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Desert Fathers in a Year (with Bishop Erik Varden)

Modern life is like a desert—a parched and barren expanse where the soul thirsts for the living water Jesus promised at the well.

37 avsnitt • Längd: 30 min • Veckovis: Tisdag

Kristendom • Religion och spiritualitet • Utbildning

Om podden

Modern life is like a desert—a parched and barren expanse where the soul thirsts for the living water Jesus promised at the well. Amid the ceaseless distractions and allurements of materialism, God can seem absent. As the Desert Fathers of old fled the noise of the world to seek God in silence, we too have been been called into the desert.

Guided by Bishop Erik Varden, this year-long series—beginning January 1, 2025—invites listeners to encounter the profound wisdom of the Desert Fathers. Drawing from their timeless Sayings, Bishop Varden illuminates the lives of figures like St. Anthony of Egypt, exploring themes such as purity, humility, self-mastery, and repentance. Through their struggles in the wilderness, these early Christians uncovered the transformative power of God’s grace—lessons as relevant today as they were in their time.

Though few of us are called to the monastic life, the spiritual combat of the Desert Fathers resonates with all who seek to follow Christ. As Jesus Himself entered the desert to confront temptation, their wisdom offers guidance for our own battles with distraction and despair, helping us find strength in prayer and discipline.

Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian monk and Bishop of Trondheim, Norway, is one of today’s leading Catholic voices. A convert to Catholicism during his studies at Cambridge, he was drawn to the monastic life, ultimately joining Mount St. Bernard Abbey in England, where he eventually became abbot. Through his writing and teaching, Bishop Varden speaks compellingly to a secular world, using the language of beauty to reveal the centrality of our search for God—even when we wander astray.

Join us as we step into the desert together, guided by the wisdom of the ancients, to rediscover the love of Christ that conquers all obstacles. Visit DesertFathers.com to learn more.

We owe a special thanks to our partners. The Desert Fathers in a Year is…

…written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, CoramFratribus.com
…produced by EWTN Global Catholic Network
…and brought to you by Exodus 90. Download the Exodus 90 app today and get ready to start the Exodus 90 Challenge beginning on January 20, 2025.

The podcast Desert Fathers in a Year (with Bishop Erik Varden) is created by Exodus 90. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).

Avsnitt

Bonus Roundtable: Donkey on the Loose (Desert Fathers in a Year)

8 maj 2025 | 36 min

Episode 19: Donkey on the Loose

6 maj 2025 | 12 min

Episode 18: Q&A - Ask Bishop Varden

1 maj 2025 | 65 min

🏜️ Welcome to Desert Fathers in a Year, Episode 18: Q&A - Ask Bishop Varden

Episode Overview

In this special episode of Desert Fathers in a Year, we mark the one-third milestone of our series with a listener Q&A featuring Bishop Erik Varden. Bishop Varden answers questions submitted by listeners, covering topics from the organization of the systematic collection to practical spiritual advice inspired by the Desert Fathers. The episode also touches on the recent passing of Pope Francis and how the Fathers might guide us during this time of papal transition.

Key Topics Discussed

General Questions on the Desert Fathers

Organization of the Systematic Collection: A listener asks if the chapters (e.g., perfection, peace, compunction) are stages to follow. Bishop Varden compares the collection to an encyclopedia or medical manual, designed for practical reference rather than sequential mastery. He advises using it to address specific spiritual needs as prompted by the Holy Spirit.
Translation and Desert Mothers: Bishop Varden confirms he translates the sayings himself from the Greek text in the Sources Chrétiennes edition. He also teases upcoming episodes featuring Desert Mothers, responding to listener interest, particularly from women.

