Episode 376: Oprah, Larry King & Jimmy Carter Knew This Kid's Name. You Should Too: Mattie Stepanek

Episode 384: From Divorced Mother to Prison Nun: The Incredible Story of Mother Antonia Brenner with Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield

Mother Antonia Brenner’s vocation story is anything but ordinary. She wasn’t someone who dreamed of becoming a religious sister from childhood. She was married. She was a mother. She experienced divorce. She raised a family and spent years serving others—at one point helping send medical equipment to people in need around the world. And then God led her somewhere almost unimaginable: into a Mexican prison. Mother Antonia eventually gave away much of what she owned, moved into a cell at La Mesa Prison in Tijuana, and devoted her life to serving the men incarcerated there. Known throughout the world as the “Prison Angel,” she would eventually found the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour, a religious community created especially for women who discover a vocation to religious life later in life. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Sr. Anne Marie Maxfield, who knew Mother Antonia personally and served alongside her for six years. Sr. Anne shares Mother Antonia’s remarkable vocation story, including the prayer she made asking God to show her whether she was truly doing His will—and how God answered that dangerous prayer. She also shares Mother Antonia’s poem “My Call to Prison” and explains how she herself discovered the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour. They also discuss: Why Mother Antonia founded a community specifically for later vocations What life and ministry inside the prison actually looked like Whether people who knew Mother Antonia considered her a living saint Sr. Anne’s favorite memory from her six years serving alongside Mother Antonia The Mother Antonia prayer Fr. Edward has come to love and recommends to others What Mother Antonia’s children think about the possibility that their own mother could someday be recognized as a saint What Mother Antonia might someday become the patron saint of Where Mother Antonia is buried And why her extraordinary life continues to inspire people today Mother Antonia Brenner was called the Prison Angel. After hearing her story, you might find yourself wondering whether she was also something more: a prison saint in the making. 📖 Learn more about Mother Antonia in the biography The Prison Angel. Learn more about the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour at EudistServants.org.

Episode 383: Where Coffee Meets Catholicism: St. James Coffee in Rochester, Minnesota with Melissa Scaccio

St. James Coffee in Rochester, Minnesota, is more than a place to grab a cup of coffee—it is a creative work of Catholic evangelization. In this episode, Fr. Edward talks with Melissa about her relationship with St. James Coffee, including the amusing story of how she learned to enjoy coffee despite not being much of a coffee drinker when she first began working there. They discuss some of the shop’s uniquely Catholic creations, including the St. Polycarp Pistachio Latte and a new drink in development called The Purgatory, which will appropriately feature a little pepper burn. Melissa also shares whether Bishop Robert Barron ever stops by—and what he orders when he does. The conversation goes deeper into the Catholic identity of St. James Coffee: why the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a tabernacle at the shop, the role of Catholic art and decor, and how the space strives to be recognizably Catholic while still remaining welcoming to everyone. As Melissa describes it, the atmosphere is “just Catholic enough that they aren’t being imposed upon and feel comfortable.” They also explore the significance of St. James the Apostle and the Camino de Santiago to the coffee shop’s identity, and ultimately how a coffee shop can become a place of encounter, hospitality, conversation, and evangelization—even for people who might never think to walk through the doors of a church. http://stjamescoffee.com [http://stjamescoffee.com]

Episode 382: What Was Our Lady Trying to Say During Her Silent Apparition at Knock? with Patrick O'Hearn

What message did Our Lady communicate through her silent apparition at Knock alongside St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, and the Lamb of God? Fr. Edward Looney welcomes author Patrick O’Hearn to discuss his latest collaboration with Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC—a beautifully illustrated book about Our Lady of Knock. Patrick shares how he first learned about the apparition and describes the book’s illustrations as “Beatrix Potter meets Catholicism.” He also explains how the artwork contains subtle expressions of Catholic faith, including the image of a priest quietly praying his breviary. Fr. Edward recalls how he acquired a picture of Our Lady of Knock as a teenager and shares a personal insight into the figures present at the apparition. Both St. Joseph and St. John welcomed Mary into their homes: Joseph took Mary as his wife after the message of the angel, and John took her into his home after Jesus entrusted her to him from the Cross. Their presence at Knock may therefore invite every Christian to welcome Mary into the home of one’s heart and life. The conversation also revisits an insight previously shared by Knock Shrine rector Fr. Richard Gibbons: Mary’s silent solidarity with the suffering people of Ireland. Fr. Edward and Patrick also discuss: * The significance of the apparition’s complete silence * The meaning of St. Joseph, St. John, the altar, the Cross, and the Lamb * Connections between Knock and other Marian apparitions * Hidden spiritual details within the book’s illustrations * How America may now be helping to re-evangelize Ireland, after generations in which Irish Catholics helped evangelize the United States Discover how the silent apparition at Knock continues to speak powerfully to the Church today. Learn more about Patrick O’Hearn and his books at PatrickROHearn.com Buy the book: https://bookstore.shopmercy.org/the-lamb-of-god-the-story-of-our-lady-of-knock.html [https://bookstore.shopmercy.org/the-lamb-of-god-the-story-of-our-lady-of-knock.html]

