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Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Raymond of Peñafort Saint Raymond of Peñafort's Story Since Saint Raymond of Peñafort lived into his hundredth year, he had a chance to do many things. As a member of the Spanish nobility, he had the resources and the education to get a good start in life. By the time he was 20, he was teaching philosophy. In his early 30s he earned a doctorate in both canon and civil law. At 41 he became a Dominican. Pope Gregory IX called him to Rome to work for him and to be his confessor. One of the things the pope asked him to do was to gather together all the decrees of popes and councils that had been made in 80 years since a similar collection by Gratian. Raymond compiled five books called the Decretals. They were looked upon as one of the best organized collections of Church law until the 1917 codification of canon law. Earlier, Saint Raymond of Peñafort had written for confessors a book of cases. It was called Summa de Casibus Poenitentiae. More than simply a list of sins and penances, it discussed pertinent doctrines and laws of the Church that pertained to the problem or case brought to the confessor. At the age of 60, Raymond was appointed archbishop of Tarragona, the capital of Aragon. He didn't like the honor at all and ended up getting sick and resigning in two years. He didn't get to enjoy his peace long, however, because when he was 63 he was elected by his fellow Dominicans to be the head of the whole Order, the successor of Saint Dominic. Raymond worked hard, visited on foot all the Dominicans, reorganized their constitutions and managed to put through a provision that a master general be allowed to resign. When the new constitutions were accepted, Raymond, then 65, resigned. He still had 35 years to oppose heresy and work for the conversion of the Moors in Spain. He convinced Saint Thomas Aquinas to write his work Against the Gentiles. In his 100th year, the Lord let Raymond retire. Reflection Raymond was a lawyer, a canonist. Legalism can suck the life out of genuine religion if it becomes too great a preoccupation with the letter of the law to the neglect of the spirit and purpose of the law. The law can become an end in itself, so that the value the law was intended to promote is overlooked. But we must guard against going to the opposite extreme and seeing law as useless or something to be lightly regarded. Laws ideally state those things that are for the best interests of everyone and make sure the rights of all are safeguarded. From Raymond, we can learn a respect for law as a means of serving the common good.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint André Bessette Saint André Bessette's Story Saint André Bessette expressed a saint's faith by a lifelong devotion to Saint Joseph. Sickness and weakness dogged André from birth. He was the eighth of 12 children born to a French Canadian couple near Montreal. Adopted at 12, when both parents had died, he became a farmhand. Various trades followed: shoemaker, baker, blacksmith—all failures. He was a factory worker in the United States during the boom times of the Civil War. At 25, Saint André Bessette applied for entrance into the Congregation of Holy Cross. After a year's novitiate, he was not admitted because of his weak health. But with an extension and the urging of Bishop Bourget, he was finally received. He was given the humble job of doorkeeper at Notre Dame College in Montreal, with additional duties as sacristan, laundry worker and messenger. “When I joined this community, the superiors showed me the door, and I remained 40 years,” he said. In his little room near the door, he spent much of the night on his knees. On his windowsill, facing Mount Royal, was a small statue of Saint Joseph, to whom he had been devoted since childhood. When asked about it he said, “Some day, Saint Joseph is going to be honored in a very special way on Mount Royal!” When he heard someone was ill, he visited to bring cheer and to pray with the sick person. He would rub the sick person lightly with oil taken from a lamp burning in the college chapel. Word of healing powers began to spread. When an epidemic broke out at a nearby college, André volunteered to nurse. Not one person died. The trickle of sick people to his door became a flood. His superiors were uneasy; diocesan authorities were suspicious; doctors called him a quack. “I do not cure,” he said again and again. “Saint Joseph cures.” In the end he needed four secretaries to handle the 80,000 letters he received each year. For many years the Holy Cross authorities had tried to buy land on Mount Royal. Brother André and others climbed the steep hill and planted medals of Saint Joseph. Suddenly, the owners yielded. Saint André Bessette collected $200 to build a small chapel and began receiving visitors there—smiling through long hours of listening, applying Saint Joseph's oil. Some were cured, some not. The pile of crutches, canes and braces grew. The chapel also grew. By 1931, there were gleaming walls, but money ran out. “Put a statue of Saint Joseph in the middle. If he wants a roof over his head, he'll get it.” The magnificent Oratory on Mount Royal took 50 years to build. The sickly boy who could not hold a job died at 92. Saint André Bessette is buried at the Oratory. He was beatified in 1982 and canonized in 2010. At his canonization in October 2010, Pope Benedict XVI said that Saint Andre “lived the beatitude of the pure of heart.” Reflection Rubbing ailing limbs with oil or a medal? Planting a medal to buy land? Isn't this superstition? Aren't we long past that superstitious people rely only on the “magic” of a word or action. Brother André's oil and medals were authentic sacramentals of a simple, total faith in the Father who lets his saints help him bless his children.