Ora - the podcast of Madonna House Publications
This podcast presents audio versions of Restoration, the newspaper of the Madonna House Apostolate, a Catholic community founded in 1947 by Servant of God Catherine Doherty. Drawing from daily life of the community, it shares joys and struggles in living the Gospel without compromise. The episodes are produced by Madonna House Publications as part of their evangelizing outreach.
Episodes
What is Prayer (Part 2), by Catherine Doherty
By Catherine Doherty, excerpted from the book, "Soul of my Soul"Restoration is the newspaper of Madonna House. Its goal, in Catherine Doherty’s (founder) words, is to “foster the love of God, love for his Church, and the realization that man, if he continues to live without God in this mad and tragic world, will perish.”We strive to achieve this goal with a colorful, down-to-earth array of reflect
What is Prayer (Part 1), by Catherine Doherty
By Catherine Doherty, excerpted from the book, "Soul of my Soul"Restoration is the newspaper of Madonna House. Its goal, in Catherine Doherty’s (founder) words, is to “foster the love of God, love for his Church, and the realization that man, if he continues to live without God in this mad and tragic world, will perish.”We strive to achieve this goal with a colorful, down-to-earth array of reflect
It's OK to be a Lousy Dancer
By Echo Lewis, published in Restoration, November 2006Read by Hope GosselinRestoration is the newspaper of Madonna House. Its goal, in Catherine Doherty’s (founder) words, is to “foster the love of God, love for his Church, and the realization that man, if he continues to live without God in this mad and tragic world, will perish.”We strive to achieve this goal with a colorful, down-to-earth array
I Am Lousy at Sports
By Paul Moore, published in Restoration, April 2019FREE GIFT! Receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, subscribe and leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encouragement on the journey. New reco
Gymnastics Was My Life
By Catherine Mercugliano, published in Restoration, January 2022Read by her sister, Hope MercuglianoFREE GIFT! Receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, subscribe and leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone wh
Sports - A School of Life
By Pope Pope Leo XIV, published in Restoration, July 2026FREE GIFT! Receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, subscribe and leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encouragement on the journey. Ne
Becoming the Best
By Jose de Vinck, published in Restoration, April 2018FREE GIFT! Receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, subscribe and leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encouragement on the journey. New r
A Homesick Moment
By Jessica Pierlot, published in Restoration, April 2019Read by Hope MercuglianoFREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encourageme
Our Family Goes to Cana
By Deacon Forrest Wallace, Associate Deacon of Madonna House. Published in Restoration, July 2011FREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who ma
A Woman of Hope
By Mark Olszewski, published in Restoration, August 2025FREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encouragement on the journey. New
I Was an Ideological Catholic
By Nicholas Da Silva, published in Restoration, July 2018Read by Matthew GosselinFREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encouragem
I Can Serve As I Am
By Ryan Graves, published in Restoration, July 2021FREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encouragement on the journey. New record
The Blue Jay in the Greenhouse
By Mirjana Villeneuve, published in Restoration, July 2023Read by Hope MercuglianoFREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encourage
My Surreal Film Festival
By Tom Kluger, published in Restoration, September 2004Read by Augustine MercuglianoFREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encoura
But It’s Just a Potato!
By Denis Lemieux, published in Restoration, September 2004Read by Matthew GosselinFREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners. Most importantly, share the episode with someone who may need encourage
Thoughts in Summertime
By Fr. David May, published in Restoration, July 2023FREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners.New articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen.Restor
Stake Your Lives on It
By St. Pope John Paul II, published in Restoration July 2021FREE! Our gift to you: receive "Restoration" each month in your POSTAL mailbox:https://madonnahouse.org/resources/restoration/#orderfreeIf you find Ora meaningful, leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! This will help get the show in front of more new listeners.New articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen
Why Do They Come?
by Catherine DohertyPublished in Restoration, July 2021New articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publica
Entering into Gospel Foolishness
By Meaghan Boyd & Alex Do, published in Restoration, July 2021Read by Hope MercuglianoNew articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscription to Restorati
Feast of Our Lady of Combermere
By Fr. George Ryan Holly Published in Restoration, September 2024This article appears in Restoration in September, 2024. In the absence of a bishop in the Diocese of Pembroke at the time, Fr. George Ryan Holly, Diocesan Administrator, was the main celebrant for the Madonna House community Mass on June 8, 2024 at which our members made or renewed their promises of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
God’s Will Was Scary
By Hope MercuglianoRead by Catherine MercuglianoPublished in Restoration, February 2020New articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen. YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj2sAACSoGq6Oi0rwb3cSob-CYp4TddoO&si=NoMQpWWg7E1WYY3USubscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, an
The Other 2%
By Fr. Stéphane PouliotPublished in Restoration, May 2004New articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen. YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj2sAACSoGq6Oi0rwb3cSob-CYp4TddoO&si=NoMQpWWg7E1WYY3USubscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the g
Do You Want God?
