Pete from Chicago calls in and asks Patrick if it's true that prayers only benefit souls in Purgatory on specific days, like the day they died or special feast days (All Souls Day). Patrick quickly clears that up: No!  You can always pray for the souls in Purgatory, any day, anywhere, and it helps!



He explains that there are special graces on All Souls Day, but prayers work anytime. God isn’t limited by time; He can apply your prayers to help souls in Purgatory no matter when they passed away. And hey, don’t worry about missing some “magic window” of effectiveness; your prayers are always valuable!



Patrick also goes on to talk about how prayers can work in two big ways:



Help Souls in Purgatory: Your prayers can shorten someone’s time in Purgatory by helping purify their soul faster. 



Pray Now, Affect the Past: Amazing fact: God is outside time, so your prayers today can actually influence someone’s conversion before they die. So, if you’re worried about a loved one who passed, your prayers now could have helped them turn back to God before they died. Mind. Blown. 



In a nutshell: Don’t stop praying for the dead. Whether they’re in Purgatory or needed help converting before they passed, your prayers are always effective in ways that are deeper than we can imagine. God’s got this! 🙌





The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Pete from Chicago calls in and asks Patrick if it's true that prayers only benefit souls in Purgatory on specific days, like the day they died or special feast days (All Souls Day). Patrick quickly clears that up: No!  You can always pray for the souls in Purgatory, any day, anywhere, and it helps!
 
He explains that there are special graces on All Souls Day, but prayers work anytime. God isn’t limited by time; He can apply your prayers to help souls in Purgatory no matter when they passed away. And hey, don’t worry about missing some “magic window” of effectiveness; your prayers are always valuable!
 
Patrick also goes on to talk about how prayers can work in two big ways:
 
Help Souls in Purgatory: Your prayers can shorten someone’s time in Purgatory by helping purify their soul faster. 
 
Pray Now, Affect the Past: Amazing fact: God is outside time, so your prayers today can actually influence someone’s conversion before they die. So, if you’re worried about a loved one who passed, your prayers now could have helped them turn back to God before they died. Mind. Blown. 
 
In a nutshell: Don’t stop praying for the dead. Whether they’re in Purgatory or needed help converting before they passed, your prayers are always effective in ways that are deeper than we can imagine. God’s got this! 🙌
 
 
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

The Best of the Week

Are There Only Certain Days I Can Pray for People in Purgatory? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

On this episode of The Drew Mariani Show, Drew sat down with Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly to talk about the Knights of Columbus' mission to help men grow in faith and virtue: Honestly, it’s a pep talk every Catholic guy needs. 



Why This Matters Now



Drew kicked things off by calling out what we’re all seeing: a crisis in fatherhood and male leadership.  Men are checking out of their roles at home, in church, and in society, and it’s leaving a wake of broken families and lost faith. The Knights of Columbus, however, are stepping into the gap with a game plan to form men into leaders who reflect Christ and St. Joseph. 



Who Are the Knights of Columbus?



Founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney (he’s on the path to sainthood!).



-World’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization 🌍 with 2 million members.



Built on four pillars: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. 



Known for their insane charitable work: $190 million donated and 47 million volunteer hours logged just last year. 



Patrick Kelly, the 14th Supreme Knight, laid it out: The Knights’ mission is to help men become better husbands, fathers, and citizens while building a culture of faith.



The Cor Initiative: Faith Formation for Men



Here’s the real game-changer: the COR Initiative (Latin for "heart"). 💓 It’s all about forming small groups of men in parishes for:


Prayer


Faith formation


Fraternity



You don’t even have to be a Knight to join (but you’ll probably want to after). With 3,000 councils already running this program, and thousands more on deck, it’s catching fire. 🔥



Patrick explained: Men need connection. The epidemic of loneliness isn’t just hitting the elderly; it’s everywhere. Programs like this give men a chance to step away from isolation and into authentic brotherhood. 🤝



Why Dads Matter



Patrick and Drew reminded us: The father’s faith life is the #1 factor in whether kids stay Catholic into adulthood.  A mom’s role is huge, but if Dad’s not living his faith, kids notice. There’s power in seeing Dad pray, serve, and lead with humility. This initiative equips men with the tools to step into that role.



Knights in Action



You'll hear about the Knights’ jaw-dropping impact:


Over 1 million coats donated to kids in need through their Coats for Kids program. 


Support for persecuted Christians in the Middle East and Nigeria. 🌍✝️


Defending religious freedom globally and at home. (FYI: They helped add “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. 👏)



The local councils are the secret to success, which empower men at the grassroots level to serve their parishes and communities.

How to Join



Patrick’s invite was simple: If you want a life of meaning, step up and join the Knights. Visit kofc.org/join to find out more. Whether it’s faith, service, or authentic friendship you’re looking for, the Knights are ready to welcome you.



A Final Thought



The Knights of Columbus have stood strong for 142 years because they’re rooted in Christ and mission focused. As Patrick said, “Men want a life that matters.” The Knights are helping them find it and shaping the future of the Church and the world in the process.



TL;DR: If you’re a guy looking for purpose, meaning, and the chance to make an impact, the Knights of Columbus are where it’s at.





The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On this episode of The Drew Mariani Show, Drew sat down with <a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/who-we-are/our-supreme-officers/supreme-knight.html">Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly</a> to talk about the<a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/index.html"> Knights of Columbus'</a> mission to help men grow in faith and virtue: Honestly, it’s a pep talk every Catholic guy needs. 
 
Why This Matters Now
 
Drew kicked things off by calling out what we’re all seeing: a crisis in fatherhood and male leadership.  Men are checking out of their roles at home, in church, and in society, and it’s leaving a wake of broken families and lost faith. The Knights of Columbus, however, are stepping into the gap with a game plan to form men into leaders who reflect Christ and St. Joseph. 
 
<hr>
<a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/index.html">Who Are the Knights of Columbus?</a>
 
Founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney (he’s on the path to sainthood!).
 
-World’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization 🌍 with 2 million members.
 
Built on four pillars: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. 
 
Known for their insane charitable work: $190 million donated and 47 million volunteer hours logged just last year. 
 
Patrick Kelly, the 14th Supreme Knight, laid it out: The Knights’ mission is to help men become better husbands, fathers, and citizens while building a culture of faith.
 
<hr>
<a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/who-we-are/our-faith/cor.html">The Cor Initiative</a>: Faith Formation for Men
 
Here’s the real game-changer: the <a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/who-we-are/our-faith/cor.html">COR Initiative</a> (Latin for "heart"). 💓 It’s all about forming small groups of men in parishes for:
 
<ul>
<li>Prayer</li>
</ul>
 
<ul>
<li>Faith formation</li>
</ul>
 
<ul>
<li>Fraternity</li>
</ul>
 
You don’t even have to be a Knight to join (but you’ll probably want to after). With 3,000 councils already running this program, and thousands more on deck, it’s catching fire. 🔥
 
Patrick explained: Men need connection. The epidemic of loneliness isn’t just hitting the elderly; it’s everywhere. Programs like this give men a chance to step away from isolation and into authentic brotherhood. 🤝
 
<hr>
Why Dads Matter
 
Patrick and Drew reminded us: The father’s faith life is the #1 factor in whether kids stay Catholic into adulthood.  A mom’s role is huge, but if Dad’s not living his faith, kids notice. There’s power in seeing Dad pray, serve, and lead with humility. This initiative equips men with the tools to step into that role.
 
<hr>
Knights in Action
 
You'll hear about the Knights’ jaw-dropping impact:
 
<ul>
<li>Over 1 million coats donated to kids in need through their <a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/charity/coats-for-kids/index.html">Coats for Kids</a> program. </li>
</ul>
 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/columbia/2018/september/lifeline-for-persecuted-christians.html">Support for persecuted Christians</a> in the Middle East and Nigeria. 🌍✝️</li>
</ul>
 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/knightline/special-edition/week-of-june-29/8-ways-kofc-defended-religious-freedom.html">Defending religious freedom</a> globally and at home. (FYI: They helped add “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. 👏)</li>
</ul>
 
The local councils are the secret to success, which empower men at the grassroots level to serve their parishes and communities.
<hr>
How to Join
 
Patrick’s invite was simple: If you want a life of meaning, step up and join the Knights. Visit <a href="https://www.kofc.org/secure/en/join/join-kofc.html">kofc.org/join</a> to find out more. Whether it’s faith, service, or authentic friendship you’re looking for, the Knights are ready to welcome you.
 
<hr>
A Final Thought
 
The Knights of Columbus have stood strong for 142 years because they’re rooted in Christ and mission focused. As Patrick said, “Men want a life that matters.” The Knights are helping them find it and shaping the future of the Church and the world in the process.
 
<hr>
TL;DR: If you’re a guy looking for purpose, meaning, and the chance to make an impact, the Knights of Columbus are where it’s at.
 
 
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Helping Men Grow in Their Faith Through the Knights of Columbus (The Drew Mariani Show)

1574. The Savoie region of southeastern France, near Switzerland. For more than fifty years, the people of the Savoie have been deeply divided by religion: Catholics on one side, and the Protestant Calvinists on the other. One seven-year-old boy is particularly upset by this dire situation. This is the story of St. Francis de Sales.





Subscribe for free daily episodes here.

1574. The Savoie region of southeastern France, near Switzerland. For more than fifty years, the people of the Savoie have been deeply divided by religion: Catholics on one side, and the Protestant Calvinists on the other. One seven-year-old boy is particularly upset by this dire situation. This is the story of St. Francis de Sales.
 
 
Subscribe for free daily episodes <a href="https://thesaintspodcast.com/">here</a>.

St. Francis de Sales Episode One (The Saints: Adventures in Faith and Courage)

On this episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick reads an email from a listener who's freaking out about her first confession. She’s new to the Catholic Church, nervous about the whole process, and weighed down by a big sin from her past (she had an abortion). She’s scared of what the priest will think and honestly just has no idea what to expect. Patrick has practical advice and some solid reassurance.



