In this episode, I begin and end with a prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, noting the July 7–15 novena, and then lead our Bible study through the Second Epistle of Saint John. We reflect on St. John’s exhortation to walk in truth, remain in charity, and guard the faith against false teachers. I also connect 2 John to Christ’s commandment of love in the Gospel of John, especially the call to love one another as He has loved us.

I then turn to St. Peter Canisius’s large catechism and meditate on the final article of the Creed, life everlasting, drawing on Scripture from Corinthians, John, Matthew, Romans, Titus, Timothy, Peter, and the Apocalypse to show the Christian hope of eternal life and final reward. To close, I read a moving account from Jacobus de Voragine’s Golden Legend on Saint Felicity and her seven sons, whose feast is approaching, as a witness of perseverance, courage, and steadfast love for Christ.

• Council of Catholic Men: Catechism and Bible Study of the Catholic Church (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/council-of-catholic-men-catechism-and-bible/id1896641707
• Douay-Rheims Bible Online: https://drbo.org/
• Saint Peter Canisius (Vatican, General Audience of February 9, 2011): https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110209.html
• Victories of the Martyrs by St. Alphonsus Liguori (Open Library): https://openlibrary.org/books/OL25789148M/Victories_of_the_martyrs
• The Golden Legend / Legenda Aurea by Jacobus de Voragine (New Advent): https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08262b.htm
• Saint Felicitas and Her Seven Sons (New Advent): https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06028a.htm
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena / Solemnity Resource (Carmelite Sisters): https://www.carmelitesisters.com/carmelite-events/solemnity-of-our-lady-of-mount-carmel

This episode continued our Bible study through 1 John 5 using the Douay-Rheims translation and its footnotes, reflecting on faith that works through charity, obedience to God’s commandments, the witness of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and the difficult passage on sin “unto death.” The Church understands repentance, prayer according to God’s will, and the danger of final impenitence and idolatry, with supporting references from Galatians, Ezekiel, Job, and the Gospel of John. Joe joined live to help us reflect on the feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, the heretical idea of assurance, sacramental confession, and why Catholic teaching keeps repentance and perseverance at the center of the Christian life.

The catechism portion turned to St. Peter Canisius on the resurrection of the body and the final judgment, drawing out the hope and discipline that flow from believing our bodies will be raised and conformed to Christ. We worked through scriptural references from Job, Colossians, Corinthians, Romans, Thessalonians, the Gospels, and Philippians, then closed with a reading from St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Victories of the Martyrs on St. Potamiena, her mother Marcella, and Basilides. The episode ends with prayer and an invitation for more listeners to join future live call-ins.

• Council of Catholic Men: Catechism and Bible Study of the Catholic Church (podcast listing): https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/council-of-catholic-men-catechism-and-bible/id1896641707
• Douay-Rheims Bible Online: https://drbo.org/
• 1 John 5 (Douay-Rheims + Latin Vulgate): https://www.drbo.org/drl/chapter/69005.htm
• Galatians 5 (Douay-Rheims): https://www.drbo.org/chapter/55005.htm
• Ezekiel 33 (Douay-Rheims): https://www.drbo.org/chapter/31033.htm
• Job 19 (Douay-Rheims): https://www.drbo.org/chapter/20019.htm
• Saint Peter Canisius (Vatican): https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110209.html
• Saint Junipero Serra (Vatican): https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20150923_usa-omelia-washington-dc.html
• Pope Pius IX (Vatican biography): https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20000903_pius-ix_en.html
• The Most Precious Blood of Jesus (Vatican): https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2000/jul-sep/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20000701_sanguis-christi.pdf
• Corpus Christi / Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Vatican): https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2025/documents/20250622-angelus.html
• Second Vatican Council documents (Vatican archive): https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index_it.htm
• Saint Alphonsus Liguori (Vatican): https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110330.html
• St. Augustine, The City of God, Book XXII (New Advent): https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120122.htm

In this episode, we continue our Bible study through 1 John 4, focusing on how to test the spirits, remain faithful to the true confession of Jesus Christ, and live the commandment of charity. We reflect on St. John’s teaching that God is love, that perfect charity casts out fear, and that love of God must be proven by love of neighbor. We also walk through the footnotes and cross-references tied to the chapter, including passages from the Gospel of John, Philippians, and 1 Timothy, to show how the Church understands discernment, truth, and the life of grace.

