Godsplaining

Do Catholics really have to go to Mass every Sunday? And why does the Church call it an “obligation”?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Patrick Briscoe unpack the Sunday Mass obligation and explain why obligation and freedom aren’t enemies. In fact, having certain non-negotiable commitments can free us from constantly having to decide what matters most.
The friars discuss why Sunday Mass should be a question of when—not whether—why even a less-than-ideal Mass is still worth attending, how worship gives God what He is due, and why the Mass provides a foundation for the entire week.
They also explore what can be lost in being “spiritual but not religious,” the importance of worshiping as a community, and the surprising freedom that comes from allowing our lives to be ordered toward God.
 
Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining
 
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
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Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 

Fr. Bonaventure welcomes Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, back to Godsplaining for a conversation about St. Ignatius of Loyola and the discernment of spirits.
How do we recognize what is drawing us toward God, and what is pulling us away? How should we respond when we experience discouragement, confusion, anxiety, or spiritual desolation? What role should our emotions play in the spiritual life?
Drawing from his latest book Thinking Like a Saint: Discernment of Spirits in the Catholic Tradition, Fr. Gallagher explains St. Ignatius’ practical rules for discernment and how they can help Catholics move from simply reacting to their interior experiences to understanding and responding to them.
Fr. Gallagher also explains why Ignatian discernment isn’t uniquely Ignatian in its substance, but is deeply rooted in the broader Catholic spiritual tradition, including the wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, St. John of the Cross, St. Thomas Aquinas, and others.
Listen and learn how to become more attentive to the movements of your heart, recognize the action of the good spirit and the enemy, and live with greater spiritual freedom.
 
Get your copy of Thinking Like a Saint: Discernment of Spirits in the Catholic Tradition: https://ignatius.com/thinking-like-a-saint-tlsp/
Listen to Fr. Gallagher's podcast on Discerning Hearts: https://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/fr-timothy-gallagher-discernment-of-spirits/
Look into Ignatian Discernment Institute's Upcoming Events: https://www.discernment.institute/events 
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
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Support the Podcast
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Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 

What if your biggest toxic trait could actually point you toward the Saint you need most?
Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony take on some of today’s most common “toxic traits” and pair them with the Saints who show us a better way. They tackle everything from narcissism and holding grudges to ghosting, impulsivity, FOMO, and gaslighting.
As shown through the lives of the Saints, the friars clarify that holiness doesn’t entail losing your personality. Christ sanctified the Saints' unique personalities, weaknesses, strengths, and struggles—and He wants to do the same with us.
your toxic trait and the Saint you would pair it with? Let us know in the comments.
All you Holy Men and Women, pray for us!
 
Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining
 
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining
 
Support the Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining
Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/
 
Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 

What do you do when you've been genuinely hurt by someone in the Catholic Church? What if a therapist, friend, or loved one tells you that leaving the Church is the answer?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss church hurt, trauma, abuse, forgiveness, and the difficult distinction between the holiness of the Church and the failures of her members. The friars explore why Catholics shouldn't dismiss real experiences of pain or mistreatment, why the failures of priests and other Catholics don't negate Christ's promises to His Church, and how someone who has been hurt can begin to heal without abandoning the faith.
During their discussion they offer practical advice for Catholics struggling to return to a parish or trust Church leaders again—including when it may be appropriate to create space, attend another parish, seek professional and spiritual guidance, and allow healing to unfold over time.
What does forgiveness require? Does forgiveness always mean reconciliation? And can God bring something new out of even our deepest wounds? Listen to the full episode to hear what the friars have to say.
 
Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining
 
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
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Support the Podcast
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Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 

Why are more people cutting off family members, friends, and loved ones? What does the rise of “no contact” reveal about the way we understand relationships?
Fr. Gregory sits down with Ethics and Public Policy Center Fellow and author Noelle Mering to explore the growing phenomenon of fractured relationships. They discuss the influence of social media and therapy-speak, the meaning of “toxic” and “traumatic,” our increasing discomfort with disagreement, and the temptation to treat relationships like online spaces that can simply be blocked, muted, or unfollowed.
Noelle and Fr. Gregory also consider how politics and ideology can reshape our understanding of family, obligation, and identity—and why Christian faith offers a radically different vision of love: one rooted in relationship, responsibility, forgiveness, and the dignity of the person in front of us.
 
