Best Aquilina Podcasts (2024)

1
Jennifer Bryson: Rediscovering Saint John Henry Newman and Ida Görres 47:20

4h ago47:20

47:20

We live in an age where treasures are frequently rediscovered and brought back into the light for further examination and appreciation. Such is the work of Ida Friederike Görres’s John Henry Newman: A Life Sacrificed which gives us a compelling and detailed introduction to the life and personage of Saint John Henry Newman. This work is perfect for …

1
How Can I Appreciate the Mundane Moments in My Vocation? 15:11

5h ago15:11

15:11

While discussing Father Dave’s duties as First Consultor for the Paulist Fathers, Father Dave, Brett, and Krista talk about handling the more mundane moments of one’s vocation.

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Practicing “Civic Discipleship” This Election Season With Fr. Bryan Massingale 26:11

37m ago26:11

26:11

As the United States approaches the 2024 presidential election, Father Dave welcomes back Father Bryan Massingale to discuss voting as a Catholic and overcoming division as we move forward. Father Bryan is professor of theological and social ethics at Fordham University in New York.

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Week Six: Monks, Nuns, and Their Habits with Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP 56:38

2h ago56:38

56:38

Religious orders wear a wide variety of habits, from brown robes reminiscent of Jedi attire to white robes with black capes similar to Gandalf’s. With so many distinct styles, it’s hard for anyone to keep track of them all. Beyond their attire, religious communities are diverse, unique, and an enriching part of the Church—though they may seem a bit…

1
On Pilgrimage in Spain: Father Dave Preaches in Ávila 28:46

1d ago28:46

28:46

Father Dave and Brett joined Lino Rulli and Tyler Veghte of “The Catholic Guy Show” on SiriusXM’s Catholic Channel for the “Spanish Saints, Sacramentals, and Sangria Pilgrimage.” They traveled with 95 listeners to famous Catholic churches and cities across Spain, including Madrid, Ávila, Toledo, Barcelona and more.…

1
Matthew Daniels: Catholic Human Rights and Social Justice Heroes 46:21

7d ago46:21

46:21

Today, many Catholics feel a sense of urgency or even dread as they look upon the dark forces and ideologies that besiege the world, the Church, and the truth. Some people may even ask, “What can I do in the face of these forces and against so many injustices?” In their recent work, Catholic Heroes of Civil and Human Rights, Matthew Daniels and Rox…

1
Navigating the 2024 Presidential Election as a Catholic Voter With Dr. Charlie Camosy 26:05

6d ago26:05

26:05

As the United States approaches the 2024 presidential election, Father Dave welcomes back friend of the show and ethicist Dr. Charlie Camosy to discuss forming one’s conscience ahead of voting. His latest article for “The Atlantic” is called, “Pro-life Voters Are Politically Homeless.”

1
Rufinus of Aquileia and the Apostles’ Creed 23:09

7d ago23:09

23:09

Rufinus is mostly known as the translator of Origen, and the opponent of St. Jerome in the controversy over Origen. But he also wrote an important commentary on the Apostles’ Creed, which is on Dr. Papandrea’s list of “state of the art documents,” patristic works that succinctly showcase the state of the development of doctrine at the time they wer…

1
Week Five: A Baptist Becomes Catholic Because of the Bible with Sonja Corbitt 46:42

7d ago46:42

46:42

Catholic author and speaker Sonja Corbitt embraced Catholicism after a lifetime of being a Southern Baptist, and she did so because of the Bible. Her entrance into the Church, which included a deep study of some of the stranger teachings of the Faith, became a source of both inspiration and consternation in her own family, and her love of her faith…

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On Pilgrimage in Spain: Experiencing La Sagrada Familia With Father Dave 22:14

15d ago22:14

22:14

Father Dave and Brett joined Lino Rulli and Tyler Veghte of “The Catholic Guy Show” on SiriusXM’s Catholic Channel for the “Spanish Saints, Sacramentals, and Sangria Pilgrimage.” They traveled with 95 listeners to famous Catholic churches and cities across Spain, including Madrid, Avila, Toledo, Barcelona and more.…

1
Does Science Disprove Miracles? Father Robert Spitzer, S.J. Explains 25:04

16d ago25:04

25:04

Our faith helps us believe in miracles, but do science and technology disprove them? To discuss, Father Dave welcomes back friend of the show Jesuit priest and president of the Magis Center, Father Robert Spitzer. His latest book is called, “Christ, Science, and Reason: What We Can Know About Jesus, Mary, and Miracles.”…

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Week Four: Big Honkin' Candles and Fun Feast Days with Steffani Aquila 1:03:15

14d ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Why do we bake cakes for Shrove Tuesday or use chalk to mark our doors on the Epiphany? Why do we crown statues of Mary with flowers or sing hymns to the biggest candle of them all, the Paschal Candle, on Easter Vigil? Steffani Aquila, author of Festive Faith, walks us through the liturgical year and explains some of the most cherished, and oddest,…

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What Is the Proper Protocol for Baptizing an Older Child? 17:11

16d ago17:11

17:11

A listener named Ginger asks Father Dave about baptizing older children. She asks, “When a child is between the ages of 8 to 9, how do they get a baptism?”

