Catholic Theology Show

What can the Gospel of Matthew reveal about Jesus, His Kingdom, and the Church He established?

Dr. Edward Sri, author, theologian, Vice President of Formation at FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), and visiting Professor at Ave Maria University, joins Dr. Michael Dauphinais to explore the deeper structure of Matthew's Gospel and the connections it makes between Jesus, David's kingdom, Peter, and the authority Christ gives to His Church.

This conversation also explores what Matthew reveals about the Christian life, including the Father's loving gaze, forgiveness, evangelization, the Sacraments, and Christ's promise to remain with His Church.

Resources:

The Gospel of Matthew by Curtis Mitch & Edward Sri

Dr. Edward Sri’s Website

God With Us: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew by Edward Sri

Related Episodes:

Understanding the Gospel in a Digital World w/ Dr. Edward Sri | Ep. 105

How to Be Overwhelmed by the Gospel w/ Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P. | Ep. 199

How does the Shroud of Turin show the risen Christ? Hair falling to the shoulders, facial shadows from overhead light, and an unflattened back all point to a man lifted up, just as Jesus promised in the Gospel of John.

This episode’s guest, Dr. Gilbert Lavoie, is a physician specializing in internal medicine, occupational medicine and public health. For more than forty years he has conducted a forensic study of the Shroud of Turin, focusing on the blood marks, anatomical details of the image, and their alignment with the Crucifixion and the Gospel of John. He is the author of several works on the Shroud, most recently, The Shroud of Jesus and the Sign John Ingeniously Concealed,and has contributed to the Ave Maria University Shroud of Turin exhibit.

From the off-image blood mark that first convinced a skeptical physician to microscopic fibers, first-century dating evidence, and the three-dimensional sculpture now at Ave Maria University, this conversation weaves science, Scripture, and the mystery of the Resurrection. 

Related episodes:

The Life of Christ (Aquinas) w/ Fr. Legge | Ep. 198

I am the Bread of Life w/ Fr. Thomas Weinandy | Ep. 32

In this powerful episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with author and scholar Joseph Pearce to uncover the astonishing courage and heroic fidelity to Christ and his Catholic Church of the English martyrs. Drawing from Pearce’s book Faith of Our Fathers: A History of True England, they bring to life the stories of saints such as Thomas More, John Fisher, Edmund Campion, Margaret Clitherow, Robert Southwell, and Nicholas Owen, ordinary men and women who chose Christ over comfort, freedom and even life itself.

From persecution under Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, to the hidden priest holes and secret Masses that kept the faith alive for three centuries, Pearce shows why these heroes represent the “true England.” You’ll also hear how their witness paved the way for the great Catholic revival led by figures such as St. John Henry Newman, and the timeless lessons of humility, fidelity, and the Cross that still speak to us today. May all the English Catholic Martyrs, pray for us! 

Related Episodes:

Who Was St. Thomas More? W/ Dr. Travis Curtright | Ep. 19 

That Hideous Strength w/ Joseph Pearce | Ep. 88

Catholic teachings can be misunderstood as just a set of rules, but in this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Bishop Thomas Paprocki and Dr. Dauphinais dive into how what looks like rules are paths to freedom and grace. 

Drawing from more than fifty years of priestly ministry and over two decades as a bishop, Bishop Paprocki reflects his vocation, discuss the future of young Catholics in the Church, marriage, discipleship, the role of faith, and a future filled with hope. Bishop Paprocki offers practical wisdom on courage, trust and hope, encouraging Catholics to live their faith confidently in a world that challenges Christian beliefs. 

Resources:

Join Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Dr. Scott Hahn, founder of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology, for a rich, eye-opening journey through 1–2 Chronicles. These books pulse with God’s relentless love, revealing how He weaves covenant, kingship, temple, and liturgy into one sweeping story of salvation.Hahn and Dauphinais pull back the curtain on the history, and theological depth that make Chronicles the vital bridge between the Old and New Testaments.

You’ll discover why these pages matter more than most people realize, and how they prepare the way for Christ. This conversation also marks the release of Dr. Hahn’s new book: Kingdom Come: Unveiling the Mystery of Salvation History, A Study of 1–2 Chronicles(co-authored with Celeste Fortenberry, Emmaus Road Publishing, mid-2026).

Come ready to see Scripture with fresh eyes, and a fuller heart.

Resources:

Holy People, Holy Land' by Dr. Dauphinais and Michael Levering

Related episodes:

Catholics In Exile w/ Dr. Scott Hahn | Ep. 106

▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

What if the Bible isn’t just a collection of laws and stories, but the original romantic comedy with the happiest ending of all time? 

Discover how marriage reveals the very heart of God’s Trinitarian love and why recovering this vision is urgent for our culture today.

In this rich conversation on The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes Dr. John Bergsma, author of ⁠The Bible and Marriage: The Two Shall Become One Flesh by John Bergsma⁠to explore how marriage stands at the very center of God’s plan for humanity, from Adam and Eve’s original communion, through the covenants and prophetic love stories like Hosea, to Jesus as the Bridegroom who prepares a place for His Church. Together they recover the beautiful biblical vision of companionate, indissoluble, self-giving love, address common misunderstandings about the Old Testament, polygamy, headship, and Ephesians 5, and show how the entire scriptural narrative is ultimately a divine romance culminating in the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

Resources:

Related Episodes:

In this powerful episode of the Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. They discuss the heart of Christian courage, the beauty and truth of the Church’s timeless teachings on marriage and human flourishing, and the urgent need to recover reverence in the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Archbishop Cordileone shares insights on the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship, the new Reverent Liturgy Project, the power of sacred music (including the Mass of the Americas), Ad Orientem worship, kneeling for Communion, silence in church, active participation, and how beauty draws souls to Christ. They also explore personal encounter with Jesus, evangelization through genuine friendship, the integration of faith and reason (logica latria), and why the Church’s tradition remains a source of joy and communion in a secular age. A rich conversation filled with wisdom, hope, and practical encouragement for priests, seminarians, and lay faithful seeking deeper union with Christ in the liturgy and in daily life.

Resources:

Benedict XVI Institute

Reverent Liturgy Project

Related Episodes:

Benedict XVI and the Liturgy w/ Fr. Joseph Fessio, SJ | Ep. 193

Drawing on Scripture the Church Fathers, the parable of the Good Samaritan, personal stories, and rich analogies including black holes, heart transplants and the Sistine Chapel, Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P., shows how the Gospel moves from background noise to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.

In this powerful episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P., Dominican Friary and National Chaplain for FOCUS to explore how we can move from mere knowledge of the faith to being truly overwhelmed by the Gospel. Fr. Gillen unpacks the Five R’s that form a clear, compelling presentation of the kerygma, the proclamation of the Gospel , the Five R’s are revealed in the episode!

Whether you’re a longtime Catholic or someone rediscovering the faith, this conversation will deepen your wonder at God’s plan of salvation and inspire you to live it more fully.

Every moment of Jesus’ life is for our transformation and an invitation to be united with Him.

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes back Father Dominic Legge, O.P.,President of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and former Director of the Thomistic Institute. 

Aquinas devotes an entire section to what Jesus did and suffered, from His conception and baptism, through His transfiguration, passion, and death, to His resurrection and ascension. Fr. Legge unpacks the importance of these mysteries and how they reveal God’s plan for humanity, and what it means to be united to Christ through His grace and the Sacraments. 

Resources:

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Did you know that G.K. Chesterton visited America 100 years ago and wrote about his observations and encountered in the book What I Saw in America? 

In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, Dr. Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Susan Hanssen, associate professor of history at the University of Dallas, to discuss the history of the country through G.K. Chesterton’s eyes.  Together they unpack what Chesterton meant when he said America was “the only nation in the world that is founded upon a creed" of equality, freedom, and governance as well as his prescient and prophetic cautions about the progressivism of the post-WWI era and its creeping totalitarianism and servitude. 

Finally, they consider how Chesterton distinguished between what he called America's "shadows" and the great "light of America" that he thought the rest of the world needed to see.  Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with The Catholic Theology Show! 

Public Discourse and writings from Susan Hanssen:

https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/author/susan-hanssen/

Related Episodes:

Catholics in Early America w/ Dr. Michael Breidenbach | Ep. 24

An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology w/ Joseph Pearce | Ep. 21

What do women need not just to survive, but to truly thrive in today’s culture?This episode features a conversation on why so many women feel overwhelmed despite having a strong faith, the difference between spiritual formation and human formation, and the habits, virtues, and practical skills needed to flourish.

Dr. Michael Dauphinais and January Donovan, founder of The Woman’s Schooland Catholic Feminine Formation, explore growth mindset versus fixed mindset, how culture shape's identity and self-worth, and the importance of rewiring the mind through truth and repetition. Together, they discuss the feminine genius, the vision of the "New Woman," why Our Lady remains the model of feminine excellence, how success is better understood as wholeness rather than achievement, and the unique role Catholic women can play in leading a culture of renewal.

January shares her remarkable personal story of healing, conversion, marriage, motherhood, and the inspiration behind her mission. January shares a vision based off Scripture and the example of Our Lady for helping women recover their God-given dignity, purpose, and confidence.

You won’t want to miss listening to this moving and beautiful episode with January Donovan. Resources:

January Donovan's Book: Redefine Success For Women: A Proven Blueprint To Design A Fulfilling Life

The Woman’s SchoolCatholic Feminine FormationRelated Episodes:Has Contemporary Feminism Failed Women? w/ Dr. Carrie Gress | Ep. 182

What is expected of Catholics when every company, institution and system seems morally compromised? Can Catholics buy coffee from companies with immoral policies? Can Catholics pay taxes to governments that fund evil? How are Catholics supposed to live in the world but not be of the world?In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais is joined by Fr. Ryan Connors to explore one of the most difficult questions in Catholic moral theology through the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas. Drawing from his book ‘Rethinking Cooperation with Evil: A Virtue-Based Approach,’ Fr. Connors explains why Aquinas approaches morality not as a system of rules but a path towards freedom, virtue and happiness that ultimately leads to Eternal life. If you struggle with moral anxiety and seek clarity on Catholic ethics or want to better understand virtue and freedom, this episode is for you.Resources:Rethinking Cooperation with Evil: A Virtue-Based Approach by Fr. Ryan Connors (Catholic University of America Press, 2024)https://www.cuapress.org/9780813237251/rethinking-cooperation-with-evil/Veritatis Splendor (The Splendor of Truth, 1993) by Pope St. John Paul IIhttps://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor.html

Related Episodes:

The Summa for Beginners: The Moral Life w/ Fr. Romanus Cessario O.P. | Ep. 164

Aquinas and the Truth of Faith w/ Fr. Michael Sherwin O.P. | Ep. 141

Today's Release is a collaboration with The Magdala Ministries Podcast!

Today on the podcast, Rachael Killackey sits down with theologian, podcast host, and Magdala board member, Dr. Michael Dauphinais, to discuss The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. They talk about the healing imagery within this great work, the story of the red lizard and the white horse, and what we can learn about redemption from the souls in the story. Special thanks to The Catholic Theology Show team for editing this episode and lending their studio to us. Please check out their show below!

Welcome to a place of honesty, hope, and healing for women struggling with sexual addiction. We’re so glad you’re here.

What does Moses have to do with Jesus—and why does it matter for Catholics today?

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes back author, filmmaker, and Catholic convert Steve Rayfor a sweeping exploration of the life of Saint Moses and his enduring significance for understanding Christ, the Church, and the Sacraments. Drawing from Scripture, Church tradition, and decades of leading pilgrimages through the Holy Land, Steve unpacks how the story of Moses serves as the foundation for understanding Jesus as the New Moses and the Christian life as a New Exodus.

Together, Michael and Steve explore the burning bush, the divine name “I AM,” the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, the manna in the wilderness, the Tabernacle, and the Promised Land—revealing how each points forward to Christ and finds its fulfillment in the New Covenant. The conversation also highlights how the early Church interpreted the Exodus as the pattern for Christian initiation, illuminating the biblical roots of Baptism, the Eucharist, Confession, and Holy Orders.

Along the way, Steve explains why the Old Testament is essential for understanding the New Testament, why Moses should be honored as a saint, and how the entire biblical story comes alive when viewed through the lens of typology. Whether you're new to Scripture or have studied the Bible for years, this episode offers a rich and accessible look at how God’s plan of salvation unfolds from Moses to Christ—and why the Exodus remains the defining story of every Christian journey from slavery to freedom, from death to life, and from earth to the Promised Land of heaven.

Related Episodes:

Crossing the Tiber: A Journey to Catholicism w/Steve Ray | Ep. 128

The sacred liturgy is not a matter of personal preference or style it is the living heart of the Church’s worship and the clearest expression of her faith in Christ.

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Ave Maria University welcomes Jesuit priest, publisher, and theologian Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press and founding provost of Ave Maria University.

Drawing on decades of theological reflection and his collaboration with Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), Fr. Fessio reflects on Sacrosanctum Concilium and the meaning of actuosa participatio. He argues that true participation in the Mass is primarily interior—an attentive, living union with Christ in His sacrifice—and explores the continuity of the Church’s liturgical tradition, from Latin and Gregorian chant to the Roman Canon and the orientation of prayer. The conversation also engages Benedict XVI’s vision of the “reform of the reform” and the call to recover reverence, silence, and sacred order in the Eucharist.

Resources:

Catholic World Report – The Mass of Vatican II (Fr. Joseph Fessio essay/talk)
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/10/10/the-mass-of-vatican-ii/

Related Episodes:

How to stay Faithful as a Catholic Theologian w/Fr. Fessio

The Summa for the Beginners: The Sacraments w/Dr. Roger Nutt

Speech is made for communion—it’s meant to bind people together in truth and charity—but in a fallen world it so often does the opposite, slipping into distortion, division, and harm.

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dominican theologian Fr. Gregory Pine to discuss his book Training the Tongue: Growing Beyond the Sins of Speech. Drawing on the Epistle of James and the moral psychology of St. Thomas Aquinas, Fr. Pine reframes the task at hand: the goal isn’t merely to “tame” the tongue as if it were a wild animal, but to train it—forming it through virtue so that truthful, charitable speech becomes second nature, and patterns like lying, gossip, and complaint gradually lose their grip.

Resources with Fr. Gergory Pine:

Related Episodes:

Why do the most beautiful places on earth sometimes fill us with deep awe and wonder and yet other times leave us feeling empty?

In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. John Nepil about his book To Heights and Unto Depths, exploring how the beauty of nature can either deepen faith or become a substitute for it. Drawing from a 486-mile trek on the Colorado Trail, Fr. Nepil reflects on suffering, community, and the search for meaning, while addressing modern philosophies that promote self-creation over communion with God.

The conversation also touches on hell, conversion, and how practices like prayer and the sacraments help us rediscover a life rooted in Christ.

Relevant Episodes:

The Catholic Calling to Environmental Stewardship w/Dr. Shepard | Ep. 96

Why did a writer who defended so many deeply Catholic ideas stop just short of becoming Catholic—and what can that tell us about faith, history, and influence?

In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and ⁠Joseph Pearce⁠ ⁠ explore the fascinating tension at the heart of C.S. Lewis’ life and thought. Mr. Pearce is a Visiting Professor Literature at Ave Maria University and author of C. S. Lewis and the Catholic Church, published by ⁠Ignatius Press⁠.

They highlight why Lewis remains essential reading for Catholics, pointing to his strong affirmation of doctrines like purgatory, sacramental life, and the inseparable unity of faith and reason.

Pearce and Dauphinais reflect on the paradox that Lewis’ distance from Catholicism may have expanded his reach, making him a trusted voice for non-Catholics while quietly leading many readers toward the Church.

While also highlighting Pearce's books: C.S Lewis and the Catholic Church⁠

Relevant Episodes:

Why Catholics Should read the Classics w/Joseph Pearce | Ep. 184

Defending the Faith Today with C.S Lewis' Mere Christianity w/Dr. Andrew Swafford | Ep. 169

The Four Loves of C.S Lewis w/David Bates | Ep. 109

What if our modern obsession with justice is actually missing its foundation?

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show,

Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Fr. Stephen Brock explore the meaning of justice through the lens of Thomas Aquinas.

They contrast the classical view of justice as a virtue—a habit of giving others what is due—with modern approaches that reduce it to rights, power, or social systems, often influenced by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes. Fr. Brock argues that today’s intense desire for justice can become distorted when separated from God, leading to frustration, false solutions, or utopian thinking.

Drawing on Aristotle and the Christian tradition, the conversation highlights how justice begins in the moral character of the person, is formed within the family, and ultimately finds its fulfillment in God, who alone can fully set things right. The episode offers a concise but rich reflection on virtue, society, and the deeper meaning of justice in a world searching for it.

Check these out:

The Philosophy of Saint Thomas Aquinas: A Sketch 

The Light That Binds: A Study in Thomas Aquinas’s Metaphysics of Natural Law

More Episodes like this:

The Summa for Beginners: Aquinas and Theology w/Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.

Exploring the Catholic Spiritual Life w/ Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P.

What happens when timeless stories of faith are told in a way that feels immediate, human, and deeply personal? In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Peter Atkinson about the vision behind The Merry Beggars and its rapid growth through audio storytelling. Peter recounts his path from Ave Maria University to pursuing acting, and how an unexpected pivot during the pandemic led to a creative breakthrough. Now working with Relevant Radio, The Merry Beggars produces immersive audio dramasthat present the lives of the saints in a compelling and accessible format for modern audiences.

Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of portraying saints as fully human—people who struggled, suffered, and chose courage and faith. These stories, they explain, help listeners better understand their own spiritual journeys, especially in moments of difficulty and doubt. The episode also explores themes of ongoing conversion, the meaning of suffering, and the reality of God’s mercy, ultimately pointing to a larger goal: shaping culture by forming hearts and imaginations through consistent, high-quality storytelling grounded in faith.

Related Episodes:

Faith, film, and the art of story telling w/ Daniel Bielinski

Sharing the Catholic Faith with Generation Alpha w/ Ambrose Bean

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Poetry is far more than personal expression; it is a contemplative encounter with reality itself. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Ave Maria University welcomes poet, critic, and theologian James Matthew Wilson, Cullen Foundation Chair in English Literature and Director of the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Professor Wilson explores how the Catholic imagination restores the unity of truth, goodness, and beauty. Drawing from Augustine, Aquinas, Dante, and Benedict XVI, he shows beauty as the splendor of being—the force that first draws us into wonder and ultimately leads us to contemplative praise. Through readings from his collectionSaint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds, Wilson illustrates how disciplined poetic form becomes an act of doxology, responding to the divine love that precedes and sustains all creation.

Related Episodes:

An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology with Joseph Pearce

The Theology of Tolkien w/ Joseph Pearce

Tolkiens Liturgical Imagination in the Lord of the Rings w/ Dr. Ben Reinhard

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Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

What does it really mean to be a man in a culture that often confuses strength with dominance and softness with compassion? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Michael Dauphinais welcomes Fr. James Mason for a focused discussion on a largely overlooked challenge in priestly formation: the vice of effeminacy. Drawing on his article, “The Forgotten Vice in Seminary Formation,” Fr. Mason explains effeminacy in the Thomistic sense as a lack of fortitude—an undue softness that hinders authentic masculine virtue.

He situates this vice within a broader crisis of masculinity, outlining a continuum between healthy masculinity—marked by sacrificial love, perseverance, and responsibility—and its distortions: effeminacy on one side and machismo on the other. The conversation also highlights the complementary vocations of men and women, emphasizing masculine self-sacrifice modeled in Christ.

Grounded in Scripture, tradition, and recent Church history, Fr. Mason offers practical ways to cultivate fortitude, including discipline, self-denial, meaningful work, and faithful commitment to one’s duties. Ultimately, the episode presents true manhood not as toughness, but as sacrificial love in service of the Church and the common good.

Related Episodes:

How to Discern God's Will with the Spiritual Exercises w/Fr. James Mason | Ep. 174

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Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

Storytelling is intensely human, and is the matter of our own humanity. In this CTS episode, Ave Maria University alumnus, filmmaker, Director of Dramatic Arts & Fellow in Catholic Studies at the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND), and founder of Canticle Productions,Daniel Bielinski, shares his faith, everything that goes into making film and the art of storytelling. Dr. Dauphinais engages with Bielinski on the logistics of creating and writing film productions, the theology of movies, what stories can do for us, and how stories allow us to understand that we are a part of God's story. Daniel discusses his recent film Hazel’s Heart, based on a young girl’s sacrificial love during a North Dakota blizzard, and his upcoming project Medora, which examines marriage and sacrifice on the historical frontier. He walks through the filmmaking process—from discovering a story to writing, producing, and distributing—while stressing the need to uncover the deeper “heart” in real events.

Related Catholic Theology Show Episodes:

Defending the Faith Today with C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity w/Dr. Andrew Swafford | Ep. 169

Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination in The Lord of the Rings w/Dr. Ben Reinhard | Ep. 171

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes back Joseph Pearce—acclaimed author, literary scholar, and Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University (currently teaching an intensive course on G.K. Chesterton)—for a rigorous examination of the place of pre-Christian ("pagan") Greco-Roman literature in the formation of the Catholic mind.

The discussion engages longstanding theological questions: Should Christians read Homer, Virgil, and Sophocles? Drawing on patristic sources such as St. Basil the Great's Address to Young Men on the Right Use of Greek Literature, the episode addresses early tensions (e.g., Jerome's dream challenging devotion to Cicero, Tertullian's query "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?") while affirming the providential role of Hellenic culture in preparatio evangelica—preparing the intellectual and imaginative soil for the Gospel, as articulated in Pope Benedict XVI's Regensburg Address.

Pearce elucidates how these classics illuminate perennial truths: the destructive consequences of pride and wrath (Achilles in the Iliad, Odysseus' men), the redemptive embrace of humility and innocent suffering (Priam, Oedipus in Oedipus at Colonus), sacrificial loyalty and family duty (Hector, Penelope, Telemachus, Antigone), and the groping toward monotheism and providence amid polytheistic cosmology (Zeus' overarching will). These insights harmonize with Christian doctrine on virtue, sin, natural law, and the mystery of iniquity, serving as moral exempla and narrative silhouettes of virtue (per St. Basil) that complement scriptural precepts.Integrating reflections from C.S. Lewis (pre-Christian pagans as "virgins awaiting the bridegroom"; myths as divine "pictures" for those who "forgot how to read") and G.K. Chesterton ("Tradition is the democracy of the dead"), the conversation underscores the living transmission of Western Christian patrimony—countering cultural amnesia and equipping each generation to pass on the "fire" of civilization.

Relevant for educators in classical Catholic curricula, university students, and those committed to the renewal of Catholic intellectual life.

Resources:

https://ignatius.com/literaturelwckp

https://ignatius.com/classic-literature-made-simple-clmsp

https://ignatius.com/authors/joseph-pearce

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Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

Whether you are starting your career, a CEO, or a college student, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes Jeff Schiefelbein, Managing Partner of Undivided Life, to explore the Catholic theology of work as a true vocation. Drawing on the Pontifical document The Vocation of the Business Leader (“the bane of man’s existence is the divided life”), Vatican II’s Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, John Paul II’s Laborem Exercens, and St. Josemaría Escrivá’s call to sanctify ordinary labor, they present work as co-creation with God—neither ruthless nor monastic, but permeated with Christian generosity. Key themes include: subsidiarity as the path to agency, mastery, and human formation (in business and family); pitfalls like fear-driven centralization, judgmental language, passive conformity (“going along to get along”), and inadequate miscarriage bereavement policies; remedies through neutral outcome-focused feedback, bold faith witness, and explicit recognition of every child lost to miscarriage as a profound grief deserving mercy and support. A highlight is Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, a thriving pro-life enterprise providing dignified, challenging employment to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—demonstrating that businesses can do both good and well. Resources: https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Elimination-Hurry-Emotional-Spiritually/dp/0525653090 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/schiefelbein_storytelling-leadership-keynotespeaker-activity-7135620927144300544-Cy5t?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.undivided.life/ Catholic Mass Times App | Find Catholic Churches Near Me:The most popular app worldwide for finding Catholic Mass times near me. Confession times. Adoration. 110,000+ churches. Updated in 2025:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...https://catholicmasstimes.com/

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Dr. Carrie Gress, author of The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us. The conversation explores the historical, philosophical, and theological roots of modern feminism and its cultural impact.

Dr. Gress reflects on her academic journey in philosophy and explains how her research led her to examine the intellectual foundations of feminist thought. The discussion traces early feminist figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft and her work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, highlighting key themes related to the redefinition of womanhood. The conversation then turns to second-wave feminism, including the influence of Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique, as well as Simone de Beauvoir and The Second Sex.

Dr. Gress discusses how certain feminist movements intersected with broader political ideologies and how these developments shaped contemporary understandings of sex, family, and social roles.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Dauphinais and Dr. Gress examine questions of patriarchy, vulnerability, motherhood, and the cultural transformation of the home. They consider the theological vision of complementarity between men and women and reflect on how Christian tradition understands authority, family life, and human flourishing. The conversation also addresses practical concerns, including the challenges faced by women today, the role of fear and autonomy in modern culture, and the call to fruitfulness in different states of life.

The episode concludes with personal reflections from Dr. Gress on her recent reading, spiritual practices, and insights about God’s love, offering listeners both intellectual analysis and spiritual encouragement.

Resources:Dr. Carrie Gress Books:The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us — available on the Theology of Home store: https://theologyofhome.com/products/the-end-of-woman?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The Anti-Mary Exposed: Rescuing the Culture from Toxic Femininity — available on the Theology of Home store: https://theologyofhome.com/products/the-anti-mary-exposed-rescuing-the-culture-from-toxic-femininity?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The Marian Option: God’s Solution to a Civilization in Crisis — available from TAN Books: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-marian-option/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Website:

https://www.carriegress.com/books/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Catholic Mass Times App | Find Catholic Churches Near Me:

The most popular app worldwide for finding Catholic Mass times near me. Confession times. Adoration. 110,000+ churches. Updated in 2025:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...https://catholicmasstimes.com/

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In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Christopher Kaczor, Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, Honorary Professor of the Renewal of Catholic Life at the Word on Fire Institute, and President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, on his recent publication Is Belief Believable? Reasoning About God from Plato and Aquinas to C.S. Lewis and Jordan Peterson (Ave Maria Press, 2025).

The discussion explores Aquinas' preambles of faith, including per se causality (illustrated through atmospheric pressure and ongoing creation), and the mysteries of revelation as God's self-disclosure, enabling intimate communion beyond rational limits.Central to the dialogue is Christianity's soteriological essence: not mere ethical guidance or societal cohesion, but salvation from sin through Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. Kaczor critiques reductions of the Gospel to moralism, emphasizing grace's role in transforming deceitful desires.

Kaczor elucidates the harmony between faith and reason, challenging the pervasive assumption—prevalent among diverse ideological perspectives—that the two are inherently opposed. Drawing from his pedagogical experience, he addresses obstacles to belief such as scientism and materialism, demonstrating how scientific inquiry presupposes immaterial realities like mathematics, which point to an infinite divine mind. Dr. Christopher Kaczor's Book from Word on Fire:

https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/pages/chris-kaczor?srsltid=AfmBOordE8M9jGBUoM0yX_3Z2p4YQQ2f5N03jx7ZJKWGsWcTR7FrZurY

▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais engages Dr. Chad Pecknold, Associate Professor of Theology at The Catholic University of America and Theologian in Residence at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, Virginia, on his recent work Fire on the Altar: Setting Our Souls Ablaze through Augustine's Confessions.

