The Art of Catholic with Matthew Leonard

• 144 Discovering Mary in the Book of Revelation

  🟡 Sign Up for the FREE Lent Streaming!  🟢 Purchase a Workbook from Science of Sainthood 🟠  Purchase Workbook from Amazon Episode Description When one of your closest friends dedicates 20 years of his life to a project, it's going to come up from time to time in conversation. And when that project relates to something that you're passionate about too, then you know those conversations are going to be powerful. AND when that good friend just happens to be Curtis Mitch, Co-Editor of the new Ignatius Press Study Bible, and that conversation takes place on the Art of Catholic podcast... ...it makes for an episode you're definitely not going to want to miss!  In today's podcast, Curtis and I dive into one of the most mysterious, misunderstood, and controversial books in the Bible - the Book of Revelation. With the same brilliance you'll find in his commentary for the new Ignatius Press Study Bible, Curtis explains how we as Catholics are to interpret the image of the Woman Clothed with the Sun - and you might just be surprised at his take on it. Our conversation also explores topics such as: The Vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun The Multi-layered identity of the Woman in Revelation 12 The very first prophecy about Our Lady The significance of the 12 stars crowning Mary in Revelation  How Revelation describes the "rebirth" of Christ's humanity in heaven And much more!   After 20 years of eating, sleeping, and breathing God's Word, Curtis has a depth of insight on these topics that is unrivaled. Enjoy the episode and God bless, Matthew 🟡 Sign Up for the FREE Lent Streaming! https://bit.ly/3QhC5LX 🟢 Purchase a Workbook - https://bit.ly/3CP9Ot8 

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• 143 Introduction to Real Prayer - Lesson One

  Lesson One of a beautiful, crash course on everything you need to know to move into a deeper, more fulfilling life of prayer according to the saints. This incredible series from Matthew Leonard will stream FREE this Lent.  🟡 Sign Up for the FREE Lent Streaming - CLICK HERE!  🟢 Purchase a Workbook  🔵 Watch Lesson One on YouTube If you’ve ever struggled to pray or find it difficult to take your relationship with God to the next level, you’ve got to see this new series from Matthew Leonard and the Science of Sainthood! “Outstanding!!! Thank you!” "I was so skeptical...just thought here's another program to do. I am amazed at the things I have experienced in this program!" Introduction to Real Prayer starts with the basics, covering topics like why pray to begin with, how it works, and what we’re supposed to pray for. But that’s just the beginning. You'll be guided through the ins and outs of Vocal, Meditative, and Contemplative prayer, learning not just what they are, but how to do them. We’re even providing Guided Audio Meditations with each lesson to help you practice what you’re learning! But that's not all. This series also covers topics like: Overcoming Distraction Spiritual Consolations & Dealing with Dryness The Beautiful Power of Silence The 3 Stages of the Spiritual Life and more!  In short, it’s a powerful, free, crash course on real prayer that teaches everything you need to know to move into a deeper union with God...and stay there. Listen to Lesson One, Sign Up, & join thousands of Catholics around the world learning to move into a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with the God of the universe who is waiting for you to join him…in prayer! 🟡 Sign Up for the FREE Lent Streaming - CLICK HERE! 

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  25:59
• 142 I Knew I Was Catholic When...A Conversation with Cameron Bertuzzi

  🟡 SIGN UP for the totally FREE Lenten Series on Prayer: https://bit.ly/40wDq6C 🟠 SUPPORT Matthew Leonard's work to spread the Catholic faith: https://bit.ly/3VqCONa Watch the full interview with Cameron Bertuzzi here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTglQJoqWtc It's hard to believe, but more than 26 years have passed since I became Catholic. Even so, I still get asked on a fairly regular basis about my conversion story. And I totally get it. Everyone loves a conversion story. After all, it's inspiring to hear about all the little winks and nudges from God - not to mention all the momentous, life-changing, divine thunderbolts that God uses to draw his beloved children home to the Church.  I had my fair share...and then some. That said, conversion is normally a process. It takes time. And for me, part of it was the pursuit of a deeper spiritual life. I unexpectedly found something in the Catholic faith that I never quite did as a Protestant. And I recently sat down with a young man named Cameron Bertuzzi on his very popular podcast Capturing Christianity to share that part of my story. Today's Art of Catholic podcast contains an excerpt from that interview. In this episode, Cameron and I discuss the massive role the spiritual life of the Church played in my conversion, as well as the ways in which my understanding and practice of the spiritual life exploded once I became Catholic. During our conversation, I also address some of the practicalities I learned were involved in the spiritual life, such as: The stages of spiritual growth The teachings of the saints on how to pray How it all works together ...And much more! This is a unique conversation that people have told me they've found truly helpful.  God bless, Matthew

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  36:30
• 141 The Husband & the Hermit: A Powerful Story of Saving Love

