For College Catholics

What do Habakkuk, Job and the Good Thief (who was crucified with Christ) have in common? They are all amazing examples of the supernatural virtue of Hope. Today, following their example, together with the example of the Seven Maccabean brothers, I address the meaning of the theological Virtue of Hope. I also suggest great ways in which you can practice it in your daily life. - The topics discussed...

Today we look at the Theological Virtues, and the virtue of Faith in particular, how it is a theological virtue infused by God in baptism, that enables us to believe in God, and believe in everything that God has said and revealed to us through Jesus Christ, which the Holy Church presents to us and taught by God. Toward the end of the episode, I speak about how to overcome some challenges in your...

After looking at an example in the life of St. Philip Neri, "the Apostle of Rome", we look at the supernatural life given to us in Baptism, particularly, the “infused moral virtues”, as different from the “acquired moral virtues” and from the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit”. - The topics discussed can be found in the Catechism, numbers 1265-1266, and 1810-1811. - Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest mini...

Today we speak about the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. I describe them, show their importance in your spiritual life, and give some good examples of how you can apply them in your daily life. Listen in to know how to understand and live out these four columns of our moral life! - The topics discussed can be found in the Catechism, numbers 1804-1809. - Fr. Patrick...

Today I share a simple experience that reminded me how God can work at any time and unexpectedly through the hands of a Priest. Some weeks ago I attended SEEK, a conference with some 20,000 college students in attendance, and some 450 priests helping with confessions. I hope this story is an occasion to reinvigorate the appreciation of the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ, to pray more fervently fo...

After considering the virtuous example of how St. Francis de Sales was able to overcome his bad temper with much effort and patience (scratch marks were found under his desk!), we look at what are some key principles to living a virtuous life. What is VIRTUE and why is it important? In particular, that we should have as a goal not just “doing good things that can be seen by others” but above all “...

The Christmas season is in full swing, and the New Year is here! As we begin 2024, on January 1st, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. She is our protection and our strength as we begin anew. The Christian Tradition teaches us a beautiful Marian Antiphon, very proper to this time of the year, called the Sub Tuum Praesidium, in English, “We fly to your protection”. Today I...

In this episode I welcome Fr. John of God, as we prepare for Christmas. We talk about some principles of our moral conscience, how it is the God-given help to know what is right and wrong. We discuss topics like what is a guilty conscience, an erroneous conscience, culpable ignorance and invincible ignorance, and how we can sometimes silence our conscience. Finally, we give some great tips that ca...

In this episode I welcome Fr. Tim Anastos, who is a priest from the Archdiocese of Chicago, and a chaplain at the Newman Center at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He shares his vocation story, and some thoughts about discernment, Advent and Christmas. He has a series of minute-reel homilies which you can find in the link below. - Link to Fr. Tim Anastos One-minute homilies: https://www.spiritj...

In this episode we talk about why it is important to “form your conscience” and some ways to do it successfully. Don’t miss these reflections, so useful for your spiritual life! - You can find the topics discussed in this episode in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 1783-1785. - Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest ministering in Michigan. - This Podcast’s Website: www.forcollegecatholic...

In this episode I look at that “treasure within ourselves” which is our moral conscience. It is a “treasure” because it shows us the path to live honest and virtuous lives, and therefore is like the voice of God in our hearts that leads us to Heaven. I look at the example of an Old Testament king, and at the example of St. Augustine in his Confessions. - You can find the topics discussed in this e...

In this episode we continue talking about human passions and how they interact with our will, our deliberate choices, and how we can train our passions to make them be more in line with what is morally good and virtuous. I present an example taken from the life of St. Joan of Arc, that shows how human passions can affect us positively and help make good decisions. I hope you like this powerful and...

In this episode I speak about the passions, and the role they play in our moral life. I look at the life of Christ, and how the Gospels manifest different moments in the life of Our Lord where his passions are manifested. I share an amazing example taken from the Confessions of St. Augustine. - You can find the topics discussed in this episode in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 1762-...

In this episode we look into the “sources” of the morality of our human actions, specifically, what is the “moral object” what are the “intentions” and what are the “circumstances” of a human act. We address why “the end doesn’t justify the means” and why some actions are always morally illicit, like the case of abortion, blasphemy and perjury. - You can find the topics discussed in this episode i...

Freedom is not a burden—it is a great GIFT from God that enables us to love Him and love our neighbor. However, it comes with a great responsibility. Soon after the coming of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost, St. Paul—actually called “Saul” at the time—consented to St. Stephen’s execution (Acts 8:1). While others threw the stones, he held their cloaks—giving his internal consent. In this episode we ad...

One of the fundamental pillars of the Christian moral life is our human freedom. Freedom is a gift of God given to us in order to choose freely what is good, what is according to the will of God. That gives us our dignity and our responsibility. I share the story of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, and Austrian farmer who died a martyr under the Nazi government during the Second World War for not wanti...

Today I interview Bro. Daniel Heffernan on the Beatitudes. We talk about how to interpret three of the beatitudes: “Blessed are the merciful”; “Blessed are the peacemakers”; “Blessed are you when you are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.” Bro. Daniel was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and is now a perpetually professed Brother of Miles Christi (since July 2, 2022!). - You can find the topics...

Today I continue reflecting on the Beatitudes: “Blessed are they who thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” I welcome Ben Eriksen again (he joined us in the last episode already!), who was born and raised in Michigan, and is about to finish his doctorate degree in Philosophy at the Catholic University of America. Make sure you listen to this profound and clear explanation of the Be...

This time around we continue reflecting on the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit (…). Blessed are they who mourn (…). Blessed are the meek (…).” Today we welcome Ben Eriksen, who was born and raised in Michigan, and is about to finish his doctorate degree in Philosophy at the Catholic University of America. - You can find the topics discussed in this episode in the Catechism of the Catho...

“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God” (Mt 5:8). In this episode we look at what is the meaning of “the heart”, and how purity of heart means to love God above all, and to have God as the final purpose of everything we do daily. - ENKINDLE Conference – Information and how to register: https://www.mileschristi.org/event/enkindle/ - Scripture References used in this episode: The “Bea...

The Beatitudes of the Gospel are eight statements that our Lord taught within the context of the Sermon of the Mount (chapters 5-7 of St. Matthew). They are attitudes, ideals we have to aim for if we want to be true disciples of Christ. They portray, in some way, an image of Jesus Christ, they describe the heart of the Gospel. Those who live them out are “blessed”, they are favored by God, and wil...

Jesus Christ is the foundation and the center of all the moral teaching of the Catholic Church. Our Lord became man to redeem us, but also to teach us the way to Heaven, the way to our fulfillment, the way to complete joy. So, the moral teachings of the Church, with all its precepts and “rules”, is like a help, like a road map that shows us the way to salvation. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth,...

We’re starting a new section in our podcast!! In this episode I speak about the purpose of the Commandments and of the whole moral teaching of the Catholic Church. The moral law of the Church is a guide that helps us know what the right path to Heaven is, and how to grow in the supernatural LIFE of Grace given us in Baptism. - ENKINDLE Conference – Information and how to register: https://www.mile...

Why is it good to get married? Are there benefits on being joined in a sacramental marriage over “living together”? In this episode I interview Ben and Amy Eriksen, and we talk about dating, relationships, marriage and some of their experiences and suggestions for young couples who are considering marriage. - Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest ministering in Michigan. - This Podcast’s Website: www...

Fr. Francis Solanus Casey, was born in 1870, in Wisconsin, and died July 31, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan. He was a Capuchin Franciscan priest. He lived most of his life in Detroit Michigan, and one of his main tasks was to be the porter at St. Bonaventure’s Monastery. His body lays today at the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit. Today I share some spiritual reflections based on some of the events in...