The Best of the Week

Episodes

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  A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Relevant Radio (Family Rosary Across America) 24.09.2026 1m

  Mary from Garibaldi, Oregon, had been trying for years to get her family to listen to Relevant Radio. Then she finally received the news she had been praying for: a cousin in Texas had tuned in. “I want to thank God that I finally got through to one of my relatives,” Mary told Father Rocky during the Family Rosary Across America. Father Rocky celebrated the good news and encouraged listeners to keep inviting their own friends and family to pray the Rosary together. Mary’s simple prayer of thanksgiving is a reminder to persevere when sharing the Faith. Sometimes, an invitation may seem to go unheard. But God can work through our patient prayers and small efforts to bring the people we love closer to Him. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  A Catholic Family Is Fighting to Bring Their Daughter Home (Trending with Timmerie) 24.09.2026 22m

  Joseph and Arlene Kutzko are fighting to regain custody of their teenage daughter, Sophie, while seeking to prevent the state from administering testosterone to her. On Trending with Timmerie, Timmerie spoke with moral philosopher Dr. Theresa Farnon about the Massachusetts case and what it means for parents trying to protect and form their children. The Kutzkos say their daughter’s school began treating her as male without their knowledge. Their daughter was later taken into state custody, and the parents have not had contact with her since early 2025. They are now challenging the state’s attempt to authorize testosterone treatment. Recent reporting confirms that a federal investigation into the school district has also been announced. The circumstances surrounding Sophie’s removal remain disputed. Court records describe allegations of a violent incident and restraining orders, while the Kutzkos and their attorney dispute the allegations and argue that the conflict over gender transition is central to the case. Some juvenile records remain sealed. For Timmerie and Dr. Farnon, the case underscores the importance of parents remaining closely involved in their children’s lives, particularly as teenagers encounter powerful influences at school and online. “You need to hold them accountable. You need to insist on parental rights,” Dr. Farnon said. She also urged Catholics to support struggling families rather than judge them: “When you hear of a story like this, do not judge, because this could easily be somebody you know.” Timmerie ended with a call to prayer for the Kutzko family as their legal battle continues. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Jesus, the Divine Physician: Finding Hope When Life Feels Overwhelming (Marriage Unhindered) 24.09.2026 12m

  For anyone carrying anxiety, depression, loneliness, or years of suffering, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge has a message: Never give up hope. Speaking with Doug Hinderer on Marriage Unhindered, Bishop Burbidge reflected on Jesus as the Divine Physician and the healing found through faith. “Do you believe I can do this for you?” Bishop Burbidge recalled Jesus asking those who sought healing. His invitation for us is simple: “Yes, Lord, I believe you can do this for me.” That trust does not mean Christians will escape suffering. Bishop Burbidge pointed to Mary standing at the foot of the Cross. Now, he said, she accompanies us as we carry our own crosses. For those overwhelmed by mental health struggles, Bishop Burbidge also emphasized that God can work through faithful mental health professionals and the support of His Church. “Jesus knows you by name. He loves you. His Church loves you,” he said. “Jesus is always in our midst.” The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Why Are College Students Turning to the Catholic Church? (The Drew Mariani Show) 24.09.2026 8m

  Something unexpected is happening on American college campuses. Young adults are showing a growing interest in the Catholic Church. On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew shared reports of rising participation in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at universities across the country. Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary, has seen the shift firsthand. At Arizona State University, where the University of Mary partners with the Newman Center, Monsignor Shea said conversions increased dramatically. “In one year we went from 32 conversions down there to almost 150 conversions down there in one single year.” But why are young adults being drawn to a 2,000-year-old Church? Monsignor Shea believes Catholic media is playing an important role, giving young people opportunities to encounter the Faith through digital platforms. He also sees among young men, a desire to be challenged. “Deep down in every human heart, and that includes the heart of our young men, is a desire for greatness,” he said. Rather than offering a life of mediocrity, the Catholic Faith calls men and women to holiness, sacrifice, purpose, and ultimately, Christ. For Drew, the trend includes not only conversions but reversions as well. Baptized Catholics who never practiced the Faith are beginning to discover it for themselves. Amid concerns about young people abandoning religion, these stories offer a hopeful reminder: God is still working in hearts, sometimes in unexpected places. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  How to Use Artificial Intelligence Without Losing Your Mind (The Mark Swartzberg Show) 24.09.2026 13m

