Fr. Josh answers questions on the dark night of the soul, what makes a sacrament valid, and why we believe in the existence of Dinosaurs even though they are not specifically mentioned in Genesis.
Snippet from the Show
“Connection is more important than perfection.”
Shownotes
Every sacrament that has been given to the Church by our Savior Jesus Christ has a form and a matter, and these cannot be changed.
Shownotes
Glory Story (3:18)
Feedback (5:56)
Dark Night of the Soul (7:42)
Dear Father Josh,
Greetings from Ireland!
Firstly I want to say thank you so much for helping me to grow closer to God every day, and for explaining things I never knew before about my Catholic faith – your wisdom is giving me a new appreciation and love for the church – and a new understanding of some deep issues I had been questioning.
Also, I never realised that all of us can become saints and you’ve really lit a fire in my heart that maybe I can become a saint too.
Since starting to listen to your podcast, I’ve started going to regular confessions, fasting from social media, vowed to never miss mass on a Sunday again – and all because I’ve realised what is really important is not this world – but the state of our souls for entering the next one. This has helped me to begin to uncover some vices of mine and to begin to break through them, with Jesus’ divine mercy and grace.
I’ve begun reading the Diary of Saint Faustina and she talks about experiencing a dark night of the soul. Could you explain what this means?
Thank you so much Fr Josh, I am praying for you and your wonderful ministry.Keep doing what you’re doing, because you are making saints.
-Juliann
Valid Sacraments (13:57)
Hi Father,
I recently heard on the news about a priest who found out that he was not validly ordained because his baptism was invalid. What makes a sacrament valid? Does the wording during a sacrament really matter? Could you please expand on the validity of sacraments and why these rituals of the Catholic faith are so important for our salvation. Thank you!
-Allie
Dinosaurs in the Bible (20:35)
Dear Father Josh,
My name is Sonia and I stumbled upon your podcast about a year ago when God knew I needed it most. Listening to you has helped me get through many tear filled commutes while I questioned the direction my life had headed. Hearing your positivity, your random break out in song, and feeling your unconditional love of God through your words of wisdom and faith, have helped put me in a much better place emotionally and spiritually. Praise God & Father Josh!
I love your podcast so much that I shared it with my sister and now she and her kids. The question I have for you is actually from my very smart and inquisitive 11 year old nephew-who is a big believer in Science. His question is: The Bible has no mention of dinosaurs; does the Church believe in their existence?
Thank you for your time! We look forward to listening to your thoughtful responses.
God bless,
-Sonia, Elvira (my sister) & Diego (my nephew)
Resources:
- Email your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com
- Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
- The Sacred That Surrounds Us: How Everything in a Catholic Church Points to Heaven
- As parishes plan for the fall, Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings!
Meet Fr. Josh Johnson
While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. Then, one day in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest.
Now, Fr. Josh is the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body, The 99, and Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, as well as the author of Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation, Pocket Guide to Adoration, and co-author of Pocket Guide to Reconciliation.