By Fr. Bob WildPublished in Restoration, February 2012New articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen. YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj2sAACSoGq6Oi0rwb3cSob-CYp4TddoO&si=NoMQpWWg7E1WYY3USubscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gosp
Riveted on Jesus
by Cheryl Ann SmithPublished in Restoration, November 2006Read by Hope MercuglianoNew articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen.YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj2sAACSoGq6Oi0rwb3cSob-CYp4TddoO&si=NoMQpWWg7E1WYY3USubscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends!Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free r
Present to Us at Every Moment
By Fr. Robert WildPublished in Restoration, April 2026New articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen. YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj2sAACSoGq6Oi0rwb3cSob-CYp4TddoO&si=NoMQpWWg7E1WYY3USubscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gosp
Why Don’t We Have Joy?
By Catherine DohertyPublished in Restoration, April 2019Read by Hope MercuglianoNew articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen.YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj2sAACSoGq6Oi0rwb3cSob-CYp4TddoO&si=NoMQpWWg7E1WYY3USubscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends!Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free res
Whatever Happened to Adam and Eve
By Veronica Ferri, published in Restoration - April 2024Read by Hope MercuglianoClick here to see the "Harrowing of Hell" icon mentioned in this recording: https://madonnahouse.org/whatever-happened-to-adam-and-eve-by-veronica-ferri/New articles released weekly. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with
How an Old Man Got New Eyes: An Easter Story
by Jude FischerPublished in Restoration - April 2007 (This story can also be found in Jude's book, Be Always Little, available here: https://publications.madonnahouse.org/collections/books/products/be-always-little)"Story Time" is brought to you by Madonna House Publications.Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscrib
Drink Deeply in the Days Ahead
by Fr. Paul Burchat, published in Restoration - April 2025New articles released weekly (with occasional bonus episodes!). Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscri
Prayer is the Key
By St. Pope John Paul II, published in Restoration - March 2001 New articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscription to Restoration
My Journey into Prayer
by Sandra Wood, published in Restoration - January 2023Read by Hope MercuglianoNew articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscription
The Boy Who Was Scared of Dying
Written by Jude FischerRead by Matthew Gosselin"Story Time" is brought to you by Madonna House Publications.Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and share with your friends.Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscripti
The Story of Poustinia
By Miriam Stulberg, published in Restoration - September 2025New articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscription to Restoration, b
Bulldozing
By Catherine Doherty, published in Restoration - December 2021 Read by Augustine MercuglianoNew articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a fre
Worth the Risk?
by Cheryl Ann Smith, published in Restoration December 2020Read by Hope MercuglianoNew articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscrip
My First Lent at Madonna House
By Tom Kluger, published in Restoration March 2003Read by Augustine MercuglianoNew articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscription
It’s Hard to Really Love
By Catherine Doherty, published in Restoration - January 2009 New articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscription to Restoration,
Who Carries My Sins?