  AI can help us accomplish incredible things, but could relying on it too much weaken our ability to think? Dr. Donald Bungum joined Mark Swartzberg on Relevant Radio to discuss how we can use AI without “losing our minds.” He began with Aristotle’s three acts of the mind: understanding what something is, judging what is true or false, and reasoning from what we know toward what we do not know. Those skills require something increasingly difficult in a screen-filled world: attention. Dr. Bungum offered a surprisingly simple test: Draw a bird. How accurately can you reproduce its details? If we move through life passively consuming images and information, we risk losing the habit of closely observing reality for ourselves. The antidote begins with prayer. “Prayer makes you smarter,” Dr. Bungum recalled learning from his mentor, Father Andrew Pinsent. Prayer gives us time away from the noise to encounter God, who is Truth, and to understand the deeper meaning of what we encounter. Dr. Bungum pointed to Jesus as the model: He repeatedly withdrew to pray before returning to serve others. We need a similar rhythm of contemplation and action. AI can be a powerful tool for our work, but we also need time apart from technology to pray, study, create, and think. Rather than simply consuming information, Dr. Bungum encouraged listeners to study something they care about and then share what they learn with others. AI should serve the intellectual life – not replace it. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  The Purpose of Mass and the Real Presence (The Tim Glemkowski Show) 24.09.2026 9m

  At Mass, are we there to be entertained or are we there to worship God and receive Him? Tim Glemkowski addressed this question after a listener challenged a previous discussion about a young girl performing a ballerina dance during Mass. Tim agreed that such additions can distract from what the liturgy truly is. “What are we doing at the Mass?” Tim asked. “We’re there as a people, as the people of God who are participating communally...to worship God.” The Mass is not a performance shaped by personal preferences. Tim emphasized that reverence and fidelity to the Church’s liturgical rubrics help express the reality taking place: “This is where heaven meets earth and where God gives us Himself.” Tim also answered a listener wondering whether Catholics receive something less when a parish does not offer the chalice. The answer is no. Whether someone receives the consecrated Host alone or under both species, Tim explained, the communicant receives the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. Catholics therefore need not fear that receiving only the Host means receiving “a diminished sacrament or less grace.” Both questions point back to the same reality: the Eucharist is Jesus Christ Himself, and the Mass deserves our deepest reverence. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  What is the Rationale Behind Infant Baptism? (The Patrick Madrid Show) 24.09.2026 4m

  When Maureen from Lake Forest, Illinois, called The Patrick Madrid Show, she had two questions: Why does the Catholic Church baptize infants, and does the Church recognize Protestant marriages? Patrick explained that marriage is a natural institution established by God. The Church presumes a marriage between one man and one woman who are free to marry is valid unless proven otherwise. When two baptized people validly marry, their marriage is sacramental. Turning to infant Baptism, Patrick compared it to circumcision under the Old Covenant. Parents entered their children into that covenant even though the children could not understand what was happening. But Baptism goes further. “It’s not merely an outward sign,” Patrick explained. “It actually does what it symbolizes.” Through Baptism, Christ truly gives grace and new life. That is why infants can receive the sacrament even before they are capable of personally repenting or understanding it. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Her Mission Changed, but It Didn’t End (The Inner Life) 24.09.2026 3m

