RA #959: Mother's Day in Colorado
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
We finally did something we should have done a long time ago, and we were reminded that getting away is often how God reveals what He wants for our lives. After almost three long years, we visited our oldest son and his wife. Free From Rosary Army: Subscribe to the Podcast: Greg’s Latest Book (God Doesn’t Hate Me After All – Discovering Louis de Montfort’s Love of Eternal Wisdom): More From Rosary Army and Greg & Jennifer Willits: Timestamps 00:00 The first Rosary Army retreat is almost here 02:05 Why in-person connection still...
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RA #958: Someone Always Needs a Rosary
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
Jennifer shares what happened when she gave a rosary to a stranger at a concert, and Greg talks through a simple way to pray the Rosary more deeply with Scripture. --- After last week’s conversation with Gabriel Castillo, a lot of new people found Rosary Army, started commenting, and began sharing their own stories of prayer, confession, and returning to the faith. Greg and Jennifer begin by welcoming those new listeners and pointing back to Rosary Army’s original mission: Make Them. Pray Them. Give Them Away. Jennifer then tells the story of taking extra rosaries to a concert and feeling...
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RA #957: The Power of the Rosary (ft. Gabriel Castillo)
Rosary Army Catholic Podcast
Gabriel Castillo joins Greg and Jennifer to talk about The Power of the Rosary, the real fight for holiness, and why calling on Mary is needed now more than ever to fight the evil in this world. Gabriel Castillo, known online as GabiAfterHours, joins Greg and Jennifer for a conversation that goes in so many incredible and unexpected directions. Before discussing his book The Power of the Rosary, Gabriel shares how Rosary Army’s early audio rosaries and videos shaped his prayer life, ministry, and desire to use media for the faith. The conversation tackles desolation, sin, confession,...
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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: We’ve 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 you’ll be a part of it. Links: ! Free From Rosary Army: Subscribe to the Podcast: Greg’s Latest Book (God Doesn’t Hate Me After All – Discovering Louis de Montfort’s 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 Montfort’s writings, especially The Love of Eternal Wisdom, encouraged him and Jennifer to avoid treating the Rosary like a checkbox. De Montfort’s 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 Michelle’s story impacted them so much while narrating Patti’s audiobook. We discuss the way Michelle invited people, loved them, and trusted Jesus to do the rest. Patti shares how Michelle’s 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 week’s 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 “to Jesus through Mary,” the humility of approaching the King through the Queen Mother, and the communion of saints as a real...
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RA #951: You’re 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 didn’t 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 isn’t necessarily laziness or lack of discipline. It’s our tendency to make things more difficult than they need to...
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 isn’t 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 “Smoke of Satan entering the sanctuary.” 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 Church’s 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.