Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified on September 24, and in this episode Fr. Edward Looney welcomes author and Sheen devotee Allan Smith to help us prepare for this historic moment.

Allan shares what is happening in Peoria during Sheen Week and discusses his book The Soul of a Disciple, which helps readers encounter the spirituality and wisdom of Fulton Sheen. He also tells the story of how he became a disciple and devotee of Sheen and reflects on what made the famous bishop such a captivating preacher and media personality.

Fr. Edward and Allan discuss what Sheen might say to today’s Catholic content creators, podcasters, and media personalities. Allan identifies five important themes in Sheen’s spirituality and preaching—and one of them catches Fr. Edward completely by surprise.

They also explore:
-the decisive moment that led Sheen to commit himself to a daily Holy Hour
-why Sheen became biritual and celebrated the Eastern Catholic liturgy
-the fascinating story behind the World Mission Rosary that Sheen promoted
-how Sheen combined prayer, preaching, media, and missionary zeal
the insight that finally helped Fr. Edward “unlock” Fulton Sheen and better understand his spirituality

Whether you have loved Fulton Sheen for years or are only beginning to discover him, this conversation will help you get to know the man behind the famous voice—and prepare spiritually for his beatification.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

Buy the book:
Soul of a Disciple: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-soul-of-a-disciple/?oid=857&affid=203
America's Apostle: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/americas-apostle/?oid=871&affid=203

Fr. Charles Kram lived a remarkable priestly life marked by suffering, perseverance, and a deep desire to serve God’s people.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney talks with Deacon Joe Machacek, who personally knew Fr. Kram and shares memories of his life, illness, vocation, ordination, and ministry. Despite significant physical challenges, Fr. Kram persevered in his call to the priesthood and became a source of inspiration to many who encountered him.

Deacon Joe reflects on what made Fr. Kram such a memorable priest, why people continue to be inspired by his witness, and what he might someday become a patron saint of. The conversation also explores Fr. Kram’s writings, the stories people continue to tell about him, and the growing interest in his life and possible cause for sainthood.

Discover the story of a Texas priest whose suffering did not define his vocation, but became part of the extraordinary witness he offered to the Church.

Learn more about Fr. Kram at: http://fatherkram.com

Who was Mary Pyle, the American woman remembered as one of Padre Pio’s closest spiritual daughters?

Author Susan De Bartoli, whose book Padre Pio’s American Daughter: The Story of Mary Pyle tells her remarkable story, joins Fr. Edward Looney to introduce us to this fascinating—and often overlooked—woman in the life of St. Padre Pio.

Born into wealth and raised Protestant, Mary Pyle converted to Catholicism and eventually left behind her life in America for San Giovanni Rotondo, where she became a devoted spiritual daughter of Padre Pio and supported his ministry for decades.

Susan shares how her own devotion to Padre Pio developed through pilgrimage and explains why the Capuchin saint continues to fascinate people around the world. She also explores what Padre Pio meant when he spoke of his “spiritual children”—and whether Catholics today can consider themselves among them even though they never knew him during his earthly life.

Along the way, Fr. Edward and Susan discuss:

• Mary Pyle’s conversion from Protestantism to Catholicism
• Her surprising connection with Maria Montessori
• The house Mary built near Padre Pio—and why Padre Pio’s parents both died there
• Why Mary is buried with the Capuchins in San Giovanni Rotondo
• Whether there could someday be a cause for Mary Pyle’s canonization
• What her life teaches about generosity, detachment, and the emptiness of material wealth
• Padre Pio and Mary Pyle as an example of spiritual friendship
• Other notable spiritual children of Padre Pio
• Why Padre Pio continues to draw pilgrims from around the world
• What it is like to make a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo

Mary Pyle could have lived a comfortable and privileged life in America. Instead, she discovered something greater—and gave her life, her resources, and her friendship in service to Padre Pio and his mission.

Learn more about Susan De Bartoli and her work:
littleflowerbookshelf.com
littleflowerpilgrimages.com

Book: Padre Pio’s American Daughter: The Story of Mary Pyle- https://sophiainstitute.com/product/padre-pios-american-daughter/?oid=856&affid=203

Mother Antonia Brenner’s vocation story is anything but ordinary.