  At 87 years old, Rose has spent decades serving the Church. A convert of 60 years, she was once active in many ministries, but now she is unable even to get to Mass. Still, Rose hasn’t stopped looking for ways to serve. Calling The Inner Life, she told Patrick Conley and Marcel LeJeune about a simple ministry she discovered during everyday phone calls. Whether a conversation with a stranger goes smoothly or becomes frustrating, Rose ends it the same way: “God bless you.” The response has surprised her. “Many are saying, God bless you, too, as if they’re surprised that they’re getting that,” Rose said. Marcel pointed out that Rose’s circumstances may have changed, but her mission hasn’t disappeared. “I think there’s a limitation—is not a limitation for Jesus,” he said. “The Lord’s always creative in ways to reach people.” We may never know what a simple blessing means to someone having a difficult day. But Rose’s witness reminds us that evangelization doesn’t require a microphone, a ministry title, or even leaving home. Sometimes, it begins with three words offered with love. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Daniel and Gabriel Sing “Happy Birthday” to Pope Leo (Family Rosary Across America) 17.09.2026 1m

  Six-year-old Daniel and eight-year-old Gabriel from Los Angeles brought an extra dose of joy to the Family Rosary Across America. Gabriel called to pray for his grandpa on his birthday and for his own upcoming birthday in July. But Daniel had another request: Could Fr. Rocky and Maggie sing “Happy Birthday” for them? Maggie happily obliged, adding another birthday celebrant to the song: Pope Leo! Then Fr. Rocky turned the tables. He asked Daniel and Gabriel if they could sing “Happy Birthday” to the Holy Father. The brothers enthusiastically agreed. “Happy birthday, dear Pope Leo,” they sang together, complete with a cheerful “cha-cha-cha!” “Thank you, Daniel and Gabriel, with your wonderful spirit,” Fr. Rocky said. It was a simple moment of prayer, family, and childlike joy. It was a birthday greeting Pope Leo would surely appreciate. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  “Mary Is Holding My Hand Through This” (The Inner Life) 17.09.2026 3m

  Lynn called The Inner Life from a parked car outside a hospital in California. She was about to walk inside for her final round of radiation. Three years earlier, Lynn had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Then, just one month later, her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. “I was devastated,” Lynn told Deacon Patrick Conley and guest Father Tom Wilson. “I was so worried, more so than my own diagnosis.” During that painful season, a stranger at Holy Family in San Jose gave Lynn prayers connected to the Passion of Jesus and the Seven Sorrows of Mary. As a mother watching her son suffer while carrying her own cross, Lynn found herself turning to the Blessed Mother. “I asked Mother Mary to help me through this, help my son through this.” Today, her son is thriving while managing his diabetes, and Lynn continues her own fight against cancer. Yet, as she prepared for radiation, she described something stronger than her fear. “I have so much peace,” she said. Her devotion has also widened her heart toward other mothers carrying crosses of their own. She prays to Our Lady of Sorrows for mothers and children experiencing illness and suffering. Before heading into the hospital, Lynn asked listeners for prayers. “Although there’s fear, I am in complete peace. Mary is holding my hand through this.” Deacon Patrick assured her that listeners across the country would be praying as she entered treatment, calling upon Our Lady of Sorrows to intercede for her. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Three Ways to Grow in Wisdom and Grow in Your Marriage (Marriage Unhindered) 17.09.2026 14m

  What does wisdom have to do with a happy marriage? According to Doug Hinderer on Marriage Unhindered, quite a lot. Drawing from the wisdom of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Doug shares three practices that can help spouses grow closer to God and each other. First, give thanks and praise. St. Bernard teaches us to recognize God’s goodness in the small things. Doug applies that directly to marriage: look deliberately for your spouse’s virtues and express your gratitude. Two of the most powerful things a husband or wife can hear are “thank you” and a sincere compliment. Second, go to confession. Sin clouds our judgment, while the Sacrament of Reconciliation turns us back toward God, the source of wisdom. Doug regularly encourages Catholic couples he works with to make a good confession, especially when their marriage is struggling. Finally, practice prudence in your expectations and speech. Don’t demand perfection from your spouse. Instead, Doug encourages couples to “celebrate their virtues” and “joyfully tolerate their defects.” That also means rejecting criticism, contempt, sarcasm, put-downs, and belittling. Ultimately, St. Bernard’s wisdom points back to love—love of God and love of neighbor. For married couples, that begins with prayer. As Doug reminds listeners, “The more you pray with your spouse, the more you will love your spouse.” The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  College Students and their Growing Interest in Catholicism (The Drew Mariani Show) 17.09.2026 11m

