Ave Maria in the Afternoon

Jonathan Rinderknecht—the Uber driver charged with setting the blaze that killed twelve people and destroyed thousands of homes— has professed an admiration for Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Anne Hendershott discusses how we are shaped by the cultural habit of looking outward to decide who to become. Further Reading Opinion: The destructive cult...

Many people today, especially in the younger generations, root their identity in a particular social movement as they seek validation. But such validation can only be found, ultimately, in God. Marcus has more. Further Reading Opinion: The destructive culture of persona and the increasing loss of character This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

The Ascension shows us a biblical narrative of Christ being enthroned because He ascends into heaven to receive His place at the right hand of God the Father. His full divine nature was always Lord and now His full human nature has ascended and is now fully Lord of heaven and earth. Marcus has more. Further Reading How Christ’s ascension takes the training wheels off our faith This is a public epi...

When St. Thomas Aquinas explains the meaning of the Gloria in the rite of Mass, he says that it “commemorates heavenly glory, to which we tend after the misery of this life.” The Mass, from the very moment of the consecration, makes Christ present as he is now in heaven. On this Feast of the Ascension, we look at how Christ’s Ascension is highlighted in the Mass with Fr. Michael Eades. Further Rea...

New legislation introduced today would ensure parents can arrange for burial or cremation after a pregnancy loss. Known as the Bereaved Parents Act, the bill is sponsored by Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, who practiced as an OBGYN for more than 25 years. Michael New tells us more about it. Further Reading Legislation Would Ensure Parents Can Arrange Burial or Cremation After Pregnancy Loss Foll...

Amid all the concerns about artificial intelligence eradicating humans from the workforce, we must base our conversation in the language of the church. AI must serve the dignity of human persons. Everything we do in the sphere of the development of this technology must be to that end. Marcus has more. Furter Reading AI and the Worker: Rerum Novarum’s 135-Year-Old Warning This is a public episode....

Looking to dive deeper into the Rosary? Fr. Daniel Klimek joins us with a look at the thought of Pope St. John Paul II, St. John of the Cross, St. Josemaría Escrivá, St. Faustina Kowalska, and mystics such as Venerable Maria of Ágreda and Caryll Houselander, uncovering little-known spiritual treasures that will enrich the prayer and reflection of all. Further Reading With Jesus and Mary: Reflectio...

How can men and women become good gifts to one another? Andrew Comiskey is hosting a conference that will explore the wounds we carry in our sexual identity and how they distort the way we see ourselves and eachother. It’s on May 30th at Mother of God Parish in Southfield and attendance is free! Andy has the details. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber...

Today presents us with two sets of readings: one for the Feast of the Ascension, and the other for the Feast of St Matthias. Matthias was the apostle chosen to succeed Judas, and his succession set the standard for the Apostolic succession we still observe today. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vis...

The Apparitions at Fatima are one of the most consequential events of the 20th century. We celebrate the miracle with Dr. Mark Miravalle. Guest Info Dr. Mark Miravalle earned his Sacred Theological Doctorate at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He holds the Saint John Paul II Chair of Mariology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has been teaching since 1986....

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed a prayer that still echoes across the Church today: “That they may all be one.” That’s the title of a new film, in theaters May 19 and 20. Michael Girgenti, who plays Jesus in the film, joins us. Guest Info Michael Girgenti plays Jesus in the upcoming film That They Might be One. Learn more about the film at thattheymightbeonefilm.com This is a pub...

Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has made it clear that he understands the role of the courts in holding the federal government accountable. Two recent opinions — one checking the hasty work of the FDA in approving mail-order abortions, and another affirming the benign posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools — illustrate why he deserves attention....

There is a movement afoot in American education to restore the teaching of civics in a way that presents America as lovable and worthy of its citizens’ service. Catholics are well-positioned to join this movement. What we need now is for Catholics to do so eagerly. Thomas Harmon has more. Further Reading Catholic Education Needs Civic Formation Guest Info Dr. Thomas P. Harmon is Professor and Scan...

