Catholic Stuff You Should Know

Afleveringen

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  Patron Saints 31.07.2026 55min

  Why does the Church encourage us to have a patron saint? In this episode, Frs. Sean and Jacob explore the meaning of patronage in the communion of saints. The saints are living members of Christ’s Body who intercede for us, accompany us, and model the many ways holiness can be lived. The conversation reflects on why particular saints seem to “choose us,” how patron saints help shape our Christian vocation, and why asking for their prayers deepens rather than distracts from our relationship with Christ. They especially highlight the witness of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. John Paul II, showing how their unique lives continue to inspire the Church today.
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  De Sales, de Chantal and the Col de la Croix de Fer 23.07.2026 47min

  As the final installment of Fr. John's cycling-French saint pairings, this week's podcast explores the charisms of one of the great friendships of Church history - St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Centered on the shared life in Annecy and the foundation of the Visitation religious community, Fr. John and Fr. Sean unpack some of the seminal insights of St. Francis' Introduction to the Devout Life. Tying this into the cycling history of the famous Col de la Croix de Fer (or "Pass of the Iron Cross"), they hope to instill a sense of our heroic capacity in Christ through the ordinary and everyday things of life.
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  Sacraments, Sacramentals, and Relics 16.07.2026 40min

  Why does God use material things to communicate His grace? In this week’s episode, Frs. John and Sean explore the Catholic understanding of sacraments, sacramentals, and relics. What makes a sacrament different from a sacramental? Why does the Church bless everything from homes to rosaries? And why do Catholics venerate the relics of the saints? Along the way, they discuss why matter matters, how the Incarnation changes the way we see creation, and why God continues to use visible signs to draw us to invisible realities.
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  St. Margaret Mary and the Alpe d'Huez 10.07.2026 49min

  As Part two of Fr. John's three-part French cycling-pilgrimage series, this week's episode introduces the life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Under the theme of the ardent and fiery love of God, it is paired with the Alpe d'Huez - the most iconic climb of the Tour de France, featured in the coming weeks of this year's tour.
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  Priest and Beggar 02.07.2026 52min

  Fr. John and Fr. Sean discuss the life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz, an American priest who gave his life to serving the poorest of the poor in Korea, Mexico, and beyond. Through his witness, the podcast takes up the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with special attention to what poverty means for priests, lay people, Americans, and even those discerning how to tithe after retirement.
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  The Curé d'Ars and Col du Galibier 25.06.2026 44min

  This week's episode begins a three-part series by Fr. John, pairing French saints with famous Tour de France stage climbs. These reflections, born from his recent pilgrimage, begin in the farmtown of Ars with St. John Vianney and make their way to the acclaimed Col du Galibier in the French Alps. Fr. Sean, having visited Ars and himself an avid cyclist, brings his own thoughts to bear on the first of these curious pairings.
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  The Threefold Office of Every Christian 19.06.2026 42min

  In this week’s episode Frs. John and Sean explore the baptismal call to share in Christ’s threefold office as priest, prophet, and king. What do these titles actually mean for ordinary Catholics? Drawing from Scripture, tradition, and everyday life, the podcast examines how all the baptized are called to offer sacrifice, proclaim truth, and exercise stewardship. Far from being reserved for clergy, the mission of priest, prophet, and king belongs to every Christian as a participation in the life and mission of Christ Himself.
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  A Family Affair 12.06.2026 42min

  Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean talk about their various experiences with family ministry and emphasize the importance of communities of families living out the Catholic faith.
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  Life is a Miracle 04.06.2026 45min

  In this week's episode Frs. John and Sean take up Wendell Berry's Life is a Miracle: An Essay Against Modern Superstition. Laying out his critique of Edward O. Wilson's Consilience, the podcast discusses how the Enlightenment worldview seeks to enshrine empiricism and adorn science as the capstone of reality. In Berry we find a compelling argument for the true unknowability of creation, which as gift, is nothing short of a miracle.
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  Before They Set Something on Fire 29.05.2026 44min

