Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

WOF 114: Three Great Spiritual Athletes

At Mundelein Seminary you’ll find a statue of St. George slaying a dragon, below which reads, “Athleta Christi Nobilis” — the Noble Athlete of Christ. As we head into the spiritual desert of Lent, we benefit by examining the lives of saints who courageously embraced a life of profound asceticism and self-sacrifice. In this episode of the Word on Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses three great spiritual athletes from across the centuries. A listener asks how to remain charitable when you disagree with your interlocutor.

NOTE: Get your free Lent Reflections booklet from Bishop Barron here >> http://wofshow.local.wordonfire.org/lent

Topics Discussed

  • 0:04 – Introduction, the Churchill movie
  • 2:45 – What is a spiritual athlete?
  • 6:25 – Why is St. Anthony of the Desert a great spiritual athlete?
  • 9:55 – Is there something wrong with living your entire life in the desert?
  • 12:25 – What can Thomas Merton teach us about the purpose of asceticism?
  • 16:45 -Why is St. John of the Cross a great spiritual athlete?
  • 20:00 – What is the Dark Night of the Soul?
  • 24:30 – Why is Pier Giorgio Frassati a great spiritual athlete?
  • 28:25 – Listener Question: How might we remain charitable with someone with whom we passionately disagree?