  Something remarkable is happening on college campuses across the country. Young adults are showing a growing interest in becoming Catholic. On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew shared reports of increased participation in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at universities including Harvard, Arizona State, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. What are these young people searching for? A survey of more than 2,100 OCIA participants found that 84% wanted a deeper relationship with God, 77% wanted to grow in goodness and virtue, and 76% wanted a deeper understanding of truth. Others were drawn by the Church’s liturgy, sacraments, and long tradition. Catholic Missionary Disciples founder Marcel LeJeune has witnessed the growth firsthand at Texas A&M. He described an OCIA program so large that hundreds of students and team members needed the former church building just to fit everyone. For Marcel, the explanation begins with grace. “This is a work of God,” he said. “He’s the only one that can convert a heart.” But there is something Catholics can do: invite. Drew noted that 33% of those surveyed said an invitation from a Catholic friend, spouse, sibling, or mentor to attend Mass played a role in their journey. That means a simple question – “Would you like to come to Mass with me?” – could be more powerful than you realize. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  What Meteorites and the Moon Can Teach Us About God (The Mark Swartzberg Show) 17.09.2026 14m

  What does studying a meteorite have to do with knowing God? Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J., astronomer and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, joined The Mark Swartzberg Show to explain how exploring the universe can deepen our appreciation for its Creator. Brother Guy’s fascination with space began during the space race. Eventually, meteorites captured his imagination. He describes these ancient rocks as the “scrap heap of the planets,” containing clues about how our solar system formed. For Brother Guy, however, science offers more than information. “That’s where you see God – in the joy,” he said. Looking at the night sky brings layers of wonder: memories of his father teaching him constellations, lessons from his years as a student, and discoveries made throughout his career. All of it points beyond everyday worries toward something much greater. “All of these different layers lead me deeper and deeper into appreciating a universe which is so beautiful, so much bigger than my day-to-day problems,” he said. That beauty can also become a reminder of God’s presence. Brother Guy explained that even a child looking up and marveling at the moon can encounter something profound. “Even if you can’t see the moon, you know the moon is there,” he said. “Even if you can’t feel God, you know God is there.” Science measures the physical universe, but Brother Guy says it can open our hearts to realities beyond measurement: joy, beauty, and love. The Vatican Observatory itself reflects the Church’s longstanding conviction that faith and scientific inquiry need not be enemies. Studying creation can instead become another way of marveling at the Creator. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  The Stories We Wish We Had Asked About (The Patrick Madrid Show) 17.09.2026 14m

  Don called The Patrick Madrid Show with a question about watching Mass on television. At 92 years old and living with disabilities that make attending Mass difficult, he wanted reassurance that watching from home was still worthwhile. Patrick explained that someone legitimately unable to attend Mass is not sinning by missing it and encouraged Don to continue watching. “You’re doing a good thing,” Patrick told him. “It’s a meritorious, good thing to be able to watch Mass online or on TV.” But the conversation soon became something unexpected: a journey through history. Don remembered sitting with his family around a battery-powered radio on their Wisconsin farm, lit by oil lamps, when they heard President Franklin D. Roosevelt address the nation after Pearl Harbor. He remembered ration cards, scarce coffee, gold stars in neighborhood windows, and the joy when World War II finally ended. Patrick realized he was speaking with someone carrying memories that fewer and fewer people can share firsthand. That prompted a regret from Patrick’s own life. As a young man in the Knights of Columbus, he knew numerous World War II veterans but rarely stopped to hear their stories. “I was sitting with these historians who could have shared so much with me if I just sat there and listened to them and asked them questions,” Patrick recalled. “And I can’t go back to that.” Cyrus offered the lesson for younger listeners: “Go talk to your grandparents.” Their memories are part of your story, too. Don ended his call by asking listeners to pray for his wife, Emily, who died after nearly 71 years of marriage. Patrick offered his condolences and prayers for her soul. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Why Even Priests Need Time to Rest (The Tim Glemkowski Show) 17.09.2026 4m

