On this edition of The Catholic Morning Show, host Sam Halligan is joined by co-host Deacon Mark Campbell and Brady Grimm to cover the arrival of relics of six Cristero War martyr priests coming to the Diocese of Des Moines, the national consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and a preview of Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio. Monica Meredith and Antonio Banuelos of Sacred Heart Parish join the show to discuss a historic relic veneration event featuring six Knights of Columbus martyr-saints canonized by Pope John Paul II. Author and speaker Emily Jaminet unpacks the spiritual significance of the U.S. bishops' consecration to the Sacred Heart and offers practical guidance for living out that devotion as individuals, families, and parishes.
Cristero War Martyrs — Relic Veneration in the Diocese of Des Moines
Six Catholic priests martyred during Mexico's Cristero War (1926–1929) and canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 21, 2000, are making a pilgrimage through the Diocese of Des Moines this week. All six were Knights of Columbus. Monica Meredith, Hispanic Ministry Director at Sacred Heart Parish, and Antonio Banuelos, Knight of Columbus, joined the show to discuss the significance of the relics and what listeners can expect at the veneration events.
Relic Schedule:
At the veneration, a kneeler is provided before the relics. Prayer cards and rosaries may be brought and touched to the first-class relics (bone fragments of the saints). These are first-class relics — actual bodily remains of the martyred priests. To learn more or to join the Knights of Columbus, visit kofc.org/join
U.S. Consecration to the Sacred Heart — Now What? with Emily Jaminet
On June 11, 2026, over 270 U.S. bishops gathered in Orlando for their spring plenary assembly and formally consecrated the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — the first such act in the nation's 250-year history. Author and speaker Emily Jaminet joined the show to explain what the consecration means spiritually and how Catholics can keep the momentum alive.
Practical next steps the U.S. bishops have called Catholics to take:
Learn more about Emily Jaminet and her books and speaking at IowaCatholicRadio.com
Gospel Reflection — Fr. Nick Smith
Fr. Nick Smith, pastor of Saint Patrick's in Perry, reflects on Matthew 6 — the call to pray, fast, and give alms in secret, trusting in the Father who sees what is hidden.
Sunday Dive Preview — Katie Patrizio
Katie Patrizio previewed her upcoming episode of Sunday Dive, airing immediately following The Catholic Morning Show. The episode explores fear as a passion (per Aquinas), how Jesus reorders our understanding of good and evil in Matthew 10, and why eternal life must be valued above mortal life. Subscribe and learn more at SundayDive.com
Saint of the Day — Saint Joseph Cafasso
Feast day reflection on Saint Joseph Cafasso (1811–1860), moral theology lecturer, confessor, spiritual director to Saint John Bosco, and devoted prison minister known as "The Priest of the Gallows." Canonized in 1947, patron saint of prisons and prisoners. His hometown near Turin, originally Castelnuovo d'Asti, now bears the name Castelnuovo Don Bosco in honor of the saint he mentored.
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