Ave Maria in the Afternoon

Over the past few years, some conservative Catholic theologians have reintroduced the political philosophy of “Catholic integralism” as the true social teaching of the Catholic Church, one even binding on the consciences of Catholics. These “neo-integralists” argue that governments must be subject to the spiritual authority of the Catholic Church, and for that reason governments ought to coerce th...

Stephen Henley joins us to share his work with Legatus and how his organization helps prepare Catholics to be ambassadors of Christ. Guest Info Stephen Henley is the President of Legatus 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

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. They represent two essential roles of the Church – Peter, the magisterial authority, and Paul the evangelical mandate of the Gospel. The Catholic Church is unique in how she unites the understanding of both these saints as necessary parts of our baptism. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with othe...

Abraham Kuyper was a man of many talents and achievements. He edited two newspapers, founded a university, led the formation of a new denomination, championed a new political movement, and served as prime minister of the Netherlands. He was also a formidable controversialist, a brilliant theologian, and a tireless advocate of public justice. We examine his public theology with Dr. Jordan Ballor. R...

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” These striking words from Jesus are the focus of this Sunday’s Gospel. We unpack the readings with Rob Corzine. Guest Info Rob Corzine is vice-president of programs for the St Paul Cent...

So in the last 40 years, we’ve seen the biggest and most meaningful reduction in global inequality that we’ve seen in the whole economic history of the planet. Can we credit globalization with this change? Philip Booth examines the concepts of globalization and free trade within the current political environment. Recommended Reading from Philip: Douglas Irwin, Free Trade Under Fire , fifth edition...

Fusionism is a political philosophy, rooted in the Cold War, that attempts to unite different wings of the Conservative movement. We look at some of its tenants with Dr. Jason Duncan. Guest Info Jason K. Duncan is professor of History and Catholic Studies at Aquinas College. He is the author of John F. Kennedy: The Spirit of Cold War Liberalism and Citizens or Papists? The Politics of Anti-Catholi...

This week the Vatican officially rejected a request from the German bishops to allow laypeople to preach the homily at Mass. Marcus looks at the liturgical significance of the homily and why it is reserved for the clergy. Further Reading Vatican says ‘nein’ to lay homilies in Germany This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

Enthusiastic supporters of Artificial Intelligence are particularly impressed by the amount of knowledge that AI apps seem to have. They are convinced that the apps know everything. But the technology has its limits – and there are things that AI cannot ever know, do, or be. John Horvat has more. Further Reading What AI Can’t Do What AI Can’t Know What AI Can’t Be Guest Info John Horvat II is Seni...

The traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X has issued an open letter and a declaration of faith to Pope Leo XIV and the College of Cardinals. The accompanying declaration contains 154 statements defending traditional Church teachings, including on the sacraments, the Virgin Mary, and fidelity to the Traditional Latin Mass. Matthew Bunson looks at this and other Church news. Further Reading This Is...

Is it really true that excessive government debt creates inflation, or rather is the lesson of history that it creates something far, far worse? David Bahnsen joins us. Further Reading The Impact of Debt on Growth in the Econom y Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life Guest Info David L. Bahnsen is the founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, a national privat...

One of the most enduring critiques of capitalism is that it is morally and culturally corrosive. This is a complex topic, in part because there are many definitions and demarcations of both capitalism and culture and the political Left and Right are both concerned about this topic, for different reasons. We take a look with Michael Matheson Miller. Recommended readings from Michael Alexis de Tocqu...

In today’s readings, the theme of obedience appears again and again. As the faithful, we are called to a life of moral obedience. In the Gospel, Jesus warns us that “only the one who does the will of my Father” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 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.subst...

As Christians, it’s easy to be lured by the prospect of casting aside the culture and the sinful world, and to simply fend for ourselves. But the Scriptures call for the baptized to engage the culture, to bring about the transformation of the culture, so that our vocations intersect with our occupations for the sake of sanctifying the entire world for Christ. Charlie Self has more Guest Info Dr. C...

The First Amendment guarantees the right to express one’s religious convictions both privately and publicly. Naturally, public expression extends to professional life - we mustn’t check our conscience at the door to our workplace. Yet, that is precisely what is expected of many health care professionals. This expectation harms the health care professional, the patient, and the overall profession....

We devote hours and hours each week to our work – often spending more waking hours there than anywhere else. What if we approached our work as a vocation, regardless of what that work might be? We explore a theological vision of work and vocation with Scott Rae. Scott’s Recommended Readings Baker, Bruce, “Entrepreneurship as a Sign of Common Grace,” Journal of Markets & Morality 18:1 (2015): 81-98...

Workplace harmony tends to increase productivity, and greater productivity leads to flourishing. Jim Babka joins us with a look at strategies for empowering workers for greater unity and flourishing. Further Reading The No-Limits Enterprise: Organizational Self-Management In The New World Of Work Guest Info Jim Babka is a social strategist who is paid to lead or advise the Foundation for Harmony a...

Jérémy Doku is living a soccer player’s ultimate dream: he’s playing in the FIFA World Cup. But this week he set that dream aside, leaving his team so he could be present for the birth of his son. Sadly, his decision was met with some blowback. Critics accused him of abandoning his duties, and one television personality went as far as to claim that fathers play no role in the delivery process. Mar...

You can no longer watch a professional or collegiate sporting event without being inundated by ads for gambling. What effects does this have on our society? We look at the ethics and economics of sports gambling – past, present, and future – with Dr. Jared Pincin. Guest Info Dr. Jared A. Pincin is an Associate Professor of Economics at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. He earned his Ph. D...

Immigration policy is one of the most hotly contested topics of our age. Daniel Di Martino joins us to examine immigration policy through the lens of human dignity, solidarity, and ordered love, weighing the duties nations owe to their citizens and migrants alike. Guest Info Daniel Di Martino is a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a PhD candidate in Economics at Columbia University. His resear...

During his papacy, St. John Paul II detailed the challenges of evangelizing a world where words don’t matter and truth doesn’t exist. We can do this by living out the free, total, faithful, fruitful love that we receive from Christ in communion in our marriage and family lives. Dr. Greg Popcak has more. Guest Info Dr. Greg Popcak is the founder of CatholicCounselors.com Together with his wife Lisa...

When entrepreneurship is rooted in principle, it can be both a creative calling and a path to human flourishing. Andreas Widmer looks at how integrating faith, work, and culture transforms business from a transactional enterprise into a force for lasting prosperity. Further Reading The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship: Creating Enduring Value The Pope & The CEO: John Paul II’s Leadership Lessons...

What is educating for liberty? Dr. Todd Flanders joins us with an historical overview to the question, and engages emerging challenges to forming young people for a proper understanding of freedom and its responsible exercise. Recommended Readings from Dr. Flanders Theories of education in early America, 1655-1819 American Writings on Popular Education: The Nineteenth Century Education in a Free S...

In today’s readings, we can see how God preserves His people in their faithfulness, because walking the narrow path of covenantal obedience and moral living is a crucial component of covenant life. 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

Artificial intelligence firms are hiring and paying big salaries to philosophers to help them think through the issues facing the developers of AI. Randall Smith walks us through some of the issues. Further Reading AI Humans and the Real Limits of Machines Guest Info Randall B. Smith holds the J. Michael Miller Endowed Chair of Theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. His books include...