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Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast

Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast

By: America Media
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 Every Sunday, millions hear homilies. But what separates the forgettable from the inspiring? Preach, from America Media, goes behind the pulpit to reveal the art and craft of great Catholic preaching. Host Ricardo da Silva, S.J.—Jesuit priest and associate editor at America Media in NYC—features weekly homilies from outstanding preachers, followed by intimate conversations. From Scripture interpretation to delivery, discover what makes today’s most compelling Catholic voices so transformative. Read featured homilies and daily Scripture reflections at americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Preach is supported by a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., as part of its Compelling Preaching Initiative.Copyright © 2026 America Magazine. All rights reserved. Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • Preaching the pillars of Lent: Almsgiving

    Preaching the pillars of Lent: Almsgiving
    Mar 2 2026
    What is almsgiving — and why does the Church teach that it is more about justice and right relationship than simply personal charity or philanthropy? As “Preach” continues its Lent 2026 series on the three classical pillars of the season—prayer, fasting and almsgiving—we turn to almsgiving, perhaps the most confronting of the three. In this conversation, Ricardo da Silva, S.J. is joined by Kerry Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA., and author of Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy, and a Spiritual Call to Service, a book that reflects on generosity as a spiritual practice rooted in faith. Timecodes: 0:00 Generosity is at the heart of almsgiving 2:30 Our cognitive dissonance with money and faith 5:43 How Kerry became a steward of her family’s 80-year-old foundation 8:20 About Catholic Charities U.S.A. 11:50 Biblical teachings on giving alms 16:36 Mother Teresa: “never take away the right of another to be generous” 21:30 We need both charity and justice 26:24 New insights from Pope Leo and ‘Dilexi Te’ 28:08 Preach almsgiving with thanksgiving --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Preaching the pillars of Lent: Prayer

    Preaching the pillars of Lent: Prayer
    Feb 23 2026
    What is prayer? And maybe more importantly for preachers—what are we inviting people into when we stand in the pulpit and speak about it? As “Preach” continues its Lent 2026 series, we turn to the three classical pillars that shape the season: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In this first conversation, focused on prayer, Ricardo da Silva, S.J. is joined by Amy Ekeh, Director of Mission Advancement for the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, retreat leader, author and adjunct instructor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University. Amy is the author of several books, including: Stretch Out Your Hand: Reflections on the Healing Ministry of Jesus Come to Me, All of You: Stations of the Cross in the Voice of Christ Lent: Season of Transformation Timecodes: 0:00 We can’t be afraid to ask for God’s help 1:25 Who is Amy Ekeh? 2:50 Prayer is relational 7:57 Prayer is nurtured in community 14:30 Good preaching requires you to know your congregation 16:53 Ask for healing! The people in the Gospels did. 21:38 Jesus’ Gethsemane prayer 26:16 Carving out space for silence --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • A Preacher’s Guide to Lent: History and the Sunday readings

    A Preacher’s Guide to Lent: History and the Sunday readings
    Feb 16 2026
    As “Preach” begins its Lent 2026 series, Ricardo da Silva, S.J. sits down with liturgical theologian Anne McGowan to ask a foundational question: what is Lent for — and how do these practices reshape our faith, not just our habits for six weeks? Together, they trace its history from a two-day fast in the early Church to the 40-day season we know today, and explore its theological arc in the Sunday lectionary—from temptation and transfiguration to water, light and life, and finally the passion that leads into Easter, where new Christians are baptised and the faithful renew their baptismal promises. 0:00 Introducing the Lent 2026 series 2:30 Meet Anne McGowan: why she loves the liturgical year 6:20 You can’t understand Lent without Easter 8:10 The history of Lent: from two days to 40 days before Easter 10:40 Lent: a season of challenge and joy 15:05 Compunction and joy: do we have to choose? 20:55 The Sundays of Lent explained: from temptation to the passion 31:13 Preaching the whole journey of Lent 34:49 Preaching more than just the Sunday readings this Lent 36:22 How to come alive this Lent A Preacher’s Guide to Holy Week: These are long liturgies. Be brief! --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
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