The Patrick Madrid Show

Cardinal Dolan’s comparison of Charlie Kirk to St. Paul sparks conversation about Catholic faith, hardened hearts, and public witness, while questions from callers lead Special Guest Host Cale Clarke to break down tricky Gospel passages and the surprising power of forgiveness, all between musings on tacos and college life. Context shifts quickly, laughter mixes with reflections on tough spiritual truths, and the energy never drops.   Audio: Cardinal Dolan likens the late Charlie Kirk to a modern-day St. Paul (04:13) Tom - This past Sunday's Gospel was about the dishonest steward. What is a promissory note and what is happening when he calls in the servants? (29:57) Randy - Have you ever heard the theory that the Gospel you read is all about praying for the souls in Purgatory? (38:17) What did Luke’s Gospel mean to those who first read it? (41:22)

Special Guest Host Cale Clarke highlights Father Joshua Whitfield’s fresh take on the parable of the dishonest steward, connecting it to how Christians treat the poor and what friendship with them means for eternity. He reflects on Saint Padre Pio’s feast day, including powerful excerpts from newly revealed letters filled with mystical insight and deep concern for the Church, especially priests. Alongside calls, lighthearted banter, and reflections on stewardship, Cale weaves in spiritual encouragement with practical Catholic wisdom.   Today is the Feast Day of Padre Pio – Pray, hope and don’t worry (20:36) Cale recommends the book, “Secrets of a Soul: Padre Pio’s Letters to His Spiritual Directors” (23:16) Gary - Padre Pio's Letters. I have read these letters and read this line that you just mentioned. I understand the dynamics of how they played Padre Pio for their own benefit. (37:13)

Special Guest Host Cale Clarke marks the feast of Saint Padre Pio, sharing vivid stories of miracles, personal accounts from listeners, and the remarkable endurance of faith through scandal and doubt. He brings to light the stigmata, the mystic’s hidden wounds, Padre Pio’s humor, and the almost unbelievable wartime encounters that left lasting marks on those who crossed paths with the saint. Miracles, family stories, movie reflections, and honest takes on what holiness demands today, the episode pulses with real lives changed and the persistent call toward sanctity.   Adam - Are the things that happened to Padre Pio still happening today to other people? (01:35) The spiritual gifts of Padre Pio (05:46) Cindy - I prayed to Padre Pio during a serious accident, and a child was saved because of this. The doctors couldn’t explain why his head was sealed. (22:19) Ron - My Uncle brought some sacramentals to Padre Pio to bless. Padre Pio knew the entire story of how my uncle got the sacramentals without him every meeting my uncle before! (24:42) Bozena - My mom wrote to Padre Pio in 1961. My little cousin was going blind and had cancer in the eye. She only had one eye. Her other eye became cancerous. Padre Pio wrote back to say that her cancerous eye would be ok, and it was! (35:06) Sylvia – About the Padre Pio Movie with Shia LaBeouf: the movie was great but wouldn't recommend it because of seductive scenes. (42:11)

Patrick Madrid explains that the Church’s teaching on sexual morality has been consistent for 2,000 years and will never change. From the words of Jesus to the writings of St. Paul and the unbroken witness of the Church Fathers, the truth about chastity, purity of heart, and God’s plan for human love remains constant. The temptations of lust, pride, and rebellion existed 1,000 years ago just as they do today. Yet the Church stands firm, built on the rock of Christ’s promise that the “gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Patrick urges you to stay close to the sacraments, pray the Rosary, and trust Jesus’ promise that you are safe in His Church. As he put it, “If you stick with Jesus, you stay in the truth, you persist... everything is going to be okay. Jesus said so, and I believe it.” His message is clear: truth does not bend to culture, and the Catholic Church will never change her teaching on homosexuality – because it is the teaching of Christ Himself.

Special Guest Host Cale Clarke opens this episode reflecting on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, sharing moments from the Arizona memorial and Erica Kirk’s powerful words about faith, surrender, and life’s unexpected turns. He addresses listener questions, offering honest thoughts on God’s will, Catholic funeral rites, and how grace appears in loss, while connecting these moments to everyday holiness and the urgency of bringing others closer to Christ. The hour pulses with sincere stories, raw answers, and an undercurrent of hope fueled by Catholic teaching and lived experience.   Audio: Charlie Kirk Memorial (09:10) Joe - Will they have a Catholic funeral mass for Charlie Kirk, if his wife is Catholic? (20:45) James - I don't need Charlie Kirk. I need the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. (32:14) Jodi - Erika Kirk was very graceful and faith filled. (41:38)

