The Patrick Madrid Show

On Hour 3 of today's show, Patrick continues to help John sort through a difficult situation involving his wife finding out that he was unfaithful, is adding something for Lent just as good as giving something up? In addition, Patrick offers insightful answers to other callers.   (00:32) John - I was beaten up by my wife because she found some things in my past, including inappropriate conversations with other women and emotional affairs, spending money badly and adultery. I just left our apartment, and we have a 2-month-old with a heart condition.   (13:02) Dante - Is adding something for Lent just as good as giving something up?   Break 1   (20:58) Lisette - Should I try to avoid pregnancy?   Break 2   (34:25) John - When is addiction to pornography a venial or mortal sin?   (44:46) Patrick - I am half Greek Orthodox and Half Protestant: Regarding Baptism in the Orthodox Church do you have to be completely submerged. How do you deal with baptisms that aren't valid, and what does the Church say happens to them?

On Hour 1 of today's Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick shares Catholic Legacy with listeners and also addresses the importance of Confession and deals with a specific situation where the priest refused to give absolution.   (2:26) Email - John: What is a good resource for a Catholic Living Will?   (6:01) Patrick addresses an email from Tessa and discusses the importance of going to Confession and confessing mortal sins as soon as you can.   Break 1   (19:44) Ella - Confession: When I was young I committed mortal sin. The priest forgave me but I can't forgive myself. What can I do?   (32:02) Patrick cites CCC1385 and CCC1457 on receiving Hoy Communion in the state of grace.   Break 2    (37:13) Mary - Have you ever heard of music therapy?   (40:03) Christine - I decided to come back to the Catholic Church on Ash Wednesday day. But the priest refused to absolve me because I am divorced and living with another man.

On today's hour 2 of the Patrick Madrid show, Andrew calls in to defend the priest who heard a previous caller's confession. Hear what Patrick has to say in response and also a caller Patrick, tells us about his confession experience after being away from the Church for 30 years.   (0:33) Andrew - I want to defend the priest who told her to make an appointment.   (8:25) Sam - Why do you say the same prayer over and over again in the Catholic Church?   Break 1   (18:48) Jamie - I’m' asking God to bring to me sins that I've forgotten, and he's brought them to me. If I don't bring them to confession is that a sin?   (25:17) Meleena - Epstein Files: I don't think you should be talking about them because there are other outlets that ARE talking about it. AND I was a non-Catholic for a long time and when the priests ask you to make an appointment for later, they aren't being rude or blowing you off.   Break 2   (33:02) Roy - About confession: There has to be a standard and it's the #1 religion.  You have to do confession and be right.  We have 'recovering Catholics' in my non-denominational chruch, and I've told them to not diminish the Catholics, as millions of people love the Church and they've kept the Church strong.   (38:20) Patrick - I went to confession for first time in 30 years and the priest asked me if I broke each commandment, one by one.  I said yes to all.  Then he asked if I helped someone get an abortion.  I said no.  Then he forgave me and gave me two "Hail Mary's" and said "welcome back." 

On today's hour 3 of The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick offers compelling answers to questions about confession and also about praying the Rosary. (14:17) Mary - I came back to Church five years ago, the priest gave me a general absolution.  I confessed the sin to a priest at Retrouvaille, but he couldn't absolve me.  He told me to go back to the parish priest.  Did I still miss something?   Break 1   (24:20) Anthony - What special things need to be done if someone confesses that they have helped a woman get an abortion?   (32:05) Tina - Is it okay to pray 12 hail Mary’s a decade instead?  I'm dedicating these 12 to deceased family members.   (34:00) Jamie - My wife is having an affair and not willing to confess her sins.  And she wants to end our marriage.  What am I to do?   Break 2   (42:25) Kathy - I have been Catholic for 3 years.  I learned the most from Relevant Radio.   When my daughter was 17, I forced her to have an abortion.   Do I have to go to confession with that?

Patrick answers questions about God’s nature, reincarnation, traditional Catholic practices, and whether worry counts as sin, offering clear explanations and practical advice.   Thaddeus (email) - Father Rocky said that Thomas Aquinas said that God can't change his mind, but aren't there examples in the Bible where he did in fact change his mind, especially in terms of not giving punishments which he had initially planned to execute? 00:52) Michael – A 5-year-old boy from India said he was reincarnated. Is that something that can happen? (11:41) Auggie (email) - If we say that God can’t change his mind, doesn't that mean that he is limited (which we know he isn't)? Wouldn't it be more correct to say that God can change his mind, he has the ability, he can do anything, but he doesn’t change his mind? (19:55) Leroy - Is it a sin to worry? (24:26) Maria - Can you just start wearing the brown Scapular or do I need permission from a priest? (27:38) Efrank - Is it possible on Ash Wednesday to substitute small meals for one large meal? Also, can you substitute fish for meat? (29:28) Doug - I once saw a video that talked about the 4th dimension that helps answer my daughters when they ask a question about God that I can't answer.  (32:33) Patrick shares an email and comments on worrying (37:06)

Patrick opens with a moving letter about a daughter's struggle with scrupulosity and the positive, faith-filled impact that Relevant Radio had on her life. He fields questions ranging from fasting rules and confession logistics for the elderly, to the story of Abraham and Isaac, and addresses misconceptions about sacred images with sharp biblical insight.   Trish (email) - I heard in Father Rocky's Lenten lesson this morning that "men take off their hats" when entering the church.  (00:40) Greg - I am an 80-year-old man and don't drive. How do I fulfill my obligations for Easter? (05:00) Eddie - I am confused about the fasting rules. (08:36) Jason - Why doesn't Abraham argue with God about sacrificing his son? (17:45) Dede - Thank you for your courage on playing our past Presidents audio on immigration. (23:25) Jean - My coworker is nondenominational and said that images of the Crucifix are an abomination. (27:28) Pat - In the Our Father, why do we say, 'but deliver us from evil?' (36:35) Richard - About why Abraham didn’t protest: I believe in those days other gods required sacrifice, so Abraham thought maybe God was like them. (42:47)

