About Patrick

“I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.” *

PATRICK MADRID is the author of numerous books and the host of the daily “Patrick Madrid Show” on Relevant Radio. The program airs nationally on 225 AM and FM stations and globally on the Relevant Radio app. Raised in Southern California, he was baptized at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Whittier and attended the parish grammar school at Mission San Juan Capistrano. For several years, he served as an altar boy at the Mission’s daily Traditional Latin Mass in its historic Serra Chapel. Patrick and his wife Nancy were married on February 7th, 1981. They have 11 children and many grandchildren.

Work at Catholic Answers

Patrick worked at Catholic Answers from 1988 to 1996. His responsibilities included writing for the organization’s newsletter and magazine. He also presented many seminars and fielded thousands of live audience questions at parishes, universities, and conferences across the U.S. His 2012 book Envoy for Christ: 25 Years as a Catholic Apologist is a memoir of his activities up to that point. In early 1996 he left Catholic Answers to embark on a career as an author and, later, radio host.

Books and Publications

Patrick wrote or edited 26 books. He has also contributed chapters, forewords, and introductions to others. His books have appeared in several foreign-language editions, and many of his articles are available on Substack. He also contributed articles on apologetics to the New Catholic Encyclopedia.

Public Speaking

Since the late 1980s, Patrick spoke at many events across the country and internationally including, for 25 years, at Franciscan University of Steubenville’s annual “Defending the Faith” Conference. He participated in a dozen formal, public debates with Protestant ministers, including Calvinists, Lutherans, Baptists, as well as with Mormon representatives. In 2023, Patrick retired from public speaking.

Envoy

In 1996, Patrick founded the Envoy Institute, formerly known as Envoy Communications, launching Envoy Magazine, a full-color Catholic journal that gained a national readership until it was discontinued in 2011. (See a full digital issue of Envoy Magazine.)

Television & Radio

Patrick wrote and hosted television series for EWTN, including Pope Fiction, Search & Rescue, and Where Is That in the Bible? He was also a repeat guest on programs such as The Journey Home, EWTN Live, and Bookmark. In 2000, he provided theological and historical commentary during the network’s live coverage of Pope John Paul II’s historic apostolic visit to the Holy Land.

In 2006, Patrick became host of the Thursday edition of EWTN’s Open Line radio program and, since 2012, has hosted the Patrick Madrid Show, which airs nationally on Relevant Radio and globally on the Relevant Radio app.

Education and Teaching

Patrick holds a B.S. in business management from the University of Phoenix, a B.Phil. in philosophy, and an M.A. in dogmatic theology (summa cum laude) from the Pontifical College Josephinum Major Seminary. He also did graduate studies in theology in the University of Dallas IRPS program.

Patrick has taught apologetics as an adjunct professor at institutions including Franciscan University of Steubenville, Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Saint Patrick’s Seminary and University, and the Pontifical College Josephinum Seminary. In 2026, Holy Apostles College and Seminary conferred an honorary Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D., honoris causa) upon him.

Patrick has served on the board of trustees of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology and serves on the board of the Pontifical College Josephinum. He is a knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In 2020, Christendom College bestowed its Pro Deo et Patria award on him when he delivered that year’s commencement address.

* St. Patrick of Ireland