Confession Isn’t as Scary as You Think



Patrick explains:



Confession is straight-up biblical. Jesus set it up in John 20 when He gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins. This isn’t some Church-made checklist; it’s how Jesus wanted us to experience His mercy.



It’s healing. Saying your sins out loud can feel super awkward, but it’s also incredibly freeing. Patrick compares it to going to the doctor. It’s not fun to put on that paper-thin gown, but the healing is 100% worth it.



Practical Tips for Your First Time Step 1: Prepare



Examine Your Conscience. Basically, take stock of your life and be honest about where you’ve fallen short. Don’t overthink it! Apps like Relevant Radio and its Confession Helper can walk you through this step-by-step.



Stick to “Number and Kind.” All you need to do is say the sin (e.g., lying, gossiping, etc.) and how often it happened (or your best guess). No need to spill every gory detail.



Step 2: Keep It Simple in the Confessional



Start with: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession. I’m [age] and joining the Church.”



Be honest and to the point. The priest doesn’t need a dramatic backstory: just tell him what happened.



Step 3: Choose Your Priest Wisely



It's OK to go to a priest you don’t know. You can go to a different parish if that helps you feel more anonymous.



What About “Big” Sins?



Patrick gets real about sins like abortion. He’s crystal clear: God’s mercy is bigger than any sin. The priest isn’t there to judge you: He’s there to help you leave that sin at the foot of the cross and move forward in freedom.



What Happens in the Confessional?



Act of Contrition: You’ll say a short prayer of sorrow. Don’t panic if you don’t know it: the priest can help.



Penance: The priest will give you something to do to show your sorrow, like a prayer or an act of devotion.



Absolution: This is the big moment. Your sins are forgiven, gone forever.





Why You’ll Feel AMAZING Afterward



Patrick guarantees you’ll walk out feeling lighter than air. The weight of your sins? Gone. The shame? Gone. It’s all about freedom and peace, and you’ll feel that wave of relief the second the priest says the words of absolution.



Patrick’s Final Word: Don’t Overthink It



Confession might feel intimidating, but it’s worth it. God isn’t there to condemn you: He’s ready to forgive and welcome you back with open arms. Take a deep breath, trust in His mercy, and go for it. 🙌







The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On this episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick reads an email from a listener who's freaking out about her first confession. She’s new to the Catholic Church, nervous about the whole process, and weighed down by a big sin from her past (she had an abortion). She’s scared of what the priest will think and honestly just has no idea what to expect. Patrick has practical advice and some solid reassurance.
 
Confession Isn’t as Scary as You Think
 
Patrick explains:
 
Confession is straight-up biblical. Jesus set it up in John 20 when He gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins. This isn’t some Church-made checklist; it’s how Jesus wanted us to experience His mercy.
 
It’s healing. Saying your sins out loud can feel super awkward, but it’s also incredibly freeing. Patrick compares it to going to the doctor. It’s not fun to put on that paper-thin gown, but the healing is 100% worth it.
 
Practical Tips for Your First Time Step 1: Prepare
 
Examine Your Conscience. Basically, take stock of your life and be honest about where you’ve fallen short. Don’t overthink it! Apps like <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">Relevant Radio</a> and its Confession Helper can walk you through this step-by-step.
 
Stick to “Number and Kind.” All you need to do is say the sin (e.g., lying, gossiping, etc.) and how often it happened (or your best guess). No need to spill every gory detail.
 
Step 2: Keep It Simple in the Confessional
 
Start with: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession. I’m [age] and joining the Church.”
 
Be honest and to the point. The priest doesn’t need a dramatic backstory: just tell him what happened.
 
Step 3: Choose Your Priest Wisely
 
It's OK to go to a priest you don’t know. You can go to a different parish if that helps you feel more anonymous.
 
What About “Big” Sins?
 
Patrick gets real about sins like abortion. He’s crystal clear: God’s mercy is bigger than any sin. The priest isn’t there to judge you: He’s there to help you leave that sin at the foot of the cross and move forward in freedom.
 
What Happens in the Confessional?
 
Act of Contrition: You’ll say a short prayer of sorrow. Don’t panic if you don’t know it: the priest can help.
 
Penance: The priest will give you something to do to show your sorrow, like a prayer or an act of devotion.
 
Absolution: This is the big moment. Your sins are forgiven, gone forever.
 
 
Why You’ll Feel AMAZING Afterward
 
Patrick guarantees you’ll walk out feeling lighter than air. The weight of your sins? Gone. The shame? Gone. It’s all about freedom and peace, and you’ll feel that wave of relief the second the priest says the words of absolution.
 
Patrick’s Final Word: Don’t Overthink It
 
Confession might feel intimidating, but it’s worth it. God isn’t there to condemn you: He’s ready to forgive and welcome you back with open arms. Take a deep breath, trust in His mercy, and go for it. 🙌
 
 
 
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Are There Only Certain Days I Can Pray for People in Purgatory? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

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