Pecknold offers a rigorously Catholic interpretation of Augustine's Confessions, countering experiential-expressivist and individualistic readings prevalent in modern scholarship. He demonstrates that the text constitutes an objective moral and liturgical reckoning of reality, structured around the motif of sacrifice. Central to this reading is the pivotal phrase in Book V—“accept the sacrifice of my confessions”—which Pecknold interprets as Augustine's offering of his life story united to Christ's Eucharistic sacrifice on the Church's altar. This liturgical anthropology culminates in the Eucharist as the fire of divine charity that purifies the inner altar of the soul, integrates the person, and orients both soul and civilization toward God.

The conversation traces Augustine's rejection of false religions (Manichaeism and pagan altars) as disordered offerings that disintegrate the self, contrasted with the true sacrifice that unifies. Pecknold applies this framework to contemporary phenomena, identifying functional religions in ideologies of identity, sexuality, and collectivism as modern analogs to bad religion. He further elucidates Augustine's doctrine of grace—epitomized in the plea “give what you command”—as the divine initiative that enables adherence to God beyond Platonic ascent, realized sacramentally through baptism and the Eucharist.

Pecknold reflects on his own intellectual and spiritual journey from existentialism to Augustinian theology, underscoring the Confessions' enduring relevance amid crises in Western civilization. The discussion closes with reflections on uniting personal suffering to Christ's sacrificial fire for purification and integration.

Resources:

Links to Dr. Chad Pecknold's books

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/transforming-postliberal-theology-9780567288219/utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://trs.catholic.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/pecknold-chad/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Catholic Mass Times App | Find Catholic Churches Near Me:

The most popular app worldwide for finding Catholic Mass times near me.

Confession times. Adoration. 110,000+ churches. Updated in 2025:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...https://catholicmasstimes.com/

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In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press and longtime contributor to the Catholic apologetics movement. Together, they reflect on the rise of Catholic apologetics in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, a time marked by doctrinal confusion, limited catechetical resources, and strong evangelical critiques of the Catholic faith.

Brumley shares his personal journey from unaffiliated theism to evangelical Christianity and ultimately to Catholicism, highlighting how historical research, Scripture, and engagement with early Church writings led him to embrace the Catholic Church. The conversation explores the challenges Catholics faced before the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the impact of Catholic Answers, and the importance of clear, reasoned explanations of the faith.

The discussion then turns to contemporary apologetics, including the influence of digital media, responses to the New Atheism, the renewed interest in Christianity among young people, and the importance of presenting both rational arguments and the broader narrative of salvation. Brumley and Dauphinais emphasize that apologetics serves evangelization by removing intellectual obstacles and inviting people into a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ.

The episode concludes with reflections on faith and reason, the renewal of biblical literacy among Catholics, current cultural challenges, and the enduring mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel with clarity, confidence, and charity.

Resources:

Links to Mark Brumley's books

How not to Share Your Faith: https://a.co/d/04lPO6My

The Seven deadly Sins of Apologetics: https://shop.catholic.com/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-apologetics-digital/

Websites:

https://ignatius.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22959487649&gbraid=0AAAAAD_ZLxiTtemBbEjN2GDeUyZQM44VP

https://www.catholic.com/profile/mark-brumley

Catholic Mass Times App | Find Catholic Churches Near Me:

The most popular app worldwide for finding Catholic Mass times near me. Confession times. Adoration. 110,000+ churches. Updated in 2025:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...https://catholicmasstimes.com/

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Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Paul Gondreau, professor of theology at Providence College, for an in-depth conversation on the full humanity of Jesus Christ and its implications for Christian anthropology, masculinity, femininity, and moral life. Drawing on St. Thomas Aquinas, Scripture, and the Catholic tradition, Dr. Gondreau explains how affirming Christ as fully human—and fully male—counters ancient and modern forms of docetism and defends the goodness of creation, embodiment, and sexual difference.The discussion explores Christ’s human emotions, passions, and affectivity, the scandal of particularity in the Incarnation, and why Jesus’ maleness matters without marginalizing women. Together, they examine how Jesus radically reorients relationships between men and women, elevates women as disciples, and calls men to moral self-governance, chastity, and rightly ordered aggression. The conversation also addresses contemporary cultural confusion around sexuality, masculinity, and femininity, showing how Christ reveals authentic human flourishing through virtue and grace.

Dr. Gondreau shares personal insights from his work in Catholic moral theology, his experiences as an extra on The Chosen, and his teaching on marriage and sexual ethics. The episode concludes with reflections on the beauty of the Church’s vision of marriage, the role of virtue in healing disordered desires, and how Christ fully reveals the human person by perfecting, not negating, our humanity.

Resources:

Links to Paul Gondreau's Books

https://a.co/d/01MM7FGg

https://a.co/d/08XpAmlC

Catholic Mass Times App | Find Catholic Churches Near Me:

The most popular app worldwide for finding Catholic Mass times near me. Confession times. Adoration. 110,000+ churches. Updated in 2025:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...https://catholicmasstimes.com/

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Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Immaculée Ilibagiza, survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and author of A Blessing in Disguise: Miracles of the Seven Sorrows Rosary. Drawing from her harrowing experience of hiding for three months while much of her family was murdered, Immaculée reflects on how suffering became a place of encounter with God rather than abandonment. She shares how meditation on the Passion of Christ and the sorrows of Mary sustained her hope, preserved her dignity, and anchored her faith amid profound darkness.The conversation centers on the Seven Sorrows Rosary and the Marian apparitions at Kibeho, Rwanda, officially approved by the Church. Immaculée explains how this devotion leads believers more deeply to Christ by contemplating His suffering through the heart of His mother. She emphasizes the distinction between accepting suffering and approving the evil that causes it, showing how forgiveness and prayer freed her from hatred, healed her mind, and restored her capacity to love. Together, Dr. Dauphinais and Immaculée explore prayer as a living relationship, the dangers of faith without ongoing prayer, and Mary’s role as a spiritual mother who guides souls toward healing, hope, and redemption. The episode offers a profound meditation on suffering transformed by grace, rooted in lived testimony and Catholic theology.Resources:Link to Immaculee's Book: Left to Tellhttps://a.co/d/0hE6penS The Power of Faith in Suffering w/ Immaculée Ilibagiza | Ep. 92https://youtu.be/dh8YOvoZ018Why Do We Need Marian Consecration? with Dr. Mark Miravalle:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=603zUdzyYmY&pp=ygUlbWFyayBtaXJhdmFsbGUgY2F0aG9saWMgdGhlb2xvZ3kgc2hvdw%3D%3DCatholic Mass Times App | Find Catholic Churches Near Me:The most popular app worldwide for finding Catholic Mass times near me. Confession times. Adoration. 110,000+ churches. Updated in 2025:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...https://catholicmasstimes.com/

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Gerald Boersma, professor of theology at Ave Maria University, for an in-depth conversation on St. Augustine’s City of God. Together they explore Augustine’s historical context, writing in the aftermath of the sack of Rome, and his enduring vision of the two cities: the City of God and the City of Man. The discussion highlights Augustine’s critique of pagan religion, political power, and the illusion of earthly peace, as well as his response to Pelagianism and Donatism.

Dr. Boersma explains how Augustine understands history, politics, virtue, and grace through the lens of love, contrasting the self-centered love that defines the earthly city with the love of God that animates the heavenly city. They examine Augustine’s insights into pride, domination, and false notions of justice, as well as his insistence that true righteousness and peace are gifts of grace rather than human achievements. The conversation also addresses why The City of Godremains especially relevant today, in a cultural moment tempted to seek ultimate meaning in politics, technology, or human progress.

The episode concludes with a reflection on Augustine’s powerful vision of heaven, particularly his teaching on the resurrection and the beatific vision at the end of The City of God. Drs. Dauphinais and Boersma emphasize Augustine’s call to hope, humility, and perseverance, encouraging listeners to rediscover heaven as the true end of human life and the key to understanding both personal history and the destiny of the world.

Catholic Mass Times App | Find Catholic Churches Near Me:The most popular app worldwide for finding Catholic Mass times near me. Confession times. Adoration. 110,000+ churches. Updated in 2025.

https://catholicmasstimes.com/

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Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, psychiatrist and author, discusses his upcoming book "Teach Me Your Suffering" and shares insights on how contemplating Christ's passion can transform our experience of personal suffering. The conversation explores the prayer "doce me passionem tuum" (teach me your suffering) as a spiritual practice that helps people move from isolation to communion with Christ during difficult times. Dr. Kheriaty explains how Christ suffered throughout his entire earthly life, not just during the crucifixion, making him relatable to all human experiences of pain. The discussion covers practical approaches to prayer, forgiveness, and finding meaning in suffering, emphasizing how focusing on Christ's wounds can provide healing for our own wounds. The conversation also addresses how to experience Mass more deeply as a participation in Christ's sacrifice and offers guidance on accepting suffering without approving of it, while still seeking appropriate treatment and remedies.

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Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought.

We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais interviews Father James Mason, pastor and vicar of clergy for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, who has been giving Ignatian retreats for seventeen years. Father Mason shares his personal conversion story as a late vocation who entered seminary at thirty after a career in law, describing his spiritual struggle as fighting God until he finally surrendered. The conversation explores the four stages of Saint Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises: beginning with recognizing God's love and the reality of sin, journeying through Christ's life, contemplating the passion and death, and finally the resurrection. Father Mason emphasizes how these exercises are universal tools for spiritual growth, not just for religious but for all Catholics seeking deeper union with Christ. The discussion covers practical aspects of prayer, dealing with suffering redemptively, the challenge of evangelizing family members who have left the faith, and living with holy indifference to God's will. Father Mason concludes by sharing his daily spiritual practices and reflecting on how his understanding of faith deepened from a superficial teenage concept to a total surrender to Christ. ▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

How can faithful Catholics reclaim the healing mission of medicine in an era of ideological pressures and fragmented care?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. James Breen, family physician, author of Benedict Medicine: A Catholic Response to Rescue the Profession's Healing Mission, and founder of the Benedict Medicine practice in Fort Myers, Florida, to explore the tensions between Catholic anthropology and contemporary medical systems. During their conversation, they also discuss practical solutions like independent primary care models and the vital role of physicians in accompanying patients through suffering, illness, and end-of-life decisions.

Resources:

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community):https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/

Ave Maria University website: https://www.avemaria.edu/

Dr. James Breen’s Website, including access to his recent book, Benedict Medicine: A Catholic Response to Rescue the Profession's Healing Mission:

https://www.jamesobreen.com/benedict-medicine-book

Dr. James Breen's profile on Doximity, which includes details about his professional background, publications, and affiliations such as the Catholic Medical Association:

https://www.doximity.com/pub/james-breen-md-e2417e72

Benedict Medicine website, founded by Dr. James Breen, offering details on his family medicine services and Catholic approach to healthcare in Fort Myers, Florida:

https://www.benedictmedicine.com/

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Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

How can Catholics address the challenges of sexual addiction and pornography in a culture that often normalizes these behaviors?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Rachael Killackey, founder and executive of Magdala Ministries and author of Love in Recovery, to explore the complexities of sexual addiction, particularly among women. And how faith in God’s mercy offers guidance and a path to healing. They discuss the importance of integrating faith and compassion in the healing process, the benefit of support groups, the impact of early exposure to pornography, and the need to move beyond shame-based approaches to foster authentic recovery.  

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Magdala Ministries, which provides details about their programs for women's healing from sexual addiction, podcast episodes, speaker bookings, and support groups. 

Love in Recovery: One Woman's Story of Breaking Free from Shame and Healing from Pornography Addiction by Rachael Killackey, published by Ave Maria Press 

Healing Women from Sexual Addictions w/ Rachael Killackey | Ep. 53 

How does J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic faith infuse his tales with sacramental wonder and redemptive hope?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Ben Reinhard, professor of English at Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of The High Hallow: Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination, to uncover the liturgical foundations of The Lord of the Rings. During their conversation, they also discuss the fairy-story mindset as a gateway to an enchanted, Eucharistic worldview, the hobbits' Magnificat-like humility, and the dangers of false liturgies like the palantíri that tempt us toward idolatrous control.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/Ave Maria University website: https://www.avemaria.edu/Dr. Ben Reinhard's faculty page at Franciscan University of Steubenville, which includes details about his work and publications:https://shss.franciscan.edu/faculty/reinhard-dr-ben/Dr. Ben Reinhard’s book, The High Hallow: Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination, published by Emmaus Road Publishing:https://stpaulcenter.com/store/the-high-hallow-tolkiens-liturgical-imagination▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

Have you ever wondered why Christmas carols move us so deeply?

In this special Christmas episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Host Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Daniel Lendman (Dean of Students and Theologian at Ave Maria University) to explore the profound theology hidden in our favorite Christmas hymns.From the soul-stirring power of “O Holy Night” to the triumphant joy of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” the quiet longing of “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and the timeless beauty of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” they unpack how these beloved songs proclaim the Incarnation, reveal our true dignity, and connect us to centuries of Catholic tradition.Chapters:00:00 – Intro & Welcome 02:15 – O Holy Night and the worth of the soul 12:40 – The divine night and ancient antiphons 20:30 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 35:10 – In the Bleak Midwinter & the world without Christmas 45:20 – O Come, All Ye Faithful (with Latin!) 55:00 – Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming & Mary’s role

How can C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity illuminate the truth of the Catholic faith for seekers and believers alike? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Andrew Swafford, professor of theology at Benedictine College and author of Lunatic, Liar, or Lord: Unveiling the Truth of Catholicism in C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, to explore apologetics rooted in Lewis's trilemma on Jesus' divinity and his overall approach to showing that it is reasonable to believe in the Christian faith. During their conversation, they also discuss the philosophical case for God's existence, human uniqueness, Jesus' resurrection, and much more.

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Dr. Andrew Swafford’s faculty profile at Benedictine College

The Swaffords’ personal website, which includes details about Dr. Andrew Swafford's speaking engagements and resources on theology, marriage, and family

Check out Dr. Andrew Swafford’s new book, Lunatic, Liar, or Lord: Unveiling the Truth of Catholicism with C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, published by Ave Maria Press

How does J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic faith infuse his tales with sacramental wonder and redemptive hope?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Ben Reinhard, professor of English at Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of The High Hallow: Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination, to uncover the liturgical foundations of The Lord of the Rings. During their conversation, they also discuss the fairy-story mindset as a gateway to an enchanted, Eucharistic worldview, the hobbits' Magnificat-like humility, and the dangers of false liturgies like the palantíri that tempt us toward idolatrous control.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/Ave Maria University website: https://www.avemaria.edu/Dr. Ben Reinhard's faculty page at Franciscan University of Steubenville, which includes details about his work and publications:https://shss.franciscan.edu/faculty/reinhard-dr-ben/Dr. Ben Reinhard’s book, The High Hallow: Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination, published by Emmaus Road Publishing:https://stpaulcenter.com/store/the-high-hallow-tolkiens-liturgical-imagination
▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

How can C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity illuminate the truth of the Catholic faith for seekers and believers alike? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Andrew Swafford, professor of theology at Benedictine College and author of Lunatic, Liar, or Lord: Unveiling the Truth of Catholicism in C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, to explore apologetics rooted in Lewis's trilemma on Jesus' divinity and his overall approach to showing that it is reasonable to believe in the Christian faith. During their conversation, they also discuss the philosophical case for God's existence, human uniqueness, Jesus' resurrection, and much more.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community):https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/Ave Maria University website:https://www.avemaria.edu/Dr. Andrew Swafford’s faculty profile at Benedictine College:https://www.benedictine.edu/person/swafford-andrewThe Swaffords’ personal website, which includes details about Dr. Andrew Swafford's speaking engagements and resources on theology, marriage, and family:https://theswaffords.com/Check out Dr. Andrew Swafford’s new book, Lunatic, Liar, or Lord: Unveiling the Truth of Catholicism with C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, published by Ave Maria Press:https://www.avemariapress.com/products/lunatic-liar-or-lord▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

How can Catholics address the ethical dilemmas in modern medicine and public health policy?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, a Catholic psychiatrist and former professor, to discuss his experiences challenging unethical medical mandates and his new book, Making the Cut: How to Heal Modern Medicine. They exploreKheriaty’s legal battles against university vaccine mandates, his advocacy for informed consent, and the broader issue of government censorship in public health.

Resources:   Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)

Ave Maria University website

Dr. Aaron Kheriaty’s personal website, which includes details about his biography, books, articles, and public speaking engagements.

Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), where Dr. Aaron Kheriaty serves as Director of the Bioethics, Technology, and Human Flourishing Program.

Discover Dr. Aaron Kheriaty onAmazon,including his book, Making the Cut: How to Heal ModernMedicine

In this special live episode of The Catholic Theology Show,

Host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes guests Kara Johnson, John Mortensen, and Beth Mortensen before a student audience at Ave Maria University to discuss integrating the intellectual life with family life. 

Drawing heavily from A.G. Sertillanges’s classic 1920 work, 

The Intellectual Life, the panel shares personal experiences and practical wisdom. Kara Johnson, a theology professor and mother of a young son, describes how family suffering and joy have deepened her theological work. John and Beth Mortensen, parents of nine who both hold doctorates in theology, recount finishing dissertations amid pregnancies and bed rest, job instability that pushed John back into software development, and discovering that married life is a “preschool for the perfection of charity.” 

The conversation explores how children “bring you back to the real,” why love (of God, truth, spouse, and children) is the true unifying principle of life, and how the intellectual life is not reserved for academics but can be explored in the home. 

By giving their personal testimonies of how they live out the intellectual life in their own homes, they prove that living out the intellectual life is achievable for everyone. 

Resources:

Relevant Websites and resources:  The Aquinas Institute (organization John Mortensen serves as President, focused on publishing St. Thomas Aquinas's works in Latin-English editions): https://www.aquinasinstitute.org/ 

Understanding St. Thomas on Analogy (John Mortensen's doctoral dissertation in philosophy, winner of the 2009 Prize of the Pontifical Academies): https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Thomas-Analogy-John-Mortensen/dp/1449977677  

Prayer in the Family (co-authored with Beth Mortensen, under pen names John and Beth Viatori; a guide to family spirituality): Available via Catholic Truth Society or search on https://www.amazon.com (ISBN: 9780852312435) 

How can Catholics understand the sacraments through Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Roger Nutt, Provost and Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, to explore Aquinas’s treatment of the sacraments in the third part of the Summa.

