St. Josemaria Institute Podcast

In this third meditation of our Advent series, Fr. Eric Nicolai invites us to contemplate the shepherds, who were the first to receive the news of Christ’s birth. Though they appear to be secondary figures in the Nativity story, their recognition of the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes becomes a powerful revelation: the newborn Jesus is the true Lamb of God, the light shining in the darkness, and God-with-us. As we follow their humble faith and joyful haste toward the manger, we ask for hearts ready to recognize Christ’s presence with the same simplicity and awe. Listen now to reflect on:  • The shepherds’ unique role in caring for sacrificial lambs, and how this prepared them to recognize Jesus.  • The symbolism of the swaddling clothes and what they revealed about Christ’s mission.  • The contrast between earthly poverty and the glory of God’s revelation.  • Why the shepherds became the first evangelizers after encountering the Child.  • How their humility, attentiveness, and readiness to adore can shape our Advent prayer. Download our free Advent devotional, Journey to the Manger, for guided prayer with the writings of St. Josemaria and questions for deeper reflection to accompany our Advent podcast series. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In this second meditation of our Advent series, Fr. Eric Nicolai invites us to contemplate St. Joseph, the “strong and silent” figure whose hidden fidelity protected the Savior of the world. Drawing on the Gospels, the devotion of the Church, and the reflections of Pope Francis, he shows how Joseph’s fatherly heart reveals a model of decisive action, humble service, and spiritual readiness. Joseph’s four angelic dreams and his immediate response to each one inspire us to reject procrastination, embrace our mission, and move with trust toward the manger. Listen now to reflect on:  • Joseph’s role as protector of Mary and Jesus  • Why he is a model of courage, responsibility, and reliability  • The meaning of his four dreams and his instant obedience  • How Joseph teaches us to find our mission in the ordinary  • What it means to serve God quietly and faithfully during Advent Download our free Advent devotional, Journey to the Manger, for guided prayer with the writings of St. Josemaria and questions for deeper reflection to accompany our Advent podcast series. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In this first meditation of our Advent series, Fr. Eric Nicolai invites us to contemplate Mary, the Blessed Mother, who shows us how to awaken from spiritual lethargy and guides us as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Through the mystery of the Annunciation and her total dedication to God, Mary becomes the one who helps us protect, nourish, and welcome the life of Jesus within us. Listen now to reflect on: The meaning of Advent as a time of awakening and preparation Mary’s total dedication to God from her youth The Annunciation as the beginning of our redemption The power of Marian devotion and sacred images Practical ways to let Mary accompany us through Advent Download our free Advent devotional, Journey to the Manger, for guided prayer with the writings of St. Josemaria and questions for deeper reflection to accompany our Advent podcast series. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In this meditation for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Fr. Leo Austin invites us to contemplate the final gospel of the liturgical year, a gospel in which Christ’s kingship is revealed through the cross in suffering, silence, and mercy.  We are invited to recognize that the kingdom Christ brings is present in the heart of every Christian who asks for grace and opens themselves to his reign. Listen now to reflect on: Why the Cross is the true throne of Christ the King. How the “good thief” reveals a path to conversion. What it means for Christ to reign first in our soul. The difference between suffering like Christ and suffering with Christ. The interior kingdom Christ offers: joy, mercy, and friendship with God.View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In this meditation, Fr. Eric Nicolai helps us contemplate Mary’s unwavering dedication to God, exemplified in her Presentation in the Temple. From her youth, she was overshadowed by the power of God, prepared and preserved by grace to become the Mother of Our Redeemer. Drawing on Scripture and the Church’s history of devotion, Fr. Eric reveals how Mary’s fiat at the Annunciation was the fruit of a heart already dedicated and attentive to God’s will. Listen now to reflect on:  • Mary’s lifelong dedication to God  • The Presentation of Mary as a sign of her total purity and consecration  • The meaning of Mary as the new Ark of the Covenant and dwelling place of God  • How the feast invites us to renew our own commitment to God’s will  • The example of Mary’s confidence and perseverance in her mission View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

Msgr. Fred Dolan, a priest and speaker at the St. Josemaria Institute, shares profound insights on developing a plan of life for spiritual growth. He emphasizes that true holiness stems from daily habits that keep us close to Christ. Listeners learn the importance of regular prayer, the transformative power of daily Mass, and the impact of simple acts of fidelity. Through anecdotes and practical advice, he illustrates how small, consistent actions can lead to significant spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God.

As we commemorate the souls of all the faithful departed this November, Fr. Leo Austin reflects on the Christian meaning of death not as an end but as the great passage into eternal life with God. This meditation helps us face our mortality with peace and gratitude, trusting in Christ’s promise: “I will come back to take you to myself.” Listen now to reflect on:  • The Christian meaning of death as a passage, not an end.  • The mercy of God that awaits every soul.  • The companionship of the angels and saints at the hour of death.  • The peace that comes from praying for the departed.  • The hope of eternal reunion in the presence of Christ. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

In this meditation, Fr. Javier del Castillo invites us to contemplate the Communion of Saints and the bond that unites all who belong to Christ. Through this divine fraternity, the saints in heaven, the souls in purgatory, and the faithful on earth share in one life of grace, one mission, and one love. Listen now to reflect on: What is the Communion of Saints? The unique path of holiness of each saint within the Communion of Saints How we participate in the Communion of Saints through our common union with Jesus Christ. How the phrase, "Think Globally. Act Locally," can help us to grow in holiness as we care for the needs, struggles, and pains of those near and far away. View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!

Fr. Leo Austin explores the profound nature of friendship with Christ, reflecting on the intimate relationship Jesus offers. He highlights Peter's leap of faith and connection with Jesus, emphasizing trust and mutual support. The influence of St. John Paul II serves as a testament to the transformative power of prayer and love, encouraging listeners to overcome fear. Through vulnerability and openness, true friendship blooms, inviting us to embrace Christ as the ultimate answer to our deepest longings.

In this meditation for the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila (October 15), Fr. Peter Armenio invites us to contemplate the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the living image of God’s mercy. Through prayer and reflection, we discover that holiness begins with our dependence on Christ, who listens, strengthens, and loves us without measure. Listen now to reflect on:  • How Christ reveals the mercy of God in his humanity  • The importance of prayer as a personal encounter with Christ.  • St. Teresa’s witness of friendship with Christ.  • The strength that comes from embracing our weakness and relying on Christ  • The Blessed Virgin Mary as a reflection of God’s mercy View TranscriptVisit Show PageSupport the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!