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Joseph Pearce: Fifty Great Books to Read Before You Die 52:23

19d ago52:23

52:23

In our busy schedules, it is often hard to find time to read a good book, and sometimes it is even harder to know which book to read. In his new book Classic Literature Made Simple, Joseph Pearce makes this decision easier by outlining fifty great works of literature that every person should read. Beginning in the ancient world and progressing all …

1
Week Three: The Oddities of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina 48:00

21d ago48:00

48:00

When we declare that Catholicism is two thousand years old, we must do so knowing that this means the earliest days of the Church were, at times, peculiar and challenging. The liturgy had to be developed, sacramental practices clarified, disputes settled, and the life of the Church established as we now know it. Mike Aquilina, Catholic scholar and …

1
Pope St. Stephen and the Sacraments 20:16

21d ago20:16

20:16

After the controversies in the mid-third century, in the aftermath of the persecution of the emperor Decius and the schism of Novatian, Pope St. Stephen was instrumental in clarifying the Church’s theology of the sacraments of Baptism and Penance and Reconciliation. What is required for a valid baptism? What is the solution for falling away into mo…

1
Singing the Rosary With Grammy-Nominated Musician Laura Huval 21:31

23d ago21:31

21:31

The Catholic Church designates October as the month of the Rosary, and Father Dave welcomes Grammy-nominated musician Laura Huval to discuss her latest project, “Sing the Rosary.” Laura’s new free album takes the prayers of the Rosary and sets them to music.

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Week Two: Unveiling the Mystery of Relics with Sean Pilcher and Sharing Holy Stories with Jonathan Roumie 1:11:41

28d ago1:11:41

1:11:41

Sean Pilcher, from Sacra, an apostolate focused on the restoration and recovery of relics, shares the meaning and importance of relics for all Catholics. Sean discusses how relics are verified, what it looks like to restore relics that have been damaged, and offers insight into how relics impact our spiritual lives. Then, in a special bonus Ave Exp…

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Examining St. Therese of Lisieux’s Autobiography With Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris 22:07

30d ago22:07

22:07

In honor of the feast day of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Father Dave welcomes Father Michael-Joseph Paris of St. Thérèse, OCD to break down her autobiography, “Story of a Soul.” Father Michael-Joseph is a Discalced Carmelite priest and co-host of the “Catholic Classics” podcast from Ascension Press. His podcast dives into timeless texts from beloved sa…

1
Kevin Wells: Addiction and the Dark Night of the Soul 49:19

1M ago49:19

49:19

Author Kevin Wells felt like his marriage—his whole life, even—was falling apart. His wife, Krista, was mired in an addiction to alcohol that cut her off from God, family, and friends, and Kevin felt helpless and alone. When, at last, supported by the grace of the sacraments, Krista started to find her way to healing and sobriety, the Covid-19 pand…

1
Exploring Evangelization in Early Christian Cities With Mike Aquilina 23:50

1M ago23:50

23:50

Father Dave welcomes Church historian and friend of the show Mike Aquilina to discuss his latest book, “Rabbles, Riots, and Ruins: Twelve Ancient Cities and How They Were Evangelized.” Mike is Executive Vice President and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology in Steubenville, Ohio.

1
Father Caius and the Tomb of St. Peter 26:17

1M ago26:17

26:17

Caius was a priest in Rome, in the third century. He wrote that if one comes to Rome, one can visit the shrines at the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul. These tombs had been known and visited since the apostle’s deaths, and are known to this day - they are in the same place where Caius knew them. The tomb of St. Paul is directly under the main altar…

1
Week One: How Saints are Studied and Made with Meg Hunter-Kilmer and Deacon David Keene 1:17:10

1M ago1:17:10

1:17:10

Join Meg Hunter-Kilmer, author and storyteller of saints, and Deacon David Keene, an archeologist and canon lawyer, as they delve into the fascinating process of uncovering the lives of saints. From researching their stories to studying their relics, they explore the challenges and discoveries that bring these holy figures to life. We would love it…

1
Seeking Forgiveness After a Loved One’s Death 11:09

1M ago11:09

11:09

A listener named Chris asks Father Dave about forgiveness and death. Chris asks, “How do we ask for forgiveness from those who have passed away?”

