Ave Maria in the Afternoon

If we accept the natural law as a law that governs our lives, then it must bind more than one person and coordinate their activity, beginning with its very first principles. We look at the Social character of the natural law with Michael Pakaluk. Further Reading Michael’s essay on the Natural Law Follow Michael on Substack Book: The Shock of Holiness: Finding the Romance of Everyday Life Guest Inf...

On Christmas Eve of 1914, the guns of the Great War’s Western Front fell silent. Enemy soldiers left the trenches, crossed the battle lines, and gathered to exchange food and gifts and sing carols. The ceasefire was not planned or sanctioned – it arose from the instincts of exhausted men. It emphasized a universal truth: at each end of the rifle, men were the same. Marcus has more. Further Reading...

In 1849, Fyodor Dostoyevsky stood before a firing squad fully prepared for death, only to have his sentence revoked at the last moment. But this near brush with death gave him unique credibility for writing about 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

The question of IVF remains an important moral issue for Catholics. Genetic testing companies claim to give parents “the power to protect their children before pregnancy begins” by screening embryos in the petri dish. We look at the ethical complications with Andrew Kubick. Further Reading Babies, Made to Order: The New York Times Sounds the Reproductive Technology Alarm IVF, Human Dignity, and th...

In this Sunday’s readings, we hear multiples stories of people who received direct messages from God and responded. In both the Gospel and the First Reading, we hear of the coming of a baby named Emmanuel. 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 di...

The Church has given us a rich tradition of music for Advent. Solemn, yet joyful, it helps us to prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. Deacon Tom Loewe joins us with two examples. The featured songs are: Bereitet die Wege, Bereitet die Bahn (Prepare the Way, Prepare the Path) Composer: J.S. Bach (1685-1750) From: Advent Cantata, BVW 132 (f.p., Weimar, December 22, 1715) Vocalist, Arlene Auge...

A young woman in Japan recently made headlines for “marrying” her AI-generated boyfriend. Wearing a wedding dress and virtual-reality goggles, she walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with a virtual image powered by Chat GPT. It’s an example of a culture craving for frictionless affirmation – relationships completely free of challenge or conflict. But if such relationships exist, they are holl...

The Old Testament details 353 prophecies by which the Jews could recognize the Messiah. The odds that one man would fulfill them all are astronomic, but what do they say? We discuss them with Andre Villeneuve. Further Reading The Probability That Jesus Fulfilled 8 Prophecies by Happenstance The Feasts of Israel: Foreshadowing the Messiah Guest Info Dr. André Villeneuve is a Catholic theologian, bi...

Pope Leo has tapped Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois to be the next Archbishop of New York following the retirement of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who has served America’s second-largest Archdiocese since 2009. We get to know him with Dr Matthew Bunson. Further Reading Pope Leo Picks Fellow Chicagoan with ‘Missionary Spirit’ as New York’s Next Archbishop Cardinal Dolan: Joyful Herald and Person...

In a recent video discussion on the Bible, Jordan Peterson discusses the Gospels. He uses a translation known as The Single Gospel, a condensed version that combines the four narratives into one. However, this raises some issues because of what is lost. We discuss it with Daniel Gallagher. Further Reading On Jordan Peterson and the necessity of tethering the Gospels to Tradition Guest Info Daniel...

St. Joseph the Worker Academy is an all-boys school in the Ann Arbor area based upon the educational philosophies of St. John Bosco and John Senior. Inshal Chenet and Jack Carter tell us about it. Further reading St. Joseph the Worker Academy website Guest Info Inshal Chenet is the Headmaster of St. Joseph the Worker Jack Carter is the Dean of Men at St. Joseph the Worker. This is a public episode...

“Mary was an unwed mother.” “Joseph was merely Jesus’ foster father.” “The Holy Family were illegal immigrants in Egypt” You’ve probably already heard these claims in the days leading up to Christmas, as people attempt to fit the story of Christmas into a modern mold. But it doesn’t work that way. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers o...

