Ave Maria in the Afternoon

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...

As the first post-Vatican II pope to serve a full papacy, John Paul II made the Universal Call to Holiness his mission. But much of traditional Catholic spirituality is drawn from the monastic tradition, and doesn’t fit neatly into a family life. John Paul II thus spent his entire pontificate laying the groundwork for a universal approach to lay spirituality. We talk about it with Dr. Greg Popcak....

Why does Pope Leo XIV call himself a “son of Saint Augustine”? Examining his life and writings, we can see a prominent Augustinian influence that is manifested in four themes. We talk about them with Matthew Becklo. Further Reading The Augustinian Pope: Four key themes of Leo XIV Follow Matt on Twitter Matt’s blog Guest Info Matthew Becklo is a husband and father, writer and editor, and the Publis...

Like his hero St. Paul, the Venerable Fulton Sheen never shied away form using the technology of the day to spread the Gospel. And if he were still preaching today, he’d surely use social media to “go viral.” We look back at some of his most “meme-worthy” moments with Jack Figge. Further Reading The would-be viral moments of (soon-to-be-Blessed) Archbishop Fulton Sheen Follow Jack on X Guest Info...

The Pharisees were instrumental in Jesus’ death. But we would be wrong to say the Jews killed Jesus. No, our sins killed Jesus. When Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, he’s rebuking the Pharisee in all of us. 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 ruled that the state of California cannot keep student’s transgender identities hidden from parents. In a 6-3 ruling, the court said that parents enjoy “the right not to be shut out of participation in decisions regarding their children’s mental health.” Andrea Picciotti-Bayer has the details. Further Reading Supreme Court Rejects California’s Presumption Against Parents Supr...

The cultural historian Christopher Dawson has been called one of the foremost Catholic thinkers of modern times. When he retired from Harvard in 1962, Pope John XXIII sent him an Apostolic blessing. Dawson once observed that “the first step in the transformation of culture is a change in the pattern of culture within the mind.” Joseph Stuart joins us to talk more about Dawson and cultural transfor...

Pope Leo XIV voiced concern on Sunday about developments in the Middle East and Iran, urging the parties involved to stop what he called a “spiral of violence” before it becomes an “unbridgeable chasm.” Alberto Fernandez has the latest. Further Reading Pope Leo XIV urges diplomacy amid Iran tensions Guest Info Ambassador Alberto M. Fernandez is vice-president of the Middle East Media Research Inst...

Now that abortion-rights advocate Susan Ostermann has stepped away from an academic leadership post at Notre Dame, the university needs to undertake meaningful reforms to ensure a comprehensively Catholic identity. Doug Keck joins us to talk about it. Further Reading The Ostermann Fiasco Is Over. Notre Dame’s Catholic Identity Crisis Is Not Guest Info Doug Keck is emeritus president and COO of EWT...

Do you ever feel like Lent is a New Years Resolution all over again? You start out strong for a couple weeks, then find yourself regressing to the norm? Year after year and Lent after Lent promises to be different, but inevitably fails? We discuss persistence in penance with Stephen White. Further Reading Do Lent! Marcus’ Lenten book Guest Info Stephen P. White is executive director of The Catholi...

The AI revolution is rapidly changing Hollywood. Movie producers see many advantages in a “cast” that can work unlimited hours, will follow any direction, and demands no salary. And there may be a silver lining in all this change. Marcus explains. Further Reading Tilly Norwood, the fully AI ‘actor,’ to be part of rapidly expanding ‘Tillyverse’ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

President Trump’s decision to bomb Iran has sparked a variety of reactions, with many questioning its constitutionality or asking if the US should involve itself in yet another war in the Middle East. But there is a line that must be drawn – and claims that Iran was a peaceful and rights-respecting state defy any basic fact-checking. Marcus shares more. This is a public episode. If you would like...