They discuss how the sacraments, as efficacious signs instituted by Christ, extend His redemptive work by addressing both the guilt and disorder of sin, drawing believers into deeper intimacy with God through grace.

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community):

https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/

Ave Maria University website: https://www.avemaria.edu/

Dr. Roger Nutt’s faculty profile at Ave Maria University:

https://www.avemaria.edu/faculty-and-staff/roger-nutt-s-t-l-s-t-d

General Principles of Sacramental Theology by Dr. Roger Nutt, published by Catholic University of America Press:

https://www.cuapress.org/9780813229386/general-principles-of-sacramental-theology/

The Sacraments w/Dr. Roger Nutt | Ep. 56

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ysMkOp2ksgelbHgNrlFET?si=9XvTh6bbSC2KwCJkF5FH-A

The Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI w/ Dr. Roger Nutt | Ep. 15

https://open.spotify.com/episode/46oP4ofRybS9wyvFQNy1sK?si=8-JrXeAnSG2hzxAaaw_lGQ

▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

How can Catholics deepen their understanding of Jesus Christ through Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Father Guy Mansini, a Benedictine priest and the Max Seckler Professor of Catholic Theology at Ave Maria University, to explore the Christology of the Summa’s third part. They discuss how Aquinas presents Christ as true God and true man, situating His identity and work within the framework of God’s creation and human redemption.

Fr. Guy Mansini’s faculty profile at Ave Maria University:

https://www.avemaria.edu/faculty-and-staff/fr-guy-mansini-s-t-d

The Moral Life in the Summa Theologiae w/ Fr. Romanus Cessario | The Summa for Beginners Pt.3: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Fvg7ZnxpUoaFqLXQOtPRS?si=s5pLuCdXQuKo1q-lW_bB9Q

The Development of Doctrine in Catholic Theology w/Fr. Guy Mansini | Ep.113: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Fvg7ZnxpUoaFqLXQOtPRS?si=nJ7m2M_9QXSP9bC2rSPtlA

What is Fundamental Theology? w/Fr. Guy Mansini | Ep. 54: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3nnBF8d1VkQbUpDmat13LE?si=pbWuiH2zSLSmuX-fYT3kqQ

Why Should We Care About Ecclesiology? w/Fr. Guy Mansini | Ep. 13: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7II8REa2TCjrmJjidDec2Y?si=K1rVMk_ASeu20YU21fByXw

How can Catholics understand the moral life within the framework of Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae? Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Fr. Romanus Cessario, a Dominican priest and the Adam Cardinal Maida Professor of Catholic Theology at Ave Maria University, to explore the moral theology presented in the second part of the Summa. They discuss how Aquinas situates moral theology between God’s creation and Christ’s redemption, emphasizing the pursuit of beatitude, the role of natural law as an imprint of divine providence, and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Fr. Romanus Cessario’s faculty profile at Ave Maria University:https://www.avemaria.edu/faculty-and-staff/fr-romanus-cessario-s-t-dExploring God and Creation in the Summa Theologiae w/ Dr. Daniel Lendman | The Summa for Beginners Pt. 2:https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vsITzmSp9MXQcUC6sRail?si=-BF5BMtOR0yqpf5OC4gNUg&nd=1&dlsi=7410abd9cdc24c1aA Foretaste of Future Glory w/ Fr. Romanus Cessario | Ep. 63:https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vsITzmSp9MXQcUC6sRail?si=-BF5BMtOR0yqpf5OC4gNUg&nd=1&dlsi=05d8428a7d154abcWhat is Truth? w/ Fr. Romanus Cessario | Ep. 18:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HEV7O8aEuvTbJVHwSCt1N?si=wL0KuBzNROm1_gKpJXbhyA&nd=1&dlsi=610c05c8031543a1

How can Catholics deepen their understanding of God and His creation through the lens of Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Daniel Lendman, a professor of theology and dean of students at Ave Maria University, to discuss the first part of the Summa Theologiae. They explore Aquinas’s approach to God’s existence, divine simplicity, providence, predestination, and the Trinity, emphasizing how these teachings reveal God as the creator who lovingly draws all creation to Himself. Dr. Daniel Lendman’s faculty profile at Ave Maria University:https://www.avemaria.edu/faculty-and-staff/daniel-lendman-ph-dDr. Daniel Lendman on The Sacra Doctrina Project website, which details his publications:https://www.sacradoctrinaproject.org/daniellendmanPrevious Episodes with Dr. Lendman:How to Read Romans as a Catholic with Dr. Daniel Lendman | Ep. 70https://youtu.be/e5H-N08mjeA

How can Catholics approach the study of theology through the lens of Saint Thomas Aquinas?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., a Dominican priest and professor of theology at the Dominican House of Studies, to explore the significance of Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae. Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. also shares insights from his book, The Summa Illuminated, which aims to make Aquinas’s complex work accessible by highlighting its comprehensive and contemplative approach to theology. 

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.’s profile at the Dominican House of Studies 

The Summa Illuminated, by Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. published by Ave Maria Press and available for preorder 

Fr Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.’s book,Catholic Theology: An Introduction, published by ECT Press 

The Importance of Studying Theology Daily w/ Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. | Ep. 26 

What does it mean to evangelize through theology in a world of bad ideas about God and deepening cultural crises?

To mark the third anniversary of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes back his colleague and frequent guest, Dr. Roger Nutt, provost and professor of theology at Ave Maria University. Together, they reflect on the podcast's roots in St. John Paul II's vision for the New Evangelization and the dangers of flawed theology. They also discuss the show's growth, episode planning inspired by great books and classroom insights, and enduring lessons on surrendering to God's mercy amid personal and societal struggles. 

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Dr. Michael Dauphinais's faculty profile at Ave Maria University 

Dr. Roger Nutt's faculty profile at Ave Maria University 

Check out Dr Michael Dauphinais’s book, Knowing the Love of Christ, co-authored with Matthew Levering, from Notre Dame Press 

How can Catholics engage with the mystery of God through reason and faith?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Fr. James Brent, O.P., assistant professor of philosophy at the Dominican House of Studies. They explore how philosophy in the perennial tradition raises profound questions about God’s existence, His plan, the problem of evil, the human soul, life after death, and the pursuit of ultimate happiness, questions that are finally only answered by faith in God's revelation in Jesus Christ. They also discuss Fr. Brent's recent book The Father’s House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity. 

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Fr. James Brent’s profile at the Dominican House of Studies 

Contemplata, a podcast hosted by Fr. James Brent, O.P. 

Fr James Brent, O.P.’s new book, The Father’s House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity, published by Pauline Books & Media 

Can Philosophy Help Us Evangelize? w/ Fr. James Brent, O.P. | Ep. 108 

How does beauty guide Catholics toward God and shape their moral and spiritual lives?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach, a professor of philosophy at Ave Maria University, to explore the profound role of beauty in faith. They discuss how beauty, as seen in nature, art, and moral goodness, serves as an accessible yet demanding path to God, reflecting His creative order. 

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach's personal website 

The Philosophy of Motherhood w/ Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach 

How can Catholics find meaning in suffering and grow closer to God through it?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Megan Hjelmstad, author of Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, to explore the theological and practical dimensions of suffering. They discuss how suffering, often an obstacle to faith, can be transformed into a path toward redemption by uniting it with Christ’s cross. Hjelmstad shares her personal experiences with chronic illness, pregnancy loss, and dietary restrictions, illustrating how these challenges led her to a deeper understanding of redemptive suffering.  

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Megan Hjelmstad's personal website  

Find Megan Hjelmstad’s new book, Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, published by Emmaus Road 

How can we find authentic identity in an increasingly digital world?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Paul Vitz, Catholic psychologist and professor emeritus, to discuss his book, Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today's Identity Crisis. They explore the tension between the analog experiences that ground human identity in reality and the digital world's tendency to disconnect us from our bodies, relationships, and God.  

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Dr. Paul Vitz's profile from the Catholic Education Resource Center 

Find Dr. Paul Vitz on Amazon, including Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism 

Dr Paul Vitz’s latest book Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today’s Identity Crisis, published by St Augustine’s Press 

How can Catholics faithfully approach the concept of miracles and prayer?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Anthony DeStefano, a Catholic author with over 30 books, to explore his latest work, The Miracle Book: A Simple Guide to Asking the Impossible.  DeStefano shares practical, theologically sound steps for seeking divine intervention and reflects on his personal journey from skepticism to faith, highlighting the transformative power of prayer and Eucharistic adoration. 

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Dr. Anthony DeStefano's personal website 

Discover Dr. Anthony DeStefano on Amazon, including his latest work, The Miracle Book: A Simple Guide to Asking the Impossible,published by Sophia Institute Press 

What caused the crisis of faith in the Catholic Church following Vatican II?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Larry Chapp, a retired theology professor and founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm, to discuss the cultural and theological turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s. Chapp shares his journey to starting the Catholic Worker Farm, inspired by Dorothy Day’s radical yet devout Catholicism, and underscores the importance of prayer and Scripture in renewing faith. 

