Best Merely Catholic Podcasts (2024)

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81: Safeguarding in the Church, with Father Hans Zollner 49:37

4d ago49:37

49:37

Father Hans Zollner, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, theologian, psychologist, and professor at the Gregorian University. He is also one of the leading experts on safeguarding and the prevention of sexual abuse. In March 2023, Father Zollner resigned from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, criticizing the leadership of the body in a pu…

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What are the Odds? 9:32

6d ago9:32

9:32

In this episode, I talk about the terrible odds of you existing, and what that means about your role in, well, everything. Unfortunately, this is the last episode of Young Catholic Speaks for the foreseeable future. I hope to resume production eventually, so be sure to subscribe just in case! My website (where you can find episodes, links to others…

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80: The Faith of the Fathers, with George Farmer 1:05:33

15d ago1:05:33

1:05:33

George Farmer, the Oxford-educated investment banker, social media wizard and GB News board member, is our guest for this 80th episode of Merely Catholic, the podcast series for the Catholic Herald. Mr Farmer, husband to the American social media influencer and author Candace Owens and the son of Conservative Party peer Lord Farmer, tells Dr Gavin …

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79: The vision of a Catholic Hollywood, with James Crowell 50:26

29d ago50:26

50:26

This week Dr Gavin Ashenden is joined from California by author James Crowell to discuss the work and vision of John Paul the Great Catholic University, an institute founded to harness the power of beauty to transform culture. They discuss the ambition of the university to shape “the next generation of artists and innovators with academic excellenc…

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Mary is Your Mother 5:36

1M ago5:36

5:36

In this short episode, I talk about how Mary is both the Mother of the Church and our own Mother. Websites that I mostly forgot to mention (oops): The official website of Young Catholic Speaks: youngcatholicspeaks.podbean.com My Patreon page: patreon.com/youngcatholic Texian Pride T-shirts: texianpride.com Cardinal Burke's nine-month novena to Our …

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78: The Problems Posed by Private Revelations, with Simon Caldwell 43:34

1M ago43:34

43:34

Dr Gavin Ashenden this week speaks to fellow Catholic Herald associate editor and novelist Simon Caldwell about the recently published norms from the Vatican governing the discernment and handling of private revelations and associated mystical and supernatural phenomena.They discuss what the new norms represent and what has prompted the overhaul, t…

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77: The Ratzinger Generation with Father Paschal Uche 42:07

1M ago42:07

42:07

When Pope Benedict XVI visited Britain in 2010 he was welcomed on behalf of the youth of country by Paschal Uche, then a 22-year-old from Stratford, East London. Ten years later Father Pascal was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brentwood.In this 77th episode of Merely Catholic, Father Pascal talks to Dr Gavin Ashenden about how he answered his…

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Why You Should Pray the Rosary 10:45

2M ago10:45

10:45

The Rosary is the only topic I have covered twice. It's that important to me. You should have seen my script; it didn't have everything I originally intended to say, and it looked like a Choose Your Own Adventure (Skip to page 4; skip to page 7). Be sure to check out Texian Pride T-shirts at texianpride.com and use the coupon code "YCS" to get free…

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76: Catholic thought and the crisis of the West, with Michael J. Knowles 50:45

3M ago50:45

50:45

Michael J. Knowles, the American broadcaster, political commentator, actor and author, is the guest of Dr Gavin Ashenden for this 75th episode for Merely Catholic, the podcast series for the Catholic Herald. They discuss the many “diverse and eccentric” identities of American conservativism in the twilight of the Biden presidency and Mr Knowles’ wo…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 40 – Choosing God in All Things 14:48

3M ago14:48

14:48

As we come to the final day of the 40-day retreat, let us once again focus our attention on the theme of this retreat: "Finding God in All Things." At the heart of this theme is a relationship, an ultimate relationship with God. If the ultimate goal of Christians in this world is to "inherit eternal life", and if being with God forever is the meani…

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75: Banning conversion therapy, with Dr Patricia Morgan 38:29

3M ago38:29

38:29

Dr Gavin Ashenden is joined this week by Dr Patricia Morgan, the distinguished sociologist and author of the 2023 book Banning Conversion Therapy: The Missing Evidence, amid impending legislation to criminalise counselling, discussion, prayer and teaching based on orthodox Christian doctrine in spite of such changes representing a serious attack up…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 39 – A Pain That Is More Bearable in Life 16:21

