A podcast exploring the history of the Catholic Church, especially the historical background of contemporary Catholic practices and issues. Hosted by Kevin Schmiesing and Scott Schulze.
Scott Schulze & Kevin Schmiesing
The Catholic History Trek podcast is an engaging and informative show that takes listeners on a journey through the origins of our devotions and prayers, as well as key events in Church history. With Scott and Kevin as hosts, the podcast explores a wide range of topics including battles, foods, saints, architecture, railroads, and more. The atmosphere and content of the podcast are both wonderful, making it an enjoyable and enlightening listening experience.
One of the best aspects of The Catholic History Trek podcast is the clear audio quality. It is evident that a lot of effort has been put into ensuring that listeners have a pleasant listening experience. The hosts, Scott and Kevin, are also excellent at presenting historical details in an engaging manner. They have a knack for sharing stories of both well-known and almost forgotten heroes and villains from Church history, making the episodes incredibly interesting. Additionally, the podcast covers a diverse range of topics related to Catholic history, providing listeners with a well-rounded education.
However, like any podcast, there are some aspects that could be improved upon. One area where The Catholic History Trek could enhance its content is by incorporating more perspectives and voices. While Scott and Kevin offer valuable insights into the topics they discuss, it would be beneficial to hear from other experts or individuals with different viewpoints. This would add depth to the discussions and provide a more well-rounded understanding of Catholic history.
In conclusion, The Catholic History Trek podcast is a highly recommended listen for those interested in delving into the rich tapestry of Catholic history. With its combination of clear audio quality, historical details, engaging storytelling, and diverse range of topics covered, this podcast delivers an enjoyable and informative experience. Whether you are already familiar with Catholic history or just starting your exploration journey, this show offers something for everyone.
When John Brown raided the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, the pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church was caught up in the fray. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 40, West Virginia)
The 10th and 11th centuries saw a sting of many short papacies, as secular rulers added and removed pontiffs to impose their will on the papacy.Among these popes were some of the most wretched men to sit in the chair of St Peter, which earned the era the title the Saeculum Obscurum, or "dark age" of the papacy.
Marking 250 years since the establishment of the US Army Chaplain Corps, Scott and Kevin sketch the history of Catholic chaplains. They focus on remarkable twentieth-century American priests, including Aloysius Schmitt, Emil Kapaun, and Vincent Capodanno. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)Thank you for your support!
St Peter of Verona holds the title as the quickest saint to be canonized after his death - only 337 days.What made this Dominican, inquisitor, and son of heretics, a candidate for such a quick canonization? Find out, as Scott covers the life & death of St Peter of Verona (a.k.a. St Peter Martyr).
Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Jesuits, and diocesan priests collaborated to take the faith "way up north," beginning with St. Rose of Lima Church in Wrangell.("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 39, Alaska)
From the late 17th century thru the mid 18th century, heavily romanticized, but failed, Jacobite rebellions attempted to return the last Catholic kings of England to the throne.In this episode, Scott treks thru the history of the Bonnie Prince Charles and the Jacobite attempt to restore the throne to the House of Stuart.
Besides being a great saint, Augustine was a great preacher, writer, and thinker, whose influence on the Church has been incalculable. Kevin and Scott cover all things Augustinian in this wide-ranging episode, which takes them from the fourth-century Roman Empire to the twenty-first century papacy.
And on the 7th day, God rested. Based on this sabbath rest, in both Jewish and Catholic history, the Jubilee Year has been a year of remission.But why does Old testament math have 7 x 7 + 1 = Jubilee, while Catholic math has placed the Jubilee at 25, 33, 40, and 50 year intervals?And when was the first Catholic Jubilee?Scott answers these questions (and a little about baseball bats) in this episode.
A few years before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock, San Miguel Chapel was built in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Its adobe walls have withstood centuries of war and wear.("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 38, New Mexico)
For the past 800 years, various men and women (mostly women) have mystically bore the wounds of Christ on their bodies.In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the phenomenon known as the stigmata.To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)Thank you for your support!