Patrick answers questions about scrupulosity, church authority on fasting, and the controversy within the Book of Mormon. He addresses callers' concerns about justice regarding the Epstein files and explores struggles with illness and faith by sharing stories and recommending saints. The discussion jumps between practical advice, personal stories, and moments of spiritual insight as Patrick looks at Abraham’s trust and the uniqueness of Christ’s sacrifice.   Darwin (email) - Can you expand on what scrupulosity is? (00:35) Mary Anne - What do you tell people who are Mormon or interesting in becoming Mormon? (05:59) Luis - Why do we not eat meat on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday? It doesn't say this in the Bible, according to my coworkers. (11:29) Carmen - Why hasn't Patrick talked about the Epstein files? Aren't we as Catholics supposed to talk about this? (18:41) Christopher - I am in OCIA right now. I have heard that Jesus is spotless. What makes Jesus's sacrifice more important than others? (26:11) Phyllis - My friend has OCD. She seems scrupulous about taking God's name in vain. How can I help her? (30:25) Alex – Today’s Gospel reading; what does Jesus mean by carrying your cross but then says to have faith in another passage? (36:12) Lili - God doesn't ask anything from us that he wouldn't give to us as well. It reminds me of the Crucifixion. (46:25)

Patrick launches Ash Wednesday with fast, unpredictable calls and personal recollections, responding to concerns about Catholic tradition, fasting, and the example clergy set. Questions pour in about suffering, spiritual ignorance, Church authority, and even a parish seafood dinner that feels oddly lavish, sparking honest reflection on simplicity and penitence. He weaves advice, encouragement, and stories with a burst of clarity, urging listeners to keep hope and embrace Lent’s challenges.   Colleen - I saw a priest in a video use a nicotine pouch. This upsets me. Is this ok? (00:42) Marietta - Could you discuss if it is ok to show others our Ash Wednesday ashes to other people? (12:48) Patrick explains Ash Wednesday’s obligations, including what “Fasting” really means (20:41) Camille (email) - In today's second reading (2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2) it says, "For our sake he made him to be sin..." Who is the him that is being referred to here? Surely not Jesus? (23:53) Jay - What is a good example of admonishing the sinner? (25:54) Maribel - 2 Corinthians 6, there is a warning against pagan influences. Don't we need to separate from unbelievers? (33:08) Rich - At my Church, they are offering a lavish meal without meat. All you can eat chowder and clam cakes! Is this ok? (38:45) Jessica - Why did Jesus's best friend seem to suffer so much? (43:08)

Patrick answers heartfelt questions about Catholic faith, from the effects of double baptism to whether small children should receive Ash Wednesday ashes. He encourages honest conversation about marriage outside the Church, reconciliation, and practical matters like choosing godparents or receiving ashes from non-Catholic sources. Unexpected moments arise, including stories about The Waltons, and Patrick draws from scripture and tradition to offer guidance rooted in compassion and clarity.   Nancy (email) – Is Ash Wednesday more attended than Christmas? (00:36) Shelby - I have a family member who was baptized for the 2nd time. What is the status of their soul? (04:07) Alexandria - How do I navigate marriage when my spouse is not Catholic? (11:09) Anne – What is reparation? Is there any way to regain lost graces? (23:01) Stephanie - I just received ashes at a drive thru at an Episcopal Church. Is that ok? (28:53) Norma - I want to thank you for your good advice. It really helped my husband and me. (31:38) Liz - A priest told me that it was wrong for kids to receive ashes. (37:35) Joe - How come the Gospels are not signed by the Gospel writers? There is no actual confirmation that they wrote it. (45:08)

Patrick welcomes questions from callers and answers with candor, tackling everything from fasting before Communion to the frustration of drive-through ashes. He fields concerns about family relationships, noisy children during Mass, and respectfully disposing of sacred objects, referencing Scripture and personal experiences. The episode blends sharp insight, heartfelt wisdom, and everyday Catholic realities in unpredictable ways.   Suzanne (email) - I have understood that the fast before communion was to prepare ourselves and so to speak "hunger" for the Lord. How does that match 1 Corinthians 11:34, "If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you assemble it does not lead to judgement"? (00:32) Eileen – Our parish has an “Ash Dash” (05:27) Danny - Should I donate anonymously, if I want to merit grace? I am thinking of today's reading where Jesus suggests we keep our pious practices unseen. (09:58) Frank - Does it in say in the Bible not to forget the love of your youth? (14:24) Theresa - How can I best explain to our adult children why it is best to baptize their kids as infants? (18:02) Nathan - When I am at Mass and I need to step out because of the baby crying, how much is too long for me to be gone? (26:26) Sandy - How can my adult daughter avoid dating needy guys? (30:12) Patricia - What does the Church teach regarding cremation? (38:32) Margaret - What should be done with the ashes after they are used at the Ash Wednesday service? (40:29) Dolores - Is there an official age range for which fasting is obligatory. (42:29) Deacon Peter (email) – You need to do more research on Fr. Father Gregory Boyle (43:52) Sarah (email) - My husband and I were wondering if there was a way to earmark our donation to relevant radio specifically for the Patrick Madrid Show. We love your show and want our donation to go specifically to you and your staff. (47:44)