Ave Maria in the Afternoon

A new study examining how parents can most effectively foster faith in their children found that the family home is the single most critical factor in determining whether a child retains their faith into adulthood. Greg Popcak has more. Further Reading New study reveals the single most critical factor in whether children keep their faith into adulthood Guest Info Dr. Greg Popcak is the founder of...

The Final Report from Study Group 9 of the Synod on Synodality states, in rambling language, that many of the Church’s teachings on morality are “rigid” and “sterile.” “The Synodal Church” is making a move to end Natural Law as the basis of the Moral Law...but that’s impossible. Monica Miller has more. Further Reading Paradigm Shifts and the End of Catholic Moral Doctrine Guest Info Monica Miller,...

The Prime Minister of England has allowed a “death with dignity” measure to be reintroduced into Parliament. Joanna Bogle tells us more. Guest Info Joanna Bogle is a journalist in the United Kingdom. Her book Newman’s London is published by Gracewing Books. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack....

Critics of the Second Vatican say that the post-Vatican II church has compromised truth for the sake of unity with non-Catholics. But despite the efforts and actions of some Church members over the last several decades, the Council never taught that this unity should be achieved through doctrinal compromise. The Council never proposed that the truth of the Catholic Church be softened for the sake...

Richard Spinello looks at the intersecting life stories of four important Catholic philosophers of the 20th century - Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Karol Wojtyla - and examines the salient themes of their respective philosophies. Further Reading Four Catholic Philosophers: Rejoicing in the Truth Guest Info Richard Spinello is Professor of Management Practice at Boston...

A new Gallup poll reveals some striking insights into how Americans feel about assisted suicide. 49% of respondents answered that committing suicide with a doctor’s help is morally acceptable, buy only 21% find suicide in general to be morally acceptable. We look at the disparity in support with Wes Smith. Further Reading Americans Are of Two Minds About the ‘Moral Acceptability’ of Suicide Guest...

On this day in 1215, on the fields of Runnymeade, the English King John signed one of the most important documents in Western Civilization – the Magna Carta. Marcus looks at its legacy. 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

Yesterday marked the 90th anniversary of GK Chesterton’s Death. We discuss his legacy and wisdom with Dale Ahlquist. Further Reading The Everlasting Man: A Guide to G.K. Chesterton’s Masterpiece I Also Had My Hour: An Alternative Autobiography of G.K. Chesterton Guest Info Dale Ahlquist is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on the life and writings of GK Chesterton. He is president...

President Trump announced yesterday that the United States and Iran have reached a deal, opening the Straight of Hormuz and ending the US blockade of Iranian ports. Alberto Fernandez has more. Further Reading Trump announces peace deal with Iran, ending hostilities Guest Info Ambassador Alberto M. Fernandez is vice-president of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) and a Contributor to...

Today’s First Reading tells the story of the murder of Naboth. And in the Gospel, Jesus gives us the famous command to turn the other cheek. Marcus unpacks the readings and examines how they are connected. Further Reading Lessons From Naboth’s Murder 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 this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims that “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” It is a call for all of us to preach the Gospel. Rob Corzine unpacks 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 discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

Does digital technology make it more difficult to be a Christian? Colin Miller argues that it is not possible anymore to use technology without it using us: tool use always habituates us into being particular kinds of people. And technology use shapes our character in a way that is contrary to the formation demanded by the Gospel. Colin joins us with more. Further Reading Thinking Christianly Abou...

A daily offering of one’s life to God is an indispensable practice for every serious Catholic. Fr James Kubicki’s newest book presents a reflection for each day of the year to help develop—or reinvigorate—the habit of beginning each day by sincerely offering it to Christ. He joins us. Further Reading A Year of Daily Offerings: Giving Your Life to God One Day at a Time Guest Info Fr. James Kubicki,...

Schools across the country are increasingly limiting students’ access to smartphones, or banning them altogether, as studies show the negative impacts phones have on mental health and classroom performance. But there is another reason we should limit kids’ access to smartphones: their effect on our political culture. It is looking increasingly like smartphones and social media are leading our cult...

On the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, Dr. Marcus Peter reflects on America’s consecration to Christ by linking Deuteronomy, 1 John, Matthew, and St. Bonaventure to the pierced Heart of Jesus, the covenant love of God, and the urgent call for national repentance, personal conversion, and renewed Christian witness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

As church attendance falls, suicide rates climb, and birth rates plummet, Christian pundits have suggested disenchantment and the loss of tradition are to blame for our spiritual malaise. But what if the problem is both much simpler and much more serious? Carl Trueman argues that modern man’s crisis of meaning stems from a rejection of a simple fact—that he was made in the image of God. He joins u...

Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas received tremendous criticism from numerous factions online as soon as the document was released, which prompted Marcus to consider if the people critiquing him had even read the document. Marcus took some time to read the document and to consider it before commenting on it and he shares his thoughts about the background and context that makes this doc...

The doctrine of the Eucharist is one of the biggest divisions between Catholics and Protestants. But we can begin a dialogue using a belief that is common to all Christians – the Word became Flesh. The shocking logic of the Incarnation is precisely what has compelled apostolic Christians to affirm the Real Presence for two thousand years. We talk more about it with Matthew Becklo. Further Reading...

It doesn’t take a medical degree to hypothesize that women’s healthcare has gone terribly wrong. It is almost entirely structured around either suppressing or bypassing the female reproductive system altogether. And it’s why women like Katelyn Shelton are rejecting hormonal birth control. She joins us with more. Further Reading Why I Won’t Use Hormonal Birth Control Follow Katelyn on X Katelyn’s T...

We dive into this month’s celebration of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts with Steve Ray. 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

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer’s preteen daughter has recently developed a close friendship with another family’s toddler-aged children. This can serve as a model for Catholic living. She joins us. Further Reading The Theology of Presence Guest Info Andrea Picciotti-Bayer’s preteen daughter has recently developed a close friendship with another family’s toddler-aged children. This can serve as a model for...

Today is the anniversary of the horrifying death of Emperor Nero. He was a terrible figure, as violent as he was unvirtuous. How did he rise to power and what drove his entire reign? And what is the impact of his persecution of the Christians on our life today? Marcus examines this. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

Why are so many developed countries seeing a “birth dearth?” Why are the week and the ill considered burdens to be disposed of? It’s because our society has lost sight of the very value of the human person. Nadya Williams joins us with a look at the roots of this ideological shift and how we can reaffirm the imago Dei of each person. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

Today’s readings begin with the great confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. The entire narrative is a challenge to all of us that we ought not have divided hearts when it comes to our life in covenant with 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.sub...

Can we be good without God? How do we even know what “good” is? Pat Flynn 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