On December 16, 1773, members of the Sons of Liberty disguised as Native Americans boarded three ships in Boston Harbor and dumped hundreds of chest of tea into the water. The protest greatly escalated hostilities between Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies, and open war broke out less than two years later. Shawn McGhee joins us with a closer look at how the Boston Tea Party transformed the Am...

Truthly is a groundbreaking Catholic AI app designed to empower people with instant, reliable Catholic answers to questions about the faith and life. Co-founder Zac Johnson tells us more about it. Further Reading Truthly website Guest Info Zac Johnson is the co-founder of the Truthly app. Visit truthly.ai This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...

The 14-year legal battle against federal contraceptive mandates will continue, with Little Sisters of the Poor and the federal government seeking to reinstate moral and religious exemptions that were established in 2017. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer has the details. Further Reading Little Sisters of the Poor File Another Appeal Over Contraception Mandate Follow Andrea on X Conscience Project Guest Info...

In his travels, George Weigel has found that the perspective of American bishops in other countries is often far from reality. Friends will ask him why the bishops are so deeply divided, or why they disliked Pope Francis so much. With Pope Leo’s emphasis on unity, one would hope that such misconceptions will lessen. George joins us with more, and also discusses the latest developments with the Ger...

In the final days of Advent, the Church entreats us to the O Antiphons – short chants used during Vespers that are deeply set in Scripture and tradition. Marcus plays them and examines their deeper meaning. Further Reading The “O Antiphons” of Advent 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

Laptops, tablets, smartphones and other tech products were supposed to make learning easier. They would enhance our student’s access to knowledge and allow them to collaborate and exchange ideas. But the receipts are coming in and they show a different trend – the more schools digitize, the worst their students perform. Dr. Jared Horvath has more. Further Reading Book: The Digital Delusion: How Cl...

Today is the 250th birthday of novelist Jane Austen. We talk about how her beloved characters speak to today’s culture with Henry Russell. Guest Info Dr. Henry Russell is Headmaster of the St. Augustine’s Homeschool Enrichment Program, which he founded with his wife Crystal. The program began in Fall 2005 with 20 students in two living rooms and now tutors more than 140 students in three locations...

When Christians of any age or denomination debate the nature of the good life, the soul, or free will, their thought process is based on Aristotelian principles. Though not a Christian himself, Aristotle made full use of general revelation to arrive at deep truths about the nature of God, human identity, and the universe. We explore his thought with Louis Markos. Further Reading Book: From Aristot...

For the last week, the University of Michigan football program has been rocked by the news that its head coach, Sherrone Moore, was fired for having an affair with a member of his staff. It’s a trend tracing back to King David and beyond – a powerful, successful man whose life is undone by sexual immorality. And it’s why Tom Nash says that chastity can be a man’s real best friend. Tom joins us. Fu...

In a post reacting to the death of director Rob Reiner, President Trump seemingly linked the murder to Reiner’s political leanings. Reiner was a vocal progressive and frequent critic of Trump, and Trump wrote his death was due to the anger Reiner caused others with his “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Marcus discusses how this was a missed opportunity to make a unifying statement about the value of l...

Religion in America has seen its ups and downs throughout the country’s history. Recent statistics show that we’re experiencing a little bit of both now. Miles Smith takes a look at America’s Religious landscape. Further Reading American Religion by the Numbers Book: The American Religious Landscape: Facts, Trends, and the Future Book: Religion & Republic: Christian America from the Founding to th...

Jimmy Lai was found guilty today of multiple violations of China’s national security laws. He has not been formally sentenced, but is likely facing life in prison. Benedict Rogers joins us with more. Further Reading Jimmy Lai found guilty of national security violations, faces life in prison To China, He Was an Arch Villain. To His Supporters, He Was Their Hope. Book: The China Nexus Follow Ben on...

The Bill of Rights was ratified on this day in 1791. Doug Keck joins us to discuss the source of our rights. Guest Info Doug Keck is 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 episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com