Ave Maria in the Afternoon

President Donald Trump is asking congressional Republicans to be more flexible on taxpayer funding for abortions as lawmakers continue to negotiate an extension to health care subsidies related to the Affordable Care Act. Peter Laffin joins us with more. Further Reading Trump urges Republican ‘flexibility’ on taxpayer-funded abortions Pro-life sold out for a seat at Trump’s table. Now it’s out in...

Our friends at WidowsMight.net are excited to host another conference, open to all widows who are navigating the next phase in their lives. Join them for a day of healing, hope, fellowship, and even some humor. Jen Thomm has the details. Further Reading WidowsMight.net website Learn more about the Conference Book: Life can be Good Again Guest Info Jen Thomm became a widow in November 2020, after h...

The Stigmata is one of the strangest and most mystical phenomena in the Church. They’ve been the center of devotion and controversy for centuries – are they real? What’s the evidence? Why would God cause them? We explore the mystery with John Clark. Further Reading Book: God’s Wounds Guest Info John Clark is a regular columnist for the National Catholic Register and has served as a speechwriter fo...

At his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Leo expressed concern over the situation in Venezuela and emphasized that the good of the Venezuelan people must prevail over all other issues. Alejandro Bermudez has more on the latest developments. Guest Info Alejandro Bermúdez is a well-known Catholic journalist who served as director of ACI Prensa from 1987 until December 2022. He also hosted the program...

It happens every year – you wake up on New Year’s Day, determined that this will be the year you get into shape, grow spiritually, settle your finances, and achieve your dreams. A month later, you’re back to old habits. Sound familiar? Dr. Greg Popcak has some tips. Further Reading Catholic Households on Mission Guest Info Dr Greg Popcak is the founder and director of CatholicCounselors.com, a gro...

In a world devastated by the cataclysm of war, two extraordinary authors and friends, J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, delivered a bracing vision of the human story: a path back to goodness, beauty, and faith. How did they do it? Joseph Loconte joins us. Further Reading Book: The War for Middle-earth: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933–1945 Book: A Hobbit, a Wardrobe...

At his inauguration, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared he wants to “replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” But a look at history shows the problems with this dream. Catherine Pakaluk has more. Further Reading Follow Catherine on X Catherine’s website Book: Can a Catholic Be a Socialist? Guest Info Catherine Pakaluk is the Director of Political Eco...

On this day in 1941, President Roosevelt delivered a speech in which he outlined four fundamental freedoms to which all people of the world were entitled. He was speaking at a time of existential crisis, when the future of ordered liberty was very much in doubt. Marcus takes a look at his speech. Further Reading FDR’s speech This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...

A year after the publication of his encyclical Dives in Misericordia on the Divine Mercy of God and after his long recuperation from an assassin’s bullet, Pope John Paul II visited the Shrine of Merciful Love in Collevalenza, Italy. It was there, on November 22, 1981, that he delivered this most urgent message: “Merciful love is more powerful than any evil that gathers upon man and upon the world....

Venezuelans at home and abroad are celebrating the removal of the dictator Nicolas Maduro. But what does international law say about the United States’ actions? Scholars are divided – Dan Philpott weighs in. Guest Info Daniel Philpott is Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. He earned his Ph. D. in 1996 from Harvard University and specializes in religion and global politi...

Frank Capra’s classic It’s a Wonderful Life is a beloved Christmas tradition for countless families. But an abridged version available on Amazon Prime has left many shaking their heads. This version eliminates the scenes where George learns what the world would be like if he was never born – leaving the viewer to miss the entire point of the film. Marcus has more. Further Reading The strange histo...

The downfall of Nicolas Maduro reminds us of the consequences of abuse of power. Ultimately, world leader are not just accountable to themselves or their citizens – they are accountable to God. Doug Keck joins Marcus. Guest Info Doug Keck is the retired 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...

