Ever Ancient, Ever New

On today’s episode, we will be featuring a talk from our 2025 National Meeting by Fr. John Burns. 

Fr. John Burns is a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He studied business marketing at the University of Notre Dame, but later realized a deeper call to preach the infinite love of God with his whole life. Ordained a priest in 2010, he has served in parish ministry and taught moral theology in the seminary. Father John also works extensively with religious communities of women and has provided retreats and conferences for Sisters in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Father John recently completed his doctoral studies on the theology of healing through forgiveness. He is founder of Friends of the Bridegroom, an apostolate dedicated to the renewal of the Church through the renewal of the priesthood and women’s religious life. Fr. John currently serves as a member of the IRL Board of Directors.

Fr. John’s talk is titled, "Horizon Harmony: The Lovesong of Creation and the Restoration of Order". Thank you for listening! May God bless you and enjoy! 

On this week's episode, we're listening to a Facebook Live interview on “The Pitfalls of Vocational Discernment” with IRL board member, Jesse Weiler, and Sr. M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM of The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in Alton, IL.

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George have been called by God to take an active part in rebuilding the Church, which was born from the heart of the crucified Christ. Flowing out of His open side, the charism entrusted to their community is to make the merciful love of Christ visible in our service. They do this through a variety of apostolic activities throughout the United States.

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

 

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! 

 

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!

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! 

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 member, 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!

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!

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!