Manage Account

Delete Account

Contact Us

What if the path to heroism didn&rsquo;t start with strength&mdash;but with panic?&nbsp; In The Hero&rsquo;s Journey That Started with Anxiety, we follow Nick Pierlot, a Catholic husband, father, and missionary, as he walks us through his darkest hour: a breakdown on a spiritual pilgrimage. In the face of crippling panic attacks, emotional repression, and a crisis of identity, Nick uncovers an unexpected truth&mdash;heroism begins not with power, but with surrender. From battling inner dragons to chopping down literal god-trees, from failing forward to forming unshakable faith, this episode is a raw, honest deep dive into how God makes men heroic. It&rsquo;s not about being the hero&mdash;it&rsquo;s about letting God be one in you.
#anxiety #panicattack #heroic #catholicmen #catholic #saints&nbsp;
Subscribe free to the weekly Heroic Men email: https://stories.heroicmen.org
For the price of a coffee, you can support our mission to reach 25,000 men in 2025. https://heroicmen.org/give &nbsp; | ABOUT HEROIC MEN | Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Website: https://heroicmen.org Heroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Heroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.org Donate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance
| FOLLOW ON SOCIAL | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/
TIMESTAMPS 0:00 &ndash; Real stories of heroic faith 3:00 &ndash; Story of St. Boniface begins 6:00 &ndash; Chopping down Thor&rsquo;s oak tree 9:00 &ndash; Hobbit heroism: small brave acts 12:00 &ndash; Chaos vs. sacred order 15:00 &ndash; Personal journey starts with anxiety 18:00 &ndash; Panic attacks on pilgrimage 21:00 &ndash; 9 months of daily panic 24:00 &ndash; The Father speaks after suffering 27:00 &ndash; The blue snake moment 30:00 &ndash; Called to help head meet heart 33:00 &ndash; Young men and the pain of honor 36:00 &ndash; Evangelization as one beggar to another 39:00 &ndash; The dragon is where God knocks 42:00 &ndash; Head, heart, and hands in mission

The Hero's Journey That Started with Anxiety | Nick Pierlot | Ep 18

Discover

What if the day you lost your father was the day you became one? In this moving episode of Heroic Stories, Jay Wonacott opens up about the most painful turning point of his life&mdash;the sudden death of his dad&mdash;and how that loss became the moment he had to grow up, take responsibility, and lead with heart.
From tearful hospital visits and lucid dreams to finding spiritual strength in daily prayer and brotherhood, Jay shares how his father&rsquo;s legacy became his compass. He reveals how real heroism isn&rsquo;t found in grand gestures, but in showing up for your family, doing the hard emotional work, and learning how to integrate mind, heart, and soul.
If you've ever felt crushed by grief, unsure of how to step into leadership, or like you&rsquo;re still waiting for someone to show you the way&mdash;this story is for you. Jay&rsquo;s story is a roadmap for turning loss into legacy and fear into fortitude.
Subscribe free to the weekly Heroic Men email: https://stories.heroicmen.org
For the price of a coffee, you can support our mission to reach 25,000 men in 2025. https://heroicmen.org/give &nbsp; | ABOUT HEROIC MEN | Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Website: https://heroicmen.org Heroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Heroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.org Donate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance
| FOLLOW ON SOCIAL | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/
TIMESTAMPS 0:00 &ndash; Real stories of heroic grit 3:00 &ndash; Called to serve Idaho families 6:00 &ndash; George Washington&rsquo;s reluctant leadership 9:00 &ndash; Fortitude through adversity 12:00 &ndash; My father&rsquo;s legacy of presence 15:00 &ndash; My brother&rsquo;s honest heroism 18:00 &ndash; Daily rosary, inspired by my father-in-law 21:00 &ndash; Uncle Ed: stripes on the bridge 24:00 &ndash; Extraordinary things, ordinary ways 27:00 &ndash; Dream: 'My hands are clean now' 30:00 &ndash; Surviving my wife&rsquo;s heart failure 36:00 &ndash; Becoming the father, not just the son

