Facts of Faith - Busted Halo

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP discuss a Lenten tradition in Rome and on the web.

Fr. Larry tells Fr. Dave all about Fr. Georges Lemaître, the Belgian priest and scientist who came up with the scientific theorem that the universe is ever expanding.

Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave discuses the St. Mark's Remains, everything you should know.

Fr. Larry talks with Fr. Dave about a scientist who was also a catholic priest; Gregor Mendel and his studies on Genetics.

Fr. Larry discuses with Fr. Dave the sacred meaning that Relics of many Saints have to the Church.

Fr. Larry discusses with Fr. Dave the different organizations within the Church and what it is that these organizations do.

Fr. Dave discusses with Fr. Larry what takes place during mass. Everything you want to know. 

Ever wonder what a sacristan is? Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discusses the duties of a sacristan and how they support the Church.

Fr. Larry discusses with Fr. Dave the way today's media portrays heaven and hell to society — vastly different and overly dramatic images from what is seen in and taught by the Church.

Fr. Larry explains the mystery behind the Ajacan Missions, in what is now present-day Virginia, and the canonization process that resulted from them.

Fr. Larry explains the history of the devotion to the child Jesus Infant of Prague and what some younger parishioners may accidently mistake it for.

Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave and describe the Chrism Mass, a Mass typically tied to the Holy Thursday that celebrates the Priesthood and blessing the oils used throughout the year.

Back in the “olden days” when people read books to gather information, how did readers know their Catholic information was legitimate? Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss how this process is changing.

Why do we call them “feast days?” Fr Larry and Fr. Dave describe some of the decadent dishes associated with different saints’ feast days. 

Why did the Lord need to be baptized? Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer explain using the different explanations or lack thereof in each of the four gospels. 

From the art world’s “most epic fail” to a “mater admirabilis,” Fr. Larry describes one of the mysterious paintings in Rome.   

In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, Fr. Larry gives a quick biography of the Saint and describes what Catholics should do when the feast day falls during Holy Week.

Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer explain the biblical foundations of Ash Wednesday, where the ashes come from, and whether or not Ash Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Fr. Larry Rice shares the interesting legend of St. Dymphna, the patroness of the mentally ill.  

Fr. Larry Rice tells us more about the early Renaissance brother and painter who is also the namesake of a liqueur.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meetings weren’t always peaceful business gatherings. In 9th century Rome, political differences caused popes to put deceased popes on trial. 

In the first Facts of Faith recorded by Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave, Fr. Larry describes the origin of the ritual, why we use candles to bless throats, and why the healing of throat illnesses is associated with St. Blaise.

@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Fr. Larry Rice shares some asteroids and planets that have ‘heavenly’ names connected with the Catholic Church.

Fr. Larry talks about the Benedictine monk, Dom Perignon, and the myths surrounding the tales of his discovery of champagne. 

Fr. Larry discusses the definiton of the word epiphany, it's misuse in modern tongue and the origins of the Feast of the Epiphany and the roles of the Magi (a.k.a. the Three Kings or Three Wise Men.)

Fr. Larry explains to Fr. Dave how the Church fixes the approximate date of Christ's birth and His incarnation breaking into human history.    

Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer offer suggestions on gifts that keep on giving through fair trade products, shares in relief servies, and other options that are better than ugly sweaters.

Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave dicuss the centuries-old prayer that hungry Catholics sometimes rush through. A secret strategy priests use when asked to say grace at gatherings is revealed by Fr. Larry.  

@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }@font-face { font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: black; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave discuss the religious ranks of the Catholic Church, focusing on the lesser-known Roman Catholic Patriarchs.

Fr. Larry Rice talks more about his new minsitry in New York City as the “Nancy Pelosi” of the Paulist Fathers. He and Fr. Dave Dwyer also talk about the patroness of dentists and the organizations that promote sprituality in the work place.

Most people associate the Catholic Mass as being universal, having the same liturgy each Sunday. However, Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave know of 6 million Catholics who have their own unique readings and rituals.

Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discuss 12th century writer Frederiech Von Spee’s arguments on torture and why it is illogical and un-Christian.    

No, the Vatican doesn't have a prison. Fr. Larry  and Fr. Dave discuss the papal court that grants mercy rather than sentences.

Father Larry Rice and Father Dave Dwyer discuss the many unique hats hanging on the papal hat rack.

Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss the dynamic Dorothy Day, a New Yorker on her way to becoming a saint, and the ministry which survives her today. 

Where exactly did the Bible come from? Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discuss ancient xeroxing.

How did 11 days just dissappear off of the calendar? Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave talk about how different parts of the world are in a different calendar mind-set.

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Will gossiping about others land you in “church jail?” Not necessarily, but Fr. Larry Rice says there are Canonical penalties for damaging someone’s reputation. Fr. Dave Dwyer offers advice on how to steer clear of the temptation.

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } What’s the point of praying for the dead? Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discuss why Catholics see praying for the deceased is important and why other denominations may not agree.

 p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times; }div.Section1 { page: Section1A blinging gift from Pope Benedict to the Madonna of Pompeii puzzles Fr. Larry. The question leads into a brief and surprising history of the papal present.

p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Fr. Larry has all the questions and Fr. Dave has all the answers about the rare hybrid order within the Catholic Church.

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@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Imposters or just fancy titles? Fr. Larry Rice educates Fr. Dave Dwyer and the rest of Busted Halo about papal posers.

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Latin’s not the only language involved in the Catholic Mass and Liturgy. Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discover the many different ways Mass is said (Klingon not included).

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Think cherubim angels are cute, plump, lightly clothed babies flying around? Think again. Fr. Larry Rice explains the “heavenly org chart” of angels.

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Fifty-five years before the Puritans landed in America a different denomination planted their parish flag in a Southern state. Who was it?

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discuss a unique rite within the Catholic Church that not too many Catholics are familiar with. This special rite has its own different rituals and special liturgy.

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Fr. Dave Dwyer and Fr. Larry Rice describe how different Catholic clergy live in their respective communities. Fr. Dave ups his game in a Catholic places quiz.

Fr. Dave Dwyer and Fr. Larry Rice discuss the history surrounding the relic of Saint Januaris, more popularly known in New York City as San Gennaro.  Possible scientific elements are also explained, bringing to question if the relic was made in a lab or if it's a legitimate symbol of the Catholic culture.

Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave discuss liturgical books used in the Catholic Church.