Catholic Exchange

Michael welcomes Haley Stewart, author of The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture, to discuss her latest book and how we can begin to detach from our contemporary obsession with moreLinks:The Grace of Enough is available from Ave Maria Press: https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-817-2/The-Grace-of-Enough/#description_tabFind Haley at Carrots for Michaelmas: https://www.carrotsformichaelmas.com/Support the show

To celebrate All Hallow's Eve and the Month of the Holy Souls, Michael welcomes historian and author Tom McDonald.It can be hard to think of saints having any opinions on ghostly apparitions or haunting dreams. However, as Tom makes clear, saints from Augustine to Thomas Aquinas shared their thoughts on the possibility of seeing spirits as well as their own experiences. Are they the souls of purgatory, angels, or devils? We'll discuss that as well as the new pop phenomenons surrounding Halloween.<p>Other things we discuss in today's show:St. Gregory the Great's tales of spirits from Purgatory reaching out to the living for prayers.A purgatorial vision of the Wild Hunt.Why the modern world is fascinated by ghosts and what dangers this curiosity can pose.Prayers for the dead and why they are necessary.<p>Resources we mentioned:Check out Weird Catholic to learn more about today's subject. Especially check out these articles:"The Wild Hunt and the Purgatorial Procession.&

Marcel Van was a mystic who died at a camp in Northern Vietnam. Before his death, he had visions and mystical conversations with St. Therese of Lisieux and Jesus. While his cause for beatification was opened in 1997, not many people have heard of him in the West. Suzie Andres joins us to talk about the many spiritual gems that Marcel's conversations offer us. If you are looking for a new brother in your spiritual life, today's episode will cover how even our little ways are made larger through God's grace. Take a look at Servant of God Marcel Van's Conversations (https://amzn.to/2M8rvV6). Also check out Suzie's article on Marcel Van to learn more (https://goo.gl/PjpZmS). And do check out her blog (http://www.suzieandres.com/)image: By Amis de Van [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia CommonsSupport the show

The Mass is the source and summit of all our lives, but it doesn't mean it's always simple and easy to comprehend. If you have ever asked questions about the Mass and the Liturgy, join Michael and Christopher Carstens to discuss how you can get more out of Mass and learn to have a joyful devotion to each part of the liturgy. Catholic Exchange is supported by you, our listeners. Please help us in our Spring fundraising drive by visiting: https://catholicexchange.com/donateSupport the show

Author Tyler Blanski joins us to discuss his conversion and his latest book, An Immovable Feast. Michael and Tyler each reflect on the joys and challenges of converting to the Church. We also discuss how conversion is a daily task that is, in many ways, the story of our daily turning to God in love. Check out Tyler's new book at: https://amzn.to/2IhWVpTSupport our work and find our links at CatholicExchange.comSupport the show

Kathleen Beckman joins the podcast to discuss the power of prayer, the little way to praying like a saint, and even how gratitude can be used in spiritual warfare. Check out Kathleen's articles and books at CatholicExchange.comSupport the show

We here at CE have a great love and devotion to St. Joseph. So it is that we're excited to welcome popular speaker, author, and pilgrimage leader, Fr. Donald Calloway who gives us many reasons to love St. Joseph. In this episode, you'll learn about the spiritual gems of seeking St. Joseph's assistance, how the saint's silence can be an example for us, and why St. Joseph is called "the terror of demons."Check out Fr. Calloway's latest book, St. Joseph Gems at https://www.fathercalloway.com/books-and-gifts/st-joseph-gems-daily-wisdom-our-spiritual-fatherSupport the show

Many youth leave the Church, despite the great work done by youth ministers and parish volunteers all across the world. What can we do to bring our youth back and keep them in the faith? Author Everett Fritz joins us to talk about how building young disciples up means a personal connection. Join us for some interesting conversation as we also dive into some questions from the readers. Go to http://everettfritz.com/ to learn more about Mr. Fritz and his work. Also, be sure to check out the original article that sparked this conversation: https://catholicexchange.com/youth-leaving-churchBe sure to check out The Art of Forming Young Disciples by Everett Fritz: https://goo.gl/dVJvTQSupport the show