Pre-order No Contact by Noelle Mering here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804101/no-contact-by-noelle-mering/
Check out her book Awake, Not Woke: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/awake-not-woke-a-christian-response-to-the-cult-of-progressive-ideology
Follow her work with Theology of Home: https://theologyofhome.com/
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
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Support the Podcast
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Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org

Why do Catholics, and Thomists in particular, have such a problem with René Descartes?
Fr. Bonaventure and Fr. Patrick Briscoe take another look at one of the most controversial figures in modern philosophy. From “I think, therefore I am” and the mind-body problem to Descartes’ Catholic faith and surprising Augustinian influences, they ask whether the father of modern philosophy deserves his reputation.
Was Descartes really the enemy of the Catholic philosophical tradition? Or have Catholics been too quick to dismiss him?
What thinkers and philosophers would you like the friars to discuss next? Let us know in the comments!
 
Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining
 
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
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Support the Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining
Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/
 
Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 

Is laughter just entertainment, or is it an important part of the Christian life?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore the surprising virtue of humor. They discuss why Christians sometimes become overly serious, how St. Thomas Aquinas viewed wit as a virtue, and why laughter can deepen friendship, relieve tension, and even help us speak the truth with charity.
Have a favorite joke? We want to hear it, drop it in the comments!
 
Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining
 
Support the Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining
Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/
 
Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org

Why are so many Christians rediscovering the Catholic Church?
In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Gregory Pine sits down with Catholic apologist Trent Horn to discuss Protestantism, apologetics, conversion, and what ultimately draws people into the fullness of the Catholic faith. They explore why arguments matter, but also why arguments alone are never enough.
Trent explains the biggest misconceptions Protestants have about Catholicism, how apologetics should lead to deeper discipleship, and why every convert must eventually move beyond debates into a life of prayer, the sacraments, and authentic friendship with Christ.
Whether you're Catholic, Protestant, exploring Christianity, or simply curious about the differences, this conversation offers a thoughtful and charitable look at one of today's most important religious conversations.
 
Keep up the Counsel of Trent: https://www.youtube.com/TheCounselofTrent
Learn more about books written by Trent Horn: https://www.trenthorn.com/
Read through his catalog of articles for Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/profile/trent-horn
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining
 
Support the Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining
Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/
 
Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
our Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we write, create art, compose music, and even think—but what does it mean for the human imagination?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure explore AI through the lens of Catholic philosophy and theology. They discuss whether AI can truly be creative, why imagination is essential to being human, and how technology may reshape our relationship with art, work, community, and even one another.
Rather than asking whether AI is intelligent, they ask a deeper question: What makes human intelligence, and creativity, unique?
 
Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining
 
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic
 
Last chance! Join Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure for the 2026 Men's Wilderness Retreat this August. Sign up here by midnight on July 30th: https://godsplaining.org/events-2/mens-retreat-brevard-nc-august-2026/
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining
 
Support the Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining
Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/
 
Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU
Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/
St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 

Why has The Little Prince remained one of the most beloved books in the world?
Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure explore Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's timeless classic through the lens of Catholic philosophy and theology. Together they unpack the book's deepest themes: childlike wonder, identity, responsibility, love, friendship, and learning to "see with the heart."
Whether you're revisiting this classic or reading it for the first time, this conversation will help you discover why The Little Prince continues to speak so powerfully to the human heart.
Add The Little Prince to your summer reading list: https://a.co/d/05hF80OS
 
Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining
 
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic
 
Only 10 spots left! Join Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure for the 2026 Men's Wilderness Retreat this August. Sign up here: https://godsplaining.org/events-2/mens-retreat-brevard-nc-august-2026/
 
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining
 
Support the Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining
Shop merch: https://godsplaining.org/store/
 
Shop Books Written by the Friars
Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://a.co/d/0dx0V5AT
O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://a.co/d/0hLdv7oU Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1
Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech
Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/ St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392
Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/
 
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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org