Catholic Exchange

There are a lot of important lessons in today's episode. Frist, Michael learns why he needs to read the preface. More importantly, Dr. Paul Chaloux—adjunct professor of theology at the Catholic University of America—shares with us the ways we can see suffering in the light of our Christian faith. It's an engaging question and conversation that we will return to in future episodes. 

Check out the book: Why All People Suffer: How a Loving God Uses Suffering to Perfect Us.

Also check out Prof. Chaloux's articles: https://catholicexchange.com/author/paul-chaloux

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September 12, 2021 marks the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, the greatest poet of Western Christianity. While Dante has had a profound impact on art over the centuries, Canadian artist Timothy P. Schmalz has undertaken an ambitious project to sculpt Dante's magnum opus, The Divine Comedy. 

Mr. Schmalz is the artist behind the famous Homeless Jesusstatue, which can be found at churches throughout the world. He has also sculpted large public memorials such as Angels Unawares, the Canadian Veterans’ Memorial and Golden Leaves. His latest project, sculpted amidst the COVID lockdowns, is possibly his most ambitious and will feature 100 individual sculptures walking people through Dante's work on Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. He will thus be the first artist to depict all 100 cantos of The Divine Comedy. 

Today on the Catholic Exchange Podcast, Timothy Schmalz describes his creative process and how Dante has had such an impact on his work. Mr. Schmalz also tells us about the parallels he sees between Dante-in-exile and the general feelings we all feel in our chaotic world. Through all this, we find in Dante a companion for the road who restores our hope in Providence of God. Today's episode is especially a great start if you have a love of Dante's work or want to dive into his great poem. 

Resources

Find more info about the Dante gardens and sculptures at the site DanteSculpture.com, where you can see the many beautiful sculptures. You can also follow Mr. Schmalz's work at his website or Facebook. Learn more about the premier at Florence's Badio Fiorentina at their website. 

Finally, take a look at our previous coverage of the art of Timothy Schmalz:

• Creating Art as an Act of Prayer (podcast)
• Art as Theology: A Conversation with Timothy P. Schmalz (podcast)
• The Homeless Jesus Statue, the Year of Mercy and the New Evangelisation by KV Turley (article)

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The family is proclaimed to be The Domestic Church or, as St. John Paul II said, the building blocks of society. The family's role in God's providence is so great that it can often come under attack. In our confused and chaotic age, how can parents protect their family and raise a saintly household?

Today's guest, Kathleen Beckman, returns to the CE Podcast to share how families can put on the armor of God and protect their loved ones. Mrs. Beckman also discusses the necessary steps you can take to make a Eucharistic home and why thanksgiving and Mary are powerful weapons against demons. With her experience in the ministry of exorcism, Kathleen Beckman will help you to feel prepared for spiritual battle while encouraged to bring your children up in faith. 

Kathleen's books include:

• A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare
• Praying for Priests: An Urgent Call for the Salvation of Souls
• God’s Healing Mercy: Finding Your Path to Forgiveness, Peace, and Joy
• When Women Pray: Eleven Catholic Women on the Power of Prayer

Kathleen Beckman is a frequent contributor at Catholic Exchange. Check out her articles here and the following:

• Our previous interview, How Families Can Prepare for Spiritual Warfare.
• Mary, Culture, Family, and Spiritual Warfare
• Exorcists Witness: Mary, Defender Against Demons
• Temptation: The Ordinary Ways the Devil Attacks Us

You can find her work at KathleenBeckman.com and foundationforpriests.org.

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Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen died over forty years ago. However, his work remains as influential and inspiring it was when he was alive (if not more so!). What keeps people coming back to the televangelist and bishop after so many decades? Examining his work on the sacraments, Michael is joined by Al Smith, the founder and director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Mission Society of Canada and the editor of three Fulton J. Sheen anthologies, who takes a look at the work of the Archbishop. 

In today's episode, Al Smith and Michael Lichens discuss how they've discovered Fulton J. Sheen in youth and how his work has continued to influence them. We also take a look at the writings and homilies of Ven. Sheen on the sacraments and his advice for newly-wed couples. Finally, we discuss Fulton Sheen's advice for welcoming children into our lives. 

Other topics we discussed:

• How much writing did Fulton Sheen accomplished while hosting a popular TV series.
• How Ven. Sheen's writings can help us to find a road map to the sacramental life.
• Bishop Sheen's call to see the sacraments with a divine sense of humor.
• The origin, power, and efficacy of the Seven Sacraments.
• The power of baptism throughout our lives.
• Why Fulton Sheen said that it takes "three to get married."

Articles & Resources

You can purchase Archbishop Sheen’s Book of Sacraments at your local Catholic bookstore or online through Sophia Institute Press. You can also find the previous anthologies, The Cries of the Jesus from the Cross: A Fulton Sheen Anthology (2018) and  Lord, Teach Us To Pray: A Fulton Sheen Anthology (2020).

