CrosierCast

Whether you pray the rosary daily or have never tried it before, Bishop Wall has some tips for making the most of this wonderful prayer.

Bishop Wall takes an in-depth look at how we can grow in holiness and happiness this Advent season.

Bishop Wall thought he would follow in his father's footsteps: get married, have 6 kids, become a football coach. But God was calling him to something different.

Some people may wonder what a Catholic Bishop does from day to day. The answer, in our case, is: lots of travel! Whether leading pilgrimages, attending meetings, or fundraising, Bishop Wall is often racking up the car and airline miles to promote and support our Diocese.

How you can make the most of this high point of the liturgical year.

Bishop Wall gives advice on how to prepare for Lent in three ways: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Bishop Wall talks about the importance of the Jubilee, and how to make the most of this special year that only occurs every 25 years in the Church.

Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, and with 2025 around the corner, Bishop Wall gives advice on how to make good resolutions for both.

Bishop Wall provides tips on how Catholics can form their consciences on candidates and issues, how to maintain hope, and why charity is the most important virtue to cultivate, especially during an election season.

The Catholic Church has now moved into the final year of the Eucharistic Revival: the Year of Mission. Bishop Wall discusses how Catholics can be effective missionaries in the world, especially in promoting an encounter with Christ through the Eucharist.

Bishop Wall and special guest Fr. Burke Masters discuss a new initiative between the Diocese of Gallup and Fr. Burke's Illinois parish, St. Isaac Jogues.

The Eucharist is Jesus Christ fully present: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. But why do so many Catholics seem lukewarm about the Eucharist, and why is there a revival across the United States that aims to spread awareness about what the Church teaches about the Eucharist? Bishop James S. Wall examines these questions in our latest episode.

As a young man, Deacon Aaron Alford assumed he'd make a career in comedy or with a sketch group like Second City. But God had other plans, and even before his conversion to Catholicism, Alford realized he was being called to become a priest.

It's our annual episode on Lent! Whether you've been prepared since before Ash Wednesday, or are still trying to figure out what to give up, Bishop Wall offers some advice for making the most of this season.

Fr. Burke Masters is a priest of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, and the chaplain for the Chicago Cubs. In this episode, he speaks with Bishop Wall about his conversion to Catholicism and his vocation as a priest - all of which started with his childhood love of baseball.

For some, the holidays are a time of joy and cheer, while for others, a feeling of isolation or loneliness can set in. But Advent - a season of anticipation - provides an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the birth of Christ and look forward to His second coming.

You don't have to travel halfway across the world or spend a lot of money to make a pilgrimage. Bishop James Wall gives advice on how to undertake one - whether in your own home or to a famous site like Lourdes.

Confirmation is a familiar rite of passage for most young adult Catholics - but why is it such an important sacrament? Bishop Wall explains the significance.

Holy Week - the week leading up to Easter, is one of the high points of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church. We hear names like Spy Wednesday and Good Friday - but what do they mean, and why are they important? In this episode, Bishop Wall gives a breakdown of the significance of each day of Holy Week.

We're back! In our new episode, Bishop Wall gives advice for Lent: how best to prepare; recommendations for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; and his favorite spiritual readings.

Originally recorded in July 2021, but the topic is relevant year-round! Along with freedom of speech, assembly, and other guaranteed American rights, freedom of religion is a right inherent to human beings, and not one that should be bestowed or revoked by any government or ruler. For Catholics, for whom the Eucharist is the "source and summit" of our spiritual lives, the freedom to teach and follow the Gospel is crucial, and a message of hope in a fallen world.

It's easy to find ourselves waffling between two extremes: procrastination on the one hand, or toxic productivity on the other. Hard work, properly ordered, is good, but not when it's focused on chasing material goods or wealth which will never bring true happiness. Rather, like St. Joseph, we should work for the support of our family, the betterment of our community, and the good of our soul.

