The 6 Most Extreme Catholic Monks & Desert Fathers

from The Catholic Talk Show · host Ryan Scheel, Ryan DellaCrosse, & Fr. Michael Nixon

In this episode of The Catholic Talk Show, Ryan, Ryan, and Fr. Michael explore the most extreme monastic saints in Church history, examining how silence, solitude, fasting, and radical withdrawal from the world shaped their pursuit of holiness—and what modern Catholics can still learn from them today. 00:00 The Essence of Spiritual Retreat and Monasticism 05:52 The Importance of Rest and Reflection 11:16 The Desert Fathers: A Journey into Solitude 16:51 Extreme Monasticism: Stylites and Anchorites 22:49 Modern Monasticism and Urban Hermits 28:30 The Call for Discipline in Modern Life 31:51 The Role of Asceticism and Fasting 35:37 Exodus 90: A Path to Freedom 39:03 Creating Sacred Spaces and Routines 49:55 Embracing Silence and Presence 53:22 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 5, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

NOW PLAYING

The 6 Most Extreme Catholic Monks & Desert Fathers

0:00 1:00:49

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Catholic Talk Show?

This episode is 1 hour and 0 minutes long.

When was this The Catholic Talk Show episode published?

This episode was published on January 5, 2026.

Can I download this The Catholic Talk Show episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!