Franciscan Fridays

The Star of the Magi vs Secular Fame: Epiphany Explained | Franciscan Fridays ep. 37

Celebrate the Christmas season as we approach Epiphany with this powerful reflection on the Star of the Magi and its meaning for our lives today.
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In this episode of Franciscan Fridays, Brother Pius and Father Luke explore the biblical prophecy from Numbers 24, the journey of the Three Magi, and how God used even secular signs to reveal Christ to the world. They compare the Star of Bethlehem with modern secular symbols of fame—like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Times Square New Year’s Ball Drop—to uncover the difference between worldly glory and divine truth.
This conversation touches on:
The prophecy of the Star and Scepter in Scripture
The Magi’s journey and God’s universal call
Epiphany as the manifestation of Christ
How God speaks through everyday life
Why true honor lifts us up instead of being walked on
✨ Epiphany reminds us that God is always revealing Himself—if we have eyes to see.
Fr. Luke’s “ Daily Homilies” Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jhj0ryoBG5vRl0ySGcRLk?si=c244d430b23a4057
 
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Christmas Isn’t Over: Finding Joy, Hope, and Healing After Christmas | Franciscan Fridays Ep. 36

Christmas doesn’t end on December 25. In this episode of Franciscan Fridays at the Shrine, Brother Pius and Father Luke reflect on why the Catholic Church celebrates Christmas as a season—and how the mystery of Christ’s birth holds both deep joy and real sorrow.
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Through personal stories, Franciscan spirituality, and Catholic tradition, this conversation explores: Why Christmas lasts beyond one day How joy and grief often coexist during the holidays Jesus entering fully into our humanity—our suffering and our hope The connection between Bethlehem, the Eucharist, and the Resurrection If Christmas is a joyful time for you—or a difficult one marked by loss or loneliness—this reflection offers encouragement and hope rooted in Christ’s coming into the world.
Fr. Luke’s “ Daily Homilies” Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jhj0ryoBG5vRl0ySGcRLk?si=c244d430b23a4057
 
Join Our Lady of Fatima's Blue Army:
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Blue Army Jubilee Prayer Card:
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Fatima Today Podcast:
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A Catholic Christmas Light Festival That Tells the Whole Story of Salvation | Franciscan Fridays

Discover how a Catholic Christmas Festival of Lights can become a powerful journey through salvation history — from the Garden of Eden, through the Old Testament prophecies, to the Nativity of Jesus Christ and the New Jerusalem.
Support the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
In this episode of Franciscan Fridays, Brother Pius, Father Luca, and Father Luke walk you through the inspiration, prayer, and meaning behind the Christmas Festival of Lights at Our Lady’s Shrine in New Jersey. Rooted in Franciscan spirituality and the love of St. Francis of Assisi for Christmas, this immersive display uses light, music, Scripture, and symbolism to invite visitors into prayer.
You’ll learn:
Why Franciscans love Christmas so deeply
How Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming
The Old Testament prophecies that lead to Jesus
The spiritual meaning behind each section of the light display
How slowing down helps us encounter the joy of Christmas
The World Apostolate of Fatima is the Vatican’s official voice in proclaiming the authentic message of Our Lady of Fatima.The Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is the National Headquarters of Our Lady's Blue Army.
Fr. Luke’s “ Daily Homilies” Podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jhj0ryoBG5vRl0ySGcRLk?si=c244d430b23a4057
Join Our Lady of Fatima's Blue Army:https://www.bluearmy.com/join/
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Visit Our Shop:https://www.shopfatima.com/
Blue Army Jubilee Prayer Card:https://www.shopfatima.com/blue-army-press/
Invite the Pilgrim Virgin to your parish:https://fatimatourforpeace.com/
Fatima Today Podcast:https://listen.bluearmy.com/

Why the Luminous Mysteries Matter: The Baptism of the Lord (Rosary Reflection) | Ep. 34

