In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Beauty and the Spiritual Life – The Inner Life – November 18, 2024

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Father Nicholas Federspiel joins Patrick to discuss Beauty and the Spiritual Life

  • (7:28) How do you respond to someone who says the Church spends too much money on buildings and beautiful things?
  • (10:24) How can you acquire a taste for beauty?

(21:16) Break 1

  • Sister Margaret – Had a wonderful experience with falling leaves. So beautiful. Wrote a poem about it. I couldn’t help praising God for it.
  • (28:05) Karen – I take care of my parent’s house. Live in an area with 100 plus year old trees.  Always in awe of landscaping and trees and mountains.  I feel like I’m in heaven there.
  • Lynn – I’m an artist. In exodus 35, it says he showed them wisdom and understanding….related to art and beauty from God.
  • Tony – In fall, the trees turn color.  They don’t have to, but God thought of everything.  I reflect that every time I see the leaves.
  • Carol – Beauty through a song from the movie, The Mission.  Had a Catholic theme.  Song was in the film.  Bishop had a beautiful comment about the song.

(37:45) Break 2

  • What role does virtue play in beauty?
  • (40:25) Linda – I have found the most beauty when I serve the poor and homeless.  The blessings and the things they do for each other and myself shows me God is at work through all our sisters and brothers.
  • What role do Angels and Demons have to do with beauty?

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.