This week, Paul travels to the island paradise of Molokai, Hawaii. From 1866 to 1969 thousands of men, women, and children diagnosed with leprosy were forcibly exiled to this island to die here in anonymity. Two Catholic saints, Fr. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope ministered to them, built their houses, soothed their wounds, and helped them…

In the wake of the 42nd annual March for Life, we revisit the life and work of Servant of God Jerome Lejeune, French geneticist and pediatrician. The first to discover the genetic basis of a disease, Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome. Lejeune was a tireless defender of human life in its most vulnerable form, and after his incredible discovery, was vilifi…

Prior to Pope Benedict XVI, over 700 years ago, one man resigned the papacy at age 84 and was canonized a saint a short while later. Peter Angelerio, otherwise known as Pope Celestine V was a saintly monk who was chosen pope in 1294, only to resign a short 5 months later, dying a prisoner of the next man to hold the Chair of Peter in a prison at Fu…

Paul travels to Rome for the canonization of 7 new saints, including the North American Saints Kateri Tekakwitha and Mother Marianne Cope. Hear the excitement in the crowd of tens of thousands of pilgrims who have traveled to witness the special ceremony on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica. Witness parts of the canonization ceremony preceding a Ma…

From the Cenaculum, to St. Lawrence in Rome, to Spain. . . this small stone cup has been tenaciously protected and revered for centuries. This week on the SaintCast we interview Janice Bennett, author of "St. Laurence and the Holy Grail," a book that traces the history of the Holy Chalice of Valencia, the reputed Holy Grail that Christ used at the …

Paul takes SaintCast listeners on a tour of ancient Athens, touring the Acropolis, and especially the Areopagus hill, where St. Paul preached his sermon on the unknown god, found in the Acts of the Apostles. Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha miracle approved, more saints to come next year. Feedback and Saint Jeopardy returns. Feedback at 312-235-2278…

Be my Cyril or Methodius? We naturally think of today as St. Valentine's Day. In today's SaintCast we learn of the alternate feast day patrons, Cyril and Methodius, as well as the other Saints celebrated on the liturgical calendar this week. Today's SaintCast features one of my new patrons, eminent Baroque-age neuroscientist, anatomist, and the fat…

Back from an extended SaintCast break, Paul embarks on a trip into the New Mexico wilderness under the patronage of St. George, the patron Saint of scouting. Back with all new episodes, including stories from the back country, in 12 days.

SaintCast listener Peter Wiberg interviews Auschwitz survivor Tadeusz Raznikiewicz, from Uppsala, Sweden, eyewitness to the last days of St. Maximilian Kolbe. You won't want to miss this chilling first-hand account of life in Auschwitz, and the story of how 'Pater Kolbe' gave up his life to save a doomed young man. News on the canonization cause of…

Does the Catholic Church 'make' a saint? Of course not, but in this episode of the SaintCast, learn the intricate details of the canonization process from square one. Also, a profile of the great English martyr, St. John Fisher. The Saint news segment features new on the relics of Padre Pio, Kateri Tekakwitha's cause, and the upcoming Beatification…

He's responsible that nearly 2 million Catholic men are closer to their faith and families today - He's Venerable Michael McGivney and today on the SaintCast we learn about the founder of the Knights of Columbus from the postulator for his canonization cause in Rome, Father Gabriel O'Donnell. News about St. Anthony of Padua's relics, St. Joan of Ar…

Yes, don't the Saints always win? Chalk up another win for the saints. This week we profile St. Paul Miki and companions, and discuss the moving story of the Catholic Church in Japan. New book on John Paul II, and a new Blessed from the Spanish Civil War . . A new Saint Jeopardy question, saintly jokes, an appearance by the iPadre, and more giveawa…

It's called the largest religious festival in the America, St. Anthony's Feast in Boston's North End. Paul takes you there to witness the sights, sounds, and festivities on the last weekend in August, simultaneously celebrated in Montelfalcione, Italy. Saint news on a possible Pius XII miracle, a new movie on His Holiness, and feedback on San Onofr…