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Welcome to Catholic apologetics, led by Dr. Jim Dobbins, Author of Take My Hand: A personal retreat companion. Just finished an RCIA program? This is the next stop on your faith journey. In these classes we look at the different truths of Catholic doctrine and why we know they are true. We also discuss apologetics, spiritual growth, examine the liturgy of the Catholic Mass and do scripture studies. Please encourage your friends to listen. I also encourage you to leave a comment about our podcasts. If you want the slides or any other documents for any class, just e-mail me at jhdphd@gmail.com and I will reply with the documents attached. If you wish, I will also add you to the class materials distribution list so each time I send anything out for the class you will get it. If you are getting the podcast files from iTunes and would like to see the full set of available classes for download, you can see and download them all at http://yorked.podomatic.com. Older podcasts are now stored at a free podcast site at Podcast.com. The link to the podcasts there is:http://poddirectory.com/podcast/86506/dr-james-dobbins-catholic-apologeticsWe ask you to also consider going to http://yorked.podomatic.com and become a subscriber. It is free, helps our ratings, and thus helps us reach and help more people.This session is part of our discussion of the Gospel of John.Please also let me know if there is a particular topic you would like to see addressed.
Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint John Neumann Saint John Neumann's Story Perhaps because the United States got a later start in the history of the world, it has relatively few canonized saints, but their number is increasing. Saint John Neumann was born in what is now the Czech Republic. After studying in Prague, he came to New York at 25 and was ordained a priest. He did missionary work in New York until he was 29, when he joined the Redemptorists and became its first member to profess vows in the United States. He continued missionary work in Maryland, Virginia and Ohio, where he became popular with the Germans. At 41, as bishop of Philadelphia, he organized the parochial school system into a diocesan one, increasing the number of pupils almost twentyfold within a short time. Gifted with outstanding organizing ability, he drew into the city many teaching communities of sisters and the Christian Brothers. During his brief assignment as vice provincial for the Redemptorists, he placed them in the forefront of the parochial movement. Well-known for his holiness and learning, spiritual writing and preaching, on October 13, 1963, Saint John Neumann became the first American bishop to be beatified. Canonized in 1977, he is buried in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia. Reflection Neumann took seriously our Lord's words, “Go and teach all nations.” From Christ he received his instructions and the power to carry them out. For Christ does not give a mission without supplying the means to accomplish it. The Father's gift in Christ to John Neumann was his exceptional organizing ability, which he used to spread the Good News. Today the Church is in dire need of men and women to continue in our times the teaching of the Good News. The obstacles and inconveniences are real and costly. Yet when Christians approach Christ, he supplies the necessary talents to answer today's needs. The Spirit of Christ continues his work through the instrumentality of generous Christians.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Basil the Great Saint Basil the Great's Story Saint Basil the Great was on his way to becoming a famous teacher when he decided to begin a religious life of gospel poverty. After studying various modes of religious life, he founded what was probably the first monastery in Asia Minor. He is to monks of the East what Saint Benedict is to the West, and Basil's principles influence Eastern monasticism today. He was ordained a priest, assisted the archbishop of Caesarea—now southeastern Turkey—and ultimately became archbishop himself, in spite of opposition from some of the bishops under him, probably because they foresaw coming reforms. Arianism, one of the most damaging heresies in the history of the Church which denied the divinity of Christ, was at its height. Emperor Valens persecuted orthodox believers, and put great pressure on Basil to remain silent and admit the heretics to communion. Basil remained firm, and Valens backed down. But trouble remained. When the great Saint Athanasius died, the mantle of defender of the faith against Arianism fell upon Basil. He strove mightily to unite and rally his fellow Catholics who were crushed by tyranny and torn by internal dissension. He was misunderstood, misrepresented, accused of heresy and ambition. Even appeals to the pope brought no response. “For my sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything.” Saint Basil the Great was tireless in pastoral care. He preached twice a day to huge crowds, built a hospital that was called a wonder of the world—as a youth he had organized famine relief and worked in a soup kitchen himself—and fought the prostitution business. Basil was best known as an orator. Though not recognized greatly in his lifetime, his writings rightly place him among the great teachers of the Church. Seventy-two years after his death, the Council of Chalcedon described him as “the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the whole earth.” Reflection As the French say, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Basil faced the same problems as modern Christians. Sainthood meant trying to preserve the spirit of Christ in such perplexing and painful problems as reform, organization, fighting for the poor, maintaining balance and peace in misunderstanding.