What is the historical background for the Protestant Reformation? 

Was Martin Luther actually right about some things, and if so, how much?

How did the Catholic Church respond to these problems?

What is the Catholic Reformation, and what does the Council of Trent have to do with all of this?

All this and more in this month’s episode of Catholicism 101!

Resources:
Did the Church Ever Sell Indulgences? | Fr. Mike Schmitz
Why the Reformation Was Necessary—But Protestantism Was Not | Catholic Answers
Not a Reformation but a Revolution | Catholic Answers
The History of the Council of Trent | Catholic Answers
From Great Evil God Brought Great Good | Catholic Answers
The Compact History of the Catholic Church | Dr. Alan Schreck

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today's episode we'll be talking about how Jesus Christ is really present - body, blood, soul, and divinity - in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. I'll explain the term 'transubstantiation,' as well as the principles of accident vs. substance. We'll explore what we really mean when we say "you are what you eat," as well as what Eucharistic Adoration actually is. Lastly, we'll talk a bit about why there is a one hour fast before communion, and what we're really asking God for in one part of The Lord's Prayer.

Bible Passages Quoted:
-John 6:29-69
-Galatians 2:20

Resources:
Substance and Accidents (Aquinas 101) | The Thomistic Institute
Transubstantiation (Aquinas 101) | The Thomistic Institute
Real Presence | Catholic Central
Eucharist 101 | Catholic Central
What Really Happens in Eucharistic Adoration | Fr. Mike Schmitz
What the Early Church Believed: The Real Presence | Catholic Answers
Is the Eucharist a Symbol, or Is It Real? | Catholic Answers
Who Can Receive Holy Communion? | Catholic Answers

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today's episode we'll be talking about the Pope and why we have one! We'll explore the Biblical roots of the Papacy as well as gain an authentic understanding of Papal Infallibility and the various levels of magisterial teaching. Lastly, we'll learn how to pray for our Holy Father.

Bible Passages Quoted:
-Matthew 16:18-19
-Matthew 10:2
-Acts of the Apostles (see 3rd resource below)

Resources:
Why Catholics Have A Pope | Fr. Mike Schmitz
Popes 101 | Catholic Central
The Papacy in Scripture: No Rocks Required | Catholic Answers
Papal Infallibility | Catholic Answers
Four Levels of the Church's Teaching | EWTN
Does God Pick the Pope? | Catholic Answers

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today's episode we'll be talking about the necessity of Purgatory, the effects of sin and "moral twisting" from sin as well as Scriptural evidence for Purgatory, what is the nature of Purgatory, and how we can help our brothers and sisters in the Church Suffering.

Bible Passages Quoted:
-Revelation 21:27
-2 Corinthians 4:17
-Matthew 5:48
-Romans 8:28
-2 Maccabees 12:38-46
-Matthew 12:32

Resources:
What is Purgatory? | Catholic Answers
Answering Protestant Objections to Purgatory | Shameless Popery
What the Early Church Believed: Purgatory | Catholic Answers
What You Should Know About Purgatory | Fr. Mike Schmitz
What is Purgatory? | Fr. Mike Schmitz
Is Purgatory in the Bible? | Catholic Answers Video
First Friday and First Saturday Devotions | The Divine Mercy

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

IMPORTANT UPDATE: A portion of this episode speaks of Mary with the titles of 'Co-Redemptrix' and 'Mediatrix' that the Magisterium has since asked the faithful to refrain from using. "In “Mater Populi Fidelis” (“The Mother of the Faithful People of God”), the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) said when an expression requires frequent explanation to maintain the correct meaning, it becomes unhelpful" (CNA, 11-4-2025). 

Doctrinal Note on Marian titles: Mother of the faithful, not Co-redemptrix | Vatican News (Nov. 4th, 2025)

Episode Published July 17th, 2024

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today’s episode we’ll be talking about the Blessed Virgin Mary—the difference between veneration and worship, why the Church has Marian dogmas, what those various dogmas and doctrines are, and the purpose of Marian devotion.

Bible Passages Quoted:
-Leviticus 19:30
-Luke 1:35
-Philippians 2:6-7
-John 19:26-27
-Luke 1:46-49
-Psalm 93:5
-Galatians 4:26, 31
-Ephesians 5:31-32
-Psalm 132:8
-Revelation 11:19
-Psalm 16:10
-Revelation 19:7
-Sirach 4:13-18

Resources:
An Honest Proposal To Christians... | Theology of the Body Institute
Assumptions About Mary | Catholic Answers
Mary, Mother of Salvation | Catholic Answer
How We Know Mary Was a Perpetual Virgin | Catholic Answers
More Reasons for Mary’s Perpetual Virginity | Catholic Answers
Why Do We Call Mary "Mother of God?” | Theology of the Body Institute
Mary Saves | Catholic Answers

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today's episode we'll be talking about the Saints: intercessory prayers, veneration/honor due to them, patron Saints, and a bit about the Canonization process.

