In this week's episode, we spoke with writer and mother of six, Rachel Balducci, for an honest conversation about building a home rooted in peace and simplicity. Rachel shares real-life wisdom on parenting without comparison, letting children exercise free will, and creating stronger family relationships through ordinary living.Rachel has written several notable books including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Make-My-Life-Simple-Bringing/dp/1681922398/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RFV1LP1WTUDR&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rScbTZSvDhU79RxKCfEbvQ.09SgvL6Bl53J9rg5jmPa5JS5GhDAaarIQp1RLWo4a_4&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=make+my+life+simple+rachel+balducci&amp;qid=1765479704&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=make+my+life+simple+rachel+balducci%2Cstripbooks%2C113&amp;sr=1-1">Make My Life Simple</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.amazon.com/How-You-Tuck-Superhero-Delightful/dp/080073372X">How Do You Tuck in a Superhero?</a>Be sure to check out her additional work on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://rachelbalducci.com/">her website</a>!

Why Simple Living Is the Secret to Stronger Families with Rachel Balducci

Discover

A meditation preached in the rectory of the Cathedral of the archdiocese of St. Boniface, Manitoba, August 5, 2025.The account of Jesus walking on the water (Matt 14, 22-36) frightened the apostles, as they thought that Jesus was maybe not real. He becomes all the more real now in the anniversary of the dedication of Saint Mary Major, established in 431 in honour of the council of Ephesus that stated that Mary was the mother of God. That meant he was a divine person, born of Mary, with a true human and divine nature. He was not a ghost.

The Apostles Believed in Ghosts

#10MinuteswithJesus

** Put yourself in the presence of God. Try talking to Him.
** 10 minutes are 10 minutes. Even if you can get distracted, reach the end.
** Be constant. The Holy Spirit acts "on low heat" and requires perseverance.

10-Minute audio to help you pray.
Daily sparks to ignite prayer: a passage from the gospel, an idea, an anecdote and a priest who speaks with you and the Lord, inviting you to share your intimacy with God.
Find your moment, consider you are in His presence and click play.

29-06-26 The Zeal of Saints Peter and Paul (NS)

Sanctity is not improvised. St. Josemar&iacute;a Escriv&aacute; believed that the soul, like any serious endeavor, requires structure &mdash; a daily rhythm of prayer, work, and sacrifice that keeps God at the center of everything. In this booklet he lays out the practical framework of a plan of life: not a rigid schedule, but a set of anchoring habits that give each day its supernatural direction. Clear, demanding, and deeply encouraging, it is essential reading for anyone who wants their ordinary hours to count for eternity.

A Plan of Life

Dr. Mario Sacasa joins Doug to share tips for how to date well. They discuss the proper age for children to start dating, and how to instill virtue in your children so they can exercise the virtue when the time comes for them to date. Listener questions and comments: <ul> <li>Mary - I have a 17-year-old son who wants to a date a 16-year-old. I'm against it, but he has a driver's license. I don't want them to be alone. What should I do? (12:51)</li> <li>Joe - My daughter is 16-years-old and goes to a Catholic School. I found out a boy likes her and I noticed that he's a Mormon. She's never had a boyfriend before. Should I squash the relationship? (24:08)</li> <li>Susan - I have a 17-year-old son and his girlfriend has been fighting with my son&rsquo;s sisters and I'm trying to get through to him. What should I do? (28:53)</li> <li>Will - I'm 23 years old. When is someone ready to date? I have dated in the past and I'm out of college, but life has been a little crazy. (38:26)</li> <li>Florence - I have a college student and she started dating for the first time. I don't know how to talk to her because she doesn't want to share much about her boyfriend. I'm a little nervous. What should I do? (41:16)</li> </ul> Resources: Dr. Mario Sacasa <a href="https://www.drmariosacasa.com/">https://www.drmariosacasa.com/</a> Relevant Radio Dad&rsquo;s Pack <a href="https://relevantradio.store/collections/merch/products/dads-pack">https://relevantradio.store/collections/merch/products/dads-pack</a> Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle <a href="https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle">https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle</a>

