The Patrick Madrid Show

Patrick explores ethical and theological perspectives on the death penalty, discusses the complexities surrounding immigration laws and historical insights, and even touches on personal struggles with addiction, offering compassionate and faith-based advice.   Emma – The death penalty in the Bible is justified. (0:42) Jason - Immigration should be easy if you are not a criminal. (13:06) Audio: Raymond Ibrahim - At no time in history has a nation opened its borders to a known hostile people. This is not Islamophobia. (20:17) Lourdes – Can the church choir sing exit songs from mass while the Holy Eucharist is exposed? (26:12) Tom - Taking guns away: bad things happen when societies take weapons/guns away. We need to fight for the right to have weapons. (29:21) Arie - Marijuana addiction: my husband refuses to see this as an issue. (39:43)

Patrick addresses some pressing issues as he talks about tough love and intervention for a young man struggling with addiction, explores end-of-life decisions within Catholic teaching, and tackles the sensitive subject of family planning when spouses disagree. With expert advice and heartfelt stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking guidance on these challenging topics.   Jamie - Our son left and is involved with drugs. He’s back home now. How do I guide him and light a fire under him to get off drugs and to get a job? (00:52) Lucia – Is it a sin for a person to stop dialysis? (11:56) Email – Why did I have to wait on hold so long when I called into your show? (14:37) Dietrich (email) – I heard you talk about making a T-shirt that says, “I’m Praying Right Now”.  I have a small Print on Demand T-shirt business on Etsy that I work on the side. So, in honor of you, I made a few different designs with that quote (19:02) Christiana - How can I talk to my husband about being open to life while also being respectful to my husband's decision. (21:46) Robert - Was there a time at which the universe did not exist? (42:31) James - My best friend's brother had a drug problem and did a similar program as the one you recommended. It completely transformed his life. (46:24) Alice (email) - Thank you for mentioning Comunità Cenacolo often. We were blessed to have our daughter spend 6.5 years in the Comunità Cenacolo (49:04) Maria - If a person marries someone not open to life, is marriage invalid? (50:11)

Olivia’s Question   A listener named Olivia from L.A. wrote in to say that, ever since growing in her Catholic faith (thanks, Relevant Radio!), she feels a ton of guilt. She’s wondering: Is this normal? Is this just her conscience working overtime?     Patrick’s response: Guilt isn’t bad. Guilt is good. Guilt is your friend. Cue plot twist.     The Guilt Breakdown   Patrick explains guilt like this:   Think of your conscience as a spiritual smoke detector. When there’s “fire” (a.k.a. sin), it goes off to warn you. Guilt is like the alarm saying, “Danger! You messed up. Do something!”   Guilt keeps your soul safe by nudging you toward repentance and grace. Without guilt, your conscience would be useless, like a smoke detector with dead batteries. (Scary, right?)   So, feeling guilt means your conscience is alive and kicking. It’s a sign that you’re growing in awareness and sensitivity to what’s right and wrong.     What About "Catholic Guilt"?   Patrick went on a little rant about the whole “Catholic guilt” stereotype. He’s not a fan. Really, guilt is just your conscience reminding you of the truth. If your conscience didn’t bug you after doing something wrong, you’d be in bigger trouble.   For Olivia, Patrick suggests reframing guilt as a call to holiness. The more you grow in your faith, the clearer you’ll see where you’ve fallen short: not to shame you, but to guide you back to God.     The Earwax Analogy   Okay, here’s where it gets...unexpected. Patrick compares sin to earwax. Yes, you read that right.   Here’s the idea:   Sin can block your spiritual “hearing,” muffling your ability to sense right from wrong, just like earwax blocks sound.   When you clean out your spiritual life (through Confession, prayer, and learning your faith), suddenly you can hear God’s voice loud and clear, and also notice all the stuff you were ignoring before.   Patrick shared how, as a kid, doctors told him he produced an “abundance” of earwax, and every time he got it cleaned out, he could hear all kinds of sounds he hadn’t noticed before. He joked that sin is like that: once it’s cleared out, everything becomes sharper, clearer, and more alive.     Takeaways for Olivia (and You!)   Guilt isn’t about being neurotic or walking on eggshells. It’s about awareness.   Think of guilt as a helpful warning system, not a life sentence. It’s there to guide you back to God’s mercy, not make you miserable.   If your “spiritual ears” are clogged, go to Confession! Clear out the noise and start fresh.     So, next time you’re feeling guilty, don’t stress. Just think: spiritual earwax. Clean it out, tune in to God’s grace, and keep moving forward. God loves you too much to let you stay stuck. 🙌

