Ave Maria in the Afternoon

Nigeria is home to an estimated 35 million Catholics and has one of the highest rates of Mass attendance in the world. Yet despite Catholicism’s rapid growth, Africa’s most populous nation has never had a native canonized saint. That could change with Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a Nigerian priest known for his holiness, pastoral zeal and asceticism. We get to know him with Matthew Bunson....

A German cardinal has declared his participation in the controversial German Synodal Way finished, expressing deep skepticism about plans to establish a permanent synodal conference. Carl Olson joins us Further Reading German cardinal: ‘For me the Synodal Way is over’ Guest Info Carl E. Olson is editor of Catholic World Report and Ignatius Insight. He is the author of Did Jesus Really Rise from th...

January 30 marks the anniversary of the infamous Bloody Sunday, one of the darkest days in Northern Ireland’s tumultuous history. Friedrich Nietzsche famously declared that we had killed God, but he also feared the implications of a Godless world. Marcus discusses the violent results of taking God out of our culture. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us not to hide our “light” under a bushel basket. The entire passage is deeply rooted in history, as God has long revealed Himself through the light. Marcus discusses more on the Covenants. 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

Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films are back in theaters this month to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the premiere of The Fellowship of the Ring. The trilogy is one of the most critically and financially film series of all time – but would Tolkien have accepted it as a faithful adaption of his novels? Austin Freeman joins us. Further Reading Book: Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mytho...

The rules of Ignatian discernment provide a structure for people of all vocations, in all stages of life actually, to live the spiritual life with hope, with joy, with fruitfulness. Marcus has some thoughts. 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 the shadow of the nation’s capital, a growing number of Washington-area families are quietly rethinking where and how their children learn. From the economically struggling neighborhoods of Anacostia to the affluent suburbs of northern Virginia, families of faith are discovering an alternative to the region’s increasingly polarized debates over curriculum and school governance. Andrea Picciotti...

In the past eight-hundred years, it is possible that no other theologian has shaped our understanding of God, man, and the Church more than St. Thomas Aquinas. While many people are familiar with his most famous work, the Summa Theologiae, fewer know of his important role as a biblical theologian. Michael Dauphinais joins us. Further Reading Book: Thomas Aquinas, Biblical Theologian Guest Info Mic...

Today’s reading from the Second book of Samuel contains a scene of immense Biblical weight. King David sits in silence, pondering over the fact that he rests within a house of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant remains beneath cloth. And God makes a promise to him that expands towards Israel’s entire future. That same God shows faithfulness to us as well. Marcus has more. This is a public episod...

Speaking this week about continued immigration crackdowns, Tim Walz stated “Many of us grew up reading that story of Anne Frank. Somebody’s gonna write that children’s story about Minnesota.” The comparison confuses genocide with governance, racial annihilation with civil law, and totalitarian extermination with constitutional enforcement, thereby trivializing one of the gravest crimes in human hi...

This week students are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. In an era where our society has forgotten truth, the need for truth-based education has never been greater. Dan Guernsey joins us. Further Reading The Remedy for “Canceling” and Division: Catholic Education There Is No AI Shortcut to Real Education Leo XIV’s Vision of Catholic Education National Association of Private and Independent Cathol...

A report in the Wall Street Journal finds that Chinese billionaires are taking advantage of US Surrogacy laws to father dozens of children. We look at the problems at hand with Jennifer Roback Morse. Further Reading Surrogacy Gone Wild Treats Babies Like Orders to Be Filled Ruth Institute Guest Info Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph. D., is founder and president of the Ruth Institute, which helps the vict...

On January 24 we celebrate the Feast of St Francis de Sales. In his Treatise on the Love of God, he writes that “Nothing so much presses men’s heart as love.” We talk with David Bonagura about finding perfect love in Jesus. Further Reading St. Francis de Sales: Love for a loveless age David’s website Guest Info David G. Bonagura, Jr. is the author, most recently, of 100 Tough Questions for Catholi...

Pope Leo has made it clear that addressing the risks of AI is a key component of his papacy, and his message for the Vatican’s 2026 World Day of Social Communications highlights this. William Schmitt joins us to talk about it. Further Reading World Communications Day Message Outlines AI’s Risks for Humans Pope Leo: Digital Innovation Cannot Be at the Expense of Human Dignity Guest Info Bill Schmit...

On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops entered the death camps at Auschwitz and Birkenau. What they saw defied description or imagination. This date now stands as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In the decades since the liberation of Auschwitz, the horror has faced a new enemy - an enemy that seeks to deny it ever happened. Marcus discusses how Holocaust denial has persisted and how it ab...

After Vladimir Lenin’s death, his body was placed in a mausoleum in Red Square – preserved as a saint of the new faith of Marxism. He envisioned a society without God – but this society created its own gods, with disastrous results. 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

George Orwell has been dead for more than 75 years, but his influence has never been greater. His political influence is arguably more significant than any commentator alive today. We discuss his impact and his views on religion with John Rodden. Further Reading Animal Farm at 80 Why Orwell Still Matters Book: Scenes from an Afterlife: The Legacy of George Orwell Guest Info John Rodden has taught...

The death of Alex Pretti has swept up the news and social media. And like all issues, there are multiple conflicting reports and narratives from multiple sources. Terry Mattingly joins us to help straighten it out. Further Reading Today’s ice (and ICE) storm realities Connecting the dots in clashing news reports Guest Info Terry Mattingly is the former editor of Get Religion. He is a journalist an...

Vice-president JD Vance addressed huge crowds of pro-lifers on Friday before the March for Life in Washington, DC. In his speech, he reassured the crowds that “you have an ally in the White House,” but largely sidestepped the issues that have been at the heart of critics. Doug Keck joins us with more. Further Reading Vance Addresses Pro-Life Critics at the March for Life — But Not Their Big Critiq...

While Christians have targeted the specific products of the feminist ideology, such as abortion and transgenderism, we have missed the bigger picture of how feminism’s shadow church has captured the psyche of Western women. Even amongst some Christians today, feminist ideology is seen as a path to true equality and freedom. Carrie Gress responds to these claims. Further Reading Book: Something Wic...

There is another effect of the ICE shooting and protests in Minnesota – a potential government shutdown. Some Democratic senators have said they will not vote for a massive government funding package if it includes money for DHS, which oversees immigration enforcement. President Trump’s immigration policies were a key part of the “No Kings” protests – but enforcing a duly enacted law is not a roya...

The deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good are tragic and eminently avoidable. They emerged from volatile circumstances where passions ran high, when authority was challenged at close quarters, and prudential judgment failed on multiple levels. How can we as Catholics contribute to better civil discourse? Marcus has some thoughts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with othe...

The Natural Law is the foundation upon which our laws, ethics, and policies are built. And following the principles of the Natural Law is a surefire way to lead to greater human flourishing. We explore it with Melissa Moschella. Further Reading Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law: Principles for Human Flourishing Guest Info Dr Melissa Moschella is Professor of the Practice in the Department of Phils...

Denyse Shannon was working the assignment desk at a local TV station when she learned of a horrendous story – a two-year-old child kidnapped and feared dead. As she reflected on the tragedy, she began to hear a calling from God – it was time for a change. She shares her story. Further Reading God Changed My Plans: Why I Traded News for Pro-Life Work Guest Info Denyse Shannon is a freelance journal...

Notorious serial killer Ted Bundy was executed on January 24, 1989. Before his execution, he discussed his previous addiction to violent pornography. Marcus discusses how pornography devalues the human person and leads to a culture of death. 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