Episode 381: From Homeschooling to Catholic Filmmaking: The Bowen Family Story and Industrious Family Films

Can a homeschooling family make Catholic movies, bring inspiring stories from history to the screen, and even create its own streaming service? Kathleen, Mary, and Faustina Bowen of Industrious Family Films join Fr. Edward Looney to share how their family transformed a love of faith, history, and storytelling into a growing Catholic film ministry. Fr. Edward recalls how he first discovered their work and asks how filmmaker Jim Morlino influenced the young filmmakers as a teacher and mentor. The Bowens share the story that inspired their first feature film, what they have learned through years of independent filmmaking, and how they cast actors and select locations for their productions. They also discuss their short Western, End of the Santa Fe Trail, inspired by Servant of God Sister Blandina Segale. The Bowens explain how a Faith and Freedom reader first introduced them to Sister Blandina, what drew them to her remarkable life, and how they continued learning about the courageous frontier nun while making the film. The conversation then turns to their next major project, Fabiola. Set in ancient Rome, the story follows a pagan noblewoman who gradually becomes fascinated by the courage, charity, and faith of the Christians around her. The family explains why they chose this story, how they hope to bring it to the screen, and how viewers can support the film through crowdfunding. You will also hear how the Bowens: -Created Industrious Family Theater, their own family-friendly streaming platform -Produce and distribute independent Catholic stories that might otherwise go unseen -Make films that homeschooling families can use alongside history and religion curricula -Respond to encouragement from viewers who appreciate their work Chose “Industrious Family” as their company name—and introduced Fr. Edward to the virtue of industriousness -Discover how one family is working to reclaim filmmaking through stories rooted in faith, virtue, history, and the Catholic imagination. -Industrious Family Films describes its mission as producing Catholic films that inspire families through truth, beauty, heroism, sacrifice, and virtue. Support Fabiola: FabiolaMovie.com Explore Industrious Family Films and Industrious Family Theater: IndustriousFamily.com

Episode 380: Blessed Stanley Rother’s Martyrdom, Mission, and Growing Devotion | Ed Jeep

Blessed Stanley Rother refused to abandon his people, even when remaining with them placed his own life in danger. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Ed Jeep, whose family has a fascinating personal connection to the Oklahoma priest and martyr. Ed’s father was a Catholic priest who knew and served alongside Fr. Stanley Rother before later leaving active ministry. That family connection eventually inspired Ed’s own passion for sharing Rother’s story and promoting devotion to him. Fr. Edward and Ed discuss the political turmoil and violence that produced numerous martyrs in Central America, as well as Fr. Rother’s fear that he might be abducted and killed far from his parish. He worried that his people would mistakenly believe he had abandoned them. Ed recounts the events surrounding Rother’s martyrdom and explains why his cause, which was initially considered alongside those of other martyrs, eventually proceeded on its own. They also explore: * Fr. Rother’s life and ministry among the people of Guatemala * The circumstances surrounding his martyrdom * Fr. Edward’s missed opportunity to visit the place where Rother was killed * Reactions to images of Rother dressed as a missionary and farmer rather than in clerical attire * The remarkable priestly and religious vocations that emerged from the mission after his death * The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City * Ed Jeep’s efforts to promote devotion in Washington, D.C. * Growing pockets of devotion to Blessed Stanley Rother throughout the United States * An upcoming documentary narrated by Martin Sheen Blessed Stanley Rother’s life offers a compelling example of pastoral courage, missionary dedication, and a priest’s willingness to remain with his people until the end. Learn more about Ed Jeep’s work at stanleyrotherproject.org.