History's best pope? Worst pope? How will historians look back on the Church today?Scott and Kevin mark this milestone in CHT's history by venturing into reflection, opinion, and speculation, lobbing questions at each other and reacting to the sometimes predictable, sometimes surprising answers.
In the world of 1980's cartoons, G.I. Joe was a "real American hero". But in the world of Catholicism, a little-known Catholic tradition could make one a hero for the poor souls in Purgatory.In this episode Scott treks thru the historic practice of making the Heroic Act of Charity in Favor of the Souls in Purgatory.
A family of converts played a big role in the early years of New Hampshire's first Catholic church, St. Mary's in Claremont.("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 37, New Hampshire)
In this episode Scott treks back to the early origin of Catholic apologetics.
¡Viva Cristo Rey! With a special focus on Pope Pius XI's encyclical Quas Primas, Scott and Kevin unpack some of the theology and history behind one of the Church's major feasts, Christ the King.
This episode is sort of a continuation of Episode 7, the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches. It highlights the same geographical area and the same time frame, but with a new cast of characters. This episode treks thru Cincinnati race riots, a bad seminary, and Bishop Joseph Dwenger's lasting contribution to Catholic education.
Catholics from Maryland migrated to Georgia in the 1790s, creating the settlement of Locust Grove and the state's first parish, Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 36, Georgia)Contribute to Catholic History Trek at Paypal (Kevin Schmiesing at Catholic History Trek)The Purification Heritage Center
From the land of Mother Teresa, a world class cricket team, and 4-hour long Bollywood movies, comes St Devasahayam Pillai. This episode treks thru his life and martyrdom, with a historical look at Catholicism in India. ("Martyrs" series no. 5, St Devasahayam Pillai)
Universitas magistrorum et scholarium. The modern university's very name derives from its medieval Catholic antecedent. Scott and Kevin tour the long, fruitful, and sometimes contentious relationship between the Church and universities.
Arthur Simon Flegenheimer, a.k.a. Dutch Schultz, was an infamous prohibition era mobster known for bootlegging, running breweries, speakeasies, and illegal gambling rings, and engaging in gang wars. After the National Crime Syndicate put a hit on him, this Jewish-born criminal sought redemption thru the Catholic Church while on his deathbed. Find out about his conversion, and lost treasure, on this episode of Catholic History Trek. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
Salt Lake City's splendid Cathedral of the Madeleine reflects the history of Catholicism in the land of the Latter-Day Saints. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 35, Utah)
From out of the depths Scott explores the history of the De Profundis prayer, which is also Psalm 129. (“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 14, De Profundis)
Scott and Kevin outline the historical connections between the Church and athletic games, highlighting a few of the many remarkable Catholic athletes and teams that have excelled in the field of competitive sports. Support CHT by donating through PayPal to Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek
Is the Catholic Church an enemy of scientific progress? For those who answer "yes", the often point to the trial of Galileo. But what is the real history between the Church and Galileo? Find out in this episode as Scott treks thru geocentrism, epicycles, heliocentrism, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Galileo.
Ven. Samuel Mazzuchelli and Bishop Matthias Loras are among the figures who played major roles in the story of the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 34, Iowa)
Next week the blessing of throats for the feast day of St Blaise will take place in many Catholic churches. But who was St Blaise, and why do we commemorate his feast day by blessing throats? Scott treks thru the answers to those questions in this episode. ("Martyrs" series no. 4, Martyrdom of St Blaise)
Kevin interviews Clayton State University history professor David Gilbert about his new book, The End of Catholic Mexico: Causes and Consequences of the Mexican Reforma (1855-1861).
A century and a half ago Pope Gregory XVI declared war against an insidious heresy to later be named Modernism. This war was carried by on Popes Pius IX and Pius X, who issued a Syllabus of Errors, and required an Oath Against Modernism. In this episode, Scott treks thru the history, and the current state, of this conflict. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
President George Washington contributed to the construction of the original Church of St. Mary, the first Catholic parish in Virginia. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 33, Virginia)
Scott explores the history of a pair of Catholic railroaders. Casey Jones is a folk hero of the American railroading era, and Paul Pius Perazzo is on the "track" to sainthood. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
Scott and Kevin trace the history of money—its use and misuse—within the institutions of the Catholic Church Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Many Catholic churches saw major renovations in the era after the second Vatican Council. In the name of the spirit of Vatican II, and in conforming the church to the new mass, much of the sacred art and beautiful furnishings were purged. But were these changes driven by the council? Were they approved by the Holy Father? Those questions, and others will be answered in this episode as Scott treks thru the history of iconoclast movements which sought to empty Catholic churches of their artistic & religious heritage.