The bishop of Mozambique’s Catholic Diocese of Pemba has expressed sorrow following a terrorist attack that destroyed the historic St. Louis de Montfort Parish in Cabo Delgado province, saying the local community “remains in shock” after the assault. Ed Clancy tells us more. Further Reading Catholic community in shock after terrorists torch historic church in Mozambique Guest Info Edward Clancy is...

The Vatican warned the SSPX today that its plan to consecrate new bishops without papal mandate will represent a schismatic act resulting in excommunication. The ball is now in the SSPX’s court. But while they claim to be saving the Church, man cannot save his family by burning down his house. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

In a recent address to the Vatican Observatory Foundation, Pope Leo said that the primary threat facing both science and religion is the denial of objective truth. The fact that something so self-evident even needs to be said says much about the state of our society. Marcus has more. Further Reading Pope Warns Main Threat Common to Religion and Science Is Denial of Objective Truth This is a public...

We are fast approaching the Great Feast of Pentecost, which we will celebrate a week from Sunday. We look at the meaning of the feast and its Biblical significance with Steve Ray. Guest Info Steve Ray leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and other sites. He converted to Catholicism in 1994 and is the author of “Crossing the Tiber,” “Upon this Rock” and other books, including a brand-new study...

Shakespeare’s plays continue to be treasured by millions around the world. Dr. Henry Russell is directing a performance of one of Shakespeare’s early comedies, Love’s Labour’s Lost, in Ann Arbor this spring. He joins us to dive deeper into the meaning of Shakespeare’s works. The performances are Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, May 17 and 3:00 pm at the U-M Lydia Mendelss...

The annual Archbishop’s Gala, which raises support for current and future seminarians in the Archdiocese of Detroit, is coming up on June 4 at St John’s in Plymouth. Fr. Brian Meldrum joins us to talk about the event and seminary formation. Click Here to learn more about the Gala here Guest Info Fr. Brian Meldrum is assistant professor of theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, where he also serv...

In today’s First Reading, we are taken to a prison in Philippi, where Paul and Silas were taken for preaching the Gospel. When an earthquake opened their cell doors, they remained behind and shared the Good news with their jailer. Any Catholic who treats the faith as a private devotional practice has already given in to a modern life, a theology of isolation that will result in the fragmentation o...

In order to bring Christ to the culture, we must first connect Christ to our own lives. Jeff Schiefelbein is doing this work through his “Beati-dudes” podcast. He joins us. Guest Info Jeff Schiefelbein is an award-winning entrepreneur, national motivational speaker, and culture-building expert Jeff serves on several nonprofit boards, including The Highlands School and The Catholic Foundation. He a...

The Sisters of Life believe that every person is sacred, unique, unrepeatable, and infinitely loved by God. And this is the message they bring to the inner cities of New York, serving mothers in desperate situations. Sister Maris Stella has more. Guest Info Sister Maris Stella is the Vicar General for the Sisters of Life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subsc...

Each day requests for help pour into the Vatican from every corner of the world. The Papal Foundation offers Catholics in America a unique opportunity to assist the Holy Father in responding with God’s love, grace and abundance. Deacon Jim Coffee tells us more about their work. Guest Info Deacon Jim Coffee is the vice president of the Papal foundation. Learn more at their website This is a public...

Since the Second Vatican Council, there has been a new surge in the role of the laity in forming the Church. John Paul II and Benedict XVI made the “co-responsibility of the laity” a key theme of their papacies. We discuss the meaning of lay formation with John Cavadini. Further Reading Eight Characteristics of a Culture of Lay Formation Guest Info John C. Cavadini is the McGrath-Cavadini Director...

A culture of darkness has overtaken many of our younger generations, but Kristan Hawkins is trying to fight back by building a culture of life. She shares her work with us. Guest Info Kristan Hawkins is the CEO of the Pro-Life Generation, and President of Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action. Since launching the organization in 2006, Kristan has spent nearly two decades buildi...