St. Josemaria Institute Podcast

In this meditation, Fr. Leo Austin draws upon lessons from Scripture as he encourages us to pray for the grace to take better advantage of difficulties and darkness in order to develop a deeper interior life. This movement from discouragement to hope occurs especially in the faculty of our memory, when we process our own reactions in our personal conversation with God. As St. Josemaria wrote in The Forge, no.158: "When our vision is clouded, when our eyes have lost their clarity, we need to go to the light. And Jesus Christ has told us that he is the Light of the world and that he has come to heal the sick.—That is why your weaknesses and your falls — when God allows them—should not separate you from Christ, but rather draw you closer to him!" PAUSE AND REFLECT: How did I react in a past moment of difficulty or darkness? How could I turn more quickly to Christ's light next time? How do I use my memory in my conversations with God, to pass my past reactions through the heart of Christ so that he

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio brings to life several stories from the life of St. Josemaria, including the footprints in the snow that helped him recognize his vocation and the founding of Opus Dei on October 2, 1928. Fr. Peter helps us consider the importance of being a contemplative soul in the midst of our occupation so that we can bear witness to the love of Christ in all we say and do. PAUSE & REFLECT: Could I become a more ready apostolic instrument for the Holy Spirit to spread the blaze of Jesus Christ in and through my life? Am I at risk of becoming worldly, and if so, what am I going to do about becoming a more contemplative soul? What if I were to entrust myself and my resolutions from this time of prayer to my guardian angel?  THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast ad-free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today! Support the show

In this meditation, we invite you to pray alongside Msgr. Martin Schlag and, following the advice of St. Josemaria, repeat his heartfelt petitions to Mary under the invocation of Our Lady of Sorrows. By contemplating Mary's heart, we can learn to: let God strengthen my faith when I find myself at the foot of the Cross; pronounce a 'fiat' to God when He is asking something of me that's not what I want; stand loyally by the side of Christ when I feel lonely, abandoned, or just plain tired. Speaking about the heart of Mary, Msgr. Schlag leads us in meditation on Scripture, through a personal examination, and into contemplation by speaking directly to our Blessed Mother. He explains: "The sword pierces a heart that loves Jesus, and in Jesus, loves all of us. So, Saint Josemaria goes so far as to connect Mary's sorrow with these words of Jesus: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Mary's suffering is not pointless or sterile. She suffers

In this meditation, Fr. Marty Miller draws out lessons about becoming contemplatives in the middle of the world by looking at our similarities to the lives of the Apostles. Their active lifestyles highlight three key elements for us to maintain a contemplative spirit amid our everyday duties: 1) our love for creation can grow to extend to the stark realities of modern life; 2) our willingness to struggle can get us through the tough spots of the road if we take them as reminders of the importance of the contemplative spirit; 3) our constant connection with Our Lord, that He himself maintains, can keep us oriented towards Him no matter what.  The saintly Apostles were not monks; rather their ministry demanded that they support themselves with work. And, the lives of so many saints show us that contemplation is compatible with facing great challenges.  For us, too, the realities of our lives in the middle of the world should be content for our dialogue with God.  In this way, we can trust that He has placed us

In this meditation, Fr. Eric Nicolai leads our imaginations from Sacred Scripture to the lakeside of eastern Ontario to the university campus where St. Josemaria famously proclaimed:  "[God] waits for us every day, in the laboratory, in the operating theatre, in the army barracks, in the university chair, in the factory, in the workshop, in the fields, in the home and in all the immense panorama of work. Understand this well: there is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it." (Passionately Loving the World, no. 114) Although St. Josemaria delivered that homily in 1967, the words ring just as true for us today, at the start of this new academic year.  In this timely meditation, Fr. Eric prompts us to take on our apostolic mission with as much enthusiasm as St. Josemaria. He explains: "Let us feel ourselves now to be on a mission this year, to truly be protagonists in bringing the love of God wherever we are. And the

In this podcast, Msgr. Fred Dolan examines three critical players in our spiritual life: the intellect, will, and heart. He offers a view of our life as a “journey back home,” relating the perilous journey in Homer’s Odyssey as a way of understanding the dangers confronting the Christian life in the modern world.“What a shame it would be,” he says, “to allow our day, our life, to be shipwrecked by the sirens of YouTube, a Netflix series, or Tik Tok.” Ultimately, Odysseus and his crew made it home because they knew the sirens were a “deadly menace,” and they did everything in their power to overcome them.If we form our intellect, will, and heart, giving each faculty its proper place, we too will overcome the obstacles that assail us on our journey Home. And we must totally commit to our destination: with all the power of our intellect, the strength of our will, and the passion of our heart.View TranscriptVisit Show Page THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us k

