He Leadeth Me

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.

A mighty wind. Tongues of fire. Shouting the praises of God. When the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples in Acts Chapter 2, the disciples are so ecstatic that the people of Jerusalem think they are "filled with new wine." What exactly is going on in this passage?Fr. Andrew Dickinson and Josh Burks, hosts of the FAD&DAD podcast, return to do a deep dive into Acts Chapter 2. Fr. Andrew, Josh, and Jess discuss:Connections between Acts 2 and the tower of BabelThe significance of the Jewish feast of PentecostSimilarities between the account of Pentecost and the giving of the law on Mt. SianiConnections between Acts 2 and the consecration of the Temple in 1 KingsAnd much more!You can check out the FAD & DAD podcast hereFather Andrew Dickinson is a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Ordained in 2006 he has served in the diocese in various capacities, including 11 years as the director of the Pius XII Newman Center serving the campus of South Dakota State University where he had the privilege of working with FOCUS missionaries those 11 years. Father Andrew currently serves as the pastor of 4 parishes in the diocese aided by 2 priests and one deacon. He also serves his Bishop as a Vicar General. If he has a FOCUS claim to fame it is through his brother, who was in the original bible study led by Dr. Sri in the 1990s. Joshua Burks is an Associate Teacher at The Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies in Lincoln, NE. He teaches primarily on New Testament texts and themes, but enjoys any opportunity to bring clarity and conviction to engaging with Christ in the Scriptures. Previous to his time teaching, Joshua spent four years as a missionary and Team Director with FOCUS at South Dakota State University. Next to love of God is his love for his wife, Elizabeth, and their three rambunctious boys. 

In Acts 2:39, St. Peter preaches to the people that the promise of the Holy Spirit, "is for you!" Leading up to the solemnity of Pentecost, He Leadeth Me will be doing a series on the Holy Spirit.The first guest in our series is Fr. James Brent, who shares on the Paraclete Promises:The promise of the indwellingThe promise of memory and understandingThe promise of witnessingThe promise of convincingThe promise of being led into all truthBe 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.

Have you ever wondered if you are called to religious life? In his book, "And You Are Christ's", Fr. Thomas Dubay gives 4 signs that someone in called to religious life. In this episode, Fr. John Burns from Friends of the Bridegroom joins Jessica to talk about the 4 signs of a religious vocation.Fr. John and Jess discuss:Dubay's 4 signs of a religious vocationDoes a person receive a call to a religious vocation at a definitive moment? Or are some people created with the grace for a consecrated vocation already present in their souls?Fr. John's advice for young people discerning their vocationsYou can check out Fr. Dubay's book, "And You Are Christ's" hereFr. John Burns is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, WI. Ordained in 2010, he has served as an associate pastor, pastor, and adjunct professor of moral theology. In 2019, he completed a doctorate in moral theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. His doctoral research focuses on the theology of healing through forgiveness. Fr. Burns has authored several books, including Lift Up Your Heart: A 10-Day Personal Retreat with St. Francis de Sales.Father Burns works extensively in healing and renewal ministry with communities of women religious and with priests. He is founder of Friends of the Bridegroom, an apostolate dedicated to the renewal of the Church through the renewal of women's religious life.