Newly ordained Fr. Stan Asjes joins Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill to share the graces of his priestly ordination for the Diocese of Des Moines and his first days celebrating the sacraments. He's accompanied by lifelong family friend Fr. Frode Eikeness, a diocesan priest from Oslo, Norway, who offers a striking perspective on faith, secularization, and renewal in Scandinavia. Recorded for Independence Day, the conversation also reflects on Catholic life in America at 250 years, vocations, and Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.
Bishop Joensen and Jean Thill open on Independence Day, marking America's 250th anniversary and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the lone Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. The Bishop remembers Father Dan Gaylor and Father David Smith of Shelby County and previews the upcoming candidacy rite at St. Patrick in Council Bluffs for Sean Daley. He then welcomes Fr. Stan Asjes, newly ordained for the Diocese of Des Moines, and Fr. Frode Eikeness of Oslo, Norway — the priest whose friendship with the Asjes family began over a quarter century ago in Stavanger, where Fr. Stan was born and baptized while his father served on a NATO assignment.
Fr. Asjes describes the overwhelming love he felt during his ordination, the lengthy acclamation, the anointing of his hands with sacred chrism, and the maniturgium presented to his mother. Fr. Eikeness then opens a window onto Catholicism in deeply secularized Scandinavia, citing Bishop Erik Varden's observation that, with little left to secularize, the only direction left is upward — pointing to rising adult baptisms and converts. He traces Norway's thousand-year Christian history, the legacy of Saint Olaf (feast day July 29), and the coming 1,000-year baptismal jubilee in 2030. Bishop Joensen connects the discussion to Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas and the Church's call to draw near to the wounds of humanity.
Fr. Asjes shares the joy of his first confessions, anointings, and Masses in his early days as a priest, including concelebrating with Fr. Eikeness. Fr. Eikeness reflects warmly on two wonderful weeks in America, a vibrant and countercultural Church, and a presbyterate of nearly eighty good and holy men. The conversation looks ahead to World Youth Day in Seoul, Korea, in August 2027.
Support for the show is provided by Serra Vocations Ministry — learn more at joinSerra.org.
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