Ever Ancient, Ever New

56. Rev. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. - 2025 Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award Recipient

Started in 1986, the Pro Fidelitate et Virtue Award is conferred each year at the Institute on Religious Life’s National Meeting to someone who has been outstanding in the support and promotion of authentic religious life.

Today's episode is honoring our 2025 award recipient, Fr. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. Fr. Thomas is a Norbertine priest of St. Michael's Abbey in Silverado, California, a community of Norbertine Canons. After his studies of philosophy and theology, Fr. Thomas has served since 1981 as spiritual director, novice master, director of formation and pastoral caregiver of victims of physical, psychological and spiritual abuse. Since 2000 he has been the National Director of the Institute on Religious Life. He is also Professor and Director of the Vita Consecrata Institute at Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College." Father Nelson was also instrumental in bringing the Congregation of Norbertine Sisters from Slovakia to California, the only active Norbertine women’s community in the US. 

Today, we will be listening to Father Thomas’ banquet address at the 2025 National Meeting. Thank you for listening! May God bless you and enjoy! 

 

55. Affiliate in Focus with Sr. Alicia Torres, O.S.F.

On today's episode, we're listening to an interview with Sr. Alicia Torres, O.S.F. of The Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. 

The Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago have branches for men and women who live and serve in Chicago’s West Humboldt Park neighborhood. Following Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis, their lives centers upon their relationship with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, including Daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. Out of their life of prayer and community flow their apostolates: Service to the Poor, Evangelization and Teaching. Through the hard work and outreach of the community, every month, 3,000 families are assisted with food and other basic needs, hundreds of youth and seniors are supported through programs to help them flourish. Currently the sisters teach religion in three poor inner-city Catholic schools.

Please visit their site and learn how you can help support the renovation of the St. Hyacinth convent as the Franciscans' new formation house!

God bless you and thank you for listening!

54. Archbishop Jeffery Grob - The Wounding of Lies

On today’s episode, we will be featuring a talk from our 2025 National Meeting by Archbishop Jeffery Grob. 

The Most Rev. Jeffrey Scott Grob was named Archbishop of Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Pope Francis on November 4, 2024 and was installed January 14, 2025.  Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Archbishop Grob grew up on a dairy farm in nearby Cross Plains. Archbishop Grob attended Holy Name High School Seminary in Madison. He received a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio and went on to complete his priestly formation at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary. 

Archbishop Grob was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1992 and has served in many roles in his 32 years there in addition to pursuing advanced studies such as a licentiate in canon law as well as a doctorate of canon law.

Thank you for listening! May God bless you and enjoy! 

53. FB Live Interview with Fr. Etienne Huard, O.S.B. - Active Participation in the Ascension of our Lord

On this week's episode, we're listening to a Facebook Live interview on “Active Participation in the Ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ” with IRL board members, Jesse Weiler, and Fr. Etienne Huard, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk and priest at Conception Abbey in Northwest Missouri. 

Thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy!

52. Mother Mary Assumpta Long, O.P. - 1993 Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award Recipient

Started in 1986, the Pro Fidelitate et Virtue Award is conferred each year at the Institute on Religious Life’s National Meeting to someone who has been outstanding in the support and promotion of authentic religious life.

Today's episode is honoring our 1993 award recipient, Mother Mary Assumpta Long, O.P. Mother Assumpta Long is the former Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the early 1990s she was invited by John Cardinal O’Connor to assist with the initial formation of the Sisters of Life in New York. In 1997 she, along with three other Sisters, founded the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. The Sisters currently teach in elementary and secondary schools in Michigan and six other states across the country. Mother Assumpta was also an IRL board member who served on the board for many years.

Today, we will be listening to a talk she gave at our 2024 National Meeting titled, “Another Prophet Named John”. Thank you and we hope you enjoy!

51. Affiliate in Focus with Br. Steven Vargos, O.Ss.S.

On today's episode, we're listening to an interview with Br. Steven Vargos, O.Ss.S. from the Brigittine Monks at The Brigittine Priory of Our Lady of Consolation in Amity, OR.

The Order of the Most Holy Savior (the "Brigittines") was founded in 1370 by St. Bridget of Sweden, upon a direct revelation from Heaven, as an order of contemplative monks and nuns, who follow the Rule of St. Augustine. Following the original pattern of monasticism, the monks do not ordinarily receive Holy Orders. The Priory has a special devotion toward the Sacred Liturgy, the Passion of Christ, the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the papacy, and praying for the souls in Purgatory and for the unity of Christians. The monks support themselves by making Gourmet Confections.

Br. Steven Vargos is interviewed by IRL Board member, Jesse Weiler. Thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy!

50. Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P. - The Rosary as the Compendium of the Gospel

On today’s episode, we will be featuring a talk from our 2017 National Meeting by Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P.  

Fr. Mullady recently passed into eternal life on April 22, 2025. Please pray for the repose of his soul. You can read his obituary to learn more about his amazing life serving the church. 

Fr. Mullady taught at the Vita Consecrata Institute for nearly 20 years and served as the Theological advisor for the Institute on Religious Life for over 30 years. Fr. Mullady was a mission preacher and retreat master for the Dominican Friars, Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in Oakland California. He hosted a twelve-part series on Mother Angelica's EWTN television network, authored of four books and numerous articles and wrote the Answer column in Homiletic and Pastoral Review.  Fr. Mullady was also designated as an official Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy. 

Thank you for listening, may God bless you!

49. Dr. Theresa Burke - From Grief to Grace Pt. 2

On today’s episode, we will be featuring part two of a talk from our 2019 National Meeting by Dr. Theresa Burke.

Dr. Theresa Burke, who developed Grief to Grace, is also the founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, the largest post abortion healing ministry in the world. Her programs offer sensory-based treatment that integrates emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Theresa lectures and trains professionals internationally on subjects including post-abortion and other abuse trauma and healing. Her books include Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion, The Contraception of Grief: The Genesis of Anguish Conceived by Abortifacients and Sterilization, and Sharing the Heart of Christ.

Dr. Theresa Burke’s talk is titled, From Grief to Grace. Thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy! May God bless you!