Ever Ancient, Ever New

100. FB Live Interview with Abbot Sharbel Ewen , O.S.B. - How Does a Monastery Impact its Local Community?

On this week's episode, we're listening to a Facebook Live interview featuring Abbot Sharbel Ewen, OSB, of Prince of Peace Benedictine Monastery in Oceanside, California [https://religiouslife.com/vocation/prince-of-peace-benedictine-abbey]. Abbot Sharbel grew up surrounded by the values of hard work and simplicity, cultivated in a family of six children. His upbringing was deeply influenced by the rhythms of rural life, where faith and community were intertwined. In 1980, Abbot Sharbel responded to a profound spiritual calling, entering the monastery of St. Charles Priory (later renamed Prince of Peace Abbey). Ordained a priest on July 2, 1988, Abbot Sharbel’s vocation blossomed, eventually leading to his appointment as Prior in 2000. On August 20, 2013, Abbot Sharbel was elected to lead his monastic community as Abbot. His Abbatial Blessing on October 10, 2013, marked the beginning of a new chapter of stewardship and spiritual guidance.  Abbot Sharbel’s topic today is “How Does a Monastery Impact its Local Community?” and he is interviewed by IRL Board member, Jesse Weiler. Thank you for listening! May God bless you and enjoy!

99. Rev. John Hardon, SJ - The Way of the Cross

o commemorate the 25th anniversary of Fr. John A. Hardon's death, December 30th, 2025, the Institute on Religious Life will be launching a series of Fr. Hardon talks from our own archives! Father Hardon entered the Society of Jesus in 1936. He authored over 200 books, including The Catholic Catechism (1975) and was a consultant for the drafting of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He wrote countless articles, conducted numerous catechetical classes for religious and lay people, developed a series of full-semester courses and was a popular speaker and retreat master as well as a spiritual director and confessor to many. He also founded the Institute on Religious Life, Marian Catechists and Eternal Life. Father Hardon died on December 30, 2000. His cause for canonization has been opened.  Today, we will be listening to his talk titled, "The Way of the Cross" Thank you and we hope you enjoy! May God bless you!

98. Rev. James Kubicki, S.J. - Living the Eucharist; United our Lives with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

On today’s episode, we will be featuring a talk from our 2012 National Meeting by Fr. James Kubicki, SJ, serves as a spiritual director at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He is a popular conference and parish mission speaker, retreat director, and the author of A Heart on Fire and A Year of Daily Offerings. Fr. Kubicki previously served as the national director of the Apostleship of Prayer (now the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network) and as the president of St. Francis Mission on South Dakota’s Rosebud Reservation. Kubicki entered the Society of Jesus in 1971 and was ordained in 1983. He has served the Jesuits in numerous capacities including, vocations, priestly formation, and deacon and lay ministry formation. Fr. Kubicki’s topic is “Living the Eucharist – United our Lives with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass”. Thank you for listening! May God bless you and enjoy!

97. FB Live Interview with Most. Rev. Robert Vasa - What is the Consecrated Life?

On this week's episode, we're listening to a Facebook Live interview featuring Bishop Robert Vasa. Bishop Robert F. Vasa, a native of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, serves as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. After obtaining his B.A. from St. Thomas Seminary College in Denver, CO, Bishop Vasa obtained a Master of Divinity from the Holy Trinity Seminary of the University of Dallas. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1976 in Lincoln, NE and subsequently spent two years pursuing post-graduate studies in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. After serving in several capacities for the Diocese of Lincoln, he was ordained to the episcopate in 2000 in Baker, OR. Bishop Vasa was appointed coadjutor bishop of Santa Rosa, CA in 2010 and succeeded to the bishopric in 2011. He also served as Present on the IRL’s Board of Directors for many years.  His journey of faith and leadership has been marked by a deep commitment to the Church and the people he serves. Bishop Vasa’s topic today is “What is the Consecrated Life” and he is interviewed by IRL Board member, Jesse Weiler. Thank you for listening! May God bless you and enjoy!

96. Rev. John Hardon, SJ - Introduction To Principles and Practice of Prayer Pt. 3

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Fr. John A. Hardon's death, December 30th, 2025, the Institute on Religious Life will be launching a series of Fr. Hardon talks from our own archives! Father Hardon entered the Society of Jesus in 1936. He authored over 200 books, including The Catholic Catechism (1975) and was a consultant for the drafting of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He wrote countless articles, conducted numerous catechetical classes for religious and lay people, developed a series of full-semester courses and was a popular speaker and retreat master as well as a spiritual director and confessor to many. He also founded the Institute on Religious Life, Marian Catechists and Eternal Life. Father Hardon died on December 30, 2000. His cause for canonization has been opened.  Today, we will be listening to part three of a talk he gave titled, “Introduction To Principles and Practice of Prayer”. Thank you and we hope you enjoy! May God bless you!