Abbot Bradley R. Vanden Branden, O. Praem., was elected the eighth abbot of St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, WI on January 15, 2026, and received his abbatial blessing on April 18, 2026.

In what may be his first longform sit-down interview outside of print media, Abbot Brad joins Fr. Edward for a wide-ranging conversation about his vocational discernment, Norbertine spirituality, and the mission of the Canons Regular of Prémontré in the United States.
The conversation explores the life of St. Norbert of Xanten — including the famous “spider incident” and his title as the Apostle of the Eucharist — while also introducing listeners to the unique charism and communal life of the Norbertines.

Abbot Brad reflects on the Chapter of Election and shares what was going through his mind as it became clear he would be chosen as abbot, including the prayers that sustained him in that moment. He also discusses the meaning behind his episcopal motto and newly designed coat of arms.

Along the way, Fr. Edward asks a series of personal and spiritual questions:

• Which Norbertines most inspired him?
• If he had taken a religious name, what would he have chosen?
• Which spiritual books would he recommend?
• What Marian title is closest to his heart?
• Which saintly intercessor does he turn to most?

This episode offers a rare and personal introduction to the new abbot of one of America’s most historic Norbertine communities.

Fr. Edward sits down with Brian O’Neel, founder of the website dedicated to locating the burial places of saints, blesseds, and holy men and women, to explore a question many Catholics have never thought to ask: Where are the saints buried—and how can I find them?
Brian shares how his passion for the saints led him to document their tombs and create a resource for pilgrims seeking these sacred places. Together, they discuss shrines, sanctuaries, and pilgrimage opportunities—especially those hidden in plain sight across the United States.

Drawing from his own travels, Fr. Edward reflects on experiences in Rome, where nearly every church holds the relics or remains of a saint, and shares stories from his visits to graves and tombs throughout the country—and the graces he has encountered along the way.

Why visit a grave if you can pray anywhere? What makes these places spiritually significant? And what should you actually do when you arrive?

Whether you’re planning a pilgrimage or simply curious about deepening your devotion to the saints, this conversation offers practical guidance and spiritual insight. The episode even concludes with Brian helping Fr. Edward plan a future pilgrimage to New York.
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Visit his website: saintstombs.com](saintstombs.com)
Buy His Book: Saint Who? https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Who-39-Holy-Unknowns/dp/1616362421

Fr. Edward sits down with Catholic speaker and author Greg Willits to explore the life and spirituality of one of the Church’s greatest Marian saints, St. Louis de Montfort—a figure Greg warmly calls “our dear friend Montfort.”

While many know St. Louis de Montfort for True Devotion to Mary, this conversation turns to a lesser-known but deeply powerful work: Love of Eternal Wisdom, the saint’s first written book. Greg shares how this often-overlooked text transformed his own spiritual life and inspired his latest project, which pairs personal reflections with selections from the original work (reprinted with permission of the Montfortian Fathers).

Together, they discuss:

• Why St. Louis de Montfort remains one of the most influential Marian saints in the Church
• The unique structure and message of Love of Eternal Wisdom
• How encountering the love of Jesus can change everything
• Why God does not hate us—and how that truth can reshape our lives
• A passage from the book that has deeply impacted Greg
• How listeners can relate to Greg’s story and find encouragement in their own journey

This conversation is an invitation to rediscover a spiritual classic—and to encounter Christ, Eternal Wisdom, in a way that brings lasting joy.

Buy the book: https://sophiainstitute.com/?product=god-doesnt-hate-me-after-all&oid=811&affid=203