Dating Well

Is the Communion of Saints just a comforting idea? Or a true and deeply consoling reality? In this podcast, as we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints (Nov. 1) and the Commemoration of All Souls (Nov. 2), Fr. Donncha Ó hAodha reflects on the importance of community in our faith journey as we pursue the goal of eternal life with Christ in Heaven.Through the sacrament of baptism, we are welcomed in to communion with the Church and united to one another through the mystical body of Christ. We are never alone. Fr. Donncha explains: “The saints are cheering us on. They bear witness to the fact that holiness is indeed possible and that we too are called to that holiness, and that they help us by praying and interceding for us.” [<a href='https://stjosemaria.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Surrounded-by-Witnesses-Transcript.pdf'>Transcript</a>] [<a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz9_HpimowA'>ASL Interpretation</a>] 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: <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/give/'>Give today!</a> <a rel="payment" href="https://stjosemaria.org/give/">Support the show</a>

Surrounded by Witnesses: All Saints & All Souls

October is the month of the Rosary.  We celebrate &quot;Our Lady of the Rosary&quot; and reflect on the many advantages of the recitation of this powerful prayer.  <a href='https://comeawaybyyourselves.com'>https://comeawaybyyourselves.com</a>

The Rosary: "A Powerful Weapon"

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on a day of recollection in Ernescliff College on May 11, 2025.I saw photos of Pope Leo XIV visiting Santa Maria Maggiore, praying in front of the Icon of Our Lady, Mother of God. She is showing us the child. She is showing us her son during the month of May when we have recourse to her.We can ask him to stir up the fire of our faith. Put little twigs and branches into the fire. The best twigs to get that faith raging is the devotion to our mother, as mother.It may be small now, but little aspirations, glances at images of our Lady are there to awaken something within us. Josemaria would as to “Stir up that fire of faith. Christ is not a figure that has passed. He is not a memory that is lost in history.” Mary seems to stir up devotion in us. She awakens our faith and makes us strong. Music: Michael Lee of Toronto.Thumbnail: Icon of Mary in Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome.

Mary Protects us from Being Gloomy Saints

St. Anselm (1033 - 1109 AD) was Abbot of the monastery of Bec, and later, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was the first of the medieval scholastics, and the first real systematic theologian. His treatise, Cur Deus Homo brought together biblical and patristic themes related to salvation and the atonement to provide the Church with a comprehensive (up to that point) teaching on the Incarnation and the Atonement, known as the Satisfaction Theory of Atonement. Links To read Anselm's Cur Deus Homo online: <a href= "https://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/ans/ans117.htm">https://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/ans/ans117.htm</a> To read several of the most important works of St. Anselm, get the book Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works: <a href= "https://global.oup.com/academic/product/anselm-of-canterbury-the-major-works-9780199540082?q=Anselm%20major%20works&lang=en&cc=us"> https://global.oup.com/academic/product/anselm-of-canterbury-the-major-works-9780199540082?q=Anselm%20major%20works&lang=en&cc=us</a> For more on the medieval scholastics, the atonement, and St. Anselm, see the book Reading the Church Fathers: <a href= "https://sophiainstitute.com/product/reading-the-church-fathers/">https://sophiainstitute.com/product/reading-the-church-fathers/</a> SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: <a href= "https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/">https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/</a> DONATE at: <a href= "http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio">http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio</a> Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: <a href= "http://www.jimpapandrea.com">http://www.jimpapandrea.com</a> Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch">https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch</a> To ask questions, make comments, or interact with Dr. Papandrea, join the conversation in the Original Church Community: <a href= "https://theoriginalchurch.locals.com/">https://theoriginalchurch.locals.com/</a> Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: <a href= "https://www.ccwatershed.org/">https://www.ccwatershed.org/</a>

5.9 St. Anselm of Canterbury: Father of Scholasticism

It often happens that a call to holiness and devotion to Christ touches the heart amidst immense suffering. A young girl named Guadalupe experienced such a call while living through the trials of her family and country as a result of the Spanish Civil War. 
Guadalupe Ortiz, the first woman of Opus Dei to be beatified, had a style of sanctity that attracted others. She was known as determined, joyful, and a source of peaceful strength. As one of the earliest woman members of Opus Dei, she took seriously her calling to bring the love of Christ to her work and her daily life.
Her relatability is what makes her remarkable. As an individual often faced with challenges, a dedicated scientist and teacher, and a devoted friend and daughter, we can all identify with the stories and themes that make up her beautiful life.

