Catholic History Trek

Continuing his series on the beginnings of Catholicism in the states, Kevin traces the history of St. Augustine, Florida, and its historic  cathedral. (“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 5, Florida)

Who composed the Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)? Great question! There are 4 candidates who have been proposed throughout history. Scott explores all 4 of them, and the history of this well-known Marian prayer. (“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 6, Hail Holy Queen)

Do you prefer your observance strict or common? No matter, Kevin and Scott cover both as they travel back to the eleventh century to recount  the history of the monks and nuns of the Order of Cistercians.

In this "explosive" episode, Scott covers the Franciscan Friars who developed gunpowder and invented the firearm. And the Priest who invented the bulletproof vest.

Celebrate Independence Day with Catholic History Trek, as Kevin travels to a church right down the street from Independence Hall - Old St. Joseph’s  Church in Philadelphia - to recount the beginnings of Catholicism in the state of Pennsylvania. ("Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 4, Pennsylvania)

A towering intellect, an enthralling preacher, a media celebrity — and a mediocre bishop whose remains provoked an unseemly battle after his  death. Scott and Kevin explore the remarkable story of the man who’s been called “the most popular and socially influential American Catholic  of the 20th century.”

On the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima in 1981 a Turkish gunman attempted to kill Pope John Paul II. One year later, a former priest also attempted to kill the pope. Scott covers this lesser known second assassination attempt.

Kevin does some Ohio Church history, finding that the state’s oldest Catholic community isn’t as “off the beaten path” as it first seems. (“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 3, Ohio)

We’ve been mentioning it off and on since the beginning of our podcast, and now it’s finally here: A Catholic Pilgrimage through American History .  Scott’s probing questions lead Kevin to reflect on all the most important aspects of his new book, including the role of firearms in protecting Catholic churches.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Seems easy enough. But is it? Left to Right, or Right to Left? Fingers opened or closed? Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost? Scott explores the history of the usage, hand movements, and words associated with the Sign of the Cross. (“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 5, Sign of the Cross)

In this episode Scott treks thru the papacy of Gregory IX, who battled both heresy and an obstinate emperor. And investigates whether the pontiff condemned Europe’s cat population to death.

Well, the podcast only takes twenty-eight minutes, but Scott and Kevin outline the history of the nine "canonical hours” in the Divine Office — or Liturgy of the Hours — the ancient set of prayers that has been  recited daily by priests and religious during almost the entire history of the Church.

Catholic History Trek finally treks to Australia, as Scott covers the country's first canonized saint, Mary of the Cross, and the history of the Catholic apologetics book, Radio Replies.

Scott covers the history of the Lord's Prayer, also known as the "Our Father", including St. Jerome's translation challenges and the extra line some Christians add to the end of the prayer. (“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 4, Lord’s Prayer)

In this preview of his forthcoming book, Kevin tells the story of an anti-Catholic incident that temporarily brought to a halt the construction of one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.

Scott and Kevin describe the life and times of this consequential thirteenth-century cardinal and archbishop, who had a major impact on two of western civilization’s great documents: the Bible and the Magna Carta.

Scott explores the history of this most popular of Marian prayers, the Hail Mary. (“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 3, Hail Mary)

Kevin continues his series of sneak peeks at chapters of his book by delving into the history of St. Thomas Church near Bardstown, the “cradle of Kentucky Catholicism." (“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 2, Kentucky)

In honor of an important anniversary, Scott and Kevin revisit an early podcast topic: Titles for Mary.  Listen in as they chat about Our Lady of Covadonga, Stella Maris, the Black Madonna — and the historical reliability of Indiana Jones.

Marking Catholic Schools Week, Scott and Kevin tour the history of this venerable institution, working their way from the catechetical school of the early Church to the parochial school of the American church.

Kevin provides an update on the status of his book and offers a preview of one of the book’s chapters: St. Mary’s City, Maryland, the cradle of Catholicism in the Thirteen Colonies. (“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 1, Maryland)

Kevin tells the story of Dolores Hart, who traded the glitz and glamor of the Hollywood film industry for the quiet obscurity of a rural New England monastery.

Scott explores the life of St Norbert, from self-absorbed cleric to holy penitent and bishop. Also covered are the religious order he founded, the Canons Regular of Premontre, commonly known as the Norbertines, who are celebrating their 900th anniversary in 2021.

Scott and Kevin use the current reorganization of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as a springboard to discuss the nature and history of the basic elements of the Church’s structure: parishes and dioceses.

Saintly Sharpshooter? Potential patron saint of handguns? Scott explores the history of St Gabriel Possenti and the religious order, the Passionists, of whom he belonged.