Ave Maria in the Afternoon

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Thomas More. At his execution, he proclaimed that he died “The King’s loyal servant – but God’s first.” Marcus reflects on what this lesson means for us today. 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

Mike Romano, a producer for EWTN, recently lost his wife to cancer. While the family visited her grave on Mother’s Day, his son told him “Dad, you don’t have to be so sad every time we visit her. Mom wouldn’t want you to be sad because she’s rejoicing in heaven.” Mike shares his story. Further Reading Echoes of an Angel: Radio Producer Finds Strength in the Chaplet That Keeps His Late Wife Close G...

Marcus looks at today’s First Reading from the Second Book of Kings and the consequences of when the children of Israel sinned against God. 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 National Shrine of the Little Flower is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week. Judy Maten tells us more. Further Reading National Shrine of the Little Flower Centennial Mass 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 are excited to be broadcasting again from Acton University in Grand Rapids. Is there a moral case for capitalism? Consumerism is an appalling spectacle. Free markets may be efficient, but are they fair? Aren’t there some things that we can’t afford to leave to the vicissitudes of the market? Fr. Robert Sirico joins us to discuss the conference and defending the Free Market. Further Reading Defe...

Marcus’ oldest son turns five today – just in time for Father’s Day. Marcus reflects on the gift of Fatherhood. 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

Every one of us has been equipped perfectly for a purposeful life. True joy and authenticity come from wholeheartedly living that life. We talk about it with Andrea LaFountain, who shares the work she is doing with Truth First Ministry. Truth First website Guest Info Andrea LaFountain is a neuroscientist, theologian, speaker and author. She is Adjunct professor of Psychology at Divine Mercy Univer...

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reassures us that we have no reason to be afraid. God know the very number of the hairs on our head, and if even the sparrows are cared for, then we know we will be as well. Rob Corzine joins us to unpack the readings. 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 d...

There are some encouraging numbers on fatherhood in America. Recent research shows that dad are spending nearly four times the number of hours their grandfathers spent with their kids, and that parenting time for fathers has been trending upward for decades. In the words of one study, today’s dads are becoming “the parents their fathers never were.” But there is a cloud to this silver lining – a m...

When we think of fathers in the bible, our minds immediately go to the shining example set by St Joseph. But what about the less than stellar fathers? Steve Ray joins us. Guest Info Steve Ray leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and other sites. He converted to Catholicism in 1994 and is the author of “Crossing the Tiber,” “Upon this Rock” and other books, including a brand-new study on the Bo...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us not to store our treasures on earth, but to store them up in Heaven, for were our treasure is our heart will be as well. What treasure occupies our deepest affection? What rival loyalties do we have within us for our devotion? What resentments do we have that remain unsolved? Or what spiritual blindness is clouding the way we live spiritually? Marcus has more. Thi...

Dr John Bergsma joins us to explore the theology of the royal priesthood, rooted in the early chapters of Genesis, and look at how God establishes a covenant of sonship with us. Guest Info Dr. John Bergsma is Vice President for Biblical Theology and Mission Effectiveness at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he ha...

The US has been in a steep fertility decline for nearly two decades, and a new study may shed some light on one of the causes. The study used mobile coverage maps cross-referenced with fertility data to conclude that the release of the iPhone, the first modern smartphone, is associated with an accelerated decline in fertility that has continued to the present day. Marcus looks at the numbers. Furt...

Pope Leo XIV cautioned that the planned ordination of Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) bishops could push the group toward schism, urging them again to stop and remain in communion with the Church. Matthew Bunson has more on this and other Church news. Further Reading Pope warns SSPX bishop ordinations risk deepening schism Federal judge says government can deposit money to seize diocesan land for bor...

As the first American pope, Leo XIV is probably the most famous American Catholic in history. And in taking this “title,” he likely replaces soon-to-be Blessed Fulton J Sheen. It’s a blessed irony that the cause of our once best-known Catholic may well have been picked up and advanced by our new best-known Catholic. Paul Kengor has more. Further Reading What Pope Leo Means for Fulton Sheen America...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to address God as our Father. God seeks sons who want to live in His presence, and the entire story of salvation history concerns divine sonship. 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 American theologian Msgr. Charles Gusmer once observed that the Anointing of the Sick is the most misunderstood of the seven Sacraments of the Church. But it is a Sacrament with deep roots in Scripture and Tradition. We dive into its meaning with Michael Patrick Barber. Further Reading The Bible and the Anointing of the Sick Guest Info Michael Patrick Barber is the author of The Bible and the...

Bishop Joseph Strickland recently wrote a scathing critique of Magnifica Humanitas, claiming that it focuses too much on the human person and shifts our focus away from God. But in reading the document, you can see a clear and consistent Christological theme. 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 a...

Any day now, the Supreme Court will decide whether America’s landmark law protecting the religious freedom of prisoners has any real teeth. The case concerns Damon Landor, a Rastafarian prisoner who grew out his dreadlocks as an expression of his faith, and who was forced by the guards to shave his head. The question before the Court is whether Landor can sue that officer personally for money dama...

Thousands of books have been written about St. John Paul the Great, one of the most influential popes in modern history. But very little has been said about his predecessor, who only sat on the Chair of Peter for about a month. Mo Guernon joins us with a look at his life. Further Reading Love is a Journey: The Inspiring Life and Legacy of Pope John Paul I Guest Info Mo Guernon is the author of Lov...

Recent biomedical news headlines have exposed the deadly lack of ethics in research involving human embryos. Dr. Dieter Egli, a Columbia University developmental cell biologist, claims his team successfully “base edited” the genome of several human embryos. Why is this generally being hailed as a scientific milestone rather than a giant ethical violation? Dr. Joseph Meaney joins us. Further Readin...

Today’s readings contain a consistent theme of faithfulness. God’s divine mercy flows through the human heart that seeks him. Those who are called to public ministry ought to have lives that are overflowing in the divine love of the Lord. 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.co...

In today’s Responsorial Psalm, we are reminded that every sin against others is ultimately a sin against God. The Gospel takes it to a deeper level, as Jesus calls on us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. Marcus unpacks 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 our Lord’s final hours, He promised His disciples that He would not leave them orphans and placed His mother and beloved disciple in each other’s care. The love of Our Lady for all of the souls of those who are disciples of Christ cannot be overstated, and Sara Beth Meyer celebrates it in a new book for children. She joins us. Further Reading Our Lady’s Love for Little Ones book Sara’s website...

The Cardinal Newman Society is hosting their 2026 Newman Guide Leaders Summit this week at Catholic University of America. Kevin Murphy joins us to talk about the conference and the future of Catholic education. Guest Info Kevin Murphy is Chief Content Officer for the Cardinal Newman Society This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus e...