Ave Maria in the Afternoon

Many contemporary scholars assume the Marian doctrines are mere “ornaments” within greater Catholic theology. This worldview collapses when we look at how the Marian vision helped give birth to an entirely new worldview. 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

Our Blessed Mother is the perfect example of heroic feminine virtue. We celebrate her Immaculate Conception with Doug Keck. 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 concept of the Development of Doctrine is frequently misunderstood today. Activists often claim it means that Church teaching can change over time to suit their interpretation of morality. Soon-to-be Doctor of the Church St. John Henry Newman wrote extensively on the Development of Doctrine, we discuss what he said with Eduardo Echeverria. Further Reading Development of Doctrine or Change in T...

“The phrase ‘Immaculate Conception’ isn’t in the Bible!” “Mary was a sinner like the rest of us!” “The Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception wasn’t even confirmed until the 19th Century!” How do you answer these Protestant challenges? Steve Ray joins us. Further Reading Steve’s website Book: Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines Guest Info Steve Ray leads pi...

The Soviet Union adopted Stalin’s Constitution on this day in 1936. This document laid the foundation for the next several decades of Soviet rule and was soon followed by Stalin’s infamous purges. We look back on it with Vejas Liulevicius. Further Reading Book: Stalin: Paradoxes of Power, 1878-1928 Book: Stalin: Waiting for Hitler, 1929-1941 Book: The Origins of Totalitarianism Video Series: The R...

This Sunday’s Gospel takes us into the wilderness of Judea, where John the Baptist warns us to repent and prepare the way of the Lord. We unpack the readings with Rob Corzine. Further Reading St. Paul Center website Guest Info Rob Corzine is Vice President of Programs at the St Paul Center for Biblical theology. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

There is more at stake in market economies than self-interest or making money. Lying just below the surface, there are shared projects answering the deepest political questions of how we live together and who we become. We explore these questions with Dr. Mark Hoipkemier. Further Reading Book: The Price of the Common Good: Markets, Corporations, and Political Economy Where (Not) to Begin with the...

One of the great ethical ironies of the age has been that so many advocacy groups for suicidal people have been hesitant to speak out against assisted suicide. Thankfully, the International Association for Suicide Prevention has now issued a position paper opposing assisted suicide legalization. Wes Smith has the details. Further Reading Finally, a Suicide Prevention Organization Opposes Assisted...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died on this day in 1791. Raised a Catholic, he remained a devout member of the Church throughout his life and his faith influenced his works. Marcus shares some clips of Mozart’s music and comments on their significance. Further Reading Book: Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...

On his visit to Turkey to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Pope Leo XIV took up two themes dear to his predecessors, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II. He offered a difference in emphasis from the former, and an echo of the latter in the context of Arianism, the heresy that Nicaea was called to confront. Matthew Bunson joins us with more. Further Reading Pope...

This Saturday is the Feast of St. Nicholas, one of the great heroes of the early Church - he joins us in the studio to tell his amazing story! Guest Info Saint Nicholas of Myra was a Catholic bishop who lived from 270 to 343. His feast is December 6. Many thanks to Fr. Joseph Marquis! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...

In the Gospel last Sunday, Matthew wrote of two men in the field, one taken and one left. Passages like this are commonly cited by those who envision a pre-tribulation Rapture, the kind portrayed in series like Left Behind. What does Catholic teaching say about the end times? Dr. Dave Anders is our guest. Further Reading David’s website Video: Pre-tribulation Rapture in Catholicism? Guest Info Dr....

In its second interim report issued last month, a Synodal study group continued to talk about a “paradigm shift … in continuity with Vatican II” and labeled homosexuality as an “emerging issue.” Catholic teaching on issues of morality cannot change – so why do some people try to? Richard Spinello joins us. Further Reading Why Catholic doctrine on sexual morality cannot change Book: Four Catholic P...

There’s a conundrum facing our society - reporting that presents itself as investigative journalism, but actually reveals very little of substance. It’s not a new phenomenon, but the internet has allowed it to spread in new forms. 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

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the landmark document known as Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), which was the result of Jewish and Catholic collaboration during the Second Vatican Council. We talk about it with T. Adam van Wert, who also has the details on a free symposium hosted by Ave Maria University. The conference is free and you can attend in-person or on Zoom - click here to learn more...

GK Chesteron once wrote that “there is no more dangerous or disgusting habit than that of celebrating Christmas before it comes, as I am doing in this article.” What did he mean? Joseph Pearce is our guest. Further Reading G. K. Chesterton and the Death of Christmas Joseph’s website Guest Info Joseph Pearce is the author of numerous literary works including Literary Converts, The Quest for Shakesp...

The United States Supreme Court heard oral argument Tuesday morning in First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Platkin, a case that has drawn an unusually broad coalition in defense of donor privacy and access to federal courts. Further Reading Supreme Court Scrutinizes New Jersey AG’s Bid to Unmask Pro-Life Donors Guest Info Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is a legal analyst for EWTN News. She also...

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Francis Xavier, who brought the Gospel all around the world. Marcus reflects on what it means to be a missionary. 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

America’s homelessness crisis seems to have a simple fix – surely Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and a few of their friends have the money to provide housing, don’t they? But the problem is more complicated than that, and homeless means more than the simple lack of a home. Marcus has more. Further Reading Universal Basic Community Now! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

When Sister Theres Hong Phuoc Tran teaches mental health workshops at Catholic parishes, schools and religious congregations, she uses a simple verse from Scripture – Mark 12:30 – to illustrate the different components of wellness. She joins us to talk about it. Further Reading America’s Mental Health Crisis and the Religious Sister Who’s Confronting It in California Lovers of the Holy Cross Guest...

Today is the anniversary of the 1989 declaration by Mikhail Gorbachev and George H. W. Bush that the Cold War had ended. The nearly 50-year conflict grew from ideological roots that ran deeper than troop movements or diplomatic cables. Marcus looks at these intellectual and ideological foundations of the Cold War. Further Reading Ideas have Consequences This is a public episode. If you would like...

Medicine and bioethics are going through profound changes in the Western world, as practices that prior generations would have recognized as morally impermissible become central components of modern health care. In the process of rejecting its Christian roots, the West has denied the traditional understanding of Truth that is central to both science and morality. We look at the problem with Dr. Ma...

Pope Leo has finished his visit to Lebanon, an ancient land that appears prominently in the Scriptures. We discuss the Biblical roots of the country and the papal visit with Fr. Roger Chikri. Further Reading Pope Leo Prays at Beirut Blast Site, Meets Families Seeking Justice Pope Leo Entrusts Lebanon to Saint Charbel’s Intercession, Prays at His Tomb Learn more about the Maronites Guest Info Fr. R...

Kenny Burchard grew up in an irreligious home with parents who had abandoned the nominally Catholic faith of their own childhoods. From there, his path to faith was a long and winding road. Kenny has identified “Four Ls” that summarize his journey to conversion – he joins us to share them. Further Reading Kenny’s website YouTube: Catholic Bible Highlights with Kenny Burchard Book: Journeys Home 3...

In 2019, the New York Times partnered with a team of historians to produce the “1619 Project,” which claimed that the arrival of slaves in Virginia was the defining moment in American history. In response, conservative historians launched a “1776 Report” that presented a more patriotic view of American history. Dr. Christopher Shannon has a third option: the 1531 Project – citing the often-overloo...