She wasn’t someone who dreamed of becoming a religious sister from childhood. She was married. She was a mother. She experienced divorce. She raised a family and spent years serving others—at one point helping send medical equipment to people in need around the world.

And then God led her somewhere almost unimaginable: into a Mexican prison.

Mother Antonia eventually gave away much of what she owned, moved into a cell at La Mesa Prison in Tijuana, and devoted her life to serving the men incarcerated there. Known throughout the world as the “Prison Angel,” she would eventually found the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour, a religious community created especially for women who discover a vocation to religious life later in life.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield, who knew Mother Antonia personally and served alongside her for six years.

Sr. Anne shares Mother Antonia’s remarkable vocation story, including the prayer she made asking God to show her whether she was truly doing His will—and how God answered that dangerous prayer. She also shares Mother Antonia’s poem “My Call to Prison” and explains how she herself discovered the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour.

They also discuss:
Why Mother Antonia founded a community specifically for later vocations
What life and ministry inside the prison actually looked like
Whether people who knew Mother Antonia considered her a living saint
Sr. Anne’s favorite memory from her six years serving alongside Mother Antonia
The Mother Antonia prayer Fr. Edward has come to love and recommends to others
What Mother Antonia’s children think about the possibility that their own mother could someday be recognized as a saint
What Mother Antonia might someday become the patron saint of
Where Mother Antonia is buried
And why her extraordinary life continues to inspire people today
Mother Antonia Brenner was called the Prison Angel. After hearing her story, you might find yourself wondering whether she was also something more: a prison saint in the making.

📖 Learn more about Mother Antonia in the biography The Prison Angel.

Learn more about the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour at EudistServants.org.

St. James Coffee in Rochester, Minnesota, is more than a place to grab a cup of coffee—it is a creative work of Catholic evangelization. In this episode, Fr. Edward talks with Melissa about her relationship with St. James Coffee, including the amusing story of how she learned to enjoy coffee despite not being much of a coffee drinker when she first began working there.

They discuss some of the shop’s uniquely Catholic creations, including the St. Polycarp Pistachio Latte and a new drink in development called The Purgatory, which will appropriately feature a little pepper burn. Melissa also shares whether Bishop Robert Barron ever stops by—and what he orders when he does.

The conversation goes deeper into the Catholic identity of St. James Coffee: why the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a tabernacle at the shop, the role of Catholic art and decor, and how the space strives to be recognizably Catholic while still remaining welcoming to everyone. As Melissa describes it, the atmosphere is “just Catholic enough that they aren’t being imposed upon and feel comfortable.”

They also explore the significance of St. James the Apostle and the Camino de Santiago to the coffee shop’s identity, and ultimately how a coffee shop can become a place of encounter, hospitality, conversation, and evangelization—even for people who might never think to walk through the doors of a church.

http://stjamescoffee.com

What message did Our Lady communicate through her silent apparition at Knock alongside St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, and the Lamb of God?

Fr. Edward Looney welcomes author Patrick O’Hearn to discuss his latest collaboration with Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC—a beautifully illustrated book about Our Lady of Knock.

Patrick shares how he first learned about the apparition and describes the book’s illustrations as “Beatrix Potter meets Catholicism.” He also explains how the artwork contains subtle expressions of Catholic faith, including the image of a priest quietly praying his breviary.

Fr. Edward recalls how he acquired a picture of Our Lady of Knock as a teenager and shares a personal insight into the figures present at the apparition. Both St. Joseph and St. John welcomed Mary into their homes: Joseph took Mary as his wife after the message of the angel, and John took her into his home after Jesus entrusted her to him from the Cross. Their presence at Knock may therefore invite every Christian to welcome Mary into the home of one’s heart and life.

The conversation also revisits an insight previously shared by Knock Shrine rector Fr. Richard Gibbons: Mary’s silent solidarity with the suffering people of Ireland.