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Most Holy Name of Jesus The Story of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Although Saint Paul might claim credit for promoting devotion to the Holy Name because Paul wrote in Philippians that God the Father gave Christ Jesus “that name that is above every name” (see 2:9), this devotion became popular because of 12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns but especially through the preaching of Saint Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan. Bernardine used devotion to the most holy name of Jesus as a way of overcoming bitter and often bloody class struggles and family rivalries or vendettas in Italian city-states. The devotion grew, partly because of Franciscan and Dominican preachers. It spread even more widely after the Jesuits began promoting it in the 16th century. In 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire Church. Reflection Jesus died and rose for the sake of all people. No one can trademark or copyright Jesus' name. Jesus is the Son of God and son of Mary. Everything that exists was created in and through the Son of God (see Colossians 1:15-20). The most holy name of Jesus is debased if any Christian uses it as justification for berating non-Christians. Jesus reminds us that because we are all related to him we are, therefore, all related to one another. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email 2 thoughts on “Most Holy Name of Jesus” Pingback: Mary, The Most Holy Mother of God Lectionary Reflection: January 1, 2023 | peaceonjustice Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton's Story Mother Seton is one of the keystones of the American Catholic Church. She founded the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity. She opened the first American parish school and established the first American Catholic orphanage. All this she did in the span of 46 years while raising her five children. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is a true daughter of the American Revolution, born August 28, 1774, just two years before the Declaration of Independence. By birth and marriage, she was linked to the first families of New York and enjoyed the fruits of high society. Reared a staunch Episcopalian, she learned the value of prayer, Scripture and a nightly examination of conscience. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, did not have much use for churches but was a great humanitarian, teaching his daughter to love and serve others. The early deaths of her mother in 1777 and her baby sister in 1778 gave Elizabeth a feel for eternity and the temporariness of the pilgrim life on earth. Far from being brooding and sullen, she faced each new “holocaust,” as she put it, with hopeful cheerfulness. At 19, Elizabeth was the belle of New York and married a handsome, wealthy businessman, William Magee Seton. They had five children before his business failed and he died of tuberculosis. At 30, Elizabeth was widowed and penniless, with five small children to support. While in Italy with her dying husband, Elizabeth witnessed Catholicity in action through family friends. Three basic points led her to become a Catholic: belief in the Real Presence, devotion to the Blessed Mother and conviction that the Catholic Church led back to the apostles and to Christ. Many of her family and friends rejected her when she became a Catholic in March 1805. To support her children, she opened a school in Baltimore. From the beginning, her group followed the lines of a religious community, which was officially founded in 1809. The thousand or more letters of Mother Seton reveal the development of her spiritual life from ordinary goodness to heroic sanctity. She suffered great trials of sickness, misunderstanding, the death of loved ones (her husband and two young daughters) and the heartache of a wayward son. She died January 4, 1821, and became the first American-born citizen to be beatified (1963) and then canonized (1975). She is buried in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Reflection Elizabeth Ann Seton had no extraordinary gifts. She was not a mystic or stigmatic. She did not prophesy or speak in tongues. She had two great devotions: abandonment to the will of God and an ardent love for the Blessed Sacrament. She wrote to a friend, Julia Scott, that she would prefer to exchange the world for a “cave or a desert.” “But God has given me a great deal to do, and I have always and hope always to prefer his will to every wish of my own.” Her brand of sanctity is open to everyone if we love God and do his will.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Full Text of Readings [DAY TITLE] The Saint of the day is Mary, Mother of God The Story of Mary, Mother of God Mary's divine motherhood broadens the Christmas spotlight. Mary has an important role to play in the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. She consents to God's invitation conveyed by the angel (Luke 1:26-38). Elizabeth proclaims: “Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43, emphasis added). Mary's role as mother of God places her in a unique position in God's redemptive plan. Without naming Mary, Paul asserts that “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). Paul's further statement that “God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out ‘Abba, Father!'” helps us realize that Mary is mother to all the brothers and sisters of Jesus. Some theologians also insist that her motherhood of Jesus is an important element in God's creative plan. God's “first” thought in creating was Jesus. Jesus, the incarnate Word, is the one who could give God perfect love and worship on behalf of all creation. As Jesus was “first” in God's mind, Our Lady was “second” insofar as she was chosen from all eternity to be his