Father Fessio in Five
Join Father Fessio every Friday for his profound insights on a wide variety of interesting subjects and be inspired by the thoughts of a great Jesuit. These episodes provide a rare glimpse into the mind of our beloved founder and are an easy and meaningful way to deepen your spiritual and intellectual life!
Join Father Fessio every Friday for his profound insights on a wide variety of interesting subjects and be inspired by the thoughts of a great Jesuit. These episodes provide a rare glimpse into the mind of our beloved founder and are an easy and meaningful way to deepen your spiritual and intellectual life!
Episodes

Feb 27, 2026
Feb 27, 2026
4 min
Fr. Fessio reveals the dynamic movement that takes place in the second half of the Gloria that we sing at Mass.
Feb 27, 2026
4 min

Feb 20, 2026
144: The Origins of the Gloria
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
6 min
Fr. Fessio explains the historical and Scriptural origin and meaning of the Gloria.
Feb 20, 2026
6 min

Feb 13, 2026
143: The Only Greek Spoken at Mass
Feb 13, 2026
Feb 13, 2026
6 min
Fr. Fessio explains the only Greek phrase we say at Mass.
Feb 13, 2026
6 min

Feb 6, 2026
142: Why God Forgives Us at Mass
Feb 6, 2026
Feb 6, 2026
6 min
In this episode, Fr. Fessio discusses the forgiveness we receive at every Mass.
Feb 6, 2026
6 min

Jan 30, 2026
141: The Divine Office Connects to the Mass
Jan 30, 2026
Jan 30, 2026
6 min
Fr. Fessio explains the lesser known connection between the Mass and the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours, which traditionally lead to the Mass being celebrated at a specific time.
Jan 30, 2026
6 min

Jan 23, 2026
140: What We Confess at Mass
Jan 23, 2026
Jan 23, 2026
6 min
Fr. Fessio explains the Confiteor at the beginning of the Mass.
Jan 23, 2026
6 min

Jan 16, 2026
Jan 16, 2026
8 min
Since Vatican II, the use of Latin in Mass has radically decline. . . . But in this episode, Fr. Fessio reviews what Vatican II said about using Latin at Mass.
Jan 16, 2026
8 min

Jan 9, 2026
Jan 9, 2026
4 min
In the not-so-distant past, the Church began saying “and with your spirit” instead of “and with you.” In this episode Fr. Fessio explains these opening words of the Mass.
Jan 9, 2026
4 min

Jan 2, 2026
137: Explaining the Sign of the Cross
Jan 2, 2026
Jan 2, 2026
5 min
Have you ever reflected on why we begin the Mass with the sign of the Cross? Fr. Fessio explains the deep significance behind this often overlooked opening.
Jan 2, 2026
5 min

Dec 26, 2025
136: Why Does the Priest Kiss the Altar?
Dec 26, 2025
Dec 26, 2025
3 min
Father Fessio begins to unpack the beginning of the Mass by reflecting the priest’s first action in the Mass—he kisses the altar.
Dec 26, 2025
3 min

Dec 19, 2025
135: The Meaning Behind the Priestly Vestments
Dec 19, 2025
Dec 19, 2025
6 min
Ever wonder what is the significance of the priest’s vestments? In this episode, Fr. Fessio explains what these vestments are and symbolism behind them.
Dec 19, 2025
6 min

Dec 12, 2025
Dec 12, 2025
6 min
We all call the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the “Mass” but many of us don’t know why. . . . So Fr. Fessio explains this term and the other terms used to identify this sacrament.
Dec 12, 2025
6 min

Dec 5, 2025
133: The Mass in the Road to Emmaus
Dec 5, 2025
Dec 5, 2025
5 min
Fr. Fessio explains the third dimension of the Mass—the personal dimension—using the events on the road to Emmaus.
Dec 5, 2025
5 min

Nov 28, 2025
132. The Cosmic Dimension of the Mass
Nov 28, 2025
Nov 28, 2025
4 min
Fr. Fessio describes the second dimension of the Mass—the cosmic dimension. Fr. Fessio explains how Christ is the center of this dimension.
Nov 28, 2025
4 min

Nov 21, 2025
131. The Historical Dimension of the Mass
Nov 21, 2025
Nov 21, 2025
5 min
There are three dimensions to the Mass: the historical, the cosmic, and the personal. And in this episode, Fr. Fessio outlines the historical dimension of the Mass by examining the Old Testament and the life of Christ.
Get your copy of The Mass of Vatican II: https://ignatius.com/mass-of-vatican-ii-mv2p/?searchid=3424209&search_query=the+mass+of+vatican+II
Nov 21, 2025
5 min