When a priest or bishop makes the decision to publicly or privately deny the Eucharist to a Catholic, it is not a gesture motivated by politics. Rather, it is an act of charity which keeps the person from falling into deeper sin, a call to repentance, and an effort to preserve the sanctity of the Eucharist.

A good shepherd is one who seeks to bring each strayed member back to the fold, who concerns himself with each sheep's wellbeing, and who would lay down his life for the good of his flock. A good shepherd is not simply a hired hand, watchful for only a certain period - rather, a good shepherd's love is all-encompassing and never ends. Homilist: Bishop James S. Wall

What is the Year of St. Joseph, and what are the spiritual benefits of a devotion to St. Joseph? Bishop James Wall breaks it down for Catholics.

Following one's moral conscience can be challenging at the best of times, but even more so during election season. How to best combine our religious obligations with our civic duties? In this episode, Bishop Wall gives suggestions on how best to participate in secular and civic life while doing our best to also follow Catholic teaching.

Marriage is an underrated and often misunderstood vocation, especially within secular societies. What makes this sacrament so beautiful, and how can couples navigate the challenges and joys that come from a lifelong commitment to one another? In this episode, Bishop Wall chats with special guests Hayden and Nicole Wallace about their recent marriage and growth as a couple.

How easy it is to feel powerless, angry, and saddened in the face of oppression, racism and injustice! But to act justly and kindly in response, Catholics must keep in mind the two most powerful commandments: to love God, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In this episode, Bishop Wall reflects on the killing of George Floyd, unjust systems, and offers advice for Catholics on how to productively follow Christ's call to love and serve our neighbors.

For most American Catholics, the Coronavirus is unprecedented; no public Masses, suspension of Confirmations, closures of schools - the list goes on. But pandemics, limited access to the Sacraments, and tough times have occurred many times throughout the history of the Church, and so it is up to Catholics to face uncertain times with courage, perseverance, and hope. In this episode, Bishop Wall is joined by Bishop James Conley, Fr. Matthew Keller, Fr. Mitchell Brown, and Deacon Randolph Copeland (a physician) for a discussion on maintaining hope and faith during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's time once again for our annual Lenten podcast! In this episode, Bishop Wall shares his personal Lenten habits and gives advice on how to make this your most prayerful and fruitful Lent ever, whether you're just now kickstarting your prayer life or have a solid spiritual life already.

Every 5-8 years, each catholic bishop must go to the Vatican for what is known as an "Ad Limina" visit - Latin for "To the Threshold". The bishop is visiting the "threshold" of the Apostles, and the Pope as the successor of St. Peter. During this visit, a bishop gives an accounting of his diocese, and receives counsel, instructions or advice from the Pope. In February 2020, Bishop Wall, along with the other bishop of his region, made their Ad Limina visit with Pope Francis. In this episode, Bishop Wall describes the visit, which entailed speaking for 2.5 hours with the Pope, meeting with congregations of the Vatican, and making a retreat to Assisi.

The Rosary is often considered the second most important prayer in Catholicism - the most important, of course, is the sacrifice of the Mass. What makes it so powerful is its connection with the Blessed Mother, and ultimately, how it brings us closer to Christ through her example. Indeed, Mary herself has exhorted Catholics to pray the Rosary through apparitions and appearances to Saints. Tradition holds that she appeared to St. Dominic, who lived in the 12th-13th centuries, and told him that the Rosary was a powerful weapon to combat heresies. Hundreds of years later, while WWI raged throughout Europe, Mary appeared to three children in Portugal, asking that Catholics pray the rosary for the intention of peace. In the episode, Bishop Wall reflects on the importance of the rosary - in troubled times and in peaceful times - and gives advice for forming the habit of praying the rosary daily.

Bishop Wall takes a look at all the important things happening at the annual November meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.

