Why are there Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, and so many different religious orders?


How are they different? How did they come about?

Fr. Rich Simon answers these questions and gives you a crash course on Church history. 

Why are there Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, and so many different religious orders?
 How are they different? How did they come about?
Fr. Rich Simon answers these questions and gives you a crash course on Church history.

Father Simon Says™ is your daily bible study hosted by Father Richard Simon, who jokingly refers to himself as Reverend Know-it-All.

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Father Simon Says

Why Are There So Many Religious Orders? (Special Podcast Highlight)

Break 1

Father Simon Shares today's scripture readings, whether or not Animals go to heaven and much more on today's show!

Father Simon Shares today's scripture readings, whether or not Animals go to heaven and much more on today's show!

To Judge an Angel - Father Simon Says - May 14, 2026

Bible Study

Letters

Word of the Day

Phones

Bible Study: (1:29)
Acts 17:15, 22—18:1
We honor the image of God in another 
Letters (14:38)
Get well card
If God is for us, who could be against us
Can Catholics give Protestant sermons? 
What is the seal of the Holy Spirit? 

Break 1 (26:55)
Word of the Day: To be irritated (27:45)
Callers:  (40:25)
Can you explain the Sabbatine promise associate with the Brown Scapular?
Is it okay to have a Mass said outside of a Catholic Church?
When Jesus says 'the Father is greater than I'?
Permission for Orthodox Communion

<ul>
<li>Bible Study: (1:29)
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/17?15">Acts 17:15, 22&mdash;18:1</a>
<ul>
<li>We honor the image of God in another&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Letters (14:38)
<ul>
<li>Get well card</li>
<li>If God is for us, who could be against us</li>
<li>Can Catholics give Protestant sermons?&nbsp;</li>
<li>What is the seal of the Holy Spirit?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Break 1 (26:55)
<ul>
<li>Word of the Day: To be irritated (27:45)</li>
<li>Callers: &nbsp;(40:25)
<ul>
<li>Can you explain the Sabbatine promise associate with the Brown Scapular?</li>
<li>Is it okay to have a Mass said outside of a Catholic Church?</li>
<li>When Jesus says 'the Father is greater than I'?</li>
<li>Permission for Orthodox Communion</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

The Image of God in Another - Father Simon Says - May 13, 2026

Marker 01

Check out this show from May 7, 2024
Bible Study: (2:19)
Acts 16:22-34
Father discusses knowledge of the future 
Jn 16:5-11
We have to admit we're sinners
Letters: (17:33)
St. Paul - Women will be saved through child-rearing? 
Distrust or disobedience as the original sin? 
How did we get liturgical seasons 

Break 1 (26:59)
Word of the Day: (31:39)
Saturday and Sunday Worship
Callers (41:14)
Are there specific blessings that priests should make to bless different articles?
Is it dishonoring the sabbath by driving sister to airport on Sunday?
Brown Scapular, received at first communion; what happened to that tradition?

Check out this show from May 7, 2024
<ul>
<li>Bible Study: (2:19)
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?22">Acts 16:22-34</a>
<ul>
<li>Father discusses knowledge of the future&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?5">Jn 16:5-11</a>
<ul>
<li>We have to admit we're sinners</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Letters:&nbsp;(17:33)
<ul>
<li>St. Paul - Women will be saved through child-rearing?&nbsp;</li>
<li>Distrust or disobedience as the original sin?&nbsp;</li>
<li>How did we get liturgical seasons&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Break 1 (26:59)
<ul>
<li>Word of the Day: (31:39)
<ul>
<li>Saturday and Sunday Worship</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Callers (41:14)
<ul>
<li>Are there specific blessings that priests should make to bless different articles?</li>
<li>Is it dishonoring the sabbath by driving sister to airport on Sunday?</li>
<li>Brown Scapular, received at first communion; what happened to that tradition?</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Why Are There So Many Religious Orders? (Special Podcast Highlight)

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