Fr. Chris Explains

Who is one of the most prolific miracle workers that hardly anyone has ever heard of? One of the biggest power-hitters in the history of the Church! Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, shares the story of one of his favorite saints and the miraculous healings attributed to him. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

What is the proper way to seek healing and how are we to understand it when we or our loved ones are not cured? Should we only rely on God? Should we only rely on physicians and science? Is there ever any value to our suffering? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, has some answers for us in this episode. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

The loss of a loves one (suicide or any cause of death) is perhaps the most difficult of all topics to talk about. Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, shares, based on personal and pastoral experience, a fact we know to be true: Even in the midst of such darkness, God’s mercy is present. There is hope for the soul of the departed and there is hope for those left behind. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more abou...

Performing works of mercy here on earth is essential to our eternal happiness but sometimes we make the excuses of not having the time, talent or resources to perform such works. But, Jesus told St. Faustina “for the many souls who are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out and act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor stor...

What does it mean to say that Mary is our spiritual mother? And why do we give this name to the Blessed Virgin Mary? Learn from Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, why we should take Mary into our home and our hearts as a mother like the Apostle John did. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

What are plenary indulgences? How does one gain a plenary indulgence? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, discusses these “extra credit” of graces and the requirements that will help us gain the graces from the “Treasury of the Church.” Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Who is the Holy Spirit? What is the meaning of Pentecost? How does it prove marriage is between a man and a woman? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he sheds light on the third person of the Holy Trinity to prepare us to celebrate Pentecost. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

The number of fallen-away Catholics in the United States has risen dramatically over the past 10 years and a Pew Research study reports that 50% of young Americans who were raised Catholic no longer are. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

We have all heard of Joan or Arc, but do we know the truth about her? What did she do and why was she so controversial? Who killed her and why? And what did she stand for? Hear Fr. Chris Alar as he separates fact from fiction, truth vs. legend of this saint. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

With all the suffering in the world, how does God provide for us? He provides for us in many ways, but one of the best ways is through the gift of his mother. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he discusses the best way to receive all the graces of that gift — Marian Consecration. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Jesus gave us the Church and the Mother of the Church, Mary, to get us to Heaven. Let’s fill Mother's Day with thanksgiving and gratitude for our mothers, both biological and spiritual, says Fr. Chris Alar, MIC , and also give thanks for the gift of Mary, our Spiritual Mother. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Trust is a living faith – believing what someone tells you and acting on it. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC as he discusses the types of help God has given us to be able to trust and thereby accept the graces He offers us. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Jesus told St. Faustina of the abundant graces he wishes to lavish upon the souls that will trust in his Divine Mercy and fulfill His simple request to go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday. Learn more about the promises from Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, and hear the amazing story of Melissa Coles as she tells an account of something unbelievable. Become a Marian Helper! Disco...

In Divine Mercy Sunday, Jesus has given us an incredible gift of mercy and an incredibly easy way to attain it. So what was the promise Jesus made for this one day only and what two easy things do you need to do in order to receive this life-changing grace? You won’t want to miss this episode. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Did you know that the Triduum is both a feast and a liturgical season? Why is there no consecration and full Mass during the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday? Join Fr. Chris Alar as he explains each event in the Passion of our Lord leading up to His glorious Resurrection. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Go back to seminary with Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he explains the Transfiguration in a way that will inspire you. In one event, the Transfiguration of Our Lord, several truths of our faith from the Old Testament are fulfilled. Fr. Chris tells the significance of the appearance of Elijah and Moses and draws parallels between their experiences and Jesus’ actions. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more...

Bored at Mass? Not sure what is happening? Fr. Chris Alar walks you through the Mass and explains how every part comes from Scripture. You can't love what you don't understand, so now you can love the Mass by learning the Mass! In this episode, we discuss God’s three greatest acts of mercy and how this relates to the greatest act of worship, the Holy Mass. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more abo...

Spiritual warfare is real. This reality of demonic powers has always been a constant doctrine of the Catholic Church. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he discusses why Satan hates man and why he wants us to fall as he did, trying to assert control through infestation, oppression, obsession, and possession. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Who is Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and what is her message? What is the Brown Scapular and what is Church teaching surrounding its wearing and the promises/graces attached to it? In anticipation of the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, shares the story traditionally associated with its existence and the promises extended to those who wear it by Our Lady. Become a...

Learn why the devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus is considered to be one of the four most important devotions in the Church. Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, explains how our sinful nature has separated us from God’s holy presence and how it is only through Jesus’ bloody sacrifice on the cross that we are washed from sin and reconciled with our Father. Learn justification for the Eucharist. Become a Mari...

Is Ash Wednesday a holy day of obligation? Why do we receive ashes? What are the Church's rules on fasting and abstinence? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC has the answers to these and other questions about the holy season of Lent that we are entering into.

In this episode, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, discusses the requests made by Our Lady at Fatima that, if followed by us, would ward off chastisements and lead to the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart. Among these were to pray the Rosary daily for peace, and also to observe First Saturdays to make reparation for the blasphemies committed against her. Fr. Chris explains why this is one of the "Big 4" of all C...

What is the devotion to the Sacred Heart? When did it begin and why? What does the devotion to The Sacred Heart have to do with the devotion to The Divine Mercy? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, to find the answers to these questions and more, about one of the most powerful devotions we have in the Church. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC , as he explains the opening of the holy season of Lent, a time to think about God and not ourselves – similar to how we think about our Valentines and not ourselves. 

As the central mystery of our faith, the Most Holy Trinity is the mystery of God in himself, one God in three distinct persons. In this episode Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, provides some insight on how we can come to understand this mystery which will never be fully understood by man. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus!