Segment 1: The Revolution Devours its Children

On July 28, 1794, a man once hailed by the masses as a hero was dragged through the streets of Parish and executed. The man was Maximilien Robespierre, a hero of the same revolution that sent him to the guillotine. Marcus discusses this cautionary tale.

Segment 2: Understanding Liberty in the words of the founders The Remnant Trust is a public educational foundation that shares an actively growing collection of manuscripts, first edition and early works dealing with the topics of individual liberty and human dignity. Kristopher Bex tells us more about their work.

Segment 3: A Beginner’s Guide to the Summa (2 segments) Aquinas’ Summa Theologica is one of the great works of Christian theology and philosophy, and it offers unmatched insights into God, humanity, and the path to salvation. Yet its vast scope and intricate arguments can make it daunting to modern readers. Fr. Cajetan Cuddy joins us with an accessible guide to the thought of Aquinas.

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Segment 1: Higher Education and the Formation of Character (2 segments)

Trust in higher education is fractured. Why have universities at all? To answer such a question, we need first to recover the very idea of a university. Universities exist in order to discover, understand, and articulate truth in each discipline of human endeavor. Do they also exist to help foster the virtues of character? Jonathan Sanford thinks they do – he explains why.

Segment 2: An Inside Look Fulton Sheen’s Path to Sainthood (2 segments)

It has been a long and winding path to beatification for Fulton Sheen. Msgr. Jason Gray has lead the investigation into his cause, and he joins us with an inside look at the process.

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Segment 1: Catholics and the FBI

The FBI was established on July 26, 1908. Catholics have played a significant role in the organization throughout its history. Marcus looks at some of the stories. Segment 2: Catholic Charities brings hope to Detroit Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan is working directly with the unfortunate in the Detroit area as a working arm of the Church. Paul Propson tells us more about the work they are doing.

Segment 3: Are we less polarized than we thought? (2 segments)People who hold traditional values on marriage, gender and sexuality have been led to believe they are in the minority – that at least half the country holds their views in contempt for being backwards and divisive. But it turns out much of this polarization is a myth – and these so called ‘unpopular’ views are much more mainstream than you thought. Jonathan Butcher has more.

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Segment 1: The Treasure Buried in a Field (2 segments)

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus explains how the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried in a field. Marcus unpacks the readings.

Segment 2: We ignored Humane Vitae, and we’re paying the price (2 segments)

On July 25, 1968, Pope Paul VI published Humane Vitae. And on July 25, 1978, the first test-tube baby was born. It seems fitting that these events would fall on the same day; the culture and even some within the church disregarded the warnings of Humane Vitae when it was published, and we’ve been paying the price ever since. Rachel Coleman has more.

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Segment 1: A Tax on Light and Air

On July 24, 1851, the citizens of Britain celebrated the end of the “Window Tax,” a tax residents had to pay based on the number of windows in their house. This historical curiosity tells us a deeper truth about state overreach. Marcus has more.Segment 2: What does it mean to be human? (3 segments)As humans, we are much more than cogs in a machine or raw material for technology, and when we die, we will be much more than food for worms. From the first breath of Genesis to the final hope of heaven, what does it really mean to be human? Dr. John Grabowski joins us.

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On July 24, 1851, the citizens of Britain celebrated the end of the "Window Tax," a tax residents had to pay based on the number of windows in their house. This historical curiosity tells us a deeper truth about state overreach. Marcus has more.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: Does the Pope Speak with Political Authority? (2 segments)

US Ambassador Brian Burch recently said that when Pope Leo spoke out against the war in Iran, he was not doing so as a leader of the Roman Catholic Church, adding that he was speaking as a world leader of the Holy See. What authority does the pope have in such occasions? Matthew Bunson joins us with more on this and other Church news.

Segment 2: What do our seminarians need? (2 segments)

A new study from the University of Notre Dame calls for better preparation for celibacy, greater use of psychological resources and a focus on vocational quality over quantity. Dr John Cavadini has the details.

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Segment 1: Why did Jesus speak in Parables?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is asked why He teaches in parables. He warns us of people who will hear but not understand, and look but never see. We have the privilege of knowing our Messiah – we’ve not only seen his public ministry, we are in his public ministry. Have we taken for granted just how immensely blessed we are? Have we lost sight of the urgency of the Gospel message? Marcus shares some thoughts. Segment 2: Living our Faith at Work For John Hale, faith work and family go hand in hand. He explains why.

Segment 3: The American Martyrs

When we think about the founding of the United States of America, we think of our Founding Fathers and the events surrounding the American Revolution. But there is another part to the founding – the American Catholic martyrs. We talk about them with Jared Staudt.

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Segment 1: Reclaiming a Eucharistic Culture

Thousands of Catholics flocked to Detroit today for the Rising from the Ashes revival. Fr. Adam Nowak joins us at the conference to talk about how the Eucharist can revitalize the culture.

Segment 2: Fr. John Riccardo: People’s Most Urgent Need (3 segments)

Fr. John Riccardo was recently speaking with a fellow priest about what people most urgently need right now. He believes that, more than anything, people need clarity on who God is and what He has done – and how we should respond. He joins us.

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Segment 1: Was Mary Magdalene a Harlot?

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Many popular films and other depictions imagine Mary Magdalene as a harlot, or as the woman caught in adultery. However, the real Mary Magdalene was someone far different. Marcus has more.

Segment 2: Music Brings us to Jesus Laura Hovious considered herself an agnostic, until one day when she walked into a church and had an encounter with God through worship music. Today, she is a worship leader who helps bring that encounter to others. She shares her story.

Segment 3: A Saint’s Guide to Discernment (2 segments)

How can Catholics learn to recognize God’s voice amid the noise, distractions, and spiritual confusion of modern life? Fr. Timothy Gallagher has written on a new book, based on the writings of St. Ignatius and his fourteen Rules for the Discernment of Spirits. He joins us.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com