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Death is an inevitable reality, but for the Christian, it is a conquered enemy. In this episode of The Sacramentalists, Fr. Hayden Butler, Fr. Creighton McElveen, and Fr. Wesley Walker explore the ancient Christian practice of memento mori—remembering our death—and how the Church’s liturgy and pastoral care guide us through the ars moriendi (the art of dying). Moving past modern culture’s death-denying tendencies and anxious escapism, the hosts discuss how the liturgical calendar, daily offices, and ascetical life train Christians to face mortality with hope rather than fear. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Contra Mundum Clericals, crafting clergy shirts built for parish work. Get 15% off using code SACRAMENTALIST at contramundumclericals.com. Connect with us at thesacramentalists.org and join the Communion of Patreon Saints at patreon.com/thesacramentalists

Why does silence make us so uncomfortable? Frs. Wesley Walker and Creighton McElveen explore silence and solitude as a universal Christian vocation, drawing on Augustine, Mother Teresa, Levinas, St. John of the Cross, and Shusaku Endo's Silence to unpack restlessness, purgative suffering, and how solitude strips away the false self before God. Sponsored by Contra Mundum Clericals — code SACRAMENTALISTS for 15% off at https://contramundumclericals.com. Questions or topic ideas? Email [email protected]. Join the Communion of Patreon Saints for $5/month.

What's a sermon actually for? Frs. Creighton McElveen and Wesley Walker explore sacramental preaching — why the Anglo-Catholic homily is inseparable from the liturgy, what a sermon is NOT (moralism, politics, a lecture, stand-up), and a real rubric for judging whether a sermon succeeds: biblical fidelity, theological rigor, and proclaiming Christ crucified. Fr. Wesley also breaks down his actual weekly process for writing a sermon, from diagramming the collect to consulting Keble and Newman. Questions or topic ideas? Email [email protected]. Join the Communion of Patreon Saints for $5/month.

In a culture saturated with sensationalized media, modern Christians often view spiritual warfare through the lens of pop-culture novels and residual "Satanic Panic" paranoia. We treat the cosmos like a high-stakes thriller where a single accidental misstep can trap us in the demonic. In this episode, Frs. Hayden Butler and Wesley Walker provide a pastoral, traditional course correction. Moving past the "main character syndrome" that blames every minor physical ailment or broken spotlight on the devil, the hosts recover a robust, liturgical framework for spiritual engagement. True spiritual warfare is not a dramatic, macho crusade; it is found in the quiet, integrated disciplines of the ancient Church. By recovering a proper Christian anthropology—body, soul, and spirit—and anchoring ourselves in the ordinary proficiency of the sacraments, we inhabit Christ’s definitive victory. Discover why the fullness of the baptized life, the Daily Office, and regular confession remain the most potent defenses against the powers of darkness. Please consider joining the Communion of Patreon Saints to support our work in perpetuating the Anglo-Catholic faith!

After a year away, The Sacramentalists are back. Frs. Wesley Walker, Creighton McElveen, and Hayden Butler relaunch the show — reintroducing themselves, explaining what pulled them away from recording, and digging into what actually defines the Anglo-Catholic way: consensus Catholicism, the priest-theologian model, and what Fr. Hayden calls the tradition's "shireliness" — a deep rootedness in small, prayer-formed parish community. Honest, funny, and theologically substantive — the perfect entry point whether you're new to the show or coming back with them. Questions or topic ideas? Email [email protected]. Join the Communion of Patreon Saints for $5/month.

In this bittersweet episode of The Sacramentalists, we say (mostly) farewell to our co-host, Fr. Wesley. As he steps back from regular podcasting to focus on doctoral studies, parish life, and family, we reflect on the journey of the show, memorable episodes, and what it’s meant to pursue beauty, truth, and sacramentality together.Joining us is the other co-founder of the pod, Myles Hixson, who helps us send Fr. Wesley off with good humor, deep gratitude, and a few theological tangents.

In this episode of The Sacramentalists, Frs. Creighton and Wesley welcome New Testament scholar Dr. Matthew Bates to discuss his provocative new book, Beyond the Salvation Wars: A New Vision of the Christian Life.Bates argues that many of our debates about salvation—whether framed in terms of “faith alone” or “works righteousness”—have become theological dead ends. In their place, he offers a fresh and deeply biblical model centered on allegiance to Jesus as King, which he contends better captures the shape of the gospel and the fullness of the Christian life.We explore the implications of his proposal for sacraments, church unity, and discipleship, as well as the strong reactions it’s provoked from Reformed critics. Does allegiance theology open the door to a more sacramental faith? How does it help us move beyond stale binaries and recover a truly catholic vision of salvation?We would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and questions to [email protected] or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.