Sacred Heart Mission is Idaho's oldest building. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 32, Idaho
O Queen of Heaven rejoice! Alleluia! Scott explores the obscure history of this prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Regina Caeli. ("Catholic Prayers" series, no. 14, Regina Caeli)
The Dominicans, or Dogs of the Lord (Latin Domini Canis) have been influential in the spiritual renewal of the Church since they were founded 800 years ago by St Dominic de Guzman. Kevin and Scott trek thru the history of this Order of Preachers, and many of the saints it produced. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
Do “Politics & Religion” mix? PEW Research polling shows half of all Americans believe religion should not influence US laws – that your congressman should not legislate based on his religious beliefs. But what if that congressman happens to be a priest? Have priests even served in the U.S. Congress? Surprisingly, the answer is “yes.” In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the priests who have served in the US Congress. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
French, Spanish, and American culture and history merge in the mother church of Louisiana, the Cathedral of St. Louis. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 31, Louisiana)
In this episode Scott treks back to 19th century Ecuador to find Garcia Moreno, who was perhaps the gold standard of a Catholic politician, and the fulfillment of a 250-year-old prophecy by Our Lady of Good Success. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
From its humble beginning in a remodeled school, the parish of St. Mary in Newport bears witness to nearly two hundred years of Catholic history in the Ocean State. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 30, Rhode Island)
John of Capistrano was a lawyer, governor, priest, crusader, and saint. Although many know his name as a home for migrating birds. Scott treks thru his life and the California mission which bears his name. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
G.K. Chesterton wrote this line about a pivotal encounter between the fleets of Catholic Europe and the Islamic Ottoman Empire. Join Scott and Kevin as they remember Don Juan, Pius V, and the Battle of Lepanto. Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek). Thank you.
Pope Pius IX and Jefferson Davis shared a common bond and a correspondence. But what would link the head of the Catholic Church with the head of the slave-owning Confederate States of America? Find out, as Scott treks thru that connection in this episode of Catholic History Trek. Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Scott and Kevin probe the history of a controversial Catholic group - the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X - and its equally controversial founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
Depending on the source, the invention of the electric motor is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, Hans Christian Ørsted, Michael Faraday, William Sturgeon, or Thomas Davenport. But the work of a Benedictine monk from Scotland, Andrew Gordon, predates them all. In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the forgotten Benedictine inventors of the electric motor – Andrew Gordon & Jedlik Anyos. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
Two parishes trace their roots to the early days of the Church in Nevada: St. Teresa of Avila in Carson City and St. Mary's of the Mountains in Virginia City. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 29, Nevada)
Two of the most popular missals for the Latin mass are the missals by Fr Lasance and Baronious Press. In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the men whose names grace these missals – Francis Lasance and Cesare Baronious. To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek) Thank you for your support!
Scott and Kevin take you on a tour of the interior of a Catholic church, identifying common features such as altars, tabernacles, and ambos—and a few uncommon ones such as papal umbrellas. Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
From the greatest of sinners to the greatest of saints, the life of St Mary of Egypt is one of true repentance and God's gift of mercy. Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
St. Joseph's in West Milford and St. John the Baptist (now Sacred Heart) in Trenton nurtured the faith in its infancy in New Jersey. Among their parishioners were ironworkers, a ferryman, and a noodle maker. ("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 28, New Jersey)
The Church has a long history of declaring certain men and women as saints. In this episode Scott treks thru the history of how the Church has determined who was worthy of elevating to the status of “saint”, and the differences between them, and the Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God. Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Scott and Kevin tell the story of Catholicism on the Western frontier: Indians, outlaws, shootouts, … and, of course, missionaries and nuns. Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
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