Why Catholic?

In this Q&A episode, Justin answers the following questions: * Did you consider becoming Eastern Orthodox in your journey to Catholicism? * How do you reconcile your Catholic faith with your sabbatarian upbringing? * How did you come to accept the Marian dogmas? Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholic? patron at whycatholic.substack.com/subscr...

The Catholic Church recognizes marriage as a sacrament and a vocation with the distinct purpose of helping your spouse and children get to heaven. In this episode, Justin Hibbard talks about how Christian marriage and parenting is so counter-cultural but also so sanctifying and rewarding. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholic? patron at whyc...

We’re surrounded by all sorts of examples of marriage - some wholesome and some unhealthy. In this episode, Justin Hibbard explains how the intimate and mystical union of the Trinity is the perfect example of a sacramental marriage relationship. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholic? patron at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe Submit questi...

In continuing the series on the Sacraments, Justin begins discussing the Sacrament of Marriage by diving into the Jewish context of marriage. This episode examines the creation account and the institution of the first marriage, some common Jewish practices regarding marriage, and Jesus’ teaching on divorce. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catho...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard continues talking about sacraments with the second sacrament of healing - the anointing of the sick. What is the Catholic understanding of healing? What is the Jewish roots of this practice? And why do we anoint the sick with oil? Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholic? patron at whycatholic.substack.com/subscr...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard is joined with award winning author Rhonda Franklin Ortiz. Rhonda Ortiz is a Lay Dominican, award-winning novelist, nonfiction writer, and founding editor of Chrism Press. A native Oregonian, she attended St. John’s College in historic Annapolis, Maryland and now lives in Michigan with her husband and children. Rhonda’s books and articles can be found at rhondaortiz...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard addresses both the common Protestant objections to Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka Confession) as well as the common misconceptions Catholics express around confession. Why do Catholics confess their sins to a Priest? Why can Catholic Priests absolve sins? Justin addresses these questions and more on this third episode on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. B...

Everybody sins, and so everybody needs to be reconciled to God, theirselves, and their community. In this episode, Justin Hibbard compares the confessional with the to a bathroom and why it’s essential to flush out the toxins in our bodies and to bring us relief. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholic? patron at whycatholic.substack.com/subsc...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard dives into the Jewish roots behind the sacrament of reconciliation (or confession). When one person sinned in Israel, why did God punish the entire community? What do we learn about practices such as Passover and Yom Kippur that can help us understand God’s desire for communal reconciliation? Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. B...

In this episode of Why Catholic?, Justin Hibbard offers a brief eulogy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (April 16, 1927 – December 31, 2022). Justin also shares why he believes Pope Benedict’s reluctancy to become Pope and to remain in the Papacy until his death was one of the Holy Father’s noblest attributes. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catho...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard interviews Cory Dennis, press secretary for the Attorney General of Louisiana. Cory and Justin share a number of things together: they both graduated from Annapolis Area Christian School, Justin was Cory’s former teacher, and they both entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2022. Cory shares his faith journey from an Evangelical home, to entering the Nav...

In a time of hostile tension between the Spanish and the Aztecs, the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe changed the course of history. In this episode, Justin Hibbard recounts the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, why it was so important in the evangelization of the New World, and some of the peculiar phenomena of the image of the Virgin Mary on the 500-year-old tilma. Be sure to subscribe to Why Cath...

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the rite in which the Holy Spirit is conferred upon the baptized Christian. In this episode, Justin Hibbard explains the biblical basis for confirmation, the different practices and opinions across the Catholic Church, and the importance of confirmation in the life of the Christian. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a W...

The Catholic Church believes that the Holy Spirit is completely conferred upon a baptized Christian upon the Sacrament of Confirmation. Where does this practice come from? Why do Catholics use oil for confirmation? In this episode, Justin Hibbard explores the Jewish roots of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholi...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard interviews Amy Thomas (aka the Catholic Pilgrim). Amy shares how she grew up in an Evangelical home, turned her back on God in anger, married a Catholic, and eventually became Catholic herself. Amy gives advice to Catholics on sharing their faith and standing up for convictions, as well as gives her perspective on preventing sexual abuse. Follow the Catholic Pilgrim...

Why does the Catholic Church believe that baptism is the initiation into the Christian community? Why do we call it a sacrament? Why do we baptize infants? In this episode Justin Hibbard breaks down the Catholic sacrament of baptism and addresses some of the common arguments against the Catholic theology of baptism. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a...

Why do we have a solemnity commemorating Christ the King? Where did it come about and what is its purpose? In this episode, Justin Hibbard shares the background of this holy day as well as some some personal stories of his relationship to politics and how coming into the Catholic Church helped him reorient his perception to the reality that Jesus is King. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on y...

The Nicene Creed includes the phrase “I believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” In this episode, Justin Hibbard looks through Scripture and history to explain how the historical Church has understood that Christian baptism is a one-time event and how it is a sacrament that washes away original sin. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why C...

Why does initiation into the Christian community begin with a ceremony involving water? In this episode, Justin Hibbard explores Christian baptism and its roots in the Jewish practice of mikvah. Learn some of the specific details around a proper Jewish mikvah and how Christian baptism is similar and different. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Ca...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard concludes the mini-series on the Sacrament of the Eucharist. How does the belief that the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist affect the practice of the Mass as well as various beliefs throughout Catholicism? Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholic? patron at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe Submit questio...

While Catholics believe that the Eucharist becomes the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus, the form remains bread and wine. However, what if it didn’t? What if the bread turned into flesh and the wine into blood in an extraordinary miracle? In this episode Justin Hibbard explores a few cases of Eucharistic miracles over the centuries and the scientific evidence that claims a miracle is the o...

How has the Christian Church historically and consistently understood the Eucharist? Join Justin Hibbard as he looks at Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse in John 6 through the lens of followers of the Apostles and Church leaders throughout history. You may even be surprised to hear some prominent Protestants share the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on y...

In this episode, Justin Hibbard interviews Devin Halford, a former atheist who converted to Catholicism and is now a missionary to the homeless with Christ in the City in Denver, CO. Devin’s missionary profile page Christ in the City website Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholic? patron at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe Submit questions...

In this Q&A episode, Justin answers the following questions: * “I would like to know what you gave up and had to sacrifice in becoming Catholic.” * “Us Catholics are aware that Protestants know the Bible far better than we do. How has becoming Catholic changed the way you read the Bible?” * “I’m a fairly new Christian. Why should I convert to Catholicism? I like the reverence and beauty, but I jus...

This is a recording of Justin Hibbard’s presentation about how he went from a lifelong Protestant and a Baptist Pastor to the Catholic Church. This was recorded on September 15th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Park City, UT at their September Summit. Be sure to subscribe to Why Catholic? on your favorite podcast provider. Become a Why Catholic? patron at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe Submit...