A Catholic Life

This is Episode 150 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss actual grace and how actual grace is the beginning of all conversions. I also discuss the different types of actual grace and how actual grace is distinct from sanctifying grace and sacramental grace. I would like to thank MyCatholicWill.com for sponsoring this episode. My Catholic Will provides simple and effective tools to pass on the heritage of faith and positively impact future generations of Catholics across the country. Ensure your legacy and family are protected while also leaving behind a way to support the Church. Use discount code catholiclife20 to save on your order.

This is Episode 149 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss why The Resurrection of the Flesh and the Degrees of Glory in Heaven. The Resurrection of Christ reveals both the reality and the nature of our future resurrection. It shows us that the body is not destined for destruction but for transformation. I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode. CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and much more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Their Catholic Liturgical Year Course for a one-time cost of $129.95 includes lessons throughout the entire liturgical year on many forgotten days.

This is Episode 148 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss why The Resurrection Is Not the End: Why Easter Begins the Fight for Your Soul. Most Catholics treat Easter as: “Christ is risen, now we celebrate, and that’s it.” But traditionally Easter is the beginning of the Christian life renewed. The Resurrection demands transformation. For past Episodes published on Easter addressing Easter Week Customs, the role of Penance even in Pascaltide, the meaning of the unique Scripture reference on Wednesday of Easter Week, and more see prior Episodes on Easter. This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.com. PrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today.

This is Episode 147 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode for Passion Sunday I discuss the Passion of the Church in our times. I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode. CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and much more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Their Catholic Liturgical Year Course for a one-time cost of $129.95 includes lessons throughout the entire liturgical year on many forgotten days.

This is Episode 146 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss despair, the virtue of hope, and the indefectibility of the Church. The modern world may appear filled with confusion and decline, but Christian hope rests upon divine promise. This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.com. PrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today.

This is Episode 145 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss the traditional Catholic view of Just War Theory and the Morality of Nuclear Weapons. The Catholic Church has long upheld a doctrine of just war, providing moral criteria by which the use of force by nations may be judged. Rooted in Sacred Scripture, clarified by the Scholastics—especially St. Thomas Aquinas—and codified in authoritative theological manuals and catechisms, Just War Theory is not a license for militarism but a safeguard for peace and justice. In an age of modern warfare, drone strikes, and nuclear deterrence, this venerable teaching remains both timely and underappreciated. In fact, a just war is one of five exemptions to “Thou shalt not kill.” This episode is sponsored by Covenant Eyes. Are you or someone you know struggling with online temptation? In today’s digital age, protecting yourself and your loved ones from harmful content is more important than ever. That’s where Covenant Eyes comes in—a powerful accountability and filtering software designed to help you build good habits and stay pure online. With real-time accountability reports and screen monitoring, Covenant Eyes empowers you to break free from temptation and stay on the right path. Whether you're strengthening your own discipline or safeguarding your family, this is the solution you’ve been looking for. As a listener of this podcast, you can get an exclusive discount by using the code ACATHOLICLIFE at sign up. Don’t wait—visit CovenantEyes.com, enter ACATHOLICLIFE, and start your journey toward a safer and holier digital life today!

This is Episode 144 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss the traditional Catholic approach to hospitality and the corporal works of mercy, among them the need to visit the imprisoned and to reject cremation. This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.com. PrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today.

This is Episode 143 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss Catholic approaches to the care of the dying and the Euthanasia debate. I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode. CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and much more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Their Catholic Liturgical Year Course for a one-time cost of $129.95 includes lessons throughout the entire liturgical year on many forgotten days.