Hollywood is in the midst of a resurgence of romance films, highlighted by the box office-leading Wuthering Heights. Film execs understand that audiences desire intimacy, passion, and emotional fulfillment – but their attempts to fulfill these needs will inevitably fall short. Marcus reflects on how Christians can live out true romance. Further Reading Hollywood is thirsty for more romance adaptat...

Paul Thigpen, the noted theologian and convert to the Catholic faith known for his prolific writing career that included an in-depth survey of extraterrestrial life and the Catholic Church, died on Feb. 24. He was 71. His friend Matthew Bunson honors his life. Further Reading Paul’s books Guest Info Matthew Bunson is Vice President and Editorial Director of EWTN News and a Senior Fellow at St Paul...

This Sunday’s readings highlight a theme of beginning the journey of faith, telling us the story of God’s Covenant with Abraham and Jesus’ Transfiguration. 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 discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

The Catholic Church has always recognized that philosophy is necessary both to understand the faith as well as to defend it, and the need for a philosophically-informed faith has become more acute with the rise of secularism. James Jacobs joins us with an introduction to Catholic philosophy. Further Reading Seat of Wisdom An Introduction to Philosophy in the Catholic Tradition Guest Info James M....

Last week the Supreme Court struck down many of the tariffs that have become a landmark part of President Trump’s economic policy. In response, he enacted further tariffs. What’s next? Robert Whaples joins us. Guest Info Robert M. Whaples is a professor of economics at Wake Forest University. He is also the editor of The Independent Review This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss thi...

This week political philosopher Robbie George shared some thoughts on social media regarding President Trump, observing “you are not required to let him cause you to forget or abandon your principles, to turn against what you once believed, or to become an ideologue who simply reacts to him pro or con.” But even this call for rational dialogue produced little more than furious, reactionary respons...

It’s a popular claim that if one is against abortion, they must also be against the death penalty, for they are both incompatible with a pro-life worldview. But what does the Church actually say about the death penalty? Does it still have a place in modern society? Marcus weighs in. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

Last month, a young woman named Fox Varian won a medical malpractice lawsuit against doctors who convinced her to get a mastectomy so she could “live as a boy.” The case is being hailed as a landmark victory for opponents of prepubescent sex change treatments, but we must use caution. Those same cheers were heard when Roe v Wade was overturned, without a cogent plan for the next steps. Marcus look...

Pope Leo XIV responded to an atheist who paradoxically described himself as someone who “loves God,” explaining to him that “the real problem of faith” isn’t believing or not believing in him but seeking him. Marcus discusses this and other Church news with Dr. Matthew Bunson. Further Reading Pope Leo XIV Responds to an Atheist ‘Who Loves God’ Spanish Bishops Speak Out After Leaks of Their Meeting...

Known as the protoevangelium, Genesis 3:15 promises that the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent. In what sense does this apply to Jesus? Mark Heffley joins us. Guest Info Dr Mark Heffley is Assistant Professor of Theology and Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...

You may remember the tragic cases of Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans, terminally ill babies who died in UK hospitals after their doctors determined they should no longer receive care. Now, a hospital is withdrawing kidney support from a patient over his family’s objections, stating that letting him die is a clinical decision. Wes Smith has more. Further Reading U.K. Hospital Unilaterally Cuts Off Lif...

Pro-Abortion professor Susan Ostermann will not assume leadership of the Asia studies department at Notre Dame, following widespread backlash from bishops and other Catholic leaders. Patrick Reilly, founder of the Cardinal Newman Society, joins us. Further Reading Notre Dame: Pro-abortion professor withdraws as institute director The Golden Dome’s Identity Crisis Read the 2025-26 Newman Guide Gues...

Everyone agrees that baptism is part of Christianity, right? It says so in the Bible. But among different Christian groups, questions and arguments about baptism abound. Who should get baptized? How should it be done? What happens to unbaptized babies when they die, and should people secretly baptize their grandchildren? And on top of all this—why bother with baptism at all? Does it really do anyt...