Special Guest Host Cale Clarke highlights the heartfelt eulogy Erica Kirk gave for her husband Charlie, reflecting on faith as daily habit and the weight of spiritual leadership in family life. Unexpected listener questions about praying for non-Catholics and the deeper meaning of service spark honest, personal answers, while stories from Cale’s own past slip in, sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet. Something honest rises up between memories, scripture, and listeners calling from every stage of belief.   Audio: Charlie Kirk Memorial (continued) (01:35) Audrey - What is the Catholic Church's teaching regarding praying for a deceased person who was not Catholic? (09:36) Rick - My mom refused to get rid of her rotary phone. I never got set up on a wrong date because of this. She always got to the phone first! (42:13) Jim - Charlie meant a lot to me. Erika was wearing a cross. Why don't evangelicals have corpus on the Christ? (46:37)

Special Guest Host Cale Clarke leads listeners through reflections on Charlie Kirk’s memorial, Erica Kirk’s message about faith and marriage, and the raw grace of forgiveness in suffering. He connects real-life marriage advice, calls from listeners, and Catholic teaching in a way that welcomes both struggle and hope.   Why do some crosses not have corpus on them? (04:03) Liz - Erika Kirk reminds me of Carrie Gress and her book about toxic femininity. Also, I am glad she mentioned that point about the nagging wife and the wife has to be a place for the husband to land (11:59) Pam - Is it ok to read the Bible from random parts or do I just have to read from the beginning and onward? (22:04) Audio: Erika Kirk forgives the young man who murdered her husband (32:13) Audio: JD Vance - It’s better to face a gunman than to live a life not speaking the truth (36:58) Michael - I loved how Relevant Radio handled Charlie Kirk. (38:34) Audio - Dr. Ben Carson shares Jesus’ words (41:59) Addison - I was waiting to get into the Memorial yesterday. It was so beautiful to see people in the area praising God. (45:15)  

Patrick fields pressing questions from callers grappling with the Catholic response to the death penalty after a tragic assassination, giving advice on handling invitations to same-sex weddings with both compassion and truth, clarifying misconceptions about the eternity of hell, and explaining the scriptural foundation for asking saints and Mary to pray for us. The hour moves between raw emotion, practical direction, and deeply rooted doctrine. Conversations stretch from heated trials and Church history to personal crises of faith and conscience, with Patrick guiding each one.   Danny - As Catholics can we be pro-death penalty? (01:16) Pete - You can't have the death penalty is because it doesn't allow sinners to repent. We need to give them that chance. (18:59) Daniel - My wife's cousin is planning on getting married to another woman. What can I do to tell her not to do that? (20:38) Rick - Is hell temporary? (28:42) Seth - Why do Catholics pray to Mary and certain archangels? (39:21)

Patrick opens with encouragement for anxious listeners, especially a soon-to-be mother uncertain about her child’s future, drawing on simple wisdom from Saint Padre Pio: pray, hope, and don’t worry. He fields questions about Church teaching, the permanence of baptism, and faith’s place in public life, offering practical guidance, reflections on trust, and spiritual resources like the “Surrender Novena”. Throughout, Patrick reminds everyone that chaos in the Church or world cannot destroy Christ’s promise, personal holiness and trust in God remain the sure path through every storm.   Madeline (email) - How can I feel more peace surrounding all this and trust that God will protect our child’s life and future? (00:34) Jared - Is the Church's teaching on homosexuality definitive? I hear rumblings that this teaching could be changed. (04:16) Carl - Are you familiar with the book, 'The Hell There is' by Msgr. Charles Pope? (19:25) Michael - I was baptized Catholic but wasn't raised Catholic. Can you have your Baptism rescinded? (23:19) James - For all those people worrying, the Surrender Novena is a great prayer to relieve people from anxiety. (29:45) Rhonda - My granddaughter felt bad people had to say “under God” in the National Anthem/Pledge of Allegiance, because not everyone believes in God.  (32:36) Carla (email) - I have a follow up question to the call from the husband about his wife and her cousin’s same sex wedding. If the cousin is currently in OCIA, should the wife continue to be the sponsor? Should she inform the church that the cousin is not fit to continue the OCIA program? (39:41) John - What is the wilderness mentioned in Revelation 12:6-14? (43:24)

Patrick fields candid questions about family regrets, praying for notorious ancestors, and struggles with fallen-away children, offering gentle encouragement and honest perspective. Surprises abound, from a listener who discovers direct lineage to Pope Alexander VI, to nuanced reflections on handling cremated remains and the sheer unpredictability of souls in heaven. No script, just sincere exchanges about faith, raw admissions, and reminders: God’s mercy often shows up in unexpected ways.   Joe - What is the difference between atheists from 50 years ago vs atheists today? (03:34) Jim - How can I encourage my adult kids back into the faith? (13:10) Helen - What did you mean when the church has lightened the rules on cremains? (23:34) Anna - Our parish has their own LGBTQ support group, and I am not sure if it aligns with church teaching.  (31:05) Joe - I heard that Protestants pray directly to Jesus and that they don't believe in Mary. How can I argue against their viewpoints? (39:12) Rubin – I have a growing in interest of Judaism (49:54)