On October 13, 2019, John Henry Newman was canonized a saint by Pope Francis. A convert from Anglicanism, Newman became one of the most prolific English Catholic writers and teachers of the 19th century. In our 2nd episode on Newman, Dr. John Freeh joins Bishop Wall to discuss why Newman's approach to literature and learning may just provide the ideal blueprint for evangelization and a radical love for the Church in universities - Catholic and non-Catholic - throughout the world.

"Heart Speaks Unto Heart" - this was the motto for Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be canonized a saint on October 13, 2019. What spoke to Newman's heart was truth, which he followed throughout his life. It was the truth of Catholicism that led to his conversion in 1845, even though it cost him the loss of some friendships. Newman's greatest legacy today is his philosophy on the relationship of faith and reason, and the importance of education. Throughout the world, there are many Catholic clubs and houses for students - called "Newman Centers" - at many secular universities. In this first of a two-part episode, Dr. John Freeh, director of the Newman Institute in Lincoln, Nebraska, joins Bishop Wall for a discussion of the Cardinal's impact on modern Catholic life.

It's been making the rounds lately: a recent PEW religion survey has found that 7 in 10 American Catholics believe the Eucharist is merely a "symbol". The number starkly falls among weekly Mass-goers, the majority of whom believe in the True Presence, but among fallen away and seldom-attending Catholics, a large majority either do not understand or do not believe in transubstantiation. But the words of Jesus Himself, and Church teaching, are clear: Christ is fully present in the Eucharist, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. It is this True Presence that is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (CC 1324). As Flannery O'Connor wrote to a friend, "Well, if it's a symbol, to hell with it." In this episode, Bishop Wall and guest Fr. Matthew Keller break down the study, its ramifications for the American Church, and how parents and priests, in a two-pronged approach, can properly evangelize and address widespread misconceptions about the Eucharist.

In our final episode on Tolkien, Bishop Wall and Dr. Helen Freeh discuss the major differences between the Lord of the Rings books and films, and why reading the books is necessary to understand the themes and true beauty behind the world and stories of Middle-Earth.

In our second of of three episodes examining the life and legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien, Dr. Helen Freeh joins Bishop Wall to discuss Tolkien's upbringing, faith, and friendships. Tolkien was acquainted with death from an early age, losing his father as a little boy and later 2 close friends in the horrors of World War 1. Throughout it all, his Catholic faith was a constant source of strength, as were his later friendships with a group of Oxford writers and professors. They called themselves The Inklings, and famously smoke, drank, argued philosophy and literature, and critiqued each member's writings. Besides Tolkien, a notable member of the Inklings was C.S. Lewis, and the two men formed a deep and lifelong friendship that will forever impact English literature. Tolkien was instrumental in Lewis's conversion to Christianity, and Lewis, for his part, helped Tolkien's work reach publication.

Dr. Helen Freeh joins Bishop Wall for this first in a three-part discussion on the life, legacy and faith of British author J.R.R. Tolkien. Most known for his books "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings", Tolkien was an Oxford Professor and devout Catholic who infused his works with religious meaning without ever falling into preachiness or allegory. In this first part, Dr. Freeh examines how Tolkien alternatively dismantled and paid homage to themes of fate, and his distaste for modernist ideas of nihilism and despair.

Why does the life of a young Algonquin-Mohawk woman from a 17th century mean so much to the Catholics of New Mexico and Arizona? In this episode, Bishop Wall takes a look at St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first canonized Native American saint. “When we look at the saints, and this our special saint, St. Kateri, we would imitate her as she imitates Christ, and one of those virtues, I would say, is not only being a faithful woman, but kindness, especially kindness towards others. And kindness is a mark of the Holy Spirit.”

Catholic Bishops from around the United States gathered in June for a meeting with a unique agenda - a continuing need for efforts to combat sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. In response to a recent letter from Pope Francis, and a year of intense scrutiny from the laity and secular media, the bishops enacted several new polices - especially those that outline how to report and future allegations against bishops themselves. In our latest episode, Bishop Wall examines the Pope's letter, the response of the bishops, and the effects on the Church going forward.

