Before They Set Something on Fire

Why does God use material things to communicate His grace? In this week’s episode, Frs. John and Sean explore the Catholic understanding of sacraments, sacramentals, and relics. What makes a sacrament different from a sacramental? Why does the Church bless everything from homes to rosaries? And why do Catholics venerate the relics of the saints? Along the way, they discuss why matter matters, how the Incarnation changes the way we see creation, and why God continues to use visible signs to draw us to invisible realities.

As Part two of Fr. John's three-part French cycling-pilgrimage series, this week's episode introduces the life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Under the theme of the ardent and fiery love of God, it is paired with the Alpe d'Huez - the most iconic climb of the Tour de France, featured in the coming weeks of this year's tour.

Fr. John and Fr. Sean discuss the life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz, an American priest who gave his life to serving the poorest of the poor in Korea, Mexico, and beyond. Through his witness, the podcast takes up the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with special attention to what poverty means for priests, lay people, Americans, and even those discerning how to tithe after retirement.

This week's episode begins a three-part series by Fr. John, pairing French saints with famous Tour de France stage climbs. These reflections, born from his recent pilgrimage, begin in the farmtown of Ars with St. John Vianney and make their way to the acclaimed Col du Galibier in the French Alps. Fr. Sean, having visited Ars and himself an avid cyclist, brings his own thoughts to bear on the first of these curious pairings.

In this week’s episode Frs. John and Sean explore the baptismal call to share in Christ’s threefold office as priest, prophet, and king. What do these titles actually mean for ordinary Catholics? Drawing from Scripture, tradition, and everyday life, the podcast examines how all the baptized are called to offer sacrifice, proclaim truth, and exercise stewardship. Far from being reserved for clergy, the mission of priest, prophet, and king belongs to every Christian as a participation in the life and mission of Christ Himself.

Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean talk about their various experiences with family ministry and emphasize the importance of communities of families living out the Catholic faith.

In this week's episode Frs. John and Sean take up Wendell Berry's Life is a Miracle: An Essay Against Modern Superstition. Laying out his critique of Edward O. Wilson's Consilience, the podcast discusses how the Enlightenment worldview seeks to enshrine empiricism and adorn science as the capstone of reality. In Berry we find a compelling argument for the true unknowability of creation, which as gift, is nothing short of a miracle.

This week guest host Fr. CJ Mast takes the lead on discussing the educational ideal of St. John Bosco. Known as the "preventive system," Bosco's approach is informed by the experience not just "being loved" - but "knowing that you are loved." Reflecting on his six years of high school chaplaincy, Fr. CJ unpacks with Fr. John the varying themes that lie within this authentic human approach to education.

This episode explores the profound importance of confession in the Catholic faith. Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob offer practical guidance on how to make a good confession, the sacramental theology of it, and the spiritual benefits of this sacrament.

Fr. Sean and Fr. John unpack the mystery of the Ascension through the lens of Scripture. Far more than Jesus floating into the sky, the Ascension reveals Christ’s heavenly enthronement as king and high priest. Drawing from Acts 1, Daniel 7, and Hebrews, they explore the cloud of glory, the heavenly Temple, and the heavenly glory.