Pray40: The Way
Join Jonathan Roumie, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Miriam, Mark Wahlberg, Chris Pratt, Cardinal Sarah and many more as we draw closer to Jesus, who is "the way, the truth, and the life." This Lent, embark on a spiritual journey with the writings of St. Josemaría Escrivá - author of the modern spiritual classic, "The Way" - and meditate on the life of Servant of God Takashi Nagai. Then, during Holy Week, join biblical scholar Jeff Cavins and Jonathan Roumie for an immersive video pilgrimage in the Holy Land. Walk the Via Dolorosa, stand at Golgotha, and visit the empty tomb - praying with Scripture as you journey with Jesus to the cross and resurrection. Access a study guide and learn more about the books used in Pray40 here: https://try.hallow.com/pray40-resources
47 sessions
1Ash WednesdayWelcome to the first day of Lent! Jonathan Roumie introduces our Pray40 theme. Then, Fr. Mike Schmitz concludes our time with the Litany of Humility.
Day 1: Jonathan & Fr. Mike10 min
2AshesToday Jonathan introduces us to Servant of God Takashi Nagai, the Japanese physician who survived the atomic bombing in 1945. We’ll conclude by praying with the verse from Mark Chapter 9: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” Learn more about the books we'll use in Pray40 here: https://try.hallow.com/pray40-resources
Day 2: Jonathan11 min
3Fasting FridayMark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt join us for our first Fasting Friday Challenge. Chris reflects on the Gospel of Mark Chapter 9, while Mark challenges us to fast from noise and distractions.
Day 3: Mark & Chris11 min
4Silent SaturdayCardinal Robert Sarah joins us for our first Silent Saturday as he shares with us an excerpt from his book “The Power of Silence” and leads us in a time of silence for three minutes. You can also listen to this session with Hallow guide Francis by selecting his name from the Guide drop-down menu.
Day 4: Cardinal Sarah7 min
5Sunday SermonOn this First Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert from Luke 4:1-13. He highlights the importance of embracing frustration in order to get where God wants us to go.
Day 5: Fr. Mike Schmitz22 min
6“26”Today, we begin a new week with the theme The Way of Prayer. Jonathan opens with words from St. Josemaría Escrivá on prayer and then shares the history of Christianity in Japan through the story of the 26 martyrs. Jonathan is joined by Fr. Toshio, C.M., who reads the martyrs' powerful words from “A Song for Nagasaki.”
Day 6: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.12 min
7BeginningReturning to “A Song for Nagasaki,” Jonathan explores Taskashi Nagai's early life and how, as an atheist, his curiosity was sparked by attending Christmas Eve Mass.
Day 7: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.14 min
8SweetheartToday, Jonathan recounts a turning point in Takashi Nagai's life as he helps a young woman, Midori, and discovers her and her family's full reliance on God. Then, Sr. Miriam joins us to reflect on St. Josemaría's words and close us in prayer.
Day 8: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam14 min
9Faith StoryEvery Thursday in Pray40, we’ll hear a modern story of faith. In today’s session, comedian and convert Shayne Smith shares the incredible journey that led him to find his faith.
Day 9: Shayne Smith17 min
10Fasting FridayMark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt join us again for our second Fasting Friday Challenge. Chris reflects on 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, while Mark challenges us to follow “the little way.”
Day 10: Mark & Chris8 min
11Silent SaturdayCardinal Robert Sarah returns for our second Silent Saturday as he shares with us an excerpt from his book “The Power of Silence” and leads us in a time of silence for five minutes. You can also listen to this session with Hallow guide Francis by selecting his name from the Guide drop-down menu.
Day 11: Cardinal Sarah8 min
12Sunday SermonWARNING: This session contains graphic descriptions of violence. On this Second Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the story of the Transfiguration from Luke 9:28-36. He explores some of the crossroads of Takashi Nagai’s life and invites us to always set our face towards Jesus.
Day 12: Fr. Mike Schmitz25 min
13GoneWe begin a new week with the theme The Way of Love. Jonathan explores the wisdom of St. Josemaría Escrivá and returns to “A Song for Nagasaki” with the love story between Takashi and Midori. Fr. Toshio, C.M. reads Takashi's words as he discovers answers to life's complex problems.
Day 13: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.12 min
14ReturnReturning to “A Song for Nagasaki,” Jonathan and Fr. Toshio, C.M. continue with Takashi's conversion as he must decide between his old way of life and a life of faith.