My Father’s Death Taught Me to Lead | Jay Wonacott | Ep 17

Can St. Joseph save modern men from spiritual drift, loneliness, and cultural confusion? In this global journey from New Hampshire to Uganda, ministry veteran Dick Kernan shares how one simple yes to God sparked a movement reaching thousands of men across continents. Anchored in the powerful example of St. Joseph&mdash;husband, father, protector&mdash;this episode reveals the transformative power of community, brotherhood, and small discipleship groups.&nbsp;
From explosive growth in African dioceses to strategic collaborations in North America, you'll hear stories that feel like they&rsquo;re straight out of the Book of Acts. What if the key to reviving faith, families, and purpose in men today isn&rsquo;t more noise&mdash;but deeper roots? Learn how a global network of Catholic men is stepping up to lead, love, and live with conviction. This episode is a roadmap for anyone wondering where to begin.
For the price of a coffee, you can support our mission to reach 25,000 men in 2025. https://heroicmen.org/give &nbsp; | ABOUT HEROIC MEN | Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Website: https://heroicmen.org Heroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Heroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.org Donate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance
| FOLLOW ON SOCIAL | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 &ndash; Welcome Dick Kiernan 02:04 &ndash; Ministry spreads through New England 04:44 &ndash; Return to Catholic Men's Leadership 06:07 &ndash; Uganda mission opens new doors 08:11 &ndash; Honoring Father Bob Badard 10:18 &ndash; Life changes through ministry 12:32 &ndash; Expanding Men of St. Joseph 14:31 &ndash; Growth in rural Uganda 17:05 &ndash; Model from Kenya inspires 19:55 &ndash; St. Joseph: terror of demons 22:47 &ndash; Building relationships through community 25:31 &ndash; Discipleship model for men

Can St. Joseph Save Modern Men? | Heroic Hotline | Dick Kiernan

This no-nonsense, gut-punching, soul-waking series is a firestarter for any man ready to stop drifting and start living with holy purpose. With raw humor, spiritual grit, and deeply personal stories, Father Larry Richards challenges Catholic men to step into their true identity&mdash;not just as believers, but as beloved sons, courageous warriors, and men of God.
Each chapter dismantles modern passivity and spiritual lukewarmness, calling men to deeper prayer, unshakable discipline, real repentance, and radical love. From embracing the Father&rsquo;s love to breaking free from sin, living by the Spirit, and becoming a servant leader at home and in the world&mdash;this series gives men the spiritual playbook they&rsquo;ve been craving.
If you&rsquo;ve ever wrestled with anger, lust, weakness, pride, or purpose, you&rsquo;re not alone&mdash;and this series is your training ground. Get ready to be challenged, inspired, and transformed. It&rsquo;s time to be the man you were created to be.

Be a Man! with Fr Larry Richards 

Anchored in Hope is a weekly podcast devoted to bringing hope through the Good News of Jesus Christ. Join Father Larry Richards as he helps you discover the reason for your hope. Anchored In Hope is part of the Reason For Our Hope Foundation founded by Fr. Larry Richards.
Learn more at www.TheReasonForOurHope.org

Anchored In Hope with Father Larry Richards - Catholic Faith

Catholic ReCon exists to help reverts, converts, and cradle Catholics boldly share their Christian testimonies, defend the teachings of the Church, and expose enemy tactics which keep others from answering the Lord's call. Join me every week to hear Catholic Christian conversion stories, covering topics such as: RCIA and OCIA, apostolic succession, the Holy Eucharist, ecumenical councils, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the 7 Sacraments, the Papacy, the Protestant Reformation, and many other areas of interest. 

Wherever you are on the journey, God bless you. 