Guadalupe: The Freedom of Loving

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: <ul><li>The example of the earthly trinity: the Holy Family </li><li>Mary as a guide to deeper prayer </li><li>Trusting God with simplicity </li><li>The Trinity present in daily life </li><li>Beginning again with peace and confidence </li></ul> <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Holy-Trinity-and-Mary-Transcript.pdf '>View Transcript</a> <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/podcasts/our-lady-and-mystery-of-the-holy-trinity'>Visit Show Page</a> 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: <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/give/'>Give today!</a> <a rel="payment" href="https://stjosemaria.org/give/">Support the show</a>

Our Lady and the Mystery of the Holy Trinity

Certified Life Coach, Janet Quinlan shares her insights and expertise on creating a bright and cheerful home. She points out that making a home is not just about the physical environment but also the emotional and spiritual environment. This mother of 7 and life coach to mothers around the world, offers practical tips for building up all three of these environments so each member of the family feels connected, safe, needed, and loved.Janet can be found at: <a href="https://janetquinlan.com">https://janetquinlan.com</a>

Ep. 3 Creating a Bright & Cheerful Home

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this mediation at Cedarcrest Centre in Belfountain, Ontario, August 2, 2024.
Eph 4, 17, 20-24: I want to urge you in the name of the Lord, not to go on living the aimless kind of life that pagans live. Now that is hardly the way you have learnt from Christ, unless you failed to hear him properly when you were taught what the truth is in Jesus. You must give up your old way of life; you must put aside your old self, which gets corrupted by following illusory desires. Your mind must be renewed by a spiritual revolution so that you can put on the new self that has been created in God’s way, in the goodness and holiness of the truth.
 provide for us that spiritual revolution. He can transform us. We must rekindle that faith, put it on fire.
Watch out for the negative voice.
Music: FALL - Adrian Berenguer (Album Singularity).
Thumbnail:

Rekindle Your Faith

In this podcast, Fr. Fred Dolan leads us to reflect on freedom. Rightly understood, freedom is a gift from God, Our Creator and Father. If we do not recognize that fact, we run the risk of becoming existentially orphaned and homeless. “Do you love me?”, Jesus asks Peter. We hear the Lord looking at each one of us and asking the same thing. The Christian life is a free response, imbued with initiative and availability to this question of the Lord. We are not self-created, but rather, we are creatures of a loving Creator. We do not dare to attribute to ourselves the so called right to define our own concept of existence, because God has given that to us. God has given to each one of us very specific, unique qualities. Along with those qualities, come our own limitations. Therefore, Fr. Dolan reminds us that we need to remove the chief obstacles that hinder us from achieving it; for example, self-centeredness, egotism, grudges, arrogance, deceit, and resentment. God loves each one of us, as we are, and he loves to see us struggling to become better and to be free. <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Freedom-A-Gift-from-God.pdf'>View Transcript</a> <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/podcasts/freedom-a-gift-from-god/'>Visit Show Page</a> 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: <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/give/'>Give today!</a> <a rel="payment" href="https://stjosemaria.org/give/">Support the show</a>

Freedom: A Gift from God

05-09-26 Breaking rules on the sabbath (JB)

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Ernescliff College, March 19, 2026.There is a passage from Colossians that appeared in yesterday’s vespers to Saint Joseph. It applies to him, and to us. Colossians 3:23-24: &quot;Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as if it were for the Lord and not for men, knowing that the Lord will repay you by making you his heirs. It is Christ the Lord that you are serving.&quot;The response says: &quot;The virtuous man will bloom like the lily.&quot;As we woke up this morning, on our knees, we renewed our dedication, our yes. We want to bloom like the lily today. We call it renewing, but we might also call it refreshing, face our call with a fresh face, a luminous gaze, full of awareness of God’s presence. 1 Samuel 16: We have the stirring account of the call of David, his vocation, and his anointing by Samuel. David was the youngest; he was gone, he was not even in the list. He was not even on the list of nominees. &quot;Jesse had him sent for, a boy of fresh complexion, with fine eyes and pleasant bearing.&quot;Music: Vienna Philharmonic OrchestraThumbnail: Bartolome Murillo, Saint Joseph with the child, 1670. John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida.

Saint Joseph Keeps our Vocation Fresh

** Put yourself in the presence of God. Try talking to Him.
** 10 minutes are 10 minutes. Even if you can get distracted, reach the end.
** Be constant. The Holy Spirit acts "on low heat" and requires perseverance.