Resources:
Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints? | Catholic Answers Video
Answering Objections to the Intercession of the Saints | Trent Horn; Catholic Answers
How can Mary and the Saints in Heaven hear our prayers? | Catholic Answers Video
Does Praying to the Saints Mean Catholics Worship Them, Too? | Catholic Answers
What the Early Church Believed: The Intercession of the Saints | Catholic Answers
Relics | Catholic Answers
The Process of Beatification and Canonization | EWTN

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today's episode we'll be exploring the Catholic Priesthood and what makes it different from Protestant Ministers called Priests. We'll also be talking about Priests acting In Persona Christi Capitis,  as well as apostolic succession and the Episcopate (Bishops), the Indelible Mark of Priesthood and, lastly, why only men can be ordained Priests.

Code of Canon Law, Canon 1008: “By divine institution, some of the Christian faithful are marked with an indelible character and constituted as sacred ministers by the sacrament of holy orders. They are thus consecrated and deputed so that, each according to his own grade, they may serve the People of God by a new and specific title.”

Bible Passages Quoted:
-1 Timothy 2:5
-John 20:21-23
-2 Corinthians 2:10
-Matthew 10:40
-Hebrews 7:17

Resources:
Is There a New Covenant Ministerial Priesthood? | Catholic Answers
Why Anglican Priests Aren’t Catholic Priests | Catholic Answers
Did Jesus Make the Apostles Priests at the Last Supper? |Catholic Answers
Once a Priest, Always a Priest | Catholic Answers
Excommunication Doesn’t Negate Priestly Power | Catholic Answers
What is Apostolic Succession? w/ Dr. Andrew Swafford | Pints With Aquinas
Why Women Can't Be Priests | Theology of the Body Institute
This Is Why Priests Don’t Get Married | Theology of the Body Institute

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today's episode we'll be taking a quick look at each of the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church as well as the idea of "Re-Baptism."

Scriptures Quoted:
-John 3:5
-Matthew 28:19
-Luke 24:49
-Acts 2
-John 6:54
-Psalm 41:4
-John 20:22-23
-James 5:14-15
-Matthew 19:4-6
-Ephesians 5:32-33
-Matthew 10:1

Resources:
Scriptural Foundations for the Sacraments | Our Sunday Visitor
Discover the Sacraments in the Bible | Catechist.com
Why Can’t I be Re-Baptized as a Catholic? | Catholic Answers
Protestant Beliefs on Baptism and Communion | Pints with Aquinas
What The Early Church Believed: Confirmation | Catholic Answers
What the Early Church Believed: Confession | Catholic Answers
Anointing of the Sick | Catholic Answers

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today's episode we'll be taking a look at the Protestant belief of Sola Scriptura vs. the Catholic belief of Scripture & Tradition. Also discussed is the "apocrypha," AKA the deutero-canonical books as well as the key difference in how Protestants and Catholics interpret Sacred Scripture.

*Please note that I mistakenly mispronounced "perspicuity" the entire time :)

Bible Passages Quoted:
-John 21:25
-Romans 16:17
-Jeremiah 25:3
-Matthew 28
-John 20
-John 17:17-21
-Matthew 16:18-19

Resources:
-A Quick Ten-Step Refutation of Sola Scriptura | Catholic Answers
-Where is the Magisterium in the Bible? | Catholic Answers
-The Doctrine of Perspicuity (Clarity) | Catholic Answers
-Day 13: The Single Deposit of Faith — The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

For Episodes 2-10 we'll be diving into the 9 key differences between Catholicism and Protestantism in a series called Catholic or Protestant: What's the Difference?

In today's episode we explore the Lutheran tradition's understanding of Justification as Martin Luther's well-known phrase of "dung hills covered in snow." We'll take a look at what Catholics really mean when we teach Faith & Works, as well as the question of "are all sins equal in the eyes of God?"

Bible Passages Quoted:
-James 2:26
-Revelation 3:20
-Matthew 26:24

Video Resource:
Fr. Mike Schmitz | What You Need to Be Saved (Faith vs. Works)  

Support the show

Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6