The latest episode of the “Ready, Willing, & Able” podcast examines the painful but important topic of children who fall away from the Catholic faith, asking how parents can cope with this rejection and help their “prodigal children” return home to the Church.
Host Genevieve Anatalio is joined by Celeste Behe, founder of the St. Monica Ministry, a global support community and prayer network for the families and friends of fallen-away Catholics. Behe shares her own testimony of having a son who left the faith, and how that heartbreaking decision spurred her toward learning about St. Monica and ultimately beginning the Ministry.
Anatalio and Behe discuss how parents tend to react to their children’s decisions to leave the faith, and they agree that the example and intercession of St. Monica, who prayed for 17 years for the conversion of her own family, can offer great hope. Behe shares both spiritual and practical advice for parents and offers numerous resources and opportunities from the St. Monica Ministry.
Behe invites all listeners to a St. Monica Ministry Holy Hour of Petition and Hope on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena, 1825 W. Turner St., Allentown. The evening will include the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Rosary of Supplication for Our Prodigals, Vespers, and Benediction.
Behe also mentions the Hands & Hearts program, which provides instruction and materials to make a St. Monica Ministry Rosary. For more details, visit the Hands & Hearts webpage. To support the Ministry, purchase the St. Monica Ministry Supplication Rosary Set, which includes a Rosary, prayer cards, and other meditation resources, on the Cottage of Christian Curios site.
To receive digital resources, join the St. Monica Ministry newsletter, learn about starting a chapter, or share your testimony or questions about loved ones who have left the faith, email StMonicaMinistry27@gmail.com.
“Ready, Willing, & Able” explores topics that inform and edify Catholic parents. The creators aim to equip parents to be able to discuss the faith with their children and bring its richness into family life so that they feel ready, willing, and able to live out their call as the primary educators of their children in the faith.
Listen to “For the Ones Who Fall Away” and explore other episodes of “Ready, Willing, & Able” on the podcast website or on your favorite streaming service.
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