Catholic Bytes Podcast: Recent Episodes
CAST
This indefinite podcast pause comes with sadness and great joy. For ten years the Catholic Link podcast has engaged Catholics with faith filled content and enabled them to grow deeper in their faith. It is sad to see the podcast end, but we must not be too sorrowful knowing what good the Lord has done […]
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Pentecost is the only Jewish celebration found Leviticus that Christians still observe in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. This festival originally celebrated the harvest fifty days after the Passover. Fr. Rob dives into the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis. The builders of the tower tried to build through their own means apart from […]
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Chastity is an essential virtue in the Christian life through which we see and treat other people as the children of God that they are. For one to commit sins against the virtue of chastity is to not respect the dignity they have. Fr. Thomas G. Morrow, author of Marriage for God’s Sake: A Guide […]
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Anger is an emotion, but without proper understanding and clarity it can become a sin. To have an emotion is alright, but to allow those emotions to take control of our decisions and actions, that is where we enter problematic territory. Join Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB, author of the book Emotional Holiness: Discovering the Divine […]
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Sports and athletics mirror the Christian life closely. For someone to grow in a sport, they must acquire discipline, fortitude, courage, among other virtues. Similar traits characterize the Christian life to exhibit and become saints. Kevin Wells, award-winning journalist, best-selling author, and renowned Catholic speaker, joins Fr. George to discuss his career as a sports […]
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Anxiety can be a way that the devil attacks our identity as beloved children of God. People experience anxiety in a variety of forms, but at its root, we begin to doubt that we are loved in and of ourselves: that we don’t need to prove our worth through success or our worthiness to be […]
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To love is to evangelize and is the call of every baptized Christian. We are to go into our workplaces, our families, our communities with abundant love. Then the message of Christ will penetrate the relationships and draw everyone closer to himself. Chris Bartlett of Ablaze Ministries joins Fr. George Elliott to discuss our call […]
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Papal elections is the process where the cardinals of the Church gather to select the new pope. With the recent death of Pope Francis, the cardinals gather on May 7, 2025 to prayerfully discern the next pope. John and Ashley Noronha of the Truth and Beauty Project share what happens immediately after a new pope […]
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Conclaves are the process by which the Catholic cardinals prayerfully discern and elect the next Roman Pontiff, the Pope. Modern papal elections have standard practices and traditions. But that was not always the case in the Church’s history. Fr. Conrad Murphy, author of Why Christians Can Wear Pants: Spiritual Lessons from Strange Stories in Papal […]
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Virtuous fatherhood is the goal all fathers should strive for. It is a life of self sacrifice and devotion for one’s family and larger community. Chris Vander Woude joins Fr. George to discuss his father’s virtuous life. Chris’ father, Thom Vander Woude, lived a joyful life consistently sacrificing for his family. His life was extremely […]
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Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Church’s calendar. We commemorate the final days of Jesus’ life leading up to his passion, death, and resurrection. During Holy Week, Jesus instituted the Eucharist and established the priesthood. Karen May, a Catholic speaker, author, and spiritual director, joins Fr. George to discuss her favorite moments […]
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Virtue is often defined as the median between two extremes. An overly academic definition, though, can make virtue feel remote and unachievable. Dave DiNuzzo, author of The Steep Upward Climb, joins Fr. George in this podcast to describe how virtue is both attainable and is a requirement to live the Catholic life. Our climb up […]
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Carlo Acutis, the Millennial Saint, lived an ordinary life and loved the people around him in an extraordinary way. He shows the modern world that holiness is for everyone, we are all called to be saints. An upcoming documentary, The Boy from Milan, shows the personal testimony of those who knew him during his life. […]
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Fitness and Nutrition are the tools for the modern ascetic. As humans, made of body and soul, we must take care of our bodies and that can be a means of self discipline. The goal is to become a total self gift to others. Exercise and eating well are means to help us love God […]
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Jubilee is an ancient tradition with roots in the Old Testament beginning with Moses and the Exodus. Dr. John Bergsma and Fr. George Elliot compare the ancient themes and practices to how we can live the Jubilee year well in the Catholic Church today. Pilgrimage is a key aspect of the Jubilee from the beginning […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Brice Higginbotham of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux joins Fr. George to discuss the Liturgy of the Hours. Also known as the Divine Office, it is the official prayer of the Church outside of the Mass. Priests and religious are required to pray these hours at set intervals throughout […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Dr. Scott Hefelfinger, PhD of the Augustine Institute joins Fr. George. They discuss ways one should not observe Lent and ways one should observe Lent. Everyone experienced Lents with a lot of passion and other Lents with minimal attention and everything in between. Dr. Hefelfinger discusses How […]
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In this throwback episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob discusses our journey through a spiritual desert during Lent. Lent is about how to live in paradise…now. It’s a great rescue story, the story of us being pulled out of slavery and into the Promised Land (but to do that we must go through […]
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In this throwback episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discussed a brief history of Lent. So, how we should not only think of Lent as a time for penance. But also think of Lent as a preparation in the Heavenly mysteries. Originally the 40 day fast was for the […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss how showing interest in conversations with other people is an act of charity. Charity is simply willing the good of the other for the other’s sake. It is often synonymous with community service and volunteer work. But a simple conversation with […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss how one properly responds to confessing the same sins in Confession. When we frequent the Sacrament of Confession / Reconciliation and we find we confess the same sins, we must not give into discouragement. Going repeatedly despite our shortcomings shows our […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob discusses what lazy means and how it differs from despondency. Laziness is generally choosing pleasures or ease over a work or duty one knows they must do. For example, one may know that they need to take the trash out, but they choose to lie […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss again the Mental Health of Priests with a focus on how their experience of Catholicism shifts after ordination. Men become priests for a variety of reasons. All their lives until ordination they participate in the Sacraments just like a lay […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss reflection and contemplation upon God’s work throughout the past day. In the Nativity story, we hear that Mary pondered the first Christmas in her heart. Fr. Rob and Fr. George call us to end our days with some reflection and […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). They discuss why the name changed from RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, to OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Then they discuss some of the OCIA process […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss why they produce a Catholic podcast. There are so many Catholic podcasts to choose from. Fr. Rob and Fr. George take a unique perspective on their podcast to provide listeners a fresh perspective. They are pastors in their respective parishes. […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss some of the mental health aspects of the priestly vocation as a means to help the laity better understand how to respect and care for their priests. There are many aspects of the priesthood that the laity understand. Though, a […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss some traditions one can incorporate this Advent to help prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of the Christ child at Christmas. Fr. Rob says we first need an Advent Wreath and we must secondly light it. Advent symbolizes […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss The Three Comings of Christ to reflect on during Advent. The three comings of Christ are: 1) Christ’s birth at Christmas, 2) Christ’s coming into our hearts and souls every day, and 3) Christ’s coming at our death and at […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss how the season of Advent is a preparation to celebrate the birth of Christ. One means of preparation for the Solemnity could be to practice fasting. Fr. Rob makes the distinction between the East’s and West’s view of fasting. St. […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss some tips and things to be aware of when having conversations about sensitive issues. Prudence is a key virtue in this regard. Firstly, it’s important to discern if the topic in question is a topic we are qualified to address. […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss the connection between our mental health and spirituality. Once again we have the tension to hold two seemingly conflicting things. As Catholics, we understand that the human person is a union of body and soul. We must have mental health […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Conrad Murphy, host of the Habemus Papam podcast, joins Fr. Rob and Fr. George to discuss his new book Why Catholics Can Wear Pants: Spiritual Lessons from Strange Stories in Papal History. This new book is the product of Fr. Murphy’s podcast project. Over the course […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss a Christians relationship to modern day celebrations of Halloween. Halloween originally, and still is, a day of observation of All Saints Day, originally known as All Hallow’s Eve. In modern observations of Halloween, debates of the morality of the celebration arose. […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the Synod on Synodality and how we ought to be governed. Right now, the Church engages in the second phase of the Synod on Synodality. There are three works of the Church in our world: sanctification, governance, and teaching. The Church […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss what idle talk is and how it can harm us and our relationship with God. As Catholics, we believe words have power: e.g. the Word became flesh, God’s word, etc. Today’s discussion reflects on James 1:26 that states, “If any think […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the importance of creating a sacred space for prayer and contemplation. We know that each space has a certain vibe. The decorations in the space generate the vibe and put us in a specific mindset. The same is true for our […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the recent comment of Pope Francis that says that all religions are pathways to God. Some people were upset at this comment, but fail to recognize the tradition of the Catholic Church in this area. Fr. George appeals to the Early […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss some of their thoughts about homilies at Mass and how we are to respond to them. They first offer advice to priests and deacons. When writing a homily, a priest or deacon should keep in mind what they want to say. […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss short visits to the Eucharist in our routine. Some people may struggle to do a Holy Hour. This sometimes feels daunting and unattainable. However, Fr. Rob and Fr. George encourage us to make short and simple visits to the Blessed Sacrament […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the use of veils in Church. Many are familiar with the veils that some women wear during Mass. Fr. Rob points out that it is more popular in his parish recently. He, then, infers that it is a more common trend […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss Mary’s proper role in the Catholic Faith and our faith lives. It seems like the median between two extremes comes up again here. In order for us to come to Christ through Mary’s intercession, we must properly understand her role and […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss what our proper attitude towards tradition and traditional liturgies should be. The Traditional Latin Mass and other traditional liturgies are strikingly beautiful. However, there is a danger to inordinately focus on the externals. Virtue is, again, finding the medium between two […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the Olympics Opening Ceremony that depicted the Last Supper in a blasphemous way. Fr. George and Fr. Rob explore ways that we can respond to when an injustice occurs. Find the median between the two extremes: unprovoked fury and unmoved by […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss how and why some of the Psalms ask God to enact God’s justice on his enemies. They explain how the Psalms are prayers. In some of these Psalms, the Psalmist asks God to enact his justice on those who offend God […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the Assumption of Mary as a foreshadowing of our resurrection. They discuss how the Assumption defined and why. Next, they reflect that the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, body and soul, is a foreshadowing of what we are […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George share their experiences from the Eucharistic Congress. Father George attended and reflects on some of the formative encounters and joys of the event. Fr. Rob shares an insightful reflection from a parishioner who attended. This parishioner saw how the body of priests […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob, Fr. George, and Fr. Michael Niemczak discusses Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. They emphasize how Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati lived a seemingly ordinary life, but did everything God put in his life and made it holy. Frassati had great devotion to the Holy Eucharist and cared […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Conrad talks about all things baseball as related to the Faith with special guest, Ed Condon, D.C. Bureau Chief for Catholic News Agency. Baseball is the National Pass Time, where people go to engage in leisure in the Summertime. Some innovations in the game present a […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob discusses the devotion of the Brown Scapular. Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock and gave him the brown scapular. She promised that no one who wore it would suffer eternal fire. Fr. Rob discusses how one can live a life similar to a Carmelite […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the need to encourage our priests. They also discuss how to approach a parish priest about difficult or confusing situations in the parish. They offer a reminder that priests studied the Faith for at least nine years in seminary. Therefore, they […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They reflected on the scripture passages where Mary’s heart referenced. Mary pondered the mysteries of Christ’s infancy in her heart. Simeon prophesized that a sword will pierce her heart. Fr. Rob and Fr. George explained that […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George share consoling information about the Devil and demons. They share that demons cannot read your mind and they cannot read your soul. The Devil’s and the demons’ goal is to make one dislike God. All of their tactics distract us from our […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. And how it combats the heresy of Jansenism. Jansenism began in the early 17th century and emphasizes our sinfulness and imperfection over the free love and grace of God that redeems us. The […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss modesty as a understanding of the median and of time and place. Modesty is a virtue which means that modesty involves finding the median between two extremes. Modesty also encompasses many areas of life from clothes to behavior. St. Thomas Aquinas […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss how one can pray with Scripture. Fr. Rob shares the Benedictine method, commonly known as Lectio Divina for scriptural prayer. Lectio Divina is Latin for Divine Reading. In Lectio Divina, one chooses a short passage and meditates and contemplates what stuck […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the role the Holy Spirit plays in the Sacraments. More specifically, Fr. Rob focuses on the role of the Spirit in Scripture readings during the Sacraments. They emphasize the impact having a personal view of Scripture can have. One can use […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss thoughts about Christian TikTok and social media at large. Fr. Rob recovered from COVID and spent a lot of time on TikTok and he shares some of what he found. He encourages social media users to understand that not everything on […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the role of the Holy Spirit within the economy of salvation. As Pentecost approaches, it is important to address this person of the Trinity’s role in salvation. Fr. Rob and Fr. George distinguish the ultimate Fruits of the Spirit with the […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob discusses a way to meditate on the Book of Revelation. Some people read Revelation and try to map world history or current events onto what they read. Fr. Rob proposes another meditation of the book. He suggests that we read Revelation as a foretaste of […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob discusses how Easter is more than just another day. Easter is the culmination of our faith. We should live “Easter” all the days of our lives. We do this through acts of mercy and charity. By living in this way, Easter is more significant than […]
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Easter: So, it is the Triduum…we have done well(ish) with Lent, but how to we celebrate Easter? Tune in and hear Fr. Rampino explain how the Gospel of St. John explains Easter. How we should live it out! Christ desires to bring us to the Father and save us. St. John witnessed the Passion of […]
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Finale Recap 6: 264 Popes (for now). In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad recaps and reflects on all of the Habemus Papam podcast series. You can listen to the previous episode about Pope Francis: Our current successor of St. Peter, the first Pope from the New World, with a heart for the poor […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss Christian initiation of adults at the Easter Vigil and Pentecost. Baptism is how Christians become adopted sons and daughters of God. To wait for the Easter Vigil or Pentecost for Baptism is a way to reinforce the interior conversion already […]
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Francis: Our current successor of St. Peter, the first Pope from the New World, with a heart for the poor and the marginalized. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Francis, who succeeded Pope Benedict XVI: One of the great Theologians of the 20th Century, a mover in the Second Vatican Council, […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss the Lenten devotion Stations of the Cross and how it can augment Lenten prayer. During this Holy Week, take the time to pray the Stations of the Cross and meditate on the final moments of Christ’s life. Listen to the previous […]
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Benedict XVI: One of the great Theologians of the 20th Century, a mover in the Second Vatican Council, and a Papal Resignation. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Benedict XVI, who succeeded Pope John Paul II: One of the great papacies in history, a sainted theologian who stood up to communism, envigorated […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss veiling sacred images. Beginning with the 5th Sunday of Lent until Good Friday. also known as Passiontide. This is a means of preparing the faithful for the most sacred time of year. It reminds the faithful that we may not […]
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John Paul II: One of the great papacies in history, a sainted theologian who stood up to communism, envigorated the youth, and brought the Church into the Third Millenium. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Saint John Paul II, who succeeded Pope John Paul I: The Smiling Pope with a brief papacy. […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss the Rites of Scrutinies, which are celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent for those who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. The history of these rites originates in the Early […]
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Silent Retreat: No, we were not on a silent retreat while taking a break from podcasting, but Fr. Chris Seith was, and now he’s back! Tune in and learn about this practice and what fruits poured forth in this throwback episode from Catholic Bytes. Listen to a recent Fr. Rob episode where he and Fr. […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss the temptations of Jesus in the Desert. The temptations of Jesus give us an understanding of how Christ experienced every facet of the human life, except sin. These temptations are also an example of how we handle our own temptations. […]
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Bld. John Paul I: The Smiling Pope with a brief papacy. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Bld. John Paul I, who succeeded Pope Saint Paul VI: A papal diplomat who concluded and implemented the Second Vatican Council. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link […]
The post Bld. John Paul I: Habemus Papam– Episode 261 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss repentance as a way of life. This means that repentance is a life long journey by which we are sorrowful to God for our actions and we are met with his mercy. Lent is the time of year where our […]
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Paul VI: A papal diplomat who concluded and implemented the Second Vatican Council. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Saint Paul VI, who succeeded John XXIII: A “caretaker pope” who surprises the world and calls the Second Vatican Council. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss a brief history of Lent. So, how we should not only think of Lent as a time for penance. But also think of Lent as a preparation in the Heavenly mysteries. Originally the 40 day fast of Lent was for […]
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John XXIII: A “caretaker pope” who surprises the world and calls the Second Vatican Council. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses John XXIII, who succeeded Pius XII: Pope during the Second World War and the definer of the Assumption. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss why, even after we’ve confessed our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it is encouraged to perform acts of penance as a means of repairing the broken relationship with God and reforming our souls to the original state after we’ve […]
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Pius XII: Pope during the Second World War and the definer of the Assumption. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pius XII, who succeeded Pius XI: The Creation of Vatican City State, and a defiant antifascist Pope, who was also a world class mountain climber. You can listen to the podcast about […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss how the Christmas season can be a lonely time for a lot of people. Firstly, priests may experience a particular loneliness when they celebrated multiple liturgies in a short time and suddenly after Christmas, there far less going on. Sometimes, […]
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Pius XI: The Creation of Vatican City State, and a defiant antifascist Pope, who was also a world class mountain climber. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pius XI, who succeeded Benedict XV: Peacemaker Pope during the First World War You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss how silence is an essential aspect of the spiritual life whereby one comes to a deeper knowledge of the truth of the present moment and increasingly aware of God’s presence in their life. In today’s digital world, it is important […]
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Benedict XV: Peacemaker Pope during the First World War. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Benedict XV, who succeeded Pius X: A saint! And the reason why you received first communion in second grade instead of after confirmation. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss how the season of Advent is a preparation to celebrate the birth of Christ. One means of preparation for the Solemnity could be to practice fasting. Fr. Rob makes the distinction between the East’s and West’s view of fasting. St. […]
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Saint Pius X: A saint! And the reason why you recieved first communion in second grade instead of after confirmation. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Saint Pius X, who succeeded Leo XIII: The second longest serving Pope since Peter and a great encyclical writer. You can listen to the podcast about him […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss the purpose of the Second Coming of Christ and how Advent is a preparation for Christ’s second coming. We do not know when Christ will come again and usher in a new creation, so it is of the utmost importance […]
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Leo XIII: The second longest serving Pope since Peter and a great encyclical writer. He is also the oldest person to be recorded on motion picture film. Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99cgefDHXE In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Leo XIII, who succeeded Blessed Pius IX: Our Longest serving Pope since St. Peter, […]
The post Leo XIII: Habemus Papam– Episode 254 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discussed Gnosticism and Gossip. They answer what ways the Church experiences gnosticism today. Most particularly when people gossip. The Church combatted Gnosticism in the early part of the millennia. It comes in a variety of forms and is characterized by overly […]
The post Gnosticism and Gossip with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Bl. Pius IX: Our Longest serving Pope since St. Peter, the Immaculate Conception, and the 20th Eccumenical Council, Vatican I. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Blessed Pius IX, who succeeded Gregory XVI: The last non-bishop to be elected Pope, a staunch traditionalist and monk. You can listen to the podcast about him […]
The post Blessed Pius IX: Habemus Papam– Episode 253 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Join Drew and Katie Taylor on Catholic-Link as they provide a detailed movie review of “Journey to Bethlehem.” Discover the aspects they loved about the film and the important warnings they have for viewers. In some ways the movie falls short of theological truths known through the Bible. Yes, they cater to the modern culture, […]
The post ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ Movie Review appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this throwback episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Conrad Murphy is joined by Fr. Alec to discuss the Season of Christmas and how Christ, the Messiah, is made manifest to the world through his birth at Christmas, the Epiphany, his baptism in the Jordan, his miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana, and […]
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In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob and Fr. George Elliot discuss mercy and gratitude in the heart of the Christian life. They reflect on a quote from Thomas Merton before his ordination that states that mercy and gratitude must be at the heart of the priest and of all Christians. In […]
The post Mercy and Gratitude as the Heart of Christian Life with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Gregory XVI: The last non-bishop to be elected Pope, a staunch traditionalist and monk. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Gregory XVI, who succeeded Pius VIII: Pope Leo XII’s childhood schoolmate who couldn’t be more different. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, click here. […]
The post Gregory XVI: Habemus Papam– Episode 252 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Drew and Katie Taylor sit down with Rachel Bulman from Word on Fire Meet the Bulmans, and editor of the new Catholic book With All Her Mind: A Call to the Intellectual Life. Rachel Bulman shares he experience editing Word on Fire’s newest book With All Her Mind: A Call to the Intellectual Life. We […]
The post Rachel Bulman: With All Her Mind appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Pius VIII: Pope Leo XII’s childhood schoolmate who couldn’t be more different. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pius VIII, who succeeded Leo XII: An old traditionalist Pope who tries to reset Europe after the upheavals of the French Revolution. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic […]
The post Pius VIII: Habemus Papam– Episode 251 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob is once again joined by Fr. George Elliot and they discuss why do Catholics pray for the dead and how the prayers help them in purgatory. They reference 2 Maccabees 12:46 where it states “it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the […]
The post Why Do Catholics Pray for the Dead? with Fr. Rob Adams appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Habemus Papam Recap 5: 250 Popes, 1800 years and the beginning of the last 15 episodes of this series. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad recaps the last 15 popes in the series. You can listen to the previous episode about Leo XII: An old traditionalist Pope who tries to reset Europe after […]
The post Habemus Papam Bonus Episode 5: Pope Recap appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this video, Drew and Katie Taylor get to interview Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns about their new documentary, Home By Sunday. Hear his story and the amazing advice he has for young adults and your parents! If you found value from this video, please consider SUBSCRIBING: https://www.youtube.com/c/CatholicLin… It really helps YouTube share […]
The post Casting Crowns Home By Sunday: Mark Hall Interview! appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Leo XII: An old traditionalist Pope who tries to reset Europe after the uphevals of the French Revolution In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Leo XII, who succeeded Pius VII: A strange conclave in Venice leads to another Pius and another conflict with Napoleon. You can listen to the podcast about him here. […]
The post Leo XII: Habemus Papam– Episode 250 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob is joined by Fr. George Elliot and they talk about the intercession of the Saints. Fr. Rob bases his discussion on St. Paul’s letter to Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 2. He also references the book Mediation and the Immediate God: Scriptures, the Church, and […]
The post The Saints and Their Intercession with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Pius VII: A strange conclave in Venice leads to another Pius and another conflict with Napoleon. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pius VII, who succeeded Pius VI: Captured by Napoleon and died in Captivity, “Pius the Last”. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, […]
The post Pius VII: Habemus Papam– Episode 249 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Looking for amazing Catholic worship music? Join Drew and Katie Taylor as they interview Luke Spehar about his life as a Catholic musician and his new album Solace. Check our more at ➡️ https://lukespehar.com/ Luke has an incredible story of his faith journey which led him to become a full-time catholic artist. Here are a […]
The post Catholic Music || Luke Spehar Solace Interview appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Pius VI: Captured by Napoleon and died in Captivity, “Pius the Last”. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pius VI, who succeeded Clement XIV: The Pope who finally gave in and suppressed the Jesuits. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, click here. View the Catholic […]
The post Pius VI: Habemus Papam– Episode 248 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob talks about Averroism, a school of medieval philosophy based on the application of the works of 12th-century Andalusian philosopher Averroes, a commentator on Aristotle, in 13th-century Latin Christian scholasticism. Fr. Rob explains that Averroeism understands religious truths as distinct from other “fill in the blank” […]
The post Averroeism Alive and Well with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Clement XIV: The Pope who finally gave in and suppressed the Jesuits. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Clement XIV, who succeeded Clement XIII: The Pope fights for the Jesuits as European monarchs put on the pressure. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, click […]
The post Clement XIV: Habemus Papam– Episode 247 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Looking for a card game to play with your Catholic friends that is really fun and good for your soul? Then you have come to the right place! Don’t wait! Check out the Catholic Card Game today 👉 https://catholiccardgame.com This week, Drew and Katie from Catholic Link interview Matt and Lisa, the creators of the […]
The post Catholic Card Game with Creators Matt and Lisa Martinusen appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Clement XIII: The Pope fights for the Jesuits as European monarchs put on the pressure. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Clement XIII, who succeeded Benedict XIV: A learned and moderate Pope, an “honest man”, and the first rumblings against the Jesuits. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen […]
The post Clement XIII: Habemus Papam– Episode 246 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob talks about how one can pray the Rosary better. The Rosary at its heart is a meditative prayer, focuses on the life of Jesus and Mary based in scripture. Fr. Rob suggests that all those who pray the Rosary should consider meditating on the mysteries […]
The post How to Pray the Rosary Better with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Benedict XIV: A learned and moderate Pope, an “honest man”, and the first rumblings against the Jesuits. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Benedict XIV, who succeeded Clement XII: A blind Pope who tries to “right the ship” in Rome. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to […]
The post Benedict XIV: Habemus Papam– Episode 245 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Join Drew and Katie Taylor as they interview Father Mark Mary Ames, CFR about Born of Fire by Fr Innocent Montgomery, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal’s Lent book for men. Get your copy here ➡️ https://bornoffirebook.com/ Book This is honestly the best lent resource for Catholic men we’ve ever read! If you desire to […]
The post Fr. Mark-Mary on Born of Fire CFR Lent Book appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Clement XII: A blind Pope who tries to “right the ship” in Rome. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Clement XII, who succeeded Benedict XIII: A Holy Dominican Pope, who doesn’t know how to play politics and trusted the wrong people. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to […]
The post Clement XII: Habemus Papam– Episode 244 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob talks about the ministries of lector and acolyte as seen through Paul VI’s Motu Proprio, Ministeria Quaedam and Francis’ Spiritus Domini. In the past, these roles were understood as minor orders, leading up to the major orders of sub-deacon, deacon, and priest. The other minor […]
The post Lector and Acolyte Ministries with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Benedict XIII: A Holy Dominican Pope, who doesn’t know how to play politics and trusted the wrong people. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Benedict XIII, who succeeded Innocent XIII: A short papacy of a Pope from an old papal family. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to […]
The post Benedict XIII: Habemus Papam– Episode 243 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Fr Boniface Hicks discusses his book and reveals the secrets of deepening your Catholic prayer life! Father Boniface is a Catholic monk or Benedictine Monk who can help you unlock the power of Catholic prayer! Receive 20% off Personal Prayer: A Guide to Receiving the Father’s Love with the coupon code for the St Paul […]
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Innocent XIII: A short papacy of a Pope from an old papal family.
The post Innocent XIII: Habemus Papam – Episode 242 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob talks about the often misunderstood Sacrament in the Church: Anointing of the Sick. What is the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick for? What does Anointing of the Sick do? Fr. Rob answers these questions as well as why there is sickness and pain in […]
The post Anointing of the Sick with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Clement XI: The War of Spanish Succession, Jansenism (again), and the Controversy about Chinese Rites. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Clement XI, who succeeded Innocent XII: Last Papal beard and an end to nepotism. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, click here. View […]
The post Clement XI: Habemus Papam – Episode 241 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Sister Josephine Garret of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth a Catholic Counselor answers does my child need counseling and so much more! She shares her tips for raising healthy kids in a wounded world and how parents can find hope without falling into deep shame. Raising Catholic kids can be hard, but […]
The post Catholic Counseling for Kids || Sister Josephine Garrett’s Invitation to Hope appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Innocent XII: Last Papal beard and an end to nepotism.
The post Innocent XII: Habemus Papam – Episode 240 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob is back again and this time, he talks about the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Rob reveals that in the past he struggled to fully understand the Assumption of Mary and other Mariology topics. It seems, though, that he has come around. Fr. […]
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Alexander VIII: Nepotism comes back big, for a little while. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Alexander VIII, who succeeded Blessed Innocent XI–The only “Blessed” Pope between St. Pius V and St. Pius X, the siege of Vienna, and the continued fight with France over Gallicanism. You can listen to the podcast about […]
The post Alexander VIII: Habemus Papam – Episode 239 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Kendra Tierney makes liturgical living easy in real life. In her newest book The Catholic All Year Prayer Companion: The Liturgical Year in Practice, she complies Catholic liturgical prayers for you to have a liturgical life and help create a Catholic family culture! Subscribe for more great resources! This Catholic prayer resource breaks down the […]
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Innocent XI: The only “Blessed” Pope between St. Pius V and St. Pius X, the siege of Vienna, and the continued fight with France over Gallicanism. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Blessed Innocent XI, who succeeded Pope Clement X–The newest and oldest cardinal gets elected Pope unexpectedly. You can listen to the […]
The post Blessed Innocent XI: Habemus Papam – Episode 237 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob is back after his technical difficulties! In this episode, he discusses the life of St. Clare of Assisi and her impact on St. Francis. Listen to the previous episode where Fr. Rob is joined by Melissa Kirking, an author and expert on how to bring Children […]
The post St. Clare of Assisi with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Clement X: The newest and oldest cardinal gets elected Pope unexpectedly. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Clement X, who succeeded Pope Clement IX–A popular Pope who heard confessions weekly for the public and who published the world’s first comic opera. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen […]
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 237 – Clement X appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Over 45,000 men have gone through Exodus 90, a spiritual exercise entailing prayer, asceticism, and fraternity lived out in an intense and intentional way. Check out https://exodus90.com/ today, and join us as Drew and Katie Taylor interview Nathaniel Binversie, the Director of Content for Exodus 90, Exodus 91, and Exodus 7! If you found value […]
The post Exodus 90 – Why Asceticism Will Transform your Marriage appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Clement IX: A popular Pope who heard confessions weekly for the public and who published the world’s first comic opera. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Clement IX, who succeeded Pope Alexander VII–A cultured and honest Pope who fought Jansenism and welcomed the most important convert of the century to Rome. You […]
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 236 – Clement IX appeared first on Catholic-Link.
How has COVID affected young Catholics, what trends are we seeing amongst Catholic youth today? Today, Fr. Conrad is joined by Dr. Josh Packard, Executive Director of Springtide Institute, to discuss what trends we are seeing in the rise and declines of church attendance, faith practices, and identification amongst young Catholics across the country. Fr. […]
The post The State of Young Catholics: a “Throwback” appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Alexander VII: A cultured and honest Pope who fought Jansenism and welcomed the most important convert of the century to Rome. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Alexander VII, who succeeded Pope Innocent X–The Peace of Westphalia and the Jansenist Controversy. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen […]
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 235 – Alexander VII appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Mike and Alicia Hernon from the Messy Family Project discuss with Drew and Katie Taylor the details of Catholic family life! The Family Board Meeting not only helps Catholic Couples learn how to create a family mission statement, they intentionally create a Catholic Family Culture! Mike and Alicia Hernon provide incredible resources, especially the Messy […]
The post Family Board Meeting with Mike and Alicia Hernon appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Innocent X: The Peace of Westphalia and the Jansenist Controversy. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Innocent X, who succeeded Pope Urban VIII–What the Barberians didn’t do to Rome, the Barbarinis did. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, click here. View the Catholic Link […]
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 234 – Innocent X appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this throwback episode of Catholic-Link, Fr. Rob discusses in 60 seconds or less the feast of the Assumption. A feast with an important message for all of us. The Feast of the Assumption of Mary is on August 15th. The belief that Mary assumed into Heaven, body and soul, became dogma in the Catholic […]
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Urban VIII: What the Barberians didn’t do to Rome, the Barbarinis did. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Urban VIII, who succeeded Pope Gregory XV–the reform of papal elections and the most epic canonization ever. You can listen to the podcast about him here. To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, click here. […]
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 233 – Urban VIII appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Fr Gregory Pine, OP sits down to discuss Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly his new book ➡️ https://amzn.to/33LUJHp which answers the question what is prudence and how do we live the virtue of prudence? Fr Gregory is a regular contributor on Pints with Aquinas found here: / pintswithaquinas Pints with Aquinas Fr Gregory Pine Playlist: • Q&A W/ Fr. Pine […]
The post Father Gregory Pine, O.P. – How To Live the Virtue of Prudence appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Gregory XV: The reform of papal elections and the most epic canonization ever.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 232 – Gregory XV appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Fr. Rob is joined by Melissa Kirking, an author and expert on how to bring Children to Adoration, to discuss her new book, Jesus and Me: Talking with My Greatest Friend.
The post Jesus and Me with Melissa Kirking appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Paul V: A capable administrator and the start of the Thirty Years War.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 231 – Paul V appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Habits for Holiness with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames of the CFRs
The post Habits for Holiness with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames of the CFRs appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Leo XI: Another Medici Pope, another friend of St. Philip Neri, and another short papacy.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 230 – Leo XI appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob discusses the feast of Pentecost. Fr. Rob identifies how Pentecost is the only Jewish feast that is on the Catholic Liturgical Year Calendar.
The post Pentecost with Fr. Rob appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Clement VIII: Another friend of St. Philip Neri, the first Pope to drink Coffee and the conversion of Henry of Navarre.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 229 – Clement VIII appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Drew and Katie Taylor sit down with Dr John Bergsma to discuss it, the future of higher education, how to fall in love with scripture.
The post The Future of Higher Education w/ Dr. John Bergsma appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Another really short papacy, ended because of a cold pilgrimage in Rome.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 228 – Innocent IX appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Fr. Rob is joined by Dr. Mike Scherschligt, President and Founder of Holy Family School of Faith who lead people to a relationship with Christ and the Holy Family through the Rosary.
The post Fr. Rob – School of Faith appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Gregory XIV: Another short papacy from another friend of St. Philip Neri.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 227 – Gregory XIV appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Sister Alicia Torres of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. She is on the executive board for the National Eucharistic Revival answers all this and more.
The post Drew and Katie – Eucharistic Revival w/ Sr Alicia Torres appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Urban VII: The Shortest Papacy in History.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 226 – Urban VII appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob discusses the little known Church council, the Second Council of Nicaea, which is the seventh ecumenical council in the Church's history. Fr. Rob discusses what this council says about icons of God the Father.
The post Fr. Rob – Lord Show Us the Father appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Sixtus V: A poor friar from a tenant farming family becomes the friends of saints and then a reforming Pope.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 225 – Sixtus V appeared first on Catholic-Link.
How to prepare your kids for first communion and first reconciliation!?! In a way that actually helps keep them Catholic.
The post Drew and Katie – KEY to Passing on the Faith to kids, Jackie and Bobby Angel appeared first on Catholic-Link.
The Pope fixes the calendar, which we still use today.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 224 – Gregory XIII appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this Catholic Link podcast, Fr. Rob shares his thoughts about adding something new to his podcast and where he found inspiration for his show.
The post Fr. Rob – Trying Something New appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Our first Canonized Saint in over 60 episodes! The implementation of the Council of Trent, the Battle of Lepanto and the Triumph of the Rosary.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 223 – Saint Pius V appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Dr. Marie Meaney discusses her latest book, When Expecting Doesn't Happen: Turning Infertility into a Journey of Hope.
The post Drew and Katie – Infertility Awareness with Dr. Marie Meaney appeared first on Catholic-Link.
another reforming Pope who happened to have a saintly Cardinal Nephew.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 222 – Pius IV appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Fr. Rob shares his thoughts on life after a post COVID Church and how the Church adapted to COVID-19.
The post Fr. Rob – Post COVID-19 Church appeared first on Catholic-Link.
A very strict inquisitorial reforming Pope, who doesn't make a lot of friends.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 221 – Paul IV appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Utilizing digital media to draw people into relationships while prayerfully protecting yourself against social media addiction and comparison.
The post Drew and Katie – Social Media with Jared Zimmerer appeared first on Catholic-Link.
A short papacy but a beautiful Mass that came from it.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 220 – Marcellus II appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Fr. Joe Rampino discusses the priesthood in the context of rural chapels.
The post Fr. Rob – History of the Priesthood with Fr. Joe Rampino Part 3 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
A bit of a dissapointmnt for reformers, but some bright spots as the Council of Trent continues.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 219 – Julius III appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Lisa Cotter explains the Catholic teaching on women, utilizing the wisdom of JPII feminine genius teaching and Catholic feminity.
The post Drew and Katie – The Catholic Feminine Genius with Lisa Cotter appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Reform, from another scandalous Renaissance Pope: A tentative start of the 19th Eccumenical Council, the Council of Trent.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 218 – Paul III appeared first on Catholic-Link.
In this Catholic-Link podcast, Fr. Rob interviews J. Stephen and Austin Kelly, the creators of Knights of the Cross, a television series about the Crusades.
The post Fr. Rob – Knights of the Cross appeared first on Catholic-Link.
"The most unfortunate of the popes", the Sack of Rome, the Split with England, and a waffling indecisive Pope.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 217 – Clement VII appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Check out this interview with Samantha Kelley, founder of FIERCE Athlete, where she talks to Drew and Katie Taylor from Catholic-Link about women's sports, femininity, theology of the body, identity as a daughter of God, body image issues, and so much more!
The post Drew and Katie – FIERCE Athlete with Samantha Kelley appeared first on Catholic-Link.
The last non-Italian Pope until St John Paul II and the only Dutch Pope, a strict and pious reformer.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 216 – Adrian VI appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Fr. Joe Rampino joins Fr. Rob again and discuss the priesthood from the patristic age and the discernment process for these early priests.
The post Fr. Rob – History of the Priesthood with Fr. Joe Rampino Part 2 appeared first on Catholic-Link.
"Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it." Oh and a guy named Martin Luther and the Protestant Revolution.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 215 – Leo X appeared first on Catholic-Link.
What is the National Eucharistic Revival 2022? What does the Catholic Church believe about the Eucharist and how do I have an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist? Tim Glemkowski the Executive Director for the National Eucharistic Congress 2024 answers all this and more.
The post Drew and Katie – What is the Eucharist with Tim Glemkowski appeared first on Catholic-Link.
A powerful and ambitious pope, the builder of the new St. Peter's and convoker of the 18th Eccumenical Council, Lateran V
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 214 – Julius II appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Fr. Rob interviews Fr. Justin Rose about fasting, its importance and significance, especially in the Byzantine Rites.
The post Fr. Rob – Fasting with Fr. Justin Rose appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Drew and Katie Taylor sit down with Father Boniface Hicks, OSB to discuss Fr Boniface's book Through the Heart of Saint Joseph.
The post Drew and Katie – Interview with Fr. Boniface Hicks appeared first on Catholic-Link.
The Nephew of Pius II becomes Pius III, a decent old man and a short papacy.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 213 – Pius III appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Lent is about how to live in paradise...now. It's a great rescue story, the story of us being pulled out of slavery and into the Promised Land (but to do that we must go through the desert).
The post 006 Fr. Rob – Lent: Going into the Desert appeared first on Catholic-Link.
A scandalous papacy with the whole Borja family to contend with.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 212 – Alexander VI appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Does Canon Law work against evangelization? Quite the contrary! Although the laws can seem restrictive, Canon Law frees us to enter into the faith/mass/etc. more deeply because the guard rails are in place to keep us on track. We often hear of Canon Law in regards to annulments and Fr. Rob and Fr. Michael speak […]
The post 005 Fr. Rob – Fr. Michael Schutez on Canon Law appeared first on Catholic-Link.
The nepotism continues in a weak and less than inspiring papacy.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 211 – Innocent VIII appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Drew and Katie Taylor sit down with Mark Wahlberg to interview him about his new movie Father Stu. For more great Catholic content please SUBSCRIBE! Fr Stu Long is a true story of a boxer-turned-actor-turned-priest in the Helena Diocese.
The post 006 Drew and Katie – Interview with Mark Wahlberg appeared first on Catholic-Link.
A Venetian Pope who loved splendor and beauty.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 209 – Paul II appeared first on Catholic-Link.
On this episode Adam Minihan from the Catholic Man Show and his wife Haylee join Drew and Katie Taylor to talk about Catholic family life and their new book Living Beyond Sunday; Making Your Home a Holy Place.
The post 005 Drew and Katie – Keep Your Family Catholic appeared first on Catholic-Link.
Soldier's Son, Crusade Enthusiast, and Christian Abolitionist.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 208 – Pius II appeared first on Catholic-Link.
A pious Spaniard and the defense of Christendom from the Turks
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 207 – Callistus III appeared first on Catholic-Link.
"The priesthood" is a big topic, but we are tackling it in this episode. Fr. Joe discusses the central question of, "Has the priesthood always been this way?" If it hasn't, what are the essential things to the priesthood? All that and more!
The post 003 Fr. Rob – History of the Priesthood with Fr. Joe Rampino appeared first on Catholic-Link.
The first real Renaissance Pope, a lover of learning and wisdom.
The post Habemus Papam: Episode 206 – Nicholas V appeared first on Catholic-Link.
n this episode, Dr. Andrew Swafford from Benedictine College and Sarah Swafford from Emotional Virtue Ministries dive into their new series with Ascension: What We Believe The Beauty of the Catholic Faith and share their best advice on Catholic marriage and family!!!
Check out What We Believe here ➡️ https://ascensionpress.com/collection... Check out the Swaffords at: https://theswaffords.com/
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The Runaway Ecumenical Council of Basel, Ferrara, and Florence, and another attempt at reconciliation with the East.
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There are certain days of the week and year that are considered Holy Days of Obligation, or days that we must go to Mass. There is SO MUCH MORE to Holy Days of Obligation than just the point that we must go to Mass, tune in and learn more!
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The end of the Great Western Schism and the conclusion of the Council of Constance.
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The Schism gets more complicated, (a second Antipope!) but a solution looks possible at the Council of Constance.
The Schism gets more complicated, (a second Antipope!) but a solution looks possible at the Council of Constance.
Any The Chosen fans here? This episode is for you! Jonathan Roumie plays Jesus in The Chosen, but what does his relationship with Jesus look like? How does he pray? Tune into this interview with Drew, Katie, and Jonathan and find out!
You have spent many years listening to the man behind the mic, Fr. Conrad, so let’s take this opportunity to learn a bit about him and his work outside of the podcast!
Welcome to our “first” Catholic-Link podcast with your regular host, Fr. Conrad, introducing the new host, Fr. Robert Adams (a voice you should recognize).
The Schism continues and Rome is coming back a little bit, but there is a long way to go.
This is the last episode with our beloved Catholic Bytes Trio and they will be discussing the word telos and it’s very profound meaning. Our understanding of what our end is, determines how we lives our lives. We are made with an end in mind, and that end must shape the way we live. We can’t […]
Catholic homemaking done well creates a domestic church, where your home becomes a sacred space to live out your vocation. Kimberly Hahn is a Catholic wife and mother who provides Biblical wisdom and encouragement to the homemakers heart. Kimberly Hahn’s Bible Study, Graced and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker’s Heart and podcast Beloved and […]
We are working on transitioning the Catholic Bytes podcast to the Catholic-Link podcast and part of that means we will have more content from our Youtube Channel! This is a quick hello from Drew and Katie Taylor sharing more about this transition.
We are talking about Evagrius of Pontus again and break down of the sin of wrath. Many people struggle with anger, and Evagrius says that anger and wrath are the enemies of true prayer. When we are angry it blinds us and we often have reactions we wouldn’t normally have or condone. Two things can […]
In this episode we discuss acedia as described by Evagrius of Pontus. We often hear it described as sloth or laziness, but a more accurate understanding is “sadness”, “despondency”, or “despair”. Laziness is a symptom and not the sin itself. Fr. Rob and Fr. Conrad break down the main symptoms of acedia and also how to […]
We’ve had many drafts here on the Catholic Bytes podcast, so now let’s keep that going and discuss our favorite 20th century theologians!
We’ve had many drafts here on the Catholic Bytes podcast, so now let’s keep that going and discuss our favorite 20th century theologians!
Hello everyone! It has been awhile since we have posted regularly and Fr. Conrad is here to tell you why. No worries, we aren’t going anywhere, just a few changes ahead!
War in Italy and St. Catherine of Siena helps convince the last French Pope to return to Rome.
Another holy and reforming Pope who starts to get serious about Italy, but struggles diplomatically.
The last cardinal anyone thought would get elected does, and then he tries to clean up messes.
How was Jesus’ body different after the Resurrection, and what was the significance and necessity of the Ascension? In this episode, Fr. Alec and Fr. Conrad discuss the impact that the Ascension had on the Church, and how it brought the new era of Jesus’ mystical body.
Why are feast days special? How should we celebrate them? In this episode, Fr. Alec and Fr. Conrad discuss how to celebrate feasts and saint’s days in holy and beautiful ways and how we can connect our lives liturgically with the Church.
How well do you know your soul? In this episode, Fr. Alec and Fr. Conrad take a deep dive into the three types of souls, what makes human souls unique, and answer the question, “What is a soul?”
The 15th Ecumenical Council, the Council of Vienna, and the start of the Avignon Papacy.
How has COVID affected young Catholics, what trends are we seeing amongst Catholic youth today? Today, Fr. Conrad is joined by Dr. Josh Packard, Executive Director of Springtide Institute, to discuss what trends we are seeing in the rise and declines of church attendance, faith practices, and identification amongst young Catholics across the country.
Most Catholics understand that there is some connection between the Eucharist and Jewish Passover, but how deep do those connections go? In this episode, Fr. George and Fr. Conrad revisit Exodus and the story of the first Passover while they draw the connections to how we celebrate and interact with the Eucharist today. Want to […]
When people think about St. Paul, his life and duties as a priest are not one of the first things that come to mind. In this episode, Fr. George and Fr. Conrad take a deeper look at St. Paul and how he shared the Mass and Eucharist with others. Want to check out Fr. George’s […]
Sometimes God grants gifts to particular individuals for the purpose of raising up the Church. In this episode, Fr. Conrad and Fr. Alec dive into glossolalia, or the gift of speaking in tongues, and answer the questions of its authenticity, its relation to God, and how it affects His church.
Adoration can be intimidating if you’ve never been (or even if you have because let’s be honest…it can be intimidating keeling in front of the Lord of the universe). In this episode, Fr. Conrad and Fr. Alec give practical tips on how to begin going to adoration and how to make the most of that […]
There is a history of women crushing heads in the Bible, and Mary is included. Intrigued? Tune in to learn more.
If you have ever learned to ski you may recall how at the beginning…it’s hard. You may feel like quitting, you may just want to ride back to the ski lodge and drink some hot chocolate, but if you did you would miss out on the beauty and fun of skiing. The same can be […]
Vatican II is one of the most rooted and embracing councils in history. Ressourcement is a French term that is a foundational aspects of Vatican II. Some people say it came out of thin air, but it represents nearly two centuries of theological development. If we want to be a living traditional Church we must […]
The O Antiphons are a thing during Advent. What are they? What is the purpose? These are prayed during evening prayer and it is the verse recited before the Magnificat. Today we are talking about O Root of Jesse. It comes from Isaiah’s prophecy “from you a flower shall spring forth”. And would this be […]
A non-Cardinal Pope and the establishment of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Have you heard of our new initiative, Bible-Link? Learn more and make a donation here!
If you were charged with evangelizing the world, what religious orders would you want on your team? This is a very fun episode episode with the CB Trio that shows a bit of everyone’s personality while sharing what is so great about many of the religious orders of the Church. Please consider donating to our […]
Each year we ask you to help financially support the work of the podcast and the various initiatives that have sprung forth from the podcast…and this year is no different. During Advent, we are running a Go Fund Me to launch a new digital bible study initiative, Bible-Link. Bible-Link is an initiative of Catholic CAST […]
The friend of St. Clare is elected Pope and then canonizes her. Want to support CAST’s new initiative, Bible-Link? Check out the Go Fund Me here!
Since Vatican II there has been a development of factions within the Church – often seen as “liberal” and “conservative”. There is a disconnect between what people think Vatican II is about and what the documents actually say. Tune into this episode to hear Fr. Conrad and Fr. Blake Britton discuss what Vatican II really teaches […]
How can we live with the Resurrection in mind and how does this reality shape your life? Katie Race and Fr. Conrad discuss the Resurrection of the Body and how. Am I keeping vigil? Am I giving witness to the Resurrection or am I paying more attention to what is now as opposed to what […]
What is Jesus’ response to the parts of us we aren’t proud of, the parts that are broken? This podcast dives into the personal prayer life of guest Katie Race and host Fr. Conrad to discuss how to meet Jesus in our brokenness.
“I’m not just a meat sack animated by a soul.” Fr. Alec Scott We intuitively understand that our bodies are important. My soul isn’t really me, and my soul isn’t really me, but my body and soul together is what is truly me.
After some technical difficulties, we are back! Frederick II’s tutor becomes Pope, and really really tries to get him to lead the crusade.
The high point of Papal Power, the 12th Ecumenical Council, Lateran IV, and a meeting with a poor friar named Francis.
You may have heard that the Pope has convoked a synod on synodality…is this just a meeting about church bureaucracy? As the preparatory document states, “by journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the Church will be able to learn through Her experience which processes can help Her to live […]
A push for unity behind the Crusade, return to Rome, and the tragic death of Frederick Barbarossa.
We often say that something was providential or that we were inspired by the Holy Spirit, but is discerning the action of the Holy Spirit that easy? How can we tell when it’s the Spirit prompting us to do something or when it’s more of our own action and impetus? In this episode Fr. Conrad […]
Where are you going in your life and where might God be calling you? This phrase is from an apocryphal story about the death of St. Peter. Peter is heading out of Rome to escape persecution when Jesus passes him on the way, heading toward Rome. It’s not uncommon for us to ask the Lord […]
Fr. Conrad and Fr. Griffin begin this episode by discussing what NOT to do when giving a defense of the Faith. You may have great explanations for the various questions about the Faith, but if you don’t present it in a way that is well received it may not work out so well, or worse, […]
The root of the word apologetics is “defense” and the idea of apologetics is that the Faith can be defended. Everything in the Faith can be defended against being called unreasonable, but apologetics isn’t everything, but it is an important piece of evangelization. Check out Fr. Griffin’s book on dealing with apologetics, Cross-Examined!
A huge fight with the Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa, the canonization of St. Thomas Becket, four antipopes, and the 11th Ecumenical Council – Lateran III.
This episode is all about sacramental intention. In essence, it’s not enough for us to do and say certain things (it’s not magic) we must intend to what we are doing. The Catholic Bytes priests break this down with several examples regarding consecrating the Eucharist. (This is also very interesting and important when it comes […]
“May God forgive you what you have done! … What reason or counsel, when the Supreme Pontiff was dead, made you rush upon a mere rustic, lay hands on him in his refuge, wrest from his hands the axe, pick or hoe, and lift him to a throne?” – St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s student gets […]
We started with Bible roulette and now the hosts of Catholic Bytes are testing their knowledge of the Summa by St. Thomas Aquinas and why each of the points discussed is important and applicable to our faith today!
Today we are talking about the intellectual life – how to think and the process of thinking. Who do you want to think like?
Kanye West? Justin Beiber? Sacred music? Today we are talking about singing and the value it has in our spiritual life.
Another disputed election leads to a schism and the 10th Ecumenical Council, Lateran II.
We are back from our summer break, check out this new episode for a fun (and educational) scripture game. PSA- Apple Podcasts has changed how they feature podcasts, make sure to SUBSCRIBE to see our new episodes posted each week.
Ever wonder what it would be like to walk around in clerics? Check out this episode for some fun stories.
How can we say we are made for happiness when there is so much sorrow in the world? When we live the life of the Beatitudes, we experience the happiness that God has intended for us in heaven. Happiness comes from God alone…what a timely reminder! Tune in for more about true happiness the Beatitudes […]
The promoter of lowercase letters, the investiture crisis continues, and Henry V’s new antipope.
A topic that isn’t often talked about within the Catholic theology world: body image and Catholic theology. What do these things have to do with each other? Tune in and find out, with special guest Dr. John Acquaviva.
We are taking a few weeks off to build up our bank of new podcasts, but Fr. Conrad has one final thought for you before we take a break. We will be back with new content in August!
Four antipopes over a long papacy, the continuation of the investiture crisis, and the first bishop of America.
It’s not uncommon that people will host their pastor, or another priest/religious friend for dinner. How do you prepare for this event? Is everything spotless and all of the kids are put together? Do they walk into chaos and are asked to help with dishes at the end? Believe it or not, this too can […]
The episode we have all been waiting for! One of the most important people in the history of the Church, Hildebrand becomes pope!
Did you know that gardening can teach us a lot about the Faith? For example, prayer isn’t something I do, but something God does mysteriously within me. And do we really need to mention patience? Patience in the process. Tune in and listen to Fr. Rich and Fr. Conrad talk about their experiences gardening and […]
You can learn a lot about spiritual life by playing an instrument or being part of a band. Join Fr. Rich Miserendino and Fr. Conrad as they talk about how playing the saxophone can be a metaphor for spiritual life.
We’ve talked about vocations a few times on this podcast, but this is a new take on the topic – what NOT to say!
The reform of the Church continues and the Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire becomes the Pope.
Did you realize you are in the middle of a battle? That’s right, we are talking about the battle of the spiritual life, with some Revelation thrown in.
St. Peter tells us to be ready to give account for the reasons of hope within you…so in this episode, we are talking about reasons for hope in the Church.
How do time and purgatory go together? Tune into this CB episode to learn more about purgatory and how we can reduce our "time" there.
What is the point of monasteries? Men and women shut themselves away from the world and do what…pray? Is this truly helpful for society or for their own salvation? Tune in and find out more!
We continue the series with Fr. Conrad’s students at the University of Mary and in this episode they share why they love the liturgy…and it will probably inspire you to love the liturgy too!
In this episode, Fr. Conrad talks to two of his college students at the University of Maryland about why they have faith. Tune in for some inspiring stories!
As the laity, we are called to actively participate in the Mass, but how can we do that if there are a limited number of roles/jobs to do? Well, actively participating goes beyond having a specific task to accomplish. Tune into this CB episode to learn more about how you can be an active participant in each and every Mass.
Fr. Conrad has the host of Just a Guy in the Pews, John Edwards, on the podcast today to talk about the importance of virtue. Tune in and check it out! Want to hear more from Just a Guy in the pew? Check out this link! [podcast]
So, it is the Triduum…we have done well(ish) with Lent, but how to we celebrate Easter? Tune in and hear Fr. Rampino explain how the Gospel of St. John explains Easter and how we should live it out!
Holy Week is next week so this is a timely episode! Why do we chant the Passion? For one thing, it helps you remember! Tune in to hear about the other reasons we chant Christ’s Passion.
Have you ever had a friend become a bishop? In this episode, Fr. Chris tells us about the time a friend of his became a bishop and both the joy and sorrow that came along with the news. Tune in!
Let’s be honest, who read “What’s the Matter with the Priesthood?”? This week Fr. Conrad and Fr. Chris talk about the matter (we’re talking sacraments here) of the priesthood and how it changed at one point in history.
If Jesus is like us in all things except sin…can he truly relate to us? The answer is YES! He can actually relate to us and understand us better because he does not know sin. Tune in for more on this topic!
The Bible is scripture…duh? Well, although we may hear this phrase on a regular basis, what does it really mean? How does this change the way in which we read and encounter the Word of God?
You may have heard our first podcast on the COVID vaccine, that was recorded before the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a letter…so now, we update! Tune in to hear the latest!
The smartest man in Europe, a brilliant mathematician and monk, and the first French Pope.
What is men’s spirituality? Is the way men practice the Faith look different from how women practice the Faith? In this episode, Fr. Conrad talks with Robert Tunmire, President and Director of Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance. Resources: heroicmen.com Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance
We are doing something a little different this week and featuring the City on a Hill podcast. If you want to be inspired…just keep listening. This episode features Andrew Marquez. Want to hear more episodes? Check out this link.
For this episode, we have one of the greats returning, Fr. Andrew Mattingly! He joins us to talk about how young adults can continue to practice the faith and grow in faith after their college years (as many people don’t have a built- in Catholic community once they leave college). Make sure to tune in […]
Fr. Conrad and Fr. Chris have reached a new level of nerdom in this episode as they discuss this popular work by J. R. R. Tolkein.
Have you ever left your phone in the fridge, or on top of the washer or dryer…or somewhere else it wasn’t supposed to be because you just weren’t paying attention? In this episode, Fr. Chris and Fr. Conrad talk about what Catholic mindfulness is and how ultimately it’s an awareness of being loved by God.
Not many people would think that 2020 was filled with graces, but in this CB episode, Fr. Chris and Fr. Conrad talk about how they grew spiritually this past year and the graces God poured out for them (and all of us!).
Otto I and the return of the Holy Roman Empire. Like our podcasts? Help us to produce more by donating here!
In today’s podcast, we will be talking about subsidiarity and solidarity, two keywords for our present time! Help us reach our stretch goal of 1.5k to purchase some much needed equipment for our Youtube Channel on Catholic-Link. You can donate here!
Priests get a lot of questions about prayer – how to pray, how often to pray, what time of day should one pray, etc. In this episode, Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB and Fr. Conrad discuss the practice of Lectio Divina – how to do it and the many benefits of praying with scripture. We only […]
John the XII, a teenager pope. We are SO CLOSE to our matching donor, end-of-year appeal. Please prayerfully consider donating and supporting our work! You can donate at this link.
You have probably heard about COVID vaccines in every news outlet recently, and you may have heard debates about if they were ethically developed. In this episode, Dr. Melissa Moschella explains the facts about the development of the vaccine and how to approach the ethics around this issue. Check out this article from First Things […]
Sometimes “structure” can be seen as a bad thing, but in this episode, we hear Abbot Austin Murphy explain why structures are important to growing in the spiritual life. Plus, practical tips! We are also doing our annual end-of-year appeal. Would you prayerfully consider donating $1 a day during Advent (a gift of $25)? (It’s […]
What happens if you are baptized with the wrong sacramental form? Well, a story about this exact topic hit the news and it has some major consequences. Tune in to find out more! Like our podcasts? Help us create more by donating here!
Some may think that this topic is not the most applicable to their practice of the Faith, but tune in and learn more about the importance of theology in our own lives! Catholic Bytes Podcast is a CAST initiative.
Some of the questions you could probably guess, but others may surprise you…like why are priests clean-shaven? A fun episode! Catholic Bytes is a CAST initiative.
The term “social justice” is often thrown around, and sometimes with a political connotation. But what is the real meaning of “social justice”? Tune into this episode to find out! Interested in the extended trail of Hallow? Follow this (affiliate) link that also helps Catholic Bytes financially. Interested in winning two, year-long subscriptions to Hallow? […]
Let’s be honest, if you are Catholic…or even if you aren’t, you have probably wondered why only men can be priests. Well, we tackle that question, and the bigger picture in this episode.
Join Fr. Conrad and Fr. Jordan Dosch as they talk some smack and the beauty of celibacy within the priesthood. What a combination that is.
The altar if front and center in churches, and that is for a reason. Tune in to find out why the altar is such a big deal!
How is Catholic meditation different than the secular concept of mindfulness? The co-founder of Hallow, a Catholic meditation app, helps explain the difference between the two and the richness of the Fatih in the area of meditation. Would you like to try a month of Hallow Plus for free? Follow this (affiliate) link! Every CB […]
No, we were not on a silent retreat while taking a break from podcasting, but Fr. Chris Seith was, and now he’s back! Tune in and learn about this practice and what fruits poured forth!
An episode all about suffering. What it is, what it isn’t, and how Christ experienced suffering. Light topic this week…
If you have been an altar server, or ever attended Mass really, you’ve seen a few mistakes take place. In this episode, Fr. Conrad and Fr. Alec discuss common altar server mistakes and the bigger picture of the role of servers and how to be a really good one.
The priests of CB offer a few tips about going to confession (beyond the typical, “make sure you pray beforehand”) advice. Like our podcasts? Help us produce more by donating here!
The Photian Schism and our least known “Great” Pope. Also, the reason we can wear pants.
The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul is the anniversary of Catholic Bytes podcast, so here is an “anniversary” episode with the Catholic Bytes Trio!
What does it mean to be a leader? How is a Catholic leader different from other leaders? Are you still called to lead if you aren’t in a managerial position at work? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more, and hear an exciting announcement! As many of you may know, CAST/Catholic Bytes runs […]
Who doesn’t love a good draft? In this episode, the Catholic Bytes Trio picks their dream team of the Apostles. It’s both hilarious and educational so tune in and then let us know who your dream team would be!
You may explain things in a clear and concise way...or so you think, but what if the receiver isn't catching your drift? How people receive your message is very important, especially when we are talking about the Faith. Tune in for more!
Some may consider "thee, thou, and thy" as a formal use of language, but in reality, it expresses a type of intimacy with the person you are speaking with. What does this have to do with the Faith? You would be surprised! Tune in and find out!
You've seen the "normal" colors of red, green, white, and purple, but have you seen ash, blue, and silver? Tune into this episode to hear about these obscure liturgical colors and when the Church uses them.
End of life questions are some of the "hot topic" issues of the Faith. Fr. Jeff Kirby talks about the intricacies of these issues and how to navigate them.
The eternal question: Why does God allow bad things to happen? This podcast, with guest Fr. Matt Fish, goes into common answers we may hear and what the true answer is.
In this (a tad bit longer) episode of Catholic Bytes, we talk about all things baseball as related to the Faith with special guest, Ed Condon, Editor of the Washington branch of Catholic News Agency.
Have you read The Divine Comedy? This CB episode dives into what this work points us to and the bigger picture/purpose of art and literature.
This episode is a throwback to last year - Easter is no time to stop praying, and since you have some extra time on your hands at home, let's focus on building up our spiritual lives!
A hotly disputed election, two anti-popes, two Frankish kings, and a bloody tumultuous papacy.
Did Christ really go to hell? How could God go to hell? What does all of this mean?! Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn what we mean when we say Jesus descended into Hell in the Apostle's Creed.
There is so much information about how to be prepared for COVID-19, but are you prepared for the coming of Jesus? A very timely podcast to listen to right before we begin the Triduum.
When we live the life of the Beatitudes, we experience the happiness that God has intended for us in heaven. Happiness comes from God alone...what a timely reminder! Tune in for more about true happiness the Beatitudes in this CB episode with Fr. Jeff Kirby.
In a time where social media is being flooded with content, and we may have more time on our hands, let's take a look at what we are consuming and if we really need it in our lives.
In light of COVID 19 we thought we would offer some simple steps you can take to pray at home.
A take-off of the "Mount Rushmore of Saints", Fr. Conrad Murphy and Fr. Christopher Seith talk about their top churches. What churches would you include?!
No, this episode is not about George Clooney, but probably more interesting and informative.
Do you ever get frustrated with your progress in the spiritual life? We all do!
Here is a podcast just for you about how to have patience with yourself on the journey!
How would you respond to someone who had questions or hesitations about infant baptism? Tune into this episode to hear answers to the most common objections to this practice of our faith.
Fr. Adams thinks that the Book of Revelation is the weirdest book in the bible. He may just have a point...
Another great episode by John Acquaviva about the relationship between Church and sport.
Did you know that there are 4 ways to read scripture? Tune into this podcast to learn more and hear the CB trio guide you through an example of each way with the Israelites crossing the Red Sea.
Do you think about death? Thinking about one's death every day was/is a common practice for religious and it may be a good idea to incorporate it more into your own life as well.
Leslie, the behind-the-scenes editor, and her husband José talk about how to evangelize like "normal" people...aka not priests and religious.
Interested in Tentmaker Podcast? Check it out here, or download on iTunes and any other podcast service.
Did you know there were "secrete" priest prayers during Mass? Check out this episode to hear them!
A topic that isn't often talked about within the Catholic theology world: body image and Catholic theology. What do these things have to do with each other? Tune in and find out, with special guest Dr. John Acquaviva.
Sometimes we can just "say" the Our Father as opposed to truly praying it. Take 60 seconds to learn more about the depth of a prayer we say so often.
We travel through time during Mass. Find out what that means in this 60 Second episode!
Who doesn't love a little bit of Greek vocab and nerdy stories by the CB hosts? This episode is full of both!
We often think of the Devil as a horned red thing that sits on our shoulders tempting us to do something bad, is this a correct image of him? Listen and find out!
If someone asked you what the virtue of humility was all about, would you be able to answer? It's not self-abnegation and it's not denying your gifts...so what is it?
All priests and religious are obligated to pray the Divine Office. Tune into this episode to learn more about the history of the prayer of the Church and why the CB priests love it!
PS - Laity can pray it too!
We need God, but does God need us? If God doesn't need our love, what's the point of praying or trying to love Him? Tune into this CB episode to learn more!
God is unchanging. Does that make Him cold and unloving? Quite the opposite. Tune in to find out more!
In this episode, the guys pick out their "Mt. Rushmore of Saints". Tune in to see who their favorites are and learn more about a few saints!
The tomb of this Holy Roman Emperor can teach us about Baptism and the kingship of Christ...quite the loaded episode!
This parable is probably one of the most popular, but do we really understand how challenging it is?
You may have seen movies about inserting chips into the human brain or how AI will take over the world. Well, the technology isn’t that far away, so how are we to understand these technological advances in light of the Faith and morality? Tune in and find out! Like our podcasts? Help us produce more […]
What is the difference between kataphatic and apophatic theology? (Hint, one is pawsative…pun intended). Like our podcasts? Help us produce more episodes by donating here!
This is a juicy episode about drugs so tune in and find out what in the world this has to do with Catholicism.
Today's episode Fr. Conrad and Fr. Seith talk about...talking. How are language and power related? We take a look at what Plato and Joseph Pieper have to say on the matter.
A conniving guy gets himself made Pope, but be careful what you wish for! Oh and the 5th Ecumenical Council.
Why can't Catholics belong to the freemasons? Well, let's dive into a few papal documents and look back at history to give us some answers.
The Trinity is an often discussed topic, but what practical significance does it have for us?
Tune in and find out!
If we grow in holiness, will we all start to look the same and have the same personality? Not so much. Grace perfects nature, meaning we should become more of ourselves! No two saints are the same, but they all grew in holiness.
Have we become too familiar with this parable? What all is Jesus trying to tell us here?
Have you ever wondered what inspires people to be missionaries? Check out the testimony of two FOCUS missionaries to hear more about their journey to dedicate two years of their lives serving college students in the US.
Peter, do you love me? Peter, do you love me? Peter, do you love me more than these? What does "these" reference? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to find out!
Do you trust that the Holy Spirit is guiding the Church? This is important to the Catholic faith, so tune in!
Any guesses? Hint: It's a big word that leads to a very interesting conversation by our hosts.
Have you experienced persecution for your faith? Society isn't always the most accepting of the Catholic faith, sow how to we maintain our faith in times such as this?
What is the difference between magic and worship? There must be a significant one as the Church frowns upon magic.
Tune into this CB episode to learn more!
The Easter season is no time to ditch prayer, tune into this CB podcast for some practical steps on how to get started and grow in your prayer life.
It doesn't seem like the math adds up...
Jesus said he would rise on the third day, but He was crucified on Friday and we celebrate his resurrection on the night of the Easter Vigil.
Tune into this CB episode for some answers.
In this episode the guys share their "must read" Catholic novels.
The guys were invited to speak at an event with the Archdiocese of Washington DC, and they did a live recording of CB at the same time!
It's longer than usual, but consider it a Lent bonus.
Click bate title? Maybe.
Tune into this CB episode to hear FOCUS missionaries talk about dating and how to put God first in your relationships.
An episode full of the Goths at the Gates, St. John Chrysostom needs a papal defender, and we meet Pelagius.
In secular terms, this word often refers to a job or career that is particularly difficult, but what do we mean with Catholic lingo?
Ecumenical, Vicar of Christ, and Pontificus/pontifical/pontificating are all on the docket for today.
We have a duty to share the Gospel...but how? Tune into this CB episode to hear some helpful tips from our three great priests!
The priests of CB offer a few tips about going to confession (beyond the typical, "make sure you pray beforehand") advice.
This wasn’t the warm and fuzzy type of friendship. Like our podcasts? Help us produce more by donating here!
Vestment colors, Latin, mourning...what's up with the symbolism of the Requiem Mass and what does it tell us about death?
We sometimes fall into the idea that our salvation is based on the balance of our good and bad actions, but this is far from the truth. Tune into this CB episodes that discusses Rene Decartes, liturgy, and salvation.
Augustin's Confessions is a spiritual classic, but have you read the final four chapters?
Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear from Dr. Paige Hochschild of Mount St. Mary's University on these final chapters that are often skipped.
What is the virtue of hope? How do the old stay young? How are these two things connected?
Tune in and find out.
In the first episode we learned how to pray the Jesus Prayer, how let's learn about it's meaning.
Have you heard the story behind how Catholic Bytes got started? Did you know it's part of a larger organization called Catholic CAST Media?
Wether you have or haven't tune into this episode to hear what goes on behind the scenes at Catholic Bytes.
Have you ever wandered over to the Metaphysics section of Barnes and Nobel? Weird, right? Well, let's get a better understanding of this subject matter from the priests of Catholic Bytes.
Filled with good music and a great reflection on the mercy of God, you won't want to miss this episode.
Everyone feels lonely at some point in their lives, but maybe that loneliness can become an opportunity.
Some fun stories about what it's like to be a priest and walk around in a Roman collar.
Yes, discernment can be tricky, but we already know His plan for us. Don't know what that is? Tune in and find out.
Tradition often gets a bad wrap, we're just doing what we've always done...right? Well, it's a little deeper than that. Tune into this CB episode to hear Fr. Conrad explain the richness of tradition.
Why does the priest wear a fancy long cloth thing when holding the monstrance? Find the answer to that question (and the real name to the "fancy long cloth thing") in this episode!
I'm a good person, isn't that enough? A common question people ask in regards to living the Christian life. Tune into this CB episode to learn about the lives of the saints and why we should strive to be more than just "good people".
This is a question everyone asks when experiencing heart break, and Tina Turner poses the question perfectly. Let's take a look at the nature of love and if it's truly worth it.
Is God a glutton for punishment? Find out the answer in this episode of Catholic Bytes.
Have you ever felt addicted to your smart phone? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear a philosophical and theological reflection on the matter, along with some practical steps to overcome cell phone distractions.
The Church is experiencing difficult times, so tune into this CB episode to hear some hopeful stories about a few priests who had great experiences (formative and hilarious) in seminary.
Since episode 19 was short, we thought we'd throw in a bonus episode this week.
A miraculous election and a terrible persecution.
Can we know things that can't be scientifically proven?
Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear what a physicist has to say about the matter.
This episode starts out talking about birds finding magnetic north and ends with discussing virtue.
Find out how these two things connect when you tune in!
In this episode we hear about Fr. Conrad's difficulty with silence, and an epic religious order.
A "new" speaker joins the 60 Seconds crew! Welcome back a former Catholic Bytes guest, Fr. Joe Rampino!
The Church has 7 sacraments, but how did we get to that number?
Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn why the Church has 7 sacraments and the process of settling upon that number.
A good episode for all you philosophy buffs out there.
This episode has a special guest appearance by Dr. Joshua Hochschild, professor at Mount St. Mary's University.
What role does music play in our everyday lives? In the Mass?
Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Joe Rampino and Fr. Rich Miserendino discuss this topic.
If you've been paying attention to the media, you know exactly what this podcast is about.
We've been mentioning it all week, check out this short announcement to learn what all the hubbub is about.
Of the four dogmas regarding Mary, the one concerning her perpetual virginity tends to bring about the most confusion. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to understand why it is significant for the Church to teach that Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ.
Being obedient to parents doesn't aim at making the parent happy, but rather forming the child in virtue. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more and hear how this role changes over time.
The Church as the People of God is a common image, but what does it mean? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear what the Second Vatican Council had to say about it.
A parent’s example forms their child more than anything else, so what is one thing parents can do to help raise their kids in the Faith? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to find out!
Because stealing someone's french fry at lunch is different than ritually murdering someone's pet.
The Church has long maintained a special devotion to those least among us, the poor. In particular, the Lord teaches that whatsoever we do for the least among us, we do for Him.
There are many images we hear when describing Christ and His Church. In this episode we will discuss the image of the vine and branches as well as the Good Shepherd. Tune in to learn more!
If you want to be a good spouse, help your husband or wife get to heaven. Now, how do you do that? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn some practical tips on how to make this happen.
St. Paul makes a point to talk about Jesus being born of a woman. What does that mean for her and what does that mean for us? Dcn. Dominic Rankin tackles these and other questions in this Catholic Bytes episode.
We haven’t been martyred yet, so how do we grow in virtue? Patience, constancy, and avoiding pusillanimity are all part of the answer. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more.
What makes up fortitude? Different from the three-part setup of other virtues, secondary virtues play a role in the makeup of fortitude. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more!
The virtue of fortitude may not seem very familiar to us, but it is probably one of the most popular in entertainment. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about this virtue and how it plays a role in our lives.
How can we be slaves to sin? It seems like we are doing what we want when we sin, but is doing what we wan true freedom?
When you visit the Holy Land, you have a unique opportunity to see the Gospels come alive. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about this sacred place and some resources that can deepen your experience in the place where Christ's life played out.
The book of the prophet Hosea continues the story of God and His people. The Israelites are unfaithful to God, but right when we expect continued punishment for their transgressions, God tells His people He won’t abandon them. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode do dive deeper into this scripture passage.
From the World Series to the Oscars, there seems to be something in our nature that wants to celebrate with an elaborate ceremony. We can see the same thing in the liturgy, although this form of worship is a worthy form of praise for God. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear more about how the sacred liturgy is more than just a special ceremony.
Is it okay to have images of Jesus and the saints? A lot of our Catholic theology arises from correcting false teaching that is being promulgated, but what was particular about the Second Council of Nicaea is that it corrected a teaching from a previous Council regarding religious images. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to get the full story.
Sex must be unitive and open to life, but why? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear more on why the Church teaches what she does about sex.
We know him as preaching to the animals and living extreme poverty, but this saint has an exciting past. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn how this saint turned his life around.
A sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a pascal banquet. These are all names for the Mass, a celebration by which we are already uniting ourselves with the heavenly liturgy. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about how the Mass doesn’t exist to just make the Blessed Sacrament present.
We often hear chastity spoken about in regards to priests and religious, but this virtue is to be lived out by everyone. Chastity opens up the possibility for love and the gift of oneself. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about chastity and how to live it out in every stage in life.
The purpose of mental prayer, is to transform our minds and as a result make a change in our disposition and our heart. That’s a big undertaking. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn about mental prayer by three saints who had a lot to say on the matter.
Being male or female is a fundamental part of being a human being. The difference between men and women is a gift and ach sex has something to offer the other. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about the complementarity of man and woman and the common misconceptions or difficulties that arise in regards to this topic.
The Apostle. A pretty great title really. Paul wasn’t at the last supper, or the crucifixion, or Pentecost, so how can he be considered an apostle? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to find out.
While on his death bed, St. Thomas Aquinas commented on the Song of Songs. What's so special about this book in the Bible?
There isn't much information about the first 30 years of Jesus' life in the Gospels, but from the little we hear about these years we know that four specific things were integral to the life of Jesus during these hidden years. Humility, obedience, family life, and an intimate union of the humanity and divinity of Jesus are touched upon and offer us material to contemplate to come to know the person of Jesus Christ in a more intimate way.
We have seen many different approaches to death throughout history. For Christians, we are not to flee from death for we place our trust in the Lord and the life that is to come. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Dcn. Stephen Logue explain more about the Christian view on death and how we should approach it.
We hear a lot about Our Lady of Guadalupe, take a minute to learn more about who she appeared to.
Each time we go to confession we promise to avoid the near occasion of sin. In this Catholic Bytes episodes, Fr. Kevin Leaver discusses the difference between cause and occasion of sin, and how we can progress in the spiritual life by identifying and avoiding near occasions of sin.
The liturgy holds great significance in the Catholic Church, it is the source and summit of the Christian life. Learn more about the central role of the liturgy and its influence on the rest of the Faith in this Catholic Bytes episode with Dcn. Paul Michael Piega.
If you've been eating cake the past four or five days in a row, you may not be as free as you think.
The legalization of euthanasia is becoming increasingly common across the world. This begs the question, why does the Church teach what she does in regards to this hot topic? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about Church teaching on the matter and how it connects to the mystery of suffering.
In our pursuit toward heaven we must have the virtue of hope, and the virtue is different from hope as an emotion. In this episode we’ll explain this difference and uncover the necessity of this virtue in our Christian lives.
While many believe that modern science has disproved the existence of angels, others believe they are merely cute cuddly cherubims for a nursery. In one short episode, delve into a discussion which not only points to the existence of these invisible and powerful creatures, but also describes their actual nature.
How can evil exist in the face of divine providence? This is one of the most frequently asked questions of Christianity. Fr. Trenton does not only explain how both can exist, but how this dynamic between the existence of evil and the presence of divine providence actually illustrates the profound love and respect God has for man.
The three offices of Christ as priest, prophet, and king are not reserved merely for the clergy. Indeed Christ intended all Christians to follow the example of His life, and even as laity, Catholic faithful have a role in Christ’s priesthood.
In this episode we talk about some of the many heresies that have arisen in the history of the Church; an understanding of which can help us to understand our faith correctly today.
We’ve learned a lot about the virtues, so let’s get down to particulars. This episode discusses the role of prudence and how this particular virtue is what “gets it done”.
At the mention of Adam and Eve it is common to think immediately of the fall, but in this Catholic Bytes episode we look at the more romantic side of things. The love between Adam and Eve can be called the first romance because it was the first human love. The human heart longs to give itself fully to another, and this desire mirrors the continuous donation of love found within the Trinity. Hear Fr. Mark Baumgarten explain this first love story and how everyone is still called to self donation today.
From one hardship to another, blind and horribly scarred, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha transformed her difficult life into a thing of beauty.
Translating the Bible would be a rather tall order, but that's exactly what this saint did.
Throwing it all the way back to the first Catholic Bytes episode!
Fr. Hinkley explains the divine nature of the liturgy and our human participation in this worship.
It’s no secret that American popular culture gives much attention to sexuality, and certainly its understanding of sexuality deviates greatly from the love our Lord teaches. In this episode, we outline the historical progression of society’s misconception of love and sexuality, and by retracing where we went wrong in history, we can see what love truly is and accurately understand its sexual expression.
Humility is a complicated thing. How do you really be humble when you are as good looking, intelligent, funny, and perfect as you are?!
The passions are often pitted against virtue, but if that’s the case, how can we explain Jesus’ anger towards the money changers in the temple? In this Catholic Bytes episode, Fr. Nathan Ricci explains how Scripture can help man to understand himself more fully and to live a truly passionate and virtuous life for Christ.
By receiving the sacraments, we become living members of the Body of Christ, one of the many images used to describe the Church. Have you ever realized, however, that “living members” of the Church are more than just those visibly living on earth? Yup. The dead are living members too and, further, more fully alive. Tune in to make sense of this point, clarified by Fr. Donato Infante’s explanation of the Church Militant, Suffering, and Triumphant.
It seems paradoxical, almost impossible, to achieve greatness in littleness, the extraordinary in ordinary. St. Therese of Lisieux, however, succeeded doing just that during her short life span. Discover her secret of success, and more on this ‘little’ saint. with Msgr. Figueiredo.
God communicates to us personally through Sacred Scripture, and in this episode we discuss the four-part prayer formula, Lectio Divina, that facilitates our understanding of what God is saying to us in His Word.
In the first part of a three-part series on the Four Last Things, Fr. Marotti focuses in on how death relates to the idea of a loving God and one’s free will.
Ever seen a religious person and awed at the joy that seemed to radiate from them? A statistical study done by Msgr. Stephen Rossetti shows that in reality, priests exhibit greater happiness than the general public! In this episode he gives us a few good insights as to why that is.
From a complex mythical structure to the changing of Scripture, Gnosticism was a phenomenon of heresy within the early Church. Although their beliefs seem far-fetched, we can still learn a valuable lesson from their errors today. Listen to their intriguing history on this Catholic Bytes episode, the first episode of a seven-part series on heresy.
One commonly known and beloved Gospel story is the Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-5). What is commonly unknown, however, is the depth and richness of this passage on various levels. In fact, we learn not only something about Christ and something about ourselves in this passage, but also the whole of Catholic devotion to Mary.
What do living in the desert and monastic life have in common? Much more than you would probably expect. In this first episode of a five part series, Fr. Andrew Mattingly explains the initial stages of monastic life in the history of the Church.
Venerable Matt Talbot was an alcoholic at the age of 15, but one Saturday evening everything changed. How can someone go from serious sin to living a virtuous life in just one evening? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to find out!
Already discussing physical evil Part I, Fr. Austin Litke next tackles the existence of moral evil and what it is. If there were truly an all powerful, all knowing and merciful God, why did He create a Universe in which people could choose wrong? This commonly asked and difficult question, however, lays the groundwork for an unexpected conclusion.
Rivalries may be fun in sports, but what happens when there are rivalries in the Church?
Love requires freedom and freedom requires temperance. With that in mind, listen to this Catholic Bytes episode and learn some practical ways in which you can grow in the virtue of temperance.
Why confession? Not only does it seem unnecessary, but also rather uncomfortable. Can’t we just confess our sins in private directly to God? What about, hey, I just don’t want to tell anyone I’ve messed up? These common queries and questions are tackled by Fr. Seith, providing insight from the “other side” of the confessional.
Should the Bible be our only authority? This is one point that distinguishes the Catholic Church and many Protestant churches. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode as John and Ashley Noronha talk about the scriptural, historical, and logical aspects of this question.
Post modern society pits faith against reason, but Christianity claims that they are compatible. How do we know that our faith is reasonable? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Daniel explain miracles and prophesies in relation to the credibility of Revelation.
In the second episode of our apologetics series, John and Ashley Noronha answer the following questions regarding the Church hierarchy and the primacy of Peter: Is it found in the Bible? Is it historical? Is it practical or logical? Tune in to hear the answers!
The body allows man to interact with and experience the world. It is more than something we have, but an inseparable part of man’s being.
Are you prepared to defend the faith? This Catholic Bytes episodes delves into the history of Catholic apologetics and how we can be prepared to give an account for our Faith.
A look into the life of St. Thomas More and his story of martyrdom at the hands of King Henry VIII. St. Thomas More shows us how a well formed conscience provides deep interior peace and freedom, even when confronted with charges of treason.
We're throwing it back to one of our founders, Fr. Andrew Mattingly.
“For God so loved the world…” We hear and see John 3:16 on a regular basis, but there is a true novelty to the idea of God loving the world that often evades us. In this episode, Fr. Mattingly dives into the importance of this verse and the true radical message it transmits.
If you had to choose one word to describe marriage, what would it be? Covenant. Not the first thing you thought of? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Jacob Strand explain the reality of what is being promised in marriage.
Remember this series?: In this episode introducing the series on covenants, we discuss Biblical covenants and we explore the unity of the numerous stories that compose the Bible as a whole.
Of the four dogmas regarding Mary, the one concerning her perpetual virginity tends to bring about the most confusion. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to understand why it is significant for the Church to teach that Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ.
Both Protestants and Catholics agree that we can't change someone's eternal destiny after they die, so exactly what is the Church's teaching on purgatory? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn about God's mercy and continuing purification even after we die.
The two natures and one person of Christ tend to cause confusion, but when broken down to ‘what’ and ‘who’ it becomes clear that this way of speaking is used in day to day life. This distinction is also necessary to understand the rest of the Catholic faith from Scripture to the Sacraments to the Incarnation.
As the seminarians and priests prepare for finals and the upcoming summer break, Catholic Bytes is instituting Throwback Thursday to feature the topic podcasts from the past two years.
Imagine a Hawaii that no one wanted to go to, in fact, that no one dared to go to. Yet, for the sake of suffering and spiritually thirsty souls, Fr. Damien risked his own life to bring them aid. Aid that went beyond shelter and food, but gave a colony of lepers a sense of their suffering. Discover how this humble Belgian missionary not only preached the Gospel of suffering, but lived it, drawing followers and fans through it.
God is not removed from humanity, but actually perfectly understands all of our joys and failures. Jesus Christ became one of us and even had a mother like just the rest of us. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about what it means that Jesus Christ is both Son of God and Son of Mary.
Shame and honor both play an integral part in the virtue of temperance. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Greg Gerhart explain this and two other parts of this virtue.
St. John Nepomucene was a Bohemian priest who ministered in Prague and was eventually invited to become the confessor to Queen Johanna of Bohemia which ultimately lead to his martyrdom. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about the life and death of this saint.
The almighty God has become one of the most helpless creatures. Why would He allow Himself to be so vulnerable? Love. Tune into this CB episode to hear more about this great feast and mystery.
Yes, chastity applies to everyone. Love is a wonderful thing and chastity teaches us not only how to love, but how to love heroically.
Moses went up the mountain and God came down to Moses and in this encounter God presents himself as "Lord, Lord". What does this mean? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Peter Heasley explain the significance of this passage and the name "Lord, Lord".
There is always that one kid who won't stop crying, and Fr. Furrow has a message for you parents.
Country road billboards and the saving action of Christ help to explain the relationship between the Father and the Son in this Catholic Bytes episode. Tune in for more as Dcn. Luke Syse explains the significance of Jesus as savior and Son.
St. Catherine of Siena clearly demonstrated the virtues of hope, magnanimity, and humility. This saint’s focus on the will of God often seemed crazy to others, but it teaches us that our lives should be oriented towards heaven.
When you’re going through a hard time the phrase “offer it up” can be rather annoying, but it actually has a deep meaning that is connected to the Mass. Hint: the Offertory includes more than just taking break and wine to the alter. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more.
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” ~ St. Augustine
The Council of Trent was a response to the happenings of the time, namely, the Protestant Reformation. In this episode Fr. Brian Taylor tackles the main subjects addressed by the Council and how they still have a role in the life of the Church today.
Jesus’ baptism doesn’t get much attention in the gospels, but this mystery is extremely important to understand our own baptisms. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more!
Being perfect is rather difficult, but is it really even attainable? Tune in and check it out.
The Jesuit community is widely known for Ignatian spirituality today, but through history the Jesuit community has also made a significant impact on the Church through missionary work and the establishment of Catholic academic institutions. In this episode we reflect on the lesser known contributions of this religious order.
In this episode we discuss the principles of the monastic visions of Saints Dominic and Francis. These two saints were committed to their strong spiritual devotions and constructed religious orders that flourished thereafter and are still great witnesses to the Faith today.
The liturgy is a rather complex celebration that involves many symbols and traditions. At times these symbols and traditions may seem superfluous, but in fact they serve an important role in the liturgy, that upon understanding them, they facilitate our own participation in the liturgy to bring us closer to the Lord.
As Catholics we know by heart that prayer, fasting, and alms giving are capital observances of Lent, and being accustomed to associating these practices with Lent can cause these practices to escape us. But fear not! In this episode we consider anew prayer, fasting, and alms giving with practical advice to execute them in our Lenten journeys this year.
We typically know dust as a pesky allergen, but in this episode we find it has a deeper meaning.
A number of Old Testament prophets pave the way for Jesus’ coming in the New Testament, each playing a necessary role. The role of Moses however, has a heightened significance even among the prophets since Moses imitates the very role intended for Christ in the New Testament. In this episode we discuss Old Testament passages to further understand this eminence of Moses.
Let's be real, we have always wondered why Christ was baptized...here is your opportunity to find out.
Just knowing what needs to be done isn’t enough to make prudent decisions. To some extent, purification is needed. Tune in and learn how to grow in the virtue of prudence.
Material goods alone do not make us happy and until we know what brings us happiness we will be unable to make the world a better place. The Church recognizes the good in material things, but also proposes a higher good. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear more about Catholic Social Teaching, higher goods, and happiness.
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of the Incarnate Word, it doesn’t take much more explanation to understand why St. Joseph is an epic saint. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more!
Temperance concerns our search for happiness, but it is often viewed as something that takes away happiness. What is the real role of temperance and how does it help us pursue our true end?
In one of our first witness episodes, Caroline Boudreaux shares how the Lord called her to help orphans in India back in 2000, and how that has transpired today.
We’ve learned a lot about the virtues, so let’s get down to particulars. This episode discusses the role of prudence and how this virtue is what “gets it done”.
This episode looks at the significance of the Epiphany and what the three kings revealed about Christ in their visit to the newborn king.
Kinda gross when you think about it too hard, but actually an awesome devotional practice.
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. In this Catholic Bytes episode, Fr. Greg Gerhart discusses the two stories in Psalm 23 and how the image of the Good Shepherd helps us during trying times in our own lives.
Jesus shows us what perfection actually looks like through living out the laws established by His Father.
We are made for a purpose. We are made to know and love God and the virtues help us in this journey. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about the virtues and how they help us reach complete happiness.
The three offices of Christ as priest, prophet, and king are not reserved merely for the clergy. Christ intended all Christians to follow the example of His life, and as laity, the faithful have a role in Christ’s priesthood.
Few of us think of our baptism as the greatest gift we have ever received, but it is. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Dcn. Kevin Leaver explain why.
One of 26 martyrs, St. Paul Miki was a Japanese Jesuit who was martyred for refusing to deny the Catholic faith. Upon his death, he pardoned his executioners and offered a perfect display of faith, hope, and charity.
Most popular names of 2016: Sophia, Aiden, Emma, Jackson.
What were the most popular names during the time of Jesus? Tune in and find out.
The Holy Spirit moves us to do good things, but how is this different from the virtues? Does this make us puppets? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this Catholic Bytes episode.
It’s no secret that American popular culture gives much attention to sexuality, and certainly its understanding of sexuality deviates greatly from the love our Lord teaches. In this episode, we outline the historical progression of society’s misconception of love and sexuality, and by retracing where we went wrong in history, we can see what love truly is and accurately understand its sexual expression.
In this episode we dive into Matthew 16 to understand the primacy of Peter. It is this chapter of the Bible that records Peter receiving the grace from God to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah, and in doing so, Peter is elevated to assume the position of Christ’s first successor.
The woman at the well is a testament to the transformation that comes through an encounter with Christ.
What’s up with the Church's hierarchy and what do we mean when we say that the Pope is infallible? Sometimes the layers of the hierarchy are confusing. Learn about this and more in this Catholic Bytes episode.
Yep, I hadn't heard of it either, but it only takes 60 seconds to figure out what balsam is!
In this episode, get to know St. Ignatius of Loyola. His conversion lead him to a spiritual life that profoundly influenced many great saints and still today continues to guide the spiritual lives of many Christian faithful.
Just think, the King of the universe created you and everything around you. Tune in for more on this incredible topic.
Morality is about right and wrong. False. Morality is about how to be happy. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear how Catholic morality isn’t just a set of arbitrary rules.
In this episode we unfold the meaning of Christ as the Son of God and the particular relationship His Sonship has to our human kinship to God the Father as His adopted sons and daughters.
Beautiful art and architecture are certainly not foreign to the Catholic Church, and a person may wonder what role this aesthetic beauty plays in the liturgy. In this episode we discuss the relationship between God and beauty and its role in the liturgy.
The Eiffel Tower, crepes, St. Francis de Sales, these three gifts to the world all came from France. Although the first two may be more well known to the world at large, St. Francis de Sales is a well known saint in the Church. He is also referred to as the Doctor of Love, but you'll have to listen to the episode to get the story behind that one.
Is your favorite part of Mass the end of it? Sometimes it seems that we are itching to get out of church right after the dismissal, but the dismissal actually comes with a responsibility. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to see how we must go forth from Mass and share the love of Christ with others.
In this episode we talk about the happy ending that is the ascension of Jesus Christ. Jesus completed our salvation with His resurrection and after this, He returns home to heaven; something that upon meditating can help us to understand the full context of the Easter mystery as well as enlighten our own pursuits towards a homecoming with God, our Father.
For part II of our history series on monks and friars, we discuss the great contributions of Saint Benedict to monastic life. The Father of Monasticism, Saint Benedict, lived in a time when monasticism was already practiced, however at this particular time in history, he was able to give monastic life its form through his influence of order and discipline.
Our human reality (bodily and spiritual) is a reflection of God, who made us in His image. In this episode we learn how this endows us with a vocation of love, earthly dominion, and submission to God.
What are you doing for your New Year's resolution?
Here's an idea, read the entire bible! Well, I suppose "listen" is more accurate.
Listen to this announcement by Fr. Greg and commit to deepening your faith in 2017.
Mary has many titles, but Warrior Woman is not a very common one. This Catholic Bytes episode not only shows us how Mary is indeed a warrior woman, but how this image of her is developed throughout the Old Testament.
Choose an unblemished male lamb to be sacrificed. The lamb is to be offered by a priest as a sacrifice to ransom people from death. The flesh of the lamb is to be eaten. Sound familiar? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn about the connections between the Passover, the Last Supper, and the Mass.
This episode follows the two prior discussions on justice by elaborating on the practical ways we can develop this virtue in our lives.
Why is it the creation story specifies that God created humans as male and female? What is it in the relationship between man and woman, in their complementarity, that is in the image and likeness of God? Get the answers when you tune into this Catholic Bytes episode and dive into Genesis 1:27-28.
In the previous podcast we began a discussion on the virtue of justice, which is vital to living a moral life. In this podcast we discuss the virtue in greater depth in order to better equip ourselves to practice it by analyzing the different parts of this virtue.
Post modern society pits faith against reason, but Christianity claims that they are compatible. How do we know that our faith is reasonable? Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Daniel explain miracles and prophesies in relation to the credibility of Revelation.
St. Francis Xavier didn’t always live a saintly life, but by the end of his life he had baptized more than 30,000 people. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear about the fascinating conversion and life of this “average” man.
What are your rights? In our current era the definition of rights has become a bit distorted. Rights and responsibilities are outcomes of a pre-existing truth. In this episode we discuss rights from their historical, philosophical, and theological foundation to discover the truth about rights.
The virtue of justice is inherent to our being. It is not only part of our humanity, but it is also intrinsic to our Christian lives. In this episode we’ll discuss this virtue and explain its relevance in our relationship with others and our relationship with God.
What it is that defines the Catholic Church? Like all things, the Church has an identity which comes from her characteristics. Four of these characteristics we call the marks of the Church since they are the unchangeable essence of what the Church is. She is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, and in this episode we discuss these four marks and their part of the Church’s identity.
Throughout this series of episodes on God’s covenants with various figures in the Old Testament, we have seen how each covenant was fulfilled in Jesus Christ in the New Testament. In this final episode, we take a big picture look at the development of these covenants and their culmination in the life of Christ in the New Testament.
Fr. Jim gives us a survey of the Councils of Ephesus, Chalcedon, Constantinople II and III. These councils deal with the nature of Christ’s humanity.
As we continue the series on covenants we now look at God’s covenant with David, the successor of Saul as the first human king of God’s people. God makes a covenant with David for a kingship that leaves a legacy that looks forward to the coming of Christ, our true King.
In this episode, we talk about what an ecumenical council is, and discuss the issues related to two major ecumenical councils in the early Church: Nicaea and Constantinople I.
God’s relationship with His people changes from the Old Testament to the New, and even His guidance for us as to how to follow Him takes on new form in the New Testament. In this episode we discuss this development through God’s covenant with Moses, which carries Christianity from the Old Testament to the New.
In just one year of active priestly ministry, Blessed Miguel Pro set an example for the rest of the Church to live as God created us to be. From disguising himself as a police officer to minister to priests on death row, to forgiving his executioners right before his death, Bl. Miguel was known for his radical gift of self for those he served. Tune in to this Catholic Bytes episode to get the full story!
Whether an action is right or wrong is not always obvious. In this complex world there can be circumstances in which the morality of an action is difficult to determine, and in this episode we discuss various criteria for judging the immorality of actions that cooperate with evil.
The recount of Abraham that we get from the Bible demonstrates a complex relationship with God in which Abraham relies on God with faith and trust, and ultimately is an amazing example for all of us. In this episode we talk about Abraham’s story and how his faith enabled it to unfold according to God’s plan and God could make His covenant with Abraham.
The person of Jesus Christ is the part of the Triune God that we relate to on a personal level, but many heresies along the way have tried to negate the truth of Christ’s human nature. In this episode hear how the personal aspect of Christ is fundamental to our salvation as we follow history through a few heresies that made claims against it.
God’s covenant with Noah is a significant part of man’s relationship with God. We learn from its narration in the Old Testament and through reflections offered in the New Testament. This covenant still provides invaluable teachings for Christianity today.
In this episode we utilize our resources of the Bible and the Catechism to discuss what we know about life in heaven.
In this episode we discuss the story of creation focusing on the covenant God made with Adam.
In this episode we take a look at the Old Testament scriptures of Samuel and Isaiah to understand the unique kingship of Christ. These passages demonstrate the relationship between the messianic promises God makes early on in the Bible and the reign of Christ that takes hold in the New Testament.
In this episode we discuss Biblical covenants and we explore the unity of the numerous stories that compose the Bible as a whole.
The life of this saint-to-be exhibits modern day holiness. She was born in 1971 and from her birth to her death her life demonstrates how holiness takes shape in the midst of modern challenges.
Love and sacrifice are common literary themes that present truth in a new and beautiful way. Literature allows the reader to confront questions of the heart and develop a deeper understanding of the human experience. These themes are central in the spiritual life and offer an opportunity to touch truth beyond religion textbooks.
The Church is built on a foundation of so many great saints who followed Christ to continue His mission, and thanks to St. Jerome, since early on in the life of the Church believers have had access to the Bible in their own language. “Ignorance of Scripture, is ignorance of Christ!”In this episode hear how the Church Father and brilliant linguist, St. Jerome, used his skills for the greater glory of God.
A spiritual life can seem detached from our daily, human life, but indeed Christ assumed a human life that we can relate to and look to for spiritual guidance. In this episode learn how Christ’s humanity is for us the center of spiritual life.
We know what a spiritual life is, but what’s a basic way that we can get a daily spiritual plan going? What does a daily prayer life look like? In this episode, Fr. Hanley offers tips and basic practices that anyone can use to get started in living a life of prayer.
Why pray to the saints? Why devote attention to certain saints in particular? What does it mean to have a relationship with them? Get the answers to these questions and hear a testimony that will ignite your vigor to make some new friends among the saints.
In this episode, we find out what actual grace is, and what it means to cooperate with the graces God bestows on us, and what are some examples and kinds of actual grace.
Recognizing the various forms sin can take will help us to understand the actions we need to take to be absolved of those various sins. In this episode we clarify personal sin from actual sin and discuss in particular the two types of personal sin and the avenues God provides for us in order to receive His forgiveness.
“Living the spiritual life is living the life of grace…” says Father… but what does that mean? What is “living the life of grace”? What is grace, and are there any types of graces, and what do they do? Find out more in this episode!
Human origin is something man will never grow tired of contemplating and the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, made human sinfulness an inevitable part of our nature. In this episode we offer insight for some questions that arise upon contemplating this complex reality and through them will get a better understanding of God, our Creator.
When we think of the “spiritual” life, we often think of monks praying in monasteries, or people having visions miraculous encounters with Christ. But what does it really mean? In this episode, we find out what the spiritual life is, and how we are called to live it.
We all know Mary’s role in salvation history… but what is her role in the Church? Guest speakers Fr. Mike Rapp and Fr. John Nepil of Catholic Stuff You Should Know explain it all.
The Church is built on a foundation of so many great saints who followed Christ to continue His mission, and thanks to St. Jerome, since early on in the life of the Church believers have had access to the Bible in their own language. “Ignorance of Scripture, is ignorance of Christ!”In this episode hear how the Church Father and brilliant linguist, St. Jerome, used his skills for the greater glory of God.
When we think about the priesthood, we think of that guy with the black robe and the white little square on his neck. But is that all there is about the priesthood? Find out the deeper meaning of the priesthood here, not only for priests, but for lay men and women.
God communicates to us personally through Sacred Scripture, and in this episode we discuss the four-part prayer formula, Lectio Divina, that meditates Sacred Scripture to facilitate our understanding of what God is saying to us in His Word.
The Catholic Faith is a lived Tradition and it is manifested in many outward expressions we as Catholics use. The parts of the liturgy is among this Tradition and in this episode we discuss the significance of these expressions for the Faith.
Today’s popular culture promotes lust and even influences us to accept it. But lust takes us away from something truly beautiful, love. In this episode we discuss the negative effects of lust and how it differs from and inhibits love.
Christ’s resurrection can be hard to relate to our own lives, even despite the fact that He offers specifically to us the life He earns through His resurrection. In this episode we offer insight on the Pascal mystery from the perspective of its relevance in our own lives.
God has a plan for us and is involved in each moment in our lives as it pertains to His plan. We however, have a role to participate in His plan and in this episode we learn how we can submit ourselves to cooperate with the divine will of God.
What can the only Bible passage we have of Jesus’ childhood teach us about how to live our own lives? In this episode we discuss the significance of this passage, Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the temple, and its relevance to our own behavior.
Sexual shame has been understood both positively and negatively through time. In order to understand it properly, however, one must look at the bigger picture and put it in relation to the sexual urge itself. Here Dcn. Morin breaks down what the Catholic Church teaches about the matter, ultimately positing that sexual shame is a guide to true love.
In this episode hear about the life of a saint well known among popular culture by her secular name, but who also is a beautiful testimony to the Catholic Faith.
In this episode we hear about the parallel of salvation between the Old Testament and the New Testament across which Christ comes to earth as the New Adam to save us from the condition we have fallen into upon the fall of the Adam of the Old Testament. Through this parallel we see the overabundance of Christ’s love for us, who not only fixes our sinful state, but offers us new life in Him.
In this episode we discuss the history of celibacy in the Church originating from Christ’s example of it in His own life on earth and how it has been carried out by clergy and saints ever since.
What does ex nihilo mean? We’ll find out in this episode and learn more about the Church’s teaching on God creating the world out of nothing, and what it means for us.
In this episode we’ll hear the difference between love as a passion and love as a choice and learn how the two types of love work together inF long lasting relationships.
Anointing of the Sick for many years was thought to be only for those were near death, but there is more to this powerful sacrament.
It can be difficult to fathom what eternity is like, and yet our lives are all bound for an eternal rest! In this episode we consider the final destinations of heaven and hell and shed light on what those realities are like.
An Advance Directive is a document in which one makes provisions for their health care in case of the event that they will be unable to in the future, due to medical reasons (unconsciousness, senility, etc.). What is the moral thing for do for a Catholic in such situations?
At the end of our lives, all of us will be judged before God and our lives will be accounted for. What does this mean for us? Then, at the end of the world, a general judgement will occur for the entire world. Is this event near? How would we know?
Faith is a word that’s used a lot in popular culture, but what does it actually mean? In this episode, we ask the question, what is faith? Is blind faith the same as faith?
In the first part of a three-part series on the Four Last Things, Fr. Marotti focuses in on how death relates to the idea of a loving God and one’s free will.
From one hardship to another, blind and horribly scarred, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha transformed her difficult life into a thing of beauty.
In this episode we discuss the meaning of baptism unfolding its rich elements through Scripture and symbolic insights from historical architecture. Listen in to more fully understand this sacrament and its significance in our lives.
Many in the Catholic and non-Catholic world alike wonder why Roman Catholic priests give up sex for their vocation. This episode explains why the Church practices this discipline, and offers reasons for why it’s a good idea.
Within the deep history of the Catholic Church is that of monasteries, which have developed greatly since the Middle Ages. Among this development the Cluny reforms mark a significant point in the history of the monastic life that has endured ever since.
In our pursuit toward heaven we must have the virtue of hope, and the virtue is different from hope as an emotion. In this episode we’ll explain this difference and uncover the necessity of this virtue in our Christian lives.
In this episode we talk about some of the many heresies have arisen in the history of the Church; an understanding of which can help us to correctly understand our faith today.
There is only one way to be baptized, right? Well, kind of yes and kind of no! In this episode we talk about the three different ways we speak of "baptism": by water, blood, and desire.
St. Alphonsus is more than just a parish down the street. This founder of the Redemptorists had a great influence on many souls in Italy that has spread throughout the world.
Humility is a complicated thing. How do you really be humble when you are as good looking, intelligent, funny, and perfect as you are?!
If you’ve ever heard of St. John Fisher, you might think of him only as the other saint who was beheaded by English King Henry VIII around the same time as St. Thomas More. But who was he? Why is he so important for us today? Find out in this episode.
How do the sacraments work? In this episode, we learn what the phrase ex opere operato means, and how it relates to the validity of the sacraments.
Three goods come with the sacrament of marriage. Listen in to find out how they benefit the couple, the family, and society.
Who is the master behind the Pietà, the David, and so many other world-renowned works of art?
Even though we are worlds apart, St. Louis IX is an example of living for God exactly where He has placed us.
Fr. Alec Scott discusses how God gives us sacraments according to our human nature and our current state of life, so to be easily sensed by our human nature.
In this passage, God establishes a new covenant with His people as a result of their sin. God is not satisfied with our sin, but rather desires to repair that broken bond. In this episode, we also see the connection between this passage and the Last Supper as written in St. Luke’s gospel. Tune in to hear Fr. Llane Briese dive deeper into these verses from Jeremiah.
The passions are often pitted against virtue, but if that’s the case, how can we explain Jesus’ anger towards the money changers in the temple? In this Catholic Bytes episode, Deacon Nathan Ricci explains how Scripture can help man to understand himself more fully and to live a truly passionate and virtuous life for Christ.
In this episode, Fr. Llane Briese explains St. Paul’s first journey to Europe, a trip inspired by the Holy Spirit. This bible passage, Acts 16:9-10, 14-15, also gives a look into the social standing of the Church at the time, a Church that is beginning to penetrate the culture.
Born into a poor family, St. Isidore worked on a farm for his entire life. From pushing his plow to feeding birds to praying on the job, the life of St. Isidore was a combination of normalcy and miracles. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn how this 12th century saint can teach us a thing or two about living a life that is fully committed to Christ.
Why is it that we receive some sacraments only once and others limitlessly? What is the distinction between the spiritual outcome of each of the different sacraments? In this episode we’ll explain the different sacraments and their various graces and/or sacramental characters.
Ever seen a religious person and awed at the joy that seemed to radiate from them? A statistical study done by Msgr. Stephen Rossetti shows that in reality, priests exhibit greater happiness than the general public! In this episode he gives us a few good insights as to why that is.
By receiving the sacraments, we become living members of the Body of Christ, one of the many images used to describe the Church. Have you ever realized, however, that “living members” of the Church are more than just those visibly living on earth? Yup. The dead are living members too and, further, more fully alive. Tune in to make sense of this point, clarified by Fr. Donato Infante’s explanation of the Church Militant, Suffering, and Triumphant.
When we think in terms of salvation, our minds tend to think mainly of Christ’s life: the Incarnation, his suffering, death and resurrection. Has it ever crossed your mind that only through Pentecost are we are capable of accessing the works of salvation? Tune in for an episode discussing the essential place of Pentecost in our life…
From a complex mythical structure to the changing of Scripture, Gnosticism was a phenomenon of heresy within the early Church. Although their beliefs seem far-fetched, we can still learn a valuable lesson from their errors today. Listen to their intriguing history on this Catholic Bytes episode, the first episode of a seven-part series on heresy.
To say we cannot comprehend a mystery, is not to say we cannot understand it. It is natural that what an infinite God has revealed to man’s limited mind cannot be comprehended. Yet, we are capable of understanding certain aspects of God’s revelation through created realities. For instance, while the processions of the Trinity remain one such mystery, there are certain insights and analogies Christian theologians offer to help us better understand it.
In his apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis reiterates the beauty of marriage and the family, offers practical advice to couples, and explains the need for accompaniment for those who are not living in accordance with Church teaching. This teaching is beautiful and brings about great happiness, but we must now strive to express why couples today should choose to follow it. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Conrad Murphy offer insight on this very long Church document.
Modern science generally tends to claim that God does not exist, which has become a popular thought rippling through culture, media, and entertainment. Holding the contrary, that God exists, is perceived as ‘unintelligent’ or, simply, ‘uncool’. Yet, while science can explain a lot about the universe, it fails at offering insight into its actual cause. In other words, as much as science cannot prove God’s existence, neither can it disprove His existence. That does not mean that proofs for God’s existence do not exist -- in fact, they do! Tune in for one of five insightful arguments for God…
What do you think is the greatest love story in all of history? You might be surprised when Dcn. Boxie claims that it is Sacred Scripture. Tune in for an insightful episode on just why that’s the case, including an explanation of the interdependent relation between the Old and New Testament.
As baptized Christians, we intimately live out the sonship of Christ. This fact sometimes seems too good to be true, but we are true sons and daughters of God because He is a true father. In this Catholic Bytes episode, Fr. Dan Hanley explains this fundamental belief of our faith and shares how we can practically live out this reality.
Leslie Knopf shares with us the life of one wife, mother, and doctor who in her modern life practiced holiness for which the Church formally recognizes with sainthood.
Before we start talking about the Gospel of John, we need to turn to the beginning, the creation of the world, as is recounted in Genesis. Why? Tune in for your answer, as well as for a rich account of John’s Gospel and his use of language and imagery…
Three things must align for the principle of double effect to take place: the object, the intention, and the circumstance. Although a difficult concept to understand, Fr. Tim Furlow breaks it down in this Catholic Bytes episode with the drama of home invasion and murder.
The Pilgrim Audio Guide is designed to accompany pilgrims on their journey through any Mercy Door by delving into and explaining the abundant mercy of the Father, made visible and attained through Jesus Christ. Our hope is that the audio guide will not only aid in this particular experience, but also in any journey of faith, that all may bear witness to the mercy they have received.
The phrase ‘offer it up’ is common amongst Christians, but what does it actually mean? In this Catholic Bytes episode, Fr. Dan Hanley explains the opportunity we have to participate in the sufferings of Christ and the salvation of the world.
When we think of Christ’s passion, sometimes we tend to think just of His death on the cross. In reality, however, that was only one phase, the final phase, of His passion which redeemed mankind. Tune in for an insightful episode exploring Christ’s passion in its entirety, which includes an explanation of the Jewish context in which this salvific event took place.
When you hear of concupiscence, do you think of it as something negative? Well, join the club, but prepare to be surprised. Ever consider it as a power of the soul, meant to play a part in directing us to the good? Well, tune in to this episode for your answer, and why concupiscence is commonly perceived as something bad.
Circumstance can change everything. Continuing our three part series on the moral act, Fr. Tim Furlow now covers how the circumstances which surround an action can change our culpability. For us to live as moral people we must make sure that the ‘what’, the ‘why’, and the ‘how’ are all good.
When and why are civil laws binding? Is it ever morally acceptable to be civilly disobedient? In this Catholic Bytes episode Fr. Conrad Murphy continues the discussion on positive law and explains why an “unjust law is no law at all”.
In the second episode of this three part series on morality, Fr. Tim Furlow discusses the second component of moral actions: intention. Contrary to common thought today, ‘the end never justifies the means.’ Listen up for some concrete, insightful examples backing this claim, and an explanation of why it’s the case…
Equally tempted by family to abandon their faith, both St.s Perpetua and Felicity chose a horrid death rather than to do so. Want to know more about these two 3rd century martyrs, two brave and inspirational women? Tune in for an episode with Catholic Bytes to learn all about them, and what we can learn from them…
Are religious medals, blessings, and holy water just Catholic superstitions? Devotions and sacramentals are evidence that God desires to bless us in any way possible, even through material means. In this Catholic Bytes episode, Dcn. Michael Niemczak explains how both sacramentals and devotions respond to man’s desire to experience and express his love for God in a concrete, material way.
Who doesn’t love a good series? An opportunity to go deeper into a specific topic one step - or in our case, one byte - at a time. Today, we begin the first of a three part series on morality, and specifically, what constitutes a good or bad action. Fr. Tim Furlow starts by giving a comprehensive overview of a moral action, then delves into one of its three components: the object. Tune in for more . . .
Sometimes it seems that the law dominates our lives, but positive law is meant to help us grow in virtue and happiness. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Conrad Murphy continue the discussion on positive law and how its purpose is to lead us to greater freedom.
While many believe that modern science has disproved the existence of angels, others believe they are merely cute cuddly cherubims for a nursery. In one short episode, delve into a discussion which not only points to the existence of these invisible and powerful creatures, but also describes their actual nature.
While we have already touched upon positive law in previous episodes discussing the different types of law, Fr. Conrad Murphy narrows in on it, addressing the necessity of a spelled out law. Why is natural law not enough? Listen up for your answer . . .
What do The Matrix, gambling, and gelato all have in common? Oddly enough, in this Catholic Bytes episode they all deal with the existence of God. Tune in to hear the philosophical arguments for the existence of God offered by the well-known thinkers Descartes, Pascal and Kant, and how we today can be witnesses to that existence.
Eternal law, natural law, and positive law - do you ever wonder what they all have in common, or, on the flip side, what distinguishes them from each other? Tune in for a concise and informative episode on the topic of law, its definition, various types, and how, as humans, we need to relate to it.
One commonly known and beloved Gospel story is the Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-5). What is commonly unknown, however, is the depth and richness of this passage on various levels. In fact, we learn not only something about Christ and something about ourselves in this passage, but also the whole of Catholic devotion to Mary.
These brothers are best known for developing the Cyrillic alphabet and the Slavonic language, which spurred their mission work in Eastern Europe. They are examples of staying true to the work of Christ, despite the political tensions which surrounded them. Dcn. Joseph Rampino tells the adventurous story of these brothers in this Catholic Bytes episode.
What is right for you isn’t necessarily right for me. This common phrase expresses the prevalence of moral relativism in today’s culture, but what exactly is moral relativism? In this Catholic Bytes episode we will discuss this common frame of mind and how a standard of goodness guides us to happiness.
What does justification through faith in Jesus Christ mean? Did Jesus have to die on the cross or could the Father have reconciled the world to Himself in a different way? How do we reconcile the Immaculate Conception with the universal effect of sin? All of these questions and more will be discussed in this Catholic Bytes episode with Fr. Llane Briese.
The terms “venial” and “mortal” sin are frequently used but not always completely understood. What exactly is sin, and what are the varying degrees of it? While sin is often said to be ‘separation’ from God, Scripture tells us we can never be separated from God’s love. Can we synthesize these two statements, or is one incorrect? Listen up for more…
If we claim that the Blessed Virgin Mary is the greatest individual of all mankind, what is it that she did or did not do to make her so? And if, as Catholics, we believe the she holds this privileged place, doesn’t it seem contradictory that certain famed saints would state that we are all greater than the Blessed Virgin Mary? Listen up with Rev. Alec Scott to discover just how these two claims are not actually at odds and, in fact, are completely coherent with one another in light of the Annunciation.
Discover a man who tirelessly worked for what he believed in, leading to his great love and devotion to the poor, and numerous reforms within the Church. St. Pius X was not only on fire for the faith, but was also a great leader drawing and challenging others to live out their faith more fully, at times even in a humorous way.
We don’t have a good translation for the word charity. Does it refer more to acts of charity, such as giving food to the poor, or to love, like we see in romantic comedies? In this Catholic Bytes episode, Fr. Conrad Murphy talks about the essential elements of charity and how it serves as the basis for all of our relationships.
We have an incredible power within, telling us the difference between good things and bad things, namely, the conscience. While it is something written upon every human heart, it can either become our greatest ally leading us to happiness, or our greatest enemy leading us to misery. To come to a better understanding of just how this uniquely human capacity - the conscience - works, tune in to Catholic Bytes.
Out of the many ways God could have chosen to save mankind, He decided to send His only Son to earth to become man. This cornerstone mystery of the Faith is not only a great surprise, but also a great blessing. Tune in for some points of reflection that place us in front of this incredible reality, what is particular about it, and the consequences it has on human dignity.
In the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther King, and many others, an unjust law is a human law which is not based on eternal and natural law. That then begs the question, what is natural law, and what is law in general? Listen up for an answer, some clarifications, and just how we can apply natural law to our daily decision making.
The two natures and one person of Christ tend to cause confusion, but when broken down to ‘what’ and ‘who’ it becomes clear that this way of speaking is used in day to day life. This distinction is also necessary to understand the rest of the Catholic faith from Scripture to the Sacraments to the Incarnation.
Every saint story has something particular to it which teaches us about the faith and how to live it out. The first American saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, offers a beautiful and courageous witness to the faith despite much suffering and anti-Catholic sentiment that surrounded her. Listen up with Deacon Michael Niemczak to learn more about this vibrant saint, and what we can learn from her to grow in holiness…
What is the difference between killing someone and murdering them? Is it ever truly admissible to take the life of another. The answer lies in the motivation by which you act. Listen to Fr. Tim Furlow explain the difference between self-defense and murder in this Catholic Bytes episode.
How can evil exist in the face of divine providence? This is one of the most frequently asked questions of Christianity. Fr. Trenton does not only explain how both can exist, but how this dynamic between the existence of evil and the presence of divine providence actually illustrates the profound love and respect God has for man.
Catholics confess their sins to a priest. This encounter is not solely with the person of the priest, but with God himself. The sacrament of Confession or the sacrament of healing is the moment in which we allow Jesus to heal our relationship with him. Preparing well for this encounter is important because it allows us to see who we really are and how we truly need to be healed.
What do living in the desert and monastic life have in common? Much more than you would probably expect. In this first episode of a five part series, Fr. Andrew Mattingly explains the initial stages of monastic life in the history of the Church.
There is either truth, or there isn’t. This is a highly contested statement for society today because with the development of modern science people are hesitant to accept things that are not proven with concrete observable evidence. However, the presence of truth has never been disproven, but rather dismissed. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to learn more about the phenomenon of intellectual relativism.
In the final episode of the series, Fr. Conrad Murphy delves into the history of Islam from the 15th century until today. It is a history where the Ottoman Empire, war, martyrdom, extremists, the rosary, and renewed peace and dialogue come into play.
An in depth analysis of three verses in Genesis sheds light onto God’s greatest creation: man. Human beings are not only created in the image and likeness of God, but are also given dominion over creation and invited to imitate the love of the Trinity. In summary, man is pretty much a big deal. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to find out exactly why.
War, the Holy Sepulcher, and the rosary have one intriguing common connection: the crusades. This hot-topic issue has garnered significant attention for the Church throughout the course of history, but the primary motivation for the crusades was mainly spiritual, opposite of what common myths imply. Tune into this Catholic Bytes episode to hear Fr. Conrad Murphy continue the history of Islam intertwined with the Catholic faith.
The day after Christmas the Church celebrates the martyrdom of St. Stephen, the first martyr who died for professing faith in Jesus Christ. His death was not only a testament to his faith in the Son of God, but it inspired many Christians and led to an expansion of the faith. Although we may not face martyrdom, Dcn. Stephen Wyble explains how this great saint can serve as an inspiration for all.
St. Catherine of Siena was one of the most fascinating and influential people of the Middle Ages, but her desire was to remain hidden with Christ. Learn how this seemingly uneducated woman dedicated her life to Christ at the young age of 7 and then managed to get the pope back to Rome. Although she lived centuries ago, St. Catherine still speaks to the deepest desires of our current generation.
The first of a three part series, Fr. Conrad Murphy unravels the complex relation between Islam and Christianity from its very beginning. From one man, Mohammed, claiming to have had visions from the Angel Gabriel, to a rapidly spreading religion, Islam quickly came into contact with Christianity. Just how was the latter treated by the former initially? Listen up for more. . .
Having already discussed physical evil in Part I, Fr. Austin Litke next tackles the existence of moral evil and what it is. If there were truly an all powerful, all knowing and merciful God, why did He create a Universe in which people could choose wrong? This commonly asked and difficult question, however, lays the groundwork for an unexpected conclusion.
From ruler of a Barbarian tribe, to King of an unified Empire, Charlemagne’s great impact on European and Christian history is little known.
How can one respond to the problem of evil, a part of the atheist arsenal of argumentation for centuries? Evil perhaps constitutes the strongest argument against the existence of God still today, or points to the existence of a cruel God. Is that it, or is there any kind of sufficient response showing the contrary? Yes there is! Listen here for the first of two episodes formulating that response.
For someone who never runs, it’s improbable they will be able to hop up and run a marathon. To achieve such a feat, the aspiring runner must start running routinely, daily, and little by little. The same applies for the prayer life: we can neither be over-zealous nor under-motivated. A prayer life takes intentional and consistent effort which then builds a habit. Explore in this episode ways to pray and how to intertwine it into daily life.
Today more than ever opposite parties, in and outside of a courtroom, both clamor in the name of justice. Can justice truly belong to both sides? Are we “due” something simply because we claim to have the “right”? Discover in this episode why that is not the case, and just what just means . . . Catholic Bytes even ventures to call it virtue . . .
“For God so loved the world…” We hear and see John 3:16 on a regular basis, but there is a true novelty to the idea of God loving the world that often evades us. In this episode, Fr. Mattingly dives into the importance of this verse and the true radical message it transmits.
With the high aspiration to become a hermit at a very young age, the life of St. Martin of Tours took an unanticipated turn when he was required to complete military service for the emperor. Although he was unable to follow his religious ambitions, Martin quickly became known for his great virtue amongst his fellow soldiers. His desire to serve Christ was often expressed in unison with his identity as a military man saying that first and foremost he was a soldier for Christ.
“If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is in vain.” (1 Cor 15:14). The Resurrection, in fact, is the thing on which the faith stands or falls so whether it happened or not is tantamount for believers. Discover here just why the Resurrection of Christ is so important, what exactly it is, and the historical evidence to make it credible.
Why would the Church oppose what appears to be the most effective way of deterring crime, that is, capital punishment? It seems only just to take the life of a killer, “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.” Learn why the Church believes it dehumanizes society and thus should not be permitted, except when...
The Synod of Bishops on the Family concludes and you don’t know what to think? Some media say one thing, other media say another. Or, you didn’t follow it at all and would like to know what took place, but don't know where to start with the vast and various coverage. Well, a good place to start is going to the official source itself: the "Relatio finalis,” the final document published at the conclusion of three weeks of lively discussion and prayer. But it's only in Italian?! Don’t let that deter you. Listen up on Catholic Bytes to discover just what the Synod taught, or rather reaffirmed.
One God in Three Persons. The Trinity is a great mystery, but a fundamental belief of the faith. Sr. Mary Cecilia explains the difference between Who God is and What God is within the Trinity, and how this distinction accounts for our belief that God is Three Persons in One Substance.
Between husband and wife, close friends, or any friendship, there is a strange occurrence at play. One becomes like the other, does things the other does, likes things the other likes (even sometimes things they disliked beforehand!). The same happens in our friendship with Christ and participation in the life of the Trinity. Wait! What? We participate in the life of the Trinity? Listen up, and discover with Catholic Bytes just how so...
Can you imagine reading a book and your life changing drastically? For St. Jerome, from Ciceronian to a Christian, from Rome bureaucracy to desert asceticism, St. Athanasius’ book on St. Anthony did just that. What did not change for St. Jerome, however, was his gift for languages, a gift we still benefit from today. Discover with Catholic Bytes just why we have to thank this 4th century language master.
Not only is prudence not caution, at times it can act contrary to it. For instance, would you consider choosing to die a cautious decision? Probably not. It can, however, be prudent depending on certain criteria. Find out in this episode just what that criteria is, and ways to cultivate prudence in daily life.
The preparation for confirmation is sometimes less than enjoyable, but this is due to a misunderstanding of the sacrament. Confirmation is not about what we do, but what Christ desires to do in us. Discover the beauty of the sacrament and the strength it provides for the Christian life in this episode with Fr. Richard Hinkley.
Is the family in crisis? The Synod on the Family discusses exactly that. From hot topic issues to the pastoral role of the Church in caring for families, this Catholic Bytes episode puts the extraordinary synod of 2014 and the ordinary synod of 2015 into perspective and dives into the first few days of this universal encounter taking place in Rome.
It seems paradoxical, almost impossible, to achieve greatness in littleness, the extraordinary in ordinary. St. Therese of Lisieux, however, succeeded doing just that during her short life span. Discover her secret of success, and more on this ‘little’ saint. with Mons. Figueiredo.
If you think Christ saved us solely through the crucifixion, you are one of many, though you are not entirely right. Christ did not simply come and save humanity by one act, but transformed it through various; in fact, through his entire life. Discover a little nugget of gold in this episode, and how we can participate in the new life through Christ.
As we continue to make our way through history, the struggle for both spiritual and secular power increases. As the modern state emerges from the feudal system the State wanted to restrict the secular power of the Church, while the Church was reluctant to give up such influence. As time progressed and the Church lost more territory, it began to realize its true strength never truly laid political power, but in spiritual power.
Why confession? Not only does it seem unnecessary, but also rather uncomfortable. Can’t we just confess our sins in private directly to God? What about, hey, I just don’t want to tell anyone I’ve messed up? These common queries and questions are tackled by Fr. Seith, providing insight from the “other side” of the confessional.
In this second episode exploring the relationship between Church and State throughout history, Christianity experiences a new privileged position as the official state religion. Although this change saw the conversion of most of the Empire, human frailty enters the picture once again as politics sought to use religion for its own good.
Praying unceasingly is meant for more than just monks and nuns in monasteries and convents, it is a call to all Christians. Amidst the joys and anxieties of everyday the opportunities for prayer are endless and can be as simple as saying the name of Jesus. Fr. Zach Mabee offers some practical ways to be in constant conversation with God, even outside of Mass and praying the rosary.
During the first centuries of the Church, Christians were persecuted by the State for their faith. Christians were considered to be atheists because they refused to worship Roman gods and this was seen as a threat to the stability and unity of the Empire. In this episode we hear about the first Christian persecutions and how the State dealt with these ‘rebellious’ citizens.
How often does one hear repeated “We are all called to be saints!” It sounds nice but gives us no direction on how to get there. It’s as if a music teacher said, “you are supposed to be a great musician”, without teaching the necessary steps to reach that goal. Discover with Catholic Bytes what holiness means, and how we can start living it daily so that one day we will be what we are ‘called’ to: saints.
Sometimes morality can seem no more than a set of rules. Virtue, on the other hand, seems synonymous with value; a gross mistake. To understand “morality” in its true and profound sense, tune in for Father Reesch’s enlightening episode. Learn about a call to perfection, a life-long challenging process; however, which we have both model and tools to achieve it.
We often hear the names Cosmas and Damian during the First Eucharistic Prayer, but how much do we actually know about these saints? The two brothers serve as examples for Christians today because of their radical dedication to the faith and to their vocations as doctors. Fr. Lewi dives into the identity, vocation, and mission of these two laymen in this Catholic Bytes episode.
Who doesn’t love free gifts? The Lord offers us countless gifts and ways to experience his love and grace here on earth, one way in through the sacraments. Discover the beauty of the sacraments and how they are of indispensable help for the spiritual life and the journey to become a saint through this podcast with Msgr. Powers.
At the mention of Adam and Eve it is common to think immediately of the fall, but in this Catholic Bytes episode we look at the more romantic side of things. The love between Adam and Eve can be called the first romance because it was the first human love. The human heart longs to give itself fully to another, and this desire mirrors the continuous donation of love found within the Trinity. Hear Fr. Mark Baumgarten explain this first love story and how everyone is still called to self donation today.
God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only begotten son, but how can a good God demand such a sacrifice? The story of Abraham and Isaac illustrates the great faith and trust of Abraham while also foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice found in Christ.
Everyday we are tempted to turn away from God for passing goods, but how can we fight against sin and focus our time on strengthening our relationship with the Lord? Practical steps in prayer, confession, fasting and forming good relationships offers us the opportunity to not only avoid sin, but to thrive in our relationship with God.
Being made in the image and likeness of God; what does that really mean? Fr. Garrett Nelson explains how man and woman, through living out their vocation to love in relationship to one another, come to a deeper understanding of being created in God’s image and obtaining a greater likeness throughout life.
Love your enemies. This teaching is one of Christianity’s greatest contributions to humanity. When Christians truly love, those who were once enemies become siblings. The response of the Coptic Christians towards the ISIS executioners who martyred 21 people in Libya offers a current day testimony of this specifically Christian love.
For believers, the Universe does not simply serve as God’s beautiful masterpiece readily admired. Instead, it offers powerful arguments that God in fact does exist. Discover key arguments pro- and contra- God’s existence via the Universe and how, fundamentally, denying the former is a denial of logic and scientific evidence.
In St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians we find the scriptural basis for “tradition”, both of which -- scripture and tradition -- work together to express revelation. Concerning the Institution of the Eucharist, pronounced by Christ at the Last Supper, St. Paul is ‘handing on’ what he has ‘received’. This ‘handing on’ from the beginning is what the Catholic Church holds as tradition.
‘Apostle of the New Marian Era,’ and great martyr of the 20th c., St. Maximilian Kolbe was a light in heavy darkness. Always with joy, he was ridiculed on the streets of Rome and, ultimately, gave up his life in the Auschwitz camps. Every hero, however, has a secret formula for victory. For St. Max’s, tune in and listen up!
Gregorian Chant is not the only reason St. Pope Gregory the Great earned that title; in fact, it is not for that reason at all. Unravel the story of a man who went from worldly fame, to humble monastery life, to the privileged Bishop of Rome. Now homaged as Doctor of the Church and conferred the title of Great, St. Gregory considered himself no more than “Servus Servorum Dei” -Servant of the servants of God.
A discussion regarding the seeming contradiction between God’s divine providence and free will.
As Catholics, we have been given a great gift; we have been given the sacraments. The sacraments are tailored specifically for humans, they bring much needed (and free!) grace from God, but are seen in a physical way so that we can be certain of the Lord’s help.
From surviving World War II, Communism, attempted assassination, and Parkinson’s disease, this episode looks into the incredible life and witness of St. John Paul II.
An explanation on the development of the Catholic canon and the differences found within protestant bibles.
True freedom, contrary to its current ‘absolute’ sense, is lived to its fullest when in accord with human nature. Jesus Christ taught us how to be truly free, because he was truly human; living in perfect accord with that nature. What the contemporary and Christian understanding of freedom have in common is a “yes” to something other; while one leads to slavery, the other leads to great acts of love and attainment of true freedom. The perfect exemplar of this is Christ on the Cross.
Some people say that living a moral life consists in following a set of rules established by the Church, but the reality is that the moral life is steeped in love and the eternal design of God. We cannot simply follow a set of rules, but we must conform our entire lives to the Father. Sound challenging? Well it is, but learn how we are able to successfully pursue the moral life with God’s help in this Catholic Bytes episode.
A brilliant mind, gifted speaker, and renowned intellectual, St. Augustine of Hippo is recognized as a key figure in both Church and World history. Delve into details of his personal life with Catholic Bytes, to discover Augustine’s journey from sin to sanctity, from prestige to repentance. Two main ideas are core to his thought - found in his beloved writings, particularly the Confessions - “homesickness” and “restlessness”.
The body allows man to interact with and experience the world. It is more than something we have, but an inseparable part of man’s being.
A look into the true nature of prayer and how to approach the Lord with perseverance, a spirit of poverty, and persistence.
He was neither Pope nor Politician, is neither known for great feats nor extraordinary gifts, Bl. Pier Giorgio rather find sanctity in the “ordinary”. He is the ‘everyman’; a reminder of the holiness each is called and can achieve through daily life. Discover more about this young 20th century saint and the 4 loves which defined his life.
Have you ever been tempted to eat 16 oreos, and proceeded to do so even knowing it’s disgusting? If so, join the rest of humanity. It’s called temptation which works at us both interiorly and exteriorly. Yet, don’t despair. Listen here to discover a gratuitous gift to help overcome temptation, and say yes to what you truly desire.
Fr. Hinkley explains the divine nature of the liturgy and our human participation in this worship.
There is a desire in each of us to be the best version of ourselves. Fr. Christopher Seith explains where that desire comes from and how to attain it.