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I was so honored to interview Deacon Scot Berkley for this episode all about the patron of deacons, Saint Lawrence! In this episode, we reflect what is known about this saint and what we can apply to our lives today from his heroic life of virtue. This episode is being released on his feast day so please pray through the intersession of Saint Lawrence for Deacon Scot and all of the other deacons who so faithfully serve our church! Check out ⁠deadfriendsaints.com⁠ and Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

It was so awesome to sit down with my good friend Father Sean Mulcare and record this episode for you guys. In this episode, we reflect on the life-long journey towards virtue and what we can gain from a friendship with Saint Augustine of Hippo. Saint Augustine is so well-known that it can be easy to forget that he was a human being who walked this earth just like us! I also loved getting to hear about Father Sean’s experience as a (baby) priest and hearing the wisdom from this patron applied to his life in ministry. Please, if you would be so kind, pray for Father Sean and his intentions when you listen to this episode. Check out deadfriendsaints.com and Saint Augustine, pray for us!

In addition to being the last royalty of the of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Blessed Karl and Servant of God Zita lived lives of incredible faithfulness, generosity and heroic virtue! Since this episode was recorded in 2022, Caitrin Bennett published her book mentioned in the episode! Please check out Holier Matrimony: Married Saints, Catholic Vows, and Sacramental Grace by Caitrin Bennett to hear more about Blessed Emperor Karl, his wife Zita, and many more married Saints. Blessed Karl and Servant of God Zita. Pray for us!

We recorded this podcast during Advent but then ended up taking the Advent and Christmas season off from posting... Anyways! Here is an episode of my husband Sam and I reflecting on the life of Saint John the Baptist. Saint John was an absolute powerhouse of a man. He was the "GREATEST man born of a woman" in the words of the one and only Jesus Christ. We did not find words more powerful than that to describe him in this episode but we did take the time to marvel at the role he played in salvation history. Enjoy this episode, check out the website and Saint John the Baptist, pray for us!

This is week, we are revisiting an episode which was recorded in 2021 with the Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda who is the Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. This episode was recorded in the year of Saint Joseph and focuses on what an incredible father, man, and role-model Saint Joseph is. I want to thank the Archbishop again for giving me the honor of this interview and for his faithful leadership over the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Please enjoy this re-released episode and Saint Joseph, pray for us! Resources: The Anxiety of Saint Joseph Painting by James Jacques Joseph Tissot The books of Matthew and Luke in the Bible Check out more about this and other episodes ⁠⁠on our website.⁠⁠

I was delighted to record this episode with the wonderful Father Andrie in appreciation for our mutual friend, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux! Father Andrie is the pastor at the parish of Saint Thérèse of Deephaven, MN. He expresses invaluable wisdom into Thérèse's little way and explains who she is as only a true friend can. In this episode, we talk about how she glorified God with her life and how she shows us how to reach heaven through her "Little Way". Check out more about this and other episodes ⁠on our website.⁠ Saint Thérèse, pray for us! Resources: The Story of a Soul : The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux: With Additional Writings and Sayings of St. Thérèse Book by Thérèse of Lisieux Everything is Grace: The Life and Way of Therese of Lisieux Book by Joseph F. Schmidt The Way of Trust and Love Book by Jacques Philippe I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Book by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee

Today we are revisiting an episode recorded in 2022 all about Saint Titus Brandsma! At the time of this recording, friend of the podcast, Father Wil Kratt was rapidly approaching his ordination to the diaconate. He is now a priest but listening to him speak about one of his favorite saints in this season of his life brought a smile to my face to remember. Saint Titus is a is a light of hope for the Beatific Vision through unspeakable suffering and horror. He is one of the Church's saints forged in the Nazi holocaust and remains an example of how we all must cling to Christ, regardless of the opposition we will face. Enjoy this blast from the past check out more about this and other episodes ⁠⁠on our website. Saint Titus, pray for us!

Today we are revisiting an episode recorded in 2022 all about Saint Titus Brandsma! At the time of this recording, friend of the podcast, Father Wil Kratt was rapidly approaching his ordination to the diaconate. He is now a priest but listening to him speak about one of his favorite saints in this season of his life brought a smile to my face to remember. Saint Titus is a is a light of hope for the Beatific Vision through unspeakable suffering and horror. He is one of the Church's saints forged in the Nazi holocaust and remains an example of how we all must cling to Christ, regardless of the opposition we will face. Enjoy this blast from the past check out more about this and other episodes ⁠on our website. Saint Titus, pray for us!

Today we are revisiting an episode recorded in 2022 all about Venerable Teresita Quevedo featuring our guest, Sister Cause of Our Joy. Today's episode brings great inspiration for what it means to CLING to the heart of Jesus through Mary. Venerable Teresita is a powerful witness of unwavering devotion to Christ and how to be a vessel of light in the world. I want to give a huge thank you to Sister Cause of Our Joy of the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará (AKA the Servidoras) for being my guest on the pod. Please pray for many more vocations to religious life through the intercession of Venerable Teresita! Check out more about this and other episodes on our website.Venerable Teresita, pray for us! Resources:"Mary Was Her Life: The Story Of A Nun, Sister Maria Teresa Quevedo" by Mary Pierre Tirrell

As our first episode back, I though there could be no better guest than my husband! In this episode, we talk about one of our newest Saints in the cloud of witnesses. Saint Bartolo Longo was declared a Saint on October 19th 2025 by Pope Leo XIV. Find more about Saint Bartolo on our website and at the references listed below. Saint Bartolo Longo, Pray for us! Resources: 15 Saturdays Devotion Dominican Friars Article OSV News Article EWTN Our Lady of Pompeii Article

If you are new to Dead Friend Saints, let me introduce myself. I am Claire Hagen and I love getting to know the Catholic saints in my journey to grow closer to Jesus Christ. Join me as we explore the humanity and holiness of our Dead Friends in heaven. If you listened to my podcast before I took a break, WE'RE BACK, BABY! Learn more and get in touch with me at deadfriendsaints.com