In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Spiritual Reading – The Inner Life – July 7, 2025

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Fr. Joseph Illo joins Patrick to Discuss Spiritual Reading

  • Why is spiritual reading important?
  • (7:01) How do we approach spiritual reading?
  • (20:47) Leonard – Came from my vocations director a week ago. Book Save a thousand Souls. It’s a real spiritually touching book.
  • Social media – Is there a book you recommend that would be an intro to many saints that would help us find interest in one or two?
  • David – This is my Body, This is my Blood. Highly recommend. It’s a fantastic book.

(23:37) Break 1

  • How do you pace books well?
  • (28:44) the importance of reading with other people.
  • Valerie – Recommend The Return of the Prodigal Son. Talks about all characters very personally.
  • (35:05) Matthew – Recommend after having a troubled time in my life – This Tremendous Lover, it’s about our Lord. It came to me at a time when I was at a very low point in my life.

(38:43) Break 2

  • (44:04) Teresa – True Life in God by Vasula Ryden – series of messages from God – received my conversion 33 years ago. Also, He and I by Gabriel Bossis.
  • What is the importance of creating personal library

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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.