Ave Maria in the Afternoon

Recently unsealed court documents show employees at Facebook’s parent company Meta were aware of the adverse effects social media has on kids’ mental health, calling Instagram a “drug” and referring to themselves as “pushers.” Marcus has some thoughts. Further Reading Meta employees compared themselves to drug ‘pushers’ as company buried mental health harms to kids Scrolling ourselves to death Boo...

Advent is a season that connects us to the end of time and the Son’s second coming in Glory. And by preparing for this Second Coming, we also prepare our hearts for Jesus’ arrival at Christmas. Carl Olson joins us with more. Further Reading Embracing the Embarrassment of Advent Follow Carl on X Carl’s website Guest Info Carl E. Olson is editor of Catholic World Report and Ignatius Insight. He is t...

Pope Leo recently published a document called Drawing New Maps of Hope, in which he outlines his vision for education. He sees education as proceeding from our foundation as made in God’s image, which sees us as more than mere passive recipients of being, but cooperative causes in its creation. We take a closer look with Mike Schramm. Further Reading A Reflection on Leo XIV’s Drawing New Maps of H...

Pope Leo XIV began his second day in Lebanon on Monday with a deeply symbolic pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, entrusting the country and the wider Middle East to the intercession of the saint whom many Lebanese, Christians and Muslims alike, invoke as the “heavenly physician.”. We talk about it with Doug Keck. Further Reading Pope Leo Entrusts Lebanon to Saint Charbel’s Intercess...

The 44th and 45th chapters of Genesis serve as a “mini-Gospel,” laying out a roadmap for the eventual coming of Christ. Dr. James Anderson joins us with more. Further Reading The Gospel Foreshadowed: Joseph and Judah in Genesis Guest Info James S. Anderson is adjunct professor of biblical studies at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and a psychotherapist in private practice. He i...

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of a Roman centurion who said he was not worthy to have Jesus enter his home, and that all He had to do was say the word to heal the centurion’s servant. Marcus breaks down 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

On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat. Marcus looks back on what this heroic event means for today’s race relations. 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

Pope Leo’s first trip outside of Italy is taking him to Turkey, home of some of the earliest Christians. Matthew Bunson reports on this and other Church news. Further Reading As Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Turkey nears, anticipation grows among local communities How the man who became Pope John XXIII helped shape Vatican-Turkey relations Guest Info Matthew Bunson is Vice President and Editorial Direct...

This Sunday is the start of the Advent season. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us what will happen at the coming of the Son of Man and that we must always be prepared for we do not know when that will happen. We unpack the readings with Rob Corzine. Guest Info Rob Corzine is vice president of programs for the St Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss t...

We are at a unique point in our nation’s history. What does the history of this country tell us about its future? Dr. Jim Davis joins us. Guest Info Dr. James E. Davis is Professor Emeritus of history at Illinois College. He has published three books about life on the American frontier: Frontier America , Dreams to Dust , and Frontier Illinois . This is a public episode. If you would like to discu...

Around the world, some of the most developed and advanced nations are reporting low birth rates and aging populations. Many are discussing why no one wants to have children. Experts debate the causes, but few present convincing conclusions. We discuss the cultural shifts that have happened with John Horvat. Further Reading Making Sense Out of Our Childless & Childish Age Book: Return to Order: Fro...

The Vatican doctrinal note Una Caro explains why the Church has always defined marriage as between one man and one woman. Marcus traces the meaning of marriage back to Genesis. Further Reading Doctrine of the Faith: Monogamy is not a limitation but a promise of the infinite This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ave...

We all know the story of Thanksgiving. Or do we? This uniquely American holiday has a rich and little-known history beyond the famous Pilgrim feast of 1621. Melanie Kirkpatrick joins us. Further Reading Book: Thanksgiving The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience Melanie’s website Guest Info Melanie Kirkpatrick is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former deputy editor of the...

Somewhere in-between the cynicism of fatalists and the Pollyanna sentiments of too many greeting cards is the sentiment of gratefulness. We explore what it means with Charlie Self. Further Reading Grateful: Pre-Thanksgiving Thoughts Charlie’s website Guest Info Dr. Charlie Self is an author, adviser, pastor and professor with more than 40 years of experience connecting Faith and the Common Good. H...

In a consumer-drive culture, it’s easy to forget about the importance of gratefulness. Sure, we’re encouraged to take a few minutes at Thanksgiving to “count our blessings,” but it doesn’t go much further. Secular writers may explore the benefits of gratitude, but they fail to explore the much deeper spiritual meaning of gratitude. We’ll talk with Susan Muto about the development of Christian grat...

Blessed Thanksgiving to you! Marcus reflects on the importance of being thankful to God for all he has given us. 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

Thanksgiving is a peculiar holiday. It’s religious by nature but is celebrated in a nation that is, at least as far as the law is concerned, secular. It reminds us of the peculiar character of the American nation and the President’s role in it. We talk more with Richard Samuelson. Further Reading A National Thanksgiving: President Washington and America’s National Holiday Follow Dr. Samuelson on X...

As Christians, we have been given spiritual gifts to equip us in building the Church. As John Paul II and other recent popes observed again and again, we are sent by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel. We take a deep dive into what this means with Peter Herbeck. Further Reading Renewal Ministries website Guest Info Peter Herbeck is the vice-president and director of missions for Renewal Ministri...

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 From maintenance to mission Diocese of Saginaw website Guest Info Bishop Robert Gruss serves at the...

Christianity in Turkey traces its roots back to the first century. Today, the country is officially secular, but the vast majority of its population identifies as Muslim. Derya Little grew up there, and in her youth she rejected her Islamic faith and became an atheist. Today, she’s a Catholic author and speaker. As Pope Leo prepares to visit Turkey, she gives us a look at the religious landscape t...

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week in First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin. It’s a case that strikes at the heart of freedom, including donor privacy protections that allow Americans to give freely and according to their conscience without fear of harassment or reprisal. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer has the details. Further Reading Threat to donor privacy unites Right and L...

Thanksgiving remains one of the few days on the American calendar when we can gather to share a meal. It remains a symbol of simplicity and hope against today’s cynicism. Marcus shares some thoughts. 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

Ida Gorres was a German Catholic author whose work has largely been lost to history. But in mid-20th-century Europe, she was one of the Church’s most insightful and courageous writers, and then-Fr. Joseph Ratzinger said she wrote “with an insightful certainty and fearlessness about the pressing questions of the Church today.” We get to know her with Jennifer Bryson. Further Reading Book: Bread Gro...

Abolitionist Sojourner Truth died on November 26, 1883 in Michigan. Her deep religious faith is what motivated her to fight for equality for all, and her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech is celebrated to this day. But different accounts of what she actually said in that speech have been adapted to fit different political agendas. Mary Cuff joins us with more. Further Reading The Truth About Sojourner Tru...

The thought of Thanksgiving with the family is enough to give some of us indigestion – and not from eating too much turkey. Whether it be a political argument, a religious barb, or just digging up old family gossip, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before someone’s feelings are hurt and they start throwing stuffing. Dr. Greg Popcak joins us with advice for a more peaceful holiday. Further...