Epiphany

Scientific Insights into the Shroud of Turin

Few artifacts have captured the world’s imagination and inspired centuries of debate like the Shroud of Turin. This linen cloth, believed by many to be the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth, continues to baffle scientists, theologians, and historians alike. Enigmatic and controversial, the shroud bridges the realms of history, religious tradition, and modern forensic science. Through carbon dating, blood analysis, and image evaluation, researchers strive to unlock its secrets. Despite skepticism and conflicting data, the Shroud of Turin remains one of the most studied (and most mysterious) religious relics in human history.

Fr. Robert Spitzer is a Catholic Priest in the Jesuit order and President of the Magis Center and the Spitzer Center. President of Gonzaga University from 1998 to 2009, he significantly increased their programs and curricula in faith, ethics, service, and leadership. He also led the efforts to build 20 new facilities, increased the student population by 75%, and raised more than $200 million for scholarships and capital projects. Fr. also hosts “Father Spitzer’s Universe” on EWTN.

Legatus is an international organization of executives and their spouses with over 5,500 members in 90+ chapters in the U.S., Canada and Mexico whose mission is to study, live, and spread the Catholic faith in our business, professional, and personal lives. We are a community of CEOs, presidents, managing partners, and founders who aspire to be faithful ambassadors for Christ and lead as many other souls to heaven as possible.

Stephen Henley has served as the International President of Legatus since 2016. Prior to becoming President, he was based in Dallas, Texas as the Central Regional Director. In that capacity, he managed 22 existing chapters and developed five new chapters of Legatus.Originally hailing from the first diocese in the US, Baltimore, Stephen grew up the youngest of seven. He discerned the priesthood at a high school seminary in New Hampshire and continued on to the novitiate. After discerning his vocation lay elsewhere, Stephen joined the Marine Corps at age 17 as a communications technician. Stephen served one tour of Iraq in 2006 on a small unity riverine craft patrolling the Euphrates River. During his time stateside in the Marine Corps, Stephen attended and graduated from Ave Maria University (AMU) alongside his wife, Krista, with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics. Stephen continued working for the security department of Ave Maria while also serving as a special assistant to the Chancellor and Founder of AMU, Tom Monaghan. Stephen now serves on the board of advisors for the Center for Catholic Citizenship at his alma mater.

Today is Holy Thursday! Vanessa previews today’s guests/topics and talks about the significance of the day, the washing of feet, and more.

The late American Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified at a Mass presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on September 24, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Read more here.

Allan Smith is the Director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Mission Society of Canada. He has a YouTube channel, another YouTube channel, and an X account! He is also:

* Executive Director - Holy Face Miracle - https://holyfacemiracle.com

* Founder and Director of Bishop Sheen Today - https://www.bishopsheentoday.com

* Board Member - Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation in Peoria, Illinois, USA - https://www.celebratesheen.com/news/board

* Member of the Advisory Team - Foundation of Prayer for Priests - https://www.foundationforpriests.org/about

“For many years I have had the privilege to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation in Peoria, Illinois. My work involves making known the life, works and thoughts of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, to bring people to Christ through Archbishop Sheen, and to advance the Cause for the Canonization of Archbishop Sheen in the Catholic Church.”

Fr. Chris Maus is the Pastor of our Parish of the Week: St. Thomas A’Becket Catholic Church in Canton, MI

“I worked as a pension specialist for an automotive supplier in the 1980s. I entered Sacred Heart Seminary in 1987 at the age of 29 - which was considered somewhat old at the time - and was ordained in 1993. My first assignment as an associate pastor was at St. John Neumann here in Canton. My pastor was the wise and very gifted Fr. George Charnley, who taught me a lot about being a parish priest.After Neumann, I served as an associate pastor at St. Jude in Detroit for a couple years before I received my first assignment as pastor at St. Hedwig in Southwest Detroit. St. Hedwig is over hundred years old and started as a parish to serve the faith needs of Polish immigrants. In recent decades, it is the home of many Latin-Americans from a variety of countries. It is truly a melting pot. I learned a lot about the beauty and richness that various cultures bring to our Catholic faith.My last assignment before coming to Becket was at St. Daniel in Clarkston in northern Oakland County. That was my longest assignment. I was there for ten years.”

This is Spy Wednesday of Holy Week. Vanessa previews today’s guests/topics and shares a reflection on our daily mass readings.

Eric Scheidler is the Executive Director of the Pro-Life Action League. He is a second generation pro-life activist, the oldest of Joe and Ann Scheidler’s children. He was only 6 years old when his parents first got involved in the pro-life movement, shortly before the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that stripped unborn children of their legal right to life in 1973. Eric grew up attending protests and rallies, leafleting neighborhoods and talking about abortion with friends and classmates.

The pro-life world was shocked to hear that notorious abortionist Kermit Gosnell had died in prison earlier this month.

I offer the following statement for use in any coverage you may give to the news of his passing:

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Kermit Gosnell in prison earlier this month. The Pro-Life Action League and many others highlighted the horrible crimes he committed when they came to light, and it provided a shock to America’s system, perhaps even contributing to the overturning of Roe v. Wade a few years later.

Gosnell’s mutilation of more developed children was indeed disgusting in a particular way, but the children killed in every abortion are no less our brothers and sisters than his victims were. Every child deserves to be welcomed into the human family and cared for. That’s the message of radical love that fuels the pro-life movement.

In fact, Kermit Gosnell deserves our love and care right now. I have been and will continue to pray that he repented of what he did, and that his soul finds repose in the infinite mercy of God. I invite all pro-life people to join me in doing so.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or for further comment.

Yours sincerely,— Eric

Steve Ray’s talk on the cruise was about what he calls the “Twelve Unknown Sorrows of Mary.”

Steve Ray is a convert to the Catholic faith and a popular author, speaker, and pilgrimage leader. He has been to the Holy Land exploring, filming, and leading thousands of pilgrims. Steve is a regular guest on Catholic radio and TV including Catholic Answers, Ave Maria Radio, and EWTN.

Some of his books include:Genesis: A Bible Study Guide and CommentaryCrossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historical ChurchUpon This Rock: St. Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early Church

This is Tuesday of Holy Week. Vanessa previews today’s guests/topics and shares a reflection on our daily mass readings.

Teresa Tomeo’s column: It Is in Dying that We Are Born to Eternal LifeGift of indulgences offered during Franciscan Jubilee Year

Teresa Tomeo is an author, syndicated Catholic talk show host, and motivational speaker with more than 40 years of experience in TV, radio, and newspaper. In the year 2000, Teresa left the secular media to start her own speaking and communications company, Teresa Tomeo Communications, LLC. Her weekday morning radio program, Catholic Connection, is produced by EWTN. Her latest book is “Italy’s Shrines and Wonders: Discovering Sacred Spaces, Fascinating Places, and Destinations Off the Beaten Path.”