This is Episode 142 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss developing a Lenten regiment built on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. I also cover the importance of the 40 Hours Devotion at the beginning of Lent. As we prepare to enter into the holy season of Lent, we should prepare to observe a strict routine of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Below are 14 articles worth reading at this time: The Importance of 40 Hours at the Beginning and End of LentFasting and Abstinence RulesHistory of Lenten Fasting: How to Observe the Traditional Lenten FastWhy do we fast? St. Thomas Aquinas ExplainsLenten Embertide FastHow the Traditional Latin Mass Reinforces Lent as a FastStational Churches for Each Day of LentWhat is Ash Wednesday & what are the rules for this day?Read One Spiritual Book this LentBook Recommendations for Lent10 Traditional Catholic Charities: Almsgiving During LentEach Feria Day in Lent has a Proper MassHoly Communion in Lent: The Most Pleasing to GodPrintable Lent Preparation GuideThis episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.com. PrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today.

This is Episode 141 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss the sin of scandal. Among the many sins condemned by Sacred Scripture and the perennial teaching of the Church, few are treated with such gravity as the sin of scandal. This can be a source of inspiration as we prepare ourselves for Lent and begin the observance of Septuagesima today. For more on Septuagesima, see Episode 50. I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode. CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and much more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Their Catholic Liturgical Year Course for a one-time cost of $129.95 includes lessons throughout the entire liturgical year on many forgotten days.

This is Episode 140 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I address the morning offering. Among the many traditional Catholic devotions that have quietly faded from daily practice, few are as powerful—or as neglected—as the Morning Offering. This brief prayer, once taught universally to Catholic children and faithfully practiced by clergy and laity alike, ordered the entire day toward God and united every action, joy, and suffering to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Earlier generations of Catholics understood that the spiritual life does not begin at the altar alone but at the moment of waking. The Morning Offering sanctified time itself, consecrating the day before it could be claimed by distraction, sin, or tepidity. This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.com. PrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today. Subscribe to the podcast on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I-tunes, and many other platforms!

This is Episode 139 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss Catholic etiquette in our churches and in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Restoring Catholic etiquette is not nostalgia – it is an act of fidelity. It protects faith, fosters devotion, and honors Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Every genuflection, silence, kneeling posture, and modest garment declares a single truth: God is here. If Catholics recover reverent behavior, belief will follow. And if belief is restored, etiquette will no longer need to be enforced—it will arise naturally from faith. Some resources on this topic: · How to Make a Proper Genuflection · Catholic Modesty in Dress Explained · Laypeople Should Not Touch Sacred Vessels · Respect for the Altar as a Symbol of Christ I would like to thank MyCatholicWill.com for sponsoring this episode. My Catholic Will provides simple and effective tools to pass on the heritage of faith and positively impact future generations of Catholics across the country. Ensure your legacy and family are protected while also leaving behind a way to support the Church. Use discount code catholiclife20 to save on your order.

This is Episode 138 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss the immemorial practice of Wednesday and Friday abstinence and how we can restore Wednesday abstinence to our lives while also keeping Friday abstinence which remains obligatory. See the following resources for more information: · The Definitive Guide to Catholic Fasting and Abstinence · The Fellowship of St. Nicholas · 2026 Fasting and Abstinence Opportunity Calendar I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode. CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and much more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Their Catholic Liturgical Year Course for a one-time cost of $129.95 includes lessons throughout the entire liturgical year on many forgotten days.

This is Episode 137 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I address the importance of praying the Divine Office specifically Matins and Compline as a layperson. For the traditional breviary readings in multiple languages, see Divinum Officium. This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.com. PrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today. Subscribe to the podcast on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I-tunes, and many other platforms!

This is Episode 136 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I address Spanish, Hispanic, and Filipino Advent Traditions. Remarkably, while Advent’s traditional discipline weakened or disappeared in much of the West, it was preserved with striking fidelity in Spanish, Hispanic, and Filipino Catholic cultures. These traditions are not cultural curiosities. They are living witnesses to the Church’s historic understanding of Advent and offer concrete guidance for Catholics who wish to live the remainder of the season more faithfully. I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode. CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and much more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Their Catholic Liturgical Year Course for a one-time cost of $129.95 includes lessons throughout the entire liturgical year on many forgotten days.