Visit eddietrask.com to learn more. 
 Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eddie-trask/support

Catholic ReCon | Conversion Stories

The A Reason for Hope Podcast is to help decipher the truths of our faith in these challenging times. We address topics of interest and confusion in our culture through interviews with prominent Catholic speakers, candid conversations from the Array of Hope team, and catechetical discussions with our Director of Theology, Dr. David Hajduk.

A Reason for Hope

The Man Who Lost His Head for the Truth is more than a clever title&mdash;it&rsquo;s a piercing reminder of what real conviction looks like. In this stirring talk, Father Deacon Andrew Bennett draws us into the fearless faith of St. Thomas More, the Lord Chancellor who defied a king and paid with his life. With stories pulled from trial transcripts and scenes that echo through Westminster Hall, this video asks the hard questions: What is truth? Who gets to define it? And are we, like More, willing to suffer for it?
From the bloody legacy of Henry VIII&rsquo;s supremacy to today&rsquo;s quiet coercions, this is a bold meditation on what it means to live&mdash;and die&mdash;for the truth. Blending historical drama with deep spiritual insight, the talk is a call to live a public faith in a world that demands silence. Whether you're a student, a professional, or simply a Catholic who&rsquo;s tired of hiding your beliefs, this is your moment to be inspired by a man who was never afraid to say no. &nbsp; | ABOUT HEROIC MEN | Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Website: https://heroicmen.org Heroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Heroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.org Donate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance
| FOLLOW ON SOCIAL | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/
TIMESTAMPS

The Man Who Lost His Head for the Truth | St. Thomas More

The uncommon courage of ordinary men who lived with fire in their souls.
In an age when manhood is under siege, these four saints stand like watchmen on the wall&mdash;men forged in the furnace of history, defiant in the face of tyranny, and unwavering in their devotion to truth. 4 Modern Saints for Men is a gripping, soul-stirring mini-series that reveals how St. Thomas More, St. John Henry Newman, Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko, and Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky each became heroic witnesses to Christ in a hostile world.
🔹 Thomas More, the lion-hearted lawyer who chose a martyr&rsquo;s crown over political compromise. 🔹 John Henry Newman, the intellectual warrior who traded worldly accolades for the radical fidelity of faith. 🔹 Jerzy Popiełuszko, the priest who challenged communism with a microphone and a rosary. 🔹 Vasyl Velychkovsky, the bishop who risked everything to shepherd an underground Church through Soviet terror.
Each episode reveals how these men embraced sacrifice, led with conviction, and became beacons of courage for today&rsquo;s Catholic man. This isn&rsquo;t just history&mdash;it&rsquo;s a manual for spiritual battle. Because in every generation, God raises up men who refuse to bow.

4 Modern Saints for Men

If you don&rsquo;t become love, you&rsquo;re missing the whole point. In Chapter Six: Love, we hit the emotional and spiritual climax of the series. Father Larry doesn&rsquo;t pull punches&mdash;he reminds us that Jesus gave just one command: Love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34). And that love isn&rsquo;t soft. It&rsquo;s the Cross. It&rsquo;s sacrifice. It&rsquo;s strength poured out. <a href="http://heroicmen.org/be-a-man-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download the Heroic Men Guide</a>