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Dr. Larry Chapp's personal website 

Discover the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm website 

Discover Dr. Larry Chapp on Amazon, including his work, Confession of a Catholic Worker: Our Moment of Christian Witness 

How can Catholics address the perceived conflict between faith and science to strengthen belief, especially among youth?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Fr. Robert Spitzer, president of the Magis Center and a leading Catholic scholar, to discuss this critical issue. They discuss Fr. Spitzer’s mission through the Magis Center, including his book Father Spitzer’s Universe: Exploring Life’s Big Questions, which uses the Apostles' Creed to anchor Christian beliefs in scientific, philosophical, and historical evidence.

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Fr Robert Spitzer's Magis Center Page 

Find Fr Robert Spitzer on Amazon, which lists his books, including Fr. Spitzer’s Universe: Exploring Life’s Big Questions 

Magis Center Store, another place to find Fr. Robert Spitzer’s books 

Learn more about the Shroud of Turin 

Why is governance essential for fostering Christian perfection and societal order?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Dr. Donald Prudlo, author ofGoverning Perfection and Warren Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Tulsa, to explore the necessity and value of governance in both ecclesiastical and secular contexts. They discuss how governance, rooted in the Christian tradition, balances individual dignity with the common good, drawing on historical examples like the Dominican Order and St. Francis of Assisi’s administrative challenges.  

Resources:  

How can Catholics engage with contemporary debates on sexuality and gender through a lens of faith and reason?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Michele Schumacher, private docent at the University of Freiburg, Switzerland, and author of Metaphysics and Gender: The Normative Art of Nature and Its Human Limitations, to explore these questions. Dr. Schumacher shares her journey from questioning God’s existence to becoming a moral theologian specializing in sexual ethics, emphasizing the universal call to motherhood, the grace of sacramental marriage, the transformative power of love in suffering, and the importance of Eucharistic adoration in aligning with God’s design. 

Resources:  

How does the Catholic Church understand the unique role of Jesus Christ in salvation?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Eduardo Echeverria, author of Jesus Christ: Scandal of Particularity, Vatican II, A Catholic Theology of Religion’s Justification and Truth. They explore Vatican II’s teachings, the importance of apologetics, the dangers of religious indifference, and Echeverria’s journey from evangelical Protestantism back to Catholicism. 

Resources:  

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

Ave Maria University website 

Discover Dr. Eduardo J. Echeverria's books on Amazon, including Jesus Christ: Scandal of Particularity, Vatican II, A Catholic Theology of Religion’s Justification and Truth 

Dr Eduardo Echeverria's Lectio Publishing author page 

How can the historical wisdom of the Habsburg dynasty guide us in modern times? 

Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Eduard Habsburg, Archduke of Austria and author of The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times, to explore lessons from 800 years of Habsburg history. They discuss the seven principles that shaped the dynasty, including the importance of marriage, the Catholic faith, and how these can be applied today. 

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can Catholics navigate the challenges of modern social interactions while staying true to their faith?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais, in a talk given at the SEEK 2025 conference hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, explores how to live meaningfully in a world facing social and spiritual challenges. He proposes seven practices—digital detoxing, acknowledging personal failings, intentional socializing, detaching with love, redirecting desires, avoiding despair, and trusting in divine providence—to recover joy, peace, and meaningful human connection through faith. 

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How does the Catholic tradition address the complex reality of war? 

Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Joseph Capizzi, dean and professor of moral theology and ethics at the Catholic University of America, to explore just war theory. They discuss its roots in Roman and Christian thought, particularly through Augustine and Aquinas, and the role of mercy and forgiveness in fostering lasting peace.

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can a Catholic scientist navigate the intersection of faith, medicine, and public health crises?  

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Robert Redfield, former CDC director and Catholic physician, to explore his journey from a scientific worldview to a deep Catholic faith, shaped by a transformative encounter with Pope John Paul II. They discuss Redfield’s work with AIDS patients, the redemptive value of suffering, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of transparency in public health and the role of faith in facing life’s challenges. 

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can Catholics deepen their spiritual life through theology and contemplation? 

In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., Rector of the Angelicum in Rome, to discuss his book, Contemplation and the Cross: A Catholic Introduction to the Spiritual Life. The conversation addresses challenges like moral therapeutic deism and the notion of an impersonal God, emphasizing disciplined practices such as Scripture reading, the Sacraments, and the Rosary to foster a living relationship with God.

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

What is the significance of the Jubilee Year in the Bible, and how does it relate to Jesus’s mission and the Catholic Church? 

In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. John Bergsma, a Catholic theologian, author, and vice president of mission at the Saint Paul Center, to explore the biblical concept of the Jubilee Year. They discuss Bergsma’s book, Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor, which examines the Jubilee’s origins in Leviticus 25, its prophetic fulfillment in Jesus’s ministry, and its enduring relevance in the Church today.

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can Catholics rediscover a sense of wonder in a world that feels disconnected from meaning? 

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College, to discuss the importance of recovering an enchanted view of the universe. They explore how the Catholic intellectual tradition, rooted in Scripture and the natural world, counters the modern "buffered self" that isolates individuals from God, others, and creation. 

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can faithful Catholics understand and navigate the modern crisis of identity?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Angela Franks, theologian, author, and professor at Saint John’s Seminary, to talk about issues relating to identity and the "empty self." During their conversation, they also discuss related themes such as the historical roots of identity struggles and how to guide children toward their God-given identity with faith and compassion.

Resources: 

How can St. Thomas Aquinas help address the modern crisis of belief?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Fr. Michael Sherwin, O.P.,, a Dominican theologian and professor of theology at the Angelicum in Rome, to explore how Aquinas’ teachings can respond to contemporary challenges in faith. They discuss the nature of belief in Jesus Christ, the developmental journey of faith, and how Aquinas integrates diverse intellectual traditions to affirm the truth of the Gospel. Fr. Sherwin also shares insights from his personal faith journey and offers practical spiritual practices for growing closer to God.

Resources: 

How does St. Thomas Aquinas shape a return to Catholic faith?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Francis Beckwith, author of Never Doubt Thomas: The Catholic Aquinas as Evangelical and Protestant, about his journey back to Catholicism. They discuss Aquinas’s influence, justification, and engaging evangelical perspectives.

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can Catholics engage with Jordan Peterson’s ideas while remaining rooted in the faith?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Christopher Kaczor, Catholic philosopher, author, and Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, about his book Jordan Peterson, God, and Christianity: The Search for a Meaningful Life. They explore how Peterson’s moral reading of scripture has sparked renewed interest in the Bible, even among atheists, and reflect on the universal relevance of stories like Cain and Abel. They also discuss the limits of Peterson’s theology and his ongoing journey of faith.

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

What does it mean to return to Catholicism and live out its truths in a political and cultural context?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Michael Knowles, host of The Daily Wire's The Michael Knowles Showand a prominent Catholic commentator, to explore his reversion to the Catholic faith after a decade of atheism. They discuss how reading the Gospels and engaging with intellectual arguments led Knowles to embrace Christ and the Church. They also cover the importance of the historicity of Christianity, the intersection of faith and politics, and the dangers of modern attempts to control speech.

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can Catholics build meaningful relationships in an era of increasing loneliness and isolation?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Ray Guarendi, a clinical psychologist, Catholic author, and speaker, to explore practical approaches to fostering love and friendship. They discuss strategies for being present to others, balancing acceptance and honesty in challenging discussions, and living out Christian values to strengthen connections. Dr. Guarendi also shares his personal journey from atheism to Catholicism and offers guidance for young people navigating dating and relationships.

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!

What can we learn from the extraordinary friendship between Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Patrick Novecosky, an award-winning author and speaker and the founder of NovaMedia, to discuss his upcoming book on two of the greatest modern-day saints. They discuss how both saints overcame profound personal suffering to become beacons of hope, transforming the 20th century through their faith in Jesus Christ and his witness to human dignity and divine mercy.

Resources: 

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

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How does Jesus Christ transform the way we think about God? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Adam Van Wart, Associate Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, to discuss how the Incarnation makes God concretely present in human history, overcoming the human tendency to idolatry. Dr. Van Wart also explains how suffering acquires new meaning through Christ’s Cross and Resurrection, and shares insights from his personal journey from evangelical Protestantism to Catholicism.

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How can Catholics integrate personal development practices with authentic faith?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Matt Ingold, co-founder of Metanoia Catholic, about “baptizing” secular life coaching with Catholic theology. They discuss John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as a foundation for understanding human growth, the non-competitive relationship between grace and effort, and practical approaches to discovering your unique vocation while growing in holiness.

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Why is philosophy essential for understanding Catholic theology? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Dr. Steven Long, well-known theologian and Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, about the relationship between philosophy and theology in the Catholic tradition. They discuss how the abandonment of realist philosophy has undermined theological truth, the importance of natural law for human flourishing, and Dr. Long’s experience championing Thomistic thought when it was largely dismissed in academic circles.

