Ave Maria in the Afternoon

The U.S. bishops’ latest religious liberty report warns that threats are coming from multiple directions — and calls Catholics across the political spectrum to respond. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer joins us. Further Reading As America Turns 250, Bishops Sound the Alarm on Religious Freedom Guest Info Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is a legal analyst for EWTN News, and director of the Conscience Project. This is...

This year, the Muslim observation of Ramadan falls during February and March, during the Catholic observation of Lent. To the untrained eye, these seasons are similar, containing times of fasting and reparation for sin. But Lent is much more than a “Catholic Ramadan.” Marcus has more. Click here to get Marcus’ Lenten reflections book This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

What is the difference between thinking and praying? Between dieting and fasting? Between spending and almsgiving? David Bonagura joins us. Further Reading Lent: Intention makes the sacrifice Guest Info https://avemariapm.substack.coDavid G. Bonagura, Jr. is the author, most recently, of 100 Tough Questions for Catholics: Common Obstacles to Faith Today, and the translator of and the translator of...

Most people know that Lent lasts 40 days to unite with Jesus’ 40 days fasting in the desert. But why did Jesus fast for 40 days, instead of a different period of time? We’ll talk with Gary Michuta. Guest Info Gary Michuta is the author of several books, most recently The Gospel Truth: How We Can Know what Christ Taught and Revolt Against Reality: Fighting the Enemies of Sanity and Truth. This is a...

It’s almost undeniable that God is working miracles of healing in evangelization today. For theologians, pastors, and evangelists some questions arise: What is the relationship between physical healing and the message of salvation? How can we take advantage of Lent as a special time of healing? Fr Mathias Thelen joins us. Guest Info Fr. Mathias Thelen is Co-Founder and President of Encounter Minis...

If you ask St. Benedict of Nursia, he’d say that Lent shouldn’t be necessary – because the Christian life by its very nature should be a life of penance and renewal. Lent offers us the chance to pick up our spiritual slack and return with renewed vigor to the core practices of the spiritual life. We talk more with Jared Staudt. Further Reading Why We Need Lent: Advice from St. Benedict Guest Info...

The ashes placed on our foreheads today remind us that we will die, but if we repent and believe in the Gospel we will have new life. Marcus has more on the meaning of ashes and how they appear throughout scripture. Click Here to receive Marcus’ E-Book, Lavished in Love This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemari...

Last week, human rights activist Jimmy Lai was sentenced by a Chinese court to twenty years in prison – essentially a life sentence for the 78-year-old. Tragically, Lai’s fate comes as no surprise to anyone who has followed the CCP. Ben Rogers has more. Further Reading Book: The China Nexus Thirty Years in and Around the Chinese Communist Party’s Tyranny Hong Kong Watch Jimmy Lai’s Sentence Is a S...

Mardi Gras gets treated like a civic right to behave badly with a liturgical permission slip, and plenty of Catholics smile politely at the noise while quietly hoping Ash Wednesday will come along and disinfect the calendar. Marcus looks at the Catholic roots of Fat Tuesday and how we can faithfully celebrate it. Further Reading Fat Tuesday Is Deeply Catholic This is a public episode. If you would...

Arguments are an inevitable part of any marriage. But when we invite God into our conflicts, He challenges us to approach them in a different way. Greg Popcak has more. Further Reading Catholic Households on Mission Guest Info Dr Greg Popcak is the founder and director of CatholicCounselors.com, a group pastoral telecounseling practice providing faithful help to Catholics dealing with personal, em...

The next presidential election will feature a new Republican candidate for the first time in 12 years. Because pro-lifers constitute a large and important bloc of Republican presidential primary voters, the candidates will have to consider how they approach pro-life policy. We discuss goals for the pro-life movement with Michael New. Further Reading Pro-Lifers Should Push for These Realistic Polic...

“Was Jesus in reality a liberal rabbi—a forerunner of Christian liberalism? Is the Christ of faith, and therefore the whole faith of the Church, just one big mistake?” Benedict XVI explored these critical questions in his book Jesus of Nazareth. We look at the answers with Carl Olson. Further Reading Jesus: Liberal rabbi or incarnate Messiah? Guest Info Carl E. Olson is editor of Catholic World Re...

Reverend Jesse Jackson’s life, work and legacy expose how quickly a movement for human dignity can be inherited by people who will keep the slogans but who will completely deny the dignity of the human person. 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

When George Washington was elected president, he started another revolution – the revolutionary idea that a leader’s power could be limited by the people. We talk more about it with Doug Keck. Guest Info Doug Keck is the emertius president and COO of EWTN and the host of EWTN Bookmark. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episode...

Lent is an opportunity to be transformed, to emerge differently, and to cultivate new habits and practices that will linger long after the season is over. Karen McClelland joins us with some ideas. Further Reading Read Karen’s ideas for Living Liturgically All Lent Long Guest Info Karen McClelland has a Masters in theology from Franciscan University and explores the idea of liturgical living and b...

A new book explores how J.R.R. Tolkien’s Catholic faith — and especially the Mass — shaped his stories and sustained his soul. Ben Reinhard’s The High Hallow looks at how Tolkien was influenced by the Mass and how, in his eyes, it was life’s greatest drama. Ben has more. Further Reading The High Hallow: Tolkien’s Liturgical Imagination Guest Info Ben Reinhard is Professor of English at Franciscan...

Presidents’ Day is a perfect opportunity for us to reflect on the founding ideals of our nation. Our founders meticulously created a system of government that would attach accountability to the power that comes with government. As an immigrant, Marcus has seen both sides of this equation. He offers some thoughts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

Fr. Jose Maria has just returned from the Holy Land. He explains the Biblical significance of the area and why so many people call it the “Fifth Gospel.” Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera is Pastor and Vicar for Clergy in the Diocese of Saginaw. 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, James tells us to consider it a joy when we encounter various trials, for the testing of our faith produces perseverance. This especially applies to our marriages, where we will inevitably encounter trials as a couple. Marcus has more. Further Reading Marriage resources from Ave Maria Radio This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...

How do you move forward after you receive an unexpected diagnosis for your baby? How do you deal with the devastation and chaos? Most importantly, how do you prepare for the range of possibilities you now face? Beverly Jacobson shares her firsthand knowledge of these experiences. Further Reading From Diagnosis to Delivery: What to Expect When the Unexpected Happens During Your Pregnancy Beverly’s...

This Sunday’s readings dive deeply into the meaning of the Law and those who follow it. 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 bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

The concept of God is so large that it can be hard to decide where to start. How can we define God? How can we begin explaining Him, or trying to prove he exists? It’s a daunting task, and Pat Flynn gives us a “wish list” of theistic theories. Further Reading A Wish List for Theistic Theories Book: The Best Argument for God Guest Info Pat Flynn is a writer, philosopher, podcaster, and speaker livi...

Tomorrow is the birthday of Frederick Douglass. He grew up in the African American Methodist Church and his prophetic faith strongly influenced his work against slavery. Marcus discusses how. 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

Countless women in our society are suffering from strained relationships with their fathers. It is essential for men to show their daughters that they are here to love, protect, and lead them. Renewal Ministries’ BeLove Revolution is hosting a father-daughter retreat for middle and high school girls and their dads on Friday, February 27th. Debbie Herbeck has the details. Click Here to learn more a...

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...