What role do Carmelites play in the spiritual battle facing the Catholic Church today?

Father Carney returns to Arena Ablaze to share the history and mission of the Carmelite Order, beginning with the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel and continuing through the formation of a new traditional Third Order Carmelite community in Wichita.

Father Carney explains why Carmelites are known as guardians of the interior life and how prayer, contemplation and sacrifice give the Church spiritual strength. He compares contemplative religious communities to an aircraft carrier launching a spiritual airstrike against evil.

The conversation explores the Battle of Mount Carmel, Elijah’s role at the Transfiguration and his future confrontation with the Antichrist. Marco and Father Carney also discuss St. Simon Stock, the Brown Scapular, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Sister Marie de Saint Pierre.

Father Carney also explains how lay Catholics can become Third Order Carmelites while continuing to live their vocations in the world. Members commit to daily prayer, the Divine Office, holy hours, monthly formation and a lifelong pursuit of poverty, chastity and obedience according to their state in life.

The episode concludes with a reflection on Our Lady of Sorrows, the interior life of St. John at the foot of the cross and Father Carney’s vision for a new Catholic community centered around beautiful churches, strong families and a renewed Christian culture.

When the Church appears to be passing through its own Passion, Father Carney reminds us to remain close to Our Lady and keep our eyes fixed on the Holy Face of Jesus.

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney, visit:
https://www.martinians.org/

For books by Father Carney, visit:
https://www.martinians.org/new-page-5

Shop for the Lorraine crosses:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HolyFaceGifts

Shop for Deliverance Prayers:
https://shop.catholicsupply.com/deliverance-prayers-for-use-by-the-laity.aspx

Shop for Catholic Flags:
https://tradflags.com/

Why did the Church call members of the Holy Face devotion to gather together every month?

In this episode of Arena Ablaze, Marco Sandoval sits down with Father Carney to continue their journey through the original 1885 Manual of the Arch-confraternity to the Holy Face.

Father Carney explains how Pope Leo XIII expanded the indulgences connected to the confraternity and specifically encouraged members to attend monthly meetings. He discusses why gathering face-to-face for prayer, fellowship and conversation remains essential and why this important part of the devotion has largely disappeared today.

The conversation explores what is needed to begin a local Holy Face group, how monthly meetings can strengthen members in their mission and why praying together can inspire practical action for Christ and His Church.

Father Carney also introduces Father Janvier, the French cathedral canon who helped establish the confraternity in Tours, and explains why Tours became the spiritual home of the Holy Face devotion. From St. Martin of Tours and Venerable Leo Dupont to Sister Marie of St. Peter, the city holds a remarkable place in Catholic history.

The episode concludes with Father Carney’s call for priests to become apostolic missionaries again, spreading devotion to the Holy Face and leading souls more deeply toward Jesus Christ.

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney, visit:
https://www.martinians.org/

For books by Father Carney, visit:
https://www.martinians.org/new-page-5

Shop for the Lorraine crosses:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HolyFaceGifts

Shop for Deliverance Prayers:
https://shop.catholicsupply.com/deliverance-prayers-for-use-by-the-laity.aspx

Shop for Catholic Flags:
https://tradflags.com/

Father Carney returns to Arena Ablaze after a whirlwind mission through England, France and Ireland, spreading devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus and witnessing the enduring strength of the Catholic faith across Europe.

Father Carney shares how he delivered seven talks in five days across England, including a presentation at the historic Brompton Oratory. He then traveled to Tours, France, to meet with the new director of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face and encourage those working to preserve the birthplace of this powerful devotion.

The journey continued through Ireland, where Father Carney visited Knock, Dublin, Belfast and other communities across the country. He reflects on Ireland’s centuries of persecution, the faith of its people and the remarkable history of the Irish Confraternity of the Holy Face.

Marco and Father Carney also discuss Our Lady of Knock, the Rosary as the Bible of the Irish people, Catholic nobility and the belief that devotion to the Holy Face is helping unite the clans across nations and cultures.

The conversation turns to Father Carney’s upcoming book about meekness, a forgotten virtue that can restrain destructive anger and become a powerful weapon in the spiritual battles ahead.

The episode concludes with details about the Holy Face Conference, including Solemn High Mass, prayer, processions and teachings designed to draw Catholics deeper into reverence, reparation and devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus.

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney, visit:
https://www.martinians.org/

For books by Father Carney, visit:
https://www.martinians.org/new-page-5

Shop for the Lorraine crosses:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HolyFaceGifts

Shop for Deliverance Prayers:
https://shop.catholicsupply.com/deliverance-prayers-for-use-by-the-laity.aspx

Shop for Catholic Flags:
https://tradflags.com/

How did devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus receive the official approval of Pope Leo XIII and become an archconfraternity of the Catholic Church?

Father Carney returns to Arena Ablaze for the third installment in his exploration of the Manual of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face. In this episode, he explains how the devotion reached Pope Leo XIII in 1884 and received papal approval, indulgences and an important place in the public devotional life of the Church.

Marco and Father Carney discuss what a confraternity is, how lay Catholics can unite in prayer and reparation and what separates a private devotion from a devotion officially recognized by the Church.

Father Carney also explains plenary indulgences, purgatory and the difference between receiving forgiveness for sin and making satisfaction for its consequences. Using a simple broken-window analogy, he describes how the merits of Jesus Christ are applied to souls through the authority of the Church.

