On the Son Rise Morning Show, Father Frank Donio, SAC, of the Catholic Apostolate Center, reflects on celebrating 40 years as a Pallottine and the vocation that has shaped his life and ministry.

Father Donio shares how his devotion to St. Vincent Pallotti, his confirmation patron, began at an early age and eventually led him to religious life. He explains the difference between a Society of Apostolic Life and a religious order that takes vows, as well as the six promises Pallottines make: chastity, poverty, obedience, a spirit of service, sharing of resources, and perseverance.

He also discusses how these promises help Pallottines live the evangelical counsels and follow Christ more closely. Looking back on four decades of ministry, Father Donio explains how learning to stop making his own plans allowed him to become more attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, Father Donio offers advice to young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Rather than focusing only on external factors, he encourages them to ask an important question: Does this charism and spirituality draw me deeper into Christ and inspire me to serve the Church more fully?

A powerful conversation about vocation, religious consecration, discernment, perseverance, and trusting God with the direction of your life.

On the Son Rise Morning Show, Father Frank Donio, SAC, of the Catholic Apostolate Center, reflects on celebrating 40 years as a Pallottine and the vocation that has shaped his life and ministry.
Father Donio shares how his devotion to St. Vincent Pallotti, his confirmation patron, began at an early age and eventually led him to religious life. He explains the difference between a Society of Apostolic Life and a religious order that takes vows, as well as the six promises Pallottines make: chastity, poverty, obedience, a spirit of service, sharing of resources, and perseverance.
He also discusses how these promises help Pallottines live the evangelical counsels and follow Christ more closely. Looking back on four decades of ministry, Father Donio explains how learning to stop making his own plans allowed him to become more attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, Father Donio offers advice to young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Rather than focusing only on external factors, he encourages them to ask an important question: Does this charism and spirituality draw me deeper into Christ and inspire me to serve the Church more fully?
A powerful conversation about vocation, religious consecration, discernment, perseverance, and trusting God with the direction of your life.

Son Rise Morning Show The Son Rise Morning Show with Anna Mitchell and Matt Swaim is fast-paced, motivating and informational – always from the Catholic perspective. You’ll hear news, engaging interviews, prayer and more each weekday morning from 6am-8am ET. 

Son Rise Morning Show The Son Rise Morning Show with Anna Mitchell and Matt Swaim is fast-paced, motivating and informational – always from the Catholic perspective. You’ll hear news, engaging interviews, prayer and more each weekday morning from 6am-8am ET. <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/radio/podcasts/son-rise-morning-show-~NZ"></a>

Son Rise Morning Show

Featured Interviews

Son Rise Morning Show 2026

40 Years a Pallottine: Father Frank Donio on Consecrated Life, Vocation, and Following the Holy Spirit

On the Son Rise Morning Show, Stephanie Mann, author of Supremacy and Survival: How Catholics Endured the English Reformation, joins us to continue exploring the devotional poetry of John Keble, one of the key figures of the Oxford Movement.

This time, Stephanie shares Keble’s beautiful poem for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a work filled with strikingly Catholic imagery and devotion. From his reflection on Christ’s relationship with His mother to the repeated “Ave Maria” and his beautiful images of Mary as the mother of the Incarnate Word, Keble’s poetry reveals the depth of his Marian devotion.

The conversation also explores the fascinating relationship between John Keble, John Henry Newman, and Edward Bouverie Pusey and the way the Oxford Movement sought to recover the Catholic roots of Christianity within Anglicanism. While Keble and Pusey remained Anglican, Newman ultimately followed his conscience into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Stephanie and Matt also discuss why Anglicans have historically been among those drawn toward Catholicism, precisely because of the many Catholic elements already present in their tradition.

A fascinating look at Mary, the Annunciation, John Keble’s poetry, the Oxford Movement, and John Henry Newman’s journey to the Catholic Church.

On the Son Rise Morning Show, Stephanie Mann, author of Supremacy and Survival: How Catholics Endured the English Reformation, joins us to continue exploring the devotional poetry of John Keble, one of the key figures of the Oxford Movement.
This time, Stephanie shares Keble&rsquo;s beautiful poem for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a work filled with strikingly Catholic imagery and devotion. From his reflection on Christ&rsquo;s relationship with His mother to the repeated &ldquo;Ave Maria&rdquo; and his beautiful images of Mary as the mother of the Incarnate Word, Keble&rsquo;s poetry reveals the depth of his Marian devotion.
The conversation also explores the fascinating relationship between John Keble, John Henry Newman, and Edward Bouverie Pusey and the way the Oxford Movement sought to recover the Catholic roots of Christianity within Anglicanism. While Keble and Pusey remained Anglican, Newman ultimately followed his conscience into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Stephanie and Matt also discuss why Anglicans have historically been among those drawn toward Catholicism, precisely because of the many Catholic elements already present in their tradition.
A fascinating look at Mary, the Annunciation, John Keble&rsquo;s poetry, the Oxford Movement, and John Henry Newman&rsquo;s journey to the Catholic Church.