Patrick Madrid gets into a question from Emily in Maine, who’s wondering if she has to pack her bags for Rome to receive a plenary indulgence during the Jubilee Year.    Here's the Explanation:   Patrick explains that while Rome’s Holy Doors are a major focus during the Jubilee Year, you don’t actually need to fly to the Eternal City to participate. Many dioceses around the world designate their own churches: usually cathedrals or significant shrines, with Holy Doors. So, you can check out your diocesan website to see which local church has been designated.   Once you know where the doors are, you can receive the same plenary indulgence as if you were in St. Peter’s Basilica.    So, What’s a Plenary Indulgence Anyway?   Patrick gives a quick theology lesson:   A plenary indulgence is the "complete remission of the punishment due to sins that have already been forgiven." It’s like hitting the reset button on your soul’s "penance odometer."   To receive it, you need to:   Be in a state of grace (go to Confession if needed!).   Renounce all attachment to sin: even those sneaky past sins you might secretly still take pride or enjoyment in.   Perform the prescribed act (in this case, passing through a Holy Door).   Receive Communion and pray for the Pope’s intentions (like an Our Father and a Hail Mary).   Patrick makes it clear that detachment from sin doesn’t mean you need to feel it emotionally. It’s an act of the will: a firm decision to reject sin out of true love for God.    What About Rome?   Emily mentions she’d love to go to Rome (don’t we all?), but it’s just not possible. Patrick assures her that the indulgence she gets at her local Holy Door is just as “full” as the one you’d get in Rome. There’s no "extra holy" indulgence for jetsetters: it’s the same grace whether you’re at St. Peter’s or in Portland, Maine.    Final Thought:   If you’re dreaming of Rome but stuck at home, don’t sweat it. Holy Doors are popping up all over the world, and the grace is universal. So, grab your diocesan map, check out your nearest Holy Door, and step into the incredible mercy God is offering you this Jubilee Year.    Hey, maybe pray for a miracle trip to Rome while you’re at it. You never know what door God might open for you, literally! 

Patrick discusses an eight-year legal battle faced by Sandra Merritt and David Daleiden for their undercover journalism exposing Planned Parenthood. Great news: California drops charges against Merritt. Patrick explores the ethical and spiritual implications of medical aid in dying, offering heartfelt guidance for a caller's friend facing tough choices. He shares insights on the sanctity of life, the morality of euthanasia, and the Church’s teachings. Stay encouraged and keep defending life.   California Drops Prosecution Against Sandra Merritt (00:38) Maria - Aid in dying medication: my friend wants to take it. How can I explain this is wrong? (08:47) Patrick reads from the Bible and Catechism in regard to suicide (22:39) Email – Is it okay to put an animal to sleep? (38:14) Jim - Suggestions for dealing with suicidal thoughts: 10 Commandments and Psalm 143 offer hope. (44:52) Scott - What happens to our bodies after we die but before 2nd Coming of Christ? (48:52)

Feeling lost about life's toughest choices? Patrick offers heartfelt advice and compelling perspectives, on end-of-life decisions to overcoming personal crises. Callers share their stories, and he explores how faith and reason can guide us toward redemption and hope. Join him for conversations that matter, and remember, God's plan for you is full of purpose and grace. Keep listening, stay strong, and find the light in every challenge.   Susan – My relative married a sex offender and their life is difficult. (01:17) Bob - My father died 30 years ago. Was it wrong to not allow a feeding tube to kept him alive? (13:28) Cyrus shares emails that have come in today (25:25) Luz – We were in same situation as Bob. We took dad to the hospital and fed dad for 2 years in hospital. His body eventually rejected it, but we had two more years with him. (28:42) Tim - Two people tried to commit suicide and had near death experiences. They both said the issues they were running from went with them into death. (38:02) Nicole – I struggled with suicide. Going back to Church helped.  (41:15) Cyrus shares an email from Jean who had three family members commit suicide in the last couple of years (45:51) Maria - Can you talk about that Catholic rehab facility that you mentioned. (48:46)

