He Leadeth Me

Radiating Joy, a documentary about Servant of God Michelle Duppong, will be coming out in theaters on November 12th! In this episode, Jessica sits down with Danny Anderson, the director of the film, to talk about creating the documentary. Jess and Danny discuss:Before making the film, Danny knew nothing about Michelle Duppong. He shares his experience getting to know her through the testimony of her family and friends.Danny's favorite interviews in the film, including the Duppong family and Michelle's primary cancer doctorArtistic choices Danny made in the creation of the filmDanny Anderson is the Director of the documentary, "Radiating Joy: The Michelle Duppong Story." He and his wife Molli own and operate Anderson Art, a production company based in Colorado Springs where they live with their two children. Danny is a CU Boulder alum and a former FOCUS missionary.

Over the summer, many FOCUS missionaries participate in the Spiritual Exercises. After 8 days of silence and meditation, what's it like to enter back into the chaos of daily life? How can you let the graces you received on retreat bear fruit? Fr. Kevin Dyer, SJ, joins Jessica in this episode to give his advice for your spiritual life after you attend a retreat. Fr. Kevin and Jess discuss:Advice for people leaving a retreat in consolation, desolation, or tranquilityCommon temptations after a retreatAdvice for integrating the graces receivedFr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., is a priest in the Society of Jesus and serves FOCUS as Senior National Chaplain. Fr. Dyer completed studies at St. Louis University and Boston College and was ordained in 2010. In 2019, he became a part-time FOCUS National Chaplain, and in 2022 he stepped into the role of Senior National Chaplain. In 2023, Fr. Dyer accepted an additional role in FOCUS as Vice President of Collegiate Outreach.  Fr. Dyer resides in Denver, Colorado.

You want to stop comparing yourself to others...but how? In this episode, Sr. Maria Goretti, Vocations Directress for the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, join Jessica to talk about comparison. Sr. Maria Goretti and Jess discuss:The effects comparing yourself to others has on your relationship with JesusHow to stop comparing yourself to othersThe importance of having a sense of humorSr. Maria Goretti has been a member of the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles since 2010. She became the community's Vocations Directress is 2019. You can learn more about her community here.

Have you ever seen a beautiful icon and wondered what the images in it symbolize?In this episode, Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB, joins Jessica to dive into icons. Sr. Jeana and Jessica discuss:How an icon is different than a normal religious paintingThe process of creating an iconThe meaning of different colors and symbolsSr. Jeana Visel OSB is a Benedictine sister at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, IN.  At Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, she serves as Dean of School of Theology Programs and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Spirituality. She has an MA in Monastic Studies from St. John’s School of Theology-Seminary and a DMin in spirituality from Catholic University of America. She is the author of Icons in the Western Church: Toward a More Sacramental Encounter (Liturgical Press, 2016).You can purchase Sr. Jeana's book here.

In this episode, John Petrovich joins Jessica to share his testimony of the power of intercessory prayer.John was jogging one day and saw an ambulance outside of a house. He prayed one Hail Mary for the person in the ambulance. Listen to this episode and hear John recount the miracle that happened next!John Petrovich is a husband, father, and faithful Catholic layman who lives on the East Coast.

Liturgical expert Chris Carstens is back to talk about the Solemnity of Corpus Christi! Jess and Chris discuss:The history of Corpus ChristiSpecial elements of Corpus Christi, including Eucharistic Processions and the SequenceChris' advice for how we can enter more deeply into the Solemnity this yearChris Carstens is the Director of Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, a visiting faculty member of the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL, and the Editor of Adoremus Bulletin. Chris lives in Soldiers Grove, WI, with his wife and children.

St. Augustine says that the Holy Spirit is the Love between the Father and the Son. But what does this actually mean? Fr. Boniface Hicks joins Jessica today to talk about the Holy Spirit as love. Fr. Boniface and Jess discuss:St. Augustine's Trinitarian theologyHow the Holy Spirit is the love which unites each member of the ChurchHow the Holy Spirit is the love in each individual believerFr. Boniface's Spiritual Direction Training Program includes a special track for FOCUS Alumni. If you are interested in learning more about the program, you can check out their website hereFr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., has been a Benedictine monk at Saint Vincent Archabbey since 1998. He has been involved with We Are One Body radio station since 2010, and presently serves as program director. He is the author of "Through the Heart of St. Joseph", and co-author of "Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father's Love", and "Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father's Love." You can buy Fr. Boniface's books at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology here: Through the Heart of St. JosephSpiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father's LovePersonal Prayer: A Give for Receiving the Father's Love

In this episode, Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress joins Jessica to talk about the Holy Spirit's role as the Sanctifier. Fr. Joseph-Anthony and Jess discuss:How the Holy Spirit reproduces the image of Jesus within usHow the Holy Spirit sanctifies our sufferingPractical steps we can take to allow the Holy Spirit to possess us more fullyFr. Joseph-Anthony references the book, "The Sanctifier" by Archbishop Martinez in this episode. You can buy the book hereFr. Joseph-Anthony Kress is the chaplain at the University of Virginia. He is an Eastern Province Dominican friar and co-host of the Godsplaining podcast with four other Dominican friars. You can listen to Godsplaining here

Fr. James Brent is back! In this episode he and Jess dive into charismatic gifts. Fr. James and Jess discuss:The difference between a natural talent and a charismDoesn't Lumen Gentium say we shouldn't seek extraordinary gifts?How can people grow in use of their gifts without focusing on them too much?Be sure to check out Fr. James' new book, "The Father's House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity" here and his podcast Contemplata here.Fr. James Brent, O.P., is a priest in the St. Joseph Province Dominican Friars. He is a professor at the Dominican House of Studies and a popular retreat master and preacher.

When we pray the Pentecost novena, we often ask the Holy Spirit to give us the sanctifying gifts. How do these gifts change our lives? Fr. James Brent joins Jessica today to talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to St. Thomas Aquinas. Fr. James and Jess discuss:The difference between sanctifying gifts and charismatic giftsHow sanctifying gifts transform your lifeHow you can experience more of the sanctifying giftsBe sure to check out Fr. James' new book, "The Father's House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity" here and his podcast Contemplata here.Fr. James Brent, O.P., is a priest in the St. Joseph Province Dominican Friars. He is a professor at the Dominican House of Studies and a popular retreat master and preacher.