Chapter 6: Real Love

Braden Sorbo just became Catholic&mdash;and it's not just his story, it's a sign of something bigger. The son of actor Kevin Sorbo, Braden grew up on Hollywood sets, but it was a deep dive into truth that brought him to the Catholic Church.&nbsp;
In this episode of Heroic Hotline, he opens up about what led to his conversion: a challenge from a friend, a serious look at the early Church, and the hunger for something real. He talks about masculinity, dating, loneliness, and why so many young men are tired of the culture&rsquo;s confusion. Braden&rsquo;s message is clear: the world needs faith, order, and strong men more than ever. Whether you're curious about Catholicism or just tired of feeling lost&mdash;this episode is a wake-up call.
#catholicconversion &nbsp;#masculinitymatters #genzfaith &nbsp;#youngcatholics, #christianmasculinity &nbsp;#catholicmen &nbsp;#faithjourney &nbsp;#datingcrisis #youthandfaith #hollywood #actor #catholic #mindset #lifestyle &nbsp;
For the price of a coffee, you can support our mission to reach 25,000 men in 2025. https://heroicmen.org/give &nbsp; | ABOUT HEROIC MEN | Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Website: https://heroicmen.org Heroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Heroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.org Donate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance
| FOLLOW ON SOCIAL | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/
TIMESTAMPS 0:00 &ndash; Braden Sorbo Introduction 2:00 &ndash; Masculinity Is Good 4:00 &ndash; Beauty in Divine Order 6:00 &ndash; Earning the First Role 8:00 &ndash; "I Feel Fine" Experience 10:00 &ndash; Litany of St. Joseph 12:00 &ndash; Playing God Critique 14:00 &ndash; Foundation of Morality 16:00 &ndash; American Dream Is Dead 18:00 &ndash; Porn and Feminism Fallout 20:00 &ndash; Men Are Afraid to Speak 22:00 &ndash; Why I Became Catholic

Why Young Men Are Turning to the Catholic Church | Heroic Hotline | Braeden Sorbo

Aquinas on the Eucharist - BONUS episode

Into the Breach is a groundbreaking 12-episode video series from the Knights of Columbus that seeks to answer what it means to be a Catholic man in today’s world. Inspired by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted’s apostolic exhortation to Catholic men, Into the Breach tells men they are made for greatness and challenges them to achieve it by founding their lives on God and pursuing heroic virtue. Each episode explores a different aspect of authentic Catholic masculinity and features well-known Catholic speakers, as well as the personal story of a man who has deeply experienced the episode’s topic in his own life. Speakers include Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jason Evert and many others. The episodes can be used for individual personal enrichment and for group discussion.This content was created for and is most appropriate for use by men or men’s groups.<a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/campaigns/into-the-breach.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Into the Breach Website</a> | <a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/faith-in-action-programs/faith/into-the-breach/11059-into-the-breach-video-series-study-guide.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download Study Guide</a>

Into the Breach 

In this week’s episode Bishop Barron discusses an intrinsic aspect of evangelization; community. Not only is there an intrinsic need of mankind to have a community, which the Church teaches is part of man’s nature, but also the need to have a certain kind of community within the Christian life. A listener asks how we ought to distinguish between authentic conscience and what CS Lewis called "the poison of subjectivism"? BONUS: Learn more about the first ever Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> <a href= "http://wordonfire.org/priest">http://wordonfire.org/priest</a> Topics Discussed <ul> <li>0:04 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's recent trips</li> <li>3:00 - Why does contemporary culture bring a sense of isolation and loneliness?</li> <li>5:45 - How do we find a balance between the autonomy of the individual and the need for community?</li> <li>8:15 - What are the benefits and drawbacks of social media in community building?</li> <li>11:45 - Why do humans need each other?</li> <li>14:30 - How do we bolster parish community?</li> <li>17:30 - What role will the Word on Fire Movement play in building Catholic community?</li> <li>20:30 - What does Bishop Barron recommend for those looking for community?</li> <li>22:00 - Listener Question: What is the difference between the authentic conscience and individual subjectivism?</li> </ul>

WOF 120: Evangelization and the Need for Community

Alex Dee is an actor, writer, editor, and most recently, creator of an immersive audio drama for kids that draws them into the lives of the saints.Saints Alive podcast: <a href="https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/</a>&nbsp;

Alex Dee | Actor leaves Hollywood to create Audio Dramas on the Saints

Small enough to fit into your pocket. Powerful enough to pack a punch. Deep enough to change your life. It’s packed with all the essential prayers men need every day. It comes with a 30-day challenge to be the man God made you to be. It comes with the Heroic Code.Essential Prayers For Catholic Men is your everyday carry for building a habit of heroic prayer.&nbsp;