Ever wonder to whom to pray to help you get through the daily grind? Here's the man - a saint for the rest of us. No visions, miracles while alive, no extraordinary penances - just did his daily duty with love for God. Get to know St. Benildus. Is Mary now appearing in Egypt? Try your luck at the new St. Jeopardy. Saints of the Week, feedback, and …

839 years ago today, the murder of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, inside Canterbury cathedral has been memorialized by T. S. Eliot, Jean Anouilh, and many others. Today we take an in depth look at the life and times of Henry II's close friend and confidant, whose life change and resulting martyrdom spawned years of miracles and pilgri…

What do Elvis Presley, Enrico Caruso, Dante Alighieri, and Venetians have in common? They all have a special love for Santa Lucia. On December 13th we celebrate the Feast of St. Lucy. Special traditions take place all over the world. Becoming Italian blog on St. Lucy Magnatune.com Catholic Roundup Advent Calendar…

Today, in honor of the Feast of All Saints (and Halloween) we recount a true ghost story as told by St. John Bosco, whose best friend who came to visit after his death. Our Sunday Visitor "What about Ghosts?" Writings of St. John Bosco

Paul wishes a belated 'Happy St. Crispin's Day' to all, recalling the famous speech from Shakespeare's Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt. We highlight the lives of 4 of the 5 new saints from October 11, the Mills Brothers, New Orleans, a Catholic Pilot and more. The Catholic Foodie with Jeff Young The Mills Brothers 'Basin Street Blues' with famou…

Paul and daughter Laura walk above the Coliseum in Rome, combing the Celian hill for Saint-related sites, and stumble upon the magnificent Basilica of SS. John and Paul, and the former home of Pope St. Gregory the Great. Also hear news of the miracle of San Gennaro in Naples this week. YouTube video of St. Januarius blood liquefaction miracle Bisho…

In one of the fiercest Catholic persecutions of the last 100 years, 'God's jester,' Miguel Augustin Pro, was executed for his witness to Christ among the faithful of Mexico. Learn about his many disguises, his pranks, and his faithful ministry to the poor in SaintCast #128. Also, Paul takes to the street in St. Louis to ask St. Louisians 'who is th…

The bones found in the tomb in the catacombs of St. Priscilla were moved to Naples, and shortly thereafter amazing miracles began happening. What do we know of St. Philomena? Padre Pio generates solar power? www.SaintsforSinners.com Dr. Mark Miravalle on St. Philomena SaintCast on St. Laurence and the Holy Grail Dennis Schaefer's column on wine…

High in the mountains of Lazio, south of Rome, young Benedict took refuge in the silence of a cave to come to know God, an inauspicious beginning to a man called the "Father of Western Monastacism." The story of Benedict, his Rule, and an interview with a Benedictine monk. Therese goes to space, Jesus, Tiger Woods, and more. News of miracles throug…

Fresh from the CNMC, we pose the question, "Who is the Patron Saint of San Antonio?" We ask that question "on-the-street" (well, really, on the Riverwalk) and you'll be surprised at the answers! More on Anthony of Padua, and news on the bones of St. Paul. The oldest image of St. Paul ever discovered unveiled this week, feedback on "the Mind of Jesu…

The sacred brain of Jesus? Never heard of that devotion? On today's SaintCast we review the life of Margaret Marie Alacoque, the saint largely responsible for the devotion to Jesus's Sacred Heart, and Paul ponders why there's no devotion to Jesus's mind. Also, learn about Saint Shemp. Catholic New Media Awards Vote Early and Often :) Saint Shemp in…

A saint reference in Nacho Libre? Play along with St. Jeopardy to find out what that's about. We profile an early Church martyr, philosopher, and Father, Justin Martyr, as we go soundseeing at the Aracoeli Basilica in Rome, Italy. Does a saint's body have to be found to be canonized? Catholic New Media Awards Vote Early and Often :) Santa Maria in …