Why the Luminous Mysteries Matter: The Baptism of the Lord Rosary Reflection
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Welcome back to Franciscan Fridays at the Shrine!Brother Pius Mary Gagné and Father Luke Mary Fletcher continue our journey into the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, beginning today with the First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan.
In this episode, we explore:
🌊 Why Jesus chose to be baptized🕊️ The manifestation of the Holy Trinity📖 Old Testament prefigurations — the Red Sea, the Jordan, and Joshua✨ Why St. John Paul II introduced the Luminous Mysteries👶 What baptism means for your identity as a beloved son/daughter of the Father💧 How the grace of baptism shapes your Christian life today
Whether you're praying the Rosary daily or rediscovering its richness, this episode offers a deep, prayerful, and practical reflection to help you enter more fully into this profound mystery.
🙏 Please consider supporting Our Lady’s Shrine — we rely entirely on donations to continue our mission.
Donate at: https://bluearmy.com/donate
 
Fr. Luke’s “ Daily Homilies” Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jhj0ryoBG5vRl0ySGcRLk?si=c244d430b23a4057
 
Join Our Lady of Fatima's Blue Army:
https://www.bluearmy.com/join/
 
Support Our Mission:
https://www.bluearmy.com/donate
 
Visit Our Shop:
https://www.shopfatima.com/
 
Blue Army Jubilee Prayer Card:
https://www.shopfatima.com/blue-army-press/
 
Invite the Pilgrim Virgin to your parish:
https://fatimatourforpeace.com/
 
Fatima Today Podcast:
https://listen.bluearmy.com/

A Priest’s Rare Experience With the Eucharist | First Saturday Devotion & Fatima Jubilee | Ep 33

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Join Father Luke and Brother Pius at the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima as they share a powerful reflection to begin the First Friday & First Saturday weekend. Father Luke reveals a rare and deeply moving experience that very few priests have ever had — becoming the first priest to bring Jesus into a new convent chapel.
This episode dives into:
✨ The meaning and grace behind the First Saturday Devotion✨ The upcoming 100th anniversary of the 1925 Pontevedra apparition✨ The newly granted Marian Jubilee Year – “Jubilee 2.0”✨ The importance of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary✨ What it means to “keep Our Lady company” for those 15 minutes of meditation✨ How childlike trust opens our hearts to deeper grace
If you’ve ever wondered how to pray the First Saturdays more fruitfully, this conversation will inspire you.If you love Our Lady of Fatima, the Eucharist, and Marian devotion — this is for you.
Fr. Luke’s “ Daily Homilies” Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jhj0ryoBG5vRl0ySGcRLk?si=c244d430b23a4057
 
Join Our Lady of Fatima's Blue Army:
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Support Our Mission:
https://www.bluearmy.com/donate
 
Visit Our Shop:
https://www.shopfatima.com/
 
Blue Army Jubilee Prayer Card:
https://www.shopfatima.com/blue-army-press/
 
Invite the Pilgrim Virgin to your parish:
https://fatimatourforpeace.com/
 
Fatima Today Podcast:
https://listen.bluearmy.com/
 

Thanksgiving, Gratitude & Fatima How to Give Thanks in All Things: Ep. 32

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As Thanksgiving and the First Sunday of Advent arrive together, Fr. Luke and Br. Pius dive deep into the Catholic spirituality of gratitude, even in the face of negativity, suffering, and everyday frustrations. Drawing from Sister Lucia of Fatima, the First Saturday Devotion, Scripture, psychology, and real-life examples, this episode will help you cultivate a heart of thanksgiving—no matter what life throws at you.
Sign up for the First Saturday Virtual Pilgrimage: https://www.bluearmy.com/first-saturday-pilgrimage/?utm_source=shrine-site&utm_medium=popup&utm_campaign=11212025
🙏 Topics we explore:• Why Catholics can give thanks even for difficulties• Sister Lucia’s profound thanksgiving prayer• The origins of the Five First Saturdays and Our Lady’s plea against ingratitude• How gratitude rewires the brain (the “neurobiology of thanksgiving”)• Navigating tough conversations at Thanksgiving gatherings• The end of the liturgical year & preparing your soul for Advent• Why Eucharist literally means thanksgiving• How gratitude combats negativity and spiritual discouragement• “Thank God ahead of time”—the wisdom of Blessed Solanus Casey
🕊️ Join the First Saturday devotion:Grow spiritually through the First Fatima Saturday Virtual Pilgrimage at BlueArmy.com (passport, videos, devotions & more).
#Catholic #Thanksgiving #Fatima #SisterLucia #FirstSaturdayDevotion#OurLadyOfFatima #CatholicPodcast #FranciscanFridays #CatholicTeachings #Advent #LiturgicalYear #Eucharist #GiveThanks #ChristianGratitude #CatholicFaith
The World Apostolate of Fatima is the Vatican’s official voice in proclaiming the authentic message of Our Lady of Fatima.The Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is the National Headquarters of Our Lady's Blue Army.
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Support the podcast:  https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
 
