catholic fitness ministry that integrates physical discipline with spiritual growth. Chase shares his inspiring journey from a nominal Catholic upbringing to a profound reversion sparked by Matthew Kelly's Rediscover Catholicism. He discusses how fitness became a cornerstone of his spiritual life, drawing from St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body and the concept of active and passive purgation to frame exercise as a modern form of asceticism.Hypuro Fithttps://www.hypurofit.org/Speed Round Fitness Ratings (Scale: 1–10, 10 being awesome):Ozempic: 5 (situational; depends on medical need).Weighted Vests: 3 (overhyped, useful for some but not essential).Pilates: 5 (better than nothing, but Chase hasn't tried it).CrossFit/Functional Fitness: Varies (10 for great coaches, -10 for poor ones; coach quality critical to avoid injury).Infrared Sauna: 6–7 (enjoyable, not essential).Cold Exposure: 7–8 for athletes needing recovery, lower for general muscle-building goals.Hyrox: 8 (fun and challenging, especially as a team event).P90X: 3–4 (dated but better than nothing).

Friends of the Rosary,Today, August 14, is the Memorial of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe (1894-1941), a Polish Franciscan, friar, priest, and martyr of Auschwitz, who founded a movement of Marian consecration called Militia of the Immaculata, With his preaching and writing, he undertook an intense apostolic mission in Europe and Asia.Imprisoned in Auschwitz during the Second World War, he offered himself in exchange for a young father of a large family who was to be executed, Francis Gajowniczek.When the captors couldn't kill him from starvation in the concentration camp, they ended his life with a lethal injection on August 14, 1941.In 1927, he established an evangelization center near Warsaw called Niepokalanow, the "City of the Immaculata." By 1939, the City had expanded from eighteen friars to an incredible 650, making it the largest Catholic religious house in the world.To better "win the world for the Immaculata," the friars utilized modern printing and administrative techniques, enabling countless catechetical and devotional works, a daily newspaper with a circulation of 230,000, and a monthly magazine with a circulation of over one million.Maximilian started a shortwave radio station and planned to build a motion picture studio—he was a true "apostle of the mass media." He established a City of the Immaculata in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1930, and envisioned missionary centers worldwide.Maximilian was a ground-breaking theologian. His insights into the Immaculate Conception anticipated the Marian theology of the Second Vatican Council and further developed the Church's understanding of Mary as "Mediatrix" of all the graces of the Trinity, and as "Advocate" for God's people.Pope St. John Paul II canonized him in 1982 and proclaimed him a "martyr of charity" and "Patron Saint of Our Difficult Century." Francis Gajowniczek was in attendance.He is a patron of journalists, families, prisoners, the pro-life movement, and the chemically addicted.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• ⁠August 14, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

In this episode of The Zach Show, award-winning journalist Philip Shenon, author of Jesus Wept, takes us inside the Vatican's most turbulent century. From Pope Pius XII's meeting with Hitler and his controversial silence during the Holocaust, to Pope John XXIII's revolutionary Vatican II reforms, we trace the Church's battles over power, mercy, and truth. Shenon unpacks Hans Küng's assault on papal infallibility, the decades-long rivalry with Joseph Ratzinger, and explosive evidence tying John Paul II and Benedict XVI to global abuse cover-ups. We also explore the Vatican's Cold War alliance with the CIA, Francis's “Who am I to judge?” moment, and whether Vatican Intelligence still plays in the shadows. Guest bio: Philip Shenon is an award-winning investigative journalist who spent over two decades at The New York Times, covering stories from the Pentagon to the CIA. He's the bestselling author of The Commission (the inside story of the 9/11 investigation) and Jesus Wept, an exposé on the modern Catholic Church. This is only the first half of the episode on how to disappear. To get the full episode (audio and video), exclusive AMAs, and more, subscribe to The Zach Show 2.0 today: https://thezachshow.supercast.com/ PHIL SHENON LINKS:Website: https://www.philipshenon.com/Jesus Wept: http://bit.ly/3JevgKUX(Twitter): https://x.com/philipshenonAll Books by Shenon: https://amzn.to/4mDBZfI THE ZACH SHOW LINKS: The Zach Show 2.0: https://thezachshow.supercast.com/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zaS6sPYouTube: https://bit.ly/3lTpJdjWebsite: https://www.auxoro.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auxoro If you're not ready to subscribe to The Zach Show 2.0, rating the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts is free and massively helpful. It boosts visibility, helps new listeners discover the show, and keeps this chaos alive. Thank you: Rate The Zach Show on Spotify: https://bit.ly/43ZLrAtRate The Zach Show on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/458nbha 