Essential Prayers for Catholic Men

What if everything you thought made you strong—your beliefs, your community, even your identity—suddenly became the very things holding you back? Dominic lived that question when choosing love meant losing his tribe, his home, and the only version of faith he had ever known. What followed was a decade-long deconstruction and reconstruction—through trauma, spiritual exile, and radical courage.This conversation pulls back the curtain on one man’s darkest moment and the quiet grit that carried him through. From sleeping on chapel floors to leading a movement of Catholic men toward healing and brotherhood, Dominic’s story is raw, real, and relentlessly human. If you’ve ever wrestled with who you are, what you believe, or how to keep going when everything falls apart, this episode offers a glimpse into the kind of heroism that doesn’t come with applause—but might just change your life.Subscribe free to the weekly Heroic Men email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://stories.heroicmen.org">https://stories.heroicmen.org</a>For the price of a coffee, you can support our mission to reach 25,000 men in 2025. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://heroicmen.org/give">https://heroicmen.org/give</a>| ABOUT HEROIC MEN |Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind.Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://heroicmen.org">https://heroicmen.org</a>Heroic Map: Find an event near you: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://heroicmen.org/map">https://heroicmen.org/map</a>Join the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood">https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood</a>Heroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://store.heroicmen.org">https://store.heroicmen.org</a>Donate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://heroicmen.org/alliance">https://heroicmen.org/alliance</a>| FOLLOW ON SOCIAL |Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood">https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood</a>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/">https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/</a>

The Untold Story of a Man Who Left Everything Behind with Dominic de Souza

It's a harsh truth: 31% of men at Sunday Mass lack a single close friend. Loneliness isn't just isolating; it's a health disaster, more lethal than alcoholism or smoking. Heroic Men is a movement on a mission to change this. We work to reconnect men with Christ, inspire authentic brotherhood, and bond around relentless spiritual growth. https://heroicmen.org&nbsp;This isn't just about friendships—it's about forging a community where men challenge, sharpen, and hold each other accountable. It's about becoming the best version of themselves and reshaping culture. This is a rallying cry for Catholic men to step up, embrace brotherhood, and transform lives, family, and culture together.

Heroic Men and the Crushing Epidemic of Loneliness among Men

Normally, in each episode we take one listener question. But we've received such a large number of outstanding questions from around the globe that we’ve decided to devote another episode to answering a range of questions from listeners like you. Bishop Barron answers several questions, rapid fire, on many different topics. Topics Discussed <ul> <li>0:24  - Intro: Bishop Barron talks about the PBS premier of Pivotal Players</li> <li>3:00 - If goodness is just part of God's nature, why are we under any obligation to make ourselves into good human beings?</li> <li>6:11 - What is the Catholic way of dating?</li> <li>8:35 - What is the difference between hope and wishful thinking?</li> <li>12:19 - How do you explain Old Testament animal sacrifice to vegans?</li> <li>15:10 - Is evil really just an absence of good or a force of its own, opposing the Kingdom of God?</li> <li>19:45 - How do we reconcile centuries old philosophy with modern science?</li> <li>23:35 - Why do we focus so much on interpreting the Greek words in scripture when anything Jesus spoke was in Aramaic?</li> <li>26:30 - How does a new parent, busy parent find time to deepen her prayer life?</li> </ul> Bonus Resources <ul> <li>Study Guides <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/studyprogram/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players---leaders-guide/5194/"> CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Leader's Guide </a>(Bishop Barron)</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/studyprogram/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players---study-guide/5195/"> CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Study Guide</a> (Bishop Barron)</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/bundle/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players---leaders-kit/5190/"> CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Leaders Kit</a> (Bishop Barron)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>DVDs <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/dvd/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players/5186/"> CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players</a> (Bishop Barron)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Books <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/book/catholicism-a-journey-to-the-heart-of-the-faith/2370/"> Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith</a> by Bishop Barron</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/book/seeds-of-the-word-finding-god-in-the-culture/4683/"> Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture</a> by Bishop Barron</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/book/vibrant-paradoxes-the-bothand-of-catholicism/5105/"> Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism</a> by Bishop Barron</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/book/pre-order-praying-with-the-pivotal-players/5188/"> Praying with the Pivotal Players</a> by Bishop Barron</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/book/thomas-aquinas-spiritual-master/2358/"> Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master</a> by Bishop Barron</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Find bonus links and resources for this episode at <a href= "http://wordonfireshow.com/">http://WordOnFireShow.com</a> and, again, be sure to submit your questions at <a href= "http://askbishopbarron.com/">http://As</a><a href= "http://askbishopbarron.com/">kBishopBarron</a>.

