22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - 08/24/2026

On this episode of Be Not Afraid, Fr. Bruce Riebe walks through the biography of St. Augustine, born in Thagaste, North Africa, to a pagan father and his devout mother, St. Monica. From his early years of moral struggle and involvement with the Manichaean sect to his conversion under St. Ambrose in Milan, Augustine's story becomes a powerful reminder that sainthood is born out of frail, sinful human beginnings, not despite them. Fr. Bruce and the host also highlight St. Monica's decades of prayer and perseverance as a model for parents who feel discouraged by a child's spiritual struggles. The second half of the episode shifts to this Saturday's memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, exploring why his martyrdom is commemorated alongside his birth, a distinction shared only with Jesus and Mary. Fr. Bruce details the Byzantine tradition of the three separate "findings" of St. John the Baptist's head, from the fourth-century discovery on the Mount of Olives to its final transfer to Constantinople around the year 850, and explains the custom of avoiding food served on a platter on this feast day. Learn more at IowaCatholicRadio.com Hashtags #BeNotAfraid #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #SaintAugustine #SaintMonica #JohnTheBaptist #CatholicFaith #DailyCatholic #CatholicSaints #ByzantineCatholic #CatholicRadio #FaithFormation Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our StationsLINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.