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A podcast where we learn about our faith and share what it takes to live a Catholic Christian life through conversations and contemplations with my friend the friar, a Discalced Carmelite Priest.
112 Episodes
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Send us a text We trace the Carmelite path from Elijah’s quiet breeze to Teresa and John’s reform, exploring how silence, scripture, and daily Eucharist shape a life of allegiance to Christ. Along the way, we look at Mary’s role, major historical shifts, and why laypeople might discern the Secular Order. • origins on Mount Carmel and Elijah’s witness • the Rule of St Albert and daily Eucharist • shift to mendicant life and urban presence • crises, mitigations and the call to reform • Teresa ...
Send us a text Want a prayer life that feels like a real relationship, not a checklist? We dive into Lectio Divina—sacred reading—as a simple, time-tested way to hear God through scripture and grow in freedom. Rather than racing through chapters or playing Bible roulette, we slow down with a short passage, repeat it, listen for the phrase that stirs the heart, talk with God about it, and then rest in his presence. This isn’t study or analysis; it’s encounter with the living Word who gently co...
Send us a text We explore mental prayer through a Carmelite lens, moving from definitions and methods to the lived experience of silence, distraction, and trust. The theme is simple and demanding: prayer is a relationship, not a performance, and silence is where love learns to listen. • mental prayer as interior attention and loving presence with God • meditation using reason vs mental prayer using affection and attention • rosary as rhythm that steadies focus on the mysteries • how distract...
Send us a text Saint Rita of Cascia’s winding path moves from a violent marriage and family feuds to quiet holiness, peacemaking, and steady fidelity that outlasts grief. We wrestle with God’s will, cultural narcissism, and how endurance can be wiser than escape. • early life, legends, and a thwarted desire for religious life • marriage, conversion, and the cost of peacemaking • betrayal, loss, and a mother’s hard prayer for her sons • ending a feud to enter the convent • hidden holiness, st...
Send us a text What if obedience in marriage isn’t about control, but about love that aims at the common good? We dig into the heart of a Catholic marriage through the living model of Christ and the Church—where respect means honoring dignity, headship means spiritual responsibility, and submission looks like strength poured out in service. The conversation gets real about how cultural baggage and family patterns confuse these ideas, and how grace in the sacrament empowers two people to move ...
Send us a text We explore respect and obedience through the lens of Christian discipleship, tracing how honor, office, and conscience intersect and how obedience, purified of fear, can lead to real freedom. Stories from religious life ground the theology in daily choices, conflict, and growth. • respect as honor rooted in the dignity of persons • Jesus is Lord as foundation for obedience • kenosis and the purification of the will • vows versus promises and formation in virtue • separating pe...
Send us a text What if your feelings didn’t get the final say on your choices—especially when life is in flux? We open up about seasons of upheaval: a child leaving for college, grieving a parent, cancer scares, and the low hum of uncertainty that follows big change. Rather than force emotions to match the moment, we explore how intentionality helps you act from conviction, not reflex, and how a Christian identity rooted in “beloved child of God” steadies you when roles and routines shift. W...
Send us a text A compilation of previous episodes exploring sanctity, holiness, justification, and righteousness. Theology of Sanctity (Season 1 Episode 4) Catholic and Protestant Views on Justification (Season 2 Episode 21) Support the show Click here to support the Carmelite Friars! Have something you'd love to hear Fr. Stephen and John talk about? Email us at myfriendthefriar@gmail.com or click here!
Send us a text Father Stephen and John dive deep into Chapter 8 of Lumen Gentium, exploring Mary's unique role in salvation history and addressing common misconceptions about Catholic Marian devotion. • Mary's maternal role toward humanity doesn't diminish Christ's unique mediation but shows its power • All Mary's influence originates from divine pleasure, not necessity, and depends entirely on Christ • Mary is intimately united with the Church as both an exemplar and mother in the order of ...
Send us a text A quick life update and request for prayers. Support the show Click here to support the Carmelite Friars! Have something you'd love to hear Fr. Stephen and John talk about? Email us at myfriendthefriar@gmail.com or click here!