By Sue Perreca, published in Restoration - March 2001 Read by Hope MercuglianoNew articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and - if you find the article meaningful, share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a free subscription
And He Shall Wipe All tears From their Eyes
A Legend, by Steve HerouxThis month, we are pleased to offer stories and legends from Madonna House. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Resto
Helping People Love Me
By Fr. Bob Wild, published in Restoration - August 2025 New articles released every Saturday. Search "ORA Madonna House" wherever you listen, and on YouTube. Subscribe, comment, and share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse
How to Avoid Being Overwhelmed
By Patrick Stewart, published in Restoration - August 2025 Read by Augustine MercuglianoNew articles released every Saturday. Subscribe, comment, and share with your friends! Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/
A Day of Work in Madonna House
How do we live our life here in Combermere? Patrick Stewart takes us on a lively short journey.Here's the link to the article "A Day of Work in Madonna House," which includes some great photos to go along with this week's podcast: https://madonnahouse.org/a-day-of-work-in-madonna-house-by-patrick-stewart/Come for a visit or retreat https://madonnahouse.org/contact/New articles released every Sat
Finding the Sparks of God
Finding the Sparks of GodBy Fr. Pat McNulty, published in Restoration - January 2009New articles released every Saturday. Subscribe, comment, and share with your friends!Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/
The Hope Book
By Suzanne Stubbs, published in Restoration: April 2021 Read by Hope MercuglianoNew articles released every Saturday. Subscribe, comment, and share with your friends!Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/
Story Telling
by Catherine Doherty, published in Restoration December 2000Read by Hope MercuglianoLearn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/
Christ is Born
This special musical selection for Christmas is from "Madonna House: The Music of Advent and Christmas Vespers"Recorded from Our Lady of the Woods chapel in Combermere, Ontario, the Madonna House community invites you to join us in our musical tribute to the blessed season of Advent, followed by our celebration of Christmas Vespers. It is our hope that this extremely unique and prayerful recording
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
This special musical selection for the 4th Sunday of Advent is from "Madonna House: The Music of Advent and Christmas Vespers"Recorded from Our Lady of the Woods chapel in Combermere, Ontario, the Madonna House community invites you to join us in our musical tribute to the blessed season of Advent, followed by our celebration of Christmas Vespers. It is our hope that this extremely unique and pray
Christmas in Combermere
Written by Catherine Doherty, published in Restoration, December 2022Read by Hope MercuglianoLearn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/
Gaudete
This special musical selection for the 3rd Sunday of Advent is from "Madonna House: The Music of Advent and Christmas Vespers"Recorded from Our Lady of the Woods chapel in Combermere, Ontario, the Madonna House community invites you to join us in our musical tribute to the blessed season of Advent, followed by our celebration of Christmas Vespers. It is our hope that this extremely unique and pray
The Little Christmas Angel O'Ryan
Written by Eddie Doherty, from the book "Donkey Bells - Advent and Christmas" available here: https://madonnahouse.org/store/Includes meditations to prepare the heart for Christ’s coming, Advent and Christmas traditions as lived at Madonna House, and stories to be read aloud year after year, Donkey Bells brings the celebration of Christ’s birth into the home and into daily life.Learn more about o
Becoming Small Enough to Think Big
By Fr. David May, published in Restoration, December 2007Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/
Was Your Suffering Fruitful?
by Caryll HouselanderExcerpted from The Reed of God (1978), pp. 36–38. Arena Lettres. It is now published by Ave Maria Press. This excerpt was published in Restoration, December, 2022Read by Hope MercuglianoLearn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse
Give It Your All - Then Give It All Away
by Fr. David May, published in Restoration, November 2024Learn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/
God With Me in My Loss
by Helen Porthouse, published in Restoration, November 2000Read by Hope MercuglianoLearn more about our way of life, programs, and free resources to live the gospel: https://madonnahouse.org/For a subscription to Restoration, books, and more:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/
The Joys of Letting Go
The Joys of Letting GoBy Fr. David May, published in Restoration: November 2010
How Death Became Life
by Catherine Doherty From "Not Without Parables", available from Madonna House Publications:https://publications.madonnahouse.org/collections/books/products/not-without-parablesRead by Hope Mercugliano
Hope in God’s Promises
By Doreen Dykers, published in Restoration - October 2024Read by Hope Mercugliano
Oh, for a Can of Coke!
by Tom Kluger, published in Restoration August 2005Read by Augustine Mercugliano
Out of the Collapse of a Civilization A Paper was Born
Something unusual happened recently here in Combermere. We had a change of editors for Restoration. It was only the 5th time in 76 years. Catherine and Eddie Doherty were the original editors and founders of the paper. Then, between 1975 and 2023, came Fr. John Callahan, myself, Denis Lemieux (now Father Denis), and Paulette Curran. Teresa Reilander is the new editor and is already busily engaged
A Story About a Horse
A story about a horse at St. Benedict's Farm, by Scott EganThis recorded article appears in Restoration, March 2003
Dishes, Dishes, Dishes
by Mary Pennefather Mary P. wrote these three short articles when she was a fairly new staff worker.
Glimpses of the Kingdom
by Steve HerouxThis is an excerpt from a talk given during our summer program.This recorded article appears in Restoration, February 2024
Seeing with God's Eyes
By Chuck SharpThis recorded article appears in Restoration, October 2000
Celebrating 75 Years
Celebrating 75 years of Madonna House CombermereThis recorded article appears in the May-June 2022 issue of Restoration.
Introduction
A short introduction to Ora, the podcast of Madonna House.
