Ave Maria in the Afternoon

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls on a group of fishermen to lay down their nets and follow Him – and they will become Fishers of Men. Marcus discusses the reading with Billy Kangas. Guest Info Billy Kangas is the Vice-President of Missions for Ave Maria Radio. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack...

The seventh and eight chapters of John’s Gospel recount the meeting between Jesus and a woman caught in adultery, when he tells the crowds that whoever among them is without sin should cast the first stone. The passage is sometimes called a “floating passage,” as some scholars dispute whether it was originally part of the Gospel. Marcus looks at the controversy. This is a public episode. If you wo...

Michael Reagan, the adopted son of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and a longtime conservative activist who spoke publicly about his Catholic faith, died on Jan. 4 at 80 years old. We discuss his life and faith with Paul Kengor. Further Reading Mike Reagan, Twice Adopted, Rest in Peace Michael Reagan, Catholic son of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, dies at 80 When Ronald Reagan’s Catholic Son Mi...

Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, recently announced he plans to convert to Christianity as he faces terminal prostate cancer. He has previously described himself as Agnostic, but says many of his Christian friends have reached out to him since his diagnosis last spring. Adams says he plans to convert because if he’s wrong, he loses nothing, but if he’s right, he “wakes up in heaven...

What’s the right thing to say when someone is dying? How can we help a person at their hour of death? Fernanda Moreira’s Apostolate for the Dying helps bring souls to God’s infinite mercy. She joins us. Further Reading Apostolate for the Dying: Bringing Souls to God’s Divine Mercy To contact Fernanda, call 513‐922‐0370 or email holyhourdevotion@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like...

Since late December, protests have swept across Iran against the Islamic Republic government. Hundreds have reportedly been killed, and President Trump says the US is “looking at its options.” Alberto Fernandez has the details. Further Reading Iran acknowledges mass protest deaths, but claims situation under control as Trump mulls response Will the Regime in Iran Fall? History Offers Some Clues. P...

In a letter to her spiritual brother Maurice Belliere, St. Therese wrote how she was profoundly affected by Joan of Arc and felt that she, too, was called to great things. Is the Lord calling you in the same way? Sean Breeden joins us to invite you to an immersive woman’s retreat experience to awaken your contemplative heart and warrior spirit. Learn about the Retreat Guest Info Sean Breeden is th...

This week is the 250th anniversary of the publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. It became an instant bestseller and helped fan the flames of America’s revolutionary movement. Marcus has more. Further Reading The Revolution’s First Hot Take 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 St. Peter answered Jesus’ challenge to step out of the boat and walk on water, he briefly seemed to defy the very laws of nature. Standing upon the waves without support, Peter manifested the ultimate source of man’s support, both metaphysically and spiritually. We discuss God as the source of Nature and Grace with Thomas Kronholz. Further Reading Supported Without Support: Providence in Natu...

This Sunday’s Gospel recounts the story of John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. The heavens open, and God declares Jesus to be His beloved son. Marcus unpacks 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

This week Phillip Yancey, an internationally-known speaker and bestselling Christian author, announced his retirement from public ministry due to an extended affair with a married woman. Tragically, it’s yet another example of a prominent Christian leader failing to live by the standards they preach. What lessons can we learn from these failures? Dr. Dave Anders joins us. Guest Info Dr. David Ande...

Do you know a young woman who is discerning religious life? The Servants of God Love are hosting a Day in the Life of a Sister retreat on January 17. Join them for a day of prayer, ministry, and mission! Sr. Lisa Zelfa joins us. Click here to learn more and register Guest Info Sr Lisa Zelfa serves on the vocations team for the Servants of Gods Love and is the Director of Campus Ministry for St Joh...

On Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Jesus’ Baptism. But why did a perfect man need baptism at all? The answer begins with an understanding of the immense significance of the Jordan River. Marcus discusses Jesus’ baptism and how we should respond in our own hearts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.su...

Six years ago, the world was becoming enraptured with the COVID pandemic. In the years since then, there’s been an election, the rise of AI, numerous social media scandals, and other viral stories. Whatever the next “New Thing” will be is anyone’s guess, but we can safely say it will consume our attention and generate fresh anxieties over how it will upend our lives. David Bonagura puts things in...

In comments sections and emails, Marcus has been accused of being both a socialist and a captialist apologist, a MAGA sellout and a Democrat spokesman, and a “lily-white racist” and Uncle Tom. Such accusations are almost inevitable, as Catholic political theology does not fit neatly in with any major American party, but it also shows the levels to which our public discourse has sunk. Marcus has mo...

What if you could walk the very halls where priests once hid, stand at the sites where martyrs gave their lives, and trace the conversion of Newman and the faith journeys of Lewis and Tolkien? Join Marcus Peter and Billy Kangas this fall for an amazing pilgrimage! Billy has more details, including about an upcoming info night. Learn More This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...

Archbishop Bernard Hebda is pleading for prayers and calm following the shooting of a US citizen by an ICE agent. Matthew Bunson has more on this and other Church news. Guest Info For the past 20 years, Dr. Matthew E. Bunson has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the pap...

In 2020, Pope Francis commissioned a group of scholars to study the question of the female diaconate. The commission finished its report late last year, and submitted a letter to Pope Leo stating that there was no support for ordaining women as deacons. We talk more about the issue with Monica Miller. Further Reading Women Deacons? Here’s Why Not Study Commission Says No to a Female Diaconate Book...

The victory of socialist candidates in recent elections has highlighted the renewed appeal of the Marxist system. Some now see socialism as the wave of the future. Conservatives reply by saying that this system must be rejected because “socialism does not work.” John Horvat shares what a trip to Poland taught him about socialism. Further Reading How a Trip to Poland Convinced Me That Socialism Wor...

Why do our politicians usually swear in on the Bible? And how do so many of them miss the point? The answer lies in the meaning of covenant. 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

Ever since he was diagnosed with cancer in May 2024, Adam Wright has embraced his cross and walked the Via Dolorosa with his family. A few days ago, Adam had the joy of “ringing the bell” as he was declared Cancer-Free. He joins us. Adam’s website Guest Info At his core, Adam Wright is a Roman Catholic striving to live the universal call to holiness through his vocation as a husband and father of...

Catholic writer and journalist Russell Shaw has died at the age of 90. Over his long career, Shaw served in several capacities with the US Bishops, wrote dozens of books, and was a frequent guest on Catholic Radio. Mike Aquilina joins us to honor him. Further Reading ‘A great man who loved Jesus’: Catholic writer Russell Shaw dies at 90 Guest Info Mike Aquilina is author or editor of more than fif...

Reports have surfaced of people, including teens, using the “Grok” AI chatbot to create pornographic images of classmates, neighbors, and others. This presents a challenge parents of previous generations never could have imagined. Marcus discusses what we can do. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.sub...

Bill Watterson’s Calvin of comic strip fame once declared that he refused to make New Year’s resolutions, because improving oneself implied that certain values were better than others, but because values are relative they are all equl – virtue is no better than vice. Marcus looks at how this strip serves as a commentary on our culture. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wi...

Baptism imprints a spiritual mark upon the soul, and that mark remains even when the baptized person drifts from God. God addresses post-baptismal sin through repentance, reconciliation, transformation, and sacramental reconciliation. Marcus has more on conversion and baptism. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...