Today we profile the Venerable Bede, a huge influence in the world from 'the Dark Ages,'all from a small monastery in England. From the timing of Easter to English translation of the Bible and other works, to tables of the tides, Bede left his mark on the world. Hear Fr. Z. from 'What Does the Prayer Really Say,' and from Fr. Reginald Foster, 'the …

Five new Saints were canonized in Rome, among them a Portuguese soldier, known in Portugal as the Father of the Nation. Also learn about Saints and the pets they loved. www.blessednuno.org Saints and their Pets

Today we welcome Honolulu's Bishop Larry Silva to the SaintCast to discuss the upcoming canonization and life of Blessed Damien de Veuster. He talks of the upcoming celebrations and pilgrimages and what Fr. Damien means to Hawaii and the world. "Who is St. Bede" and what does he have to do with Dante Alighieri? Blessed Pedro Colungsod website Notre…

Today Paul emerges from 2 weeks of hibernation (while recuperating from a respiratory illness) to highlight a new DVD on the life of Servant of God John Paul II. This new DVD reveals never-before-revealed secrets about events in the life of His Holiness that come to us via the memories of his long-time secretary, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. Testimo…

Man-on-the-street segment returns with Paul asking "What do you know about St. Patrick?" You'll be surprised at the answers. Fr. Jim Martin returns to talk about his DVD "Who Cares about the Saints?" Listeners questions, feedback, a possible patron saint for chemists, and your chance to win Fr. Jim's DVD on this week's Jeopardy quiz. Phedippidation…

Travel with Paul today to southern California to the "jewel" of the California missions, as he visits Mission San Juan Capistrano, on this the 3rd anniversary of the SaintCast. Follow along with photos at saintcast.org while learning about the mission founded by Blessed Junipero Serra, and the swallows of Capistrano. Follow pictures while you liste…

Great news from Rome this week, that Blessed Fr. Damien de Veuster, the priest to the lepers of Molokai is to be canonized in October. On this SaintCast we interview Ken Bath of the ROMCAL.net website, about his program to bring the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar to the masses. St. Raphael and the fish, SQPN giving campaign, Catholic New Media …

Today on the SaintCast live (well almost) from San Diego, we learn about the 7 Florentine noblemen who started the Servite Order 775 years ago. Also, St. Dominic goes to the dogs. More on relics in the altars of listeners' parishes, Jeopardy answers, a new St. Jeopardy quiz, and a touching account of the martyrdom of St. Paul Miki. What is an antim…

Do you understand Aquinas? OK. . I'm not the only one with that difficulty. But today on the SaintCast, two medieval philosophy scholars, Joel Lonfat and Bettina Kreissl-Lonfat tell us why he's so important to the Church, what his major writings meant, who influenced him, and even take us through the Five Ways to come to know God's existence. We al…

High on a rocky ledge in what was once the kingdom of Sicily, this cousin of the emperor Frederick II contemplated his future while a prisoner in his own family's castle. Who would have thought that he would come to be recognized as one of the greatest minds of the Catholic Church. . .The quiet demeanor of this humble giant of a man led others to b…

This is a brief podcast part of the 12 days of Christmas for the Catholic New Media Roundup Advent calendar, on the traditions of midnight Mass and Mass at dawn on Christmas, in Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the 4th century.Music in this episode: O little town of Bethlehem by Kathy Fisher at fishertheband.com…

This is a brief episode aired as part of the Catholic New Media Roundup's Advent calendar, on the Feast of Juan Diego, 2008.Music in this episode: O Come Emmanuel sung by Kathy Fisher. Susan Tangâs music comes courtesy of Magnatune.com.

