He Leadeth Me

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Sr. Shawn Pauline to discuss the 3rd and 4th waters of prayer according to St. Theresa of Avila. Sr. Shawn Pauline and Jess discuss: The images of the river and the rain that St. Theresa uses to describe these deeper stages of prayer How the soul must wait for God's action within it, and how this waiting ties into the season of Advent Sr. Shawn Pauline...

In this episode of our Advent series, Sr. Shawn Pauline explains the second "Water of Prayer" according to St. Theresa of Avila. Sr. Shawn Pauline and Jess discuss: At this stage, God leads the soul into the prayer of recollection, which is the still awareness of God's presence within the soul How St. Theresa uses the images of an aqueduct to describe the prayer of recollection How...

In this episode of our Advent series, Sr. Shawn Pauline describes how God takes a beginner into deeper stages of prayer. Sr. Shawn Pauline and Jess discuss: How a soul transitioning into deeper prayer often experiences dryness, distraction, and an increased awareness of their own sin and weakness How to tell the difference between dryness, desolation, and depression The importance of perseverance,...

Are you looking for ways you can enter more deeply into Advent? Look no further!  This Advent, Sr. Shawn Pauline from the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles will offer He Leadeth Me listeners a series of podcast episodes on the writings of St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. In this episode, Sr. Shawn Pauline begins the retreat by talking about the beginning stages of t...

In this episode, Jessica's friend Theresa shares about the struggles of infertility and her own story of asking the intercession of Servant of God Michelle Duppong.  Jess and Theresa discuss: The common question when struggling with infertility: Should I ask for what I want in prayer or should I pray, "Not my will but yours be done"? Theresa's experience of having a baby after...

The SEEK conference is just around the corner, and this year's theme is, "Follow Me". In this episode, Mark Bartek joins Jessica to talk about how Servant of God Michelle Duppong answered Jesus' call to follow Him. Mark and Jess discuss: The theme of the conference, which comes from the Scripture verse John 8: 12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never...

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by our grief and can have difficulty expressing it in prayer. In this episode, counselor Kate Johnson joins Jessica to talk about praying in the midst of grief. Jess and Kate discuss: The modern tendency in the Christian community to focus on the resurrection and skip the necessary grieving process Why our culture has forgotten how to grieve Ancient Jewish practices t...

In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens returns to talk with Jessica about Catholic funerals. Chris and Jess discuss: The 3 ceremonies associated with a Catholic funeral: vigil, Mass of Christian Burial, and prayers at the graveside The connection between a funeral Mass and the Easter Vigil Key symbols and prayers in the Mass of Christian Burial Chris Carstens is the Director of Worship...

Servant of God Fr. Walter Ciszek spent 23 years in Siberian prison camps for his faith in Jesus. After being released from prison, he returned to the United States and became a renowned spiritual director.  In this episode, Fr. Michael Wegenka joins Jessica to dive into a prayer of surrender that Fr. Ciszek wrote for one of his directees. Fr. Michael and Jess discuss: Fr. Ciszek's spiritualit...

In Matthew 7:1, Jesus tell us, "Do not judge, lest you shall be judged". But what does this actually mean? Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress is back in this episode to talk about judgment. Fr. Joseph-Anthony and Jess discuss: Is it a judgment to notice a fault in another person? How can you know if you are making rash judgments? What advice do you have for someone who is trying to overcome the si...

How do you know if you are gossiping or simply sharing your struggles with friends?  Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress joins Jessica today to shed light on St. Thomas Aquinas' teaching on gossip. Jessica and Fr. Joseph-Anthony discuss: Gossip's role in spiritual warfare How Aquinas breaks verbal sins or injuries into 5 categories: reviling, backbiting, tale-bearing, derision, and cursing Ways tha...

In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens returns to talk about the rite of baptism. Jess and Chris discuss: How baptism restores God's image in the soul Why the rite of baptism begins at the front of the church What is the role of Godparents? And much more! Chris Carstens is the Director of Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, a visiting faculty member of the Liturgical Institute at...

When leading another person to Jesus, one of the most important tasks you have is teaching that person how to pray. But how can you do this?  FOCUS Alumna and former Senior Director of TD and RD Formation Shannon Hicks joins Jessica in this episode to talk about how to teach another person how to pray. Jess and Shannon discuss: How God Himself teaches each person to pray and we only accompany othe...