Fr. Luke’s “ Daily Homilies” Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jhj0ryoBG5vRl0ySGcRLk?si=c244d430b23a4057
 
Join Our Lady of Fatima's Blue Army:
https://www.bluearmy.com/join/
 
Support Our Mission:
https://www.bluearmy.com/donate
 
Visit Our Shop:
https://www.shopfatima.com/
 
Blue Army Jubilee Prayer Card:
https://www.shopfatima.com/blue-army-press/
 
Invite the Pilgrim Virgin to your parish:
https://fatimatourforpeace.com/
 
Fatima Today Podcast:
https://listen.bluearmy.com/

Does Jesus Rule the World Catholic: Answers on Christ the King & Today’s Chaos | Ep. 31

This week on Franciscan Fridays, Father Luke and Brother Pius dive into the Feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday of the Catholic liturgical year, and explore one of the most challenging questions in the Christian life:
 
Support the podcast:  https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
 
Fr. Luke’s “ Daily Homilies” Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jhj0ryoBG5vRl0ySGcRLk?si=c244d430b23a4057
 
Join Our Lady of Fatima's Blue Army:
https://www.bluearmy.com/join/
 
Support Our Mission:
https://www.bluearmy.com/donate
 
Visit Our Shop:
https://www.shopfatima.com/
 
Blue Army Jubilee Prayer Card:
https://www.shopfatima.com/blue-army-press/
 
Invite the Pilgrim Virgin to your parish:
https://fatimatourforpeace.com/
 
Fatima Today Podcast:
https://listen.bluearmy.com/
 
#OurLadyOfFatima #BlueArmyShrine #WorldApostolateOfFatima #CatholicShrine #BlueArmy #FatimaToday #FatimaMessage #FrLukeMaryFletcher #FatimaApparitions #FatimaMessages #CatholicDevotions #Fatima #FatimaApparitions #MarianDevotion #CatholicFaith

First Saturday Devotion Can Save the World: New Fatima Virtual Pilgrimage Begins!

Join Father Luke and Brother Pius for this deeply meaningful episode of Franciscan Fridays as they unveil an exciting new initiative from the Blue Army Apostolate: a year-long virtual pilgrimage honoring the 100th anniversary of the December 10, 1925 apparition in Pontevedra, Spain, where Our Lady and the Child Jesus requested the Five First Saturdays Devotion.
Join the pilgrimage: https://www.bluearmy.com/first-saturday-pilgrimage
Support the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🌟 The meaning and origin of the First Saturday Devotion🌟 Why the 100th anniversary carries powerful spiritual significance🌟 How the devotion was confirmed by the recently canonized St. Carlo Acutis🌟 What the five offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary are🌟 Why pilgrimage—virtual or physical—opens the heart to grace🌟 How you can join the interactive year-long virtual pilgrimage🌟 Personal testimonies from Fr. Luke and Br. Pius on Mary’s role
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Support the podcast:  https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
 
Fr. Luke’s “ Daily Homilies” Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jhj0ryoBG5vRl0ySGcRLk?si=c244d430b23a4057
 
Join Our Lady of Fatima's Blue Army:
https://www.bluearmy.com/join/
 
Support Our Mission:
https://www.bluearmy.com/donate
 
Visit Our Shop:
https://www.shopfatima.com/
 
Blue Army Jubilee Prayer Card:
https://www.shopfatima.com/blue-army-press/
 
Invite the Pilgrim Virgin to your parish:
https://fatimatourforpeace.com/
 
Fatima Today Podcast:
https://listen.bluearmy.com/