A "santero" is a practitioner of the only Catholic Spanish colonial artform that is indigenous to the American southwest. Many santeros still create art in the same way as their ancestors - from grinding up the shells of the cochineal bug to make red pigment, to depicting patron saints and religious icons. Guest Jerry Montoya joins Bishop Wall to talk about growing up in a New Mexico mining community, learning to make Spanish colonial art, and Spanish fiestas and festivals.

As the political and legislative debate around abortion heats up, it can be all too easy to forget the humanity of those on the other side, and to demonize or belittle the human beings on the various sides of the pro-life and pro-abortion spectrum. Our Catholic faith calls us to fight against the evils of abortion, but it also reminds us to act in love and charity when engaging in advocacy. In this episode, Bishop Wall recommends some productive habits for Catholics, Christians and non-religious pro-life advocates alike as the national debate around abortion takes the spotlight.

Bishop Wall gives more insights into Holy Week, covering everything from the significance of Palm Sunday to the intricate liturgies of the Triduum. Why do we cover statues and paintings? Why is there no Mass on Good Friday? And what kind of mindset will help us to appreciate more fully the end of the Lenten season? All these questions and more are discussed in this episode!

This year, Bishop Wall announced that the Sacrament of Confirmation would be restored to its original order, to be given at the age of reason at around 7-8 years of age. In this episode, he explains his reasons for the restoration, how the sacrament confers grace at a crucial period, and how Catholics and families should prepare to receive Confirmation.

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." When a quick video clip emerged in late January that supposedly showed a group of Catholic high school students engaging in harassment of Native Americans, celebrities, news outlets and social media were quick to pile on with condemnations, threats, and outrage. But within 24 hours, a different picture emerged - one that put the entire encounter in a starkly difference context. But the Covington Catholic incident is merely a symptom of a society that no longer understands true virtue. Virtue signalling, instead, has arisen. Public shaming, outrage, and anger seem to have replaced human discourse and decency, especially online and in virtual spaces. In this episode, Bishop Wall examines the consequences of pretend goodness, and recommends some practices for cultivating true virtue.

The New Mexico legislature is considering two radically anti-life bills that, if enacted, would carry devastating consequences for the state's citizens. The first, NM HB51, removes conscience protections for doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who refuse to perform or refer for abortions. It would also protect human traffickers, rapists, and those who prey on children by allowing abortions on minors without parental notification. NM House Bill 90 would legalize assisted suicide in New Mexico, allow non-physicians to prescribe lethal drugs, allow non-residents to come to NM to receive euthanasia, and much more. Contact your legislators to make your voice heard on these issues right here: https://www.nmlegis.gov/members/find_my_legislator

The Little Sisters of the Poor is an order of women religious who operate nursing and hospice homes for the elderly poor throughout the world. In December of 2018, they celebrated 150 years of service in the United States. In the Diocese of Gallup, the Little Sisters have operated their home, Villa Guadalupe, for 35 years. In this episode, Bishop James Wall speaks with Sr. Maria Christine, the Mother Provincial for the western province of the Sisters in the U.S.; Sr. Sarah Maria of Jesus, Mother of the home in Gallup; Sr. Mildred Mary of St. Paul; and Sr. Mary William.

At the National USCCB meeting in November, the American bishops were set to vote on several action items that would address abuse among high-ranking prelates...until a last-minute directive from the Vatican required them to table the voting. So has anything been done to address the improper and sometimes criminal conduct that has been reported happening in the Church in recent months? In this first episode of our second season, Bishop Wall gives his perspective, one that comes from experiencing the November meeting firsthand.

Bishop Wall sits down with his newest priest, Fr. Mitchell Brown, who was ordained in June of 2018 and was born and raised in the Diocese of Gallup. They compare notes on their first days as priests - their first time hearing Confessions, offering the Mass, and having someone address them as "Father".