St. Josemaria Institute Podcast

In this third meditation of our Advent series, Fr. Eric Nicolai invites us to contemplate the shepherds, who were the first to receive the news of Christ’s birth. Though they appear to be secondary figures in the Nativity story, their recognition of the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes becomes a powerful revelation: the newborn Jesus is the true Lamb of God, the light shining in the darkness, and God-with-us. 
As we follow th...

In this second meditation of our Advent series, Fr. Eric Nicolai invites us to contemplate St. Joseph, the “strong and silent” figure whose hidden fidelity protected the Savior of the world. Drawing on the Gospels, the devotion of the Church, and the reflections of Pope Francis, he shows how Joseph’s fatherly heart reveals a model of decisive action, humble service, and spiritual readiness. Joseph’s four angelic dreams and his imme...

In this first meditation of our Advent series, Fr. Eric Nicolai invites us to contemplate Mary, the Blessed Mother, who shows us how to awaken from spiritual lethargy and guides us as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Through the mystery of the Annunciation and her total dedication to God, Mary becomes the one who helps us protect, nourish, and welcome the life of Jesus within us. 

Listen now to reflect on: 

• The mean...

In this meditation for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Fr. Leo Austin invites us to contemplate the final gospel of the liturgical year, a gospel in which Christ’s kingship is revealed through the cross in suffering, silence, and mercy.  We are invited to recognize that the kingdom Christ brings is present in the heart of every Christian who asks for grace and opens themselves to his reign. 

Listen now to reflect on: 

• Why the C...

In this meditation, Fr. Eric Nicolai helps us contemplate Mary’s unwavering dedication to God, exemplified in her Presentation in the Temple. From her youth, she was overshadowed by the power of God, prepared and preserved by grace to become the Mother of Our Redeemer. Drawing on Scripture and the Church’s history of devotion, Fr. Eric reveals how Mary’s fiat at the Annunciation was the fruit of a heart already dedicated and attent...

In this meditation, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on how a plan of life can help us stay anchored in God amid the distractions of daily life. Drawing on the teachings of St. Josemaria Escriva, he explains that holiness is achieved through steady, faithful habits that keep us close to Christ throughout the day. 

To help put this concept into action, explore St. Josemaria's plan of life on our blog: https://stjosemaria.org/plan-of-li...

As we commemorate the souls of all the faithful departed this November, Fr. Leo Austin reflects on the Christian meaning of death not as an end but as the great passage into eternal life with God. This meditation helps us face our mortality with peace and gratitude, trusting in Christ’s promise: “I will come back to take you to myself.” 

Listen now to reflect on: 
• The Christian meaning of death as a passage, not an end. ...

In this meditation, Fr. Javier del Castillo invites us to contemplate the Communion of Saints and the bond that unites all who belong to Christ. Through this divine fraternity, the saints in heaven, the souls in purgatory, and the faithful on earth share in one life of grace, one mission, and one love. 

Listen now to reflect on: 

• What is the Communion of Saints? 
• The unique path of holiness of each saint within the Communion of Sa...

In this meditation for the feast of St. John Paul II (October 22), Fr. Leo Austin reflects on the gift of friendship with Christ, a friendship that shaped the life and mission of St. John Paul II. Drawing from the interactions of Peter and Christ in the Gospel, Fr. Leo reminds us that Jesus desires not servants but friends, and that holiness begins in this personal relationship of trust, loyalty, and love. 

Through the witness of St...

In this meditation for the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila (October 15), Fr. Peter Armenio invites us to contemplate the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the living image of God’s mercy. Through prayer and reflection, we discover that holiness begins with our dependence on Christ, who listens, strengthens, and loves us without measure. 

Listen now to reflect on: 
 • How Christ reveals the mercy of God in his humanity 
 • The importance...

In this meditation, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the profound role for Our Lady in our lives as Christians and our need “to embrace Our Lady to remind her of how much we love her.” He especially reflects on the meaning and devotion to the Holy Rosary and how it is an expression we can you use to repeat our love for Our Lady “again and again and again.”

As St. Josemaria Escriva wrote: “Today as in other times, the rosary must be a po...

In this meditation, Fr. Leo Austin helps us pray with the founding vision of Opus Dei and what it means for our own vocation today. Inspired by a common aspiration of St. Josemaría, “Domine, ut videam” (“Lord, that I may see”), we are reminded that God calls us not only to pray for but to transform every corner of the world with Christ’s love. 

Listen now to reflect on: 

• The founding moment of Opus Dei as a “revolution of love” 
• T...

In this meditation, Fr. Marty Miller reflects on the life of Mary, showing us how study, prayer, and discernment are united in the pursuit of holiness. By contemplating God’s Word and acting with faith, Mary shows us how learning becomes a means of loving God and serving others. 

Listen now to reflect on: 

• How we should strive for holiness inspired by the lives of the saints. 
• Why devotion to Our Lady is essential for student...

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo explores the meaning that our human suffering can assume when we offer it out of love to God. He explains that “the Lord has not come to get rid of suffering–we continue to suffer all the time–but he has come to give it meaning with his Cross; he has come to give it the meaning of love.”

As we unite ourselves to the Cross of Christ, our hearts expand to a deeper outpouring of love among those...

In this meditation for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14), Fr. Marty Miller draws upon the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Josemaria Escriva to share how struggles, contradictions, and even ordinary duties can become moments of joy when lived with love for Christ.

Listen now to reflect on:

• How the cross transforms suffering into holiness
• The importance of starting each day with the “heroic mi...

In this podcast, Fr. Leo Agustina helps us to prepare our hearts for the feasts of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8) and Mary's Holy Name (September 12). Her feasts remind us, like St. Joseph, that God is also telling us, “Do not be afraid to take Mary” (Mt 1:20). Mary is a wonderful reality that makes us want to do like St. Joseph, like St. John the Apostle, and bring her into our lives and into everything...

How is your spiritual life influenced by what you love?

Drawing upon the life of St. Augustine, whose feast day is celebrated on August 28, Msgr. Martin Schlag helps us to see how the choice between love of God and love of the world shapes our personal holiness and the very foundations of society. By ordering our loves toward God, we discover true freedom, authentic friendship, and our belonging to the City of God where our hearts f...

On August 22nd the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On today’s podcast, we reflect on the coronation of our Mother as Queen of the Universe. And, how as children of this Heavenly Queen we can learn to follow her example of reigning: Mary our Queen trusted all that the Lord spoke to her, and her answer remained a constant yes. Teach us to respond to the Lord with complete trust. Ma...

As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, Msgr. Fred Dolan shares a reflection on the life of faith modeled by Our Lady and how we too can be filled with a trust and joy that is unable to be shaken by difficulties.

Looking to her example, Msgr. Dolan explains that our life of faith can also prosper through contemplative prayer, docility to the Holy Spirit, and trust in the will...