WOF 049: Listener Q&A with Bishop Barron

On today's Beacon of Truth, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers is pulling from the Beacon of Truth Playlist and talking about "Open Arms" by Journey. Also looking into Soulful Psalm 39:11-14

Playist Edition: Open Arms

Real conversations with those living their Christian vocations in positions of influence: from bishops to business executives, activists to artists, scientists to songwriters, monks to marketers.  With an intentional focus of featuring voices from diverse communities and cultures.

Join Deacon Charlie Echeverry every Thursday on Living the CALL!

A production of the Catholic Association for Latino Leadership.

https://www.call-usa.org

Living the CALL

<h1>BBQ Judging, Scythe Harvesting, and Christian Marriage</h1><ul><li>Barbecue Competition Judging: Adam shares his first experience as a barbecue competition judge at a local Catholic church and school fundraiser in Tulsa, where he was joined by his son Jude (assistant judge) and two priests.</li><li>Judged four categories: chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and brisket (Adam insists brisket is the primary measure; David (wrongly) argues for ribs).</li><li>12 pit masters competed; judged on appearance, taste, tenderness, texture, uniqueness, and overall (max score 25).</li><li>Advice from Joe Martin’s son: Take one bite per entry to avoid overeating (48 bites total across 40 minutes).</li><li>Adam judged strictly (e.g., scores as low as 14, zero for appearance), while priests gave higher scores (23–24), highlighting differing standards.</li><li>Event fostered camaraderie among pit masters (12 hours together) and service to attendees, teaching kids sacrifice, friendship, and craft articulation.</li><li>Shout-out to Brian Schooley for organizing; Adam and David plan to enter as The Catholic Man Show next year, with Jim in a dunk tank.</li></ul> <h2>Main Discussion</h2><h3>Wheat Harvest with a Scythe</h3><ul><li>David’s Experience: David harvested two 45x45-foot wheat plots using a scythe, finding it soothing, peaceful, and in tune with nature despite being exhausting.</li><li>Quotes Wendell Berry: “The means we use to do our work almost certainly affects the way we look at the world” (via an X account, @minahan8).</li><li>Compared to last year’s sickle (felt “commie”), the scythe was efficient for small-scale farming; not practical for large-scale but satisfying.</li><li>Kids raked straw (post-harvest, nutritionless due to seeding) for pig bedding or garden mulch; straw vs. hay explained (hay retains nutrition).</li><li>Adam plans to borrow David’s scythe for his own wheat harvest, nervous about back strain.</li><li>Wendell Berry Reflection: Hosts revisit Berry’s essays, appreciating his beautiful, idealistic conclusions but finding his reasoning insufficient (e.g., abandoning tractors would starve people).</li><li>Compare Berry’s idealism to J.R.R. Tolkien and Guardini's Letters at Lake Como; both depict lovely worlds but lack practical solutions for modern challenges.</li></ul> <h3>Christian Marriage and Pope Leo XIII</h3><ul><li>Introduction to Pope Leo XIII: Adam introduces Pope Leo XIII (1810–1903), a prophetic figure who addressed modernity’s challenges (secularism, communism, liberalism) in the late 19th century.</li><li>Known for Rerum Novarum (1891, Catholic social teaching), reviving Thomism in seminaries (to counter Nietzsche, Hegel, and communism), and engaging modern society.</li><li>His encyclical Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae (1880) emphasizes Christian marriage as a divine, not secular, institution, foundational to society.</li><li>Critiqued rise of divorce, moral relativism, and civil interference undermining marriage’s sanctity; argued church, not state, holds primary authority over marriage.</li><li>Marriage as Trinitarian Image: Marriage mirrors the Trinity’s relational society, where spousal love is so real it produces a third (child), reflecting Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.