My Friend the Friar
A podcast where we learn about our faith and share what it takes to live a Catholic Christian life through conversations and contemplations with my friend the friar, a Discalced Carmelite Priest.
Episodes
What if obedience in marriage isn’t about control, but about love that aims at the common good? We dig into the heart of a Catholic marriage through the living model of Christ and the Church—where respect means honoring dignity, headship means spiritual responsibility, and submission looks like strength poured out in service. The conversation gets real about how cultural baggage and family patterns confuse these ideas...
We explore respect and obedience through the lens of Christian discipleship, tracing how honor, office, and conscience intersect and how obedience, purified of fear, can lead to real freedom. Stories from religious life ground the theology in daily choices, conflict, and growth.
• respect as honor rooted in the dignity of persons
• Jesus is Lord as foundation for obedience
• kenosis and the purificati...
What if your feelings didn’t get the final say on your choices—especially when life is in flux? We open up about seasons of upheaval: a child leaving for college, grieving a parent, cancer scares, and the low hum of uncertainty that follows big change. Rather than force emotions to match the moment, we explore how intentionality helps you act from conviction, not reflex, and how a Christian identity rooted in “beloved...
A compilation of previous episodes exploring sanctity, holiness, justification, and righteousness.
Theology of Sanctity (Season 1 Episode 4)
Catholic and Protestant Views on Justification (Season 2 Episode 21)
Click here to support the Carmelite Friars!
Have something you'd love to hear Fr. Stephen and John talk about? Email us at myfriendthefriar@gmail.com or click here!
Father Stephen and John dive deep into Chapter 8 of Lumen Gentium, exploring Mary's unique role in salvation history and addressing common misconceptions about Catholic Marian devotion.
• Mary's maternal role toward humanity doesn't diminish Christ's unique mediation but shows its power
• All Mary's influence originates from divine pleasure, not necessity, and depends entirely on ...
A quick life update and request for prayers.
Click here to support the Carmelite Friars!
Have something you'd love to hear Fr. Stephen and John talk about? Email us at myfriendthefriar@gmail.com or click here!
In this episode, Father Stephen brings his profound insights into how aligning our struggles with Christ's can be a transformative experience, offering both psychological relief and spiritual growth. Together, we explore the idea that suffering, while difficult, can be a path to deeper faith and redemption.
We also look to Mary, the ultimate example of steadfast faith and unwavering commitment, as a sour...
Can understanding the role of Mary change your perspective on the Church? Join me and Father Stephen Sanchez as we navigate the profound teachings of Lumen Gentium, focusing on the essential yet often misunderstood role of Mary. We promise this exploration will deepen your appreciation of the Church's spiritual dimensions and unveil how integral Mary is to the narrative of salvation. You'll also hear updates...
A Quick Life Update and Request for Prayers.
Click here to support the Carmelite Friars!
Have something you'd love to hear Fr. Stephen and John talk about? Email us at myfriendthefriar@gmail.com or click here!
Join us for an engaging conversation with Father Stephen Sanchez, a Discalced Carmelite priest, who recently attended a Congress meeting in Boston. Father Stephen shares his experiences, from the joyful talks on the saints of Carmel to the camaraderie of the event. We even get a peek into the meticulous organization of his expansive library and introduce a new podcast feature that lets you, our listeners, send message...
In this episode, we dive deep into the critical role of the laity within the Church, inspired by Lumen Gentium. We discuss how both men and women are essential to the Church's mission, working alongside clergy and religious members. Our discussion touches on the importance of collaboration, mutual respect for different vocations, and the dangers of clericalism. With the backdrop of today’s internet-driven world o...
In this episode, Father Stephen and John discuss the centrality of Christ in the Church and its mission as a sacrament of God's love. Drawing insights from Sacrosanctum Concilium and theologians like St. Cyprian, they explore how the Church, as the new Eve born from Christ's side, aims to unify believers.
They also tackle the complexities of getting involved in church communities, especially for in...
In this episode, John and Father Stephen explore Pope John XXIII's vision of the Pilgrim Church as detailed in Lumen Gentium, emphasizing the Church's ongoing mission away from a triumphalist view. They reflect on the veneration of saints, with a special focus on Mary, and how these practices weave into the Church's mission toward unity with God and humanity. They discuss Christ’s role as the light of n...
In this episode, John and Fr. Stephen delve into the historical context of Vatican II.
Take a walk through history with us as we revisit the abrupt end of the First Vatican Council in 1870 and the unresolved issues it left behind. Fast forward to 1958, when Pope John XXIII initiated the Second Vatican Council with a focus on inclusivity and transparency. We explore how his vision aimed at addressing the Churc...
Prepare yourself for an emotionally charged episode as the co-hosts from the Bigfoot Club podcast, Robert Dominguez and his nephew, Steven Dominguez, step in for Father Stephen Sanchez.
Robert recounts his terrifying health ordeal — from severe weight loss to a critical diagnosis which led to surgery. We explore the emotional rollercoaster faced by Robert and his family during his recovery, culminating in a ...
In this episode, John and Chris go on a profound journey into the intricate world of biblical translations, specifically comparing John 14:12-28 in the NIV and Catholic versions. You'll learn the deeper significance behind Jesus' repeated use of "amen," extending beyond the simple "very truly" and delving into its profound implications, especially in pivotal passages like John 6.
In this episode, John and Chris consider ink as a metaphor Chris developed in a song he wrote after dropping off his oldest daughter at college.
Our upbringing and relationships significantly shape us, much like ink colors a page. Drawing from personal stories—including the contrasting influences of a paralyzed uncle and a distant father—we delve into the importance of guidance and the transformative power of...
In this episode, John and Mark's discussion ranges from the philosophical themes inspired by "Groundhog Day" to pondering whether intelligent alien species would be considered children of God. Can the gospel be preached to alien beings? What are the theological implications of extraterrestrial life? They also reflect on how Christ’s redemptive act might manifest across different species and the percepti...
In this episode, John and Mark Gansle continue their conversation and take a heartfelt look at the unique challenges and blessings that come with being a deacon's wife. They discuss how growing closer to God can enhance intimacy, promoting patience, love, and gratitude. They reflect on the powerful practice of praying the Divine Office, showing how praying with the Psalms and canticles can enrich your faith and o...
In this episode, John and Mark Gansle ponder the profound distinction between happiness and joy through Mark's experience so far a year into his discernment to become a Catholic deacon. They consider the thought that while happiness is a fleeting emotion, joy is a deep-seated state rooted in following God's will and living in communion with Him. They dive into the spiritual nuances of joy, the suffusion of t...
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