He Leadeth Me

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."

Holy Week has arrived! Fr. John Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about each day of the Triduum and how you can enter into the Church's prayer more deeply. Fr. John and Jess discuss:Monastic traditions related to Holy ThursdayWhy the Church strips the altars and covers statuesHow the Church intercedes for the world on Good FridayThe silence of Holy SaturdayIf you would like to read the "Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday" that Fr. John referenced in this episode, you can find it here: http://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/loh/lent/holysaturdayor.htmFr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest in the Miles Christi religious order and a FOCUS national chaplain.

In Greek mythology, the hydra was a monster with 9 heads, and each time a warrior cut off one of its heads, two more grew in its place. In this episode, Fr. Kevin Dyer compares scrupulosity to the dreaded hydra. Fr. Kevin and Jess discuss:What is scrupulosity?Fr. Kevin comments on a few "case studies" in scrupulosity that Jess offers himFr. Kevin suggests several ways that listeners can overcome scrupulosity in their own livesFr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., is a priest in the Society of Jesus and serves FOCUS as Senior National Chaplain. Fr. Dyer completed studies at St. Louis University and Boston College and was ordained in 2010. In 2019, he became a part-time FOCUS National Chaplain, and in 2022 he stepped into the role of Senior National Chaplain. Fr. Dyer resides in Denver, Colorado.

How is your Lent going? Fr. Kevin Dyer joins Jessica in this episode to offer advice for your spiritual life during the middle of Lent. Fr. Kevin talks about the spiritual state most people find themselves in when they reach mid-Lent, and he also gives the following advice:Begin to notice the freedom your Lenten penances are bringing youIn your meditations, turn your attention toward Christ, just like in the 3rd week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of LoyolaFocus less on yourself and your sinfulness and more on what Jesus is doingFr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., is a priest in the Society of Jesus and serves FOCUS as Senior National Chaplain. Fr. Dyer completed studies at St. Louis University and Boston College and was ordained in 2010. In 2019, he became a part-time FOCUS National Chaplain, and in 2022 he stepped into the role of Senior National Chaplain. Fr. Dyer resides in Denver, Colorado.

Would you like to get more out of spiritual direction? In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss:Common reasons why directees don't get much out of spiritual directionAdvice on how to go deeper in spiritual directionHow to know if it's time to find a new directorThe common question: Should I pay for spiritual direction?Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest in the Miles Christi religious order and a FOCUS national chaplain.

Any person who wants to grow in their spiritual life needs to practice frequent confession. In this episode, Fr. John Ezratty and Jess discuss:8 reasons to receive confession frequentlyWhat if I don't feel as much sorrow as I wish I did for my sins?How to create an Examination of Conscience specific to youWant to use the Examination of Conscience by St. Anthony  Mary Claret that Jess referenced? You can find it here: https://catholicexchange.com/examination-conscience-venial-sins/Fr. John Ignatius is a priest of the Miles Christi religious order and a FOCUS National Chaplain.