The Commentaries

Father Edward Looney delves into the significance of Mary's name, emphasizing its power and efficacy in invoking her intercession. Drawing from Saint Alphonsus Liguori's writings, he highlights how Mary's name brings comfort, joy, and conversion, while also serving as a powerful weapon against temptation and evil. Father Looney encourages us to rely on Mary's intercession by invoking her name in t...

Father Edward Looney explores Mary's intercession for souls in purgatory. Reflecting on Saint Alphonsus Liguori's writings, he emphasizes Mary's role in delivering souls from hell, succoring them in purgatory, and leading them to heaven. Father Looney encourages us to pray for the souls in purgatory and to seek Mary's intercession for the grace of perseverance and a deeper devotion to Jesus. Episo...

Father Edward Looney delves into the significance of Mary's intercession at the hour of death. Reflecting on the Hail Mary prayer and promises associated with the rosary, he emphasizes Mary's role in obtaining grace for us in our final moments. Father Looney encourages a deeper appreciation of Mary's presence and invites us to embrace devotion to her, finding solace in her intercession both now an...

Father Edward Looney reflects on the absence of Marian devotion among non-Catholics, emphasizing Mary's significance and the power of her intercession. Drawing from the messages of Our Lady of Fatima and the Five First Saturdays devotion, he highlights the importance of praying for those who lack devotion to Mary, recognizing her role as a loving mother to all. Digging into the line, "O gracious a...

Father Edward Looney continues his examination of Saint Alphonsus Liguori's The Glories of Mary , emphasizing Mary's relatability as a mother who understands grief and advocates for us before God. Through anecdotes and scripture, he illustrates Mary's role as advocate and mediatrix, highlighting the efficacy of her intercession throughout history. Looney encourages us to entrust our sorrows to Mar...

Father Edward Looney delves into the line, "To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve," emphasizing Mary's role as a helper against temptation. Drawing on the tradition of Mary as the New Eve, Father Looney explores how her sinlessness and intercession offer aid to those struggling with sin. Through prayers and devotion to Mary, many have found strength to overcome temptation, echoing centu...

Father Edward Looney explores the rich connections between Mary and the Scriptures. In this episode focusing on "Our Hope," he delves into how biblical references illuminate Mary's role and significance, drawing parallels between Old Testament prophecies and Mary's fulfillment of them in the New Testament. Through insightful reflections, Father Looney invites listeners to deepen their understandin...

Father Edward Looney delves into the profound love Mary has for humanity, focusing on her role as our life, our sweetness. Drawing from Saint Alphonsus Liguori's reflections, Father Looney explores how Mary obtains pardon for our sins, grants us perseverance, and brings sweetness to our final moments. Through her constant intercession, Mary's love for us as God's children is evident, offering hope...

Father Edward Looney discusses Mary as the Queen Mother, emphasizing her role as an intercessor and advocate for believers. Drawing from Old Testament theology, he explains how Mary's title as Queen aligns with her function as the mother of Jesus, highlighting her pivotal role in obtaining God's mercy for humanity. Through reflections on the "Hail, Holy Queen" prayer, Father Looney invites listene...

Welcome to first episode of The Commentaries: The Glories of Mary hosted by Father Edward Looney, a priest and Marian theologian. Fr. Looney offers insights and prayers to help listeners delve into Saint Alphonsus Liguori's profound work, The Glories of Mary , which gathers wisdom from saints across centuries. Through anecdotes and prayers, Saint Alphonsus highlights the significance of Mary in th...

Introducing The Commentaries: The Glories of Mary hosted by Father Edward Looney, a priest and Marian theologian. Fr. Looney offers insights and prayers to help listeners delve into Saint Alphonsus Liguori's profound work, The Glories of Mary , which gathers wisdom from saints across centuries. Through anecdotes and prayers, Saint Alphonsus highlights the significance of Mary in the life of believ...

Dr. Paul Thigpen concludes The Commentaries: The Confessions of St. Augustine by delving into the final chapters where Saint Augustine reflects on the Sabbath as a symbol of eternal rest and peace in heaven. Augustine's journey from soulful disorder to divine order underscores the importance of loving God above all else, as disordered loves lead to inner turmoil. Through deep spiritual insight, Au...