In this special crossover episode of The Sacramentalists Podcast and The Classical Mind Podcast, we dive deep into St. Bonaventure’s The Journey of the Mind to God—a spiritual and philosophical masterpiece that maps the soul’s ascent to divine union. Together, we explore Bonaventure’s vision of contemplation, the role of intellect and love in knowing God, and the ways in which his thought is deeply sacramental, drawing from both Scripture and the broader Catholic tradition.Join us as we discuss the structure of Bonaventure’s journey, the influence of St. Augustine and Pseudo-Dionysius, and how this medieval classic speaks to modern Christians seeking a deeper, more mystical encounter with God. Whether you're new to Bonaventure or a longtime admirer, this episode will challenge and inspire you to see creation, reason, and revelation as pathways to divine illumination.

Should Christians read Plato? How does a Rule of Life help us learn? Can AI replace classical education? We delve into these and other questions with Dr. John Mark Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds is the President of the Saint Constantine School and author of many books, including When Athens Met Jerusalem: An Introduction to Classical and Christian Thought. We would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and questions to [email protected] or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.

Lent is coming soon! On this episode, we help you get prepared for this season of penance and fasting by discussing three great Anglican poems: "The Altar" by George Herbert, "Good Friday, 1613. Riding Westward" by John Donne, and "Love (III)" by George Herbert. We pray that you will find these poems as beautiful as we do and that they will stir up your devotion so that you can have a great Lenten observance. You can find the poems here:-"The Altar"-"Good Friday, 1613. Riding Westward"-"Love (III)"We would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and questions to [email protected] or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.

Those who have followed the podcast for a while know that we love to support those who make solid catechetical and didactic material for kids! In this episode, Fr. Creighton and Fr. Wesley sit down with Fr. Paul Sterne, the chaplain at St. Theodore's Anglican Chapel and the C.S. Lewis Student Center at the University of South Carolina, to discuss his book(s) The Littlest Acolyte Presents the The Liturgy Trilogy. Listeners, your two assignments are to buy one copy of the book for a child in your family and get another one for your parish library! You can buy Fr. Sterne's book here: https://theparishpress.com/products/the-littlest-acolyte-presents-the-liturgy-trilogyWe would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and questions to [email protected] or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.

If you look at our culture, it doesn't take long to realize we have a problem understanding gender. On the one side, there are nominalists who deny the existence of gender except as a social construction used to control people. The opposite side is gender essentialism that forces everything into overly narrow boxes. It should be clear that neither of these extremes reflects the truth about how God created human gender. But how can the Church understand and communicate biblical and theological truth about this issue? Resources mentioned in the episode: -The influencer mentioned is @aja_cortes. -The New York Post article: "Young men are converting to Orthodox Christianity in droves" by Rikki Schlott -Fr. Creighton's article: "The Marian Character of the Christian Life" We would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and questions to [email protected] or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.

In this episode of The Sacramentalists Podcast, Frs. Creighton and Hayden welcome Fr. Greg Peters, professor of medieval and spiritual theology in the Torrey Honors College at Biola University and the Servants of Christ Research Professor of Monastic Studies and Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House Theological Seminary, to discuss his new book, Anglican Spirituality: An Introduction. Fr. Peters offers a rich exploration of how Anglican Christians can embrace a vibrant spiritual life centered on the threefold rule of Daily Office, Holy Eucharist, and Private Devotion. We delve into how Anglican spirituality is deeply rooted in the Book of Common Prayer and Holy Scripture, emphasizing how the Daily Office forms disciples through the Word of God, the Holy Eucharist transforms the inner self through divine grace, and personal devotions prepare hearts for deeper communion with God. Fr. Peters also shares insights into how this spiritual vision equips the Church for mission, moving beyond individualistic practices to a shared journey of faith. Whether you’re new to Anglicanism or a seasoned disciple, this conversation offers practical and theological guidance for cultivating a spiritual life that glorifies God and strengthens the Church. We would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and questions to [email protected] or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.

Join us as we close out our Fall 2024 Season with a Live Q&A! We would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and questions to [email protected] or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.

Join Fr. Creighton, Fr. Hayden, and Fr. Wesley as they delve into the wisdom of Boethius with special guest Dr. Thomas Ward, associate professor of philosophy at Baylor University and author of the new book, After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher. Boethius, a Roman senator and philosopher unjustly imprisoned in the 6th century, penned The Consolation of Philosophy while awaiting execution. This profound work explores themes of fate, free will, good and evil, and the nature of happiness. Dr. Ward's book serves as an accessible and engaging guide to this timeless classic, helping modern readers unlock its enduring relevance. In this episode, you'll hear: Insights into the life and times of Boethius and the historical context of The Consolation of Philosophy. A breakdown of the key philosophical arguments and ideas presented in the book. Dr. Ward's unique perspective on how Boethius' work can speak to the anxieties and challenges of contemporary life. Reflections on the intersection of philosophy and Christian faith in Boethius' thought. A lively discussion on the enduring power of The Consolation of Philosophy to offer solace and wisdom in times of adversity. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern life, offering listeners a deeper understanding of Boethius' masterpiece and its enduring relevance for today. We would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and questions to [email protected] or reach out to us on Twitter @sacramentalists. Be sure to join our Communion of Patreon Saints for only $5 a month.