Catholic Stuff You Should Know

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, All Saints and All Souls days, and the month of November where we intentionally pray for the faithful departed, Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean discuss "memento mori," remembering your death. They then turn their discussion to purgatory and the spiritual work of mercy that is praying for the dead.

Have you ever heard a song, gazed at a beautiful landscape, or recalled a childhood memory that awakened a deep longing for something you couldn't quite name? The Germans have a word for it: Sehnsucht—a mysterious, bittersweet yearning for something we can’t quite name. C. S. Lewis called it Joy: a strange kind of longing for a home we have not yet been to. From Josh Garrels' Ulysses to Matt Damon's journey in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, we explore why beauty can leave us aching for something more, why even our happiest moments can make us feel strangely homesick, and what these experiences reveal about the deepest desires of the human heart. What if this longing isn't something to escape, but a signpost pointing us toward the home we were made for? Perhaps we're all a little homesick for heaven.

In this episode, Fr. Jacob and Fr. CJ welcome Fr. Andrew Dalton to the podcast to discuss his work with Othonia spreading the biblical, historical, and scientific significance of the Shroud of Turin. After learning a bit about the apostolate, the three priests dive into the resurrection event in light of the scriptures and the shroud.

In this week's episode, Fr. John presents on solitude of Christ by way of his recent ministry hearing confessions in a local prison. With Fr. Sean, they draw distinction from the experience of secular isolation, positing that the christological solitude is a healthy and inner dynamic of Christian existence.

Fr. John and Fr. Sean discuss obedience and the freedom that comes from surrendering ourselves to God. Looking at obedience and surrender in the lives of Jesus and Mary, they explore how learning to obey God leads us to greater trust in his providence. Finally, they turn to Servant of God Don Dolindo Ruotolo and his Surrender Novena, reflecting on the simple prayer at its heart: “O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!”

In this episode, Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean explore the themes of forgiveness, mercy, and humility in the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) and the teachings of Sirach (27-28) from the readings for Sunday the 24th Week of Ordinary Time before concluding with the story of the sinful woman who anoints the feet of Jesus with her tears (Luke 7:36-50). They delve into the theological and psychological dimensions of forgiveness, God's mercy, and encourage living a forgiving life.

Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean walk through the OCIA process and the Church’s wisdom in accompanying people into the Catholic faith. They discuss the different stages of OCIA—from inquiry and initial conversion through formation, purification, and mystagogy—and why becoming Catholic is more than completing a class or checking off requirements. At its heart, OCIA is a journey of encounter with Jesus Christ and conversion of life.

Fr. Jacob reads Fr. John some excerpts of Pope Leo's reflections on St. Augustine and the two of them riff on the themes and topics of the restless heart, hope, unity, and forgiveness.

Surgeon General's Warning! Beware of the dangers of the litany of humility! In this week's episode, Fr. John and Fr. Sean break down the structure, intention and history of the litany. Tracing the life of Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val, they move into the biblical foundations of humility in the Greek word tapeinosis, as well as bring it into conversation with St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Ignatius.

Fr. Jacob leads Fr. Sean on a reflection of the erosion of trust between people today, and though it seems understandable, Fr. Jacob asks the question, is this distrust good?

Almost as exciting as Fr. Jacob's attempt at blond hair which turned out leprechaun orange, Fr. Jacob welcomes guest host Fr. CJ Mast for a Catholic Stuff You Should Know Announcement!

Fr. Jacob, Fr. John, and Fr. Sean gather while they are at summer conference and they share stories in memory of the life and death of both Fr. Jacob's mother, Mary Machado, and their priest brother Msgr. Ken Leone. They discuss loss and grief in light of hope and joy, holding in memory lives well lived and deaths well faced.

Why does the Church encourage us to have a patron saint? In this episode, Frs. Sean and Jacob explore the meaning of patronage in the communion of saints. The saints are living members of Christ’s Body who intercede for us, accompany us, and model the many ways holiness can be lived. The conversation reflects on why particular saints seem to “choose us,” how patron saints help shape our Christian vocation, and why asking for their prayers deepens rather than distracts from our relationship with Christ. They especially highlight the witness of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. John Paul II, showing how their unique lives continue to inspire the Church today.

As the final installment of Fr. John's cycling-French saint pairings, this week's podcast explores the charisms of one of the great friendships of Church history - St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Centered on the shared life in Annecy and the foundation of the Visitation religious community, Fr. John and Fr. Sean unpack some of the seminal insights of St. Francis' Introduction to the Devout Life. Tying this into the cycling history of the famous Col de la Croix de Fer (or "Pass of the Iron Cross"), they hope to instill a sense of our heroic capacity in Christ through the ordinary and everyday things of life.

Why does God use material things to communicate His grace? In this week’s episode, Frs. John and Sean explore the Catholic understanding of sacraments, sacramentals, and relics. What makes a sacrament different from a sacramental? Why does the Church bless everything from homes to rosaries? And why do Catholics venerate the relics of the saints? Along the way, they discuss why matter matters, how the Incarnation changes the way we see creation, and why God continues to use visible signs to draw us to invisible realities.

As Part two of Fr. John's three-part French cycling-pilgrimage series, this week's episode introduces the life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Under the theme of the ardent and fiery love of God, it is paired with the Alpe d'Huez - the most iconic climb of the Tour de France, featured in the coming weeks of this year's tour.

Fr. John and Fr. Sean discuss the life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz, an American priest who gave his life to serving the poorest of the poor in Korea, Mexico, and beyond. Through his witness, the podcast takes up the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with special attention to what poverty means for priests, lay people, Americans, and even those discerning how to tithe after retirement.

This week's episode begins a three-part series by Fr. John, pairing French saints with famous Tour de France stage climbs. These reflections, born from his recent pilgrimage, begin in the farmtown of Ars with St. John Vianney and make their way to the acclaimed Col du Galibier in the French Alps. Fr. Sean, having visited Ars and himself an avid cyclist, brings his own thoughts to bear on the first of these curious pairings.

In this week’s episode Frs. John and Sean explore the baptismal call to share in Christ’s threefold office as priest, prophet, and king. What do these titles actually mean for ordinary Catholics? Drawing from Scripture, tradition, and everyday life, the podcast examines how all the baptized are called to offer sacrifice, proclaim truth, and exercise stewardship. Far from being reserved for clergy, the mission of priest, prophet, and king belongs to every Christian as a participation in the life and mission of Christ Himself.

Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean talk about their various experiences with family ministry and emphasize the importance of communities of families living out the Catholic faith.