Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Fr. Josh answers questions about what our prayers do for the souls in purgatory, why St. Michael the Archangel is considered a saint, and what was Jesus' nature as the Second Person of the Trinity before the incarnation. Snippet From the Show The Catholic Church uses the term "saint" to refer to any being who is in heaven, either an angel or a human being. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe t...

Today, Fr. Josh encourages us to look at our vices and then to pursue the opposing virtue in the coming new year. 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

This week in a Christmas special, Father Josh encourages us to pray with the Scriptures read during the Christmas Masses. As we listen to the genealogy of Jesus on Christmas Eve, he reminds us that Jesus came from a family of sinners and that Christ came to save all, no matter how great or how little the sinner. Snippet from the Show "Each and every one of us has a past and we shouldn't let our pa...

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to properly use sacramentals and how to grow in relationship with God when prayer is tough. Snippet From the Show “Catholics sometimes approach sacramentals as if they are magic or having power in and of themselves, instead of approaching them as instruments of grace.” Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPress....

Fr. Josh answers questions about whether all world religions are the same, how to accept a partner’s sexual history in a dating relationship, and how to let go of past sufferings and hurts. *Please note: This episode contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children – parental discretion is advised. Snippet From the Show We can reverence the fact that there are true, good, and beautiful...

Fr. Josh answers questions about what is the meaning of "world without end" in the Glory Be, how are we ever worthy of reception of Holy Communion, and if the Catholic Church is a cult. Snippet From the Show We are purged and cleansed of our venial sins and imperfections each and every time we approach Jesus in Holy Communion. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go t...

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Fr. Josh invites us to reflect on the ways God has been generous with us this year and guides us through a powerful meditation and a litany of gratitude. Snippet From the Show "Recognize to whom you owe the fact that you exist, that you breathe, that you understand, that you are wise, and, above all, that you know God and hope for the kingdom of heaven and the...

Fr. Josh answers questions about the official process of becoming Catholic, how to restore confidence in one's own worth, and how to navigate encounters and conversations with loved ones over thanksgiving. Snippet From the Show “Be rooted in daily prayer with the Lord and he will give you his mind, his words, his eyes, and his ears, to direct the conversations with those you hold dearest to your h...

Fr. Josh answers questions about the Church's tradition of offering Gregorian Masses for the deceased, and whether a physical or mental disability can affect one's road to his or her vocation. Snippet From the Show The Sacred Congregation on Indulgences has declared that "the offering of Gregorian Masses has a special efficacy for obtaining from God the speedy deliverance of a suffering soul, and...

Fr. Josh answers questions about what it looks like for a man to live out his identity as a beloved son of God, and how to properly understand mystical writings. Snippet From the Show “To be a son of the Father is the foundational identity of every man.” Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your questions and feedback...

Fr. Josh answers questions about the origin of the Angelus prayer, why some Catholic priests give bad homilies, and whether or not we can call creation our "mother". Snippet From the Show "Nature is not our mother: Nature is our sister. We can be proud of her beauty, since we have the same father; but she has no authority over us; we have to admire, but not to imitate."- G.K. Chesterton Text “askf...

Fr. Josh answers questions about experiencing confusion and doubts discerning one's vocation, and why taking the morning after pill is a serious sin, but a sin that God forgives through the sacrament of Reconciliation because there is no sin that God doesn't forgive in confession. Snippet From the Show "My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know...

Fr. Josh answers questions about the difference between possessing others versus authentically loving them, and how to properly understand modesty, and why how we dress matters. Snippet From the Show 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.ascensionpres...

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to cope with grief from a Catholic perspective, how to choose patron saint names for your child, and how to discern a vocation to the contemplative life. Snippet From the Show "Our Lady is called Our Lady of Sorrows for a reason, because she grieved at the foot of the Cross. Grief is human, healthy, and holy." Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh...

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to hold on to the graces we receive on retreats once they are over, why young people today shouldn't be afraid of marriage, and how to find courage during an unplanned pregnancy. Snippet From the Show "If you want to encounter a tangible expression of the love of God, then go find a holy married couple, and if you can’t find any, then become one." Text “askfrjo...

Megan and Jared Braud join Fr. Josh to discuss how to cultivate a healthy and integrated lifestyle that enables us to physically and spiritually thrive as disciples of Christ. Snippet From the Show We can’t glorify God and serve others without creating healthy spiritual, physical, and emotional habits. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. AscensionPress.com...

Fr. Josh answers questions about waiting to enter the Church as an RCIA candidate, whether Catholics should join college fraternities and sororities, and what to do if you are feeling alone in the faith and yearning for community. Snippet From the Show Before joining a fraternity or sorority examine its roots and fruits. If it was founded by the Freemasons and promotes Masonic rituals, and if they...

Where is God in devastation? In this special episode, Fr. Mark Toups gives us an insight into the devastating impact of Hurricane on countless lives, communities, and parishes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Lousiana. Fr. Mark Toups encourages us to support survivors of Hurricane Ida, and reveals how God unfolds miracles in the midst of great loss and suffering. Support Hurricane Ida relief e...

In honor of Mary's nativity celebrated by the Church this week, Fr. Josh answers questions about the biblical origin of the Hail Mary prayer, whether Mary is the new Ark of the Covenant, and how we can understand Mary's perpetual virginity. Snippet From the Show Mary is a bridge to Christ, we cannot reach Christ without knowing her. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes o...

Mari Pablo joins Fr. Josh to answer questions about saints who embody Catholic social teaching, how to make people from diverse cultural backgrounds feel welcome in the Church, and how to work with people who believe in some Church teachings, but not others. Snippet From the Show _Make sure your table isn’t with everybody who thinks exactly the same as you, because if it is, you can unintentionall...

Fr. Josh answers questions about the importance of fasting and how to start fasting for beginners, how to navigate spiritual dryness, and how to prepare for the vocation of marriage as an engaged couple. Snippet From the Show "We may not see the fruit of our prayer on this side of heaven, but the goal is to persevere and never give up because our prayers do bear fruit in God's own ways." Text “ask...

Fr. Phillip Bochanski joins Fr. Josh to talk all about same-sex attraction and how the Catholic Church ministers to people who experience same-sex attraction so they can live in the freedom of Christ's love. Fr. Phillip Bochanski is the Executive Director of Courage International, an apostolate that provides pastoral support in the form of spiritual guidance, community prayer support, and fellowsh...

Fr. Josh answers questions about dealing with shame, how to bring your young kids to adoration, and how to combat the power of evil. Snippet From the Show “Look at me, I want to rejoice in you, you are my beloved. I see you, I know everything about you, I know what you have done, I know what has been done to you, and I know what you will do in the future. I want you to know that I delight in you,...

Fr. Josh answers questions about the Church's teaching on cremation and ashes, what the difference between crosses and crucifixes is, and whether the sins we forget during confession are forgiven. Snippet From the Show We preach Jesus crucified, because it’s Jesus' body on the Cross that gives the Cross its meaning and power, otherwise it’s just an instrument of death. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 t...

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to love and serve the homeless, how to handle discouragement when struggling with infertility, and how to come to terms with family members and friends turning away from God and leaving the Catholic Church. Snippet From the Show If we only love Jesus in our prayer but not in our nieghbor, including the homeless, then we don't truly love all of Jesus. Text “askf...