In this episode of Auspice Maria, Bishop Ruggieri confronts the cultural wound of pornography and its impact on human dignity and authentic friendship.

Drawing from Scripture, the Catechism, and the wisdom of Plato, Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. John Paul II, he shows how lust reduces people to objects. God calls us to reject lust and pursue communion and virtuous friendship.

With honesty and compassion, Bishop Ruggieri warns of early exposure among youth, urges families to guide and protect, and points all listeners toward the freedom and joy found in virtuous love.

As always, a full transcript can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/pornography-and-erosion-human-dignity-auspice-maria-episode-18-bishop-james-ruggieri

The Lord sends us forth whether we're ready or not. In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri opens the Great Commission and shows us its heart: faith, accompaniment and mission despite hesitation. He reminds us that the Spirit leads, redirects, and sends.

"The point is that missionary outreach is our first task, and it advances by witness that invites rather than coerces. So we speak the name of Jesus, we offer reasons for our hope, and we live the gospel in such a way that it rings true." - Bishop Ruggieri

A full Transcript can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/go-and-make-disciples-sending-forth-auspice-maria-ep-17-bishop-james-ruggieri

"When we think about evangelization, we might first think of arguments, catechism classes, or homilies. These are all important, but none of them bear fruit without joy."

In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri emphasizes that joy is the mark of a Christian alive in the Spirit. Not to be confused with happiness or pleasure, true joy comes from the Holy Spirit. In a divided, cynical world, joy outshines fear.

Listen to this episode for practical advice on how to live your faith joyfully in daily life.

A full transcript can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/witnessing-secular-world-auspice-maria-ep-16-bishop-james-ruggieri

Bishop James Ruggieri explores what it truly means to be a missionary parish in 2025. Moving beyond the walls of buildings, he reflects on the parish as a living community of faith, called to proclaim the Gospel, foster encounters with Christ, and build the kingdom of God. Drawing on the teachings of Vatican II and Canon Law, Bishop Ruggieri challenges us to reclaim a vision of parish life centered on mission, communion, and service.

A full transcript can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/parish-center-mission-auspice-maria-ep-15-bishop-james-ruggieri

The Maine Catholic Podcast is a production of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, all rights reserved.

This week, Bishop Ruggieri speaks about our call to live the Gospel in the everyday moments of life. He explores how ordinary things like work, school, and friendship can become pathways to holiness.

His excellency cites the example of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati to show us how we can lift others to holiness without succumbing to despair. He also gives practical advice for supporting teen parents and the elderly.

What is one simple choice you can make today to let the Gospel shape your daily life more deeply?

A full transcript can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/living-gospel-daily-life-auspice-maria-ep-14-bishop-james-ruggieri

Auspice Maria is part of the Maine Catholic Podcast, a production of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. All rights reserved.

Bob McDermott is the Director of the Office of Safe Environment for the Diocese of Portland. He joined our Communications Manager, Jake Buttarazzi, to talk through everything our diocese does to make sure children, and vulnerable adults, are safe in our communities. These efforts have made our churches some of the safest places for children, despite what many people think.

A full transcript can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/protecting-gods-children-bob-mcdermott-maine-catholic-podcast

For more information about our Protecting God's Children program, visit https://portlanddiocese.org/protecting-gods-children

The Maine Catholic Podcast is a production the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine. All Rights reserved.

In this week’s episode of the Auspice Maria Podcast, Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on what it means to evangelize culture. He invites us to see how faith meets daily life—in our media, our art, our education, our politics, and even in the small choices we make at home. With the guidance of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and St. Francis of Assisi, Bishop Ruggieri reminds us that culture is not something to flee from, but something to enter into and transform with the light of Christ.

A full transcript is available on our website here: ⁠https://portlanddiocese.org/news/auspice-maria-ep-13-evangelizing-culture

The Maine Catholic Podcast is a production of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine. All rights reserved.

In this week’s episode of Auspice Maria, Bishop Ruggieri invites us into a powerful reflection on how justice and mercy are not extras in the life of the Church—they’re essential to how we evangelize. He explores the heart of Catholic social teaching and shows how real evangelization happens not just in words, but in action: when we serve the poor, visit the sick, comfort the sorrowful, and advocate for the dignity of every human person. Whether you're new to these themes or looking to go deeper, this episode will challenge and encourage you to live your faith more fully—right where you are.A full transcript is available on our website here: https://portlanddiocese.org/news/auspice-maria-ep-12-justice-mercy-and-evangelization

The Maine Catholic Podcast is a production of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine. All rights reserved.

What does it mean to live a vocational life? How do our unique vocations build the Kingdom of God? In this episode, Bishop James Ruggieri reflects on the power of saying “yes” to God’s invitation, drawing wisdom from Scripture, Church teaching, and the example of the Blessed Mother.

Whether married, single, ordained, or consecrated, your life has a mission. Jesus wants you to live it with purpose, joy, and love.

A Full transcript can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/auspice-maria-ep-11-our-lives-are-not-accident

Auspice Maria is part of The Maine Catholic Podcast, a production of the Diocese of Portland in Maine.

What is the Kingdom of God, and where do we find it? In this episode, Bishop Ruggieri reflects on the heart of Jesus’ message—a kingdom already among us, yet still to come in fullness.

He invites us to consider how the Church is called to live this kingdom now: by building a culture of love, life, and mercy. This is not just a future hope, but a present call—to live as citizens of heaven while still on earth.

A full Transcription can be found on our website at https://portlanddiocese.org/news/podcast-auspice-maria-ep-10-where-kingdom-god