10-Minute audio to help you pray.
Daily sparks to ignite prayer: a passage from the gospel, an idea, an anecdote and a priest who speaks with you and the Lord, inviting you to share your intimacy with God.
Find your moment, consider you are in His presence and click play.

12-03-26 Titivillus (EA)

God calls each of us by name &mdash; but do we know how to listen? Rev. Federico Suarez explores the nature of divine vocation with clarity and warmth, showing that God's call is not reserved for priests and religious but reaches every soul in the ordinary circumstances of daily life. A practical and encouraging guide for anyone seeking to discern God's will and respond with generous, wholehearted love.

When God Calls

Montserrat Grases died in Barcelona of bone cancer at 17 years of age. Throughout her painful illness, Montse, as she was known to her family and friends, maintained a contagious cheerfulness and a focus on her friends and family rather than on herself. In a 2016 decree, Pope Francis confirmed that Montse had lived a life of heroic virtue and named her as venerable.
Resources to learn more about Venerable Montserrat Grases:
<ul>
 <li>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://opusdei.org/en-us/montse-grases/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Website for Her Cause of Canonization⁠⁠⁠</a>.</li>
 <li>Cejas, José Miguel. Like Any Other: A Girl Named Montse. New York: Scepter, 2016. (<a href="https://scepterpublishers.org/products/like-any-other-a-girl-named-montse" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Scepter</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Like-Any-Other-Named-Montse/dp/1594172722" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Amazon</a>)</li>
 <li>Eguibar Galaraza, Mercedes. Montserrat Grases. Una vida sencilla. Madrid: Rialp, 2018. (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Montserrat-Grases-dBolsillo-868-Spanish-ebook/dp/B01FXE1NSU/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Amazon</a>, in Spanish)</li>
</ul>
For more information about Opus Dei or to inquire about Opus Dei activities in your area, visit <a href="https://opusdei.org/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opusdei.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>.
You can buy the book "Encounters: Finding God in All Walks of Life" from <a href="https://scepterpublishers.org/products/encounters" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scepter Publishers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> or on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/159417511X" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>.

Montserrat Grases: Teenager

Every moment is an opportunity to begin again. Rev. Walter Macken offers a message of profound hope for anyone who feels the weight of past failures, old habits, or spiritual discouragement. Drawing on the inexhaustible mercy of God, this booklet is a gentle but bracing invitation to conversion &mdash; not someday, but today. Perfect for Lent, Advent, or any moment when the soul is ready for a fresh start.

A New Beginning

Doug talks with his daughter Emily about seeing the beatification of Bishop Sheen in person. Doug also covers a few listener emails before getting into dating advice, including conversion to Catholicism within a marriage, jealousy in relationships, and navigating purity while dating. Listener Questions and Comments: <ul> <li>Matt -&nbsp;Should I pursue conversion to Catholicism at the expense of my marriage? He has been married for seven years but is being drawn to Catholicism, and his wife is not very happy about it. (11:51)</li> <li>Mark -&nbsp;Words of encouragement for Matt. As a CCD teacher married to a Jewish woman, Mark shares how his wife eventually converted after 30 years and how they have had a beautiful marriage. (29:01)</li> <li>Ray: How should you approach jealousy? He suggests having Doug and Timmerie together on a show to offer both the male and female perspectives on dating and marriage. (31:07)</li> <li>Samantha -&nbsp;How do you maintain purity while dating when you and your partner are not on the same page? She asks when it is time to walk away while also wanting to get engaged and married sooner rather than later because living purity is becoming difficult. (34:48)</li> </ul> &nbsp; Resources: &nbsp; Marriage Unhindered <a href="https://www.marriageunhindered.com/">https://www.marriageunhindered.com/</a> &nbsp; Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle <a href="https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle">https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle</a> &nbsp; Happy Marriage for Life <a href="https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/">https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/</a>

Conversion, Jealousy, and Purity in Dating

Monica and Doug discuss postpartum depression and psychosis, what can be done to treat them, and how to equip children who hear about these difficult cases. Listener questions and comments: <ul> <li>Celeste: I experienced psychosis two years ago and struggled with a split personality. (11:20)</li> <li>Rose: I experienced postpartum depression and want to share my happy ending. (29:35)</li> <li>Cynthia: I never planned to have children and did not have a maternal instinct. My husband wanted seven children, and after having children, natural births, and breastfeeding for two years each, I became very maternal and developed a strong bond with my children. I never experienced postpartum depression. (41:06)</li> </ul>