Day 14: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.12 min
15OrdinaryToday, Jonathan shares how Takashi and Midori put their growing faith into action as they commit to life together. Then, we close our time in prayer with Sr. Miriam.
Day 15: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam15 min
16Faith StoryEvery Thursday this Lent, we’ll hear a modern story of faith. Today, Grammy Award winning recording artist Gwen Stefani shares about the role faith has played in her life.
Day 16: Gwen8 min
17Fasting FridayMark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt return for our third Fasting Friday Challenge. Chris reflects on Psalm 22, while Mark challenges us to pick up our crosses.
Day 17: Mark & Chris7 min
18Silent SaturdayCardinal Robert Sarah returns for our third Silent Saturday as he shares with us an excerpt from his book “The Power of Silence” and leads us in a time of silence for seven minutes. You can also listen to this session with Hallow guide Francis by selecting his name from the Guide drop-down menu.
Day 18: Cardinal Sarah11-12 min
19Sunday SermonWARNING: This session contains graphic descriptions of violence. On this Third Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from Luke 13:1-9. We'll hear the hard truth that while mountaintop moments of faith are remarkable, we truly learn how to follow Jesus in the valleys of our lives.
Day 19: Fr. Mike Schmitz32 min
20The CrossThis week our theme is The Way of Suffering. Today, Jonathan turns our focus to the temptation of avoiding suffering with wise words from St. Josemaría Escrivá. Then, we see Takashi and Midori Nagai's response to suffering as they receive devastating news.
Day 20: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.13 min
21The Bomb**NOTE: This session contains mature themes. For those 14 or younger, please have a parent review before listening.** Returning to "A Song for Nagasaki," Jonathan and Fr. Toshio, C.M. retell Takashi's account of the atomic bomb dropping on Nagasaki.
Day 21: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.15 min
22Midori**NOTE: This session contains mature themes. For those 14 or younger, please have a parent review before listening.** Today, Jonathan and Fr. Toshio, C.M. share what happens when Takashi returns to his home and comes to grips with what he’s lost. Then, Sr. Miriam leads us in reflection and prayer.
Day 22: Jonathan, Fr. Toshio, C.M., & Sr. Miriam16 min
23Faith Story**NOTE: This session contains a mention of abuse, abortion and addiction. Parents, please review before listening with children.** Every Thursday this Lent, we’ll hear a modern story of faith. Today Sr. Miriam, a religious sister with the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity shares her incredible story of healing and conversion.
Day 23: Sr. Miriam25 min
24Fasting FridayMark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt join us once again for our fourth Fasting Friday Challenge. Chris reflects on the Gospel of Mark Chapter 14, while Mark challenges us to fast from procrastination.
Day 24: Mark & Chris8 min
25Silent SaturdayCardinal Robert Sarah returns for our fourth Silent Saturday as he shares with us an excerpt from his book “The Power of Silence” and leads us in a time of silence for ten minutes. You can also listen to this session with Hallow guide Francis by selecting his name from the Guide drop-down menu.
Day 25: Cardinal Sarah15-16 min
26Sunday SermonOn this Fourth Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. He shows us how the place of The Way is home.
Day 26: Fr. Mike Schmitz28 min
27KolbeWe begin a new theme for the week: The Way of Surrender. Jonathan shares how suffering transforms into redemption and renewal with advice from St. Josemaría Escrivá and a miracle from “A Song for Nagasaki."
Day 27: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.11 min
28SpeechReturning to "A Song for Nagasaki," Jonathan and Fr. Toshio, C.M. recount the poignant speech from Dr. Takashi Nagai at the memorial Mass for the victims of the atomic bomb.
Day 28: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.11 min
29MeaningToday, Jonathan shares the impact of Takashi's message with the people of Nagasaki as they turn to God for healing and peace. Then, Sr. Miriam joins us for a time of prayer.
Day 29: Jonathan, Fr. Toshio, C.M., & Sr. Miriam15 min
30Faith Story**NOTE: This session contains a discussion on gun violence.** Every Thursday this Lent, we’ll hear a modern story of faith. Today mother and author, Jeanne Bishop shares the story of an unthinkable reconciliation.
Day 30: Jeanne Bishop17 min
31Fasting FridayMark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt introduce our fifth Fasting Friday Challenge. Chris reflects on Romans Chapter 6, while Mark challenges us to make the change we’ve been putting off and boldly meet the obstacles ahead.
