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<h3>Episode Overview</h3>David and Adam welcome Father Mike Schmitz to discuss the transformative power of prayer. With humor and candor, they explore the difference between merely saying prayers and truly praying, addressing how to cultivate a prayer life that aligns with God’s will. Drawing from Saint John Chrysostom and Fr. Thomas Dubay, the conversation emphasizes the universal need for prayer, especially for laypeople navigating the challenges of daily life, and offers practical insights for moving from rote recitation to a deeper, relational encounter with God.<h3>Key Discussion Points</h3><ul><li>Prayer for All Vocations: Fr. Mike Schmitz challenges the assumption that monks have a deeper prayer life, citing Saint John Chrysostom’s teaching that laypeople need prayer and scripture more than monks due to the “arrows and spears” of daily life—annoying bosses, irritating spouses, and bothersome kids. This resonates as a call for everyone to prioritize prayer, regardless of their state in life.</li><li>From Saying to Praying: The hosts and Fr. Mike discuss the transition from reciting set prayers to engaging in mental prayer (e.g., Ignatian prayer, Lectio Divina). Fr. Mike shares a personal story of a silent retreat where a memorized psalm provided words when his own failed, highlighting the value of rote prayers as a foundation for deeper communion.</li><li>Distractions in Prayer: The conversation addresses the common struggle of distractions, distinguishing between intentional distractions (e.g., checking a phone during prayer) and natural ones that God may use to purify prayer. Adam emphasizes the beauty of “wasting time” with God in contemplative presence, akin to an old couple silently enjoying each other’s company, versus being distracted by external devices.</li><li>Why Prayer Matters: Prayer is an act of faith, rooted in the belief that time spent with God transforms us into the person He calls us to be. Fr. Mike compares prayer’s motivation to health practices like intermittent fasting: if you’re convinced it makes a difference, you’ll commit. Prayer changes us to love like Jesus, even when we feel inadequate.</li><li>Overcoming Apathy and Ignorance: Referencing a humorous anecdote about a coach and player discussing “ignorance and apathy,” Fr. Mike stresses that convincing someone to pray requires sparking a desire to become more like Christ. Without an encounter with Jesus (the kerygma), prayer may seem irrelevant to those who don’t yet care to grow in holiness.</li><li>Practical Advice for Laymen: Fr. Thomas Dubay’s blunt wisdom—“If you’re content being a mediocre dad or mom, don’t pray”—underscores that prayer is essential for excellence in any vocation. Fr. Mike encourages introducing children to mental prayer early, as seen in his summer camp where sixth graders learn Lectio Divina and Ignatian prayer.</li></ul> <h3>Featured Gift</h3><ul><li><a href="https://catholicwoodworker.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catholic Woodworker Rosary</a>: Fr. Mike receives an heirloom-quality rosary from The Catholic Woodworker, featuring handcrafted wood beads built to last. The hosts highlight its durability, even with young children handling it, and promote the official Catholic Man Show rosary.</li></ul> <h3>Spiritual Takeaway</h3>Prayer is not just a checkbox but an act of faith that transforms us into the image of Christ. Whether through memorized prayers that anchor us when words fail or mental prayer that fosters intimate communion, the key is presence with God. Laypeople, facing daily trials, need prayer as much as—if not more than—monks. By committing to prayer, even amidst distractions, we grow in love and align with God’s will for our lives.<h3>Call to Action</h3><ul><li>Get a <a href="https://catholicwoodworker.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catholic Woodworker</a> Rosary: Visit <a href="https://catholicwoodworker.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">catholicwoodworker.com</a> to purchase an heirloom-quality rosary, including the official Catholic Man Show design, perfect for daily prayer.</li><li>Practice Mental Prayer: Start with Lectio Divina or Ignatian prayer to deepen your prayer life. Set aside time daily, even if brief, to be present with God, trusting that it will transform you.</li></ul>

Fr. Mike Schmitz: From Saying Prayers to Praying - Cultivating a Deeper Prayer Life