We then move into a catechetical reflection on the resurrection of the flesh and the final judgment, drawing from the creed and scriptural references in 2 Corinthians, Romans, John, Matthew, and Ephesians. To close, we read from St. Alphonsus Liguori’s account of St. Gallicanus and the martyrs John and Paul, highlighting their courage, conversion, and witness under persecution. The episode ends by looking ahead to 1 John 5 next week and by encouraging us to remain steadfast in love, faith, and hope as we work out our salvation before God.

In today’s Council of Catholic Men we begin bible study with 1 John 3, reflecting on God’s fatherly love that makes us His children, the call to holiness, and the stark contrast between the children of God and the children of the devil. We dwell on the command to love one another in deed and in truth, explore how abiding in Christ transforms our lives, and consider the confidence we gain before God when we keep His commandments. We read through cross-references across Scripture—from Genesis, Isaiah, the Gospels, and Paul’s letters—to clarify tough verses on sin, grace, and perseverance, emphasizing authentic charity and obedience rooted in faith.

We then turn to St. Peter Canisius’s Large Catechism on the Tenth Article of the Creed—“the forgiveness of sins”—to consider Christ’s gift of the keys, the authority to bind and loose, and the commission to forgive sins given to the apostles, especially St. Peter and his successors. We read Matthew 16 and John 21 to see Peter’s primacy, and conclude with a moving reading from St. Alphonsus de Liguori on the martyrdom of Saints Nicander and Marcian (June 17), whose steadfast witness—and the courageous faith of their families—call us to persevere in love and fidelity to Christ. Next week, we’ll begin 1 John 4.

In today’s Council of Catholic Men Catechism and Bible Study, we continued through Scripture with a reading of 1 John chapter 2, reflecting on Christ as our advocate, the call to keep His commandments, and the primacy of fraternal charity. We explored the warnings against loving the world and being misled by new teachers, the meaning of having unction of the Holy Spirit’s anointing, and the assurance of eternal life promised to those who follow the commandments of the Son and the Father. From the Douay-Rheims Bible english translation footnotes, we unpacked key verses on walking in the light, the identity of Antichrist as being a denier of Christ, and the Church’s guardianship of truth. We then connected these themes to the Gospel of John (13 and 15), highlighting the new commandment of love, the reality of persecution for the sake of the name of Jesus, and the promised testimony of the Paraclete. We transitioned to the Catechism by St. Peter Canisius, reflecting on the tenth article of the Apostles’ Creed—“the forgiveness of sins”—which means the necessity of Baptism, sorrow for sin, repentance, and ongoing penance. Scripture references from Acts, Mark 16, John 3, Matthew 28, John 20, and Revelation 2 grounded the discussion in the Church’s sacramental life, apostolic authority, and the call to conversion. We concluded with the inspiring martyrdom of St. Julitta and her three year old son St. Quiricus (June 16), their steadfast confession of Christ amid persecution, and the enduring veneration of their relics—encouraging us to persevere in love, fidelity to the Church, and confidence in Christ’s mercy. Next week, we’ll continue with 1 John chapter 3 and the final parts of the tenth article on the remission of sins.

In this episode of the Council of Catholic Men, we begin our new Bible study on the First Epistle of Saint John, chapter 1, exploring its central themes of divine light, truth, and the remission of sins through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We trace John’s insistence that authentic fellowship with God requires walking in the light, honest confession, and confidence in God’s faithfulness to forgive. Along the way, we connect Saint John’s teaching with a rich tapestry of Scripture—from the Gospels, Hebrews, 1 Peter, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Revelation, and the Old Testament historical books—highlighting how God’s plan of mercy is revealed and fulfilled in Christ. We also reflect on the Church’s sacramental life, especially confession, as the ordinary means Christ established for the forgiveness of sins. Our catechism segment turns to Saint Peter Canisius on the Tenth Article of the Creed: the remission of sins. Providentially aligned with our Bible study, it underscores that Christ purchased this “most rich treasure” by his bitter Passion and blood, for the salvation of the whole world. We close with the moving martyrdom of Saint Quirinus of Siscia (June 4), whose steadfast witness and miraculous endurance encouraged conversions even at the moment of his death, and with prayers entrusting ourselves to God’s mercy and light. 

In today’s Council of Catholic Men, is a prayerful reading of 2 Peter 3 and its urgent call to holiness amid “scoffers” who doubt the Lord’s return. We traced Saint Peter’s warnings across Scripture—1 Timothy 4, 2 Timothy 3, Jude 18, Ezekiel 12, 1 Thessalonians 5, and Revelation 3 and 16—reflecting on the Day of the Lord coming “like a thief in the night,” the passing of the present heavens and earth, and our call to be found “unspotted and blameless in peace.” We emphasized God’s patience as salvation, the hope of the new heavens and new earth, and the need to remain steadfast, sober, and watchful as children of the light.

