ATLANTA (October 8, 2026) — Author Patrick Novecosky recently joined host Jim O’Day on the Integrity Restored podcast for a conversation about the enduring witness of St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta. Drawing on themes from his new book, Icons of Mercy, Patrick reflected on how these two remarkable saints proclaimed the dignity of every human person and showed the world what it means to encounter others with mercy, compassion, and love.
Their conversation also explored how that message speaks powerfully to people struggling with addiction, loneliness, shame, and isolation. Patrick recalled Jesus’ words to St. Faustina that “the greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy”—a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. John Paul II and Mother Teresa both understood that healing begins when a person recognizes his or her God-given dignity and has the courage to bring hidden wounds into the light.
Mother Teresa famously described herself as “a little pencil in the hand of God,” allowing Him to write His love letter to the world through her life. That same invitation is open to each of us today. Jesus is waiting for us to reach out for His mercy, to bring our struggles out of the darkness, and to allow His grace to begin the work of healing. Patrick and Jim’s conversation is a hopeful reminder that God’s mercy is not merely an idea—it is a gift offered to us personally, here and now.
WATCH THE ENTIRE PODCAST HERE (28 minutes 22 seconds)
LISTEN to the audio version of the podcast here (Apple podcast)
