Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden
Modern life is like a desert—a parched and barren expanse where the soul thirsts for the living water Jesus promised at the well. Amid the ceaseless distractions and allurements of materialism, God can seem absent. As the Desert Fathers of old fled the noise of the world to seek God in silence, we too have been been called into the desert.
Guided by Bishop Erik Varden, this year-long series—beginning January 1, 2025—invites listeners to encounter the profound wisdom of the Desert Fathers. Drawing from their timeless Sayings, Bishop Varden illuminates the lives of figures like St. Anthony of Egypt, exploring themes such as purity, humility, self-mastery, and repentance. Through their struggles in the wilderness, these early Christians uncovered the transformative power of God’s grace—lessons as relevant today as they were in their time.
Though few of us are called to the monastic life, the spiritual combat of the Desert Fathers resonates with all who seek to follow Christ. As Jesus Himself entered the desert to confront temptation, their wisdom offers guidance for our own battles with distraction and despair, helping us find strength in prayer and discipline.
Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian monk and Bishop of Trondheim, Norway, is one of today’s leading Catholic voices. A convert to Catholicism during his studies at Cambridge, he was drawn to the monastic life, ultimately joining Mount St. Bernard Abbey in England, where he eventually became abbot. Through his writing and teaching, Bishop Varden speaks compellingly to a secular world, using the language of beauty to reveal the centrality of our search for God—even when we wander astray.
Join us as we step into the desert together, guided by the wisdom of the ancients, to rediscover the love of Christ that conquers all obstacles. Visit DesertFathers.com to learn more.
We owe a special thanks to our partners. The Desert Fathers in a Year is...
...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, CoramFratribus.com
...produced by EWTN Global Catholic Network
...and brought to you by Exodus 90. Download the Exodus 90 app today and get ready to start the Exodus 90 Challenge beginning on January 20, 2025.
Latest episodes
5 snips
Feb 13, 2025 • 47min
Bonus Roundtable: Take Up Your Cross (Desert Fathers in a Year)
Join a captivating roundtable where participants explore the profound teachings of the Desert Fathers and their relevance today. Delve into humility and spiritual growth, highlighting community and perseverance. Discover the power of pausing before responding in conversations to cultivate thoughtful communication. Reflect on the joyous journey of embracing humility, sacrifice, and ascetic practices. Learn how personal sacrifice can deepen love in relationships and the importance of community support in fostering authentic connections.
7 snips
Feb 11, 2025 • 13min
Episode 7: Take Up Your Cross
The podcast delves into the teachings of the Desert Fathers, emphasizing the journey toward true perfection through Christ. It explores Abba Isaiah's insights on the importance of taking up one's cross and the hard work required for righteousness. Listeners learn about the role of pain in Christian living and how faith can give it meaning. The discussion encourages embracing the challenges of discipleship and stresses the need for authentic relationships, all while seeking inner freedom through spiritual growth.
Feb 6, 2025 • 42min
Bonus Roundtable: Pursuit of Perfection (Desert Fathers in a Year)
Jamie, Doyle, Adam, and Jared from the team at Exodus 90 meet to discuss Bishop Varden's reflection on the pursuit of perfection.Each week, we'll meet discuss Bishop Varden's reflection and what practical takeaways we can glean from it and apply to our lives. New Roundtable Discussions will be published every Thursday. We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers in a Year is...• ...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, CoramFratribus.com.• ...produced by EWTN Global Catholic Network• ...and brought to you by Exodus 90. Download the Exodus 90 app today and get ready to start the Exodus 90 Challenge beginning on January 20, 2025.You can listen to Desert Fathers in a Year on the Hallow app, YouTube, X (fka Twitter), Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Feb 4, 2025 • 12min
Episode 6: Pursuit of Perfection
🏜️ Welcome to Desert Fathers in a Year, Episode 6: Pursuit of PerfectionPlease visit DesertFathers.com to subscribe to our email newsletter and to download a free PDF of Athanasius's Life of Antony. Modern life is like a desert, parched for the life-giving water that Jesus promised to the woman at the well. The Desert Fathers offer timeless insights for our growth in self-knowledge, charity, and holiness.We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers in a Year is...• 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog.• 🎥 ...produced by EWTN• 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today You can listen to Desert Fathers in a Year on the Hallow app, YouTube, X (fka Twitter), Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Jan 28, 2025 • 54min
Episode 5: Q&A with Bishop Varden
A renowned bishop answers thoughtful questions, connecting modern struggles to ancient wisdom. Discover the delicate balance between body, mind, and spirit through the life of Antony. Gain insights into urban asceticism, learning how to maintain spiritual discipline amidst city distractions. Explore the significance of the Jesus Prayer and its role in the quest for perfection. The discussion wraps up with heartfelt reflections on faith and the importance of divine guidance in daily life.