Hour 3 for 8/13/25 Drew and Dr. Charles Camosy discussed wealth and if extreme wealth is immoral (1:00). Topics: love of money (9:31), rich young man (13:17), John Paul II (15:19), caller: Jesus would cry about today's society (17:59), caller: where should I donate (20:18), caller: should the poor change? (22:25), Heaven and hell (29:54), caller: we will be judged (31:25), caller: employers can do a lot of good to create wealth (36:02), caller: the Vatican's wealth (43:21), caller: I've noticed that the super wealthy aren't Christians (45:21), caller: the importance of giving (47:39), and caller: give and don't worry (49:28). Link: https://www.orderosv.com/product/living-and-dying-well-a-catholic-plan-for-resisting-physician-assisted-killing

Is your life full of noise, stress, and spiritual disconnection? You're not alone. Join us in the pew this week as John and Victor dive into the chaos that often fills our lives, and the despair that can follow. They unpack how addiction, stress, and misplaced priorities lead us away from peace and into deeper confusion. But there's hope. Through honest reflection, spiritual discipline, and authentic community, we can begin to reclaim order in our lives. Listen as John and Victor speak plainly about their own past, and the practical ways they were able to move from chaos to clarity, and from despair to hope. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/national-security

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TRADCAST EXPRESS - Episode 213 Topics covered: The Great Apostasy: Catholics are required to believe a massive number of Catholics will fall away from the true Faith before Christ returns, and even the Novus Ordo Catechism of John Paul II affirms this. But what is the nature of this Great Apostasy, how does it relate to the Papacy, and... are we living through it at present? Links: Traditional Catholic teaching on the Great Apostasy: found in The Catechism of the Council of Trent (see page 84) Novus Ordo teaching on the Great Apostasy: found in Catechism of the Catholic Church (see n. 675) Cardinal Henry Edward Manning's research on the Great Apostasy, the Pope, and the Antichrist presented in "The Persecution and ‘Death' of the Church: The Testimony of Scripture and Tradition", Novus Ordo Watch (Jan. 18, 2024) Collection of authoritative quotes of magisterial documents: The Catholic Teaching on the Papacy Pope Pius VII, Encyclical Diu Satis (1800) Pope Pius IX, Encyclical Nostis et Nobiscum (1849) Pope Pius IX, Encyclical Inter Multiplices (1853) Pope Pius VI, Apostolic Constitution Super Soliditate (1786) Pope Pius IX, Apostolic Letter Iam Vos Omnes (1868) Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Satis Cognitum (1896) Pope Pius XI, Encyclical Mortalium Animos (1928) "Cardinal of Barcelona Bans Lecture on Christ the King", Gloria.TV (Jan. 14, 2025) Pope Pius XI, Encyclical Quas Primas (1925) Sign up to be notified of new episode releases automatically at tradcast.org. Produced by NOVUSORDOWATCH.org Support us by making a tax-deductible contribution at NovusOrdoWatch.org/donate/

Hour 3 for 8/6/25 Drew and Msgr. Rossetti covered spiritual warfare (1:00), how Msgr. got started as an exorcist (7:19), addiction (14:17), and healing family division (20:50). Then, Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius discussed Divine Mercy, the War in Ukraine, and St. John Paul II (32:33). Link: KofC.org/Relevant

8/6/25 - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, born Edith Stein (1891–1942), was a brilliant Jewish philosopher who became a Catholic nun and martyr at Auschwitz. Raised in a devout Jewish family in Germany, Edith lost her faith in her teens and became an atheist while studying philosophy under Edmund Husserl, becoming one of the leading minds in phenomenology. Her conversion began after reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Ávila, leading to her baptism in 1922. In 1933, she entered the Discalced Carmelite Order and took the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, offering her life as a sacrifice for her people and for peace. Arrested by the Nazis and sent to Auschwitz, she was martyred on August 9, 1942. She was later canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1998 and declared a co-patroness of Europe.

We appreciate you spending some of your valuable time with us. We are once again returning to the audiences of St. John Paul II that make up "Theology of the Body". In this show we are going to let JP II take us back in time to when Jesus gave "The Sermon on the Mount". In that sermon the beloved pope says Jesus was appealing to the human heart. The same human heart created by God in Adam and Eve, the same human heart that beat in the hearts of 1st century Jews and the same heart that beats in each of us today.