In this podcast, Fr. Eric Nicolai leads us in a time of reflection and prayer to check up on our spiritual health. He explains that when we are spiritually healthy, we are grateful and cheerful. But when we are not, even the smallest thing drives us crazy. All those times when we're kind of irritable, restless, disconcerted, really worried about how things are going to turn out, what people might say, that's a sign we need a checkup and we need to get more spiritually healthy. Our spiritual health will come, he explains, if we are men and women of prayer; if we are men and women who turn prayer into a real dialogue with God. Prayer puts us in contact with God, with our purpose and meaning, and therefore has the profound effect of giving us hope. There is nothing more essential for us than hope, to live by hope. We can't really live without hope. We can't even pray without hope. The hope that comes from our prayer is also a reminder that we're never alone-- that's how some of the

In our meditation of the week, Fr. Javier del Castillo reflects on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how she helps us to rise up to Heaven in our daily lives. For St. Josemaria, the Assumption or the Dormition of Our Lady played a vital role in his life as a young boy in Barbastro, Spain. St. Josemaria’s devotion to Our Lady became so great that he wished to “rise up” to Heaven with Mary by clinging to the tassel of her cloak in an effort to bring a piece of Heaven to Earth.Fr. Javier invites us to look to Mary who teaches us that the essence of bringing Heaven to Earth lies in our ability to rise above challenges and adversities. By following her example, we can forgive even the unforgivable, serve others selflessly, and rise above our own tiredness and hardships. Mary's life exemplifies humility and the power of faith, showing us how to bring Christ's presence into our daily actions. As we emulate Mary's virtues and focus on the needs of others, we can transform our lives and acti

In today’s podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the charity of God as “fuel” that enables us to seek holiness in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Our receptivity to God’s grace increases as we continue to strengthen our relationship with him through prayer and the sacraments. The grace we receive fills our life and will overflow into our relationships with one another, leading those we encounter closer to Christ.As St. Josemaria explains: “Charity is not something we ourselves build up. It invades us along with God’s grace, ‘because he has loved us first’. We would do well to fill, to saturate ourselves with this most beautiful truth: ‘If we are able to love God, it is because we have been loved by God.’ Ask God boldly for this treasure, for the supernatural virtue of charity, so that you may practice it even in the smallest details” (Friends of God, no. 229).Visit Show Page THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute Podca

In this final meditation of our 3-part series on St. Josemaria's homily, Getting to Know God, Msgr. Martin Schlag reminds us that to truly know God is to love him more deeply. As we grow in friendship with Christ and recognize ourselves as beloved children of the Father, we are invited to become contemplatives in the midst of our daily lives, allowing God's love to transform every thought, action, and relationship. Msgr. Schlag encourages us to establish a spiritual plan of life to deepen our prayer and to respond generously to the Father by loving him above all things. Listen and reflect on: Growing in friendship with God Loving God with an undivided heart Holiness through daily fidelity Responding to the Father's love Establishing a spiritual plan of life Read the full text of St. Josemaria’s homily, “Getting to Know God”, online here. View TranscriptVisit Show Page THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute Podca

In this second meditation of our series on St. Josemaria's homily, Getting to Know God, Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects on St. Josemaria's invitation to move beyond simply knowing about God to truly knowing him through prayer, recollection, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As our relationship with God deepens, we begin to see the world, and ourselves, through his eyes. Fr. Eric encourages us to cultivate a faithful interior life, remain attentive to God's presence throughout the day, and grow in the loving friendship that is at the heart of the Christian life. Listen and reflect on: Growing in friendship with God The gift of prayer The Holy Spirit's guidance Living in God's presence Deepening the interior life  Read the full text of St. Josemaria’s homily, “Getting to Know God”, online here. View TranscriptVisit Show Page THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast ad-free and accessible for all our l

In this first meditation of our three-part series on St. Josemaria's homily Getting to Know God, Msgr. Fred Dolan invites us to rediscover the foundational truth of the Christian life, that we are beloved children of God. As St. Josemaria reminds us, “We are children of God and we can talk things over with him and spend time with him, just as trustingly as a son does with his father” (Friends of God, no. 145). Msgr. Dolan invites us to pray with the simplicity of spiritual childhood, entrust our worries to the Father, and rediscover the peace that comes from living as his beloved sons and daughters. Listen and reflect on: Becoming like little children before God The Father's faithful love Trust over anxiety Prayer rooted in confidence Remembering who we are in Christ  Read the full text of St. Josemaria’s homily, “Getting to Know God”, online here. View TranscriptVisit Show Page THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on God's plan for human love and the vocation of marriage as a reflection of Christ's love for his Church. Drawing from Scripture and the example of the Holy Family, we are reminded that authentic love is rooted in self-giving, sustained by grace, and centered on Jesus Christ.  Fr. Peter invites us to renew our commitment to loving others out of love for Christ, to cultivate friendships and family life rooted in prayer, and to seek the spirit of Nazareth in our daily lives. Listen and reflect on: God's plan for human love Marriage as a reflection of Christ's love The Holy Family as our model Self-giving and sacrificial love Keeping Christ at the center of every vocation View TranscriptVisit Show Page THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast ad-free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today! Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that o