We then turned to the Catechism tradition via St. Peter Canisius on “I believe in the holy Catholic Church,” and read an extended selection from St. Augustine’s Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed. Augustine’s luminous teaching on God’s omnipotence, the coeternity and equality of the Son with the Father, the Incarnation from the Virgin Mary, Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, and the judgment of the living and the dead anchored our catechesis. Drawing on Job’s patience and Christ’s paschal mystery, we considered authentic patience, hope of eternal life rather than temporal repayment, and the call to live, pray, and persevere so as to hear, “Come, you blessed of my Father.” We concluded in prayer and noted that next week we begin 1 John.

Resources and references: 2 Peter 3; 1 Timothy 4:1–5; 2 Timothy 3:1–7; Jude 18–21; Ezekiel 12:27–28; 1 Thessalonians 5:2–11; Revelation 3:3; 16:15–16; St. Peter Canisius, Catechism (1620) on the Creed; St. Augustine, Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed.

This episode of Council of Catholic Men, is a deep dive into 2 Peter 2, where St. Peter warns against false teachers, their deceptive ways, and the severe consequences of turning from the truth. We walk through the text and its Old and New Testament cross-references—from Job, Genesis, Jude, Numbers, John, Romans, Hebrews, Matthew, and Proverbs—to illuminate Peter’s teaching on judgment, perseverance, and the danger of apostasy. We reflect on how these passages challenge us as Catholics to remain steadfast, highlighting that greater knowledge brings greater responsibility.

We then turn to St. Peter Canisius’s catechism on the ninth article of the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe the holy Catholic Church,” focusing on the communion of saints, the ark of Noah as a figure of salvation, and the Church’s call to unity and discipline. Finally, we share the inspiring martyrdom of St. Theodotus of Ancyra from St. Alphonsus de Liguori’s “Victories of the Martyrs,” a powerful witness that sanctity is possible in every state of life and that Christ strengthens those who suffer for His name. We begin and end with prayer, asking for fidelity and courage in the truth.

In this episode of the Council of Catholic Men, we open with prayer and then dive into a Scripture study on 2 Peter, chapter 1. I walk through Peter’s exhortation to add virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly love, and charity to our faith, and we reflect on his eyewitness testimony of Christ’s glory at the Transfiguration and his warning against private interpretation of Scripture. We pause on key cross-references (John 21 on Peter’s foretold martyrdom; Matthew 17 on the Transfiguration; 2 Timothy 3 on inspiration) and highlight the Church’s role in authentically interpreting Scripture. We also note Peter’s nearness to martyrdom and the promise of entry into the everlasting kingdom for those who persevere in holiness.

We then continue our gradual reading of the Catechism by St. Peter Canisius on the Ninth Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.” I summarize the four marks discussed—unity under Christ with the Pope as visible head on earth, holiness sustained by the Holy Spirit, catholicity (universality) embracing all nations, and the communion of saints bound together in charity, prayer, and sacramental life—with Scripture and patristic references. To conclude, we share a martyr story from St. Alphonsus de Liguori: St. Dionysia, with Sts. Andrew and Paul of Lampsacus (May 15), whose steadfast witness encourages us to persevere in faith and charity. We close with prayer and a look ahead to next week’s reading of 2 Peter, chapter 2 on false teachers.

In today’s Council of Catholic Men, we concluded our study of the First Epistle of Saint Peter with chapter 5, reflecting on Saint Peter’s exhortations to clergy and laity: humble service, sober watchfulness, and steadfast resistance to the devil. We traced Peter’s counsel across Scripture—from Romans 12 on fraternal charity, James 4 on humility and resisting the evil one, Psalms and the Gospels on trusting God’s providence, to Luke 12’s urgent call to vigilance and faithful stewardship. We also noted Peter’s closing greeting from “Babylon,” figuratively Rome, and the promise that after a little suffering, the God of all grace will restore and strengthen us.

We then turned to the Catechism by Saint Peter Canisius on the ninth article of the Creed, “I believe in the holy Catholic Church,” highlighting the Church’s visibility, unity of faith and sacraments, and universality, supported by Isaiah, the Psalms, John’s Gospel, Paul’s letters, and the Fathers. Finally, we read from Saint Alphonsus Liguori on the martyrdom of Saints Timothy the Lector and Mara his wife, who persevered heroically under persecution, encouraging one another to the end and witnessing to an undivided love for Christ. We closed in prayer, entrusting our cares to the Lord who cares for us.