What does the Church teach about suffering and

Break 1

Yolie

Philip

Break 2

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Redemptive Suffering
(3:19) What does the Church teach about suffering and God’s plan for suffering?

(20:34) Break 1
Father talks about the importance of responding to suffering well
(26:01) Yolie - A friend had a baby as the result of a rape. Refused to abort. Was alone after that and had to deal with shame. Is that redemptive suffering?
(31:37) Philip - I'm a knight of the Immaculata...sub group called knights at the foot of the cross. They have extreme suffering...many wheel chair bound. When I've introduced the concept of redemptive suffering...suddenly, my back pain or chronic pain is less...receiving relief. I think it's a goodness of God as a thank you for offering it up.
Mario - I've noticed in others...sometimes when God sends you a cross, you're carrying it for someone who is dear to you.

(38:21) Break 2
How does punishment and suffering come from sin?
(45:04) Ann - Live in independent living. Other floors have assisted living. Most people are 65+ up to 102. Lots of suffering going on. Don't know how to approach them sometimes. Feel funny by just saying 'offer it up.' How do I approach it?
How do you cultivate joy in the midst of suffering?

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Redemptive Suffering
<ul>
<li>(3:19) What does the Church teach about suffering and God&rsquo;s plan for suffering?</li>
</ul>
(20:34) Break 1
<ul>
<li>Father talks about the importance of responding to suffering well</li>
<li>(26:01) Yolie - A friend had a baby as the result of a rape. Refused to abort. Was alone after that and had to deal with shame. Is that redemptive suffering?</li>
<li>(31:37) Philip - I'm a knight of the Immaculata...sub group called knights at the foot of the cross. They have extreme suffering...many wheel chair bound. When I've introduced the concept of redemptive suffering...suddenly, my back pain or chronic pain is less...receiving relief. I think it's a goodness of God as a thank you for offering it up.</li>
<li>Mario - I've noticed in others...sometimes when God sends you a cross, you're carrying it for someone who is dear to you.</li>
</ul>
(38:21) Break 2
<ul>
<li>How does punishment and suffering come from sin?</li>
<li>(45:04) Ann - Live in independent living. Other floors have assisted living. Most people are 65+ up to 102. Lots of suffering going on. Don't know how to approach them sometimes. Feel funny by just saying 'offer it up.' How do I approach it?</li>
<li>How do you cultivate joy in the midst of suffering?</li>
</ul>

The Inner Life® with Patrick Conley is one-on-one Spiritual Direction on the radio. Every day, a Catholic priest or religious sister joins listeners to offer spiritual advice and guidance designed to assist you along your faith journey, speaking about a variety of topics to help you overcome sin, grow in virtue, and strengthen your faith.

The Inner Life® with Patrick Conley is one-on-one Spiritual Direction on the radio. Every day, a Catholic priest or religious sister joins listeners to offer spiritual advice and guidance designed to assist you along your faith journey, speaking about a variety of topics to help you overcome sin, grow in virtue, and strengthen your faith.

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Redemptive Suffering - The Inner Life - March 2, 2026

What is the context in these words of Jesus fr

What is Maryâs role in the Passion of our Lo

what can we expect from the love of Mary and h

Sharon

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick for the third of a special Lenten Series on the 7 Last Words of Jesus – today’s topic: Mary’s Role at the Cross
(3:26) What is the context in these words of Jesus from the Cross?
What Who does John represent in this scene?
(13:25) What is Mary’s role in the Passion of our Lord?

(18:08) Break 1
What are practical ways in which we can share in the passion of Christ?
(25:39) Jim - My mother is starting to fail. My wife asked who should we pray for as a caregiver. We stopped thinking about the saints and then turned to Jesus on the cross. Jesus found a caregiver for his own mother. Found great consolation.
Kurt - Redemptive suffering and joining to Christ on the cross. Very rarely do I hear anyone talking about that. We not only have that opportunity, but for the redemption of the world. We are commanded to that in John 15 and John 13. I give you a new commandment...  There's no greater good than to offer suffering for them.

