Why Catholic?

Justin Hibbard continues our series on The Mass by looking at the four areas where Jesus shows up at Mass: in the Word, in the Eucharist, in the Priest, and in the people. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Follow Justin on Facebook. SHOW NOTES Can Sinful Priests Celebrate Mass? Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/sub...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the Mass by talking about what it means to orient ourselves to the Mass. For Catholics, Mass isn’t a worship service we attend. It’s core to who we are. Learn how preparation and perspective can totally change how we think about the Mass, how we interact with the Mass, and how Mass can transform us. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the Mass by exploring the Jewish roots of the Mass. How must we understand Jesus’ command to “Do this in remembrance of me?” within the context of the Judaism. In this episode, Justin explores how Passover serves as the context of the Passover, focusing on the elements of leaven, the Afikoman, the Cup of Redemption, and the sacrifice of the Lamb. SOCIAL LINKS...

Justin Hibbard begins a new series on the Mass by focusing on the sacramental and mystical nature of Mass. Is Mass just a bunch of rote rituals? Or have we been looking at it all wrong? Hear why story, imagination, and the Jewish understanding of remembrance are key to entering into the Mass. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Follow Justin o...

Justin Hibbard answers one of his most frequently asked questions - Why Catholic and not Eastern Orthodox? In this longer than normal episode, Justin Hibbard addresses the anti-Catholicism that’s at the root of Protestantism, takes a deep dive into the historical record of the Church, delves into the longstanding conflict between Rome and Constantinople, and calls attention to the Catholic Church’...

Why did Jesus have to ascend into Heaven? In this episode, in conjunction with the solemnity of the Ascension, Justin Hibbard examines the events of the Ascension, why Jesus ascended into Heaven, and how they line up with events in the Exodus story. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Follow Justin on Facebook. SHOW NOTES * Episode 48: The Poe...

Join Justin Hibbard and Father Parsad on an epic pilgrimage to France in April 2027, as we trace the paths of French Saints. We'll visit cities like Lisieux, Normandy, Paris, Toulouse, Mont-Saint-Michel and more. Every day will include an apologetics talk by Justin Hibbard and private Mass at some of the world's most iconic churches celebrated by Fr. Parsad. In this episode, you’ll also learn abou...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard shares what some common experiences that Protestant Clergy face on their journey to the Catholic Church. He shares some of the lessons learned at the second annual Clergy Convert Conference and draws on his story as well as the stories of others who have made the leap from Protestant clergy one day to Catholic laity the next. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on In...

On May 2nd, the Catholic Church celebrates the life of St. Athanasius - Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Born in the late 200s in Alexandria - one of the major hubs of Christianity. While we remember St. Athanasius as a hero of the early church, he had lots of enemies in his day, who sent him into exile on five different occasions. We often think that the First Council of Nicaea did away with the...

In the series finale of the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard applies key takeaways from the ecumenical councils to a hypothetical scenario if he were Pope and convening the Church’s 22nd ecumenical council. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Follow Justin on Facebook. PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES * Episode 146: Introduction t...

Justin Hibbard reflects on the 21 Ecumenical Councils with 6 lessons learned. What is the point of an ecumenical council? How did geopolitics play a role in these councils? What do these councils teach us about the problem of schism? How do these councils speak to the Catholic Church being the historic, true church? What’s the relationship between some of the councils and the crusades? And what is...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils by examining the 21st and most recent ecumenical council. Why was this by far the largest ecumenical council? Who beyond the Bishops attended this council? How did the council fathers wrestle power away from the Curia? What decisions did it make? How did it call for liturgical reforms? And why has Vatican II received a bad rap? SOCI...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by examining the Catholic Church’s 20th council - the First Vatican Council. After 306 years, why did the Church decide to call another council? What were the major social factors going on at the time? And why was this council particularly controversial? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Cath...

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard talks about the Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant revolution: the Council of Trent and the Counter Reformation. What social revolutions were at play that delayed this council from starting? What decisions were made at this 19th ecumenical council? And how did the church continue the counter-reformation after its...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils by exploring the uprising against the Catholic Church in Europe known as the Protestant Reformation. But was it really a reformation, or was it a revolution? Who were the key players in this movement, and did the movement ultimately succeed in its goals? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by The Fifth Lateran Council. How did the Age of Discovery influence the Church? What were some of the major problems scandalizing the Catholic faith? And how did the Church’s 18th ecumenical council prove to be too little too late? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Fol...

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard talks about the Council of Florence, which occurred in Basel, Ferrara, Florence, and Rome. What began as an attempt to thwart papal supremacy led to one of the most potentially significant councils in history as the Eastern Greek Church united with the Western Latin Church. Would that unity survive? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow W...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Council by examining the 16th Council - the Council of Constance, which met to solve the dilemma of three rival popes. How did the council solve the Great Western Schism, and how did it address some of the forerunners of Protestantism? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Follow Justin on...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical by examining the history between the Councils of Vienne and Constance. Why did the papacy move from Rome to Avignon? Who were the seven French Popes that make up the Avignon Papacy? And how did the return of the papacy to Rome lead to the Great Western Schism where three men claimed to be the rightful Pope? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic...

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard uncovers one of the most controversial councils - the Council of Vienne (Vienne, France… not Vienna, Austria). How did this council become a puppet of the French Monarch, begin the Avignon Papacy, and result in the unjust dissolution of the Knights Templar? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscrib...

It’s the end of the Great Schism between the Western Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church! Well… sort of. Justin Hibbard continues our series on the Catholic Church’s 14th ecumenical council - the Second council of Lyon, where Pope Gregory X tackled ending the Great Schism, the crusades, papal election reform, and a few other reforms. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * S...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Council by examining the 13th general council. How did an unruly emperor lead to this council and force it take take place in France? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Follow Justin on Facebook. SOURCES: * The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils with an examination of the Catholic Church’s 12th council - the Fourth Lateran Council. What made this different than the other three Lateran councils that occurred in rapid succession, and why is it considered the most influential council of the Middle Ages and one of the most impactful in Church history? SOCIAL LINKS * Foll...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by explaining the Catholic Church’s 11th council - the Third Lateran Council. How did a 20-year schism made up of 4 antipopes lead to this council, and what reforms did this council seek to implement for both the Church and general society? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTub...

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard talks about the Second Lateran Council - the Catholic Church’s 10th general council. How did a fake pope prompt this council, and what were the decisions that were made in the three short days of this council’s duration? SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Follo...