Catholic History Trek

From the land of Mother Teresa, a world class cricket team, and 4-hour long Bollywood movies, comes St Devasahayam Pillai. This episode treks thru his life and martyrdom, with a historical look at Catholicism in India.   ("Martyrs" series no. 5, St Devasahayam Pillai)

Universitas magistrorum et scholarium. The modern university's very name derives from its medieval Catholic antecedent. Scott and Kevin tour the long, fruitful, and sometimes contentious relationship between the Church and universities.

Arthur Simon Flegenheimer, a.k.a. Dutch Schultz, was an infamous prohibition era mobster known for bootlegging, running breweries, speakeasies, and illegal gambling rings, and engaging in gang wars. After the National Crime Syndicate put a hit on him, this Jewish-born criminal sought redemption thru the Catholic Church while on his deathbed. Find out about his conversion, and lost treasure, on thi...

Salt Lake City's splendid Cathedral of the Madeleine reflects the history of Catholicism in the land of the Latter-Day Saints. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 35, Utah)

From out of the depths Scott explores the history of the De Profundis prayer, which is also Psalm 129. (“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 14, De Profundis)

Scott and Kevin outline the historical connections between the Church and athletic games, highlighting a few of the many remarkable Catholic athletes and teams that have excelled in the field of competitive sports. Support CHT by donating through PayPal to Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek

Is the Catholic Church an enemy of scientific progress? For those who answer "yes", the often point to the trial of Galileo. But what is the real history between the Church and Galileo? Find out in this episode as Scott treks thru geocentrism, epicycles, heliocentrism, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Galileo.

Ven. Samuel Mazzuchelli and Bishop Matthias Loras are among the figures who played major roles in the story of the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 34, Iowa)

Next week the blessing of throats for the feast day of St Blaise will take place in many Catholic churches. But who was St Blaise, and why do we commemorate his feast day by blessing throats?  Scott treks thru the answers to those questions in this episode. ("Martyrs" series no. 4, Martyrdom of St Blaise)

Kevin interviews Clayton State University history professor David Gilbert about his new book, The End of Catholic Mexico: Causes and Consequences of the Mexican Reforma (1855-1861) .

A century and a half ago Pope Gregory XVI declared war against an insidious heresy to later be named Modernism. This war was carried by on Popes Pius IX and Pius X, who issued a Syllabus of Errors, and required an Oath Against Modernism. In this episode, Scott treks thru the history, and the current state, of this conflict. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin...

President George Washington contributed to the construction of the original Church of St. Mary, the first Catholic parish in Virginia. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 33, Virginia)

Scott explores the history of a pair of Catholic railroaders. Casey Jones is a folk hero of the American railroading era, and Paul Pius Perazzo is on the "track" to sainthood. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!

Scott and Kevin trace the history of money—its use and misuse—within the institutions of the Catholic Church Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)

Many Catholic churches saw major renovations in the era after the second Vatican Council. In the name of the spirit of Vatican II, and in conforming the church to the new mass, much of the sacred art and beautiful furnishings were purged. But were these changes driven by the council? Were they approved by the Holy Father? Those questions, and others will be answered in this episode as Scott treks...

Sacred Heart Mission is Idaho's oldest building. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 32, Idaho

O Queen of Heaven rejoice! Alleluia! Scott explores the obscure history of this prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Regina Caeli. ("Catholic Prayers" series, no. 14, Regina Caeli)

The Dominicans, or Dogs of the Lord (Latin Domini Canis ) have been influential in the spiritual renewal of the Church since they were founded 800 years ago by St Dominic de Guzman. Kevin and Scott trek thru the history of this Order of Preachers, and many of the saints it produced. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you...

Do “Politics & Religion” mix? PEW Research polling shows half of all Americans believe religion should not influence US laws – that your congressman should not legislate based on his religious beliefs. But what if that congressman happens to be a priest? Have priests even served in the U.S. Congress? Surprisingly, the answer is “yes.” In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the priests...

French, Spanish, and American culture and history merge in the mother church of Louisiana, the Cathedral of St. Louis. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 31, Louisiana)

In this episode Scott treks back to 19th century Ecuador to find Garcia Moreno, who was perhaps the gold standard of a Catholic politician, and the fulfillment of a 250-year-old prophecy by Our Lady of Good Success. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!

From its humble beginning in a remodeled school, the parish of St. Mary in Newport bears witness to nearly two hundred years of Catholic history in the Ocean State. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 30, Rhode Island)

John of Capistrano was a lawyer, governor, priest, crusader, and saint. Although many know his name as a home for migrating birds. Scott treks thru his life and the California mission which bears his name. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!

G.K. Chesterton wrote this line about a pivotal encounter between the fleets of Catholic Europe and the Islamic Ottoman Empire. Join Scott and Kevin as they remember Don Juan, Pius V, and the Battle of Lepanto. Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek). Thank you.

Pope Pius IX and Jefferson Davis shared a common bond and a correspondence. But what would link the head of the Catholic Church with the head of the slave-owning Confederate States of America? Find out, as Scott treks thru that connection in this episode of Catholic History Trek. Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)