I can’t devour and re-devour enough episodes of Pints With Aquinas. Each guest brings something completely different but so interesting. Thank you for bringing such amazing guests and for being such a great host. I’m only too happy to support this edifying content !
The information about the Sisters of Charity was very enlightening! Struck something inside me. And helped me see how poor I really am spiritually, and enlighten me on ways to grow. Thank you for these beautiful discussions! And sadly, when I was a child and told my mom I didn’t want to marry and wanted to be a nun, she asked why I would want to do that, I’d be lonely my whole life. I didn’t have any religious sisters really in my life to get information growing up.. the 70’s and 80’s. Still feel that pull at times. But have 2 grown kids... On a happy note, our diocese has a growing and thriving convent (Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary). They teach at the high school my kids attended. They are so full of joy!
I felt that same "something" hearing about the Sisters of Charity. I can also relate to your feeling, or possibly a calling, that you had as a child. I am from 7...5 brothers and 1 sister, who is a year younger than me. Our Dad, who was the religious parent, would always say he wanted us girls to be nuns. Sadly, my Dad passed away when I was 17. Like you, I have an adult son and married, but I still carry that bit of yearning, and wonder with me. But...as you say, there is always room to grow! God bless you my friend! 🌷
You can find the Missionaries of Charity in a city near you and serve with them- perhaps something to look at. They are all over the world and it’s amazing to serve with them 💜🙏🏻
“You can do nothing except by that which he prompts you to do from your own goodness and that which he completes for you in his grace.” What a line. Glory to Jesus Christ
Hi Matt! Your South African fan here. As a catechumen you dont realise what a blessing these guests and talks are. So good to have examples such as Father Burns and your own honesty to help mold and form me in my own walk.
I was very lucky. I went to a school where all but 1 teacher was a nun. They were like family. They educated you, comforted you, encouraged you, and radiated God's love for you. And no job was beneath them. To the Sisters, every job they were tasked with was assigned by God Himself and they performed every task to please God. Every day I think of them and thank God for His gift of them.
This was probably the best interview on vocations. Fr John seems to come from a more down-to-earth approach. Idk, found it informative and am praying a bit differently in my reflective prayer and just ask God, "Who am I?" I'm glad Fr. John brought up and debunked the functionalist mindset of vocations, really great stuff.
This is one of my favourite interviews! One thing that stuck out for me from this discussion is God works best in weakness. I've gotten low enough to the point where I've laid aside my pride and just let go and let God. Over the years, I've not had to hit bottom. I've been able to work on that pride, accepting humility and letting go and trusting in God. I've learned more through my difficulties that my good days. :D God is good. Fiat!
Same. By this point in my life, my only prayer is that God gives me the grace to humble myself to his will BEFORE I need to hit that rock bottom lol Maybe by the end of my life I will finally manage that once in a while
Right around an hour and 6 minutes, Matt Fradd brings up how he believes that everyone should surround themselves with a community in faith for many reasons. This is something that Fr. Burns believes completely here in Milwaukee. He was such an inspiring priest for me coming into the Milwaukee community. I can firmly stand behind this statement from Matt since that has been the happiest part of my life so far. I would not be who I am today without the Catholic communities that I have been a part of and they keep my soul strong for my family and especially for God. I am beyond thankful for everyone that has contributed to my life and Matt Fradd, Fr. Burns, and so many more people all have impacted my life directly
"It's a secret reminder for all of us, there's really no one state in life where someone's got it all figured out. We're all carrying our stories and brokenness into these vocations and inviting the Lord to kinda straighten it out."
I really do like your conversations. They are encouraging and sometimes enlightening. I'm not Catholic, but I am in Christ. Thank you for the edification and encouragement.
Awesome interview! Matt your honesty and humility are so appreciated, you really touched my heart!! I don’t know if realize it but there is definitely a special bond between you and Fr. Burns, it was so obvious that you were able to be brutally honest without fear of judgement. I will share with friends and family who I know will appreciate video. Thank you again! God Bless
Great interview, thank you! I really liked how Father John many times 'returned the ball' to Matt, asking him what he thought. Not only it shows the humility of Fr. John, but also forced Matt to speak a bit more and share a few beautiful thoughts, especially about vulnerability and feeling of being unloved (or not worthy). I also enjoyed the part about spicy radishes :D
What a wonderful, encouraging episode! As a Catholic and soon-to-be-graduate from my environmental science degree, hearing about the Yellowstone trophic cascade warmed my heart :)
1:35:00 oh my goodness I can’t handle the beauty of this truth. Like Theresa of Avila, sometimes a sudden realization of the goodness of God makes the soul just cry out for Him to have mercy on us
One of the best episodes ever. Thank you both. The Song of Songs is my most Ultimate Favorite scripture. I love it. It so speaks of the dance of our relationship with The Good Shepherd. I so enjoyed this episode. Extraordinary because of the presentation of understanding of how psychological issues blocks our spirituality with the Lord and our need for Him to heal the wounds of our hearts and how He desires for us to let Him in the inner most chamber behind the wall. One thing it’s a fine line but a man should love the Lord more than his wife.