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Approaching Mental Health Through a Catholic Lens With Deacon Ed Shoener 23:00

1M ago23:00

23:00

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Father Dave welcomes back Deacon Ed Shoener to discuss how the Church can best accompany those with mental health issues. Deacon Ed is the president of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, and the co-author of two books with Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix, called “When…

1
Teaser: Embracing the Oddities of Catholicism with Matt Maher 1:02:21

1M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Matt Maher wouldn’t describe himself as a “peculiar” or “weird” Catholic, but he wouldn’t mind if you described him like that, because he knows that’s just sort of part of being Catholic. World renowned, Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, and producer, Matt Maher sits down with Katie McGrady to talk about what he loves about his Catholic faith, h…

1
What Are the Rules Regarding Deacons and Marriage? 6:21

1M ago6:21

6:21

A listener Will asks Father Dave about marriage and the diaconate. Will asks, “Why can married men older than 35 become deacons, but deacons cannot become married men?”

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Abigail Favale: Entering the Church—and then converting to the Faith 50:58

2M ago50:58

50:58

There are multiple ways in which Abigail Favale’s conversion to Catholicism may be seen as unlikely. First as an ex-Evangelical, then as a feminist academic, Favale had built a worldview—and career—on the rejection of “patriarchy” and on the promotion of progressive causes. How could she enter a Church known for male-only leadership, and for rigoro…

1
Understanding Church Teaching Through the Catechism With Fr. Daniel Mahan 16:51

2M ago16:51

16:51

Church teaching can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Father Dave welcomes Father Daniel Mahan to help make the Catechism more accessible. Father Daniel is the first director of the USCCB’s Institute on the Catechism and the author of “A Journey through the Catechism: Unveiling the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of the Catholic Faith.”…

1
Athenagoras the Athenian: Apology Not Accepted 22:07

2M ago22:07

22:07

The early Christian apologist Athenagoras may not be as famous as some of the other Church fathers, but he’s a great example of someone who started out as an apologist against Christianity, but when he actually learned what the apostles and the Church taught, he was converted. He teaches us about the doctrines of the Trinity, and the Resurrection. …

1
What’s the Difference Between a Pilgrimage and a Trip? 10:29

2M ago10:29

10:29

A listener named Siobhan asks Father Dave about traveling to religious sites. She asks, “What's the difference between a pilgrimage and just going to visit a holy place or church?”

1
How to Evangelize Through Friendship With Jason Simon 18:53

2M ago18:53

18:53

We all long for deeper connections, and Father Dave welcomes Jason Simon to discuss cultivating friendship and faith in his new book, “Mission-Ready Friendship: A Blueprint for Deeper Relationships and Life-Changing Faith.” Jason is president of The Evangelical Catholic, a lay movement that seeks to build up the body of Christ through authentic rel…

1
Back-to-school special: Learning the Faith and history through stories 52:38

2M ago52:38

52:38

Pope Francis wrote recently about the importance of literature in moral formation. For millennia, humans have used story-telling to communicate religious beliefs and moral values, and to ensure that history and culture remain alive for future generations. As a teacher in Catholic classical schools, Abigail Palmer has a passion for using stories as …

1
What Blessing Did Jesus Say at the Last Supper? 10:03

2M ago10:03

10:03

A listener named Brian asks Father Dave about a specific part of the Eucharistic Prayer. “The words of the consecration say that Jesus took the bread, said the blessing, gave it to his disciples, and it ends with ‘do this in memory of me,’” Brian begins. “My question is, if Jesus said the blessing, and I assume that blessing they referred to was so…

1
Papias of Hierapolis and the Book of Revelation 36:57

2M ago36:57

36:57

In the first episode of an interim series on lesser known fathers, Dr. Papandrea introduces one of the “apostolic fathers,” Papias of Hierapolis. We only have fragments of his writings, but those fragments started a controversy over the authorship of the book of Revelation and the Johannine letters. Papias is a good example of how the Church father…

1
God of the Universe: Examining Faith and Science With Astrophysicist and Priest, Father Adam Hincks, S.J. 23:32

2M ago23:32

23:32

Some might think faith and science are mutually exclusive, but Father Dave welcomes astrophysicist and Jesuit priest Father Adam Hincks to debunk that mindset. Father Adam is an assistant professor in Science, Christianity, and Cultures at the University of Toronto, as well as an associate scholar with the Vatican Observatory.…

1
What Is a Jubilee Year in the Church? 18:42

2M ago18:42

18:42

Our temporary producer “Maternity Leave Matt” asks Father Dave about an upcoming event for the global Church. “One of my first days on the job here, I saw a headline for the upcoming Jubilee,” Matt says. “My question is, what is the Jubilee?”

