Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

The rosary is not just a prayer that grandmas and nuns pray. The rosary is a powerful and essential prayer for everyone’s spiritual life. Today, Fr. Josh is joined by Dr. Mike Scherschligt to discuss the power of the rosary. Dr. Mike also shares about his own faith journey and his mission to get as many people to pray the rosary as possible. Snippet From the Show When we accept the reality that Je...

Are there particular ways we should pray during the Lenten season? Lent is a great season to make new efforts in growing our relationship with God. Today, Fr. Josh shares ideas for some of the ways we could pray during the Lenten season. Snippet From the Show During the Lenten season, it is really beautiful to accompany Jesus in his suffering, in his Passion. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscrib...

What does it mean to be envious of someone? Envy is one of the seven deadly sins and Fr. Josh explains why in today’s episode. He also walks through an examination to help you understand areas in your life where you may struggle with envy. Snippet From the Show It can be a lifelong battle to break free from vice, but we must remember that God is faithful to us and desires our freedom. Text “askfrj...

What are some of the primary sins that people struggle with? As we strive for virtue, it is important that we regularly examine our lives and realize where we struggle so that we can strive to break free from sin. Today, Fr. Josh addresses the topic of the seven deadly sins and identifies why people struggle with some in particular. Snippet From the Show Focus on what Christ has done in your life....

What does it mean to be virtuous? Virtue is a word that is mentioned often when talking about faith and the lives of the saints. However, do we understand what it means? Today, Fr. Josh is joined by author Andrew Whitmore to talk about the virtuous life and also discuss Andrew’s new book Saintly Habits: Aquinas' 7 Simple Strategies You Can Use to Grow in Virtue. Snippet From the Show When you aren...

How do you find authentic happiness? Every person has a desire to be happy, but it isn’t always clear how to attain it. Today, Fr. Josh shares what Scripture tells us in regards to finding happiness. Snippet From the Show We can find happiness by turning to the Word of God instead of seeking it in the world. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPre...

What does it mean to forgive like Christ does? Jesus tells us to forgive others, but what exactly does that look like? What is required of us in order to truly forgive someone? Fr. Josh answers these questions and offers an example of a woman who forgave in an incredible way. Snippet From the Show The more we look at Jesus, the better we can imitate him. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to...

What are our responsibilities when it comes to caring for our parents? As we get older, so do our parents. In this episode, Fr. Josh explains the duty we have to our parents but also how our relationships with our parents change as we get older. He also shares two stories of people that can be examples to us when it comes to caring for parents and the elderly. Snippet From the Show To be Christian...

Are you ever confused or hurt when you hear that a priest has left the priesthood? Fr. Josh takes on this issue in today’s podcast. He explains some of the more common reasons why a priest might leave the priesthood. Fr. Josh shares the impact this can have on others and offers advice on how to respond in these situations. Snippet From the Show Prayer helps to suppress our vices and helps us perse...

Is there such a thing as “red flags” when it comes to discerning religious life? Fr. Josh responds to a listener’s question regarding best practices when discerning religious life. He shares advice on what to look for and how to get to know different religious communities. Snippet From the Show As individuals, we are in constant need of reformation. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. J...

If you are baptized, do you automatically go to Heaven? Do you have to be baptized in order to get to Heaven? In this episode, Fr. Josh answers a question about baptism and how it is linked to salvation. He addresses some of the different situations that can arise when it comes to baptism or the lack of baptism. Snippet From the Show We are created to be in relationship with Christ. It is essentia...

Why do we sing the psalms in Mass? In this episode, Fr. Josh explains why the psalms are most commonly sung and how singing can actually benefit our prayer. He also dives into the life of the author of the psalms: King David. Snippet From the Show “Have mercy on me God in your kindness and blot out my offense.” Psalm 51 Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www....

