Manly Catholic: Igniting Men to Light the World on Fire Sanctifying Saints - St. Gregory of Narek: The Forgotten Doctor of the Church Every Man Needs to Know
Most Catholic men have never heard of St. Gregory of Narek—and that needs to change. This 10th-century Armenian monk, poet, and theologian was a powerhouse of prayer, a master of humility, and a man who understood suffering better than most. In 2015, Pope Francis declared him a Doctor of the Church, yet his writings remain largely unknown to many Catholics.
So, who was this saint? Why does his Book of Lamentations still speak to us today? And what does his life teach us about the power of prayer, repentance, and God’s mercy?
In this episode, we dive deep into:
✅ Why Gregory’s Book of Lamentations is a must-read for Catholic men
✅ The raw power of prayer and why most of us neglect it
✅ The connection between humility and true strength
✅ The lesson every man needs to embrace: You cannot do this alone
✅ How his life mirrors St. Paul’s call to boast in weakness so that Christ’s power can work through us
This is more than a history lesson. It’s a challenge—to rethink your prayer life, to embrace humility, and to make God's mercy your foundation.
Lent is coming. Will you let God transform your heart?
3 Powerful Quotes from the Episode:
- “Prayer is not just a religious duty—it is a deep, personal conversation with God. And yet, how often do we forget to actually talk to Him?”
- “If we are so focused on our own strength, our own abilities, where are we making space for God? Pride shuts the door on grace.”
- “God’s mercy is the foundation of everything. Without it, we are lost. St. Gregory’s writings remind us of this over and over again.”
Stop trying to white-knuckle your way through life. St. Gregory teaches that real strength comes through humility, prayer, and total reliance on God’s mercy. A man who refuses to ask for help—whether from God or his brothers in Christ—will always fall. Drop the pride. Pick up the habit of prayer.
Referenced in the Episode:
- The Book of Lamentations by St. Gregory of Narek
- 2 Corinthians 12:9—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
- The importance of confession, prayer, and humility in the spiritual life
- The Manly Catholic’s St. Joseph’s Lenten Series – Daily reflections starting March 5th
If you’re ready to deepen your faith and take your prayer life seriously, hit play now.
Please prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support.
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As always, please p
Please prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support.
Be sure to follow us on X for more great content.
As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost!
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