mother. The precise title “Mother of God” goes back at least to the third or fourth century. In the Greek form Theotokos (God-bearer), it became the touchstone of the Church's teaching about the Incarnation. The Council of Ephesus in 431 insisted that the holy Fathers were right in calling the holy virgin Theotokos. At the end of this particular session, crowds of people marched through the street shouting: “Praised be the Theotokos!” The tradition reaches to our own day. In its chapter on Mary's role in the Church, Vatican II's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church calls her “Mother of God” 12 times. To learn more, visit our Seven Days with Mary page. Reflection Other themes come together at today's celebration. It is the Octave of Christmas: Our remembrance of Mary's divine motherhood injects a further note of Christmas joy. It is a day of prayer for world peace: She is the mother of the Prince of Peace. It is the first day of a new year: Mary continues to bring new life to her children—who are also God's children.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Full Text of Readings [DAY TITLE] The Saint of the day is Saint Egwin Saint Egwin's Story You say you're not familiar with today's saint? Chances are you aren't—unless you're especially informed about Benedictine bishops who established monasteries in medieval England. Born in the seventh century of royal blood, Saint Egwin entered a monastery, and was enthusiastically received by royalty, clergy, and the people as the bishop of Worcester, England. As a bishop he was known as a protector of orphans and the widowed and a fair judge. Who could argue with that? His popularity didn't hold up among members of the clergy, however. They saw him as overly strict, while he felt he was simply trying to correct abuses and impose appropriate disciplines. Bitter resentments arose, and Saint Egwin made his way to Rome to present his case to Pope Constantine. The case against Egwin was examined and annulled. Upon his return to England, Egwin founded Evesham Abbey, which became one of the great Benedictine houses of medieval England. It was dedicated to Mary, who had reportedly made it known to Saint Egwin just where a church should be built in her honor. Saint Egwin died at the abbey on December 30, 717. Following his burial many miracles were attributed to him: The blind could see, the deaf could hear, the sick were healed. Reflection Correcting abuses and faults is never an easy job, not even for a bishop. Saint Egwin attempted to correct and build up the clergy in his diocese and it earned him the wrath of his priests. When we are called to correct someone or some group, plan on opposition, but also know that it might be the right thing to do.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Full Text of Readings [DAY TITLE] The Saint of the day is Saint Sylvester I Saint Sylvester I's Story When you think of this pope, you think of the Edict of Milan, the emergence of the Church from the catacombs, the building of the great basilicas—Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter's, and others—the Council of Nicaea, and other critical events. But for the most part, these events were planned or brought about by Emperor Constantine. A great store of legends has grown up around the man who was pope at this most important time, but very little can be established historically. We know for sure that his papacy lasted from 314 until his death in 335. Reading between the lines of history, we are assured that only a very strong and wise man could have preserved the essential independence of the Church in the face of the overpowering figure of the Emperor Constantine. In general, the bishops remained loyal to the Holy See, and at times expressed apologies to Sylvester I for undertaking important ecclesiastical projects at the urging of Constantine. Reflection It takes deep humility and courage in the face of criticism for a leader to stand aside and let events take their course, when asserting one's authority would only lead to useless tension and strife. Sylvester I teaches a valuable lesson for Church leaders, politicians, parents, and others in authority.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Full Text of Readings [DAY TITLE] The Saint of the day is Saint Thomas Becket Saint Thomas Becket's Story A strong man who wavered for a moment, but then learned one cannot come to terms with evil, and so became a strong churchman, a martyr, and a saint—that was Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, murdered in his cathedral on December 29, 1170. His career had been a stormy one. While archdeacon of Canterbury, he was made chancellor of England at the age of 36 by his friend King Henry II. When Henry felt it advantageous to make his chancellor the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas gave him fair warning: he might not accept all of Henry's intrusions into Church affairs. Nevertheless, in 1162 he was made archbishop, resigned his chancellorship, and reformed his whole way of life! Troubles began. Henry insisted upon usurping Church rights. At one time, supposing some conciliatory action possible, Thomas came close to compromise. He momentarily approved the Constitutions of Clarendon, which would have denied the clergy the right of trial by a Church court and prevented them from making direct appeal to Rome. But Thomas rejected the Constitutions, fled to France for safety, and remained in exile for seven years. When he returned to England he suspected it would mean certain death. Because Thomas refused to remit censures he had placed upon bishops favored by the king, Henry cried out in a rage, “Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest!” Four knights, taking his words as his wish, slew Thomas in the Canterbury cathedral. Thomas Becket remains a hero-saint down to our own times. Reflection No one becomes a saint without struggle, especially with himself. Thomas knew he must stand firm in defense of truth and right, even at the cost of his life. We also must take a stand in the face of pressures—against dishonesty, deceit, destruction of life—at the cost of popularity, convenience, promotion, and even greater goods.