(34:06) Break 2
How does the prophecy of Simeon play a role in Mary’s heart at the Cross?
(38:37) what can we expect from the love of Mary and how it helps us in our lives?
(41:21) Sharon - When my son died. I identified with Mary for release. My son was 50 and died of a rare cancer. The loss was something I knew she understood. Gave me a great deal of help during that time.
Michelle - Abortion and aborted children. Great sorrow. I delivered that child into Mary's hands.

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick for the third of a special Lenten Series on the 7 Last Words of Jesus &ndash; today&rsquo;s topic: Mary&rsquo;s Role at the Cross
<ul>
<li>(3:26) What is the context in these words of Jesus from the Cross?</li>
<li>What Who does John represent in this scene?</li>
<li>(13:25) What is Mary&rsquo;s role in the Passion of our Lord?</li>
</ul>
(18:08) Break 1
<ul>
<li>What are practical ways in which we can share in the passion of Christ?</li>
<li>(25:39) Jim - My mother is starting to fail. My wife asked who should we pray for as a caregiver. We stopped thinking about the saints and then turned to Jesus on the cross. Jesus found a caregiver for his own mother. Found great consolation.</li>
<li>Kurt - Redemptive suffering and joining to Christ on the cross. Very rarely do I hear anyone talking about that. We not only have that opportunity, but for the redemption of the world. We are commanded to that in John 15 and John 13. I give you a new commandment...&nbsp; There's no greater good than to offer suffering for them.</li>
</ul>
(34:06) Break 2
<ul>
<li>How does the prophecy of Simeon play a role in Mary&rsquo;s heart at the Cross?</li>
<li>(38:37) what can we expect from the love of Mary and how it helps us in our lives?</li>
<li>(41:21) Sharon - When my son died. I identified with Mary for release. My son was 50 and died of a rare cancer. The loss was something I knew she understood. Gave me a great deal of help during that time.</li>
<li>Michelle - Abortion and aborted children. Great sorrow. I delivered that child into Mary's hands.</li>
</ul>

Behold Your Mother: 7 Last Words of Jesus (part 3) – The Inner Life – February 27, 2026

Father Brady meets the pope and gives a good g

the sacrificial effect of giving

How does giving make us better people?

Christina

Father Brady’s Gift in Rome.

Father Ryan Brady joins Patrick in studio to discuss The Gift of Giving and an encounter with Pope Leo
(3:12)Father Brady meets the pope and gives a good gift from the heart.
(9:15) the sacrificial effect of giving
(12:46) How does giving make us better people?

(20:31) Break 1
(21:36)  Christina - At what point is the stuff you have a problem? I had a dream of St. Therese of Avila and I think she wants me to give away my wardrobe. Trying to find peace in that.
Prudence in giving.
Email from listener about giving a rosary as  gift

(36:17) Break 2
Amy - I don't struggle with giving away or helping.  my gifts God gave me...giving and pure love is being who they need to be. I don't know how to give people their space sometimes.
(42:23) Father Brady’s Gift in Rome.
Dale - Giving someone dignity by the way they dress. Read an article about picking up homeless and cleaning them up. Gave such an improved impression of what's possible with dignity in their appearance.

Father Ryan Brady joins Patrick in studio to discuss The Gift of Giving and an encounter with Pope Leo
<ul>
<li>(3:12)Father Brady meets the pope and gives a good gift from the heart.</li>
<li>(9:15) the sacrificial effect of giving</li>
<li>(12:46) How does giving make us better people?</li>
</ul>
(20:31) Break 1
<ul>
<li>(21:36) &nbsp;Christina - At what point is the stuff you have a problem? I had a dream of St. Therese of Avila and I think she wants me to give away my wardrobe. Trying to find peace in that.</li>
<li>Prudence in giving.</li>
<li>Email from listener about giving a rosary as&nbsp; gift</li>
</ul>
(36:17) Break 2
<ul>
<li>Amy - I don't struggle with giving away or helping.&nbsp; my gifts God gave me...giving and pure love is being who they need to be. I don't know how to give people their space sometimes.</li>
<li>(42:23) Father Brady&rsquo;s Gift in Rome.</li>
<li>Dale - Giving someone dignity by the way they dress. Read an article about picking up homeless and cleaning them up. Gave such an improved impression of what's possible with dignity in their appearance.</li>
</ul>

The Gift of Giving and an encounter with Pope Leo - The Inner Life - February 26, 2026

What prevents us from listening to God during 

what does it mean that Pope Leo says Docility 

Carol

How does Fasting help us listen to God?