After a conversion or reversion to the Catholic faith, many people can struggle in their interactions with family members who don't share their beliefs.  In this episode, Director of Formation Travis Todd and Director of Retreats Niru de Silva join Jessica to talk about how their conversions impacted their family relationships and their prayer lives. Travis, Niru, and Jess discuss: Niru'...

Radiating Joy, a documentary about Servant of God Michelle Duppong, will be coming out in theaters on November 12th!  In this episode, Jessica sits down with Danny Anderson, the director of the film, to talk about creating the documentary. Jess and Danny discuss: Before making the film, Danny knew nothing about Michelle Duppong. He shares his experience getting to know her through the testimony of...

Over the summer, many FOCUS missionaries participate in the Spiritual Exercises. After 8 days of silence and meditation, what's it like to enter back into the chaos of daily life? How can you let the graces you received on retreat bear fruit? Fr. Kevin Dyer, SJ, joins Jessica in this episode to give his advice for your spiritual life after you attend a retreat. Fr. Kevin and Jess discuss: Adv...

You want to stop comparing yourself to others...but how?  In this episode, Sr. Maria Goretti, Vocations Directress for the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, join Jessica to talk about comparison. Sr. Maria Goretti and Jess discuss: The effects comparing yourself to others has on your relationship with Jesus How to stop comparing yourself to others The importance of having a sense...

Have you ever seen a beautiful icon and wondered what the images in it symbolize? In this episode, Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB, joins Jessica to dive into icons. Sr. Jeana and Jessica discuss: How an icon is different than a normal religious painting The process of creating an icon The meaning of different colors and symbols Sr. Jeana Visel OSB is a Benedictine sister at Monastery Immaculate Conception i...

In this episode, John Petrovich joins Jessica to share his testimony of the power of intercessory prayer. John was jogging one day and saw an ambulance outside of a house. He prayed one Hail Mary for the person in the ambulance. Listen to this episode and hear John recount the miracle that happened next! John Petrovich is a husband, father, and faithful Catholic layman who lives on the East Coast.

Liturgical expert Chris Carstens is back to talk about the Solemnity of Corpus Christi! Jess and Chris discuss: The history of Corpus Christi Special elements of Corpus Christi, including Eucharistic Processions and the Sequence Chris' advice for how we can enter more deeply into the Solemnity this year Chris Carstens is the Director of Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, a visiting faculty...

St. Augustine says that the Holy Spirit is the Love between the Father and the Son. But what does this actually mean?  Fr. Boniface Hicks joins Jessica today to talk about the Holy Spirit as love. Fr. Boniface and Jess discuss: St. Augustine's Trinitarian theology How the Holy Spirit is the love which unites each member of the Church How the Holy Spirit is the love in each individual believer...

In this episode, Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress joins Jessica to talk about the Holy Spirit's role as the Sanctifier. Fr. Joseph-Anthony and Jess discuss: How the Holy Spirit reproduces the image of Jesus within us How the Holy Spirit sanctifies our suffering Practical steps we can take to allow the Holy Spirit to possess us more fully Fr. Joseph-Anthony references the book, "The Sanctifier&qu...

Fr. James Brent is back! In this episode he and Jess dive into charismatic gifts. Fr. James and Jess discuss: The difference between a natural talent and a charism Doesn't Lumen Gentium say we shouldn't seek extraordinary gifts? How can people grow in use of their gifts without focusing on them too much? Be sure to check out Fr. James' new book, "The Father's House: Discov...

When we pray the Pentecost novena, we often ask the Holy Spirit to give us the sanctifying gifts. How do these gifts change our lives?  Fr. James Brent joins Jessica today to talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to St. Thomas Aquinas. Fr. James and Jess discuss: The difference between sanctifying gifts and charismatic gifts How sanctifying gifts transform your life How you can experie...

A mighty wind. Tongues of fire. Shouting the praises of God. When the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples in Acts Chapter 2, the disciples are so ecstatic that the people of Jerusalem think they are "filled with new wine." What exactly is going on in this passage? Fr. Andrew Dickinson and Josh Burks, hosts of the FAD&DAD podcast, return to do a deep dive into Acts Chapter 2. Fr....