3M ago16:21

16:21

Yesterday we learned that through the examination of consciousness, we can heighten our awareness of God’s blessings in our lives and become more grateful so that we can more easily find God in all things. But how can we be grateful if we find no blessings from God in our lives, but only pain and suffering? How can we find God in all things in such…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 38 – From Examen to Gratitude 12:09

3M ago12:09

12:09

We had mentioned before that the "present moment" is the only time when we can truly "find God" and "encounter God". When we are fully present in the "here and now", that is the time when we can best experience God’s presence. However, for us to be able to achieve this state of "living in the present" does not happen overnight. Fortunately, we can …

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 37 – Do You Really Want Me? 14:23

3M ago14:23

14:23

During the last ten days of the retreat, we kept mentioning that the relationship God wants to have with us is a marriage relationship. The concept of marriage originates from God Himself. Since we perceive God as a father figure and Jesus Christ also embodies a male identity, when we talk about our relationship with God being a marital one, it's e…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 36 – The Most Difficult Step in Repaying God’s Love 14:01

3M ago14:01

14:01

Yesterday we reflected on God's love, that is too much for us to bear. Do you have any new insights into the love that God has poured on you? Have you been touched by this overwhelming and inexplicable love? Did it pull your heart strings? Do you feel compelled to respond in some way? Or perhaps you think that you have already done your best to rep…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 35 – A Love Too Much To Bear 12:29

3M ago12:29

12:29

The question we asked ourselves in the previous day’s retreat about why we wish to enter heaven is one we really need to face. Reflecting on this question helps us understand the relationship between "heaven" and "earth", the connection between "eternity" and "the present moment". Our answers will become our life goals, helping us live each moment …

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Hands and Feet 5:19

3M ago5:19

5:19

In this short episode, I talk about how Jesus gives us His whole Self in the Eucharist, and how we should offer Him our whole selves in return. You could say it's my contribution to the Eucharistic Revival that the bishops of the United States are calling for. Released March 23, 2024.By Bennett

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 34 – Connection between Heaven and the Present Moment 11:43

3M ago11:43

11:43

As we enter the final seven days of the retreat, it's time to ask ourselves some very serious questions about life, especially those concerning life and death. These are the questions we often avoid or are afraid to face. However, it's only when we seriously face these core, essential, and ultimate questions in life that we can truly confront ourse…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 33 – An Unobstructed Direct Line Connecting Heaven and Earth 12:44

3M ago12:44

12:44

We used the term "Unlimited Connection Plan" yesterday to describe the most ideal mode of communication between us and God. This “Unlimited Connection Plan” does not require signing any contract, does not charge any fees, does not have any unfavourable terms and fine prints, and is entirely user-driven. It is applicable for life, remaining eternall…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 32 – Unlimited Connection Plan 12:15

3M ago12:15

12:15

Yesterday, one of the reflection questions we asked was: "Do you have difficulty receiving God's messages?" I wonder what your answer was. I remember someone once asked me this: "You said you received messages from God. How did you receive them? Did you really hear His voice, or was it just a feeling? Under what circumstances did you receive these …

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 31 – The Christian Version of “Living in the Present Moment” 11:54

3M ago11:54

11:54

Based on yesterday's meditation, we understand that we are truly "alive" only when we are in a state of "whole-person presence", meaning that our body, heart, spirit, and mind are all present together. The only time we can truly "find God" and "encounter God" is in the "present moment"! This is an evidence of being "wholly alive" as Christians and …

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 30 – The Evidence of Being “Alive” 13:41

3M ago13:41

13:41

Yesterday we talked about the importance of "living in the present moment" which is the prerequisite for us to find God in all things. Although God is not bound by time and space, we cannot live outside of the "here and now". Therefore, the only time we can truly "find God" and "encounter God" is in "this moment"! This concept is important for Chri…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 29 – A Prerequisite for Finding God 13:17

3M ago13:17

13:17

At this stage of the retreat, it’s time to ask about your current status. If you've been following along with the retreat, you may find yourself in one of two states, with two distinctly different mindsets. The first is that you're thoroughly enjoying the content of the retreat and the opportunity for meditation, to the point where you may have eve…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 28 – The Kingdom Dream 11:20

3M ago11:20

11:20

Most of you are probably familiar with the concept of "life planning". There are many courses available that cater to this strong demand, especially among the younger generation. They are full of aspirations for the future, hoping not only to "get ahead of the starting line" but also to grasp sufficient information and skills to plan for and establ…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 27 – The Extraordinary Wedding Preparation 12:14