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Full Text of Readings [DAY TITLE] The Saint of the day is Holy Innocents The Story of the Holy Innocents Herod “the Great,” king of Judea, was unpopular with his people because of his connections with the Romans and his religious indifference. Hence he was insecure and fearful of any threat to his throne. He was a master politician and a tyrant capable of extreme brutality. He killed his wife, his brother, and his sister's two husbands, to name only a few. Matthew 2:1-18 tells this story: Herod was “greatly troubled” when astrologers from the east came asking the whereabouts of “the newborn king of the Jews,” whose star they had seen. They were told that the Jewish Scriptures named Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah would be born. Herod cunningly told them to report back to him so that he could also “do him homage.” They found Jesus, offered him their gifts, and warned by an angel, avoided Herod on their way home. Jesus escaped to Egypt. Herod became furious and “ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.” The horror of the massacre and the devastation of the mothers and fathers led Matthew to quote Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children…” (Matthew 2:18). Rachel was the wife of Jacob (Israel). She is pictured as weeping at the place where the Israelites were herded together by the conquering Assyrians for their march into captivity. Reflection The Holy Innocents are few in comparison to the genocide and abortion of our day. But even if there had been only one, we recognize the greatest treasure God put on the earth—a human person, destined for eternity, and graced by Jesus' death and resurrection.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Every holiday season, RISK! fans ask about this small handful of yuletide perennial favorites. Well here they all are, wrapped up in one neat package with a bow. Unwrap and enjoy these stories from Elna Baker, Kevin Allison, Sarah Long Hendershot, and Kate Bohl.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Patrick answers listener questions about faith sacrifices, the challenge of attending Mass from remote areas, and what the Church says about intimacy in marriage. His answers are blunt and compassionate, shifting quickly between stories from callers and firm pro-life guidance, never shying away from hard emotional truths, especially around abortion and IVF. Personal anecdotes and candid advice fill the hour with tension and empathy. John (email) – There isn’t a Catholic Church near me. Should I go to a Protestant Church or watch a Catholic Mass online? (01:03) Erika (email) - Within marriage, is various touching and intimate actions as well as different positions (during the marriage act) morally permissible as long as it all leads up to the act being completed in the normal way? (06:10) Elijah - I worked in a shipyard in Alaska and would drive close to 2 hours to Church after working a full day of work. It is doable. (12:22) Email – Question about abortion (18:27) Audio: Former abortionist Anthony Levatino "I did 1200 abortions, 1st and 2nd trimester. 1 was for rape, 2 were for incest, 9 or 10 were for genetic effects. And all the rest of them were healthy moms and healthy kids.” "People don’t want to believe that, but it’s the truth." https://x.com/LifeNewsHQ/status/1992988281366253650 (28:39) Audio: Abortion hurts men, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1NQOFu7cAc&ab_channel=LiveAction (30:37) Joan - I agree with everything you have said. I had abortions over 50 years ago. I was talked into it. (36:59) Ann - My daughter had cancer during the summer, and they made her get an abortion. Also, her husband and her had an embryo frozen. What does the Church teach on this? (40:07) Originally aired on 12/03/25
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Is Christmas Christian? The rationale of Purgatory? Fallible people in charge of the Church? This and more on Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome to Catholic apologetics, led by Dr. Jim Dobbins, Author of Take My Hand: A personal retreat companion. Just finished an RCIA program? This is the next stop on your faith journey. In these classes we look at the different truths of Catholic doctrine and why we know they are true. We also discuss apologetics, spiritual growth, examine the liturgy of the Catholic Mass and do scripture studies. Please encourage your friends to listen. I also encourage you to leave a comment about our podcasts. If you want the slides or any other documents for any class, just e-mail me at jhdphd@gmail.com and I will reply with the documents attached. If you wish, I will also add you to the class materials distribution list so each time I send anything out for the class you will get it. If you are getting the podcast files from iTunes and would like to see the full set of available classes for download, you can see and download them all at http://yorked.podomatic.com. Older podcasts are now stored at a free podcast site at Podcast.com. The link to the podcasts there is:http://poddirectory.com/podcast/86506/dr-james-dobbins-catholic-apologeticsWe ask you to also consider going to http://yorked.podomatic.com and become a subscriber. It is free, helps our ratings, and thus helps us reach and help more people.This session is part of our discussion of the Gospel of John.Please also let me know if there is a particular topic you would like to see addressed.
