Ave Maria in the Afternoon

A new six-year report has challenged the widespread belief that the Boko Haram terrorist organization and its affiliates are responsible for the majority of civilian killings in Nigeria. The report instead finds that Fulani ethnic militia have killed far more than the other groups combined. Ed Clancy has more. Further Reading Report: Fulani militia overtake Boko Haram as Nigeria’s deadliest terror...

Today’s Gospel tells us of two dramatic healings. Jesus heals a sick woman simply by virtue of her touching his cloak, and then He raises the daughter of Jairus. Marcus reflects on the covenantal theme of the readings. 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 this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus promises that we will find rest in Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We unpack the Sunday 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 discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm...

The founding of the United States was the greatest political experiment in history. The Founding Fathers stood on the shoulders of the geniuses that came before them, drawing on the wisdom of philosophers, historians, political thinkers and theologians to create the framework of the nation. Dylan Pahman joins us looking at the Christian roots of American liberty. Further Reading The Christian Root...

As Americans celebrate the 250th birthday of the nation, we should take heed – for historians have observed many great civilizations begin to decline about two and a half centuries after their rise to power. Marcus reflects on how we can celebrate the nation’s birthday and have hope for its future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

Most American children barely touch the Constitution in school―and when they do, they get little more than a checklist of dates and names. Yet our freedom depends on understanding this remarkable document. Tara Ross has written two new books about the American founding and the Constitution that explain these amazing events at a level kids can understand, but with an extraordinary level of detail....

The American experiment was, at its root, a bold political covenant—a sacred pledge under God, in view of posterity, that a free people, guided by divine law, could govern themselves according to justice and truth. Marcus has more in this commentary. Further Reading Covenant and Constitution: The Covenantal Worldview of the Founding Fathers This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss th...

How should we think about the American Revolution on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence? The American revolutionaries themselves can help us answer this question. Christopher Flannery joins us. Further Reading How to Think About the American Revolution Guest Info Christopher Flannery is a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, a contributing editor of the Claremont Review...

The Vatican has issued a decree declaring that the SSPX bishops consecrated yesterday are excommunicated and the group is officially in schism. Furthermore, Catholic clergy and lay faithful are not to adhere to the SSPX’s schism under penalty of excommunication. Matthew Bunson has more. Further Reading Vatican Formally Notifies SSPX Bishops of Excommunication The SSPX Again Says No to the Catholic...

Does the First Amendment guarantee us the right to be free from religion in the public square? Does it guarantee religious individuals and institutions the right to be exempt from otherwise valid laws that burden their religious beliefs and practices? Dr. Vincent Phillip Muñoz joins us with a look at our “first freedom” in light of the thought of America’s founding fathers. Further Reading Religio...

America’s 250th birthday has arrived, albeit in a time that is somewhat chaotic. Many have talked about what our Founding Fathers would say about the state of our nation – but what about our authors? Cassandra Nelson believes that Mark Twain would feel right at home. She joins us with a look at “Huck Finn’s America.” Further Reading A Singular Dream: Huck Finn’s America Turns 250 Cassandra’s websi...

On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife telling her the colonies had passed a resolution declaring their independence. The letter opens a window into Adam’s convictions and his vision for the nation. Marcus shares some thoughts. Further Reading Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams (1776) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...

Most people remember Winston Churchill as a British hero of World War II who encouraged his fellow citizens to stand firm against the Nazi threat, but he was also a great political thinker who thought deeply about the meaning of freedom in the modern world. We look at his thought with Michael Lucchese. Further Reading On America: How to Understand the Legacy of 1776 Guest Info Michael Lucchese is...

Today the SSPX went through with their illicit episcopal consecrations. Despite this troubling development, the Church has endured far greater crises over her 2000-year history. Marcus has more. 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

The Supreme Court has closed its books on a consequential term that delivered significant wins for parental rights and free speech, disappointed prisoners seeking to remedy offenses against their religious liberty, redrew the boundaries of executive power and closed with developments that serve as reminders of how much work remains. Andrea Piciotti-Bayer has a roundup. Further Reading Supreme Cour...

A man―especially a father―is called to defend, protect, and foster what is noble and good. Indeed, it is for this he was created, not only spiritually, but physically. Bravery is written into his very being. Men can only be truly happy when they have laid down their lives for the Kingdom of God. But despite society’s promotion of health and fitness, modern life has all but quenched man’s heroic sp...

Fulton Sheen is the greatest preacher in history on the topic of Adoration and the importance of spending time with the King of Kings. We celebrate his legacy with Monsignor Roger Landry. Further Reading American Eucharistic Witnesses: The Venerable Fulton Sheen and the Most Holy Eucharist Daily Holy Hour and Archbishop Fulton J Sheen Guest Info Monsignor Roger J. Landry, a priest of the Diocese o...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus casts demons into a herd of pigs. The pigs are a significant symbol in this story, and it has to do with the Jewish understanding of cleanliness. Marcus has more. 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

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton represent the best known and broadest schools of American thought on how best to balance liberty with the need for order. Dr. John Pinheiro looks the intellectual origins of their principles and what we might glean from each to help build a free and virtuous society. Further Reading The American Experiment in Ordered Liberty The Christian Roots of American L...

A free and flourishing society needs two things: the rule of law, and freedom. The purpose of government is to secure those two conditions. But the dominant view today is that freedom and law are in opposition to each other. Dr. Adam MacLeod looks at the Christian vision of a free government. Guest Info Adam J. MacLeod is a Professor of Law and Co-Associate Dean for Faculty Research at The Catholi...

To remove God from education is to tear education itself at the seams. Ali Ghaffari joins us looking at John Henry Newman’s vision of the University and how education should address the entire person. Guest Info Ali Ghaffari is the inaugural Executive Director of the St. John Henry Newman Institute (JHNI). A retired U.S. Navy commander with 20 years of service—including combat deployments and a fa...

We are reaching the celebration of the semi-quincentennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and at this crossroads in history we must ask a question. What made this nation possible? Marcus shares some thoughts. Further Reading: The Christian Roots of American Liberty The Roots of American Order This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...

Fr Kusi Cobona is a Fijian priest who is retiring after more than 40 years of ministry, most recently at Sts. James, Cornelius and Cyprian parish in Mason, Michigan. He joins us to reflect on his years of priesthood and shares a healing experience he had while on a parish mission. Further Reading Read: Father Cobona’s remarkable Saint James’ Day story of healing Guest Info Fr. Kusi Cobona was born...

The conventional wisdom has it that C.S. Lewis disdained and ignored politics. The conventional wisdom is mistaken. Dr. Micah Watson joins us to explore Lewis’s understanding of the political as it relates to timeless principles of morality and the stubborn realities of fallen human nature. Guest Info Dr. Micah Watson is a native of the great golden state of California where he completed his under...

Though he was not a Christian, Robert Nisbet was closely allied to Christian Humanists and the Christian Humanist movement throughout his life. Dr Brad Birzer looks at his core ideas--of community and conservatism. Recommended Readings from Dr. Birzer: Nisbet, The Quest for CommunityNisbet, The Twilight of AuthorityNisbet, The Present Age Guest Info Bradley J. Birzer is Russell Amos Kirk Chair in...