Fr. Edward and Patrick also discuss:

• The significance of the apparition’s complete silence
• The meaning of St. Joseph, St. John, the altar, the Cross, and the Lamb
• Connections between Knock and other Marian apparitions
• Hidden spiritual details within the book’s illustrations
• How America may now be helping to re-evangelize Ireland, after generations in which Irish Catholics helped evangelize the United States

Discover how the silent apparition at Knock continues to speak powerfully to the Church today.

Learn more about Patrick O’Hearn and his books at PatrickROHearn.com

Buy the book: https://bookstore.shopmercy.org/the-lamb-of-god-the-story-of-our-lady-of-knock.html

Can a homeschooling family make Catholic movies, bring inspiring stories from history to the screen, and even create its own streaming service?

Kathleen, Mary, and Faustina Bowen of Industrious Family Films join Fr. Edward Looney to share how their family transformed a love of faith, history, and storytelling into a growing Catholic film ministry.

Fr. Edward recalls how he first discovered their work and asks how filmmaker Jim Morlino influenced the young filmmakers as a teacher and mentor. The Bowens share the story that inspired their first feature film, what they have learned through years of independent filmmaking, and how they cast actors and select locations for their productions.

They also discuss their short Western, End of the Santa Fe Trail, inspired by Servant of God Sister Blandina Segale. The Bowens explain how a Faith and Freedom reader first introduced them to Sister Blandina, what drew them to her remarkable life, and how they continued learning about the courageous frontier nun while making the film.

The conversation then turns to their next major project, Fabiola. Set in ancient Rome, the story follows a pagan noblewoman who gradually becomes fascinated by the courage, charity, and faith of the Christians around her. The family explains why they chose this story, how they hope to bring it to the screen, and how viewers can support the film through crowdfunding.

You will also hear how the Bowens:
-Created Industrious Family Theater, their own family-friendly streaming platform
-Produce and distribute independent Catholic stories that might otherwise go unseen
-Make films that homeschooling families can use alongside history and religion curricula
-Respond to encouragement from viewers who appreciate their work
Chose “Industrious Family” as their company name—and introduced Fr. Edward to the virtue of industriousness
-Discover how one family is working to reclaim filmmaking through stories rooted in faith, virtue, history, and the Catholic imagination.
-Industrious Family Films describes its mission as producing Catholic films that inspire families through truth, beauty, heroism, sacrifice, and virtue.

Support Fabiola: FabiolaMovie.com
Explore Industrious Family Films and Industrious Family Theater: IndustriousFamily.com

Blessed Stanley Rother refused to abandon his people, even when remaining with them placed his own life in danger. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Ed Jeep, whose family has a fascinating personal connection to the Oklahoma priest and martyr.

Ed’s father was a Catholic priest who knew and served alongside Fr. Stanley Rother before later leaving active ministry. That family connection eventually inspired Ed’s own passion for sharing Rother’s story and promoting devotion to him.

Fr. Edward and Ed discuss the political turmoil and violence that produced numerous martyrs in Central America, as well as Fr. Rother’s fear that he might be abducted and killed far from his parish. He worried that his people would mistakenly believe he had abandoned them. Ed recounts the events surrounding Rother’s martyrdom and explains why his cause, which was initially considered alongside those of other martyrs, eventually proceeded on its own.

They also explore:

• Fr. Rother’s life and ministry among the people of Guatemala
• The circumstances surrounding his martyrdom
• Fr. Edward’s missed opportunity to visit the place where Rother was killed
• Reactions to images of Rother dressed as a missionary and farmer rather than in clerical attire
• The remarkable priestly and religious vocations that emerged from the mission after his death
• The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City
• Ed Jeep’s efforts to promote devotion in Washington, D.C.
• Growing pockets of devotion to Blessed Stanley Rother throughout the United States
• An upcoming documentary narrated by Martin Sheen

Blessed Stanley Rother’s life offers a compelling example of pastoral courage, missionary dedication, and a priest’s willingness to remain with his people until the end.

Learn more about Ed Jeep’s work at stanleyrotherproject.org.