Send us a text In this episode, Father Stephen brings his profound insights into how aligning our struggles with Christ's can be a transformative experience, offering both psychological relief and spiritual growth. Together, we explore the idea that suffering, while difficult, can be a path to deeper faith and redemption. We also look to Mary, the ultimate example of steadfast faith and unwavering commitment, as a source of inspiration. Delving into the pivotal events of her life, such as th...
Send us a text Can understanding the role of Mary change your perspective on the Church? Join me and Father Stephen Sanchez as we navigate the profound teachings of Lumen Gentium, focusing on the essential yet often misunderstood role of Mary. We promise this exploration will deepen your appreciation of the Church's spiritual dimensions and unveil how integral Mary is to the narrative of salvation. You'll also hear updates on my mother's health journey, a personal testament to the enduring na...
Send us a text A Quick Life Update and Request for Prayers. Support the show Click here to support the Carmelite Friars! Have something you'd love to hear Fr. Stephen and John talk about? Email us at myfriendthefriar@gmail.com or click here!
Send us a text Join us for an engaging conversation with Father Stephen Sanchez, a Discalced Carmelite priest, who recently attended a Congress meeting in Boston. Father Stephen shares his experiences, from the joyful talks on the saints of Carmel to the camaraderie of the event. We even get a peek into the meticulous organization of his expansive library and introduce a new podcast feature that lets you, our listeners, send messages directly to us. In our exploration of holiness, we dissect...
Send us a text In this episode, we dive deep into the critical role of the laity within the Church, inspired by Lumen Gentium. We discuss how both men and women are essential to the Church's mission, working alongside clergy and religious members. Our discussion touches on the importance of collaboration, mutual respect for different vocations, and the dangers of clericalism. With the backdrop of today’s internet-driven world of strong opinions, we emphasize the need for diverse perspectives ...
Send us a text In this episode, Father Stephen and John discuss the centrality of Christ in the Church and its mission as a sacrament of God's love. Drawing insights from Sacrosanctum Concilium and theologians like St. Cyprian, they explore how the Church, as the new Eve born from Christ's side, aims to unify believers. They also tackle the complexities of getting involved in church communities, especially for introverts. The conversation sheds light on the challenges and rewards of co...
Send us a text In this episode, John and Father Stephen explore Pope John XXIII's vision of the Pilgrim Church as detailed in Lumen Gentium, emphasizing the Church's ongoing mission away from a triumphalist view. They reflect on the veneration of saints, with a special focus on Mary, and how these practices weave into the Church's mission toward unity with God and humanity. They discuss Christ’s role as the light of nations and how the Church acts as a beacon and instrument of divine unity. ...
Send us a text In this episode, John and Fr. Stephen delve into the historical context of Vatican II. Take a walk through history with us as we revisit the abrupt end of the First Vatican Council in 1870 and the unresolved issues it left behind. Fast forward to 1958, when Pope John XXIII initiated the Second Vatican Council with a focus on inclusivity and transparency. We explore how his vision aimed at addressing the Church's challenges and how the preparatory work set the stage for a signi...
Send us a text Prepare yourself for an emotionally charged episode as the co-hosts from the Bigfoot Club podcast, Robert Dominguez and his nephew, Steven Dominguez, step in for Father Stephen Sanchez. Robert recounts his terrifying health ordeal — from severe weight loss to a critical diagnosis which led to surgery. We explore the emotional rollercoaster faced by Robert and his family during his recovery, culminating in a life-threatening situation where Robert's heart stopped for seven min...
Send us a text In this episode, John and Chris go on a profound journey into the intricate world of biblical translations, specifically comparing John 14:12-28 in the NIV and Catholic versions. You'll learn the deeper significance behind Jesus' repeated use of "amen," extending beyond the simple "very truly" and delving into its profound implications, especially in pivotal passages like John 6. Next, we tackle the complexities of interpreting scripture and the critical role the Church plays ...
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