In today’s Office of the Readings, we hear from a sermon of St Augustine, who declares that “He who perseveres to the end will be saved.” Marcus shares some thoughts.

On a recent trip to Yemen, David Pinault sat down with Yahya Sayfallah, a spokesman for the Houthi militant group. Upon learning David was an American, he stated the Houthi slogan: “Allah is great. Death to America and Israel. May the Jews be cursed. Victory belongs to Islam.” David shares more about the meeting.

Further Reading

Islamist persecution, Christian survival, and encountering the Houthis in Yemen

The Crucifix on Mecca’s Front Porch: A Christian’s Companion for the Study of Islam

Earth Dragon Run: A Spiritual Entertainment

Guest Info

David Pinault is the author of Earth Dragon Run: A Spiritual Entertainment (2025). His other publications include The Crucifix on Mecca’s Front Porch: A Christian’s Companion for the Study of Islam (2018) and the novel Providence Blue: A Fantasy Quest (2021), all published by Ignatius Press. He is an emeritus professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University.

Social Media is abuzz following the trial of Lindsay Clancy, a mother who has admitted to murdering her three young children in January 2023 but claims she was incapacitated by postpartum depression. Thousands of people online are rushing to her defense and accusing her ex-husband of committing the murders, while thousands of others call her a monster who deserves nothing less than execution. Marcus has more.

Further Reading

She Killed Her Three Children. Is She Guilty?

A new survey by CatholicTV suggests widespread emotional distress among US Catholics, raising questions about how mental health may shape parish life and Mass attendance. Dr. Greg Popcak joins us.

In her 250 years as a nation, America has produced several remarkable canonized saints. But there are also hundreds of “little s” saints who have left holy footprints all over the land. We talk about some of them with Peggy Stanton.

Further Reading

The United “Saints” of America: On Pilgrimage with Our Mother Mary from Sea to Shining Sea

Guest Info

Peggy Stanton was the ABC Television network’s first female news correspondent in Washington, DC, in 1966. She has hosted several radio programs, including Ave Maria Radio’s “Power from the Pews” and “Malta Minutes with the Catechism.” She is the author of several books, including The United Saints of America: On Pilgrimage with Our Mother Mary from Sea to Shining Sea and From the White House to the White Cross: Confessions of a TV News Correspondent.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. There have been different interpretations of “eye of a needle” over the centuries – Marcus looks at the verse and what it means for us.

Today is the birthday of the late Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Roberto Clemente. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Clemente was also a devout Catholic who died in a plane crash while delivering emergency supplies to earthquake victims. His faith motivated his entire life, and Marcus looks at how he is an example for all of us.

Archaeologists in Turkey believe they’ve made a groundbreaking discovery, possibly uncovering the remains of a church they believe hosted the First Council of Nicaea, one of the most pivotal events in the history of Christianity. Steve Ray has more.

Guest Info

Steve Ray leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and other sites. He converted to Catholicism in 1994 and is the author of “Crossing the Tiber,” “Upon this Rock” and other books, including a brand-new study on the Book of Genesis. He’s the host and producer of the Footprints of God DVD series and has been to the Holy Land more than 200 times. He also writes bible studies for Catholic Scripture Study International Visit catholic-convert.com and footprintsofgodpilgrimages.com

A federal high court in Nigeria has restrained authorities in the country’s Kano state and the Islamic religious police, known as Hisbah, from arresting a 22-year-old woman because she converted from Islam to Christianity and rejected a forced marriage. Ed Clancy tells us more.

Further Reading

Nigerian court bars Islamic police from arresting Christian convert over faith, marriage refusal

Guest Info

Edward Clancy is the outreach director of Aid to the Church in Need-USA

On August 16, 1896, gold was discovered in the Yukon Territory of Canada, and the Klondike Gold Rush was on. More than 100,000 prospectors migrated north with dreams of striking it rich, but only a few thousand succeeded. It’s a warning for all of us today – where does your treasure lie? Marcus has more.