Jump right into the meat of what Pope Francis' has to say about God's mercy in this episode (after Fr. Alan fires off his laser to get that out of his system). Fr. Chris' 2-Minute Drill points out that if there's anything never-ending about the human story, it's God's mercy. Fr. Shaun's famous 'creative Latin' will give you a chuckle. We explore how God's infinite mercy is rooted in His divine nature, and how our need to show mercy is rooted in God's mercy toward us. And Fr. Jerry takes this week's Pop Quiz Hotshot question, "What is an indulgence?" Enjoy!

Vatican You is back in the New Year, and to get things started off right, we're spending a couple of shows delving into Pope Francis' "papal bull" inaugurating this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy). But as we all know, God's mercy is no bull! In addition to encountering the intentional connection between the Year of Mercy and Vatican II, we explore why the document is called a "papal bull," what it means to encounter the "face of mercy", and what the big deal is with these holy doors we keep hearing about. Share your questions on our Facebook page; search for Vatican You Show.

5 months, 17 episodes, 5,000+ podcast streams - all leading to our first "wrap show" where your hosts conclude our stroll through Vatican II's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium). But not to fret! This episode includes the "big reveal" on where Vatican You will turn in the New Year (you don't wanna miss that!) Hear about the liturgical device malfunction that prevents one of our hosts from joining us (in the same week he experienced a hilarious priestly wardrobe malfunction), and explore how the Star Wars Universe collides with Catholicism in Catholic News Desk Live. Our hosts give their "last words" on this document and offer some suggestions for translating all this information into "real life." Join us!

We being to wind our reflections on Sacrosanctum Concilium with this "Supernatural Reality" edition considering the last two chapters on sacred music, art, and furnishings. Hear our hosts' favorite "Elf on the Shelf" disasters...and listen as they try to trip up Fr. Alan's 4 minute long '2 Minute Drill.' The difference between "singing at Mass" vs. "singing the Mass" and the 'pride of place' given to liturgical music in the sacred liturgy is discussed, and how all this ties together into achieving that 'full, conscious, and active participation' the Council speaks of throughout the document. On our first "Two Sides of the Same Coin" segment, our hosts discuss the liturgical year and Advent from the perspective of 'cradles' and 'converts.' And - yes - discover how these things that seem focused only on what happens 'at Church' really do have "Real Life" applications for all of us. Explore how everything about the liturgy is designed to sharpen our vision to help all of us see and experience the "supernatural realities" that make ordinary life an extraordinary journey.

The liturgical year is this week's topic (Sacrosanctum Concilium, par 102-111), thou the hosts consider pitching "Seasons of Grace" as a new hit TV series...you've got to hear their concept. Explore why the Council Fathers refer to Sundays as the "eighth day" and its significance on living the Christian life (and some often unnoticed aspects of Church architecture). Discuss how the liturgical year, each week, and even each day is somewhat of a "nesting doll" of the Christian mystery, and the purpose behind that cyclic repetition. This weeks' "Pop Quiz Hotshot" considers what Fr. Chris' sandwiches have to do with the coming Year of Mercy. And consider some practical ways to embrace the liturgical seasons in our Real Life segment. Enjoy!

Fr. Chris helps Fr. Shaun get his pop-culture references straightened out and Fr. Alan hides an "Easter Egg" for UK Newman Center students right at the beginning of this episode discussing the Council's vision of the Liturgy of the Hours ("The Divine Office") in Ch. 4 of Sacrosanctum Concilium. Fr. Chris connects the Liturgy of the Hours (and Eucharistic Adoration) to the Mass, we offer practical suggestions for getting started with prayer that focuses the movement of our days, weeks, years, and seasons on God, and we discover the patron saint who can help in your next "Whack-A-Mole" adventure in this week's Patron Saint Roulette.

Fr. Chris' dancing monkey gets us started on this week's "Rites 2.0" edition covering the Council's revisions to ordination, marriage, and funeral rites (among others). Looking back at Halloween, the hosts share their favorite costumes, and Fr. Alan describes the preparations he made to survive the festivities on a large college campus. Fr. Shaun offers some important perspectives on how the pre-conciliar marriage and funeral rites can continue to inform our celebrations today. Fr. Jerry helps us get our story straight on the martyrdom of St. Denis. And our hosts explore the Church's position on Halloween in this week's "Mail Bag" segment.

After a week's hiatus at the Super Secret Vatican You Research Labs, the hosts are back to continue our journey through Sacrosanctum Concilium (par. 75-82) considering the changes the Council Fathers sought in the sacraments that mark the great movements and moments of our lives. Explore the relationship between water, oil and dirt (that goes beyond Fr. Alan's typical laundry concerns.) Fr. Chris burns Fr. Alan so bad within the first 2 minutes that Fr. Chris thinks our listeners should send Fr. Alan some cookies to heal his wounded ego. Fr. Shaun takes the 2-Minute Drill, and we reflect on the "journey" the Council highlighted in the changes to the Sacraments of Initiation. Catholic News Desk Life considers the relationship between the Vatican and Star Wars/Star Trek, and we get a perfect example of Fr. Chris' fine-tuned sarcasm.

The hosts fight to overcome some technical challenges on our "Sacred Stop Signs" pondering the Council's ideas on Sacraments and Sacramental in the life of faith. (Hang in there with us, friends - we're overcoming the technical challenges one step at a time.) Fr. Shaun takes our 2 Minute Drill, and Fr. Jerry tries his hand at our first round of "Devotional Intelligence" taking a closer look at the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Along the way, we take a closer look at blessed salt, holy water, blessed candles, and the many different "Sacred Stop Signs" that help turn our hearts and minds toward God and help us be open to the grace and love we encounter in Christ.

To celebrate our 10th episode, Fr. Alan does his best David Bowie impression to launch this episode exploring the "Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes" to the Mass decreed by Vatican II (Sacrosanctum Concilium par. 50-57). With our gaming license in order, Fr. Shaun spins the 'Patron Saint Roulette' wheel, leading to Fr. Jerry asking Fr. Alan to "moo" for us. Fr. Chris reviews the liturgical changes in the '2-Minute Drill', and along the way we consider the role of the faithful in the homily, and the significance of the changes being driven by restoration rather than innovation. Also, learn at least one decree the Council made that we seem to be overlooking in the Church today. Join us!