The conversation also examines the remarkable legacy of Pope Leo XIII, one of the longest-reigning popes, the first pope captured on motion-picture film and a great promoter of the Rosary and the Holy Face of Jesus.

According to Father Carney, Pope Leo XIII elevated the Holy Face confraternity almost immediately, establishing an arch-confraternity that would remain part of the Church permanently.

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney, visit:
https://www.martinians.org/

For books by Father Carney, visit:
https://www.martinians.org/new-page-5

Shop for the Lorraine crosses:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HolyFaceGifts

Shop for Deliverance Prayers:
https://shop.catholicsupply.com/deliverance-prayers-for-use-by-the-laity.aspx

Shop for Catholic Flags:
https://tradflags.com/

What can Mary’s response to God teach us about recognizing His call and acting without hesitation?

In Episode 14 of Arena Ablaze, Marco Sandoval continues his journey through Mary’s role in Scripture, moving from the Visitation to the Nativity and the arrival of the shepherds in Bethlehem.

Throughout these passages, one phrase continually stands out: “make haste.” Mary makes haste to serve Elizabeth, and the shepherds make haste to find Jesus. Marco reflects on how their example challenges us to respond when God invites us into a deeper relationship with Him.

The episode also addresses common questions about Mary’s perpetual virginity and the Immaculate Conception. Marco explains why Catholics call Mary the Ark of the New Covenant and how Jesus entrusted her to St. John, and ultimately to all believers, from the cross.

Marco also explores the biblical foundation of the Hail Mary, the Magnificat, the First Saturday devotion, Our Lady of Sorrows and the way the Rosary leads us into the life, suffering and love of Jesus Christ.

From John the Baptist leaping in Elizabeth’s womb to Jesus being placed in a manger, these passages reveal Mary as a humble servant who carries Christ to others, keeps God’s mysteries in her heart and continually leads us closer to her Son. When God calls, will we hesitate, or will we make haste?

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney

For books by Father Carney

Shop for the Lorraine crosses

Shop for Deliverance Prayers

Shop for Catholic Flags

Who is the Blessed Virgin Mary, and why does she matter so deeply in the spiritual life of a Catholic man?

In Episode 13 of Arena Ablaze, Marco Sandoval shares his personal journey toward understanding and loving Mary. He explains how the 33 Day Consecration to Jesus through Mary opened his heart, strengthened his relationship with Christ and helped him recognize Mary throughout Scripture.

Beginning in Genesis and continuing through the Annunciation and Revelation, Marco explores Mary as the New Eve, the Ark of the New Covenant, the woman who stands against the serpent and the mother given to all Christians through Jesus Christ. He also discusses the Immaculate Conception, the prayers of St. Monica, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima and Mary’s perfect example of humility and obedience. Her response to God was not to demand why, but to ask how she could serve His will. This episode offers a layman’s personal witness to Marian devotion and explains why honoring Mary never draws us away from Jesus. Instead, she continually leads us closer to her Son.

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney

For books by Father Carney

Shop for the Lorraine crosses

Shop for Deliverance Prayers

Shop for Catholic Flags

What should a Catholic man do when spiritual attacks strike his marriage, family, work, and closest relationships?

In this solo episode of Arena Ablaze, Marco Sandoval speaks candidly about a spiritual battle he is facing and the lessons it has reinforced in his life. He examines how the enemy works through temptation, emotion, division, obsession, and oppression, and why Christian men must learn to recognize these attacks without allowing fear or anger to take control.

Marco also shares the spiritual weapons he turns to in times of trial: the Rosary, confession, Eucharistic Adoration, fasting, Holy Mass, sacramentals, deliverance prayers, and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Michael the Archangel.

This episode is a call for Catholic men to remain in a state of grace, protect their families, pray for those who have fallen away, and continue doing the Lord’s work even when the battle intensifies.

Please pray for Marco, Father Carney, the Men in Blue Army, and the continued growth and protection of the Holy Face mission.

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney

For books by Father Carney

Shop for the Lorraine crosses

Shop for Deliverance Prayers

Shop for Catholic Flags

0:00 A Call to Spiritual Arms
2:33 Navigating the Raw Reality of Attack
5:45 Understanding the Enemy's Tactics
7:06 The Sixth Commandment as a Gateway
10:38 Infestation and Diabolic Influence
18:40 The Rosary as a Spiritual Weapon
31:08 Lessons from the Flight to Egypt

In Episode 11 of Arena Ablaze, Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers look back at the podcast so far, revisit the lessons that have impacted them most and explain the larger mission behind these conversations. Arena Ablaze is a call for men to move beyond a faith that exists only in the head and allow it to transform the heart. Marco and Todd discuss Marian consecration, the Holy Face of Jesus, the power of prayer, suffering, brotherhood, virtue and the need for men who are willing to put their faith into action.

They reflect on lessons from previous guests, including Father Carney, Father Bernie Georges and Bob Powers, while discussing the Sacred Heart, public processions, the Rosary, Catholic masculinity and the importance of recognizing the opportunities God places before us. The goal is to build an army of men consecrated to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These are ordinary men who are willing to enter the arena, sharpen one another and carry the Holy Face of Jesus into the spiritual battle raging around us. Marco and Todd also explain the meaning behind “Sons of Muck,” why men need honest conversations and how suffering can strip away pride, distractions and attachments so that God can reveal our identity and mission.

If you are interested in joining other men for the 33 Day Marian Consecration, leave a comment and let us know.

Like the video, subscribe to Arena Ablaze and share this episode with another man who is searching for something deeper.