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Katie McGrady Welcomes Oscar Rivera to the Ave Podcast Family 32:35

2M ago32:35

32:35

In this bonus episode of Ave Explores, Katie Prejean McGrady sits down with Oscar Rivera, new host of Ave Spotlight. Together, they discuss the origins of their collaboration, dive into their experience at the National Eucharistic Congress, and share thoughts on the Olympics. Follow along at avemariapress.com or subscribe wherever you listen to you…

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A message for Way of the Fathers listeners 1:56

3M ago1:56

1:56

http://catholicculture.org/donate/audioBy Dr. Jim Papandrea

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Navigating Artificial Intelligence, Humanity, and Faith With Dr. Joseph Vukov 22:08

3M ago22:08

22:08

As we encounter artificial intelligence in our daily lives, Father Dave welcomes professor and author Dr. Joseph Vukov to discuss his new book, “Staying Human in an Era of Artificial Intelligence.” Dr. Vukov serves as Associate Professor of Philosophy and the Associate Director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola Uni…

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4.18 The Heresies—Conclusion: So Then, What is Orthodoxy? 23:56

3M ago23:56

23:56

Throughout this series, Dr. Papandrea has been outlining the major heresies of the early Church, defining them in contrast to the orthodoxy of mainstream Catholicism. So after all of this, what can we say about orthodoxy (correct doctrine) in general? How do we know it when we see it, and how to we define it? What is the role of orthodoxy in the de…

1
Why Do Jesus’ Parables Vary So Much in Tone? 6:26

3M ago6:26

6:26

A listener named Matt asks a question of faith about the varying tones present in the Gospel. “The parables seem to span from God's Kingdom is awesome and kind; we’ll go out after that lamb that's lost and leave the 99 behind all the way to the other end of the spectrum of, if you don't have enough oil in your lamp, forget it. You're not coming int…

1
“Evangelization is about showing up”: Steve Dawson on taking the Gospel to the streets 54:57

3M ago54:57

54:57

There was a time when Steve Dawson found himself in trouble with the law, mired in destructive behaviors and relationships. Today he spends his days sharing the Good News with anyone who will listen, as founder and president of Saint Paul Street Evangelization (in between these two stages of his life, he says, he could be found downing Jack Daniels…

1
Should Catholics Make Penitential Acts on Fridays? 12:25

3M ago12:25

12:25

A listener named Brad asks a question of faith: “Outside of Lent, if we choose the penance option, what are some examples of penance to choose from?” Father Dave begins by explaining what Brad means by the “penance option.” “Prior to the Second Vatican Council in the ‘60s, Catholics would have been very familiar with abstaining from eating meat eve…

1
Father Dave Answers Questions on Doubt in Priesthood 11:12

3M ago11:12

11:12

Our temporary producer “Maternity Leave Matt” has a few more days before Krista returns to work, so he’s squeezing in some last questions of faith for Father Dave: Matt asks a two-part question, “Are there ever times when you don’t feel like being Father Dave, when you don’t want to be recognized as a priest? And has there been a time when you didn…

1
Edward Sri: The Faith is a love story 49:22

4M ago49:22

49:22

If someone looked at the way you live your life, would they say, “That’s a person who is seeking Christ?” While many Catholics might be able to give personal or intellectual reasons why they practice their Faith, how many really allow the interior conversion necessary for a relationship with Christ to shine through in their daily lives? How many ha…

1
What to Do if Your Priest Can’t Make Mass 19:10

3M ago19:10

19:10

A listener named Charles emails Father Dave with a question of faith. “This weekend at our vigil Mass, the priest wasn't able to make it to Mass unexpectedly. What should we (the parishioners) have done? We have no deacon in our parish, and I was asked to lead a communion service. Was that proper?” Father Dave explains that in the Catholic Church t…

1
4.17 The Heresies—Iconoclasm and the Art-Smashers 27:33

3M ago27:33

27:33

Does the devotional use of Christian art and iconography break the commandment against worshiping idols? How and where does one draw the line between legitimate reverence and idolatrous worship? In this controversy - as is often the case - the heresy is a criticism of an ancient practice. And you may be surprised to learn that the related tradition…

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What Do You Seek? Dr. Edward Sri on Getting Deeper into the Gospel 18:00

4M ago18:00

18:00

Father Dave welcomes back theologian, Catholic speaker and author, and friend of the show Dr. Edward Sri to discuss his new book “What Do You Seek?: Encountering The Heart Of The Gospel.” Dr. Sri explains how the book emphasizes the good news of the Gospel and is designed to help us think about the mysteries of God’s love for us so that we can deep…

1
Singer-Songwriter Marie Miller on the 'Saintly' Inspiration Behind Her New EP 21:02

4M ago21:02

21:02

Marie Miller is a folk/pop singer-songwriter and multi-faceted artist and speaker who weaves together music, humor, and storytelling to convey God’s love for us. She stopped by the show to talk with Father Dave about her new EP, “The Way of Love.” Marie began making music as a teenager, and has enjoyed an almost-20-year career of radio, recording, …

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