<h3>Episode Overview</h3>David and Adam share humorous anecdotes from their chaotic home lives—mice-catching kids, runaway cows, and pig feeder mishaps—before diving into a deep discussion on spiritual growth. Drawing from Father Frederick Faber’s Growth in Holiness, they explore five practical signs of progress in the spiritual life, offering insights for men seeking to deepen their relationship with God. The episode balances lighthearted banter with profound reflections on humility, perseverance, and living intentionally for Christ.<h3>Key Discussion Points</h3>Life Updates:<ul><li>Adam recounts his son Leo’s antics, including catching mice and feeding them into traps, and opening a gate, letting a cow escape during relentless Oklahoma rain. He also shares the challenges of a kitchen remodel, leading to household disorder and a mouse infestation.</li><li>David discusses his pigs knocking over their feeder, eating through plywood, and his frustration-driven rebuild with metal siding, highlighting the manual labor woes of farm life.</li><li>Spiritual Focus: The hosts explore Father Frederick Faber’s Growth in Holiness (published by Cor Iesu Press), focusing on Chapter 1’s five signs of progress in the spiritual life. Faber, a 19th-century Oratorian and convert, offers timeless clarity on Catholic spirituality.</li><li>Contradictions in the Spiritual Life: Faber notes the spiritual life is full of contradictions due to our fallen nature, particularly the tension between knowing ourselves deeply while thinking of ourselves humbly. David challenges the modern adage that humility is “thinking about yourself less,” arguing that true humility requires rightly ordered self-reflection.</li></ul> What Not to Do:<ul><li>Don’t Ask Your Spiritual Director for Progress Reports: Faber advises against seeking your spiritual director’s judgment on your progress, as it places unfair pressure on them and risks oversimplifying complex spiritual states.</li><li>Avoid Arbitrary Benchmarks: Setting personal, artificial markers of progress can lead to disquietude, distracting from genuine growth and forfeiting graces.</li></ul> Five Signs of Spiritual Progress:<ol><li>Discontent with Your Present State: A desire to be holier, coupled with humility and gratitude for past graces, indicates progress. This discontent must avoid sloth (acedia) or unease with devotional practices.</li><li>Constant Fresh Starts: Persevering through repeated failures by recommitting to holiness (e.g., overcoming a persistent sin like pornography) is a sign of growth, reflecting perseverance.</li><li>Specific Goals in View: Actively pursuing a particular virtue, overcoming a specific fault, or adopting a penance shows intentionality, akin to a business plan for spiritual growth.</li><li>Feeling God’s Particular Call: An “attraction” to a specific fault to correct or pious work to undertake, guided by the Holy Spirit, signals progress. Not all experience this, but it’s significant when present.</li><li>General Desire for Perfection: A broad desire to be more perfect, if acted upon through prayer, penance, or zealous acts, is valuable but must be channeled into action to avoid spiritual stagnation.</li></ol> Practical Reflections:<ul><li>Adam shares his practice of writing down elements of a “good day” (waking early, praying, reading, working hard, family dinner, early bedtime) to replicate satisfying days, aligning with Faber’s call for specific goals.</li><li>David reflects on overcoming obsessive thoughts by offering gratitude to God, transforming burdens into opportunities for grace, illustrating the power of fresh starts.</li></ul> Hot Takes:<ul><li>Faber’s claim that “we must not be without fear even of forgiven sin” sparks debate. David questions fearing forgiven sins, suggesting it doubts God’s mercy, while Adam interprets it as acknowledging lingering attachments or temporal consequences requiring atonement.</li><li>Faber’s assertion that exact knowledge of our growth in grace is harmful is clarified as a caution against prideful self-assessment, emphasizing trust in God’s measurement over our own.</li></ul> <h3>Featured Beverage</h3><ul><li>Duchess de Bourgogne (Regular and Cherry): A Flemish red ale from Brouwerij Verhaeghe in West Flanders, Belgium. The regular version offers a refreshing, slightly tart complexity, while the cherry variant is overly tart and less balanced. Priced at $25 for a four-pack, it’s a rare find but best sampled if you enjoy sour beers.</li></ul> <h3>Spiritual Takeaway</h3>The spiritual life is not about mountaintop experiences or avoiding sin alone but pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ through intentional, humble efforts. Faber’s five signs encourage men to embrace discontent as a spur to holiness, persevere through fresh starts, set specific goals, respond to God’s unique call, and act on desires for perfection. By avoiding prideful self-measurement and trusting in God’s grace, we can grow in love and freedom.<h3>Call to Action</h3><ul><li>Join the Pilgrimage: Sign up for <a href="https://selectinternationaltours.com/catholicmanshow/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Catholic Man Show</a>’s pilgrimage to Italy, visiting Rome, Assisi, and the incorrupt bodies of Carlo Acutis, Saint Clare, and Saint Francis. Limited spots remain (less than 10). Visit selectinternationaltours.com for details.</li><li>Subscribe: Stay updated with The Catholic Man Show by subscribing on your preferred podcast platform and leaving a review to support the show.</li><li>Read Growth in Holiness: Purchase Father Frederick Faber’s book from<a href="https://corjesupress.com/collections/all?srsltid=AfmBOopa3J_EUHwKByD_GGrtpB5XXSoJlB-esAraW0gQyXxYeqTwaQTw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Cor Iesu Press</a> to deepen your spiritual journey.</li><li>Reflect: Write down what makes a “good day” for you, focusing on habits that foster spiritual and personal satisfaction, and strive to replicate them.</li></ul>

Five Signs of Progress in the Spiritual Life

What does it take to stand firm in your faith when everyone around you bends? In this soul-stirring address, Father Deacon Andrew Bennett explores the heroic witness of St. John Henry Newman&mdash;a man who chose truth over popularity, conviction over comfort. Through vivid storytelling and powerful exhortation, we see how Newman&rsquo;s unflinching courage still calls us today to live counterculturally. Learn why compromise is the enemy of clarity, and how Newman&rsquo;s spiritual legacy speaks directly to Catholic men striving to live authentic, public faith in an age of confusion. If you&rsquo;ve ever felt pressure to water down your beliefs, this is the call to rise.

The Saint Who Refused to Compromise | St. John Henry Newman

“Devoting ourselves to the Sacred Heart is one of the easiest, fastest and most pleasant ways to grow in holiness.” Deacon Harold looks more into the practices of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as well a looking at Soulful Psalm 10:14-18

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today, we’re listening to a talk Bishop Barron gave within one of his classic study programs, the Eucharist series. He addresses Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. Enjoy. Link: <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Word on Fire Institute: <a href= "https://institute.wordonfire.org/?tblci=GiBXvHfcJX4oZg-wmduPKb324kS5wUYHx9RAQRSDmWbwoCDNulooifjrjryg5PpT" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href= "https://institute.wordonfire.org/?tblci=GiBXvHfcJX4oZg-wmduPKb324kS5wUYHx9RAQRSDmWbwoCDNulooifjrjryg5PpT">https://institute.wordonfire.org/</a></li> </ul> NOTE: Do you like this podcast? <a href="https://www.wordonfire.org/ignite-wof-show" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href= "https://www.wordonfire.org/ignite-wof-show">Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member</a>! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and <a href="https://www.wordonfire.org/ignite-wof-show" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href= "https://www.wordonfire.org/ignite-wof-show">join IGNITE today</a> to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.