In Part II of our Ignatian discernment series, we go deeper into the realities of consolation and desolation, drawing from the Catechism, the Ignatian spiritual exercises, and the lived experience of the spiritual life.

In this episode, we explore why God sometimes permits spiritual dryness, how silence can actually deepen faith, and why feelings, good or bad, are not reliable measures of God’s presence or love.

We also talk about the danger of chasing “signs” instead of the Sign Himself, why Christian prayer is not about seeking a void or nothingness, and how to empty our minds of distractions without emptying ourselves of God.

Finally, we address a crucial but often overlooked truth: faith is not meant to be walked alone. If you’re experiencing confusion, chaos, or spiritual heaviness, seeking a trained spiritual director can be an essential step toward clarity and freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered whether God was still near during seasons of silence; this episode is for you.

God speaks. But not always the way we expect.

In this episode of Catholicism Unwrapped, Fr. Andy & Fr. Andy dive into the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises; unpacking consolation, desolation, and discernment in a world that never stops talking.

They explore: • Why silence is often where God speaks most clearly • How to tell the difference between God’s voice and the enemy’s • What to do when prayer feels dry, distracted, or empty • Why God never causes desolation — but allows it • And how faithfulness matters more than “successful” prayer

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t hear anything when I pray,” this conversation is for you.

🎧 Episode 57 — Part 1 of a 2-part Ignatian series

In this episode, we examine the cultural consequences Pope Paul VI warned about in Humanae Vitae. From divorce, pornography, and IVF to euthanasia, declining vocations, and loss of faith, we'll unpack how separating sex from procreation reshaped how we view love, marriage, and human life itself.