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the witness of the early Christian martyrs, whose courage and fidelity helped spread the faith throughout the world. While most Christians today are not called to shed their blood for Christ, we are all called to be martyrs in the original sense of the word: witnesses who make Jesus Christ present through our lives.   Drawing from the teachings of St. Josemaría Escriva, Fr. Peter invites us to embrace the "martyrdom of the ordinary" through daily self-giving, fidelity in prayer, and love for those around us.  Listen and reflect on: The witness of the early Christian martyrs The meaning of martyrdom today Daily self-giving and sacrifice Making Christ present through ordinary life Love as the mark of a disciple View TranscriptVisit Show Page THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast ad-free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today! Support the showTHANK YOU

In this meditation for the feast of St. Josemaria Escriva, Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects personal freedom as the capacity to love. Drawing upon a simple aspiration St. Josemaria learned as a child— “Yours am I, I was born for thee. What is it, O Jesus, you want of me?”—Fr. Donncha explains how St. Josemaria’s spirituality was shaped by a docility to the Holy Spirit which allowed him to see that ordinary Christians can become saints through their daily work, relationships, and responsibilities.  Through prayer and reflection, we are encouraged to deepen our awareness of our identity as children of God and to discover new ways of loving and serving him in the ordinary circumstances of life.  Listen and reflect on: Our identity as beloved children of God Holiness in ordinary life The sanctification of work Freedom fulfilled through love Sharing the spirit of St. Josemaría with others View TranscriptVisit Show Page THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the

In this meditation, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the anxieties and distractions that often disturb our peace. Through the Gospel account of Jesus calming the storm, we are reminded that true security comes not from controlling our circumstances, but from trusting in Our Lord who remains with us in every trial.  Msgr. Dolan invites us to slow down, focus on what is truly important, and develop habits of prayer and recollection that help us remain calm in the midst of life's challenges. Listen and reflect on: Facing anxiety with faith The importance of a Plan of Life Remaining present in daily life Finding peace amid distractions Trusting Christ in difficult moments View TranscriptVisit Show Page Subscribe to our NEW Devotions channel where we share audio recordings of our popular novenas and devotions available at www.stjosemaria.org to accompany you in your time of prayer, whether at home or on the go. Click here to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us k

In preparation for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the Sacred Heart as an infinite treasure of love and mercy through which we come to know how much we are loved by God. We are invited to bring the truths of the Sacred Heart into our daily life for it is through this devotion which we can find the strength to withstand temptation and bear our cross, find hope amid discouragement, and find courage to evangelize no matter the circumstances. As we participate in the treasures of Jesus’ heart, we are able to draw upon the grace of Christ and in turn become transmitters of the love of Christ to those hearts that are empty of meaning, of hope, and of consolation.View TranscriptVisit Show Page Subscribe to our NEW Devotions channel where we share audio recordings of our popular novenas and devotions available at www.stjosemaria.org to accompany you in your time of prayer, whether at home or on the go. Click here to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Support the sh

In this week’s podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina shares a reflection on the treasure of Christ, present in the Eucharist, and how we can become a living tabernacle in the world today. Fr. Leo draws our attention to the moments prior to the Ascension as Christ shares with his disciples the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:19-20).This powerful message is an invitation from Christ to participate in his salvific work, drawing all men and women toward Heaven. Christ humbles himself to become bread so that he may dwell fully within us, as a living tabernacle, and gives us the opportunity to participate more fully in his mission to share the gift of faith with future generations to come.As you pause and reflect today, how will you continue to mold your life of faith and prayer to draw closer to our Eucharistic Lord?View TranscriptVisit Show Page Subscribe to our NEW

In this meditation, Msgr. Martin Schlag reflects on the relationship between Our Lady and the Holy Trinity, reminding us that she is a path to deeper union with God.  Drawing upon the teachings of St. Josemaria, Msgr. Schlag encourages us in our prayer and conversation with God to be open to the transforming presence of the Trinity is all aspects of our life.  Listen and reflect on: The example of the earthly trinity: the Holy Family Mary as a guide to deeper prayer Trusting God with simplicity The Trinity present in daily life Beginning again with peace and confidence View TranscriptVisit Show Page Subscribe to our NEW Devotions channel where we share audio recordings of our popular novenas and devotions available at www.stjosemaria.org to accompany you in your time of prayer, whether at home or on the go. Click here to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you:Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a ratin

In this meditation for the Solemnity of Pentecost, Fr. Leo Austin reflects on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and the call to deeper interior conversion. Like the Apostles, we are invited to open our hearts to God and allow his grace to shape our desires, choices, and way of life. Listen and reflect on: Examining the deeper motives of the heart Recognizing unhealthy attachments and desires The role of grace in personal transformation Growing in emotional and spiritual maturity Trusting God’s patience and mercyView TranscriptVisit Show Page Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you:Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review.Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.orgAlso, if you enjoy the podcast, please consider helping us keep our episodes free and accessible for all our listeners: Give today!