Is it sacrilegious to wear a rosary? Is a rosary without a crucifix still a rosary? Should Catholics engage in Taize prayer, or is Taize prayer a new age practice? Lastly, what’s the difference between spiritual direction and pastoral counseling?

Snippet from the Show
Spiritual direction is the art of leading souls progressively from the beginning of the spiritual life to the heights of Christian perfection.

SHOWNOTES

Glory Story (2:40)

Listener Feedback (6:08)

*Wearing Rosaries (9:03)
*
Hi, Father Josh!
I've been listening to your podcast for some time now and first wanted to thank you so much for the good work you do. There really is no-one out there doing this type of podcast and I'm so thankful that I'm able to tune in weekly and get your insight on so many topics!!
I had a twofold question regarding rosaries. One of my hobbies is making rosaries. I restore and use antique crucifixes and centerpieces and do all the wire work by hand. As you can imagine, much time and love goes into each one! I am part of a rosary making group on Facebook and some of the things I see in there make me question what I had been taught about the rosary itself. Firstly, I was always taught that you should NEVER wear a rosary like jewelry, as the rosary is a tool for prayer and not something to be worn and made a spectacle of. Similarly a rosary is not a car ornament and should not be hung from a rear view mirror like a pair of fuzzy dice. Was I taught properly or am I being too uptight? Secondly, I was taught that rosaries MUST have a crucifix, not just a cross. Is this true?
Thank you so much in advance for your time!!!

• VeiledInLove

Taize Prayer (13:21)

Hi Fr. Josh - I’m really glad I found your podcast a couple of months ago. I really appreciate how you handle questions from both the head and the heart. My question is about Taize prayer. In college I attended some ecumenical Taize prayer services and found this type of meditative prayer through beautiful songs to be very moving. I’ve thought about asking to coordinate a service through music ministry at my parish, but I’ve never really been sure about the theology behind Taize - it does seem a bit “new age-y” and I know it has some Protestant origins, but I also don’t know that there’s anything wrong with it. Does the Catholic Church have an official perspective on Taize prayer? Is Taize a theologically sound way for us to pray?

• Sam

Spiritual Direction (18:45)

Hi Fr. Josh,
I, as many others, listen to your podcast and appreciate all the time and effort you put into your podcasts. Your desire to become a saint and help others along their journey is truly inspiring. In listening to a recent episode, I heard you were taking questions for a possible discernment themed episode. This is one that I feel is not talked about enough when in regards to discernment. I have recently been discerning the call to the sisterhood. I have been able to get involved in one of the Little Sisters of the Poor's homes where I live. It has been such a blessing and helped me open my heart more to the Father's will. I recently have felt called to enter into spiritual direction, however, I have never gone before. How does someone begin spiritual direction? Would it be better to do it with a sister or a priest? Are only certain religious able to offer spiritual direction? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! May Peace be with you.

• Sarah

Resources
Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation by Fr. Josh
Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to receive weekly emails for Fr. Josh’s podcast
1 Corinthians 10:31
Cardinal Sarah’s The Power of Silence
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Sirah 32:18-19
The Three Ages of the Interior Life - Volume 1 by Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange (pg. 256-264)
The Theology of Christian Perfection (pg. 593-614)

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Snippet from the Show
“We cannot name our guardian angels because we’re implying that we have authority over them, and we don’t.”

SHOWNOTES

Glory Story (2:55)

Listener Feedback (7:41)

Guardian Angels (10:18)

Good evening! I listened to your podcast for the first time yesterday. I was intrigued and learned much. On today, this feast of the guardian angels, this question came to mind: What happens to our GA when we die? What if we go to hell? Is there any biblical reference to what happens? I teach 7th grade theology so I could use your insight to help them as well....oh another question....should we name our GA? Can we pray for God to tell us their name? I have talked with various priests and received differing opinions. What is yours?
-Patti

Explicit Lyrics (14:59)

Hey Father Josh,
Hope this finds you well - loved your podcast and your book Broken & Blessed. My question's about rap. I'm 19 and have been listening to a lot of rap since I was 11 but recently I've become concerned about what exactly I'm exposing myself to. I don't want to paint a broad stroke and say it's all bad (after all, you rap about Jesus, how could that be bad?) but some of the music on my playlist is nothing more than talk of drugs/sex/money. I don't pay much attention to the lyrics and like it more for the beats, but it's gotta be affecting me in some way listening to all that, ya know? I consider my faith very important to me, and I feel it's a bit hypocritical for me to, for example, read about the Virgin Mary and then 10 seconds later start listening to music talking about women as if they're simply objects to be used for pleasure. Hoping you can provide some advice.
-Anonymous

Christian Denominations (22:35)

Hey father Josh,
I recently had a chance to tell my protestant friends about the beliefs of the Catholic faith and one of my friends told me “well we really won’t know if any of this is true until heaven and when we get there we’ll be smacked with the knowledge of what actually happens so as long as we love Jesus we're good” and I didn’t really know what to say in that situation because I didn’t want to offend her because she is a good friend and she had previously said that she didn’t think that people should get mad at each other because they have different religions, and I had agreed with her so I didn't want to be a hypocrite. So I stayed silent for a little while and then the subject was changed. What could I have said in that situation? Thank you so much.
-Megan

Resources

• Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation by Fr. Josh
• Philippians 4:8
• John 17

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)