4M ago12:14

12:14

In yesterday's reflection, Jesus made a promise to you that He will hold a wedding feast with you in the Kingdom of Heaven, and He has already begun preparing for this wedding. What about you? Have you started? How will you prepare? We often use the term "the wedding of the century" to describe those wedding banquets where the brides and grooms spa…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 26 – The Appointed Time for the Ultimate Encounter 12:14

4M ago12:14

12:14

Our theme for yesterday's retreat was: When “Selfless Love” Meets “Senseless Love”. If this situation occurs between a man and a woman, it is not hard to predict how the story will unfold. This "encounter" will not have a positive outcome. Unfortunately, for believers in general, the description is quite fitting when it comes to their relationship …

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 25 – When “Selfless Love” Meets “Senseless Love” 12:14

4M ago12:14

12:14

I hope that at this stage of the retreat, you will better understand God’s feelings and His helplessness. If we had not sinned, betrayed Him, or deviated from His righteousness and teachings, Jesus would not need to endure the crucifixion for us, and the Heavenly Father would not have to agonize and be torn in seeking a way to save us, given His ow…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 24 – The Only Everlasting Relationship 11:05

4M ago11:05

11:05

Yesterday, I invited you to explore why you follow God. In the reflection, I also asked about your ultimate desire in life: is it the joy of eternal life or the Father Himself? You might wonder, aren't they the same? If there's the Father, there's eternal life, and vice versa, right? Yes, but that's not the crux of the question. The crucial point l…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 23 – Giftless Men Facing a Giftful God 12:17

4M ago12:17

12:17

We acknowledge that the reflections of these past few days have been challenging, much like the challenging requirements Jesus sets for being His disciples. Jesus wants us to face our relationship with Him, to understand who He truly is for us, and not just establish a relationship based on hearsay or imitation of others’ relationships with God. He…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 22 – Half-Hearted Disciples 13:18

4M ago13:18

13:18

In yesterday's reflection, we realized that the image of God in our hearts is also influenced by how we understand His requirements for us as disciples. If we misunderstand the underlying reasons for these requirements, it will greatly affect the image of God in our hearts, as well as our mutual identities and roles in our relationship with God. In…

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74: University lynch mobs and the right to life, with Madeline Page 36:35

4M ago36:35

36:35

Madeline Page of Right to Life UK joins Dr Gavin Ashenden this week to discuss shocking scenes at Manchester University when a violent mob descended on a meeting of the students’ pro-life group with the aim of closing it down. Hundreds converged on the venue where a group of students met peacefully to spit at the women taking part and to shout “get…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 21 – Employed as a Disciple? 12:05

4M ago12:05

12:05

From yesterday's reflection, we learned that God, who seeks our greatest good, knows very well how we can obtain the greatest strength and grace from Him. He has graciously given us two pieces of divine wisdom, assisting us in fulfilling the mission of being Christians, so that God's plan may be fully realized in us. The first wisdom teaches us to …

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 20 – Divine Wisdom Duo 11:46

4M ago11:46

11:46

Yesterday, we experienced the essence of God and how it revealed some enlightening truths to us. These revelations help us better understand why God has such high expectations of us and assist us in responding to His various invitations with the right mindset and actions. One thing we must always remember is that no matter how high the expectations…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 19 – What God’s Nature Reveals to Us 12:31

4M ago12:31

12:31

Yesterday, in our reflection, we inferred three key points from the nature of God. For ease of reference, we will call these three key points as the Three Revelations of God's Nature. The first revelation: Out of love for us, God is willing to do all things and become all things. This revelation reminds us that God is willing to bestow grace upon u…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 18 – The First Step in Returning God's Love 12:54

4M ago12:54

12:54

In the reflection of the past week on the encounter between the rich young man and Jesus, one particularly thought-provoking point emerged. What Jesus asked of the rich young man is also what He asks of each of us Christians who long for eternal life. Jesus said to the rich young man, "Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will h…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 17 – A Love that Knows No Limit 11:55

4M ago11:55

11:55

"Who do you say that I am?" This is a simple question that Jesus asked His disciples, and it is also a question that is constantly asked to each of us who follow Him today. This question reveals God's profound desire for a deep and unique relationship with each one of us. In the past, present, and future, there is no one else in the world who can t…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 16 – “Who Do You Say That I Am?” 11:55

4M ago11:55

11:55

On the sixteenth day of retreat, you might have a question: why does it seem like we haven't yet touched upon the main topic, which focuses on "finding God in all things"? In fact, while this theme is important, it is not our ultimate goal. I hope that over the past fifteen days, you have realized that the ultimate objective of this retreat is to e…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 15 – Ironclad Proof of His Love 13:05

