He Leadeth Me

In this last episode in our beauty series, Katie Weiss returns to talk about the power of beauty in evangelization efforts. Katie and Jess discuss:Why beauty is an effective tool for evangelizationKatie points out, “we are what we reflect on” and encourages listeners to engage with beauty so that they can share it with othersKatie gives advice on how people who are unartistic can begin to evangelize through beautyKatie Weiss is the Founder of Behold Visio Divina, a ministry that seeks to teach people how to pray with art. Katie lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and is expecting their first baby.If you would like to learn more about Behold Visio Divina, check out there website here:  www.beholdvisiodivina.comor view their Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/behold.visiodivina/?hl=en 

In the second episode of our beauty series, Katie Weiss returns to explain how to pray Visio Divina. Visio Divina is an ancient prayer method that incorporates art and Sacred Scripture into meditation. Katie explains:The steps of Visio DivinaHow to find good images to pray with during your holy hourHow praying with images can heal the memory and imagination If you are interested in praying with art during your personal prayer time, Katie recommends the following websites to find beautiful art: Museums:The Met in NYC - https://www.metmuseum.org/Philadelphia Museum - https://philamuseum.org/The National Gallery of Art - https://www.nga.gov/Modern Catholic Artists:Sofia Novelli- https://www.sofianovelli.com/en/sacred-artDony McManus- https://donymacmanus.com/Kate Copato- https://www.visualgrace.org/Blair Barlow - https://www.blairbarlowart.com/Classic Artists:CaravaggioJames TissotFra AngelicoVan EyckKatie Weiss is the Founder of Behold Visio Divina, a ministry that seeks to teach people how to pray with art. Katie lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and is expecting their first baby.If you would like to learn more about Behold Visio Divina, check out there website here:  www.beholdvisiodivina.comor view their Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/behold.visiodivina/?hl=en 

In this first episode of our series on beauty, Katie Weiss, Founder of Behold Visio Divina joins Jessica to talk about why beauty is important for the spiritual life. Jess and Katie discuss:The 3 transcendentals: truth, goodness, and beautyIs beauty “in the eye of the beholder” or is beauty objective?St. Thomas Aquinas’ teaching on the 3 aspects of beauty: integrity, proportion, and clarity. Katie Weiss is the Founder of Behold Visio Divina, a ministry that seeks to teach people how to pray with art. Katie lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and is expecting their first baby. If you would like to learn more about Behold Visio Divina, check out their website here:  www.beholdvisiodivina.com or view their Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/behold.visiodivina/?hl=en If you would like to see artwork by some of the Catholic artists Katie mentioned, you can view their artwork at the links below:Sofia Novelli- https://www.sofianovelli.com/en/sacred-artDony McManus- https://donymacmanus.com/Kate Copato- https://www.visualgrace.org/Blair Barlow - https://www.blairbarlowart.com/

Leah Nielson and James Hare, both serving in FOCUS’s Freedom Project, dive into the transformative journey of overcoming addiction. They emphasize the importance of community in healing and discuss the difference between viewing addiction as an illness rather than a moral failing. Leah and James share how pornography addiction impacts spiritual lives and provide compassionate advice for those struggling. With insights into holistic support systems and the power of mentorship, they inspire listeners towards accountability and personal discipline.

Spiritual direction is a game-changer for growing in the spiritual life, yet it can be very challenging to find a director. Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., seeks to answer that problem by raising up new directors in his Spiritual Direction Training Program through the Institute of Ministry Formation. In this episode, Fr. Boniface and Jessica discuss:How do you know when someone is ready to be a spiritual director?What are the most important qualities a spiritual director should have?How do you train spiritual directors in your program?Fr. Boniface's program includes a special track for FOCUS Alumni. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please see their website: https://imf.saintvincentseminary.edu/academics/degree-programs/Fr. 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: https://stpaulcenter.com/product/through-the-heart-of-st-joseph/https://stpaulcenter.com/product/spiritual-direction-a-guide-for-sharing-the-fathers-love/https://stpaulcenter.com/product/personal-prayer-a-guide-for-receiving-the-fathers-love/

The Bishops have sounded a call in the Church for Eucharistic revival! Fr. Doug Grandon, FOCUS national chaplain and one of the Revival's 55 Eucharistic Preachers, joins Jessica to talk about the Revival and how you can be part of it. Jess and Fr. Doug discuss:Why the Bishops are calling for a Eucharistic RevivalFr. Doug's journey of coming to belief in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic while he was an Episcopal clergymanThe 3 years of Eucharistic RevivalHow you can be part of the Eucharistic RevivalTo learn more about the Eucharistic Revival, visit the website here: https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/To listen to Fr. Doug's amazing conversion story, check out our two podcast episodes:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-of-an-undercover-missionary-in/id1634970581?i=1000571147045https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-married-catholic-priest/id1634970581?i=1000574664781Fr. Doug Grandon is a priest of the Archdiocese of Denver and a FOCUS National Chaplain. He is also one of 55 Eucharistic Preachers for the Eucharistic Revival.

A former slave is now on the road to becoming a saint! In this episode, Jessica is joined by David Uebbing, the Vice-Postulator for Julia Greeley's Cause for Canonization. Julia Greeley was born into slavery around the year 1833 and freed during the American Civil War. She later converted to Catholicism and became known for her charity to the poor and love of the Sacred Heart.David shares with Jess 3 spiritual lessons from Julia's life, including:Courage in the face of oppositionJulia's recipe for relationships: Humility spiced with humorLetting your heart be conformed to the Sacred Heart of JesusDavid Uebbing is the Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Denver and the Vice-Postulator for Julia Greeley's Cause. Prior to working at the archdiocese, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Catholic News Agency and a FOCUS missionary at Montana State and Troy universities. Dave was born in South Bend, Indiana, and now calls Denver his home. He and his wife Jenny have seven children.

In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to discuss the dangers of perfectionism in our spiritual lives and how to overcome it. Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss:How Jesus' command, "Be you perfect" (Mt 5:48) is different than perfectionismSigns that someone is suffering from perfectionism vs. striving for excellenceHow we can overcome perfectionismFr. John Ignatius is a priest of the Miles Christi religious order and a FOCUS National Chaplain.

Christ is Risen! Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica in this episode to talk about 3 themes Christians should pray with during the 50-day Easter Season. Fr. John Ignatius suggests praying with:The resurrection narratives in Scripture and asking for the grace of spiritual joyOur own resurrection and the glories of HeavenHow your own baptism has radically changed your lifeFr. John Ignatius is a priest of the Miles Christi religious order and a FOCUS National Chaplain.

The Easter Vigil is one of the most stunningly beautiful liturgies of the year. Fr. Daniel Cardo joins Jessica in this episode to dive deep into the symbols and various parts of this liturgy. Fr. Daniel and Jess discuss:The 3 symbols of the Easter Vigil liturgy: light, water, and sung alleluia'sFr. Daniel explains how the sung alleluia's are a "musical resurrection"Fr. Daniel breaks down the Collect and Offeratory prayers of the VigilFr. Daniel Cardo is the pastor of Holy Name Parish in Denver and the Benedict XVI Chair for Liturgical Studies at St. John Vianney Seminary. He is a visiting professor at the Augustine Institute and the author of several books, including "The Cross and the Eucharist in Early Christianity: A Theological and Liturgical Investigation."