Episode Transcript  

One

Across the Gates of Hell

In the prologue to his biography of Catherine of Siena, St. Raymond of Capua, her closest friend and confessor, relates a conversation Catherine had with Jesus in which she was deeply concerned about the salvation of the people she loved. In essence, Catherine said to Jesus, “Lord… I cannot bear that anyone I love should be lost in hell. I would do anything to save them.” Catherine’s love was so great that she was willing to pay any price, even to go to hell herself to save them. But Jesus told her, “Charity cannot dwell in hell; it would completely destroy hell.”

Jesus was basically saying,  “Your love for me and for them can’t take you into hell to save them, but it can do everything possible to keep them from going there.”

So Catherine basically replied, “Okay, Lord, then let me throw myself across the gates of hell and remain there to block anyone from entering. That would be my greatest joy, because then all those whom I love would be saved.”

I feel the same as Catherine. I have friends and loved ones in danger of going to hell, and I will do anything to prevent it. I know you feel the same way. So, what are we going to do?

Two

In Imitation of Christ

If Catherine loved her people that much, God loves us infinitely more. He saw humanity rushing into hell, so He went on a rescue mission. God entered humanity to build a bridge of friendship with us. He did not remain at a distance. He came to us so that He could bring us back to God.

At the Last Supper He said, “I do not call you servants. I call you friends.” And, “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.”

Jesus crossed over to us, became our friend, and laid down His life to save us. He was willing even to descend to the dead to set the captives free. Then He told us to do the same for family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Love impels us to be concerned not just about ourselves but for others. Build a bridge of friendship. Cross over to them. And help them cross over to God.

Three

Mary Comes on a Rescue Mission

On September 25th, 2026, it is reported that Mary said at Medjugorje, “Dear children! May this time be a time of prayer for peace. I am calling you to renew in your families the prayer of the Rosary for my intentions, so that I may be able to multiply your prayers and intercede for you before the Most High, [for Him] to heed your prayers and to give you peace. I am with you and like never before I pray for you and with you, my little children. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Our Lady has come to help save your loved ones from going to hell. And what is she asking us to do? Invite them to pray the Rosary with you. Many are doing this. But many more immediately say to me, “It’s impossible.” And then they give me every imaginable reason: I’ve tried. They rejected me. They’re not interested. They’ll think I’m judging them. They’ll think I’m nagging them.

If you feel that way, then pay attention to what Mary said at the end of her message, “I am with you and like never before I pray for you and with you, my little children.” The Mother of God is basically saying, “Yes, this may be impossible for you by yourself. But you are not by yourself. Like never before, I am praying for you and with you.”

So don't assume that because someone rejected your invitation before, they will reject it now. Don't assume that what seemed impossible before is impossible now. But you have to step out in faith and invite. Catherine was willing to spend eternity stretched across the gates of hell to save souls. Can’t you at least invite?

Four

Our Strategy to Help Save the People We Love

So here is our strategy to help save the people we love from hell. First, we have to let Jesus transform us. Receive Jesus in the Eucharist as often as you can, because that is how He pours His divine life into our souls. But we have to open the doors of our soul to receive that grace and be transformed. So commit to daily meditation and a resolution. Jesus told us to come to Him, listen to His words, and then do what He tells us.

If we do this every day, little by little Jesus will transform us from vice to virtue. The things in us that have been an obstacle to our loved ones believing in God will begin to change. They will begin to see the difference. Then we have to go to them. Build a bridge of friendship. Friendship is built through shared activity, doing good things together, and good conversation while we do it.

Persevere patiently. Don't force. Don't nag. Don't preach at them. Love them. Build the bridge. Then, when the opportunity arises, invite them to pray the Rosary with you. And through the Rosary, help them begin the same path: to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, to meditate every day, to make a resolution, and little by little to be transformed by Christ.

Jesus transforms us. We build the bridge. We invite them across. And then Jesus begins to transform them.

Five

Resolution

I have people in my life I am willing to throw myself across the mouth of hell and just stay there to block their entrance. Thankfully, there are still a few things I can do before I have to resort to that. I pray for their conversion every day. I go to daily Mass and offer the infinite and perfect intercession of Christ for them.

Whenever I can overcome my selfishness (which is rare), I accept the crosses God allows and offer them up for their conversion. I build a bridge of friendship. Remember the formula of friendship: regular shared activity, doing good things together, plus good conversation makes friendship. So I lift weights with my people, and every Sunday I make a meal and invite them. If they don’t come, that’s okay. I don’t make a big deal. When they do come, we eat and talk and laugh. When the conversation begins to dwindle, I simply say, “Hey, I pray the Rosary after supper; would you like to join me? If you can’t, no problem, thanks for coming for supper.” And usually, they stay.

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