You can check out these previous articles and interviews from Al Smith, available here on Catholic Exchange:

• “Every Catholic Home Needs a Good Book on the Sacraments”
• “How Bishop Sheen Helped Me to Reconcile With the Blessed Mother”
• “Fulton J. Sheen: My Guide As I Learn to Pray”
• “What Fulton J. Sheen Can Teach Us About Prayer”
• “Ven. Fulton J. Sheen as a Lenten Guide”

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The Catholic Exchange Podcast is honored to welcome back long-time contributor and author Fr. Edward Looney as our guest host. In today's episode, Fr. Edward Looney interview's author Anthony DeStefano about his latest illustrated book, Our Lady's Wardrobe. Mr. DeStefano is the author of A Travel Guide to Heaven, The Grumpy Old Ox, and is a frequent television host.

• Why parents should feel encouraged to pass Marian devotion down to their children.
• The reasons for why Mary has so many different titles. 
• Which Marian devotions children and youth tend towards.
• How Our Lady of Lourdes affirms God's love for us. 
• The power of art and illustrations of Our Lady, especially at a young age. 

Listen below or find Catholic Exchange on Apple, Google, Spotify, or on your favorite podcasting app.

Fr. Edward Looney's articles can be found on Catholic Exchange, and you can find our previous interview with him at this link. Fr. Looney is also the author of the best-selling books, A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary, A Heart Like Mary’s, Meditations after Holy Communion, and A Rosary Litany.

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Catholic Social Teaching has a rich intellectual and spiritual tradition. However, despite the modern dialogue surrounding surrounding social justice, Catholic Social Teaching can get lost in forgetfulness and misinterpretation.

Laura Zambrana, MDiv joins us to give a brief yet thorough introduction to the richness and depths of Catholic Social Teachings and how they can help us in our post-Covid world. Mrs Zambrana explains the theological foundations of true social justice while also going into the popes and saints who have influenced Catholic Social Teachings. Today's episode is ideal for anyone who wants to begin learning (or relearning) the foundations of Catholic Social Teaching.

Find Endow Group's latest book, Catholic Social Teaching, on their website where you can also read a free chapter: EndowGroups.org.

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Longtime Catholic Exchange contributors and frequent podcast guests Fr. Edward Looney and Jeannie Ewing discuss Mrs Ewing’s much read article, “St. Joseph: Our Patron Saint of a Happy & Holy Death.” In this conversation, Jeannie discusses ways that St. Joseph’s example and support can help us to become better people in our faith, familial, and personal lives. Meanwhile, Fr. Edward gives his insights into the power of the saints in his life as a parish priest.

Listen below or find Catholic Exchange on Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you love to listen to podcasts.

Other subjects we discussed:

• How St. Joseph can help you through the trials of grief and mourning.
• The humility we can learn from St. Joseph and how that will ultimately allow God to take control.
• The power of saintly intercession in helping you to grow in your struggles while conquering personal vices.
• What St. Joseph’s radical trust and obedience can show us in our modern day.
• How St. Joseph’s intercession can help us with our interior struggles.

Links, Books, & Resources

• Jeannie Ewing is the author of multiple books, including From Grief to Grace. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Also check out her website, jeannieewing.com.
• Fr. Edward Looney recently joined us (listen here) to discuss his latest book, Meditations After Holy Communion. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at the handle @FrEdwardLooney. His website is edwardlooney.com.
• If you want to hear more from Fr. Looney, check out his podcast, “How They Love Mary” on your favorite podcast app.
• You can find the Litany to St. Joseph here.  

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Photo by Anna Hecker on Unsplash

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While we begin to wonder what our Post-COVID world may look like, now is a perfect time to acquire new and lasting habits for holiness. If you're not sure where to start making these habits, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR brings 800 years of the Franciscan tradition within the reach of laity. 

Today's episode of the CE Podcast discusses how we can take the first step to grow closer to sainthood in your daily life. Michael and Fr. Mark-Mary discuss the ways you can add a few minutes of prayer and contemplation each day and (more importantly) make those habits stick. Stream our conversation below or find Catholic Exchange on your favorite podcast app. 

Resources and topics we discuss today

• Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR is available through Ascension Press or your favorite bookseller. 
• How the Franciscan 3x5 Examen can be enrich your spiritual life right now. 
• The importance of intentionality and contentment in your daily spiritual life.
• How working with the poor and downtrodden can bring you closer to Christ. 
• Why discipleship is best done with a community or family. 
• Ways to show charity and love to those around you, even if you find yourself in social isolation. 
• Finally, check out the Franciscan Friars for the Renewal to learn more about the Franciscan spiritual tradition. 

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Photo by Serge Le Strat on Unsplash

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After a year of frustration and uncertainty, more people are able to return to Mass at their local parish. For many, this upcoming Easter weekend will feel like a homecoming of sorts after being physically absent during the last Paschal season. If you are among these pilgrims who can now come home, now is a great time to learn the art of meditating on the Catholic faith.

Today, Michael is joined by long-time CE contributor and returning guest Fr. Edward Looney to discuss the practical steps you can take to your time at Mass to a new level.

In what promises to become a spiritual classic, Fr. Edward Looney’s Meditations after Holy Communion guides your prayers during those intimate moments with the Lord following Holy Communion, elevating your soul and mind and leading you into a deeper relationship with Christ.

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Michael talks with Jason Shanks of the OSV Institute about OSV Innovation Talks and our approach to evangelizing our neighbors and, ultimately, our culture. We have a short but direct conversation about how we have (or haven't) approached the New Evangelization and what apostolates can do to bring more souls to the Church. 

To learn more about OSV Innovation Talks, go to OSVTalks.com.

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