It is good for spouses to pray together, but how do you do it? What if one spouse is not as interested in praying together as the other? Fr. Josh shares the importance of praying together and also gives some advice and ideas on how to do it. Snippet From the Show Creating a habit of prayer will foster and facilitate a rule of life that will help you mature in holiness. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 t...

Fr. Josh explains what an Ordinary Eucharistic Minister and Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister is, and when it's appropriate to use Extraordinary Ministers. He also shares the proper way to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and young St. Tarcisius' story. Snippet From the Show When we are invited to bring Jesus in Holy Communion to those who are not able to come to Mass, it is a time of profound seri...

Want to be a part of giving Father Josh’s students the chance to encounter Jesus in Adoration in their own Chapel? Click here! Fr. Josh answers a question about building bridges through Christlike relationships with our Protestant brothers and sisters. He also encourages us to dive into Scripture this Advent by following the example of St. Joseph, a man also rooted in the Word of God. Sn...

"It wasn't what I thought it would be." In this special Thanksgiving episode, Father Josh assures those who may be "poor in spirit" during this holiday season, inviting us to be so rooted in the love of God, that God's love is enough for us. God is all we need. Snippet From the Show No matter what happens at Thanksgiving or what doesn't happen at Thanksgiving, we are not disturbed and we are...

To support Ascension’s free media, please click here! To find out more about how your gift will be used, please click here! Why is it that only priests are able to consecrate the Eucharist in the Mass? In this episode, Fr. Josh explains the Scriptural teachings as well as the teachings handed down by the Church behind this, and we also the story of St. Charles de Foucald, who teaches us to listen...

Do you have a Rosary that is broken or a Bible that is worn out? Fr. Josh walks us through how to dispose of sacramentals that we no longer have need of or are no longer functional. He also introduces us to St. Vitalis of Gaza, a hermetic monk who teaches us always to assume the best in the intentions of others. Snippet From the Show The way we treat a sacramental is effectively the same way we tr...

How do we choose the devotion that's best for us to become a saint in our walk toward eternity? In this episode Fr. Josh encourages us not to compare ourselves to others or even our past self, but to choose devotions appropriate for whatever season of life we’re in. We also hear the courageous story of St. Jacinta and how her love for the devotion of the Rosary set many hearts ablaze for Christ. S...

What good can come from suffering? In this episode, Fr. Josh answers a question about praying in the midst of suffering, encouraging us to receive it as an invitation rather than just pain. He also introduces us to Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro, who strived to do just that. Snippet From the Show How is God the Father inviting you to abide with Jesus right now in this present moment? Text “askfrj...

When we pray, can we pray to the saints? Or should we focus our attention solely on Jesus? Fr. Josh explains what it means to pray to the saints and when to ask for their prayers. Snippet From the Show The saints are the Body of Jesus Christ, just as we are the Body of Christ. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your...

What is the difference between individualism and individuality? We are not called to live for ourselves alone, but aren’t we also told to cultivate and use our individual talents? Fr. Josh takes on these questions in today’s episode. Snippet From the Show How each of us is called to be a saint will look different because each of us is different. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’...

Do you ever find yourself compartmentalizing your faith? In our culture today, it can be very easy to leave our faith at church or in Bible Study. However, Fr. Josh encourages you to bring your faith everywhere…even Bachelor/Bachelorette parties and to the workplace. Snippet From the Show Do not be mediocre. Instead, live radically for Jesus Christ. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. J...

Fr. Josh answers a question regarding the reception of communion with other Christian denominations. He discusses both attending their services and receiving communion and whether it is permissible or not. Snippet From the Show The Sacrifice of the Mass is irreplaceable. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your quest...

Can I work at a company that supports movements or organizations that are not in line with my beliefs? Fr. Josh answers this question and offers advice on how to discern if your place of work is the right place for you to be. Fr. Josh also shares about a married couple who are on the path to canonization. Snippet From the Show When God the Father looks at us, he sees us as a gift. Text “askfrjosh”...