A lot of ink has been spilled over the Catholic and religious underpinnings of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Pretty much everyone knows this by now, but very few have probed the depths of how the liturgy and the Catholic Mass influenced the very foundation of Middle Earth. In this episode, Professor Ben Reinhard joins the show to explore Tolkien's deep liturgical roots in his book, The High Hallow: Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination. We also discuss how to initiate a hobbit into true religion! You just need Elves and the oldest song-slinging being in Middle Earth (Tom). The High Hallow: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/the-high-hallow-tolkiens-liturgical-imagination *************************************************************************************************************Follow me on Twitter @AaronIrberSubscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@imightbelieveinfaeries7563Subscribe to my Substack - for updates on the show, essays, and more!Donate to my Patreon - I Might Believe in Faeries https://www.patreon.com/imightbelieveinfaeriesLike my Facebook page - I Might Believe in FaeriesBattle Of The Creek by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Logo Art by Linnea KisbyThis podcast and its content may not be used for training and developing A.I. systems without permission. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronirber.substack.com/subscribe
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pope's recent live stream with thousands of American teens at the National Catholic Youth Conference was a monumental moment in the life of the American Church...and made Taylor's eyes wet. He & Chris Bartlett discuss why this was so meaningful to him & some of the best insights the Pope shared with us. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect
The Pope's recent live stream with thousands of American teens at the National Catholic Youth Conference was a monumental moment in the life of the American Church...and made Taylor's eyes wet. He & Chris Bartlett discuss why this was so meaningful to him & some of the best insights the Pope shared with us. Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
If both Catholics and Protestants believe we're saved by grace through Jesus Christ, why do they still disagree so sharply about the gospel—and how we actually receive it?In this episode, Mark continues the “Why Protestantism?” series by focusing on how grace is applied to the believer. He explains how Roman Catholicism understands grace as being mediated through the Church's sacramental system—especially baptism and the Eucharist—and why the sacraments are seen as the ordinary channels through which God dispenses saving grace. Using a vivid “pop machine” illustration, Mark unpacks how this shapes Catholic views of salvation, assurance, and the Christian life.Mark then contrasts this with the Protestant conviction of sola fide—that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, with the preached Word at the center. He highlights areas of real agreement with Roman Catholics (salvation by grace, the transforming work of the Spirit) while also showing where the systems diverge, especially on how grace is received. Finally, he explores how these differences show up in Sunday worship and why gospel clarity matters deeply for ordinary Christians.Episode Highlights00:00 — Intro to the Equip Podcast and the “Why Protestantism?” series recap 02:28 — Sacramental system vs sola fide and why gospel clarity is at stake 03:22 — Is the gospel present in Roman Catholicism? Where Protestants and Catholics genuinely agree 06:00 — Grace, transformation, and assurance: why Catholics don't say “saved by works,” and where Protestants often misunderstand 09:37 — The “pop machine” illustration: how Catholic theology sees grace flowing through the Church and its sacraments 11:27 — Walking through the seven sacraments: initiation, healing, and service—and why baptism and Eucharist are central 15:49 — The Protestant response: sola fide, justification by faith alone, and sacraments as signs and seals rather than the source of saving grace 17:22 — Romans 10 and the primacy of the preached Word: faith comes by hearing, not by ritual performance 20:25 — Sunday in the pews: how a Catholic Mass and a Protestant service reveal two different centers—Eucharist vs sermon 21:53 — Why Mark believes the gospel is present but often unclear in Catholicism—and why personal faith in Christ must be emphasized 22:22 — Preview of next week's Q&A with Emily Jensen: dating a Catholic, real-life conversations, and practicing clarity with charityResources:Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineGavin Ortlund, What It Means to Be Protestant (Truth Unites)Matthew Barrett, The Reformation as RenewalMichael Svigel, RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten FaithChad Van Dixhoorn (ed.), Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms: A Reader's EditionCatechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican)
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Start your day with God's Word by listening to the Catholic Mass readings. Sign up at Formed Daily to receive these daily reflections directly to your inbox.You can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
“Do I have to shake hands at the Sign of Peace?” This question opens a discussion on the Mass, addressing the significance of gestures during the liturgy. Other topics include the meaning behind “I am not worthy” and the appropriateness of kneeling when the host is present. Additionally, the differences between the Catholic and Orthodox Masses are explored, along with the practice of raising hands during the ‘Our Father.’ Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:16 – Do I have to shake hands at the kiss of peace? 11:55 – When we say, I am not worthy… What does it mean when it says, only say the word… What is the word? 14:09 – Is it correct to kneel when the host is out of the tabernacle? 17:48 – How does the Catholic Mass differ from the Orthodox Mass? 22:35 – Is raising your hands during the ‘Our Father' encouraged? 28:48 – How do you handle explaining and wrapping peoples heads around the real presence without looking crazy? 36:53 – How is receiving communion in line vs at an altar rail viewed by the Church? 42:00 – What do all the hand movements after the consecration mean? 51:20 – My wife and I are in OCIA. What’s the reason for the dismissal of the candidates and catechumens during mass?
Welcome to Catholic apologetics, led by Dr. Jim Dobbins, Author of Take My Hand: A personal retreat companion. Just finished an RCIA program? This is the next stop on your faith journey. In these classes we look at the different truths of Catholic doctrine and why we know they are true. We also discuss apologetics, spiritual growth, examine the liturgy of the Catholic Mass and do scripture studies. Please encourage your friends to listen. I also encourage you to leave a comment about our podcasts. If you want the slides or any other documents for any class, just e-mail me at jhdphd@gmail.com and I will reply with the documents attached. If you wish, I will also add you to the class materials distribution list so each time I send anything out for the class you will get it. If you are getting the podcast files from iTunes and would like to see the full set of available classes for download, you can see and download them all at http://yorked.podomatic.com. Older podcasts are now stored at a free podcast site at Podcast.com. The link to the podcasts there is:http://poddirectory.com/podcast/86506/dr-james-dobbins-catholic-apologeticsWe ask you to also consider going to http://yorked.podomatic.com and become a subscriber. It is free, helps our ratings, and thus helps us reach and help more people.This session is part of our discussion of the Letters of John.Please also let me know if there is a particular topic you would like to see addressed.
Welcome to Catholic apologetics, led by Dr. Jim Dobbins, Author of Take My Hand: A personal retreat companion. Just finished an RCIA program? This is the next stop on your faith journey. In these classes we look at the different truths of Catholic doctrine and why we know they are true. We also discuss apologetics, spiritual growth, examine the liturgy of the Catholic Mass and do scripture studies. Please encourage your friends to listen. I also encourage you to leave a comment about our podcasts. If you want the slides or any other documents for any class, just e-mail me at jhdphd@gmail.com and I will reply with the documents attached. If you wish, I will also add you to the class materials distribution list so each time I send anything out for the class you will get it. If you are getting the podcast files from iTunes and would like to see the full set of available classes for download, you can see and download them all at http://yorked.podomatic.com. Older podcasts are now stored at a free podcast site at Podcast.com. The link to the podcasts there is:http://poddirectory.com/podcast/86506/dr-james-dobbins-catholic-apologeticsWe ask you to also consider going to http://yorked.podomatic.com and become a subscriber. It is free, helps our ratings, and thus helps us reach and help more people.This session is part of our discussion of the Gospel of John.Please also let me know if there is a particular topic you would like to see addressed.