Nov 14, 2025
130. Explaining the Mass of Vatican II
Nov 14, 2025
Nov 14, 2025
4 min
Fr. Fessio is beginning a series on the Mass, and today he explains the difference between “old” vs the “new” Mass and which he will follow going forward in this series.
Get your copy of The Mass of Vatican II: https://ignatius.com/mass-of-vatican-ii-mv2p/?searchid=3424209&search_query=the+mass+of+vatican+II
Nov 14, 2025
4 min

Nov 7, 2025
129: Fr. Fessio Starts A Series on The Mass
Nov 7, 2025
Nov 7, 2025
6 min
Today’s episode marks the beginning of Fr. Fessio’s series on the Mass. In this episode, he explains how the Mass is central in the sacramental order.
Nov 7, 2025
6 min

Oct 31, 2025
128: Three Latin Phrases You Should Use
Oct 31, 2025
Oct 31, 2025
4 min
Fr. Fessio explains what “oremus invicem,” “ad majorem dei gloriam,” and “amor meus pondus meum” mean and why you should use the often.
Oct 31, 2025
4 min

Oct 24, 2025
127: Would You Recognize the Holy Family?
Oct 24, 2025
Oct 24, 2025
5 min
Fr. Fessio points out how many holy people are like the Holy Family both in their life of grace and often in their obscurity.
Oct 24, 2025
5 min

Oct 17, 2025
126: A Small Lesson in Hebrew
Oct 17, 2025
Oct 17, 2025
4 min
Fr. Fessio examines the original Hebrew for two passages in Scripture. In each case, the original language reveals more than our English translation.
Oct 17, 2025
4 min

Oct 10, 2025
125: What Does Faith Require?
Oct 10, 2025
Oct 10, 2025
3 min
Fr. Fessio points out that in Hebrew the word “faith” means something a bit different than it does in English.
Oct 10, 2025
3 min

Oct 3, 2025
Oct 3, 2025
2 min
Fr. Fessio explains the Latin phrase Pax huic domui and its response Et omnibus habitantibus in ea.
Oct 3, 2025
2 min

Sep 26, 2025
123: The Greatest in the Kingdom of God
Sep 26, 2025
Sep 26, 2025
4 min
We will be measured not by our human achievements, but by our love. Fr. Fessio explains how we can be great in the kingdom of God.
Sep 26, 2025
4 min

Sep 19, 2025
122 Special Episode: Why Catholics Should Kneel
Sep 19, 2025
Sep 19, 2025
4 min
In today's special episode, Fr. Fessio is joined by Archbishop Cordileone to discuss the importance of kneeling at Mass and when receiving communion. They draw upon Pope Benedict XVI's book "The Spirit of the Liturgy" which is celebrating 25 years of publication.
Get Your Copy of "The Spirit of the Liturgy": https://ignatius.com/the-spirit-of-the-liturgy-commemorative-edition-splcep/?searchid=0&search_query=the+spirit+of+the+liturgy
Sep 19, 2025
4 min

Sep 12, 2025
121: Is the Our Father the Best Prayer?
Sep 12, 2025
Sep 12, 2025
5 min
Fr. Fessio returns to the Our Father and argues for its primacy as a prayer of petition. But he also points out that there are more types of prayer than those of petition . . .
Sep 12, 2025
5 min

Sep 5, 2025
120: Do You Know What “Deo Gratias” Means?
Sep 5, 2025
Sep 5, 2025
2 min
Fr. Fessio explains another common Latin phrase—Deo Gratias. He believes that this phrase is so important that everyone should use it.
Sep 5, 2025
2 min

Aug 29, 2025
119: You Should Use This Latin Phrase
Aug 29, 2025
Aug 29, 2025
4 min
Fr. Fessio explains what “Deo Volente” means, and why we should use it in our daily life.
Aug 29, 2025
4 min

Aug 22, 2025
Aug 22, 2025
3 min
Fr. Fessio recalls a conversation he had with an atheist student where he explained the difference between how an atheist sees the world and how a Christian views creation.
Aug 22, 2025
3 min

Aug 15, 2025
117: The First and Last Words of the Psalms
Aug 15, 2025
Aug 15, 2025
6 min
Fr. Fessio reflects on the significance of very first and last words of the Psalms, which begin with happiness and end with thanksgiving.
Aug 15, 2025
6 min

Aug 8, 2025
116: Should You Trust A.I.?
Aug 8, 2025
Aug 8, 2025
4 min
Recently, Fr. Fessio was deceived by A.I. and warns people about trusting these programs.
Aug 8, 2025
4 min







