These feasts our Church celebrates at the close of the Easter season invite us to reflect on something deeper than the good news we might be used to.

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0:28 The Short Answer

Catholics baptize babies because they need salvation, too! We believe that Baptism is necessary for salvation—it’s how we join the family of God—and the graces the sacrament imparts will help a child grow in faith and grace as they get older.

0:46 The Long Answer

3:50 Objections

6:50 Final Thoughts

7:23 Learn More:

Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, Ludwig Ott (pg. 357 onwards)

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1250-1252.

Summa Theologiae, Thomas Aquinas.

* "Is an intention required on the part of the one baptized?"

* "Is faith necessary?"

* "Should infants be baptized?"

“Why Baptizing Your Baby Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do” from Fr. Mike Schmitz (via YouTube)

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Imagine if a hustle bro was focused on sharing his faith. That’s Francis Xavier.

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Luke 21:25-28, 34-36; 1st Sunday of Advent

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Get ready, and get excited.

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Episode Outline

0:23 The Short AnswerCatholics make a distinction between worship and prayer. We do not worship the saints; worship is for God alone. When we pray to saints, we’re simply asking them to pray for us. We ask our friends here on earth to pray for us. Why not ask our friends in the presence of God in heaven, part of our family as the Body of Christ?

0:55 The Long Answer

4:10 Objections

4:12 It's unnecessary

5:33 Jesus is our one mediator

9:03 The Bible condemns necromancy

10:46 Final Thoughts

11:26 Learn More

Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, Ludwig Ott (pg. 316 speaks about this topic).

Summa Theologiae, Thomas Aquinas.

“Whether we ought to pray to God alone?”

“Whether we ought to call upon the saints to pray for us?”

“Whether it is proper to Christ to be the Mediator of God and man?”

Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 956 and 2683.

“Why pray to the saints?” from Bishop Robert Barron (via YouTube)

“Do Catholics Worship Saints?” from Fr. Mike Schmitz (via YouTube)

“The Do’s and Don’ts of Devotion to the Saints” from Fr. Mark Mary (via YouTube)

Sources Mentioned

1:20 Latria & Dulia: https://aleteia.org/2023/10/20/understanding-veneration-in-catholicism

1:24 Augustine on Latria: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/140620.htm

3:07: Martyrdom of Polycarp https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0102.htm

3:16 Augustine - Contra Faustus https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/140620.htm

3:21 Cyril of Jerusalem - Catechetical Lectures 23:9 https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf207/npnf207.ii.xxvii.html

3:37 Augustine - Commentary on John 15:13 https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf107/npnf107.iii.lxxxv.html

4:02 Early Christians talking about venerating & praying to saints https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-intercession-of-the-saints

6:41 Mediatorship & intercession article https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-bible-supports-praying-to-the-saints

8:16 Video about intercession of saints not detracting from God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJZfutPhYGY

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Raphael's "Disputation of the Sacrament": https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Disputa_del_Sacramento_(Rafael).jpg

Gabriel Loire's mural: https://catholickermit.com/2008/04/17/sjv-st-raphael-chapel-mural/

Website about Loire's mural: https://www.stjohnvianneyseminary.org/mural.htm.

I’m hoping to highlight beautiful art in all its forms here, both old and new. If you create with the hope of reflecting Beauty or know someone who does, please share with me in the comments on EpiCatholic.com/s/beauty!

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Welcome to EpiCatholic! You’ll hear reflections on the Bible readings we read on Sundays, and you’ll hear why Catholics believe what we do. You’ll discover badass saints throughout the Church’s history, and (while this one will be a lot tougher in audio form) you’ll dive down the rabbit hole of the Church’s rich artistic life, past and present. You’ll hear conversations about the intersection between the Church and modern culture … and best of all, you can join that conversation via the comments sections on EpiCatholic.com at any time!

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Peace,

Maximilian

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