Auspice Maria with Bishop James Ruggieri

This episode marks the beginning of a series of episodes focused on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Bishop Ruggieri explains the historical context of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and gives an introduction to what it contains. Bishop Ruggieri emphasizes a key message from the catechism, that God draws close to us at every time and place. "I think that's really important beca...

The genealogy of Jesus is more than a list of names at the beginning of Mathew's Gospel. It's a brief summary of a deep story of salvation. Some of Jesus's ancestors were holy people, but most were imperfect at best. Bishop Ruggieri explains how the genealogy of Jesus shows God’s faithfulness through imperfect people, and invites us to trust in His plan even in times of waiting and unc...

In this episode, Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on the quiet strength and faithful obedience of St. Joseph. Through a close reading of Matthew’s Gospel, he explores Joseph’s righteousness, reverential fear, and trust in God amid mystery. This meditation invites listeners to consider how God often works through hidden lives, humble faith, and courageous yeses offered without full understanding. A f...

What would it mean to truly love without fear? One woman, through her Immaculate Conception, shows us exactly this. This episode focuses on Mary, the Mother of God, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bishop Ruggieri explains how Mary was able to love God truly and without fear. He also discusses the apparitions of Guadalupe, which show how Mary guides her children in miraculous ways. A full transcript can...

Where is the Lord asking you to trust him more deeply? In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri examines the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, a book with many readings in Advent. Bishop Ruggieri highlights the importance of trusting God over anything else. "When worship is strong, justice is strong. When worship is hollow, injustice follows." A full transcript can be found on our website at: https://...

Is holiness possible for regular people? Yes. Servant of God Ruth Pakaluk proved this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love and faithfulness. Ruth was a wife and mother who converted to Catholicism in 1980. In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri examines Ruth's life and explains how her witness provides a practical example of how to strive for holiness in the present day. The article Bish...

Bishop Ruggieri offers a reflection on immigration issues in the United States. He speaks as a shepherd of souls to explain the recent Special Message released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops about immigration. He uses the story of an ICE raid in Ohio and it's ripple effect on the community to frame the two sides of the debate, and he explains how each perspective does not...

What should a person do after hearing God's call? And is sainthood really achievable for people like us? Bishop Ruggieri answers these questions by detailing the discernment process and unpacking the universal call to a vocation to holiness. "The call to holiness is not an abstraction. It's not something for the past or the saints in stained glass windows in our churches. It's abo...

To close out Respect Life Month, Suzanne Lafreniere, Director of Public Affairs and Pro-Life Liaison for the Diocese of Portland, discussed the work she does to support pro-life efforts in Maine. Suzanne offers practical, actionable advice for Catholic Mainers who want to help build a culture of life. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Respect Life Month: https://portlanddiocese.org/respect-li...

Bishop Ruggieri encourages listeners to get involved with the March for Life and the Maine Catholic Education Initiative. He discusses how both serve the mission of the Church, building a culture of life and building the kingdom of God here on earth. Resources mentioned in this episode: Info about our trip to the March for Life: https://portlanddiocese.org/event/march-life-2026 Register for the Ma...

In this episode of the Auspice Maria podcast, Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on why the right to be born must be foundational in building a culture of life. It is the vulnerable thread in the seamless garment of our morality. If that thread is pulled, the rest begins to unravel. A full transcript, with sources, can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/thread-unravels-auspice...

In this episode of Auspice Maria , Bishop James Ruggieri addresses the often silent pain of infertility with honesty and compassion. He recognizes the pain that many couples feel as he explores the beauty of marital love, the Church’s moral teaching on reproductive technology, and the hope found in faith and perseverance. Through scripture, Church documents, and pastoral reflection, Bishop Ruggier...

Many people believe that the mind and body are somehow separate, that our bodies are not integral to our identity. In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri explains the truth that our bodies, minds and souls are all integral aspects of human nature. Bishop Ruggieri also explains how to respond to people who struggle with gender dysphoria. We must accompany them with love, though we must not be complicit i...

