Ave Maria in the Afternoon

There is no shortage of recent literature across the political spectrum warning of the profound cultural crisis confronting the West and the erosion of the moral assumptions that once bound society together. How did we get here? Dr. Gregory Slysz argues that the fundamental cause of the West’s civilization crisis does not lie principally in modern politics or ideology, but with the rejection of th...

John Paul II famously had much to say about the dignity and vocation of women, which he explored in his apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem. While he never published a document on manhood, one can still find much to say on it in his writings. Deacon David Delaney joins us. Further Reading Viri Dignitatem: Personhood, Masculinity and Fatherhood in the Thought of John Paul II Guest Info Deacon Davi...

When we read the Psalms, we are reading the very prayer book that Jesus used. As we imitate Christ’s prayer, we learn how to give God praise and glory, and ask things of Him. Billy Kangas will be speaking on this next month at the Tapestry of Promise conference. He joins us. Learn more about the conference Guest Info Dr. Billy Kangas is the CEO of Ave Maria Radio. This is a public episode. If you...

We were made for communion with God and every human soul suffers whenever it seeks life apart from God’s divine love. The greatest tragedy of the human condition is our enslavement to sin, which separates us from that communion with God. Marcus looks at how these themes appear in today’s readings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to b...

The headlines this weekend brought news of two sudden, shocking deaths. A priest in Ecuador died while celebrating Mass when the crucifix fell of the wall and struck him – just moments after a homily in which he preached about how we prioritize our time. And a member of the US Air Force fell from the rafters during a pregame demonstration at a college football game, later dying of his injuries. If...

In every age, God gives his Church special grace to respond to the world’s challenges with love and truth. In every generation, God combats the world’s evils with a more abundant good, raising up holy servants to speak a word that will rouse us. The last century of human history has been so marked by evil and oppression that God saw fit to give us not one but two special agents of his unfathomable...

In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Pharisees attempt to trick Jesus, asking if it is lawful to pay the taxes to Caesar. Jesus answers that they should “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” We unpack the readings with Rob Corzine Guest Info Rob Corzine is the vice president of programs for the St Paul Center for Biblical Theology This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

Today is the anniversary of John Paul II’s election to the papacy. This week also marks anniversaries of two other influential people – the birth of Friedrich Nietzsche, and the death of Marie Antoinette. Marcus looks at their worldviews and what we can learn from them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemari...

Friedrich Nietzsche remains one of the most influential writers of the 19th century, and his accessible use of language helped his ideas to spread rapidly. For better or worse, he will continue to influence cultures, individuals, and peoples for centuries to come, in ways the other important thinkers of the nineteenth century probably will not. We look at his style of thought with Brad Birzer. Fur...

In the first chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul writes that those who follow Jesus have been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Every baptized believer possesses a genuine participation in divine life, in the eternal life that Jesus Christ has secured through his death and resurrection. That’s what it means to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Marcus has more. This is a publ...

Creation Matters. All of creation bears the imprint of the God who brought it into being. And therefore, creation attests to the glory of God as a book of nature in Revelation. Matthew Ramage joins us. Further Reading Why Creation Matters: The Trinitarian Case for Environmental Stewardship Guest Info Matthew J. Ramage, Ph. D. , is Professor of Theology at Benedictine College where he is co-directo...

James Talarico recently claimed that the Bible is “silent” on abortion. This claim exposes an astonishing ignorance of both history and scripture. Marcus has a response. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

In today’s First Reading, St. Paul writes to the Ephesians about how all of Salvation history, culminating in the Death and resurrection of Jesus, was envisioned by God from the beginning. And so when Paul declares that believers were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, he’s revealing the eternal horizon of the covenantal purposes that were first disclosed through Israel as a nati...

Our duty to evangelize is not an option – it is a direct command from God. So why is it so easy to make excuses for not doing it? Cy Kellett joins us with tips for planting seeds and saving souls. Further Reading How to Talk About Jesus with Anyone- Tested Techniques for Planting Seeds and Saving Souls Guest Info Cy Kellett is the host of Catholic Answers Live . He formerly hosted The Bright Side...

Under the Levitical law, the priests were obligated to keep a fire perpetually burning on the altar of sacrifice. We discuss the theology of the temple flame with Mark Giszack. Further Reading Perpetual Fire: Temple, Ritual, and Biblical Theology Guest Info Dr Mark Giszcak is Professor of Sacred Scripture at St Paul Seminary, where he also directs the Institute for Catholic Theological Formation....

Should the execution of a terrorist be a public event? History shows that societies that celebrate violence ultimately desensitize their citizens towards further violence and unrest. Marcus shares some thoughts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Caring for the old can be exhausting, but it teaches the next generation about sacrifice and the redemptive value of suffering. We talk more about it with Andrea Picciotti-Bayer. Further Reading We Hand On the Faith by Carrying Each Other’s Burdens Guest Info Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is a legal analyst for EWTN News. She also directs the Conscience Project. Follow her on Twitter @bayerpicciotti and...

As we see our society move further and further away from its Christian roots, it’s more important than ever for us to preach the radical truth of the Gospel. Even as our politics get more and more extreme, we see the negative effects of a society that lives in these extremes. We talk about the quest for a virtuous center with Thérèse Boudreaux. Guest Info Thérèse Boudreaux is a Catholic journalist...

In today’s first reading, St. Paul tells the Galatians that those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. He is describing the radical transformation that occurs when the Holy Spirit restores our fallen humanity into life in the covenant. Marcus takes a closer look at the readings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other s...

Pope John Paul II visited Jordan in the year 2000 and designated 5 pilgrimage sites that carry special spiritual blessings for those who visit all five. Steve Ray is heading there on a pilgrimage, and you can join him! He joins us to talk more about the Biblical significance of the area. Learn more about the trip Guest Info Steve Ray leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and other sites. He con...

Interest rates in the U.S. have moved up dramatically this year. James Peregoy looks at the latest financial news. Guest Info James Peregoy is co-manager of the Ave Maria Bond Fund and the Ave Maria Undiscovered Fund, and a research analyst responsible for fixed income research and trading functions. He is also responsible for the equity trading functions of the mutual funds. Before joining Schwar...

Pope Leo has announced his prayer intention for this month: mental health ministry. As America and the world in general faces a mental health crisis, it’s time to consider the role the faithful can play in helping those who are struggling with mental health. Dr. Greg Popcak joins us. Further Reading Pope’s October prayer intention: ‘For mental health ministry’ Guest Info Dr. Greg Popcak is the fou...

Why do Catholics call Mary the New Eve? This is one of the topics Karlo Broussard will be exploring at next month’s Tapestry of Promise conference in Ann Arbor. He gives us a preview. Learn more about the conference Guest Info Karlo Broussard, DPhil., a native of Southern Louisiana, left a promising musical career to devote himself full-time to the work of Catholic apologetics. As the Director of...

Mike Ditka, who died last week, was known for many things: his sweaters, his moustache, his time as a tight end for the Cowboys, and of course his leadership of the Chicago Bears. But he was also a devout Catholic who had serious thoughts about faith and masculinity. We talk about him with Pete Burak. Further Reading Mike Ditka dies at 86: Bears coach remembered for his deep faith and devotion to...

It's no secret that we are seeing a worldwide collapse of marriage. This change reveals a civilizational downfall – we have systematically abandoned this sacred institution that is responsible for producing the very people upon whom the species, and the culture, depends. Marcus has more. Further Reading The Marriage Crisis Is No Longer Just a Western Problem This is a public episode. If you would...