John Keble’s “Ave Maria”: The Catholic Beauty of His Annunciation Poetry

On the Son Rise Morning Show, Father Augustin Wetta, author of Humility Rules: St. Benedict’s 12-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem, joins us for the final step on St. Benedict’s ladder of humility: reverence indeed.

Father Wetta explains St. Benedict’s teaching that “nothing should be preferred to the work of God” and why even arriving late for prayer was treated seriously in the monastic community. With plenty of humor—including Father Wetta’s own reputation for being chronically late—he explores why prayer should be treated as real work rather than something we simply do when we happen to feel inspired.

The conversation looks at the importance of arriving early, preparing our minds and hearts, eliminating distractions, and making prayer a genuine priority. Just as an athlete, musician, or artist must put in the hours to grow in their craft, Christians must put in the work of prayer if they want to grow in holiness.

Father Wetta also shares a memorable story from the Desert Fathers about a monk who immediately stopped writing when the bell rang for prayer, demonstrating that the opus Dei—the work of God—takes precedence over everything else.

A humorous and challenging reflection on prayer, discipline, reverence, humility, and making God the true priority of our lives.

On the Son Rise Morning Show, Father Augustin Wetta, author of Humility Rules: St. Benedict&rsquo;s 12-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem, joins us for the final step on St. Benedict&rsquo;s ladder of humility: reverence indeed.
Father Wetta explains St. Benedict&rsquo;s teaching that &ldquo;nothing should be preferred to the work of God&rdquo; and why even arriving late for prayer was treated seriously in the monastic community. With plenty of humor&mdash;including Father Wetta&rsquo;s own reputation for being chronically late&mdash;he explores why prayer should be treated as real work rather than something we simply do when we happen to feel inspired.
The conversation looks at the importance of arriving early, preparing our minds and hearts, eliminating distractions, and making prayer a genuine priority. Just as an athlete, musician, or artist must put in the hours to grow in their craft, Christians must put in the work of prayer if they want to grow in holiness.
Father Wetta also shares a memorable story from the Desert Fathers about a monk who immediately stopped writing when the bell rang for prayer, demonstrating that the opus Dei&mdash;the work of God&mdash;takes precedence over everything else.
A humorous and challenging reflection on prayer, discipline, reverence, humility, and making God the true priority of our lives.

Reverence Indeed: Why Prayer Must Be Our First Priority

On the Son Rise Morning Show, Shaun McAfee, author of Compendium of Eucharistic Miracles from TAN Books, shares the remarkable story of St. Mary of Egypt and an extraordinary Eucharistic miracle near the end of her life.

After a dramatic conversion before an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Mary spent decades living as a hermit in the Egyptian desert. Sean recounts her encounter with Abba Zosimus, the monk who became the instrument through which she was able to receive Holy Communion after many years without the Eucharist.

The story reaches its extraordinary climax when St. Mary crosses the Jordan River on foot to receive the Eucharist from Zosimus. She would receive Holy Communion one final time shortly before her death, making the Eucharist her Viaticum—the food for her journey into eternal life.

Shaun explains why this story belongs in a collection of Eucharistic miracles and how it points to God's mercy, the sanctity of St. Mary of Egypt, and the incredible gift of every Holy Communion. Her story also reminds us to pray for the grace of final perseverance and the opportunity to receive the sacraments at the end of our lives.

Listen to this powerful reflection on the Eucharist, conversion, mercy, and the extraordinary faith of St. Mary of Egypt.

On the Son Rise Morning Show, Shaun McAfee, author of Compendium of Eucharistic Miracles from TAN Books, shares the remarkable story of St. Mary of Egypt and an extraordinary Eucharistic miracle near the end of her life.
After a dramatic conversion before an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Mary spent decades living as a hermit in the Egyptian desert. Sean recounts her encounter with Abba Zosimus, the monk who became the instrument through which she was able to receive Holy Communion after many years without the Eucharist.
The story reaches its extraordinary climax when St. Mary crosses the Jordan River on foot to receive the Eucharist from Zosimus. She would receive Holy Communion one final time shortly before her death, making the Eucharist her Viaticum&mdash;the food for her journey into eternal life.
Shaun explains why this story belongs in a collection of Eucharistic miracles and how it points to God's mercy, the sanctity of St. Mary of Egypt, and the incredible gift of every Holy Communion. Her story also reminds us to pray for the grace of&nbsp;final perseverance and the opportunity to receive the sacraments at the end of our lives.
Listen to this powerful reflection on the Eucharist, conversion, mercy, and the extraordinary faith of St. Mary of Egypt.

40 Years a Pallottine: Father Frank Donio on Consecrated Life, Vocation, and Following the Holy Spirit

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