How should Catholics respond to the hookup culture? Bishop Ruggieri explains how with an approach rooted in faith and scientific research. Bishop Ruggieri explores how hookups and "situationships" can reduce people to objects and erode dignity, while chastity opens the path to genuine love and communion. "How is God calling you, in your daily life, to live love as a gift, freely, fa...

In this episode of Auspice Maria , Bishop Ruggieri confronts the cultural wound of pornography and its impact on human dignity and authentic friendship. Drawing from Scripture, the Catechism, and the wisdom of Plato, Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. John Paul II, he shows how lust reduces people to objects. God calls us to reject lust and pursue communion and virtuous friendship. With honest...

The Lord sends us forth whether we're ready or not. In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri opens the Great Commission and shows us its heart: faith, accompaniment and mission despite hesitation. He reminds us that the Spirit leads, redirects, and sends. "The point is that missionary outreach is our first task, and it advances by witness that invites rather than coerces. So we speak the name of...

"When we think about evangelization, we might first think of arguments, catechism classes, or homilies. These are all important, but none of them bear fruit without joy." In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri emphasizes that joy is the mark of a Christian alive in the Spirit. Not to be confused with happiness or pleasure, true joy comes from the Holy Spirit. In a divided, cynical world, joy o...

Bishop James Ruggieri explores what it truly means to be a missionary parish in 2025. Moving beyond the walls of buildings, he reflects on the parish as a living community of faith, called to proclaim the Gospel, foster encounters with Christ, and build the kingdom of God. Drawing on the teachings of Vatican II and Canon Law, Bishop Ruggieri challenges us to reclaim a vision of parish life centere...

This week, Bishop Ruggieri speaks about our call to live the Gospel in the everyday moments of life. He explores how ordinary things like work, school, and friendship can become pathways to holiness. His excellency cites the example of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati to show us how we can lift others to holiness without succumbing to despair. He also gives practical advice for supporting teen parent...

Bob McDermott is the Director of the Office of Safe Environment for the Diocese of Portland. He joined our Communications Manager, Jake Buttarazzi, to talk through everything our diocese does to make sure children, and vulnerable adults, are safe in our communities. These efforts have made our churches some of the safest places for children, despite what many people think. A full transcript can be...

In this week’s episode of the Auspice Maria Podcast, Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on what it means to evangelize culture. He invites us to see how faith meets daily life—in our media, our art, our education, our politics, and even in the small choices we make at home. With the guidance of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and St. Francis of Assisi, Bishop Ruggieri reminds us that culture is n...

In this week’s episode of Auspice Maria, Bishop Ruggieri invites us into a powerful reflection on how justice and mercy are not extras in the life of the Church—they’re essential to how we evangelize. He explores the heart of Catholic social teaching and shows how real evangelization happens not just in words, but in action: when we serve the poor, visit the sick, comfort the sorrowful, and advoca...

What does it mean to live a vocational life? How do our unique vocations build the Kingdom of God? In this episode, Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on the power of saying “yes” to God’s invitation, drawing wisdom from Scripture, Church teaching, and the example of the Blessed Mother. Whether married, single, ordained, or consecrated, your life has a mission. Jesus wants you to live it with purpose,...

What is the Kingdom of God, and where do we find it? In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri reflects on the heart of Jesus’ message—a kingdom already among us, yet still to come in fullness. He invites us to consider how the Church is called to live this kingdom now: by building a culture of love, life, and mercy. This is not just a future hope, but a present call—to live as citizens of heaven while sti...

We all struggle to fill our lives with meaning. Some search for satisfaction from success, comfort, or independence, though these things often fail to fill our "existential vacuum." Bishop James Ruggieri invites listeners to consider a deeper question: Why do we feel so empty? What are we really living for? This episode explores how the Catholic Church—through its sacraments, community,...