Thematic Questions

Eschatology and the Second Coming: Listener Alexander asks about the Desert Fathers’ perspective on awaiting Christ’s return. Bishop Varden notes the strong eschatological thrust in the sayings, balancing hope for Christ’s return with personal preparation for judgment. He shares a story of Arsenius waiting for the sunrise as a symbol of awaiting Christ.
Perfection and Slowing Down: Addressing a question on Anthony’s advice to “not move in a hurry,” Bishop Varden suggests practical steps like disconnecting from technology, practicing slow tasks mindfully, and embracing moments of stillness to counter modern freneticism.
Peace and Discernment: A listener struggles with Moses’ advice to “stay in your cell” while feeling called to action. Bishop Varden emphasizes discernment, suggesting the cell represents a commitment to a task, not just a physical space. Another listener, Richard, asks about maintaining peace amid worldly storms. Bishop Varden reframes peace as dynamic, rooted in Christ’s presence, not a static possession.
Compunction and Holy Grief: Bishop Varden explains the fear of God as reverence and trust, not dread, using the image of God’s “everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy). He advises cultivating truth spoken in love by practicing silence when motivated by bitterness, citing Dorotheus of Gaza. He distinguishes holy grief, which opens one to repentance, from unhealthy guilt, which fosters self-pity.

Listener Struggles and Seeking a Word

Euthanasia and Peace: A Canadian listener laments Catholic support for euthanasia. Bishop Varden encourages clinging to Christ as peace, even in a culture of death, and walking step-by-step with Him, as the disciples did.
Persistent Sin: A listener who lived in sin for years before conversion asks if lingering temptations are permanent. Bishop Varden shares the story of St. Mary of Egypt, affirming that healing is possible but takes time, encouraging persistent struggle and trust in God’s healing.
Preferential Love in Community: A religious sister asks about managing particular friendships without harming the community. Bishop Varden warns against self-sufficient friendships that compromise celibate solitude, advising focus on consecrated purpose over seeking emotional consolations.

Papal Transition and the Church’s Needs

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ passing, Bishop Varden suggests the Desert Fathers would encourage detachment, prayer for the Church, and trust in God’s providence. He advocates fostering peace within the mystical body, akin to St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “little way” of being love in the Church’s heart.

Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bishop Varden closes with the Glory Be and a blessing, invoking God’s presence to remain with listeners. The episode concludes with anticipation for the next chapter on self-mastery.

Next Episode

Join us next week as we explore the fourth chapter of the systematic collection, focusing on self-mastery.

Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts

Please visit DesertFathers.com to subscribe to our email newsletter and to download a free PDF of Athanasius's Life of Antony.

We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers in a Year is...

• 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog.

• 🎥 ...produced by EWTN

• 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today

Bonus Roundtable: The Fear of God (Desert Fathers in a Year)

24 april 2025 | 39 min

Episode 17: The Fear of God

22 april 2025 | 13 min

Bonus Roundtable: The Monk and the Actress (Desert Fathers in a Year)

17 april 2025 | 39 min

Episode 16: The Monk and the Actress

15 april 2025 | 12 min

🏜️ Welcome to Desert Fathers in a Year, Episode 16: The Monk and the Actress.

Discover the profound story of Abba Pambo, a Desert Father, whose encounter with an actress in Alexandria reveals deep Christian compassion and humility. In this episode of Desert Fathers in a Year, we explore Pambo’s tears, sparked by the tragic loss of a soul and his own reflection on spiritual zeal. Learn how his relationship with St. Athanasius bridges the institutional and charismatic Church, and why his response to a "public sinner" offers a timeless pastoral model. We delve into themes of compunction, intercession, and speaking truth in love, inspired by the Desert Fathers’ wisdom.

The blessed Athanasius entreated Abba Pambo to come down from the desert to Alexandria. Coming down, he saw an actress there, and began to weep. When those who were with him asked why he was weeping, he said: ‘Two things moved me. First, the loss of this woman. Secondly, the fact that I do not have such zeal to please God as she has to please shameless men’.

Key Topics Covered:

Pambo’s emotional response to an actress and its spiritual significance
The bond between Athanasius and the Desert Fathers
Why compassion, not condemnation, defines Christian correction
Lessons in humility: Learning from those unlike us
The Desert Fathers’ view on redirecting longing toward God

Why Listen? This episode unpacks how Pambo’s story challenges us to embrace empathy and self-reflection in our faith. Perfect for listeners interested in Christian spirituality, Desert Fathers, compassion, humility, and early Church history. Join us for insights that resonate today.

