Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

What is the right way to find your future spouse? As Catholics, it can feel like a battle between waiting/trusting in God’s plan and taking action. This battle often comes up in the search for a spouse. Do I simply pray for my future spouse and wait for them to come to me? Or, do I need to join every dating site and find him myself? Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio to discuss wh...

To start off a brand new season of Ask Fr. Josh, Fr. Josh Johnson addresses the topic of charisms. Whether or not you have heard about charisms beforet, you may not have a clear understanding of what they are. Or perhaps, you know what they are, but you are not sure how to discover your own charisms. Fr. Josh explains what charisms are, their purpose, and tools for discovering your unique charisms...

Hello Father Josh I enjoy your podcast very much and it has help me in picking up the bible and attending adoration I am forever grateful. My husband and I recently started our fertility journey because we have been unsuccessful for two years. I find myself discourage, sadness and alone sometimes because this process is not easy however, I do understand that God is not giving me something I can no...

My aunt always says that when she dies she would like her ashes to be turned into a tree or put to sea to become a reef (something she read about), but my mom is always telling her her ashes have to be buried. Why is this the case? What does the bible and/or the catechism have to say on the matter? -Frankie Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPres...

What is the Catholic view on the Harry Potter series? -Yara Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

What exactly is emotional chastity and can men and women partake in close friendships? Over my life I have developed a lot of beautiful and fruitful friendships with men that have never become more than friendship nor have I ever intended them to, however, recently I was accused of breaking emotional chastity within these friendships. It’s a concept that I have never heard of before. I’ve asked ar...

Dear Fr. Josh, I am a 37 year old cradle Catholic from the Netherlands and the proud mom of a wonderful baby boy. Over the last ten years (yeah I know) I’ve been slowly finding my way back to the church. I am now attending mass regularly, have made prayer a part of my daily life and am working up the courage to go to confession for the first time in my life. The journey has brought me closer to Go...

Could you talk about how to navigate anticipatory grief from a Catholic perspective? My grandma’s health is declining. I’m coping with grieving the person she once was and the grief I know I will be experiencing in the future. -Anonymous Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by f...

Hey Fr. Josh, Congrats on your podcast, thank you for your vocation and your ministry, my daughters and I listen to you every chance we get. I’m not if you have addressed this topic before. I’m a mother of 6 beautiful kids, ranging from 22 years old to 10 months. We attend Church every Sunday but choose not to attend holy hour due to our boys’ behavior who are seven and four. When we do go and try...

Hey Fr Josh, I love the podcast. It has helped me learn so much about my faith and grow greatly in it. I go to a holy hour every Tuesday and it’s an amazing thing sitting with Jesus christ in the eucharistic. But sometimes I find myself distracted or not fully there with Jesus and I don’t make a great holy hour. Sometimes there is music, other times I will either pray a rosary or litany or maybe r...

Why must we believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? -Teresa Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Hi Father Josh! I was introduced to your podcast a few months ago and I love everything that you do! Your spontaneous singing makes me laugh out loud and your straightforward, digestible answers to Catholic questions have helped me grow very much in my faith. I apologize if this question has been asked before since I’ve only heard a few episodes, but it’s something that’s been a stumbling block fo...

Naming Children Hey Fr. Josh! I have so loved listening to your podcast and find so much fruit from it. I’m currently 6 months pregnant with my first baby and having grown up Southern Baptist and converting in college, Catholic Baptism is still a bit mysterious to me. As my husband and I prepare to Welcome our small human to the world and the Church, how should we discern their patron Saint? I hav...

Hello Father Josh! Let me start out by saying you are such an incredible blessing to so many! God has truly sent you to help those in need. You are so relatable, and it is wonderful and very encouraging. I will continue to pray for you and your family. My question or concern is this. A number of years ago, in my 20’s, I was at a very low point. I was depressed and searching for what I hoped would...

Welcome to Ask Fr. Josh - Summer Snippets! During the next few months, some of the most popular questions from the archives will be released as short snippets. Enjoy! Question: I have had 3 cervical spine fusions over 5 years and due to the amount of medication I’ve been taking I have begun to do a small amount of damage to my liver. 2 of my specialists have recommended medicinal marijuana but I f...

What do you do if your spouse isn’t praying, going to Mass, or living the faith at all? Many people find themselves in the position where their spouse is non-Catholic or not practicing the faith. This can be incredibly difficult both as a spouse and as a parent. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker to discuss what to do in this kind of situation. They share how you can work to evang...

Just as we would prioritize a vacation with our family or our husband or our wife, we ought to also prioritize a getaway with God. In today’s episode, Fr. Josh Johnson encourages us to get away, break our routines, and listen to the voice of God. He unfolds how important retreats are for him in his walk with God, and how life-changing different types of retreats can be for us, no matter what...

It is essential for every spouse to learn how best to love their husband or wife. To discuss how husbands want to be loved, Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker. Together, they talk through some of the ways that men tend to feel most loved. They also touch on the importance of communication and vulnerability when it comes to spouses learning how to best love one another. Snippet Fro...

Does being Christian mean that you need to live a solitary, boring, or unhappy life? Looking at the lives of holy men and women, it can appear that the majority of their lives were suffering and solitude. Does this mean that “fun” has no place in the Christian life? Fr. Josh Johnson takes up this question in today’s episode. Snippet From the Show “Faith is our source of joy. We believe in a God wh...

Is there a right way to make decisions? How people make decisions may look different depending on what season of life they are in. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker to discuss some best practices when it comes to making decisions, especially in a marriage. Snippet From the Show When you bring prayer into your decision making, you can trust that Christ is at the center. Text “askf...

What do you know about the apparitions of Međugorje? Although these apparitions are not yet approved, there are many who have traveled to the site and been convicted in their faith. Fr. Josh Johnson shares about his own experiences with Međugorje and explains the difference between private and public revelation. Snippet From the Show Authentic apparitions don’t add anything to our faith. They simp...

Fitness is a pretty big deal in the culture today. Whether it's diet, working out, or supplementing, many people invest their time and money in it. But what is their motivation? Fr. Josh Johnson and Deacon Michael Parker discuss the goals of fitness and what sort of motivation should exist behind those goals. Snippet From the Show “Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God...

Is it difficult for you to see other people happy and enjoying their lives? It is common for people to struggle with jealousy or wanting what other people have. However, envy goes a step further than jealousy. Fr. Josh explains what envy is and how we can overcome it. Snippet From the Show Love without expecting anything in return. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or...

Can a woman be a mother and also work? It is the responsibility of all parents to discern what is best for their children, for their family. Part of this discernment typically involves deciding whether one parent stays home or both parents work. This decision is not always easy or straightforward. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker to talk about this decision and what proper disce...

Death is often marked by sadness and loss. For many, death is something fearful. However, there is a way to have a happy death. Fr. Josh Johnson responds to the question, “How does a person die well?” He offers advice on dying well and an example of an individual who died well. Snippet From the Show Keep death always before your eyes. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes...