Right Now with Ralph Martin

Dominic Berardino, the president of Southern California Renewal Communities , joins Ralph to talk about the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory.

Two weeks ago , Ralph discussed Bishop Robert Barron’s reflections on Pope Francis’ papacy and what his legacy means for the Church moving forward. This week, Ralph offers ways to approach living in such times of uncertainty and disunity. Ralph particularly notes the profound reflections on participating more deeply in Christ’s passion, as found in Fr. Donald Haggerty’s book, " The Hour of Testing...

Peter Herbeck joins Ralph to discuss important teachings of St. John Paul II and his impact on the work of Renewal Ministries.

In his May 12 article in First Things — Francis in Full —Bishop Robert Barron eloquently wrote of Pope Francis’ many positive accomplishments as well as some very serious problems such as a legacy of doctrinal and pastoral disunity. Bishop Barron’s evaluation of Pope Francis’ ministry provides a lens through which we can look at the serious challenges facing Pope Leo XIV and his great need for our...

Fr. John Riccardo of Acts XXIX joins Ralph to discuss the only way to becoming a disciple--through true conversion & understanding the context of the greatest commandment.

Ralph talks about how much help he gets in prayer by meditating on the words in his " Magnificat ," his daily aid in prayer.

After 25 years as an award-winning corporate advertising executive, Tom Peterson’s life radically changed forever through a powerful conversion experience on a Catholic men’s retreat. Soon afterward, he founded VirtueMedia and CatholicsComeHome.org . Catholics Come Home is a media apostolate that seeks to inspire, educate and evangelize inactive Catholics and others, inviting them to live a d...

This week, Ralph comments on an important and shocking text from Luke 13 about the number of those who will be saved. Ralph recently heard several sermons on this passage and although they were good sermons, all of them skipped the most difficult part: Jesus saying that many will not be able to enter the kingdom because they don’t really listen to Him and respond. Jesus says these very difficult t...

As we look forward to celebrating St. Teresa of Calcutta's feast day this week, Patti Mansfield joins Ralph to look at her motto, “I Thirst” and what it means for us.

Ralph has recently been struck by the number of people telling him that after a long time away from living a fervent life they are returning. Using the parable of the sower and the seed Ralph invites all those who once lived a fervent life to return. Now is the time.

John Kazanjian joins Ralph to discuss his vocation as a businessman, husband, father, and lay apostle, and how each of these opens up opportunities to take little steps in faith each day that lead to deeper hope in the Christian life.

This week, Ralph shares how he has been processing his recent firing from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. To check out Ralph's Memoir, A Life in the Spirit , visit https://www.renewalministries.net/RalphMemoir .

Lavinia Spirito joins Ralph to talk about the Bible Study she developed called the Catholic Way Bible Study . Lavinia Spirito grew up in Rome, Italy, studied Anthropology and Spanish at the University of Michigan, obtained her J.D. from The University of Kentucky College of Law, and received a Masters in Theology from The Augustine Institute in Denver, Colorado. She is an Adjunct Lecturer for...

This week, Ralph shares some recent personal experiences that made him ask the question, “Who Will Remember Us?” He recounts how people who once were well known by many of us are being forgotten, how sometimes as the generations pass children or grandchildren forget who has sacrificed for them in the generations before. As he recounts these examples, his hope and joy in Christ rises and he remembe...

Author Bert Ghezzi joins Ralph and Peter to discuss his book The Heart of a Saint: Ten Ways to Grow Closer to God , and how the lives of the saints help us grow closer to God.

Biological death, natural death, isn’t natural; it’s a punishment for sin. And it isn’t to be feared, for a Christian. But the “second death," is indeed something to be feared. But we can be rescued from the hell of the second death through believing in the love of Jesus Christ and becoming his disciple.

Therese Cirner joins Ralph to describe her experience as a Catholic counselor and shares about the many mental health issues facing people today.

Artificial intelligence is beginning to impact more and more of us in unexpected ways. Ralph shares about his recent experiences with it and alerts us to both the good and the evil it can do and how we need to situate ourselves in a way that reduces our chances of being deceived.

Fr. John Riccardo joins Ralph to talk about the need for and the power of forgiveness. Fr. John's daily radio show is Christ is the Answer from Ave Maria Radio. Check it out on their website: https://avemariaradio.net/christ-is-the-answer-archives/

Ralph shares about an experience he had at Mass recently that gave him a deeper insight into the sacrifice of Jesus made present at the Mass and how we should desire to be included in it. He also brings out how wonderful it is that Jesus wants us to be included, but we have to want it too.

Fr. George Montague joins Ralph to share a lifetime of experience as a teacher, missionary, author, and Scripture scholar and the difference the Holy Spirit makes. The Rev. George Montague, S.M., S.T.D., is professor emeritus of New Testament at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. In 1995 he began a new religious community in the Marianist family, the Brothers of the Beloved Disciple. He...

Ralph shares St. Peter's clear and challenging interpretation of the events of Pentecost and how all throughout the Acts of the Apostles we see the apostles' expectation that every new group of converts should experience the Holy Spirit as they did on the day of Pentecost. Ralph also speaks to how we too should be seeking and expecting the apostolic experience of Pentecost even today.

We are excited to share a hidden historical gem with you this week. In this previously unreleased conversation with Ralph and Sr. Ann Shields, Sr. Ann shares how to make a meaningful examination of conscience and how it can lead us to deeper freedom and holiness.

Great graces are available in the sacrament of Confirmation but oftentimes are not accessed. My wife offers a modest suggestion about how to contribute to increasing its fruitfulness. Pass it on! Ralph's article: The Post-Christendom Sacramental Crisis: The Wisdom of Thomas Aquinas .

Co-founder of the St. Catherine of Siena Institute, Sherry Weddell talks with Ralph about the founding of the Institute, the process of discerning charism, and her book, Forming Intentional Disciples .