Become Fire Podcast

“If men knew the peace good Religious enjoy, the whole world would become a monastery.” (St. Scholastica of Nursia). The bond of siblings is undeniable, and the bond of twins is especially profound. St. Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict, visited her brother often to discuss matters of faith and events of the world. Though he could not be present for her earthly death, God blessed him wi...

“Only one thing made me want to live a little longer, to see you a Christian before I die”. (Attributed to St. Monica, Mother of St. Augustine). If your child whom you prayed for for decades continued to live a life of sin, would you still have the faith to believe for their conversion? We know that through St. Monica's faith, God made a great saint out of her son, Augustine! If you are a parent o...

"Christians must lean on the Cross of Christ just as travelers lean on a staff when they begin a long journey." - St. Anthony of Padua. Inspired by the first Franciscan Martyrs of North Africa, Fernando (Anthony) joined the order, praying God would allow him to follow in their footsteps, but the Lord had different plans. Instead of dying preaching to Muslims, St. Anthony would live to preach to St...

“Let us remember that love lives through sacrifice and is nourished by giving. Without sacrifice, there is no love.” -St. Maximilian Kolbe. You may believe that in a moment of great peril, you would certainly have the strength offer your life in the place of a family member, but, could you make the ultimate sacrifice for a stranger? It is most appropriate on this year's Solemnity of the Immaculate...

"How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!" - St. Elizabeth of Hungary. If you were born into wealth and privilege, so much that you would want for nothing, could you give it all up for the Lord? St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who's ministry only lasted four years, is one of history's greatest examples of radical generosity and self-sacrifice for the g...

"To conquer himself is the greatest victory that man can gain." -St. Ignatius of Loyola. It has been said that, rather than change us, stress and adversity amplify who we really are. If your life's ambitions had been taken from you through violence, would you give in to despair? St. Ignatius is one of the greatest examples of embracing heroic virtue. If you're in a place where you know you need to...

"Our lives will truly be beautiful only if we discover how to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves." In the 90s and 2000s, an era of decade vcnce in our world, Blessed Carlo Acutis lived a life of service to God, and to others. If you've ever wondered if God can use your gifts for His glory, this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast is for you.

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you." -1Peter 5:10. If you had betrayed Christ in his hour of need, would you have the humility to accept His forgiveness? St. Peter the Apostle not only did this but served as the leader of the early Church in its mission to make dis...

If your child's life was taken by criminal action, could you forgive the perpetrator? The martyrdom of St. Maria Goretti and it's aftermath is a story of radical reconciliation and love. Do you struggle to forgive others, even in the little things? This episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast is for you.

"When one does one's own duty, one must not be concerned, because God's help will not be lacking." If the doctor told you that your only option to save your life was abortion, what would you choose? St. Gianna Beretta Molla, an Italian pediatrician, wife, and mother in the mid 20th century shows us one of the greatest examples of holy self sacrifice in the history of our Church. If you struggle wi...

The #BecomeFire podcast is back with a new format. This "season" will focus on lessons from the lives of the saints. Join us next week for Episode 1. Pax et bonum!

“Every Christian is called to become a strong athlete of Christ, that is, a faithful and courageous witness to his Gospel. But to succeed in this, he must persevere in prayer, be trained in virtue, and follow the divine Master in everything.” -Pope St. John Paul II. Father's Day has just passed, and what better way to honor fathers than to bring on the FATHER of a father! In this episode of the #B...

"And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Eli′jah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” - LK1:16-17. In this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast, Fr. Elijah shares the power and joy of his ordination day and a glim...

“In this world, there is nothing of the Most High Himself that we can possess and contemplate with our eyes, except His body and blood.” - St. Francis of Assisi. Those of us who have prayed before the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration have much to say about the experience of His presence. In this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast, Fr. Antony and Fr. Peter Teresa share the priestly joy that comes from...

"For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called." -IS 54:5. Deacon Elijah-soon-to-be Father Elijah-joins us in this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast as we dive into the mystery of Mary as the spouse of the Holy Spirit.

“There is so little distance between heaven and earth that God always hears us. Nothing but a thin veil separates us from God.” - St. André Bessette. In this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast, Arizona Native and Professed Brother, Br. Andre Beale joins us to share his amazing story of conversion to Christ, embracing religious life, and the work he does among the people of the Gila River community...

"They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in." -JN20:4-5. Was Peter really the first Pope? This account of the resurrection certainly suggests so. Though John reached the tomb first, he waited for the chief Apostle. Come, see where the Lord was laid in this episode of the #BecomeFi...

"Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag′dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb." -JN20:1. God chose Mary, who was delivered much and forgiven much, to be the first herald of the full Gospel. This should give us all hope that Jesus will never be far from those who seek after him. Come with us as we meet the resurrected Lor...

Resurrexit (Part III) - Become Fire Podcast Ep #157 by Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit

"Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!'" All of us have seen ourselves in the person of Thomas. Do we trust Jesus in faith, or do we have to see? Be in the room where Jesus walked in this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast.

"But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.'" MT28:5-6. Resurrexit sicut dixit! Easter is more than just one day; it is a 50-day celebration. Come with us as we dive into the first of several Scriptural accounts of the resurrection in this episode of the #Becom...

"Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!' And having said this, he breathed his last." -LK23:46. Jesus' last words from the cross are not words of defeat but a song of victory! Do you need a dose of hope? Join us at the cross as we complete our Lenten series in this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast.

"And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, la′ma sabach-tha′ni?' that is, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'" These words of Jesus from Psalm 22 may seem controversial. Did he really give up hope at the end? The answer lies in the remainder of that scripture: words of hope and victory! In this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast, learn how to persevere through st...

"After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), 'I thirst.'" -JN19:28. Certianly, the anguish of a Roman execution and the heat of the afternoon sun would make anyone thirsty. But, on the cross, was Jesus longing for water, or for a quenching of another kind? We break open the fourth last word of Christ in this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast.

"When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother![...]'" Jesus' final commandment from the cross was for John the Beloved to care for His Blessed Mother. He's calling you to do the same. Learn how to honor Jesus by honoring Mary in this episode of the #BecomeFire Podcast.