Keep The Faith's Podcast

Dr. John Rao explains that Tridentine reform involved practically every sphere of Church and social life: a reform of the Papacy, of the episcopacy and clergy as a whole; of monastic conditions; an attack on unacceptable superstitious and innovative practices that had appeared in Catholic life; an assault on innovations in the liturgy; a recognition of the need for a more sound and consistent teac...

Dr. John Rao follows up on the topics developed in the previous lecture, placing the emphasis upon the practical work that needed to be done by the Papacy and its collaborators in the episcopacy and religious orders. A Catechism had to be prepared; the Tridentine reform of the liturgy undertaken; guidelines established for proper clerical behavior. Models had to be provided, with bishops in northe...

Dr. John Rao shows that reform was not easy, even in Catholic lands. Monarchs often felt threatened in their power, Spain and Portugal preventing much papal activity in the missions in particular. Bishops placed many obstacles in the path of the reformers, considering the Council's decisions an imposition on their freedom of action. Many of the laity were offended by the attack on deeply rooted su...

Dr. John Rao says each period of reform in the Church brings with it the hope of reunion with the Eastern Churches, and Dr. Rao shows that the Tridentine Reform era was no exception. Some progress was made in this regard, with the "unions" effected in Poland with Ruthenians and Ukrainians. Eastern opposition to such ventures is also discussed here, along with the general condition of the East unde...

Dr. John Rao explains that the situation in the Lowlands was troubled by its corrupt Church and the political struggle of certain cities and noblemen against a Spanish domination which was also trying to reform things. This political struggle was manipulated by followers of Calvin who, after a horrific iconoclast binge, joined the long war which would end in a Protestant north and Catholic south....

Dr. John Rao explains Tridentine reform in Germany, which was both brilliant and contested. The brilliance came from the aid given by the Jesuits and the German College in Rome, along with support from Austria and Bavaria. Contest came both from those areas which had become Lutheran (Evangelical) or Calvinist (Reformed). Despite Calvin's more independent-minded Church structure, his form of Christ...

Dr. John Rao discusses the clash of the different Catholic and Protestant communities and creeds which were formalized in the 1500's and 1600's. Battles of these "confessions", both intellectual and bloody, engendered a reaction. Political leaders in particular began to hunt for a way to avoid having to give religion a primacy in social life. Taken from: Protestant Rebellion and Catholic Reform (1...

Dr. John Rao follows up the theme discussed in the previous talks. Venice and Holland are shown to be places where politically-motivated discussions of how to tame religion and subject it to a broader and more secular outlook thrive. Taken from: Protestant Rebellion and Catholic Reform (1517-1648) - 1997 Von Hildebrand Institute

Father John Perricone warns about the dangers of seances, fortune tellers, and exposing ourselves to any movies concerning the occult. A fascinating talk in which are included the 3 symptoms of someone who is possessed and the 4 qualities that are absolutely necessary to conduct an exorcism - very enlightening! 24 min. Taken from-Evenings of Recollection

Dr. William Marra discusses three saints of the era both important to him as an individual and central to Tridentine Reform. The character of St. Ignatius Loyola, his spiritual journey, his educational work, and his joint individual/communal devotional approach are examined. Taken from: Protestant Rebellion and Catholic Reform (1517-1648) - 1997 Von Hildebrand Institute

Dr. William Marra shows us that St. Philip Neri was one of the great Roman reformers and educators of the Catholic Reformation era. He influenced all classes of society and encouraged the work of many scholars. Dr. Marra looks at Neri's unique devotional "style", involving a simultaneous call to the highest sanctity and a tragicomic recognition of all human foibles. Taken from: Protestant Rebellio...

Dr. William Marra considers St. Teresa of Avila one of the most sympathetic figures of Church History. Like her fellow Spanish mystics, and the Jesuits as well, she was deeply aware that nature could be raised, here and now, to a closer union with God. As a great, practical religious reformer, she also recognized the difficult, daily obstacles to the construction of the Interior Castle, and knew h...

Father John Perricone explains the three characteristics of every traditional Latin Mass that are essentially different from the  Novus Ordo  Mass in the lecture, "Latin Mass 101," (Part 1 of 2). Perfect for newcomers to the traditional Mass

Father John Perricone explains the first seven parts of the Mass in the lecture, "Latin Mass 101" (Part 2 of 2). Perfect for newcomers to the traditional Mass.

Dr. David Allen White lectures on the literary and religious significance of Dante Alighieri and Thomas Stearns Eliot.  

Dr. Robert Royal explains the complexities and the problems of the works of Thomas Merton and his fascination with Eastern "mysticism."

Christopher Ferrara discusses the resuscitation of authentic Catholic action among the laity and reminded listeners that "the American and French revolutionaries gave birth to the god of liberty and set him upon his throne. That god has failed us, as the nations of the West descend toward utter barbarity. It is time to topple this false god and restore the reign of the true God, Christ the King, o...

Father George Rutler reflects on the painful human predicament: the inevitability of death combined with an intellect capable of thinking about that inevitability. Father argues that one of the terrible consequences of the modern world's rejection of God is its inability to confront the reality of death.

Father George Rutler says that the tendency of the morally blind and deaf to reject absolute rights and wrongs has resulted in a society of men plotting how to get away with something they know deep down is wrong. But in the end they will face Christ, Who is the perfect judge because He knows the human heart better than anyone ever can because of His Incarnation.

Father George Rutler says that In an age where men have created more "hells on earth" than ever, the reality of the state of an eternal Hell is less believed than ever. Christ spoke often, clearly, and fervently on the things hardest to understand, foremost among these are the reality of Hell. It changes everything when we consider what Christ came to save us from.

Father George Rutler says that Modern Man, thinking Hell is "too bad to be true," likewise thinks that Heaven is "too good to be true" as well. Just as Hell provides the deepest shadow, the brightness of heaven is evident in our capability of joy and the sense that there is something more perfect than the best of any earthly reality. Heaven is neither boring nor a fantasy – on the contrary it enri...

Father James McLucas describes the pastoral and spiritual challenges for the traditional priest living the Church of tradition in a new culture.

Dr. William Marra argues that sentimentality is replacing justice in American jurisprudence. The fact is, in some cases death is a just punishment for a crime. Those who say, "It is wrong to repay murder with murder," are sentimentally playing with words. Murder, the killing of an innocent human being, is distinct from killing a person who deserves it.  

Father Brian Harrison says in recent years Rome has become a hotbed of satanic activity. Possessions, black masses, magic and paganism are on the rise unlike anywhere in the world. Since America thinks satan doesn't exist, this testimony of Father Harrison's will be very useful.

Dr. John Rao says that Pluralism proclaims a need to recognize diversity and allow everyone freedom to operate. Authority is set aside, and every group is granted license of belief. What is really true, it is argued by Dr. John Rao, will triumph in a laissez faire market of ideas. Does pluralism provide what it claims?