  This week guest host Fr. CJ Mast takes the lead on discussing the educational ideal of St. John Bosco. Known as the "preventive system," Bosco's approach is informed by the experience not just "being loved" - but "knowing that you are loved." Reflecting on his six years of high school chaplaincy, Fr. CJ unpacks with Fr. John the varying themes that lie within this authentic human approach to education.
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  Spring Cleaning Your Soul 21.05.2026 54min

  This episode explores the profound importance of confession in the Catholic faith. Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob offer practical guidance on how to make a good confession, the sacramental theology of it, and the spiritual benefits of this sacrament.
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  Clouds, Thrones, and Glory 15.05.2026 47min

  Fr. Sean and Fr. John unpack the mystery of the Ascension through the lens of Scripture. Far more than Jesus floating into the sky, the Ascension reveals Christ’s heavenly enthronement as king and high priest. Drawing from Acts 1, Daniel 7, and Hebrews, they explore the cloud of glory, the heavenly Temple, and the heavenly glory.
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  Triumph of the Heart 08.05.2026 58min

  Fr. Jacob and Fr. John welcome a special guest Anthony D'Ambrosio, the director of the film Triumph of the Heart. Between Fr. Jacob and Anthony nerding out about film and the creative process, they talk about the journey of faith, passing through trials, Catholic art, and the creative spirit.
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  Dante's Paradiso 01.05.2026 49min

  Concluding our three-series on Dante, Fr. John and Fr. Jacob walk through the finale of Dante's Divine Comedy, the Paradiso. This "highlights reel" serves as an overview of the work for anyone every interested, but intimated by a poem of such stature. We hope it inspires a reading, as the poetry of Dante is truly inexhaustible. If you are interested in more, check out Fr. John's nine-part lecture series at Our Lady of Lourdes: https://www.youtube.com/@LourdesDenver/streams.
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  Cosmological Evidence for God 24.04.2026 41min

  Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean look at some of the compelling contemporary scientific evidence for the existence of God before discussing St. Thomas' 2nd and 3rd cosmological proofs. Join this discussion of causality, contingency, beauty and wonder at the universe and it's creator.
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  Dante's Purgatorio 16.04.2026 55min

  As the second installation of his three-part series, Fr. John offers an introduction and overview of the second canticle of Dante's Divine Comedy - The Purgatorio. He is joined by guest host Fr. CJ Mast, a fellow companion and long time friend. If you are looking for more on Dante, check out Fr. John's nine-part lecture series at Our Lady of Lourdes: https://www.youtube.com/@LourdesDenver/streams.
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  Keep the Party Going 10.04.2026 56min

  This week Fr. Jacob and Fr. John talk about the hinge pin of the liturgical year, Holy Week, the Triduum and the Easter Octave. Launching from the Easter season they discuss the liturgical year at large and how it all flow from and to the greatest of solemnities Easter!
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  Dante's Inferno 03.04.2026 1u

  This week Fr. Sean and Fr. John do a deep-dive introduction to the first canticle of Dante's Divine Comedy, The Inferno. Following the lecture series of Fr. John at Our Lady of Lourdes, they provide a comprehensive overview, the first of a three-week program from the podcast. To view the lectures at Lourdes by Fr. John, visit https://www.youtube.com/@LourdesDenver/streams.
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  Arma Christi 26.03.2026 55min

  Fathers Sean and Jacob reflect on the Arma Christi, the weapons of Christ, which were used as the instruments of Christ's Passion. In addition, they dive into the brutality of the sufferings that Christ experienced and then reflect on redemptive suffering.
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  (Sage) Against the Machine 20.03.2026 50min

  In this week's episode, Fr. Jacob and Fr. John unpack one of the key features of Paul Kingsnorth's Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity. Understanding the modern world from the perspective of the "machine," the hosts draw us into a conversation about the inner logic of lent, and how to avoid making it an instance of machine-like faith.