Keywords: Desert Fathers, Abba Pambo, Christian compassion, humility, Athanasius, compunction, spiritual zeal, early Christianity, pastoral care, speaking truth in love

Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts

Please visit DesertFathers.com to subscribe to our email newsletter and to download a free PDF of Athanasius's Life of Antony.

We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers in a Year is...

• 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog.

• 🎥 ...produced by EWTN

• 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today

Bonus Roundtable: Penthos (Desert Fathers in a Year)

11 april 2025 | 43 min

Episode 15: Penthos

8 april 2025 | 12 min

Bonus Roundtable: Compunction (Desert Fathers in a Year)

3 april 2025 | 41 min

Episode 14: Compunction

1 april 2025 | 12 min

Bonus Roundtable: Silence in Grief (Desert Fathers in a Year)

27 mars 2025 | 38 min

Episode 13: Silence in Grief

25 mars 2025 | 11 min

Bonus Roundtable: Staying Put (Desert Fathers in a Year)

20 mars 2025 | 45 min

Episode 12: Staying Put

18 mars 2025 | 13 min

Bonus Roundtable: Flee, and Be Saved (Desert Fathers in a Year)

13 mars 2025 | 40 min

Episode 11: Flee, and Be Saved

11 mars 2025 | 14 min

Bonus Roundtable: Peace (Desert Fathers in a Year)

6 mars 2025 | 41 min

Episode 10: Peace

4 mars 2025 | 13 min

Bonus Roundtable: Singing with the Angels (Desert Fathers in a Year)

27 februari 2025 | 55 min

00:00 -00:00

Desert Fathers in a Year (with Bishop Erik Varden)

Modern life is like a desert—a parched and barren expanse where the soul thirsts for the living water Jesus promised at the well.

Om podden

Avsnitt

Bonus Roundtable: Donkey on the Loose (Desert Fathers in a Year)

To Speak or Not to Speak?

Episode 19: Donkey on the Loose

Donkey on the Loose - Mastering Speech with Abba Antony

Episode 18: Q&A - Ask Bishop Varden

Episode Overview

Key Topics Discussed

General Questions on the Desert Fathers

Thematic Questions

Listener Struggles and Seeking a Word

Papal Transition and the Church’s Needs

Closing Prayer and Blessing

Next Episode

Bonus Roundtable: The Fear of God (Desert Fathers in a Year)

What is the Fear of God?

Episode 17: The Fear of God

Do you have a question for Bishop Varden?

Bonus Roundtable: The Monk and the Actress (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Do you have a question for Bishop Varden?

Episode 16: The Monk and the Actress

Bonus Roundtable: Penthos (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 15: Penthos

Bonus Roundtable: Compunction (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 14: Compunction

Bonus Roundtable: Silence in Grief (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 13: Silence in Grief

Bonus Roundtable: Staying Put (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 12: Staying Put

Bonus Roundtable: Flee, and Be Saved (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 11: Flee, and Be Saved

Bonus Roundtable: Peace (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 10: Peace

Bonus Roundtable: Singing with the Angels (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 9: Singing with the Angels

Bonus Roundtable: What Defines a Christian (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 8: What Defines a Christian?

Bonus Roundtable: Take Up Your Cross (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 7: Take Up Your Cross

Bonus Roundtable: Pursuit of Perfection (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 6: Pursuit of Perfection

Episode 5: Q&A with Bishop Varden

Bonus Roundtable: Antony - A Strength to Others (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 4: Antony - A Strength to Others

Bonus Roundtable: Become Who You Are (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 3: Become Who You Are

Bonus Roundtable: Facing Antony's Temptations (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 2: Facing Antony's Temptations

Bonus Roundtable: Changed by the Life of Antony (Desert Fathers in a Year)

Episode 1: Changed by the Life of Antony - Desert Fathers in a Year (with Bishop Erik Varden)

TRAILER: Desert Fathers in a Year with Bishop Erik Varden | Exodus 90