RA #956: Just Do the Thing Already!
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
Greg and Jennifer talk about the fear of making mistakes and small practical steps that can help you finally move forward. It's easy to stall out when you are afraid of doing the wrong thing. This fear constantly resurfaces for us. In our current home, one room has left us stuck in analysis paralysis for over seven years. But the issue is not just finding the right furniture or even diving into a confusing remodel construction. The problem is always waiting until we think we have all the answers before actually taking action. And because we rarely have all the answers, there are...
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RA #955: Weâve Waited 20 Years for This.
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
After thinking and praying about this for almost twenty years, we finally take a huge step of faith about an idea that's stuck with us for years. It's time to discover where God may be leading us next. In this episode, we announce yet another first for Rosary Army, and hope youâll be a part of it. Links: ! Free From Rosary Army: Subscribe to the Podcast: Gregâs Latest Book (God Doesnât Hate Me After All â Discovering Louis de Montfortâs Love of Eternal Wisdom): More From Rosary Army and Greg & Jennifer Willits: Timestamps 00:00 Annunciation,...
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RA #954: 30 Days of Praying 15 Mysteries a Day
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
Greg and Jennifer explain why they started praying all 15 mysteries every day, and how that simple change has brought more peace, surrender, and clarity to their marriage and work. --- Greg shares how St. Louis de Montfortâs writings, especially The Love of Eternal Wisdom, encouraged him and Jennifer to avoid treating the Rosary like a checkbox. De Montfortâs claim that there is no better way to establish the reign of Jesus Christ than by uniting vocal and mental prayer through the 15 mysteries is the key. Jennifer talks about hearing another married couple was doing this every day, and...
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RA #953: The Life of Michelle Duppong with Patti Maguire Armstrong
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
Greg and Jennifer talk with Patti Maguire Armstrong about Servant of God Michelle Duppong, an ordinary young woman whose life, death, simple invitations, deep faith, and surrender to God draw countless people to Jesus. Greg and Jennifer talk with Patti Maguire Armstrong about writing Michelle Duppong: Hope in the Depths of Suffering and why Michelleâs story impacted them so much while narrating Pattiâs audiobook. We discuss the way Michelle invited people, loved them, and trusted Jesus to do the rest. Patti shares how Michelleâs efforts to become a FOCUS missionary, getting turned down,...
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RA #952: The Ultimate Prayer Group
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
Protestants ask why Catholics pray to Mary. Catholics may ask: when do you pray to Mary, and when do you pray to Jesus? The answer for both is simpler than you may think. --- An email from from a men-o-paused man relating to last weekâs take on menopause, and how it impacts both sides in a marriage. Then Greg and Jennifer tackle a question from School of Mary: when should you ask Mary for help, and when should you go straight to Jesus? They break down âto Jesus through Mary,â the humility of approaching the King through the Queen Mother, and the communion of saints as a real...
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RA #951: Youâre Not Crazy.
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
Menopause, marriage, and mental health, and how the Rosary just may be the key to surviving it all. --- Jennifer shares the unexpected symptoms, disrupted sleep, and other unexpected changes (and crosses) of going through menopause. This leads to a discussion of how significant life changes can bring real grief, and the difficulties of adjusting when you didnât see it coming. After hearing about recent suicides in the news, he candidly reveals some of his past suffering and the primary thing that got him through the most tenuous period of life, and how that same thing is fine-tuning the...
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RA #950: This Is Why Everything Feels Difficult
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
We regularly make things more difficult than they need to be. Carving out actual time for prayer, getting into exercise routines, and even making a simple grocery list all feel harder than they should. Better solutions are often right in front of us, and they start by discovering one simple thing. --- Lately, everything feels like a major decision: dinner, errands, routines, even the things we want to do (like exercise and prayer). The problem isnât necessarily laziness or lack of discipline. Itâs our tendency to make things more difficult than they need to...
