

The Poco a Poco Podcast with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
Join Fr. Innocent, Fr. Angelus, Fr. Pierre Toussaint, and Fr. Mark-Mary, priests of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, each week to discuss authentic faith in today's world as they share stories and wisdom from years of prayer, community life, and work with the poor.
It all comes back to this: finding deep friendship with Jesus. Seeing him work in our lives everyday. Through topics as varied as mental health, the confessional, and NYC neighbors, the Poco A Poco Podcast is here to accompany all pilgrims as they walk step by step, little by little, poco a poco on their pilgrimage to the Father's house.
The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are a Catholic religious order founded in the South Bronx, NY. Learn more or subscribe to their updates at www.franciscanfriars.com
It all comes back to this: finding deep friendship with Jesus. Seeing him work in our lives everyday. Through topics as varied as mental health, the confessional, and NYC neighbors, the Poco A Poco Podcast is here to accompany all pilgrims as they walk step by step, little by little, poco a poco on their pilgrimage to the Father's house.
The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are a Catholic religious order founded in the South Bronx, NY. Learn more or subscribe to their updates at www.franciscanfriars.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 12, 2025 • 44min
The Exodus and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma
Dr. John Bergsma, a renowned biblical scholar, joins the discussion on the deep connections between the Exodus and Jubilee. The conversation highlights the transformative power of the Jubilee year, urging listeners to embrace forgiveness and mercy. They explore the Exodus narrative as a powerful metaphor for liberation and spiritual renewal, linking the ten plagues to divine intervention and human identity. Additionally, the role of reconciliation as a path to modern freedom is examined, inspiring a call to deepen one’s relationship with God.

Mar 5, 2025 • 43min
The Garden and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma
Episode 254 - The Garden and Jubilee ft. Dr. John Bergsma - Series on Jesus and the Jubilee (Part 3) What is restored during the Jubilee? The Jubilee reminds us that hope is available to us, a hope that we can be restored to our original state and roles as it was in the Garden of Eden before sin came into the world. In this episode, together with our special guest, Dr. John Bergsma, we will discuss the Jubilee's gift and invitation and how it relates to the reality of the Garden of Eden. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! Check out the 24-hour adoration chapel in New York https://perpetualadoration.nyc 🛒 In preparation for Lent, check out Jesus and the Jubilee https://stpaulcenter.com/jubilee/ 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco

Feb 26, 2025 • 53min
Lent Prep: Desert Spirituality
Episode 253 - Lent Prep: Desert Spirituality Why does the desert during Lent matter? Why do we journey there every year for three weeks, alongside our brothers in faith? The desert isn't just a place of physical challenge or adventure—it's a biblical invitation to encounter God in a profound way. It’s a place where we can strip away distractions, face our vulnerabilities, and open ourselves to God's transformative presence. The desert is both a terrifying and purifying place, just as it is for Jesus. In this episode, we dive deep into the spiritual significance of the desert during the Lenten season. Join us as we explore the desert’s deep spiritual meaning, and how this sacred journey is not just for the body but also for the spirit. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 In preparation for Lent, check out Jesus and the Jubilee https://stpaulcenter.com/jubilee/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco

21 snips
Feb 19, 2025 • 55min
Lent Prep: On Fasting
Episode 252 - Lent Prep: On Fasting What does fasting in Lent mean to you and to Jesus? Fasting from food for the sake of health benefits is good, however fasting to bring us closer in relationship with Jesus, now that's something else entirely. Fasting is also an opportunity to feel the hunger in our bodies so that God can come and fulfill our hunger in the deepest ways. In this episode, we'll dive deeper into what fasting truly means and how we can say No to ourselves, through simple sacrifices and say Yes to create more space for intimacy with Jesus. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 In preparation for Lent, check out Jesus and the Jubilee https://stpaulcenter.com/jubilee/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco

Feb 12, 2025 • 53min
Jesus's Favorite Things: Seeing the Unseen
Episode 251 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Seeing the Unseen, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 6) How do you think Jesus sees us? Jesus's heart desires to see us, to have the unseen be seen. But he doesn't just want us to be seen as collected and consumed. Jesus likes us for us and sees us for who we are and how we want to be truly seen. This episode talks about how Jesus sees us, particularly the person or parts of our lives that are overlooked and the unseen. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 In preparation for Lent, check out Jesus and the Jubilee https://stpaulcenter.com/jubilee/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco

6 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 52min
Jesus's Favorite Things: Faith
Episode 250 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Faith, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 5) Why is Faith so important to Jesus? Faith is the proof of our belief in God's goodness. It's seeing that God is all-seeing, all-powerful, and all-good. Ultimately, faith shows that we have complete trust and confidence in Him and that He matters more to us than anything else. These are some of the reasons why Faith means so much to Jesus. In this episode, we'll dive deep into the definition of Faith, learn what it truly means, and why it's one of Jesus's favorite things. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco

8 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 58min
Jesus's Favorite Things: Repentance
Episode 249 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Repentance, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 4) What does repentance truly look like? A good way to look at repentance is that it brings us back to love. It's one of Jesus's favorite things because he sees our hearts and desires change so that we do not live sinfully anymore. Repentance is not just about wanting to change our behaviors, it's about wanting to change because we love God, it's being sorry because we love God and that we don't want to live our old lives with sin because we love God. We repent because we love God and we want to be with him. In this episode, we'll dive deep into what the true meaning of repentance looks like and learn why it's one of Jesus's favorite things. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco

7 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 44min
Jesus's Favorite Things: Quality Time
Episode 248 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Quality Time, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 3) Do you also spend quality time with Jesus? We believe part of Jesus's favorite thing is to be with us. He desires to be with us and wants to spend time with us. He chooses people to be with Him as He's with His Father. Jesus has given himself to us in the most holy Eucharist. It's a true testament that He chooses to give himself, his love and that he desires to spend quality time with us and a way in which we can love Him is by receiving him, coming to him, and spending quality time with Him in prayer. In this episode, we'll talk about another part of Jesus's favorite things, quality time, and how we can be renewed on receiving Jesus's presence in our lives and desire to spend time with Him. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco

7 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 45min
Jesus's Favorite Things: Lowliness
Episode 247 - Jesus's Favorite Things: Lowliness, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 2) What does lowliness mean to you and to God? The experience of lowliness can sometimes be what we dislike about ourselves. These are times when we're not doing great, or when we're not rich or not attractive—these are usually the parts that we reject about ourselves. But part of the mystery is that in this lowliness is where God mostly manifests His love for us and where he reveals His heart for us and Jesus embodies this kind of lowliness. In this episode, we're gonna talk about Jesus's next favorite thing which is lowliness, and how we can have a different meaning to our lowliness. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco

5 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 49min
Jesus's Favorite Things: The Father
Episode 246 - Jesus's Favorite Things: The Father, Series on Jesus's Favorite Things (Part 1) Have you ever wondered how Jesus experienced The Father? What was it like for Him to be in His Father's presence in the temple? What was it like to offer himself and suffer for the Father? What was it like for Him as he loved the Father with his every being? The Father was the center of everything for Jesus—He is most likely His most favorite thing, His most favorite person. Jesus deeply desires to actually give us a share of His Father's heart. Ultimately, we are invited to have Jesus's favorite things be our own favorite things. In this episode, we're gonna dive into the depth of Jesus's love, offering and suffering by leaning into his experiences with the Father and see how we can grow in relationship with The Father too. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at https://www.pocomerch.com/ 🛒 Check out some rosaries we made in collaboration with Chews Life https://bit.ly/chewslife-poco