Patrick answers listener questions about faith sacrifices, the challenge of attending Mass from remote areas, and what the Church says about intimacy in marriage. His answers are blunt and compassionate, shifting quickly between stories from callers and firm pro-life guidance, never shying away from hard emotional truths, especially around abortion and IVF. Personal anecdotes and candid advice fill the hour with tension and empathy. John (email) – There isn’t a Catholic Church near me. Should I go to a Protestant Church or watch a Catholic Mass online? (01:03) Erika (email) - Within marriage, is various touching and intimate actions as well as different positions (during the marriage act) morally permissible as long as it all leads up to the act being completed in the normal way? (06:10) Elijah - I worked in a shipyard in Alaska and would drive close to 2 hours to Church after working a full day of work. It is doable. (12:22) Email – Question about abortion (18:27) Audio: Former abortionist Anthony Levatino "I did 1200 abortions, 1st and 2nd trimester. 1 was for rape, 2 were for incest, 9 or 10 were for genetic effects. And all the rest of them were healthy moms and healthy kids.” "People don’t want to believe that, but it’s the truth." https://x.com/LifeNewsHQ/status/1992988281366253650 (28:39) Audio: Abortion hurts men, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1NQOFu7cAc&ab_channel=LiveAction (30:37) Joan - I agree with everything you have said. I had abortions over 50 years ago. I was talked into it. (36:59) Ann - My daughter had cancer during the summer, and they made her get an abortion. Also, her husband and her had an embryo frozen. What does the Church teach on this? (40:07)
“Is the Eucharist a Literal Sacrifice or a Symbolic Act?” This episode delves into the nature of the Eucharist, addressing questions like whether Jesus spoke symbolically when He said, “This is my body,” and how His command to ‘eat my flesh and drink my blood' aligns with Jewish law. We also explore the implications of Jesus' words, “Do this in remembrance of me,” and the teachings of the Book of Hebrews. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:36 – Wasn't Jesus speaking symbolically when He said, “This is my body”? 15:15 – Wouldn't Jesus' command to ‘eat my flesh and drink my blood' violate Jewish law against consuming blood? 37:25 – Didn't Jesus say, “Do this in remembrance of me”? Doesn't that clearly indicate the Eucharist is a memorial, not a literal sacrifice? 40:20 – Doesn't the Book of Hebrews teach that Christ's sacrifice was ‘once for all'? How can the Catholic Mass be a true sacrifice without re-sacrificing Christ? 49:00 – Wouldn't Jesus' command to ‘eat my flesh' be cannibalism
Today in the final installment of The Catholic Mass Series, the U.S. District Superior for the Society of Saint Pius X, Fr. John Fullerton, joins the Director of Communications, James Vogel, to reflect on the importance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and its central place in the life of both the SSPX and the Catholic Church as a whole. They discuss the interrelationship between The Catholic Mass Series and the prior series on the Crisis in the Church, including how the traditional Mass is integral to overcoming the crisis. Father also speaks to some of the practical challenges in making the traditional Mass available to all who seek it while offering advice to those who may be new to the ancient form of the Roman Rite. See all the episodes, and download resources: https://sspxpodcast.com/mass We'd love your feedback on this series! podcast@sspx.org – – – – – – View this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D7VzwQDUkM – – – – – – – The Society of Saint Pius X offers this series and all of its content free of charge. If you are able to offer a one time or a small monthly recurring donation, it will assist us greatly in continuing to provide these videos for the good of the Church and Catholic Tradition. Please Support this Apostolate with 1-time or Monthly Donation >> – – – – – – – Explore more: Subscribe to this Podcast to receive this and all our audio episodesSubscribe to the SSPX YouTube channel for video versions of our podcast series and SermonsFSSPX News Website: https://fsspx.newsVisit the US District website: https://sspx.org/ – – – – – What is the SSPX Podcast? The SSPX Podcast is produced by Angelus Press, which has as its mission the fortification of traditional Catholics so that they can defend the Faith, and reaching out to those who have not yet found Tradition. – – – – – – What is the SSPX? The main goal of the Society of Saint Pius X is to preserve the Catholic Faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood. Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and the traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls. Although the traditional Latin Mass is the most visible and public expression of the work of the Society, we are committed to defending Catholic Tradition in its entirety: all of Catholic doctrine and morals as the Church has always defended them. What people need is the Catholic Faith, without compromise, with all the truth and beauty which accompanies it. https://sspx.org