To honor the saints who have gone before us and in preparation for my new book coming out on "visible unity," I am doing a short series on the stories of saints who promoted Christian unity. May we all be inspired to draw all people into full communion with the Catholic Church!

Saints covered in this first episode are: St. Josaphat (1623), Blessed Maria Gabriella Sagheddu (1939), Blessed Nazju Falzon (1865), Saint Elisabeth Hesselblad (1957), St. Peter Canisius (1597). 

The Catholic Church is adamantly pro-life and clearly states that we cannot vote for laws that promote abortion. Does this mean Catholics cannot vote for a pro-choice candidate? Can a Catholic vote for a Democrat?

These are some of the questions Pat and Eric tackle in this episode.

The last set of mysteries of the Rosary are the Glorious Mysteries. The meditations get very fun and creative toward the end and always catch me up into the heavens. Please join me in praying and meditating upon the Glorious Mysteries.

Glorious Mysteries: Resurrection of Jesus, Ascension of Christ, Descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (body and soul), Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Recently, Dr. Jerry Walls was on Cameron Bertuzzi's YouTube channel, Capturing Christianity, and presented, in his opinion, the strongest argument against Catholicism. Pat and Eric team up with Gary Michuta, from Hands on Apologetics, to tackle this objection having to do with the early papacy and what modern Catholic scholars have to say about it. 

Link to Cameron and Walls video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgtyTtGlGrQ&t=2341s

Link to Trent Horn's rebuttal video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H63R6lzz1mM&t=94s

Links to Gary's work: http://www.handsonapologetics.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-lc_oipf900w6792AiywA

On Tuesdays and Fridays we meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary where we see Jesus going through immense suffering leading to his crucifixion and then death on the cross. Sorrowful Mysteries: Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning with Thorns, Carrying the Cross, The Crucifixion.

Please join me in praying and meditating upon these sacred mysteries of our salvation.

Pat and Eric discuss the spiritual and physical benefits of fasting in this episode. Pat wrote a book on the physical benefits of fasting called "Fast Diets for Dummies." Now that he is Catholic fasting has taken on a spiritual dimension that Pat hadn't considered before.

Link to Pat's book: https://www.amazon.com/Fast-Diets-Dummies-Kellyann-Petrucci/dp/1118775082/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=fast+diets+for+dummies&qid=1601329854&sr=8-3

Today we meditate together on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. I take you through my own meditations as we pray together.

Luminous Mysteries: Baptism of the Lord, Wedding at Cana, Proclaiming the Kingdom of God, Transfiguration, Institution of the Eucharist.

How do we understand God's command for the Israelites to slaughter the men, women, and children of the Amalekites? What does the Bible say about slavery? Is the Old Testament depiction of God different than the New Testament?

Dr. Mark Giszczak, a Bible scholar and teacher from the Augustine Institute, helps us wade the waters of these "dark passages" of Scripture.

Dr. G's website: https://catholicbiblestudent.com/

Dr. G's Book: "Light on the Dark Passages of Scripture": https://www.amazon.com/Light-Dark-Passages-Scripture-Giszczak/dp/1612788033/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOXDKEOEE92N&dchild=1&keywords=light+on+the+dark+passages+of+scripture&qid=1600797259&sprefix=light+on+the+dark+passages+of+scr%2Caps%2C-1&sr=8-1

Augustine Institute: https://www.augustineinstitute.org/

Formed: https://formed.org/

Praying the Rosary is a way to enter into the drama of Scriptures and the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary. Today I walk you through what I meditate on with each of the Joyful Mysteries and invite you to meditate and pray with me.

Joyful Mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of Christ, Presentation, Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple.

All for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus All through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary All in union with St. Joseph.

Fr. Don Calloway has written 6 books on the Rosary. In this episode Pat and Eric reflect on the rich history and importance of the Rosary with Fr. Calloway. We also give a good introduction to the Rosary and practical tips to help pray the Rosary either as an individual or as a family.

Resources:

https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org/

http://www.fathercalloway.com/