Historical Jesus

Ancient Halloween roots and traditions go back, far back to Western occidental history’s folk, pagan, and Christian beliefs. Pumpkins, trick or treating and ghost stories are what we associate with Halloween, but what about turnips, fairies and a fortune-telling cake? We go in search of the origins of Halloween, rooted on the island of Ireland in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when...

The origins of Halloween are rooted on the island of Ireland in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when the harvest ends and winter looms with the overlap of Christian belief and folk or pagan beliefs. HJe390. HNAe451.  Dan Snow’s History Hit podcast at https://amzn.to/40Rvtc6   History of Halloween books at https://amzn.to/48sOODT Halloween items available at https://amzn.to/...

The Salem Witch Trails were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 people were accused amidst mass panic, inexplicable mania, and collective hysteria. Thirty people were found guilty, nineteen of whom were executed by hanging (14 women and 5 men). E249.  Check out the YouTube version of...

October 28 is the annual feast day of Saint Jude. Who was the Apostle, Jude? Why was he also referred to as Thaddaeus? Also named SAINT Jude by several Christian denominations, Jude Thaddeus was one of the original Twelve Disciples of Jesus according to the four Gospels of the New Testament. Let’s investigate and find out more. Ee156. Dwell On These Things podcast https://amzn.to/4hXMR6W Cat...

October 28 is the annual feast day of Saint Simon. Who was Simon the Apostle? Why was he referred to as the Zealot? Also named SAINT Simon by several Christian denominations, Simon the Zealot was one of the original Twelve Disciples of Jesus according to the four Gospels of the New Testament. Let’s investigate and find out more. Ee154.  Catholic Answers Live podcast available at  h...

In 1692, the Massachusetts Salem Witch Trails took place amidst mass hysteria. What really happened? E248.  Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/yG6IE-KXnW8 which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. History Unplugged podcast available at https://amzn.to/3YthqYx Witches & Witchcraft books at https://a...

Did Witches really exist? Why were Witches harassed and oppressed? Were Witches men or women? Let’s look back at the European history behind witch hunts, persecutions, hangings, and burnings. E247.  Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/KzmD1bJLVjE which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. History U...

The connection between Christianity and witches is primarily one of conflict, as mainstream Christian theology considers witchcraft an abomination based on biblical prohibitions against sorcery and divination. However, the relationship is also complex, with some individuals identifying as "Christian witches" who believe witchcraft and Christian faith can be compatible, while others see witchcraft...

From a traditional Christian perspective, witchcraft is seen as a practice that falls under the influence of demonic forces rather than God. E245.  Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/spjNZXgaQUA which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. History Unplugged podcast available at https://amzn.to/3YthqYx Wit...

We continue the Gospel of Mark's fast-moving account of the fascinating life of Jesus of Nazareth. Gospel of Mark available at https://amzn.to/3X3m9Ba Historical Jesus books available at https://amzn.to/43rnYbq                                &nb...

The Book of ACTS continues the story of Christianity and is the fifth book of the New Testament. It recounts the founding of the Christian Church and the spread of its message across the Roman Empire. Breathe Bible Audio CD available at https://amzn.to/3CPRa4x The Acts of the Apostles book available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId Historical Jesus books available at https://amzn.to/43rnYbq   ...

On 24 October 1964, Pope Paul VI officially consecrated the newly rebuilt basilica of the Abbey of Monte Cassino after it was destroyed during World War II. He consecrated the restored abbey church and declared St. Benedict the patron saint of Europe. Following its destruction by Allied bombing on 15 February 1944, massive reconstruction of the Benedictine monastery began under Abbot Ildefonso Rea...

October 23 is the feast day of James the Just (also known as James of Jerusalem or the Brother of the Lord) celebrated in the Lutheran, Episcopal, and Eastern Orthodox traditions, and on May 3 in the Roman Catholic Church (where he is often associated or grouped with James the Less). First Bishop of Jerusalem and leader of the early Jewish-Christian community. Attributed as the author of the New T...

The feast day of Saint John Paul II is celebrated annually on October 22, marking the anniversary of his papal inauguration mass in 1978. He was canonized on April 27, 2014, by Pope Francis, and made the patron saint of World Youth Day, young Catholics, families, and Poland. In honor of Pope John Paul the Second’s annual Feast Day celebration, let’s answer the question: Where do popes...

Found in all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15). The sower is often interpreted as Jesus, and the seed as the word of God, showing the varied ways people respond to the gospel. E244. Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3LEeP8F Gospel of Mark available at https://amzn.to/3X3m9Ba Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId ENJOY Ad...

Feast of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-90) is October 16 (in Canada: October 20). She was a French Visitation nun and mystic who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She is the patron saint of Devotees of the Sacred Heart, those who have lost a parent at a young age, and people suffering from polio. The Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated on the third Friday after Pentecost, fo...

Feast of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-90) is October 16 (in Canada: October 20). She was a French Visitation nun and mystic who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She is the patron saint of Devotees of the Sacred Heart, those who have lost a parent at a young age, and people suffering from polio. The Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated on the third Friday after Pentecost, fo...

October 19 is the annual feast day of the North American Martyrs. In the United States, this feast day is celebrated on October 19 where the group is officially referred to as St. John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions, but they are commonly known as the North American Martyrs. The date of October 19 was selected because it closely follows the martyrdom date of St. Isaac Jogues, who...

October 18, 2026 is a day set aside by the Church throughout the world to publicly renew its commitment to the missionary movements through prayer and donations. World Mission Sunday is celebrated by the Catholic Church around the world every year on the second-to-last Sunday of October. Saint Therese of Lisieux is the co-patron saint of missionaries due to her prayers for missions. My Uncle Rober...

October 18 annually celebrates the feast day of Saint Luke the Apostle and Evangelist in the Western (Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant) traditions. He was a first-century physician from Antioch, a companion of St. Paul on his missionary journeys, and a Gentile convert to Christianity. He is the patron saint of physicians, surgeons, artists, bachelors, and butchers. He is typically rep...

World Mission Sunday is a day set aside by the Catholic Church throughout the world to publicly renew its commitment to the missionary movements through prayer and donations. It is celebrated by the Church around the world every year on the second-to-last Sunday of October. The Company of Jesus (to indicate its military spirit) also called "The Society of Jesus", were linguists, explorers and ethn...

October 17 is observed annually to raise global awareness about the struggle to end poverty, honor those who experience it, and amplify the voices and participation of people living in poverty. The inspirational story of Francis of Assisi brings awareness to The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. 5 Minutes in Church History podcast at https://amzn.to/3BoedCq The Saints podcast avail...

October 17 is the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Antioch in Western Christianity (including the Catholic Church, Church of England, and Protestant Lutheran Churches), and December 20 in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Ignatius of Antioch books at  https://link.amazon/B0bwOSbeU Books about Polycarp available at  https://amzn.to/3OxaNDO   ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra...

October 17 is observed annually to raise global awareness about the struggle to end poverty, honor those who experience it, and amplify the voices and participation of people living in poverty. The inspirational story of Mother Teresa brings awareness to The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Catholic Saints podcast available at https://amzn.to/3Tf28Zp    Books by Mark Gis...

Born in Varennes, New France (Quebec), Saint Marguerite d’Youville (1701-71) was marked early by loss and poverty, trapped in an unhappy marriage, then widowed young and left with debt and children to raise, including the heartbreak of losing four of them. Instead of turning bitter, she turns outward. Her radical trust in divine providence becomes practical charity, and that charity grows in...