Looooove this episode. So illuminating. First time to hear Fr. Burns. He speaks so well, with much humility and charity. I hope he gets to join you in more episodes in the future. Maybe recorded short videos? Thank you, PWA, this episode is a gift! Praying for more religious vocations, more diocesan priestly vocations! 🙏🙏🙏
I keep going back through the archives and each episode I listen to becomes my new favorite. This channel adds so much to my life, whether I’m doing the dishes or laundry or if I get some time to sit and relax or driving in my car, my first choice is always to put on some POA. Even today I stumble across a quote from Matt that touches my heart. “Faith is the key that puts every other truth into its proper place. Triumphs become opportunities for gratitude instead of pride. Tragedies become opportunities for growth instead of despair. Life just makes more sense and our faith in God gives us joy even when we face what can feel like insurmountable trials.” -Matt Fradd I needed to hear that today ❤
I can vouch for my love for Jesus, by watching the nuns and novices in our parish, while growing up. Any religious Sister is having any doubts about the value of their vocation, I would say they will meet their spiritual children in heaven
I have deep issues of feminine worth from an emotionally absent father (looking in all the wrong places, yada yada…) Through PWA, I have learned about Theology of the Body, and how to seek value in myself now as a daughter of God and a bride of Christ. It is soooo hard to hold that gaze, Matt - I know 🥹 I cling to St. Thérèse of Lisieux because she makes the “complicated” simple - He loves you. Love Him back.
That was one of the most incredible discussions, packed with so much information. I am very privledged to work in youth ministry, and so much of what Fr. John talked about the 'state of our parishes' is so true and so sad, to see the vision of our mission revolving around the schools needs. I cannot tell you how many youth I have met up with after 12 years of Catholic Education have left the church. Fr. John's explanation of the missing wolves to the eco system, and schools with no Sisters/Nuns in schools is absolutely spot on. In working with a few thousand youth in 30 years, I have only had one young lady and a young man enter into religious life, and both discerned out within a few years. Thank you Matt for having Fr. John as a guest. Side note Matt, my husband and I have 5 children, I look back and altho it was insanely crazy, it was the good times. Our hardest moments were the young adult years - brace yourself!
Matt -- your authenticity of expression when you talk about your struggles is a breath of fresh air , since American society is more interested in keeping up appearances than being genuine when relating to others.
I remember the wolf story from a talk he gave at an education conference. I am saddened about the lost of sisters in the schools. This coming from a teacher who would rather be a mom. It really hit me
I haven’t had the chance to watch this stream yet, but as a lifelong Wisconsinite I’ve had the pleasure of having Fr. Burns around our archdiocese for many years across a handful of parishes. A beautiful soul and amazing pastor. Can’t wait to watch this one.
Wow, this must be one of, if not my very favourite conversation so far!! Relevant to me personally and immediately!! It always amazes me how God reveals his love for us over and over, reminding us to surrender and trust in his divine mercy and providence. Fantastic Matt, your ministry is flourishing!! Xoxoxo love from Australia
Matt, reach out to the Carmelite Daughters of St. Elias in Cincinnati. Mother Marie Cecile, who leads the newly formed community in the heart of Cincinnati, is a young, vibrant, fun, beautiful woman with a truly beautiful soul. Praise be God they are quickly growing and trying to make more room at their convent, while also building a chapel on some rural land, that was donated to them, with the help of seminarians and lay people. She would be a wonderful guest to have on your show! We just adore her and the sisters!
Wow, listening about His Gaze at mark 1:22:13... This is something beautiful I have found in prayer the last few years. Before finding myself in His gaze, I struggled and struggled in prayer. Then one day, it felt as though He tested the cushions of my heart for His Throne. All at once, I felt both as though I was nothing and everything at the same time. Nothing because in the Shadow of Him, I am nothing. And everything because of His intense Love for me. I hope you stay in His Presence long enough to feel the intensity of His Love for all of you. He is purifying your soul in a way that only He can... This is His Perfection in you. God Bless you.
I had a sense for a long time, a knowing from the Holy Spirit that these monastic orders held the church together through their prayers. It’s beautiful to hear this confirmed in Father’s description of the Carthusians.
I got so much comfort, peace, and inspiration from listening to this. When I compare myself to the lives of these guys, I feel like a complete loser. But then when they opened up about their own challenges around self worth, I felt amazed. They are struggling humans, just like me. Does anyone else get a Nicolas Cage vibe from Father Burns or is it just me?