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RA #949: Ready for Marian Consecration? Start Here
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
If youâve ever thought about Marian consecration, this is the perfect time to begin the 33-day preparation leading into Lent. --- February always sneaks up on usâand for Jennifer, it also brings that familiar âspiritual antsyâ feeling that itâs time to reconnect and renew her consecration to Jesus through Mary. We talk through what consecration is (and isnât), why de Montfortâs 33-day preparation still matters, and how the slow, steady rhythm of prayer changes youâespecially when you do it like itâs your first time. Along the way, we share a practical lens that applies to...
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RA #948: Donât Leave the Vacuum Empty
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
As Lent approaches, Greg and Jennifer focus on three ways to have a stellar lead-up to Easter: pray the Rosary daily, fill the âvacuumâ with something holy (like Greg's new book), and make or renew your yes to Jesus through Mary. Lent has a way of making us think we need to do moreâmore prayers, more sacrifices, more plans. All good things. But in this episode, Greg and Jennifer talk about a simpler (and more lasting) approach: choosing one or two meaningful practices that actually make space for God, are protected from distractions, and can lead to genuine lifelong...
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RA #947: Addicted to Knowing, Starved for Wisdom
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
We live surrounded by information, yet many of us feel more anxious and less peaceful than ever. In this episode, Greg and Jennifer discuss distraction, wisdom, and why the Rosary helps restore inner peace. --- We live in a world where weâre expected to know everythingânews, opinions, controversies, updatesâoften in real time. But knowing more doesnât always bring peace. In fact, it can leave us anxious, distracted, and spiritually exhausted. In this episode of the Rosary Army Catholic Podcast, Greg and Jennifer reflect on our addiction to information and the quiet cost it has on our...
info_outlineExplore how saints overcame Church crises with Alec Torres, author of 'Persecuted from Within.'
GUEST LINKS
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Persecuted from Within Book
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In this week's enriching podcast, we had the honor of hosting Alec Torres, co-author of "Persecuted from Within: How the Saints Endured Crises in the Church." This episode is a profound journey into the heart of our faith, exploring the realities of persecution within the Church and the resilience of its saints.
We started with the pressing question: What is and isnât persecution in the Church? Many might doubt the existence of such trials, but history and current events beg to differ. Torres masterfully dissected this complex issue, enlightening us on the subtleties of internal Church conflicts. He posed an intriguing question, drawing parallels between Judas' betrayal and contemporary challenges: "What are Christians to do when Church leaders falter?" This pivotal query set the tone for our discussion on spiritual fortitude in the face of adversity.
Delving into recent history, we touched on the ominous words of Paul VI from 1972 about the âSmoke of Satan entering the sanctuary.â Torres provided an insightful analysis, balancing the focus between the last 50 years and the preceding centuries. He navigated us through the tumultuous waters of recent scandals like the McCarrick disaster and the 2018 Churchâs response to COVID-19. His views on true obedience - following leaders without succumbing to sin or falsehood - offered a fresh perspective, especially regarding the dilemma faced by priests bound by their vow of obedience.
The conversation then shifted to hope and inspiration. Drawing from John 16:33, Torres explained how he steered clear of fear-mongering, instead infusing the book with a message of hope. He shared practical steps we can take amidst persecution, echoing the eternal truth that Christ has overcome the world.
Alex Torres' background as a former speechwriter for presidents and other dignitaries, and his role as co-founder of Allograph, a strategic writing and communications firm, clearly shone through in his articulate and persuasive narrative. His expertise brought a unique depth to our discussion, making complex theological and historical concepts accessible to our listeners.
This episode with Alec Torres is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the trials within the Church and how to emerge stronger in faith. It's a compelling reminder that, like the saints before us, we too are called to endure, persevere, and triumph in our spiritual journeys.
Remember, as Rosary Army soldiers, we're not just making, praying, and giving away rosaries; we're also fortifying our faith, learning from the past, and marching forward with hope. Tune in to this inspiring episode and let's continue to grow together in faith and resilience.