</li><li>Secular view (Enlightenment-era and today) reduces marriage to a consensual contract, ignoring its sacramental, stable, and permanent nature.</li><li>State has a role in regulating marriage per natural law, but church’s supernatural authority supersedes.</li></ul> <h3>Ephesians 5 and Mutual Submission</h3><ul><li>Scriptural Basis: Leo XIII references Ephesians 5 (footnoted), where St. Paul instructs mutual submission out of reverence for Christ, with specific roles: wives submit to husbands, husbands love wives as Christ loved the church.</li><li>Secular society fixates on “wives submit,” ignoring mutual submission and husbands’ sacrificial love.</li><li>Submission Defined: Adam posits submission stems from extreme trust (in a good relationship) or fear (in a bad one); David nuances that even small decisions involve trust or fear, and submission means aligning with another’s mission (e.g., heaven).</li><li>Ideal marriage: Both spouses are so submissive they forget themselves, sharing one mission (heaven), as exemplified by Mary and Joseph (near-perfect).</li><li>Practical Mission: Couples must articulate what “getting to heaven” means (e.g., prioritizing Mass over sports, family dinners, or vacation choices).</li><li>Early marriage decisions set family identity, reducing conflicts when children’s desires arise; trust builds when both spouses prioritize each other’s salvation.</li><li>Example: Blessed Karl of Austria to Zita: “Now we must get to heaven together,” requiring intentional, sometimes extreme steps.</li></ul> <h2>Break 1: Pilgrimage Sponsor</h2><ul><li>Select International Tours: Leading pilgrimages for 34 years with top guides and hotels. Visit selectinternationaltours.com for details.</li></ul> <h2>Second Segment: Roles in Christian Marriage</h2><ul><li>Husband as Leader: Husband is head of the household (per Genesis), leading with love, not dominance, kneeling beside his wife in prayer.</li><li>David prays daily for the Holy Spirit to inspire Pamela’s intuition, valuing her as a “helper” (biblical term for Holy Spirit), taking her insights seriously for family decisions.</li><li>Adam prays during Adoration for Haylee to grow closer to Mary, modeling humility and femininity.</li><li>Leadership Analogy: Like business, where employees leave due to poor leaders, not the mission, wives stay committed if husbands lead with love toward heaven.</li><li>Neglecting presence or duties undermines the mission, making separation easier despite shared goals.</li><li>Formation: Husbands must prioritize prayer, Holy Spirit inspiration, and faith learning to pass tradition to children, adapting as family life grows louder and more complex.</li></ul> <h3>Family Prayer Challenges</h3><ul><li>David’s Routine: Observes “great silence” mornings to foster prayer and silence as a virtue, though young kids (e.g., 2-year-old Susanna) need reminders.</li><li>Older siblings model behavior, reinforcing communal prayer (before/after meals, morning, bedtime).</li><li>Adam’s Struggle: Excels at communal prayer but struggles to safeguard individual prayer time for Haylee (10 minutes of silent contemplation); sees it as his role to protect her prayer, and vice versa.</li><li>Homeschooling complicates silence (starts at 6 AM when kids sleep); mutual submission includes guarding each other’s prayer time.</li><li>Husband’s Role: Create space for wives to flourish in femininity, free from burdens men ideally handle, requiring intentionality.</li></ul> <h2>Break 2: Return to Discussion</h2><ul><li>Sacramental Calling: Marriage is a sacramental vocation for salvation, under church authority (Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae); natural institution (state-regulated) but primarily supernatural (church-governed).</li><li>Polygamy isn’t against natural law, but church elevates monogamy as supernatural ideal.