Saintly Inspiration: Embracing Lent with the Saints Artwork

Rebel Saints: A Catholic Podcast for Restless Hearts

Okay, here’s the quick “how it started” vs. “how it’s going” rundown.

It all kicked off when I was a youth minister, scrambling to convince a room full of teenagers that following Jesus isn’t some dusty obligation. It’s the most radical, wonderfully weird adventure you can choose.

Fast-forward to now: by day, I’m a Catholic journalist at a newspaper, diving into the Church’s headlines. The inspiring moments, the tough ones, and all the very human stuff in between. But I needed more than bylines. I wanted a space to live the faith out loud, not just report on it, with you.

When I first heard that famous line from St. Augustine, it pierced my heart because it all made sense then: “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

I believe that restlessness is a gift. It’s what keeps us from settling, from blending in. I don’t want to fit in anyway. I want to lean into the Gospel’s wild side: loving enemies, finding joy in chaos (even in 2026), and chasing holiness one messy step at a time.

No perfect-saint filters here. I’m Nicole. I'm a wife, mom, Catholic journalist, photographer. I fail plenty, but I keep showing up. If you’re tired of polished piety and ready to get real about being counter-cultural, honest, and a little rebellious in your faith, you’re home.

Let’s be rebel saints together.

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Rebel Saints: A Catholic Podcast for Restless Hearts

Saintly Inspiration: Embracing Lent with the Saints

February 20, 2024 • Episode 8

0:00 | 7:14

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In this episode of Rebel Saints, we draw wisdom from the lives of three remarkable saints—St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Teresa of Calcutta—as we explore how to embrace Lent with their exemplary devotion and selflessness. Join us on this enlightening journey as we uncover the timeless lessons and spiritual insights they offer for our Lenten pilgrimage.

This episode invites listeners to delve into the lives of these Rebel Saints and discover how their radical love for God and others can inspire us to make the most of this sacred season.

From St. Teresa of Avila's teachings on prayer and contemplation to St. Francis of Assisi's radical poverty and humility, and St. Teresa of Calcutta's unwavering dedication to serving the poor and marginalized, we explore how their lives exemplify the essence of Lent—self-sacrifice, compassion, and a deepening of our relationship with God.

We uncover how the virtues embodied by these saints can transform our Lenten observance, guiding us towards a more meaningful and fulfilling experience of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

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