Before we enter the penitential season of Lent, we gather to celebrate Mardi Gras. We know it primarily for colorful parades, extravagant celebrations, and delicious pastries. But did you know that there is also a spiritual significance to this event? Fr Conroy joins Nicholas as we find out the history and substance of Mardi Gras.

It can be difficult to remain faithful to God in the modern world. So many things seek to drive a wedge between us and devotion. Social media traps us in algorithms and politics encourage us to make an idol out of ideology. We are constantly bombarded by conflicting messages from music, television, and our cellphones. Remaining true to the Word in this reality is difficult for adults, but more so for the young. Not only do they have those same issues to contend with, but they are also inundated with homework and tests, often enduring the judgement of their secular peers for practicing their religion. But groups like the "Girl Gang" of SFX give us hope for the future as these high schoolers gather each week to support one another in a nurturing community, growing their connections to God and becoming sure in their expression of their faith. Courtney, Cynthia, and four inspiring students join Nicholas to talk about life, faith, and (of course) snacks.

The suffering of children is difficult to witness, particularly the children in our families. It can leave us with questions about our relationship with God, or with a feeling of powerlessness, but can reveal opportunities for deep compassion and meaningful care and respect for those who need it most. This month, Pope Leo has asked us to pray for children with incurable diseases. Fr. Hightower joins Nicholas to explore ways to navigate through the painful reality of childhood disease to find strength and hope in God and the world around us.

From the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network:

Each year, the Holy Father asks for our prayers for a specific intention each month. You are invited to answer the Holy Father's request and to join with many people worldwide in praying for this intention each month.

For children with incurable diseases
Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

Prayer is essential to aligning us to the path of Christ and connecting us to God and each other. We can use rote prayers to find alignment at any moment, or engage in contemplative prayer for a deeper understanding of scripture and the treasures it holds for us. The Bible itself holds many prayers within its pages, including the Lord's Prayer and the Psalms. Regardless of the type of prayer that speaks to us at a particular time, it can always help us to hear God's call more clearly. Fr Mark Hoelsken SJ joins Nicholas to explore the wealth of prayer.

Each night, we have the opportunity to enter into a world unbounded by the rules to which we are by day accustomed. This world is a tapestry of our deepest hopes and fears and everything we notice and wonder, a mysterious realm of inexplicable phenomena and unexpected memories, completely individual yet transcendent. The dreams that take place in this world have been the wellspring of spiritual inspiration and guidance in Scripture, throughout history, and in our lives, given to us by God to help us cultivate our inner landscape and open ourselves to His presence. Join Nicholas and Lydia as they explore the hidden universe of dreams.

Few practices have captured the imagination of people seeking greater understanding of themselves and of God than the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. When our own image of ourselves gets between us and God, and we become preoccupied with our own ideas about who we're supposed to be, rather than who God made us to be, the Spiritual Exercises can help us to develop a better picture of ourselves as God's beloved, unique creation. St. Ignatius gives us a framework for opening ourselves to the way the Holy Spirit guides each of us every day and in all that we do. Building on our previous discussions of the Spiritual Exercises, the Jesuit charism, and Ignatian spirituality, in this episode we look at the life and journey of the man who, through the Holy Spirit, brought them into reality. Fr. Mark Hoelsken, SJ joins Nicholas to delve into the life of St. Ignatius to see what we can learn from his spiritual journey.

In our final episode of this Advent series we tie in the themes of this season under one word. That word is love. Ours is a God of love, seeking to reconcile the world under His sheltering wings. At the core of our faith, and even the most complex theological questions, the most important concepts are to love our God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This abundant outpouring of love is not just a gift but also a mission, to help spread that grace as much as we can. Nicholas' mother, the person who first gave him a glimpse of what divine love might be, joins us for this episode to examine a life lived with love at the forefront.

Joyful are those who wait on the Lord. In this time of joyful anticipation as we look up at the skies of Bethlehem, our God has given us the grace to endure the darkness of winter with His warm light within. It is not enough, however, to keep this light to ourselves. Instead, we are given the mission to let it shine even in the darkest places, allowing it to lift others as well. Deb Johnson joins Nicholas to talk about gratitude, service, and this important gift of joy.