Fortitude – The Inner Life – January 21, 2025

Fr. Matthew Widder joins Patrick to discuss Fortitude

  • (2:59) What is virtue?
  • What is the difference between courage as the world sees it and as we see it as Catholics?
  • (9:23) Who was Saint Agnes?
  • How do you know if you re acting with fortitude?
  • Diane – Fortitude: I think the older I get, the braver I am.

(21:08) Break 1

  • What is the difference between stubbornness and Fortitude?
  • (26:44) Kimberly – 12-step recovery had helped me. I got a deeper faith. God has the solution planned out; I just have to do the next right thing.
  • Robert – Question: I was always told to depend on God, and I feel that my own personal fortitude has diminished as I pray more asking God for help.

(40:49) Break 2

  • (43:06) Alethia – I received the grace of fortitude, when I decided whether or not to leave a relationship. I believe I did the right thing.
  • What are some tips in growing in fortitude?
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.