Ave Maria in the Afternoon

In a recent article, billionaire Bill Gates address “three tough truths on climate change” and makes a surprising admission for a longtime climate activist: our concern for people ought to outweigh our fixation on the planet’s temperature. Matthew Ramage has more. Further Reading On the surprising sanity of Bill Gates on climate change… Matthew’s website Guest Info Matthew J. Ramage, Ph. D. , is P...

We continue our look at the most important battles in history with Michael Greaney, who introduces us to the man history now calls Vlad the Impaler. Further Reading Book: Ten Battles Every Catholic Should Know Guest Info 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

We all experience times in life where we seem to be walking through unending shadow. But if we keep a spirit of thanksgiving to God, we can be healed of these wounds. 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

Have you ever felt that everyone’s marriage is perfect – except yours? Costanza Miriano joins us with advice for couples to not just survive their marriage, but thrive in it. Further Reading Book: Blessed Is the Day We “Got It Wrong” 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 University of Notre Dame has reversed changes to its list of staff values and has reinstated “Catholic mission” at the top of the list. We talk about the meaning of Catholic identity with Doug Keck. Further Reading Notre Dame returns ‘Catholic Mission’ to its core values after ‘confusion’ Guest Info This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acces...

Ruth Pakaluk was a dynamic woman: a Harvard graduate, atheist turned Catholic and mother of seven. She was recognized for her joyful faith, even in the midst of illness, and died of cancer in 1998 at the age of 41. Now the Vatican has granted a Nihil Obstat, allowing her canonization cause to advance to the Diocesan phase. Her husband Michael shares her story. Further Reading Book: The Appalling S...

Charles Darwin published his Origin of Species on this day in 1859. Marcus discusses the origins of Darwin’s thought and the relationship between Church and science. 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

We talked briefly last week about a new Nicholas Cage film that illustrates the early years of Jesus’ life. It’s inspired by the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which is not part of the New Testament Canon. Why doesn’t the Church accept Gnostic Gospels like the one Thomas wrote? Billy Kangas joins us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bon...

Over the weekend, Marcus had a chance encounter with a young man who was clearly going through some hard times. Marcus offered to pray for him and said “Jesus loves you,” something the young man hadn’t heard before. We must never forget the impact that such a simple phrase can have. Marcus shares more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

The New Testament is saturated with language about Christ’s Kingship and how it fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. It also looks at Jesus as king in many different ways. We discuss it with Dr. Adam van Wart. 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 Sunday we conclude the Church year with the Solemnity of Christ the King. Ironically, the Gospel reading celebrates the Kingship of Christ by telling the story of His death. We unpack 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

In colonial America, Catholics were presumed dangerous until proven loyal. Yet Catholics went on to sign the Declaration of Independence and helped to finalize the First Amendment to the Constitution. What explains this remarkable transformation? Michael Breidenbach joins us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit a...

On social media yesterday, President Trump posted that a group of Democratic lawyers had committed a traitorous act in their message to the military, and should be put to death. While he later walked back on that sentiment, his actions are the latest example of why we must not put our hope in secular leaders – something that should be clear to anyone who has followed American politics over the las...

The Feast of Christ the King can sound awkward to a nation that was founded on the rejection of earthly kingships. But accepting Christ’s kingship over our lives can actually make us better citizens. 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

A new film starring Nicholas Cage presents itself as a horror movie about the childhood of Jesus. Films like this like to bait Christians into harsh negative reactions, hoping to generate publicity. But this tactic seems to be wearing thin, as many Christians have decided to stop falling for the rage-bait. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subs...

We are engaged in a spiritual struggle with an enemy who seeks to bring about distraction, fear, and isolation. But we need not fear, for the Lord has given us tools and gifts to help fight this spiritual battle. Mary Ruth Hackett joins 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

Two Catholic priests in Belarus will be released from prison in an act of “goodwill” after national leaders engaged in talks with the Vatican. Matthew Bunson has the details on this and other Church news. Links for this Segment Belarus pardons 2 Catholic priests after talks with Vatican World’s tallest Our Lady of Fátima monument inaugurated in Brazil Pope Leo appoints Nigerian priest assessor for...

Reading Scripture goes far beyond what is literally on the page, as we attempt to understand the deeper, transcendent meanings of the texts. The great writer Dante meant for his Divine Comedy to be read in the same manner. Joseph Pearce joins us. Further Reading Joseph’s website This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi...

Bishop Robert Barron and Cardinal Gerhard Muller recently posted a video podcast in which they discussed a variety of theological topics, including how the Church presents a worldview that can counter today’s despair. We talk about it with Dr. Henry Russell. Further Reading Barron and Müller — Nietzsche, Vatican II, and the Catholic Church as the Antidote to Despair. Homeschool Connections This is...

The Nuremberg trials began on this day in 1945. After years of devastation at the hands of the Axis powers, something more than vengeance was required. No civil code at the time was sufficient – so the Allies relied on something greater. Marcus discusses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.co...

On this day in 1863, on the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought on US soil, President Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the great speeches in American history. We discuss it with Brad Birzer. 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

Cardinal Blaise Cupich recently commented that “The tragic reality in our nation today is that there are essentially no Catholic public officials who consistently pursue the essential elements of Catholic social teaching.” But are Catholics supposed to find a political home in this world at all? Daniel Gallagher joins us. Further Reading Should Catholics Expect to Find a ‘Political Home’? This is...

Most religious liberty battles never reach the Supreme Court, so it’s important to pay attention to what is happening in the lower courts. Cases currently under review in the federal courts of appeal will have immediate impact on the lives of many Americans and can offer important legal roadmaps for courts addressing similar issues in the future. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer joins us. This is a public e...

November, the month of the dead, calls us to remember our own death and to prepare for eternal life. What if we could visit Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven? Wouldn’t that open our eyes and put life into an entirely different and eternal perspective? Jared Staudt joins us. Further Reading Preparing for Death: A Brief Imaginative Pilgrimage This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...

Alice and Ellen Kessler, German twin sisters and dancers who were famous across Europe in the 1950s, died this week by joint assisted suicide. Predictably, many are hailing their suicide as a “heroic” or “empowering” act. Wes Smith joins us with more. Further Reading German Identical Twins Receive Death on Demand Follow Wes on X Guest Info This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss thi...