He died nearly alone, on tiny Sancian island, within sight of China - only 10 km from the land of his life's dream. His dream. . to evangelize the East. On today's podcast we explore the life and work of Francis Xavier, directly responsible for baptizing the most converts since St. Paul. We know much about Xavier from his touching letters, and the …

Have you killed the wren today? How about bleeding your horse? These are traditions around the world celebrated in honor of the Feast of St. Stephen, the Church's first martyr, celebrated on the day after Christmas. You've heard of the Way of St. James, how about the Way of St. Vincent? Our only source about the life of St. Stephen is from St. Luke…

150 years ago, a 14 year old girl saw another 'girl' in the niche of a grotto along the River Gave. She said she was 'the Immaculate Conception.' Today Paul takes you there to experience the 'sights' and sounds of the sanctuary at Lourdes. Come experience a visit to the Grotto at Massabielle, visit the tiny Cachot where she lived in a one room form…

Is the Santo Caliz of Valencia the Holy Grail that Christ used at the Last Supper? Tune in to part II of our series on the Grail to trace it's history from Christ to St. Lawrence to it's place in a small chapel in Valencia, Spain today. Paul throws down the gauntlet in a new St. Jeopardy Challenge, Speeding Saints, a possible British Columbia saint…

Today on the SaintCast, in the first of a 2 part series on the Holy Grail of Valencia, the story of the life and martyrdom of St. Laurence, and how he saved the chalice used in the last supper for posterity. A recent book by Janice Bennett traces the history of the Santo Caliz of Valencia, Spain, believed by many to be the true chalice used by Jesu…

The first Saints of 2008 canonized last weekend in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI are profiled in this SaintCast. Paul's off to Spain to visit the Holy Grail, Lourdes, and other saintly places. Stay tuned! Three religious and a laywoman from Ecuador were canonized by the Holy Father last weekend. A huge response with many correct answers to the last St.…

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the death of Saint Padre Pio, whose Feast was celebrated September 23rd, Paul walks us through Padre Pio's shrine where his recently disinterred remains are exposed for public veneration. Paul talks to daughter Gina half a world away, visiting Saintly sites in Spain including the reputed Holy Grail in Valencia. P…

Listener feedback from Canterbury and St. Thomas More, Archbishop Chaput on a German martyr for the faith, and much more. High school Physics has derailed the SaintCast, but not for long :) Coming to you live (well almost) from Orlando, Florida, the SaintCast returns with a new St. Jeopardy related to a Hollywood actor and the Universit of Notre Da…

Today Physics threatens to derail the SaintCast, a reading from St. Augustine on the death of his mother, Monica, and more. . . Canada storms the St. Jeopardy feedback lines, Saint of the Week, and more saintly stories on this week's SaintCast. Catholic New Media Roundup with Sean McGaughey Magnatune.com and music from Robert Rich ebreviary.com - T…

Today we profile one of the most beloved and influential Saints of all time, a 13th century Spaniard, known as Domingo de Guzman. Those of us who've known Dominican priests or nuns will love learning about the life of their founder. Jason keeps the "Canadian streak" going in the answer to St. Jeopardy from last week, plus a new timely St. Jeopardy …

Fr. Seraphim Beshoner, star of Catholic Under the Hood, joins Paul "in the Hood" in Overland Park for a uStream recording of the SaintCast, discussing Russian Tsar Alexander I, reputed to be a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. Did the Russian emperor Tsar Alexander I fake his death in 1825, and spend the last years of his life as a holy monk in…

Fr. Jim Martin answers a listener's question on suffering and mortification in the lives of the saints. What is it, and why do they do it? Plus news on an Australian saint-in-the-making. Pope Benedict says that Blessed Mary MacKillop will be the first Australian saint. Hear about her life, feedback on confirmation saints and conversion, and more on…

In honor of the 100th SaintCast, a special song about . . . what else, The Saints, written and performed by Dr. Paul. Plus more SoundSeeing from the Eternal City. Paul and daughter Laura are fortunate to be in Rome for the moving Eucharistic procession through the streets in honor of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Adam from the Theotokos podcast The …