  In this episode of the Art of Catholic, Matthew Leonard is joined by author Kevin Wells, who shares the powerful story of his wife Krista's battle with alcoholism, the impact it had on his spiritual life - and the incredible redemption God brought through the figure of a saintly priest. 🟡 Sign up for a totally FREE 2-week trial of the Science of Sainthood program: no credit card required, no cancellation, just sign up and watch! https://bit.ly/48n0GHp 🟢 Get Kevin's book, The Hermit: The Priest Who Saved a Soul, a Marriage, and a Family, here: https://ignatius.com/the-hermit-hermp/ 🔵 Watch my last interview with Kevin Wells, Priest & Beggar: The Jaw-Dropping Story of Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz, here: https://youtu.be/TJpXJmyW4Bg 🟠 Learn more about the Sisters of Mary and donate here: https://www.worldvillages.org 🟠 SUPPORT this podcast and Matthew's work to spread the Catholic faith: https://bit.ly/3A2F46K ▶️ Please like and SHARE this video by clicking the SHARE button! 00:00 Introduction: Pain and Redemption 01:27 Kevin Wells: Author and Advocate 04:16 The Journey of Writing 'The Hermit' 10:23 Facing Addiction: Kevin's Family Struggles 18:07 The Role of Father Flum 24:25 Patience in the Face of Suffering 30:08 The Power of Prayer and Hope 35:21 The Journey into the Interior Castle 38:30 The Role of Prayer in Healing 41:43 The Maternal Influence of Mary 44:11 Confession and the Power of Priests 49:54 Practical Advice for Spouses in Crisis 55:42 Patience and Trust in God's Plan 01:00:00 Hope and Redemption in Christ About this Episode: Have you ever been in a seemingly hopeless situation? A situation so dire that you despaired of ever seeing change or healing? Many of us have been there...or are there right now. Addiction, divorce, unfaithfulness, father wounds, mother wounds, abuse, hardened hearts, and a host of other painful issues are constantly manifesting themselves in our lives. And while different situations present different challenges, the underlying truth remains the same. Namely, that no matter how bad things may look, God is faithful and in control. It's certainly not always easy to see, but it's the truth. Just ask my guest on today's Art of Catholic podcast. Author Kevin Wells found himself in a seemingly hopeless situation when his wife’s alcoholism began to tear their lives apart. But as he trudged through years of pain, Kevin gradually learned to rest his head on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and allow himself to be stripped bare like Christ on the Cross. And eventually, through the miraculous intervention of a saintly priest, his wife was healed, his family was redeemed, and his pain was turned into joy. Full of heartache, struggle, hope, and healing it's a story you need to hear. In this podcast, Kevin shares powerful insights about: The crucial role of patience in the face of dire situations. Why prayer is our refuge in the face of intense suffering and despair  What he would differently if he could go back to when it first began St. Teresa of Avila's guidance in the face of pain Practical advice for dealing with extremely difficult situations And more...      Get ready to hear a powerful story of pain, bondage, and finally, exhilarating redemption, that puts on full display the love, mercy and power of God to overcome any situation - no matter how difficult.  

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  1:09:25
• 140 Nine Kids, Foreign Missions, & Peace in the Midst of Pain

  Give it 3 minutes and you won't turn it off.  This is a truly powerful and moving story of a man, a woman, and bevy of children who live a life totally abandoned to God...even in the midst of gut-wrenching sorrow and suffering. If you can listen without being inspired in some way, you may need to check your pulse.  That's all I can say. Matthew 🔵 PLEASE consider donating to the Henderson family to enable them to continue their mission work: https://www.familymissionscompany.com/project/henderson-family/ 🟡 Start your spiritual transformation right now! Sign up for a totally FREE 2-week trial of the Science of Sainthood program: no credit card required, no cancellation, just sign up and watch! https://bit.ly/4gPvYdY 🟠 SUPPORT this podcast and Matthew's work to spread the Catholic faith: https://bit.ly/47WKJYA 🟢 Join Matthew on PILGRIMAGE to the HOLY LAND in 2025: https://bit.ly/3zLoAj2 ▶️ Please like and SHARE this video by clicking the SHARE button! 00:00 Encountering this Missionary Family  04:01 Michael Henderson's Journey to Faith 06:54 From Baptist Roots to Catholic Discovery 12:31 The Struggle with Sin and Seeking Truth 20:29 The Eucharist: A Transformative Experience 34:54 Living Out the Faith After Conversion 41:07 The Call to Missionary Life 55:34 A Leap of Faith: Leaving Everything Behind 01:01:16 The Power of Community and Vocation 01:07:38 Miracles in the Mission Field 01:13:20 Facing a Crisis with Faith 01:21:23 Transitioning Back to the States 01:40:28 Living a Life of Mission and Service About this Episode: Surrendering to God’s will is hard. For most of us, it’s a lifelong struggle to learn to let go of our own plans and embrace God’s instead. But that struggle is crucial - because the more completely you’re able to abandon yourself to God’s will, the more peace you’ll find, no matter what your situation or circumstances. No one knows this better than my most recent podcast guest, Michael Henderson...(you're gonna love this guy). About ten years ago, Michael, his wife Veronica, and their (at the time) six, now nine (!!) beautiful children, discerned that God was calling them to a more radical surrender than most of us could ever imagine. They sold their comfortable house and belongings in the U.S. and moved to Mexico, and later to Taiwan, to spread the Faith, all the while relying solely on God’s providence for their livelihood. And boy, did God ever provide. Their story is one of miracle after miracle, conversion after conversion, and an ever-deepening, radical trust in God to “take care of everything,” as the Surrender Novena puts it. In this podcast, Michael shares stories like: How God used a Taekwondo gym in the middle of Mexico to transform local families The day his family arrived in Taiwan with no housing lined up, no money in their pocket, and his wife 2 months postpartum with their 7th child - and how God instantly provided for their every need The very serious recent family crisis that has brought them to an even deeper peace and reliance on God. I have to say, personally, that this episode was an emotional one for me. In fact, I'll give you just 3 minutes of listening before your jaw hits the ground. The beauty of this family’s joy in every circumstance is undeniable, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with Michael. I hope this podcast moves you as deeply as it did me.  

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