Recent data shows that the typical American student is stunningly ignorant of their own history, with only 20 percent scoring “proficient” in civics. Randall Smith looks at the problem and offers a solution.

Further Reading

Civic Education in Person

Guest Info

Randall B. Smith is a Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His latest book is From Here to Eternity: Reflections on Death, Immortality, and the Resurrection of the Body.

From Iceland to the wider West, falling birthrates and the elimination of the ‘unfit’ reveal a civilization undermining its own future. Is the Culture of Death committing suicide? Joseph Pearce joins us.

Further Reading

Is the Culture of Death Committing Suicide?

Guest Info

Joseph Pearce is Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Fellow of Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). The author of more than 30 books, he is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is jpearce.co.

The U.S. Supreme Court said a New Jersey faith-based pregnancy center may challenge a state subpoena demanding donor information. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer has the details.

Further Reading

U.S. Supreme Court Allows Faith-Based Pregnancy Center to Challenge Donor Subpoena

Guest Info

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is a legal analyst for EWTN News. She also directs the Conscience Project. Follow her on Twitter @bayerpicciotti and visit conscience-project.org.

Although Catherine of Siena was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1970, relatively little attention has been given to her mystical thought, particularly in the English-speaking world. We talk with Fr. Thomas McDermott about her teachings on spiritual development.

Further Reading

Fr. Mcdermott’s book

Pope Leo XIV met with the archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, at the Vatican on Monday. Mullallyʼs first official visit to Rome as the spiritual leader of the Church of England comes amid strained ecumenical relations and division among Anglicans. Joanna Bogle has more.

Further Reading

Pope Leo XIV meets archbishop of Canterbury amid deepening church divides

Pope Invites Continued Dialogue in Message to New Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally

Can Unity Be Built Without Truth? Lessons From Sarah Mullally’s Vatican Visit

Guest Info

Joanna Bogle is a journalist in the United Kingdom. Her book Newman’s London is published by Gracewing Books.

The Word of God grows through disciples engaging in liturgical worship. They are then sent by the Holy Spirit so that every nation may walk in the light of Jesus Christ. This theme appears throughout today’s readings, and Marcus shares some thoughts.

Marcus and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers have been on a speaking tour this week, preaching the Gospel across the Midwest. They both find their identities as sons of God and as husbands and fathers – but they also both happen to be black. But the faith they profess in Christ is devoid of color. Deacon Harold joins Marcus for an in-depth reflection.

Guest Info

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers – known around the world as the “Dynamic Deacon” – is one of the most sought-after speakers in the Church today. He is a powerful and passionate evangelist and preacher, whose no-nonsense approach to living and proclaiming the Catholic faith will challenge and inspire those who hear him.

Culture, enriched by religion, is the genesis of historical epochs that would not exist without cultured societies. We take a closer look at the connections between religion and culture with Steve Soldi.

Further Reading

Religion, the Basis of Culture

Guest Info

Steve Soldi Jr. took his B.A. in English from the College of the Holy Cross and his M.A. in the Humanities from the University of Dallas. After his days as a financial advisor, he taught in integrated humanities programs at college preparatory boarding schools in New England and the South. Currently, he lives in the Piney Woods of East Texas, where he teaches Great Texts: Moby-Dick and directs The Brook Hill School of Business.

Recent social science data challenges the long-standing cultural and media narrative that married people, especially women with children, are less happy than their single, “childfree” counterparts. We take a deeper dive with Dr. Greg Popcak.

Further Reading

Who Is Happiest? Married Mothers and Fathers, Per the Latest General Social Survey

Guest Info

Dr Greg Popcak is the founder and director of CatholicCounselors.com, a group pastoral telecounseling practice providing faithful help to Catholics dealing with personal, emotional and relationship problems. Together with his wife, Lisa, he is the author of over 20 books integrating insights from counseling psychology and the timeless wisdom of our Catholic faith. They are also the developers of the CatholicHOM app, a resource helping Catholic families thrive.

Dr. Greg and Lisa are the hosts of More2Life, a call in advice program airing weekdays at 10am E and produced by Ave Maria Radio and carried across the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network.

Today’s readings contain an overarching theme of the nations being gathered together by the voice of the Shepherd. How will we respond to the call? Marcus has some thoughts.