Another amazing interview. I really liked Fr. John and might have to find more about him. I've found myself listening to these interviews and the Locals podcasts while working and its been wonderful. Also the start of the intermission had me rolling 🤣
Meat pies for us here in Louisiana are more like Empanadas, you can typically find them stuffed with ground beef, pork or combo of both. The further south you travel in Louisiana, you may find them stuffed w/ crawfish (i.e. crawfish pie) or crab meat. Yum!!
Matt talking about the un human vision of Sainthood is everything I needed to hear today! I have 3 children and a FT job so I can't be a heroic saint for the world, even though I feel like I need to be to get to heaven. Thank you Matt for what you said about trusting the Lord to make us holy right where we are in the mundaneness of our lives.
@Soldier Down Yes but being a heroic saint is not to be exalted. Humility would have us receive no recognition for our holiness, which we can see as a secret between us and God. However, the church recognizes the need to venerate saints as role models and to receive their strong intercession. I'm sure that the humility of all these heroic saints we know would spur them to wish to be unknown if it wasn't the will of God for them to be known for His greater glory. All this to say, holiness is found in the perfect fulfillment of our ordinary tasks and state of life, we don't need to seek greatness outside of our current life(unless we discern a vocational call which this commenters state of life more than likely does not permit) but right taken up within our families and communities. I highly recommend the work of Josemaría Escrivá and Opus Dei along with the daily meditations by Francis Fernandez(titled "In Conversation with God"). These will direct you far along the path to heroic virtue in seemingly "ordinary" life.
I would love to see a video to help with a scenario I have seen/read many times and is personally relevant: what is there for people who carry the distinct cross of feeling called by God to a life of intense prayer and community life but who are for the most part rejected by religious orders because they cannot pass the rigor of the application process, for example: not being entirely medically sound, the common requirement to not be taking any psychiatric medications, not passing the psychological eval., or not being deemed "fit" in some other way. This cross is very painful, and I think you could help people like us with a video, Matt. God bless you.
How Amazing Thank you Father I am a 69 year old woman A Retired Registered Nurse And I remember starting nursing beginning as a Nurses Aide at age 19 My fater was a patient at The hospital in my home town Williamsport Pa. Divine Providence Hospital no longer open I worked with Sisters who were Nurses in their White habits Sister Francis Xavier Sister Consuela They were such good nurses Something terrible is lost The Nuns took such good care of the Patients
2:29:20. I'm glad this went out this far. What Father is saying here, and your response in regards to the topic of being poor in spirit, along with taking up or cross. This is IT man, perhaps it's already a highlighted segment, is not it should be. I loved this whole conversation. Thanks Matt!
Matt, I freaking love your humility brother. Around the 1:10 moment…I think we aren’t truly honest at times and you are consistently honest. Just awesome. It’s so helpful. Peace.
I'm laughing about when he said how many kids his daughter wanted when she grows up 5 or 12 😂my 8 year old son told me he and his wife r going to have 5 kids when he grows up .I'm a stay at home mum with 4 little boys I listen to pints with Aquinas as I cook dinner and do the house work I to homeschool my children.
About believing we're loved and lovable, not just loved by God but _liked_ by God, I had this thought the other day: that what an insult to my Creator's handiwork it is, to have nothing good to say about a creation He has called good. And I started to really think through, what could I *honestly* say to Jesus, one-on-one in a room with him but honestly, not just saying what I think I 'should' say I like about myself but saying what I *actually* like about myself.... and honestly, it wasn't much. But I found "earnestness". I genuinely like how earnest I am. Even when I've done things that are actually stupid because of earnestness. I actually smile and feel affection for myself even, maybe especially, remembering those stupidest of times. And I think that might be a marker for something actually likable in me: for something that Jesus probably finds likeable, too. Something I can tell Jesus I like about myself, even when it's a trait that's been involved in situations that embarrassed me in the past. I'd like to find some more things to like about myself... like, really personal-to-me things to really like about myself. But I'm glad I've at least found one. And it's nice to think that this is something God has built me to have, and He likes me and that I am this way, having this earnestness as a part of me.
Wonderful interview! Amazing wisdom. I'll have to watch it a few times because there is so much life in this discussion & I would really love to internalize as much as I can.
My Mom, who was very religious said don't become a nun, it's unnatural. The funny thing (there you go for a place to use 'the funny thing.') is she has an aunt who we see and love and she seemed very happy as a nun. She was in Lima, Peru for 25 years by request, she was an amazing mathmetician and was in a high school in the US. She was upset when she had to retire, they must do what they are told to do. She did not like having to feed the sisters in the nursing home. I think it's because it was a premonition as to what was to come for her. About not having nuns, we also have Associates in that order. We also had priests who were with the family on different weekends or holidays as part of the family by invitation, so they actually had a family, but they had no responsibility as a parent would.
I'm Jamaican and we eat meat patties. Kinda like a mini meat pies. I highly recommend them. They tend to be super spicy too since East Indians migrated to Jamaica many moons ago and brought over their spices. It's why Jamaican food is super tasty and spicy!