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”What if your body was designed to tell a cosmic love story? In this profound exploration of human sexuality, Jack unveils how our creation as male and female reflects something far deeper than biology—it mirrors the very nature of God's Trinitarian love.The episode introduces the Claymore Battle Plan, a revolutionary framework helping men navigate today's confusing cultural landscape. Rather than offering superficial solutions, this approach digs into three fundamental realities: the human heart's deepest longings, the irreplaceable role of marriage and family, and our essential connection to Christ and the Church. These aren't arbitrary religious concepts but the very foundation of human flourishing.Drawing from Pope John Paul II's theology of the body, Jack explains how our physical design reveals profound spiritual truth. "The body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible—the spiritual and divine," he quotes. This understanding transforms everything about how we see ourselves and our relationships. When husband and wife unite and bring forth children, they participate in a "tiny created reflection of Trinitarian love"—where two become one and create a third.The breakdown we see in society—from inner-city violence to the emptiness of modern political leadership—stems directly from losing this foundational understanding. Without recognizing the sacramental nature of our bodies and relationships, we're left with a culture that uses people and loves things instead of the reverse.Join our growing community of men seeking something deeper than what modern culture offers. Download the Claymore Battle Plan at jp2renew.org, connect with others for discussion, and discover how becoming a person of love transforms not just your life, but rebuilds society from its foundations.Discussion Questions with Scripture and Catechism References·      How does the creation of humanity as male and female reflect the Trinitarian love of God, and what does this reveal about the purpose of our bodies?Reference: Genesis 1:26–28; Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 355–357: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them… Being in the image of God, the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone.”·      Jesus points to “the beginning” to explain God's design for marriage (Matthew 19:3–8). How can returning to God's original plan for humanity help us navigate moral and sexual confusion in the modern world?Reference: Matthew 19:3–8; CCC 1603–1605: “The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws… God himself is the author of marriage.”·      John Paul II describes the body as having a “spousal meaning” that expresses love and self-gift. How can understanding this truth shape the way we view sexuality and relationships?Reference: Genesis 2:24–25; CCC 2331–2336: “Sexuality, by means of which man and woman give themselves to one another through the acts which are proper and exclusive to spouses… is ordered to the conjugal love of man and woman.”·      The chapter describes marriage as a “primordial sacrament” that reflects God's Trinitarian life and love, ‘from the beginning'. How can married couples live out this sacramental calling in their daily lives, and what impact might this have on their families and communities?Reference: Ephesians 5:25–32; CCC 1613–1617: “By its very nature [marriage] is ordered to the good of the couple, as well Support the show

“Don't be afraid of your heart—God's working there.” Fr. Colin Fricke joins Men of the Hearts podcast hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to share how he discerned his call to the priesthood through the grace of the sacraments, unexpected encouragement from the Archbishop of Detroit, and appreciating the joys of everyday life. He reflects on how these blessings and more helped him grow in confidence and freedom, ultimately leading him to say “yes” to God's call.(0:25) Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew kick off the episode with a joyful welcome to Fr. Colin Fricke, a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit who serves at St. Anastasia. The trio swaps stories about recent summer activities, including fireworks, parish life, and addressing the ongoing need for vocations in the Archdiocese of Detroit.(1:24) Fr. Colin shares how he celebrated the 4th of July with his family in Grand Rapids, where he enjoyed fireworks, sparklers, and wiffle ball with his nieces and nephews. He talks about the blessing of spending time with loved ones and witnessing their joy. He then talks about the joy he finds in playing volleyball, which leads to a discussion about how simple passions like sports can become powerful tools for evangelization.(8:34) Fr. Colin begins his vocation story by recalling the moment he watched a priest elevate the Eucharist at Mass and thought to himself, “I want the big Eucharist.” At the time, he didn't fully understand what that meant, but looking back, he recognizes it as one of the first seeds of his vocation to the priesthood. He then talks about growing up in Grosse Pointe, attending Mass regularly, and being inspired at his Confirmation to start reading the Bible. (16:00) Fr. Colin describes himself in high school as reserved and uncertain about his identity. In college, he began going to confession more regularly and discovered healing through that sacrament. While studying at Siena Heights University to become a teacher, Fr. Colin became involved in campus ministry, where others would occasionally suggest that he consider the priesthood. One day, while walking up the stairs to his dorm, he interiorly heard, “You should be a priest,” a moment that reignited the call he had sensed as a child.(22:00) After college, Fr. Colin began teaching in Catholic schools. He reflects on how the experience gave him a front-row seat to the joy of children, a gift that helped him understand how God sees us and invites us to be ourselves. As he continued teaching, Fr. Colin began reading St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, where he learned about authentic love, the beauty of the human person, and the gift of masculinity in service to others.(34:00) Fr. Colin started spending more time in Eucharistic adoration, especially at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, where he encountered a faithful group of praying mothers who encouraged him. He also received encouragement from an unexpected source: The Archbishop of Detroit, after visiting Fr. Colin's school, sent the young man a personal letter encouraging him to consider the priesthood.(38:30) Father Colin entered seminary in 2014, joining a class of men that included many of his friends today. Seminary was both a confirmation of his call and a time of deep personal growth. He learned to be more emotionally honest, to recognize and process his anger, and to live with greater freedom. He offers his advice to young men discerning and closes the episode with prayer.