Public life in the U.S. is a series of chaotic, irrational, violent events, increasingly inhospitable to any attempt at rational discourse. And no clear solution is in sight. Indeed, on its current trajectory, civic life in the U.S. is a dead society walking. Ken Craycraft joins us. Further Reading Civil society in the U.S. is a dead man walking Book: Citizens, yet Strangers: Living Authentically...

The shocking news of the weekend was the United States’ arrest of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. EWTN correspondent Andrés Henríquez joins us from Venezuela with a report. Further Reading Trump Announces Capture of Maduro Following U.S. Strikes On Venezuela Ahead of UN Venezuela meeting, world powers respond to Maduro extraction Follow Andres on Twitter Guest Info Andrés Henríquez is an EWTN...

The year now behind us carried the weight of an entire era rather than the simple turning of a calendar page. Anyone paying attention felt the sensation of standing beneath converging fault lines where politics, culture, technology, and faith pressed upon one another with accelerating force. Marcus has more as we kick off a new year. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

Shannon Salter’s father recently died following a battle with cancer. Though he was relatively young, his life was an example of joyous service to Christ – so when the family was planning his wake, Shannon felt the call from Jesus to make the Sacrament of Confession available. She shares the story. Learn more about the Salter family This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

2025 Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review From the minute Pope Leo was introduced, some people tried to frame him in the context of former popes. But we can only judge him based on what he actually says and does – and there was a lot to like about his first homily as pope. We look back on Marcus’ first commentary after his election as our year in review continues. This is a public episode. If...

This Sunday’s Gospel tells the account of the Magi, who came to worship the newborn king of the Jews. 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

2025 Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review In July, the Ann Arbor community suffered the loss of Xavier Randolph, a remarkably faithful young man who lost his life in a drowning accident. Despite their unimaginable grief, Xavier’s parents have been incredible witnesses of a family who places their hope in Christ’s Resurrection. Marcus shares some impressions from Xavier’s funeral. This is a pu...

Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review The biggest Church news story of the year was, by far, the death of Pope Francis and election of Pope Leo. We look back on our conversation with Matthew Bunson, who was reporting from Rome as thousands of pilgrims prepared for Pope Francis’ funeral. Further Reading Pope Leo XIV - The Election of a Pope in Pictures Guest Info Matthew Bunson is Vice Presiden...

Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review Christian sanctity is far nearer and far more beautiful than we think. From mothers taking their children to Mass to a simple bottle of Holy Water, the most precious things in life often have no price and incredible power. We talk with Michael Pakaluk about the simple, electrifying truths of the Catholic faith. Further Reading Follow Michael on Substack Bo...

Fr Jim Rolph is a dynamic young priest in the Diocese of Lansing who has embraced the Cross of Jesus, yet radiates the joy of the Lord. He shares his story of discipleship and suffering. Guest Info Fr Jim Rolph is the Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lansing, MI. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit av...

Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review Our understanding of God can sometimes make prayer seem like a fruitless task. If God is all-good and all-powerful, He will already grant us whatever is best. And if God is all-powerful, then how could our petitions cause him to change? We tackle these challenges with Pat Flynn. Further Reading Is Prayer Pointless (Philosophically Speaking)? Book: The Best...

Ave Maria in the Afternoon Year in Review Although we have seen some signs of resurgence in Church attendance, overall numbers are still on the decline. The Church needs to shift its mindset from one of maintenance to one of mission, taking cues from St. Paul and the early disciples. Bishop Robert Gruss of Saginaw has more. Further Reading Bishop Gruss: From maintenance to mission Guest Info Bisho...

The Gospel of Matthew is more than the first book of the New Testament – it is the key that unlocks everything that Jesus would fulfill. We take a deep dive into the Gospel with Dr. Scott Hahn. Further Reading Scott’s Gospel of Matthew series Guest Info Dr. Scott Hahn is a renowned speaker, professor, and author, as well as the Founder and President of the St. Paul Center, an apostolate dedicated...