Franciscan Fridays
Franciscan Fridays is a weekly podcast from the Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, featuring conversations with CFR Franciscan friars on faith, culture, and living the Gospel today. Join us each Friday for thoughtful reflections, spiritual insights, and engaging discussions rooted in Catholic truth and devotion to the Blessed Mother.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Donate at: https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
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:
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/
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Support the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
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/
Friday Nov 21, 2025
Friday Nov 21, 2025
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
Friday Nov 14, 2025
Friday Nov 14, 2025
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/
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday Nov 07, 2025
In this inspiring episode, Father Luke and John Paul share powerful reflections on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and explore amazing true stories about souls in purgatory — including a miraculous encounter at the shrine that helped bring new chaplains to serve Our Lady’s apostolate.
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/
Friday Oct 31, 2025
Friday Oct 31, 2025
This week on Franciscan Fridays at the Shrine, Father Luke Mary Fletcher and Brother Pius Gagne share a chilling but powerful true story of spiritual warfare in Monticello, New York.
Support the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
As Halloween approaches, they reflect on the reality of demonic harassment, exorcism, and the power of Jesus in the Eucharist to overcome darkness. Hear about the day a former Satanist turned Vatican exorcism consultant visited their hermitage, a mysterious tree shook in the woods, and how an abandoned house burst into flames right after blessing the property.
But more importantly—discover how Jesus Christ and Our Lady always triumph over evil. The friars discuss:🙏 The true meaning of spiritual warfare🕊️ The conversion of Saint Bartolo Longo, a former Satanic priest turned Apostle of the Rosary💀 What the Fatima children teach us about the reality of hell and hope🛡️ Practical ways to protect yourself spiritually—through the Rosary, Confession, Holy Water, and more
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/
Stay to the end as they pray the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer for protection.
✨ Remember: The devil may rage, but Jesus has already won the victory.
00:00 – A chilling story from Monticello, NY01:03 – Spiritual warfare and exorcism02:04 – A house bursts into flames03:00 – Halloween and the reality of the demonic04:30 – The power of Jesus over evil06:00 – Fatima, fear, and faith08:00 – Halloween and our culture’s fascination with darkness10:00 – Opening doors to evil unknowingly11:30 – Saint Bartolo Longo’s conversion from Satanic priest to saint14:00 – Mary’s role in defeating Satan15:56 – The meaning of All Hallows’ Eve17:00 – Prayer, reparation, and the mystery of grace18:00 – The “Checkmate” painting: hope even in darkness20:00 – Spiritual weapons for protection22:00 – Prayer to Saint Michael
#FranciscanFridays #CatholicPodcast #SpiritualWarfare #Exorcism #JesusIsStronger #RosaryPower #OurLadyOfFatima #SaintBartoloLongo #CatholicFaith #SaintMichael #HalloweenReflection
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
In this deeply moving episode of Franciscan Fridays, Brother Pius Gani and Father Luke Mary explore the mystery of suffering through the lens of Catholic spirituality — from the children of Fatima to Blessed Alexandrina da Costa.
Support the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
Can pain and suffering have redemptive meaning? What does it really mean to “offer it up”? And how do we balance faith, mental health, and the pursuit of healing?
Brother Pius shares his personal journey through traumatic injury and despair — and how Jesus and Our Lady transformed his suffering into grace.
📅 New episodes every Friday! Subscribe and turn on notifications for future Franciscan Fridays.
00:00 – Funny elevator story: “Are we going to Hell?”00:52 – Welcome to Franciscan Fridays with Brother Pius & Fr. Luke01:17 – How to support and donate to the Franciscan podcast02:24 – Today’s topic: Suffering, Hell, and Fatima’s Message03:16 – The children of Fatima and their vision of hell04:33 – What it means to “offer it up”08:34 – Introducing Blessed Alexandrina da Costa09:27 – Her heroic story: purity, paralysis, and mystical suffering10:55 – Alexandrina’s mystical participation in Christ’s Passion12:55 – Miraculous fasting and her Eucharistic life14:18 – Her message for the world and connection to Fatima15:36 – Balancing health, medicine, and the spirituality of suffering17:55 – Mental health, despair, and finding meaning in pain20:06 – Brother Pius’ powerful testimony of brain injury and healing24:45 – Finding peace in Mary’s arms during suffering27:00 – The difference between “victim mentality” and redemptive suffering29:10 – Finding meaning like Viktor Frankl and Catholic spirituality33:10 – Mental health crisis and Catholic hope today35:20 – Jesus is with you in every suffering36:50 – Interior sufferings of Jesus and His solidarity with us37:12 – Closing prayer and blessing
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/
Friday Oct 17, 2025
Friday Oct 17, 2025
In this episode of Franciscan Fridays at the Shrine, Brother Pius Gagney and Father Luke Mary explore a powerful and often overlooked part of the life of Jesus — the hidden years in Nazareth.
Support the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/franciscanfridays
Known as a "Bonus Mystery" of the Rosary, this reflection reveals how Jesus’ ordinary, quiet years spent with Mary and Joseph were anything but insignificant. Discover how these humble years offer a roadmap for sanctifying our own daily lives — from cooking and cleaning to working and resting.
You’ll hear about:
The meaning behind the "hidden years" of Christ
Why these years matter for modern believers
How to bring holiness into everyday moments
The spirituality of Nazareth, based on reflections by Pope Paul VI
The power of living a life that’s simple, faithful, and unseen
Whether you’re a busy parent, a working professional, or someone seeking deeper peace in the mundane, this episode 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:
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/