What really makes for lasting love and deep intimacy—whether in marriage or in our relationship with God? In this episode, Dr. Greg explains why the “spark” isn't the true measure of a healthy sex life and how intentional, self-giving love leads to deeper joy. Drawing on wisdom from St. John Paul II and modern research, he offers a fresh perspective on love, marriage, and the spiritual life.   Key Topics: Why “the spark” of spontaneous desire isn't the gold standard for lasting intimacy The difference between desire and pleasure in a healthy sex life What research reveals about spontaneous vs. responsive desire The connection between conjugal love and spiritual growth How anxiety and anticipation can hinder authentic pleasure Practical ways to move from fleeting desire to intentional, self-giving love St. John Paul II's insights on love, desire, and the human person Learn More: Article on the “Desire Imperative” – a secular perspective on the difference between spontaneous desire (“the spark”) and responsive desire Love and Responsibility by St. John Paul II – timeless wisdom on love, desire, and the human person Blog: Prioritizing Daily Life: The Power of Boundaries – practical ways to create space for prayer and what matters most Podcast Episode #189: Social Sabbatical – learning the rhythm of silence and a deeper cadence of prayer Discernment of Spirits – understanding how to recognize God's voice in your life Catholic Mindfulness – training your mind for peace Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn

Questions answered this episode:I've broken free from porn and masturbation since returning to the Church, but now I experience arousal during deep prayer. It distracts and disturbs me—how can I pray through it without shame or confusion?My kids ask: If Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, did the Spirit become physical—like a sperm? How do I explain this?As a virgin in an art class drawing nude figures, I feel shame, fear, and temptation. How can I see the body with purity and maturity without falling into lust or fantasy?Resources:⁠⁠COURSE SCHEDULE⁠⁠JPII Legacy Foundation WebsiteWhat to Do With Your Sexual Needs YouTube VideoSexual Needs Into Prayer YouTube Video---Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II's beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.---

Questions answered this episode:I'm a prosecutor working with men who've abused women. I speak to them about porn, objectification, and Love and Responsibility. What else should I say to reach hearts already hardened by violence?My boyfriend isn't a virgin, but I am. He's repented, but I still feel sad and conflicted. Am I allowed to grieve what we'll never share?If marriage helps us grow in holiness, why does Scripture say the unmarried are more focused on God? Did Jesus contradict marriage by calling Peter away from his wife?Resources:⁠Event in Rome Link⁠⁠COURSE SCHEDULE⁠⁠⁠⁠Join us on one of our pilgrimages!⁠⁠TOBI Event Calendar---Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II's beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.---

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they talk about seeing other people as a child of God, created in His Image and Likeness! Resources: Givenness - St. John Paul II St. John Paul II  and Pastoral Ministry As a Gift - SpiritualDirection.com Finding Peace in the Storm - Dan Burke Into the Deep – Dan Burke Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke The Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness - Susan Brinkmann OCDS Avila-Institute.org/events - website Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation EWTN Religious Catalogue – online

Pope St. John Paul II reminds us that the Catholic "breathes with both lungs east and west." There are actually 21 different, ancient and venerable ways to be Catholic

Questions answered this episode:I've been reflecting on how God uses our wounds to reveal His glory. Could our scars remain in our glorified bodies, like Christ's, as signs of His redemptive love?I feel emotionally and spiritually neglected in my marriage. How can I love my wife like Christ when she won't respond?I converted to Catholicism after a painful sexual past and porn addiction. How do I heal and trust God's plan for my future?Resources:Event in Rome Link---Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II's beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.---

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they talk about givenness and how we are called give ourselves to each other! Resources: Givenness - St. John Paul II St. John Paul II  and Pastoral Ministry As a Gift - SpiritualDirection.com Finding Peace in the Storm - Dan Burke Into the Deep – Dan Burke Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke The Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness - Susan Brinkmann OCDS Avila-Institute.org/events - website Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation EWTN Religious Catalogue – online

• Continence in Marriage – Why would some spouses adopt lifelong continence—living as “brother and sister”—instead of periodic abstinence, must both freely agree, and how does it square with openness to children and the call to holiness?• Infatuation & Healing – After 15 years and five kids, my wife confessed an intense infatuation with a friend. I fear my own lust and past contraceptive choices played a role. How can we heal our marriage and what prayers or litanies can re‑align our desires with God?• Jeremiah's Girdle – In Jeremiah 13:11 God likens Israel to a waistband clinging to loins. Is there a deeper Theology‑of‑the‑Body meaning hidden in this striking image beyond the literal prophecy?Resources: ⁠JPII Legacy Foundation Website⁠⁠Referenced ACW Episode⁠ ⁠John Paul II Healing Center⁠⁠John Paul II Healing Center Events⁠⁠Desert Stream Ministries⁠ ⁠Restore the Glory Podcast⁠ ⁠⁠List of trusted counselors & psychologists⁠⁠---Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II's beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.---