The Pearl of Great Price

Send us Fan Mail Saint Isidore wrote the 20 volume Etymologies, an encyclopedia that saved much knowledge from the ancient world. The Western Roman empire had collapsed and barbarian tribes had taken over much of Europe. Pope John Paul II declared Isidore patron saint of the internet for this achievement 

Send us Fan Mail May I know Thee more clearly,  Love Thee more dearly, Follow Thee more nearly Today we look at the life of the man who wrote this famous prayer

Send us Fan Mail Today we look at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and how a group of Palestinian militants sought sanctuary there .  We look at the history of this pilgrimage spot and how it shared by three monasteries. Also look at the role of the Franciscans in the Holy Land as custodians of the Holy Sites. 

Send us Fan Mail There was a saying in Rome, amongst the embattled Jewish community 'The persecution will end when the Pope enters a synagogue'.  Today in 1986 Pope John Paul II visited the Great Synagogue of Rome.  We look at how the Slavic Pope had built up trust amongst the Jewish community, 

Send us Fan Mail Today in 475 the Byzantine Emperor Basiliscus releases an Enkyklikon, a circular letter to the bishops of his empire about the Monophysite controversy.  These encyclicals have become a key part of papal teaching, today we explore how.

Send us Fan Mail Today's pod looks at how billions of Christians enter Lent today on Ash Wednesday. Where did this practice come from, what does it mean and how has it evolved? 

Send us Fan Mail What is the link between Mardi Gras, Carnival and Pancake Tuesday? Find out in today's pod. 

Send us Fan Mail The Episcopal Cathedral in New York is nicknamed St John the Unfinished.   Its size and construction has created an acoustic which has lead to some remarkable concerts including Duke Ellington's Sacred Concertos which he called 'Jazz Liturgies'  

Send us Fan Mail When Francis became the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress, Dorothy Day was one of four Americans mentioned by the Pope in his speech . He said of Day: "Her social activism, her passion for justice and for the cause of the oppressed, were inspired by the Gospel, her faith, and the example of the saints."

Send us Fan Mail We look at the First Amendment of the Constitution of the USA - and its double function of protecting the state from religious control and protecting religion from political control.  How can this be abused and was it abuse in Wallace v Jafree in Alabama? 

Send us Fan Mail Fr Angelo Secchi is known as the father of 'Spectroscopy' - analysing the light and radio energy that is emitted from stars.  Today we tell the story of a unique experiment on water clarity aboard the Papal Yacht

Send us Fan Mail Todays protest of the Edict of Worms, meant that the German princes and cities involved became known not just as reformers but as protestants. We explore the context behind this.   

Send us Fan Mail Today we look at the laying of the cornerstone of St Peters Basilica in 1526. It would become the biggest church in the world and its style would influence many others that were built.  We explore the difference between a basilica and a cathedral. We look at the claim that it was built over the tomb of the apostle Peter, and the history of pilgrimage there.  We also explore how it...

Send us Fan Mail Today we look at how Christians celebrate Easter all over the world and how it survived in Communist Russia

Send us Fan Mail Today we look at the astonishing achievement of a peaceful transition from Apartheid in South Africa. The role of the truth and reconciliation commission and the faith of two of the key players, Nelson Mandelas Methodism and De Klerks Calvinism

Send us Fan Mail We look at Good Friday and the historical evidence surrounding the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, including the Turin Shroud and the St Helens discovery of the True Cross

Send us Fan Mail Today in 1598 the Italian Astronomer Giovani Battista Ricciolo was born.  He became a Jesuit Priest and published the most important book on astrology of the time for use in schools. He was also the first to map the moon, classify Mizar as a double star and his scientific companion Fr Grimaldi discovered refraction of light. 

Send us Fan Mail How Easter was kept alive under Communism in Russia. the first country with the stated aim of eradicating religion.  The heroic role of the Grandmothers.  Where do easter traditions such as easter eggs and bunnies come from? And finally why did some Christian sects outlaw Easter!

Send us Fan Mail Today we look at the death of Christ on Fri 3 April, AD33.  How have Christians shifted its meaning from shame to redemption. We also look at the intriguing stories of some of the objects associated with it - the Shroud of Turin, and the True Cross