Patrick explores the sensitive and heart-wrenching topic about a loved one's end-of-life care. From understanding the difference between ordinary and extraordinary means of medical support to hearing personal stories of struggle and faith, this session is essential for anyone facing these difficult decisions. Listeners share their real-life experiences, and Patrick offers insightful guidance, ensuring you are equipped with the moral knowledge to handle these profound moments.   Evelyn – Was it a sin for my family when we took our mother home from the hospital after the doctor told us her organs were failing? (01:27) Patrick recommends the books, “Now and at the hour of our death” by Nikolas T. Nikas and Bruce W. Green and “Life Issues, Medical Choices” by Janet E. Smith and @Prof_Kaczor Fernando - What happens if person has preexisting conditions in their living will? (20:22) Carl - My son has experience with the Comunitá Cenacolo. (26:34) Steve - Why is a ventilator considered extraordinary means, but a Nasogastric Tube is ordinary means. Is there a bioethics organization I can consult? (31:23) Sharon – I’ve had terrible experiences with hospice (38:32) Kathleen - My brother had a stroke. Doctors gave him a zero percent chance and said no miracle would help him. My brother is still alive. (46:13)

Patrick Madrid discusses President Trump's recent pro-life executive order defunding international Planned Parenthood. He also takes calls from listeners like Emily from Maine asking about Jubilee participation, and Dolores from California expressing immigration concerns. Additionally, Patrick offers advice to Olivia from LA on Catholic faith anxiety and Christina from Sacramento on ensuring her elderly mother receives the Eucharist. Tune in for insightful conversations and encouragement for living as a faithful Catholic.   Trump Defunds International Planned Parenthood (00:53) Emily - How can we participate in Jubilee year without going to Rome and receiving a plenary indulgence? (06:07) Dolores – People are scared of getting deported and some are American citizens (10:18) Olivia (email) – I have a constant level of guilt. Is that “Catholic guilt”? (19:51)  Christina - My elderly mom and sister don’t go to church. (36:04) Joseph – Is the book 'Jesus Calling' ok for Catholics to read? (47:52)

Patrick discusses President Biden's connection with Freemasonry and the implications for Catholics, addresses the sensitive issue of handling verbal and physical abuse within families, and explains why Catholics can't participate in Freemasonry. He also provides advice on handling marriages involving annulments. Tune in to get deep insights and practical advice on maintaining your faith amidst complex situations.   Elizabeth (email) – Is Biden a Freemason? (00:43) S (email) – I told my classroom of young kids that what is shared in class stays in class, but upon reflection, I know that’s not true because they are minors Eduardo (email) - My adult stepson smokes pot, doesn’t work, and lives at home. What can I do? (07:24) Veronica (email) – My husband is mean when he’s angry and calls our kids terrible names (12:42) Patrick and Nancy watched Juror #2 (20:01) Zachary - Is our former President spiritually safe after becoming a Freemason or is this a potentially serious issue for him, and might this mislead other Catholics due to his influence as a public figure? Patrick comments on excommunication as defined by the Catechism (37:46) Mark – Surprised by Truth blew me away! (40:27) Diane - Can you get married civilly while you wait for your annulments to go through? (45:05)

Patrick discusses the importance of knowing church history, including the persecution of the Church in Mexico. He addresses what some consider a controversial topic of marital roles, while focusing on balancing biblical teachings with modern-day practices. Patrick also has some hard-hitting conversations about protecting loved ones, highlighting the responsibilities of fatherhood.   Gilbert - Revolutions in Mexico were caused by free masons and did you know about their impact there? (00:38) Eric - What do you think about using Catholic mantras to meditate so that you can calm down and not get angry as much? (06:34) Gene - If you are divorced are you excommunicated? Can you have the excommunication lifted? (11:58) E-Frank - My priest told me I attend mass too much. Is there anything in canon law or catechism that says you should only go a certain number of times? (15:08) George - Does the Catholic church affirm patriarchal marriage? Should there be consequences for a wife who disobeys her husband? (18:52) Chuck - My daughter is in love with a registered sex offender. (42:57)