What if the key to your growth in holiness—and even your success with spiritual fasting—was hidden in your personality? Beth interviews Catholic author, storyteller, and pilgrimage leader Rosemary McGuire Berry to explore the surprising connection between temperament and sainthood.

Rosemary’s new book, Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints, dives deep into the ancient concept of the four temperaments: choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic. With warmth and wisdom, she and Beth discuss how each temperament comes with unique strengths, struggles, and spiritual opportunities.

Saints in Their Strengths—and Their Struggles

Ever wonder why you’re drawn to certain saints more than others? Rosemary explains that we often connect with saints who share our temperament—or who possess virtues we deeply admire. In this episode, she and Beth take a close look at two very different saints: the passionate, driven St. Paul (a classic choleric), and the quiet, steady St. Thomas Aquinas (a model phlegmatic). Through their stories, we see that sainthood isn’t about fitting a mold—it’s about embracing the path that God has uniquely designed for you.

How Temperament Affects Fasting

Beth brings in insights from her spiritual fasting course, Delay and Pray®, noting that your temperament may influence how you experience fasting. Cholerics may thrive on structure and challenge, while melancholics might approach fasting with quiet discipline or feel discouraged more easily. Sanguines may seek joy and connection in the process, and phlegmatics may quietly persist—or quietly resist. Recognizing these tendencies can be a powerful tool in building virtue with compassion and clarity.

Practical Wisdom for Growth

This episode is more than a personality discussion—it’s an invitation to understand yourself as God created you and to walk the road to holiness with greater freedom. Rosemary encourages us to take a temperament quiz (like the one in Personality Plus by Florence Littauer) and begin connecting the dots between our own lives, struggles, saints, and our spiritual practices.

A Must-Listen for Anyone Seeking Holiness

Whether you’re just learning about the four temperaments or already using them in your spiritual life, this conversation will deepen your understanding and renew your hope. By pairing real-life fasting challenges with saintly inspiration, Beth and Rosemary offer a beautiful blend of theology, psychology, and practical grace.

Help Beth reach her goal of bringing 1 Million Catholics back to the Church 

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! 

Resources from Today’s Show:

Learn more about Rosemary through her website

Connect with Rosemary on Instagram @rosemary.writer

Delay and Pray® Links:

Get your copy of Delay and Pray® (book)

The Catholic Fasting Coach

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn