Godsplaining

What does Divine Mercy really mean, and why is it so central to the Christian life?

Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, joins Fr. Gregory to unpack the message of Divine Mercy, the extraordinary life of St. Faustina, and the profound connection between God’s mercy and the sacraments.

Fr. Alar is a priest of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and serves as provincial superior for the congregation’s province. A prominent teacher and evangelist of the Divine Mercy message, he is also the author of Understanding Divine Mercy and Understanding the Sacraments.

In this episode, Fr. Alar explains why Divine Mercy goes to the very heart of the Gospel message. He and Fr. Gregory discuss what it means to call mercy God’s “greatest attribute,” the relationship between the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy, and the rich symbolism contained in the Divine Mercy image. They also explore some of St. Faustina’s extraordinary experiences, the authority Christ entrusted to priests in the Sacrament of Confession, and the remarkable promise associated with Divine Mercy Sunday.

Can any sin be greater than God’s mercy? What’s the difference between trusting in mercy and presuming upon it? And what does Jesus desire to accomplish in us through Divine Mercy?

Tune into the full conversation to find out and let us know your questions on Divine Mercy in the comments below.

 

Learn more about the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception: https://marian.org/

Secure your copies of Fr. Alar's books:

Understanding Divine Mercy: https://amzn.to/46O7RbF

Understanding the Sacraments: https://amzn.to/4A5AtL4 

 

Attn: Young Adults! Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick for the annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage Young Adult Vigil on Friday, Sept. 25th from 6-9pm. This is a free event for young adults. Register: https://godsplaining.org/dominican-rosary-pilgrimage-young-adult-vigil-2026/

 

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Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://amzn.to/4r1rc2l

O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://amzn.to/4xJz1MF

Witness: https://amzn.to/4hgfmOC

Training the Tongue: https://amzn.to/4hilfLa

Your Eucharistic Identity: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101879094-17193693

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How should Catholics think about mental health? Is anxiety or depression primarily a psychological issue, a spiritual struggle—or can it be both?

In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss the relationship between faith, therapy, psychology, and mental health. They explore why psychological struggles are real without defining the whole person, when it may be appropriate to seek professional help, the role of spiritual direction and Christian community, and why psychological and spiritual health should be integrated rather than confused.

They also consider a difficult reality: sometimes healing doesn't happen in the way we hope. What does the Christian life look like when a struggle must be managed rather than completely resolved?

Join Exodus 90 for St. Michael's Lent with with Fr. Columba Jordan starting on August 12th: https://exodus90.com/godsplaining

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Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://amzn.to/4r1rc2l

O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://amzn.to/4xJz1MF

Witness: https://amzn.to/4hgfmOC

Training the Tongue: https://amzn.to/4hilfLa

Your Eucharistic Identity: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101879094-17193693

St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://amzn.to/4ijPWkm

Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://amzn.to/4zZjH04

 

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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

 

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Justice: Judge Rightly, Give Freely: https://amzn.to/4r1rc2l

O Sacred Banquet: Exploring the Eucharistic Mystery with Saint Thomas Aquinas: https://amzn.to/4xJz1MF

Witness: https://amzn.to/4hgfmOC

Training the Tongue: https://amzn.to/4hilfLa

Your Eucharistic Identity: https://amzn.to/4x85dbv

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To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org

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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