Catholic Theology Show

What does Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven show us today? Dr. Dauphinais converses with Dr. Deana Basile Kelly, professor of literature and Italian at Ave Maria University, to explore how the Divine Comedy invites us to turn toward God so we might one day see His light. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more information...

How do we know Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Jeffrey Walkey, assistant professor of theology at Ave Maria University, to consider the nature of Christ’s Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament through the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more...

Why did Jesus institute the Eucharist? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais converses with Dr. Lawrence Feingold, professor of theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, exploring how the Eucharistic sacrifice is a profound gift of love from Christ the Bridegroom, inviting us to share His life of glory. Resources: The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion by Lawrence Feingold Help...

Is the most popular book of the 20 th century a “fundamentally Catholic work”? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by acclaimed Catholic writer and scholar Joseph Pearce to discuss The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. During their conversation, Professor Pearce unlocks some of the profound meanings surrounding the characters, events, and themes in this monumental work.   Resources: Tolkien...

Is devotion to Our Lady central to our relationship with Christ? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Mark Miravalle, Constance Schifflin Blum Chair of Mariology at Ave Maria University, to discuss how Mary's maternal intercession is essential for our redemption. Resources: For a non-Catholic perspective on Our Lady: Mary For Evangelicals by Tim Perry Meet Your Mother: A Brief Introduc...

Who is Jesus and what does He do for us? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Bruce Marshall, professor of Theology at Southern Methodist University, to discuss what it means to understand Jesus Christ as Lord and how His transformative work of redemption is central to this identity. Resources: Thomas Aquinas and the Crisis of Christology edited by Michael Dauphinais, Andrew...

What do we receive from the Eucharist? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with author and theologian Father Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M. Cap., to look at how the Eucharistic gift of the Word Incarnate invites us to abide in Him fully and eternally.   Resources: Volume 1 of Jesus Becoming Jesus | A Theological Interpretation of the Synoptic Gospels by Fr. Thomas Weinandy (coupon code: CT10) V...

Is the Eucharist Biblical? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. John Bergsma, professor of theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, to discuss the biblical basis of Eucharistic worship, particularly through an understanding of covenant and sacrifice. Resources: New Testament Basics for Catholics by Dr. John Bergsma Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic by D...

Can stories like the Chronicles of Narnia bring us closer to reality? Dr. Michael Dauphinais shares another conversation with acclaimed Catholic writer and scholar Joseph Pearce, this time to look at significant themes in C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia within a larger discussion of how stories can bring our souls “further up and further in.” Resources: Purchase Joseph Pearce’s book Further Up &...

How can the Church Fathers help us recover Eucharistic devotion? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes Msgr. Michael Heintz, academic dean at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to discuss the centrality of the Eucharist within the Catholic Faith, in light of the Early Church’s heritage. Resources: The Catholic Theology Show’s episode on Benedict XVI: The Legacy of Pope Benedict XV...

How can Holy Week bring us deeper into the Eucharistic liturgy? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Daniel Lendman, assistant professor of theology at Ave Maria University, to take a deep look at the liturgy of the Catholic Church and how the Paschal Triduum amplifies our call to worship. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more i...

Can Catholics embrace the Second Vatican Council? This week, Dr. Dauphinais is joined by Fr. Blake Britton, author at the Word on Fire Institute, to talk about Vatican II: what it says, what it means, and how it can help deepen our relationship with Christ. Resources: Reclaiming Vatican II: What It (Really) Said, What It Means, and How It Calls Us to Renew the Church by Fr. Blake Britton Sacrosanc...

Looking for practical ways to study Theology daily? This week, Dr. Dauphinais welcomes Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., professor of Systematic and Moral Theology at the Dominican House of Studies, to discuss why we should be studying God daily, providing practical guidance on where to begin and how to do it. Resources: St. Thomas Aquinas’s brief Letter to Brother John on How to Study Catechism of the Cou...

What does Christ’s humanity teach us about ourselves? This week, Dr. Dauphinais is joined again by acclaimed Catholic writer and scholar Joseph Pearce to discuss one of G. K. Chesterton’s greatest works, The Everlasting Man. Together, they unpack how an understanding of Christ vitally illumines and fulfills mankind’s history. Resources: Previous episode: An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology w...

Were Catholics included in the religious toleration of America’s founding? This week, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Michael Breidenbach, Associate Professor of History at Ave Maria University, to discuss religious freedom in early America, including several Catholics who were important to the nation’s political founding.   Resources: Our Dear-Bought Liberty: Catholics and Religious Tol...

Can the mysteries of creation lead us closer to Christ? Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press and founding provost of Ave Maria University, about the value of G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy, exploring how he defends the goodness of existence. Resources: Books by G.K. Chesterton on Ignatius Press Previous episode: An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology with...

Since God alone is holy, can we be holy as well? This week, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Scott Hahn, president and founder of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, to look at how Scripture expresses God’s holiness and our own call to share in this mystery. Resources: St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology website Holy Is His Name: The Transforming Power of God’s Holiness in Script...

What makes G.K. Chesterton so compelling? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with acclaimed Catholic writer and scholar Joseph Pearce to hear his insights on Chestertonian wisdom, wit, and worldview. They discuss Pearce’s own conversion and briefly unpack The Man Who Was Thursday, along with Chesterton's other notable works. Resources: Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton by Joseph Pearce...

Why build a curriculum around theology? Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes Dr. William Riordan, Professor Emeritus of Theology at Ave Maria University, to share his involvement in the founding of AMU and the development of authentic, integral, and formative Catholic higher education. Resources: Divine Light: The Theology of Denys The Areopagite by William Riordan The Mystical Theology by Dionysius th...

What do the humanities have to do with holiness? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Travis Curtright, chair of the Humanities Department at Ave Maria University, to discuss what we can learn from St. Thomas More about education, prayer, and closeness to Christ in suffering.   Resources: The One Thomas More by Travis Curtright The Sadness of Christ by Thomas More A Dialogue of Comfort Agains...

Is St. Thomas Aquinas only for scholars? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Fr. Romanus Cessario, Adam Cardinal Maida Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, to discuss insights on Saint Thomas Aquinas and how his thought pertains to all the faithful for salvation. Resources: The Godly Image: Christian Satisfaction in Aquinas by Fr. Romanus Cessario Introduction to Moral Theology (Cathol...

Just because we can, should we? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Diann Ecret, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Ave Maria University, to discuss Catholic Bioethics: what it is, how it came to be, why we need it, and how we can navigate 21st-century healthcare. Resources: National Catholic Bioethics Center NCBcenter.org Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Ann...

What's so special about classical education? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Fr. Robert Sirico, President Emeritus and Co-Founder of the Acton Institute, to discuss his work in Catholic classical education and the value it brings to our culture today. Resources: St. John Henry Newman Institute website Acton Institute website Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the...

Remembering Joseph Ratzinger. In a special memorial episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Roger Nutt, Provost and Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, to talk about the legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and their memories of him as a priest, archbishop, cardinal, and pope. Offering a map of his theological writings, Dr. Dauphinais and Dr. Nutt offer five key principles to...

Is there still more to learn from St. Augustine? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. John Cavadini, Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, to talk about the life of St. Augustine and the contributions of his Confessions to the Catholic Church. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more information about Ave Maria Universi...