  Priesthood brings the privilege of entering people’s lives at their most important moments. But moving from someone’s deepest grief to another's greatest joy can also take a toll. Speaking with Tim Glemkowski, Fr. Alex McCullough reflected on the cumulative weight of years in parish ministry. He has celebrated more than 100 weddings and 300 baptisms, while also accompanying families through funerals and profound suffering. Sometimes those moments come almost back-to-back. A priest may walk with a grieving family and, shortly afterward, celebrate a joyful wedding or offer Mass. Over time, he explained, there may not always be enough opportunity to process those experiences with the Lord. His hope for a sabbatical is to learn “how to have a more manageable life that does allow me to process these things with the Lord rather than just carry them with me all the time.” He also shared advice from a fellow priest after one particularly brutal pastoral experience. The answer was simple: “There’s nothing to do in that situation but give it to Jesus.” That can mean returning to the Lord at the end of a long day and placing what happened before Him: “Lord, I have no idea what to do with this.” It’s a powerful glimpse into the hidden sacrifices priests make while serving God’s people. Their vocation cannot be carried by human strength alone. As this priest put it, there is no way to live it without “complete and total trust and reliance on powers that are well beyond anything you could ever muster yourself.” The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  The Psychiatric Diagnosis of Normal Personalities (Trending with Timmerie) 17.09.2026 17m

  On Trending with Timmerie, family physician and psychologist Dr. Leonard Sax raises concerns about what he calls the medicalization of normal human differences. Dr. Sax points to the dramatic increase in autism diagnoses without intellectual disability and argues that changing diagnostic standards have made it easier for ordinary struggles with social interaction to be labeled as disorders. His concern is not with people who genuinely need support, but with treating every difficulty as something that defines a person. “People being told that they are on the spectrum when in fact that's just kind of who they happen to be,” he said. “And it's not fixed. You can change who you are.” Dr. Sax sees a similar problem with ADHD. He tells Timmerie about a boy whose declining grades led to an ADHD diagnosis and prescription for Vyvanse. When Dr. Sax investigated further, however, he discovered that the boy was staying up until 1:30am playing video games in his bedroom. “Sleep deprivation perfectly mimics ADHD of the inattentive variety,” he explained. His advice for parents is practical: keep video game consoles and phones out of bedrooms and be willing to establish firm boundaries. He recommends that parents take their children’s phones at night rather than expecting teenagers to resist social pressure on their own. “You have to find the courage to be the evil parent,” he joked. For Timmerie, there is also a deeper Christian lesson. Our weaknesses and struggles do not diminish the dignity and beauty God has given each person. Instead of allowing a label to become an excuse for avoiding growth, Christians are called continually toward greater discipline and virtue. As Dr. Sax put it, “That's the Christian walk. That's the challenge that each of us face, is to improve, to be better.” The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Bittersweet Anniversary: Prayers for a Loved One (Family Rosary Across America) 10.09.2026 1m

  Rose from Lawndale, California, called Family Rosary Across America on a bittersweet anniversary: one year since the death of her husband, George. Rose first discovered Relevant Radio on George’s first day of home hospice. Now, she shared the remarkable story of their nearly 45-year marriage and the dates that seemed to weave their lives together. George was born on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the same feast day on which Rose was baptized. They met on All Souls’ Day, and Rose said it was “love at first sight.” “I hit the husband lottery,” she told Father Rocky. George loved God, went to church with her, and served his country in the military. On the anniversary of his death, Rose had just returned from Riverside National Cemetery. Her simple request was for prayers for the man she still loves so deeply. Please join Rose in praying for the repose of George’s soul and for all the faithful departed. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Why Daily Mental Prayer is Vital (The Inner Life) 10.09.2026 4m