4M ago13:05

13:05

Yesterday we mentioned that God interacts with us in different roles and images in order to meet our unique needs. What evidence do we have in the Scripture that this is the nature of God? Let’s look for some clues from one of the greatest apostles in the Bible! In the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 19 to 23, he says, “F…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 14 – “Tailor-made” Image of God? 11:56

4M ago11:56

11:56

Yesterday, we mentioned the importance of seeking and recognizing the role and image of God in our lives. One thing we need to bear in mind is that at different stages of our life, faith, and spiritual growth, God communicates and interacts with us in different roles and images, and this is entirely normal. Moreover, even the same image may be pres…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 13 – Seeking the Image of God 13:42

4M ago13:42

13:42

As we build our relationships with God, we need to fully understand God's actual role in our lives. Mutual understanding of our respective roles and positions can help and guide us in establishing an appropriate way of interacting—how to treat, respect, accept, trust, understand and cooperate with each other. These principles of human interaction a…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 12 – How to Straighten the Path of Our Relationship with the Lord? 12:52

4M ago12:52

12:52

The encounter between the rich young man and Jesus did not lead to a better outcome for him. Apart from the fact that he was unwilling to let go of his possessions, the core issue was that he didn't truly trust Jesus, the "Good Teacher" he had sought. Ironically, the person he longed for turned out to be someone he didn't trust! But why couldn't th…

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73: Politically-incorrect Catholicism, with John Zmirak 1:02:12

4M ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Dr Gavin Ashenden is joined this week by John Zmirak, a senior editor of The Stream and author of the new Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism, to discuss the new novelties “gathering slime” in the West and within the Catholic Church. Zmirak is the author, co-author, or editor of twelve books, including Wilhelm Ropke: Swiss Localist, Global E…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 11 – Want a breakthrough in your relationship with God? 12:30

4M ago12:30

12:30

At this stage of the retreat, especially after the reflection on the tenth day, I hope you can sense that in choosing Jesus as the love of our lives and in responding to and living out God's call, there is a clear disparity between our willing hearts and our practical actions. We must never rely solely on subjective feelings to determine whether we…

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A Different Look at Lent 8:33

4M ago8:33

8:33

Lent is a time of sorrow for sins, but Jesus also calls us to make it a time of freedom. Please note that in this episode, I don't condemn all entertainment. Many movies, TV shows, books, videogames, and even the occasional social media post is meaningful and good. I also tried a new thing by adlibbing this episode. If I didn't do great, please sti…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 10 – The One and Only Path 12:54

4M ago12:54

12:54

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 17 to 22, it is written: “As he (Jesus) was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You sha…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 9 – The Safest Investment 12:28

4M ago12:28

12:28

How absurd it is for us Christians to find ourselves becoming God's greatest adversaries. There seems to be no conflict between choosing what you desire, and choosing what God desires. But the heart of the matter is this: what we think is good is often very different from what God thinks is good. In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 19 to 21…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 8 – The True Rival of the Lord 11:55

4M ago11:55

11:55

Did the song "Need You Every Minute" that we used to reflect on and connect with our relationship with God yesterday give you a special, fresh, and warm feeling? I hope yesterday's experience allowed you to savour the realization that our personal relationship with God can be much like that between the best of friends or lovers—very human, affectio…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 7 – Need You Every Minute 13:27

4M ago13:27

13:27

A week ago, at the beginning of the retreat, I asked everyone a question: Do you desire to find God in all things? I wonder what your answer was. If you have been following this retreat, I believe your answer is yes. But when you think about the theme of this retreat, "Finding God in All Things," what comes to your mind? How does it make you feel? …

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 6 – The Beginning of an Amazing Journey 10:30

4M ago10:30

10:30

In the first five days of the retreat, we mentioned that if we are not aware of our need for God, it is difficult for us to have the motivation and desire to establish a relationship with Him, especially since God is not someone we can see or touch. This awareness and awakening can be achieved through several ways. The first is to choose a simple l…

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[Finding God in All Things] Day 5 – Love Speaks from the Heart 13:15

4M ago13:15

13:15

Sometimes, we feel ignored or excluded by others not because they intentionally alienate us, but rather due to a mistaken impression they have about us. This misconception is often based on a flawed understanding of our preferences, likes, dislikes, or needs. Such misconceptions can easily lead to mismatch in expectations, giving rise to unnecessar…

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