Exploring Degrees of Humility, Wedding Crashing, and Pope Leo XIV

Overview

In this lively episode, the hosts express enthusiasm for the election of Pope Leo XIV, share personal stories, including a wedding-crashing adventure in Mexico, and dive into a deep discussion on the virtue of humility, drawing from Father Beleckias' book Solid Virtue. The episode blends humor, personal reflection, and spiritual insights, with a focus on Catholic faith and living a virtuous life.

Key Topics

1. Excitement Over Pope Leo XIV

• New Pope Announcement: The hosts are thrilled about the election of Pope Leo XIV, an American cardinal with a Tulsa connection, having served on the board of Cascia Hall, a Catholic preparatory school in Tulsa.
• Historical Context: They discuss Pope Leo XIII, a significant influence (one host named a child after him), and note Leo XIV's choice of name as a nod to this legacy.
• Conclave Insights: The quick election (likely on the fourth ballot) suggests strong consensus among the cardinals. The hosts avoid speculating on insider details due to the sacred nature of the conclave.
• Fun Facts: Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan, not a Cubs fan, as initially reported. The hosts humorously claim him as "basically from Tulsa."
• Prophetic Banter: A playful exchange about predicting the length of Leo XIV’s pontificate (jokingly suggested as 25 years) and his potential holiness.

2. Personal Stories and Anniversary Celebration

• David’s Anniversary Getaway: David shares how he and his wife, Haley, celebrated their 13th anniversary with a phone-free weekend in Mexico to focus on their time together.
• Wedding Crashing in Mexico: David recounts crashing an Indian wedding at a resort in Mexico, joining the groom’s procession with a hype man, music, and dancing. He and Haley briefly joined the celebration before slipping away.
• Hype Man Discussion: The hosts humorously explore the idea of having a hype man for life events, likening it to a boxer’s ring walk or a DJ hyping up a crowd.

3. Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

• Historical Miracle: David shares the story of a 12th-century Eucharistic miracle in Lanciano, Italy, where a doubting monk witnessed the host turn into flesh and the wine into blood during Mass.
• Scientific Studies: In 1977, 1978, and 1987, tests confirmed the flesh as living heart tissue and the blood as human, preserved for over 1,200 years.
• Spiritual Significance: The hosts emphasize the miracle’s importance for reinforcing belief in the Real Presence, while noting that every Mass holds the same ontological reality.
• Pilgrimage Plans: The hosts invite listeners to join their October 2025 pilgrimage to Lanciano to celebrate Mass in the presence of this miracle.

4. Discussion on Humility

• Source Material: The hosts draw from Solid Virtue by Father Beleckias, S.J., to discuss the three degrees of humility.
• First Degree: Complete obedience to divine law, refusing to commit mortal sin even if offered the world or threatened with danger.
• Second Degree: Holy indifference to wealth, poverty, honor, or disgrace, refusing even venial sin for worldly gain. The hosts reflect on the challenge of achieving this in a materialistic world.
• Third Degree: Actively choosing poverty, contempt, and disgrace to imitate Christ’s humility, as exemplified by saints like Francis and Katharine Drexel. The hosts acknowledge the difficulty of this level, especially for family men.
• Practical Insights:
• Humility is not thinking less of oneself but thinking rightly about oneself in relation to God and others.
• Confidence and humility are intertwined, rooted in truth and trust in God’s will.
• The hosts critique the popular C.S. Lewis quote (“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less”) as incomplete, emphasizing self-reflection to align with God’s purpose.
• Application for Listeners: Living in a state of grace, surrounding oneself with virtuous people, and choosing entertainment that aligns with spiritual goals are key to growing in humility.

5. Pilgrimage Promotion

• Select International Tours: The hosts promote their upcoming pilgrimage with Select International Tours, a long-time sponsor, encouraging listeners to join them in October 2025 for a Papal audience and Mass in Lanciano.
• Details: Visit selectinternationaltours.com for more information on the pilgrimage.

6. Whiskey Tasting

• Drink of the Episode: The hosts enjoy an 11-year-old Coal Ila whiskey from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
• Tasting Notes: Described as having big smoky notes with a sweet and spicy side. When diluted, it evokes “slurping an oyster with a smoky, zesty, and sweet chili dressing.”
• Jim’s Rating: 3.89 on the “yummy scale.”

Memorable Quotes

• “Humility isn’t about not thinking about yourself, but it’s about thinking rightly about yourself.” – David Niles
• “What we do in this life echoes in eternity.” – Adam Minahan (paraphrasing Gladiator)
• “You can’t be holy if you’re not humble.” – Adam Minahan

Call to Action

• Join the Pilgrimage: Sign up for the October 2025 pilgrimage at selectinternationaltours.com to experience a Papal audience with Pope Leo XIV and Mass in Lanciano.
• Explore Solid Virtue: Check out Solid Virtue by Father Beleckias, S.J., from Cor Iesu Press for deeper insights into humility.
• Engage with the Show: Visit thecatholicmanshow.com for more episodes, resources, and to connect with the hosts.

Sponsor

• Select International Tours: Offering pilgrimages to holy sites worldwide for over 34 years. Visit selectinternationaltours.com for details.

Closing

The hosts wrap up with their signature toast: “We’re on the Lord’s team. The winning side. Raise your glass!”