In today’s episode, on the 1st Sunday of Advent, I address the following: What is Advent?Advent: The Beginning of the Liturgical Year & Source of Rich MeditationsAdvent and Christmas TraditionsThe Rorate Mass: A Dawn Mass Said Only By CandlelightThis episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.com. PrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today. Subscribe to the podcast on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I-tunes, and many other platforms!

This is Episode 132 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I address the timely observation this week of Thanksgiving – Let Advent be Advent. When we can start decorating for Christmas is an often-debated item. In a world where the Christmas Tree in secular or protestant homes is up around Thanksgiving, the Catholic world is seen as an outlier. So when should a traditional Catholic decorate for Christmas and how should Advent be celebrated? I address these today. This episode of A Catholic Life is sponsored by The Holy Quest: A Board Game for the Catholic Family! Looking for a beautiful, premium, and educational game that inspires a deeper devotion to the Saints? Created by Traditio Designs, The Holy Quest features over 14 ways to play (for ages 5 to adult), stunning stained-glass artwork, and premium components. The Kickstarter campaign is running only until the end of November! Back it now to guarantee this heirloom game is under your tree for Christmas this year. Learn More & Watch the Video:theholyquest.usBack the Campaign Now (Ends Soon!):www.kickstarter.com/projects/traditio-designs/the-holy-quest

This is Episode 129 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss How to Prepare for and Live After Confirmation. It is a topic all of us should consider as confirmed Catholics or those preparing for Confirmation, especially as we grow closer to the end of the liturgical year and reflect on going forth as soldiers of Christ. This episode of A Catholic Life is brought to you by the Sanctifica app — your go-to tool for living the richness of the liturgical year. From feast days and saints to traditional devotions, the rosary, and even now even with the Divine Office and an interactive map to find Traditional Latin Mass locations — Sanctifica pulls it all together in one simple, beautiful app. It’s liturgical tradition made accessible, right at your fingertips. For me, it’s been a real game-changer: quick access to novenas and the Office, gentle reminders for feast days, and countless treasures I might have otherwise missed. If you’ve been wanting to bring more order and depth into your daily spiritual life — Sanctifica makes it simple. Download it for free today on the App Store or Google Play. It’s a powerful companion for anyone striving to truly live a Catholic life.

This is Episode 132 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss Extreme Unction as a Sacrament of Victory Over the Devil, a worthwhile topic as we draw closer to the end of the liturgical year and observe November as the month especially dedicated to praying for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. This episode of A Catholic Life is sponsored by The Holy Quest: A Board Game for the Catholic Family! Looking for a beautiful, premium, and educational game that inspires a deeper devotion to the Saints? Created by Traditio Designs, The Holy Quest features over 14 ways to play (for ages 5 to adult), stunning stained-glass artwork, and premium components. The Kickstarter campaign is running only until the end of November! Back it now to guarantee this heirloom game is under your tree for Christmas this year. Learn More & Watch the Video:theholyquest.usBack the Campaign Now (Ends Soon!):www.kickstarter.com/projects/traditio-designs/the-holy-quest

This is Episode 131 of the A Catholic Life Podcast. In today’s episode I discuss Catholic Kingship and Monarchy as the Ideal Form of Government. Since last weekend was the Feast of Christ the King, this reflection is an appropriate extension of the 100th celebration of the Feast of Christ the King since it was established in 1925. And of course, remember this week to gain the special indulgences for the Poor Souls. This episode of A Catholic Life is brought to you by the Sanctifica app — your go-to tool for living the richness of the liturgical year. From feast days and saints to traditional devotions, the rosary, and even now even with the Divine Office and an interactive map to find Traditional Latin Mass locations — Sanctifica pulls it all together in one simple, beautiful app. It’s liturgical tradition made accessible, right at your fingertips. For me, it’s been a real game-changer: quick access to novenas and the Office, gentle reminders for feast days, and countless treasures I might have otherwise missed. If you’ve been wanting to bring more order and depth into your daily spiritual life — Sanctifica makes it simple. Download it for free today on the App Store or Google Play. It’s a powerful companion for anyone striving to truly live a Catholic life.