Dr. Paul Thigpen delves into Saint Augustine's ideas on creation and its parallels to salvation history. This episode of The Commentaries starts with Augustine's prayer emphasizing God's prevenient grace, highlighting that even our turning to Him is enabled by His preparation. Dr. Thigpen guides us through Augustine's intricate connections between cosmic and human history, drawing parallels from G...

Emphasizing the necessity of humility and charity when approaching Scripture, Dr. Paul Thigpen delves into Book XII of The Confessions of St. Augustine . Augustine's prayerful reflection leads us to recognize the layers of meaning within even the simplest biblical passages. He navigates various interpretations of Genesis, highlighting the importance of humility in acknowledging our limited underst...

Ponder the profound mysteries of existence and the divine as Dr. Paul Thigpen delves into Book Eleven of The Confessions of St. Augustine , exploring the intricate concepts of time and eternity. Augustine's reflections are deeply philosophical and spiritual, focusing on God's relationship with time-bound humanity. Share the saint's struggle as he grapples with the nature of time, memory, and divin...

Saint Augustine grapples with the complexities of the Christian life. Dr. Paul Thigpen relays how Augustine ponders the nature of happiness, suggesting that our innate desire for it may stem from a primal memory of the blessed life. He explores universal love for truth and the paradox of truth often being met with hatred. As he examines various temptations, from lust to the craving for praise, Aug...

Dr. Paul Thigpen delves into Saint Augustine's profound exploration of human memory's role in spiritual life. Augustine's introspection reveals his deep interest in the soul's faculties and his motivation to share his past for enlightenment and self-improvement. Through his confession, he seeks understanding and connection with those who possess loving hearts, fostering gratitude, prayer, repentan...

Dr. Paul Thigpen delves into the remarkable life of Saint Monica, Saint Augustine's mother. Despite her struggles, Monica's faith and determination profoundly influenced Augustine's spiritual journey. Through anecdotes of her childhood, marriage, and final moments, Augustine reflects on her virtues and the power of grace. The episode culminates in a poignant plea for prayers for Monica's soul, hig...

Dr. Paul Thigpen delves into Saint Augustine's early days as a believer, focusing on his dramatic conversion and entry into the Catholic Church. Augustine's transformation involved a profound change of heart, redirecting his will from worldly attachments to God's desires. Learn about Augustine's struggle with ethical dilemmas in his career as a professor of rhetoric, his miraculous healing, the ba...

In the twelfth episode of The Commentaries series on The Confessions of Saint Augustine, Dr. Paul Thigpen explores Augustine's conversion to the Catholic faith. The journey involves influential figures like his mother, Monica, and mentors like Saint Ambrose and Saint Simplicianus. Augustine's struggle with the lust of the flesh and the fear of change is relatable to many on a spiritual journey. Th...

Dr. Paul Thigpen explores the final stages of Saint Augustine's journey towards his conversion to Catholicism. Augustine reflects on his internal struggles, including the battle between the old and new wills within him. Augustine encounters with Saint Simplicianus, who shares the inspiring story of Victorinus' conversion, emphasizing the importance of public commitment to the Christian faith. The...

In the tenth episode of The Commentaries series on The Confessions of Saint Augustine, Dr. Paul Thigpen delves into Augustine's exploration of his evolving understanding of Jesus Christ as the mediator with God. Augustine reflects on his spiritual journey, acknowledging the lingering obstacle of worldly desires and his struggle with a fractured heart. As he grapples with the limitations of reason...

Delve into Saint Augustine's intellectual struggles, grappling with the nature of God and the problem of evil. The episode touches on Augustine's exposure to various religious traditions in his youth, his evolving understanding of God's nature, and his contemplation on the origin of evil. It also highlights Augustine's recognition of the limitations of pagan philosophies and the eventual influence...

Dr. Paul Thigpen focuses on Saint Augustine's reflections on influential figures in his spiritual journey. The episode begins with Augustine's mother, Saint Monica, whose unwavering faith and prayers played a crucial role in his conversion. The narrative also touches on Augustine's observations of local Christian customs, the influence of Bishop Ambrose, and the impact of Augustine's friend Olympi...

Dr. Paul Thigpen delves into Saint Augustine's prayer, acknowledging God's faithful love and providence even in the face of sinners denying Him. As Augustine recounts his journey from North Africa to Rome, the narrative highlights the pivotal role of influential figures, including the Manichaean Bishop Faust and the Bishop Saint Ambrose, in shaping his spiritual transformation. Augustine's gratitu...