We were made for eternity, and our daily lives offer opportunities to prepare for that everlasting friendship with God. Christina Semmens welcomes author Allan Smith to discuss The Soul of a Disciple: Fulton Sheen’s Meditations on the Cross, the Eucharist, and the Christian Life. Allan shares how a box of free books introduced him to Sheen and helped turn a Canadian plumber and radio volunteer into an evangelist and publisher.
He then walks through the book’s retreat path: learning to gaze, remain, become, love, and abide. Their conversation explores the Holy Face of Jesus, formation with Mary, the Beatitudes, the Cross, Eucharistic adoration, and the joy of living with eternity in view.
Key Takeaways
- God can work through an ordinary yes. Allan’s story illustrates how family habits, daily work, and small opportunities to serve can become the foundations of a wider mission.
- Give the interior life priority. Allan identifies quiet, personal time with Jesus as the heart of Sheen’s example and the source of fruitful discipleship.
- Let Christ form you. Gazing on Jesus, remaining with Mary, and practicing the Beatitudes help turn reflection into a way of life.
- The Cross teaches us how to love. The retreat on Christ’s seven last words invites readers to contemplate forgiveness, surrender, and love at the foot of the Cross.
- Eucharistic adoration prepares us to abide with God. Spending time with Jesus now helps us grow in the relationship we hope to enjoy forever.
- Remember eternity with joy. Drawing on St. Thérèse and Fulton Sheen, Allan closes with an invitation to live our earthly responsibilities within the larger hope of everlasting life with God.
Suggested Resolutions
Choose one of the following to practice intentionally this week:
1. Accept the 30-minute challenge. Visit a church, put away your phone, and spend 30 quiet minutes with Jesus present in the tabernacle. Give yourself permission simply to be with Him.
2. Begin one retreat. Choose a ten-day retreat from *The Soul of a Disciple* and set aside a few minutes daily for its reflection, Scripture, prayer, and practical response.
3. Practice one Beatitude. Choose meekness, mercy, peacemaking, or another Beatitude, and identify one concrete way to live it in a relationship today.
4. Bring a difficulty to the Cross. Pray before a crucifix about a resentment or daily frustration. Ask Jesus to teach you how to respond with forgiveness and love.
5. Say yes to one opportunity to serve. Share a helpful reflection, encourage someone, or offer a practical act of service. Ask God to use the gifts and circumstances already present in your life.
Chapters
00:00 — Welcome and introduction to Allan Smith
01:22 — Catholic family life, daily Mass, and a plumber’s faith journey
03:45 — Discovering Fulton Sheen through *Peace of Soul*
05:46 — *Victory Over Vice* and lessons from Christ’s words on the Cross
07:19 — Sharing Sheen through radio, seminaries, and publishing
10:11 — Saying yes to God’s call in ordinary life
12:12 — The origins and purpose of *The Soul of a Disciple*
15:19 — Sheen’s Carmelite spirituality and the daily Holy Hour
17:20 — Learning to gaze: the Holy Face of Jesus
19:38 — Learning to remain: formation with the Blessed Virgin Mary
21:44 — Learning to become: living the Beatitudes
23:13 — Learning to love: the Cross and the seven last words
23:30 — Learning to abide: the Eucharist and preparation for eternity
24:05 — A bonus Holy Week retreat and a flexible daily format
26:16 — Allan’s strongest lesson from Sheen: the interior life
29:28 — The 30-minute challenge: simply being with Jesus
30:43 — Shortened attention spans and making room for deeper prayer
35:14 — Websites, books, recordings, Holy Face ministry, and a discount code
38:43 — St. Thérèse, joy, and being made for eternity
41:01 — Closing encouragement and prayers for listeners
Books and Resources
The Soul of a Disciple — Sophia Institute Press
Bishop Sheen Today — Allan’s books, recordings, videos, and resources
Holy Face Miracle — Allan’s Holy Face devotion ministry
Peace of Soul — the book that first introduced Allan to Sheen
Victory Over Vice — Fulton Sheen
Allan Smith’s Sophia Institute Press book catalog
Allan mentions **SHEEN25** for 25% off at Sophia Institute Press; his website also lists this offer.