  We know the Holy Rosary matters. We know the Mass is essential. But is there another kind of prayer that Christians need if they want to grow deeper in the spiritual life? On The Inner Life, Patrick Conley and Fr. Eric Nielsen explored mental prayer, unscripted prayer in which we intentionally lift our hearts and minds to God. Unlike vocal prayers, such as the Hail Mary, Rosary, or the Mass, mental prayer is not scripted. But that doesn’t make vocal prayer less important. As Fr. Eric emphasized, “All prayer should come from the heart.” Mental prayer creates space for a personal encounter with the Lord. Sometimes that means having a conversation with God. Other times, it can mean simply contemplating Him or a truth of the Faith. And in a world overflowing with distractions, setting aside that time is especially important. “We can't just be rushing through the day, you know, saying our rosary and going to bed,” Fr. Eric explained. We need time deliberately set apart to allow the Lord to work in our hearts. He offered a sports analogy: “The Rosary is kind of like, you know, working out in the gym, and the Mass is the game. But mental prayer is the practice.” Just as an athlete practices so he can perform when the game begins, mental prayer prepares us to enter more deeply into the Mass and encounter Jesus there. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Are You Keeping Too Much From Your Spouse? (Marriage Unhindered) 10.09.2026 7m

  Sometimes, trying not to hurt your spouse can actually create more distance. On Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer speaks with Ellie, a wife of five years and mother of three, who says she and her husband tend to keep frustrations and criticisms to themselves. They worry their feelings might be unfair or irrational, so they stay quiet. But that silence has a cost. “I don't want to share the bad stuff. I don't really want to share the good stuff either,” Ellie explains. “And then we just start to operate in a coexistence.” Doug encourages Ellie to change the way she views difficult conversations. Instead of seeing criticism as proof that she is a bad spouse, she can see her husband's feedback as an opportunity to love him better. “The only way I can be the best is if I know where I'm kind of messing up,” Doug says. That requires both spouses to communicate gently. Rather than attacking or blaming, Doug recommends explaining how something makes you feel and asking your spouse for a specific change. The goal isn't to prove who is right. It's to help each other become better husbands and wives. Doug also suggests a practical habit for busy couples: a brief “stress-reducing conversation” at the end of the day. Each spouse takes a few minutes to share what went wrong, while the other listens, offers affection, and expresses appreciation. For Ellie and her husband, raising three children makes finding time together difficult. But even a few intentional minutes can keep the day's frustrations from piling up. Marriage isn't strengthened by pretending everything is fine. When spouses create a safe place for honest, charitable communication, even frustrations can become opportunities for deeper intimacy. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Did the Heavens Mark the Death of Christ? (The Drew Mariani Show) 10.09.2026 13m

  Could the heavens themselves have marked the Death of Jesus? On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew welcomed Father Chris Corbally, S.J., a research astronomer with the Vatican Observatory, to explore the fascinating intersection of Scripture, history, and astronomy surrounding the Crucifixion. Astronomical calculations show that a lunar eclipse occurred on April 3, A.D. 33, one of the dates scholars have proposed for Christ’s Crucifixion. During a lunar eclipse, Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the moon, while red light passing through Earth’s atmosphere can give the moon a striking blood-red appearance. That brings to mind St. Peter’s words at Pentecost about the moon being turned to blood before the coming of the day of the Lord. But could an eclipse also explain the mysterious darkness described in the Gospels from noon until 3pm? Father Chris said no. A lunar eclipse would only become visible after sunset, while the darkness mentioned in the Gospel occurred during the afternoon. So, what happened? Father Chris acknowledged that scholars can debate how the Gospel accounts should be understood, but he also left open another possibility: “Why not a miracle? Yeah, God does miracles.” Drew pointed to the extraordinary significance of the timing as well. Jesus died around Passover, when lambs were sacrificed, while Christ Himself was offering His life on the Cross as the true Lamb of God. Astronomy cannot prove the divinity of Christ, and the exact year of the Crucifixion remains debated. But historical evidence and accounts reminds us that the Gospel is rooted in history. Jesus lived, suffered, and died at a real moment in time. And on that day, Scripture tells us, even creation testified that something extraordinary was happening. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.