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Father Simon Says

Plenary Indulgences - Father Simon Says - April 9, 2026

·51 min·5 clips
Father Simon recounts how St. Fidelis was killed by Calvinists, and his killer later joined the Catholic Church.
The episode begins with Father Simon welcoming listeners and sharing the story of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, a Capuchin Franciscan martyred in Switzerland by Calvinists. He then leads prayers, including the Hail Mary and a prayer for Pope Francis. Father Simon announces the live broadcast of Pope Francis's funeral mass on Relevant Radio. He transitions to a Bible study, discussing Acts 3:11 and the Temple's beautiful gate, explaining its layout and historical context. He delves into Jewish halakhic law, arguing that Jesus fulfilled it and changed dietary laws, referencing a debate with Rabbi Lefkowitz. Father Simon analyzes the Gospel of Luke, focusing on the Emmaus story and Peter's confession to Jesus, where Peter admitted he only loved Jesus fraternally. He takes calls from listeners, answering questions about plenary indulgences, including how to assign them to others and whether they can be received unknowingly. Other topics include the meaning of Easter, canonization processes for Carlo Acutis, and superstitions about mirrors in bedrooms. Father Simon shares personal experiences, such as saying mass at Christ's tomb in Jerusalem. The episode ends with a word-of-the-day segment on Greek grammar in John 21, where Jesus asks Peter if he loves him.

As heard by us

A Catholic radio hour turns saints, Zwingli, and unmet expectations into a plainspoken meditation on trust.

Father Richard Simon's radio show begins with St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen and Zwingli, then opens into a larger question: how people recognize God's answers when they arrive in unexpected form.

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Why you'd press play

You can follow St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen into a sharp reflection on why God's answers may arrive in forms you did not expect.

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