In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Keeping the Faith in Dry Seasons – The Inner Life – July 17, 2026

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Father Bobby Blood joins Deacon Patrick Conley to discuss Keeping the Faith in Dry Seasons

  • What is Spiritual Dryness
  • (7:59) Importance of routines in our spiritual life
  • Why would God let us go through dry times in our life?
  • (12:16) Elias – If I feel like I am doing well in prayer life, how do I best prepare for when the dry season comes?
  • Juan – I am enduring a heavy cross, and how to carry it.

(17:49) Break 1

  • (19:15) Wade – A few months after Lent I lose my spiritual drive. Why is this a consistency every year? What can I do to alleviate this?
  • (24:45) How are the Sacraments important or times of Dryness?
  • What do you do when you aren’t getting anything out Mass?
  • (30:59) Email from Dylan – I have been dealing with dryness for years now and I don’t know what to do.
  • Email from Rose – How do you deal with the accusing voice of the Devil?
  • (34:44) Teresa – I get very melancholic for no reason, accusing myself of sloth, and I am wondering if it is because God is trying to prepare me for a blessing?

(37:40) Break 2

  • Email from Adrian – How does dryness relate to how we perceive God?
  • (41:36) Maria – Spiritual Dryness: There are moments, I say, ‘is there all there is to it?’ What will happen?
  • (44:03) Bonnie – Shame, regarding your life situation and shame as opposed to guilt and not feeling close to God b/c of shame.
  • (47:54) Gianna – One thing that could help refresh the faith is something new, something different

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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.