Day 31: Mark & Chris8 min
32Silent SaturdayCardinal Robert Sarah returns for our fifth Silent Saturday as he shares with us an excerpt from his book “The Power of Silence” and leads us in a time of silence for fifteen minutes. You can also listen to this session with Hallow guide Francis by selecting his name from the Guide drop-down menu.
Day 32: Cardinal Sarah18-19 min
33Sunday SermonOn this Fifth Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from John 8:1-11. We'll learn not to fear dead ends as they allow us to move forward with Christ.
Day 33: Fr. Mike Schmitz25 min
34BellsThis week, our theme is The Way of Resurrection. We are reminded that this world is not our home with words from St. Josemaría. Then, Jonathan continues in "A Song for Nagasaki" as the community of Urakami experiences a moment of heaven amid their suffering.
Day 34: Jonathan13 min
35VisitorsToday, Jonathan shares from "A Song for Nagasaki" how Takashi lifted others up to experience joy and victory amid struggles and opposition.
Day 35: Jonathan & Fr. Toshio, C.M.12 min
36FuneralToday, Jonathan and Fr. Toshio, C.M. walk us through the final moments of Dr. Takashi Nagai’s life as he takes his final breaths with his eyes fixed on Christ. Then, we close in prayer with Sr. Miriam.
Day 36: Jonathan, Fr. Toshio, C.M., & Sr. Miriam16 min
37Faith StoryEvery Thursday this Lent, we’ll hear a modern story of faith. Today Larry Dorame shares his unexpected journey of hope and healing.
Day 37: Larry Dorame19 min
38Fasting FridayMark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt join us for our final Fasting Friday. Chris reflects on the Gospel of John Chapter 12, while Mark challenges us to celebrate with a joy we’ve never had before.
Day 38: Mark & Chris6 min
39Silent SaturdayCardinal Robert Sarah returns for our last Silent Saturday as he shares with us an excerpt from his book “The Power of Silence” and leads us in a time of silence for twenty minutes. You can also listen to this session with Hallow guide Francis by selecting his name from the Guide drop-down menu.
Day 39: Cardinal Sarah24-25 min
40Sunday SermonOn this Palm Sunday, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from Luke 23:1-49. You can hear this Gospel reading on Hallow in our Daily Gospel collection by tapping this link and selecting Anna or Jonathan as your guide: hallow://prayers/1067507
Day 40: Fr. Mike Schmitz14 min
41Holy Week in the Holy LandWelcome to Holy Week in the Holy Land! Join Jeff and Jonathan as they meet up on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city of Jerusalem. Jeff invites us to recall Jesus’ Triumphal Entry and reflect on who He is in our lives as we prepare our hearts for Holy Week.
Day 41: Jonathan & Jeff7 min
42Holy Land: GethsemaneOur pilgrimage in the Holy Land continues as Jeff takes Jonathan to the Garden of Gethsemane where they discuss Christ's suffering and how to understand our own suffering. We will then close in a time of reflection and prayer in the Church of all Nations built on the rock where Jesus prayed.
Day 42: Jonathan & Jeff13 min
43Holy Land: Caiaphas' HouseJourney along the timeline of the Passion as Jeff brings Jonathan to the historic site where Caiaphas held Jesus before being brought to Pontius Pilate. We will then close our time in prayer and reflection in the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu.
Day 43: Jonathan & Jeff12 min
44Holy Land: The WayPray along with Jeff and Jonathan as they walk nine of the fourteen stations on the Via Dolorosa. They will invite us to meditate on the Stations of the Cross as they travel the path the Lord took on His way to Calvary.
Day 44: Jonathan & Jeff18 min
45Holy Land: Good FridayExperience the place of Christ's crucifixion with Jeff and Jonathan as they visit the holy site of our Lord's death and resurrection. They will then close by leading us in a special time of prayer from Golgotha, enshrined in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Day 45: Jonathan & Jeff9 min
46Holy Land: Holy SaturdayJoin Jeff and Jonathan as they remember Christ's sacrifice as they return to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Holy Saturday. After reflecting on the power of silence, they will enter Christ's empty tomb for a time of prayer.
Day 46: Jonathan & Jeff9 min
47Holy Land: Easter SundayFor their final day in the Holy Land, Jeff and Jonathan will travel to the shores of the Sea of Galilee. They invite us to celebrate a renewal with a sense of new beginning as we recall the hope we have in the Resurrection.
Day 47: Jonathan & Jeff12 min