</li><li>Instilling Marriage’s Importance in Children: In a secular world of promiscuity and dating apps, parents must:</li><li>Model Complementarity: Display masculine men and feminine women (e.g., dresses enhance femininity, not mandatory) to show distinct, complementary roles.</li><li>Shield from Technology: Delay exposure to apps like Tinder, which allure with shallow choice over marriage’s depth.</li><li>Promote Virtue: Teach what to do (virtue) over what not to do, fostering human flourishing, not legalism.</li><li>Measure Virtue: Name virtues (e.g., generosity, kindness) to give them value, like business metrics or Snapchat streaks, making them family goals.</li><li>Set Mission: Reinforce family mission (heaven) through consistent leadership, building trust in parents’ heavenly intent.</li></ul> <h2>Podcast-Exclusive Segment: Encyclicals and Legacy</h2><ul><li>Leo XIII’s Legacy: Oldest pope at death (93), first recorded/photographed; addressed Freemasonry (1880s, less relevant today).</li><li>Recommended reading: The Church Speaks to the Modern World (Doubleday, Image Books) compiles Leo XIII’s social teachings, available on abooks.com.</li><li>Suggests great book groups intersperse encyclicals (e.g., Rerum Novarum, Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae) with classics for rich discussion.</li><li>Patreon Support: Offers audiobooks of five Leo XIII encyclicals, professionally recorded by humans (pre-AI), at catholicmanshow.com.</li><li>Father’s Goal: Reflect the Father’s love, giving children a glimpse of divine love through husbandly and fatherly sacrifice, despite failures.</li></ul> <h2>Closing Thoughts</h2><ul><li>Takeaway: Christian marriage, as Leo XIII taught, is a sacramental foundation of society, requiring mutual submission, trust, and a shared mission to heaven, modeled through virtuous leadership and complementarity.</li><li>Encyclical Recommendation: Read Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae (1880) for a primer on Christian marriage’s divine role.</li><li>Final Cheers: “We’re on the Lord’s team, the winning side. Raise your glass! Cheers to Jesus!”</li></ul> <h2>Action Items for Listeners</h2><ul><li>Read Encyclicals: Explore Arcanum Divinae Sapientiae (1880) and Rerum Novarum (1891) for Leo XIII’s insights on marriage and society.</li><li>Model Marriage: Display complementary masculinity and femininity; prioritize virtue over legalism to teach children marriage’s value.</li><li>Protect Prayer: Safeguard communal and individual prayer times (e.g., great silence, 10 minutes for spouse’s contemplation).</li><li>Set Family Mission: Articulate and live the mission to heaven through intentional decisions, building trust and identity.</li><li>Support the Show: Join Patreon at catholicmanshow.com for access to Leo XIII encyclical audiobooks and more.</li><li>Read Berry: Revisit Wendell Berry’s essays for beautiful, if idealistic, reflections on work and society.</li></ul> <h2>Sponsor Mentions</h2><ul><li>Select International Tours: selectinternationaltours.com</li></ul>

Barbecue Judging, Scythe Harvesting, and Christian Marriage

Dan Donaldson didn’t start with faith; he started with skepticism. Raised in a non-practicing family, Mass felt like a mystery—confusing and distant. But that all changed when a series of divine encounters sparked his search for truth. The real turning point? Watching his son’s genuine connection to Scripture. That moment pushed Dan back to the Catholic Church, where he discovered the profound significance of the Eucharist—the source and summit of Catholic life. Now, Dan’s life revolves around the Eucharist, and he’s not keeping it to himself. He’s calling others to embrace the life-giving power that transformed him from a skeptic into a believer. If you’re searching for something real, Dan’s story is proof that the Eucharist can be the answer.

From Doubt to Devotion: Dan Donaldson's Journey to the Eucharist

Dr. Matthew Bunson joins Deacon Harold to talk about his new book about Pope Leo XIV.