7 snips
Jan 23, 2025 • 51min
Bonus Roundtable: Antony - A Strength to Others (Desert Fathers in a Year)
A captivating discussion reveals how Antony's solitude transformed him into a beacon for others. The speakers explore the delicate balance between solitary reflection and communal support, emphasizing the role of authentic friendships in spiritual growth. They dive into the power of silence, highlighting its importance in fostering meaningful communication. Vulnerability emerges as a vital aspect of spiritual connections, urging listeners to engage deeply with one another. The episode concludes with a prayer for guidance and strength amidst life's challenges.
12 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 12min
Episode 4: Antony - A Strength to Others
Explore the remarkable life of St. Antony, a pivotal figure who inspired early Christians with his grace and unwavering love for Christ. Discover how his story fosters spiritual growth and community. The podcast delves into self-knowledge and the power of prayer, showcasing how authentic faith transforms lives. Listeners are urged to reflect on their spiritual journeys and consider meaningful challenges to deepen their relationship with Jesus.
Jan 16, 2025 • 56min
Bonus Roundtable: Become Who You Are (Desert Fathers in a Year)
Jamie, Doyle, Adam, and Jared from the team at Exodus 90 meet to discuss Bishop Varden's reflection on the effects that Antony's asceticism had on his life and nature.Each week, we'll meet discuss Bishop Varden's reflection and what practical takeaways we can glean from it and apply to our lives. New Roundtable Discussions will be published every Thursday. We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers in a Year is...• ...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, CoramFratribus.com.• ...produced by EWTN Global Catholic Network• ...and brought to you by Exodus 90. Download the Exodus 90 app today and get ready to start the Exodus 90 Challenge beginning on January 20, 2025.You can listen to Desert Fathers in a Year on the Hallow app, YouTube, X (fka Twitter), Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
9 snips
Jan 14, 2025 • 12min
Episode 3: Become Who You Are
Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian monk and Bishop of Trondheim, shares profound insights from the life of Antony, the Desert Father. He discusses how modern life mirrors a spiritual desert, longing for fulfillment. Listeners explore Antony's struggles and triumphs, emphasizing resilience and community. Varden highlights Antony's transformation through faith and asceticism, illustrating how divine principles foster authenticity. This conversation encourages a deeper relationship with God, drawing wisdom from ancient teachings for today's challenges.
Jan 9, 2025 • 54min
Bonus Roundtable: Facing Antony's Temptations (Desert Fathers in a Year)
Jamie, Doyle, Adam, and Jared from the team at Exodus 90 meet to discuss Bishop Varden's reflection on Antony's temptations.Each week, we'll meet discuss Bishop Varden's reflection and what practical takeaways we can glean from it and apply to our lives. New Roundtable Discussions will be published every Thursday. We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers in a Year is...• ...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, CoramFratribus.com.• ...produced by EWTN Global Catholic Network• ...and brought to you by Exodus 90. Download the Exodus 90 app today and get ready to start the Exodus 90 Challenge beginning on January 20, 2025.You can listen to Desert Fathers in a Year on the Hallow app, YouTube, X (fka Twitter), Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