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How can ancient wisdom help us find consolation and freedom in our distracted modern world? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Thomas Ward, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University, to discuss his book, After Stoicism: The Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher. The work examines St. Severinus Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy, which offers a Christian alternative to Stoicism that acknowledges suffering while maintaining hope in Divine Providence. The conversation also explores the role of Boethius’s Christian faith as well as Ward’s intellectual journey and the enduring relevance of Boethius’ wisdom for contemporary readers facing life’s challenges.

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How did Thomas Aquinas read and interpret the Bible?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Jason Paone, editor of Word on Fire Academic, to discuss two new books exploring Aquinas’ commentaries on the New and Old Testaments. They examine Aquinas’ deeply Christocentric approach to Scripture, his understanding of the Bible through God’s plan of creation and restoration, and the theological richness of his biblical works.

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How can Christians come to recognize the mystery of the Trinity as intelligible?

In this conversation, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Gerald Boersma, Professor of Theology and Director of the Theology M.A. Program at Ave Maria University, to explore Augustine’s De Trinitate.They discuss how it defends orthodox Trinitarian doctrine, presents the Trinity as a journey toward the vision of God, and shows how the Incarnation of Christ enables humans to ascend to divine knowledge. Throughout their discussion, they emphasize that Augustine’s work isn’t merely theoretical speculation but rather a spiritual journey, inviting readers to understand how the Trinity reveals God’s plan for human salvation and the renewal of humanity in Christ’s image.

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How can we heal the split between who we present ourselves to be and who we really are? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Daniel Davy, Professor of History and Dean of Faculty at Ave Maria University, about Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and its relevance to modern life. They explore how this Victorian tale illuminates our modern-day struggles with addiction, social media, and loneliness while proposing Catholic education as a healing path through faith integration, authentic relationships, and mercy rather than shame—ultimately helping us overcome our divided identities. 

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How can Catholics better understand the historical and biblical foundations of their faith?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Catholic convert Steve Ray about his journey to Catholicism. They discuss his book Crossing the Tiber and explore his insights from leading pilgrimages, illuminating connections between biblical sites, and Catholic tradition.

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How can Catholics integrate their faith with modern business practices, particularly in marketing?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Neil Watson, adjunct professor of business and Director of Marketing at Ave Maria University, about the intersection of Catholic social teaching and business ethics. Watson explores how the Church's teachings on human dignity, work, and the common good can inform ethical marketing practices. Throughout their discussion, they emphasize that economic activity—when properly ordered—can contribute to human flourishing and even become a means of sanctification.

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How can C.S. Lewis’Perelandrahelp us rethink the Genesis story and its relevance to the modern world?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Joseph Pearce, frequent guest and Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University, explore the next book in C.S. Lewis’ space trilogy,Perelandra - a retelling of Genesis that illuminates free will, sin, and grace. They discuss Lewis’ use of myth to reawaken humanity’s understanding of creation, temptation, and divine providence, highlighting the themes of human freedom, the acceptance of suffering, and the call to join God’s "great dance."

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How do welive chastely in a world consumed by distractions, desires, and secular notions of fulfillment?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim explore chastity as a path to personal integration and spiritual renewal. Drawing from Bishop Varden’s bookChastity: Reconciliation of the Senses, they discuss cultural misconceptions, the healing power of mercy, and how vulnerability and grace transform the human heart. A thoughtful conversation on living Christian virtue in a secular world.

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How do humility and obedience shape our relationship with authority, community, and God?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Pater Edmund Waldstein, a Cistercian monk and theologian, explore the role of humility and obedience in our relationship with authority, the church, and the common good. They discuss the balance between individual dignity and community, the necessity of authority, and how Catholic tradition offers a framework for navigating a flawed world while pursuing holiness.

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How can Catholics navigate grief and trauma while holding onto hope and faith?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Dr. Julia Sadusky, a licensed psychologist and Ave Maria University alumna,explore the complexities of grief, ambiguous losses, and trauma. They discuss the healing power of connection, routine, and faith, offering practical advice and reflecting on how Christian hope and the promise of eternal life provide strength in suffering.

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How can today’s youth rediscover faith amidst a culture of secularism and distraction?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Ambrose Bean, Ave Maria University alumnus, BA and MA in Theology, teacher, and author of Catholic Revival: A Rallying Cry to the Rising Generation in the Church. They discuss the personal nature of faith, the joy of knowing Jesus Christ, and how Catholics can renew the Church by inspiring the next generation to embrace their mission. Ambrose shares practical insights from his teaching and his work with the Bethlehem Society.

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How can Catholics navigate modern theological challenges while staying true to the Church's tradition?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press, about the enduring relevance of Catholic theology in addressing modern challenges. They discuss the influence of theologians like Ratzinger, von Balthasar, and de Lubac, the role of liturgy, and the importance of recovering tradition in a secular age. Fr. Fessio also highlights Ignatius Press’s efforts to foster orthodoxy through projects like the Catholic Study Bible and Ignatius Book Fairs.

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How can we recover a vision of the cosmos as a place filled with divine wonder and purpose?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes Joseph Pearce, Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University, to explore C.S. Lewis’s Out of the Silent Planet. Together, they discuss his vision of a cosmos filled with divine wonder and order. They examine Lewis’s critique of scientism, the harmony of creation, and the role of imagination in understanding humanity’s place within God’s design.

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How does understanding the overarching story of Scripture deepen our faith?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Jeff Cavins, creator of the Great Adventure Bible Study and co-host of the incredibly popular Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Michael Schmitz, about understanding the Bible’s overarching narrative. They discuss how the Bible Timeline helps Catholics grasp salvation history, the role of the Psalms in prayer, and how Scripture deepens faith and unites us with Christ. Perfect for anyone seeking to rediscover God’s Word and grow in their spiritual life.

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What can St. Augustine teach us about grace, memory, and our search for identity in a restless world?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Fr. Kevin Grove, a Holy Cross priest and theology professor at Notre Dame, to discuss Augustine’s timeless insights. They explore themes from Confessions, including grace, the whole Christ, and recovering our identity in God, offering practical and spiritual takeaways for navigating today’s challenges.

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How can Catholics uncover the profound meaning and purpose found in family life and childbearing?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Dr. Catherine Ruth Pakaluk about her book Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth. They discuss the meaning and purpose found in family life, the challenges of modern parenting, and the profound stories of mothers who embrace their faith and calling amidst societal pressures.

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How should Catholics respond to the false promises of transhumanism?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Dr. Steven Jensen, professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, examine transhumanism as a modern form of eugenics. They discuss the distinction between healing and enhancement, the dangers of rejecting human nature as a gift, and how Christ provides the ultimate answer to humanity’s deepest needs.

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How can Catholics approach the study of Psychology through the lens of faith and the dignity of the human person?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined again by Dr. Julia Sadusky, Catholic author, speaker, licensed psychologist, and alumna of Ave Maria University, to discuss the relationship between the Catholic faith and the field of Psychology amid today’s ”mental health epidemic.” In this episode, they investigate the Catholic vision of the human person as spirit, soul, and body from the perspectives of Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Paul II, and C.S. Lewis, while also delving into Dr. Sadusky’s own journey in psychology and faith.

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Description: What does it mean to live in a society that no longer believes in truth, and how can Christians respond to this crisis?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Rusty Reno, editor of First Things magazine, about the crisis of modernity and its rejection of truth and tradition. They explore how this cultural shift impacts Christianity and discuss ways to recover a robust faith rooted in Scripture, worship, and transcendent truth.

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Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteR. R. Reno's profile on First Things websiteDr. Reno’s book, “Return of the Strong Gods” on Amazon

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How does Catholic doctrine mature in expression while remaining true to revelation?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. Guy Mansini, S.T.D., Max Seckler Chair of Theology at Ave Maria University, about how the articulation of Catholic teachings develops over time while remaining true to revelation. They explore the roles of language, philosophy, and historical context in deepening the Church’s understanding of divine truth.

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Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteFr. Guy Mansini's book The Development of Dogma: A Systematic Account can be found on Catholic University of America PressMore works by Fr. Guy Mansini on Amazon

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How should Catholics approach relationships with others, with ourselves, and with God in a culture saturated with confusion about sexuality?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Bill Donaghy from the Theology of the Body Institute to explore St. John Paul II's work, The Theology of the Body. They discuss how this teaching offers clarity on human sexuality and desire in today's culture. Donaghy highlights the healing message of love, mercy, and the meaning of our bodies within God's plan.

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How can we recover a robust understanding of heaven and maintain confidence in reaching it?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Jim Papandrea, author and professor of Church History and Historical Theology, to explore the Christian understanding of the afterlife. Drawing from early Church Fathers and his book What Really Happens After We Die, Dr. Papandrea presents the resurrection of the body in heaven as a joyful reunion, and discusses how modern misconceptions about the afterlife differ from the Christian vision of eternal life. They also consider how to recover a hopeful view of heaven and confidence in attaining it through God’s grace.

Additional Resources: 

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteDr. James Papandrea’s personal websiteDr. James Papandrea’s book, What Really Happens After We Die? on Sophia Institute

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How can men today find direction, strength, and purpose in a culture that leaves them uncertain of their role?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Brett Powell discuss Life Compassworkshops, which help men identify their God-given purpose, overcome passivity, and nurture meaningful relationships. This conversation provides practical insights and faith-based guidance for men to live with strength and direction.

Additional Resources:

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteBrett Powell's Personal Website: Leadership Where it Matters MostLife Compass Workshops website

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