Fasting from Gossip?

Beth

IL – Father Tom McCarthy joins Patrick to discuss Listening During Lent 
As an Augustinian what was Pope Leo trying to say with his letter?
(5:10) What prevents us from listening to God during Lent?
How can we combat temptations to distractions when trying to listen to God?
(13:41) what does it mean that Pope Leo says Docility is at the core of conversion?
 (17:02) Carol - I didn't have a way of listening, but I have one now...with Fr. McCarthy. I'm listening to him and he is phenomenal. He's humble, sort of quiet, and he's just phenomenal. So blessed in my spirit right now. Just want to say thanks for being there.

(20:08) Break 1
Judy - I'm 83. Got married a long time ago. We got back from our honeymoon, and I said, 'Let's go to church.' He said we weren't going to do that. Felt cut off for the longest time. Needed a spiritual meeting and went to a Quaker meeting which is silent. Had liturgical dreams...would be in the church and dreamed in procession. Couldn't make the dream go away. Went back to episcopal church for a while and husband said we should go to Catholic church. It's been wonderful.
(27:55) Leo - Listening now and my whole life. 81 and don't know what to do with the rest of my life. Talked to priests and they tell me to pray, and don't seem to get anything from it.
(31:12) How does Fasting help us listen to God?

(35:48) Break 2
(40:09) Fasting from Gossip?
(42:32) Beth - Discerning God's will. Something I've always struggled with and felt I never got an answer. Sometimes no answer is THE answer and we expect something specific. Maybe God doesn't have that planned for us.
Why doesn’t God always speak to us more clearly?

Resources
Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/02/13/260213d.html

IL &ndash; Father&nbsp;Tom McCarthy joins Patrick to discuss Listening During Lent&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>As an Augustinian what was Pope Leo trying to say with his letter?</li>
<li>(5:10) What prevents us from listening to God during Lent?</li>
<li>How can we combat temptations to distractions when trying to listen to God?</li>
<li>(13:41) what does it mean that Pope Leo says Docility is at the core of conversion?</li>
<li>&nbsp;(17:02) Carol - I didn't have a way of listening, but I have one now...with Fr. McCarthy. I'm listening to him and he is phenomenal. He's humble, sort of quiet, and he's just phenomenal. So blessed in my spirit right now. Just want to say thanks for being there.</li>
</ul>
(20:08) Break 1
<ul>
<li>Judy - I'm 83. Got married a long time ago. We got back from our honeymoon, and I said, 'Let's go to church.' He said we weren't going to do that. Felt cut off for the longest time. Needed a spiritual meeting and went to a Quaker meeting which is silent. Had liturgical dreams...would be in the church and dreamed in procession. Couldn't make the dream go away. Went back to episcopal church for a while and husband said we should go to Catholic church. It's been wonderful.</li>
<li>(27:55) Leo - Listening now and my whole life. 81 and don't know what to do with the rest of my life. Talked to priests and they tell me to pray, and don't seem to get anything from it.</li>
<li>(31:12) How does Fasting help us listen to God?</li>
</ul>
(35:48) Break 2
<ul>
<li>(40:09) Fasting from Gossip?</li>
<li>(42:32) Beth - Discerning God's will. Something I've always struggled with and felt I never got an answer. Sometimes no answer is THE answer and we expect something specific. Maybe God doesn't have that planned for us.</li>
<li>Why doesn&rsquo;t God always speak to us more clearly?</li>
</ul>
Resources
<ul>
<li>Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion
<ul>
<li><a href="https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/02/13/260213d.html">https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/02/13/260213d.html</a><a href="https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/02/13/260213d.html"></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Redemptive Suffering - The Inner Life - March 2, 2026

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