Michael shares one particular interest with author and theologian R. Jared Staudt: they both have a passion for beer and its impact on culture. Today, both Michael and Dr. Staudt welcome Easter by discussing the joys of great beer and the revival of Catholic beer culture in the US and Europe. We talk about the possible Hebrew word for beer as well as how monks have been brewing the finest beer for centuries. So, pour yourself a Trappist ale and join us for this lighthearted but informative conversation. Support the show

Michael is joined by two great professors from the Honors College of Belmont Abbey College to discuss the importance of reading great books. We discuss many of the modern problems in discourse and how the great books of history and our Catholic culture address it. Whether you're looking for a possible college program to reacquire the intellectual tradition of the West, or just want some reading encouragement, give us a listen. Honors College Website: http://belmontabbeycollege.edu/academics/honors-college/Email Joseph Wysocki at josephwysocki@bac.eduSupport the show

Sarah is the author of several books and countless articles about Mary. As a fellow convert, she and Michael talk about the different ways people come to Mary. They also talk about how Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette provide each of us with a model of love and virtue. This is the perfect podcast to listen to while you continue your Lenten journey image: By GO69 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons (https://goo.gl/EMHy39)Support the show

We took a short holiday break, but we're back! In the first interview of 2018, Michael sits down with Jeannie Ewing, a frequent guest and writer at CatholicExchange.com. Our focus is on the spirituality of waiting and how you can use long moments to dig deep into your spiritual life while also learning more about yourself and what God might be preparing you for. Go to our website to learn more. Support the show

Michael welcomes Dr. Jim Papandrea onto the CE Podcast for a lighthearted but critical examination of Star Wars just in time for the latest installment of the epic space opera franchise. With their love of theology and sci-fi, Michael and Jim discuss the Christian imagery that is used throughout the saga. Support the show

Michael presents the first episode of our Advent podcast series. Reading from the 17th century theologian Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, we explore how the promise of Christ's birth was given to the Old Testament patriarchs. This is part of our series to offer small bits of audio to help you reflect on this season. Text for the meditation available at: http://catholicexchange.com/jesus-promised-patriarchs-advent-meditation.Support the show

You might be seeing the Magi, the three wise men, in every Nativity set around your town. But who are they, and how do we know about them? Fr. Dwight Longenecker joins the CE podcast to talk about the mystery of the Magi. Support the show

Michael is joined by Fr. Looney to discuss how we can find a Marian heart this Advent. Like Mary, we patiently wait and contemplate our Lord, but how do we become more like Her? Tune in and learn how you can pray, wait, and love with the same holy passion of Mother Mary. Click, subscribe and donate at CatholicExchange.comFind Fr. Looney at EdwardLooney.comSupport the show

Today, Michael is pleased to welcome Dan Burke, president of the Avila Foundation and SpiritualDirection.com to talk about how to pray the contemplative rosary. Using St. Theresa of Avila and Pope St. John Paul II, Dan shows how you can engage your whole mind into praying the rosary and really kick-start your prayer life. Support the show

How do you even begin to talk about Catholicism with an agnostic, an atheist, or just a curious soul? It can seem daunting at first, but author Brandon Vogt has a few ideas gleaned from his own conversion experience and his ongoing discussions with atheists. Join us today to talk about conversion, beauty, and some great books that showcase the joy and wonder of the Catholic faith. Catholic Exchange is supported Sophia Institute Press and our listeners. If you can support us for even $5 a month to grow this podcast, go to http://catholicexchange.com/donateSupport the show

Today, we talk about the problem of loneliness, something that can affect both your spiritual and physical health. Dr. Kevin Vost shows how science and faith show us the effects and cures for loneliness. While we talk about the theory, Dr. Vost also offers some fantastic practical steps we can take today. Support the show

Are you increasingly frustrated and perplexed in this age of technology? While you might be reading this on a your phone, maybe you've noticed that our technology can unite us but, more often, seems to make us more isolated and anxious. Professor Christopher O. Blum has been considering our digital age in light of the Catholic tradition and he has brought together his analysis and advice in his new book, "A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction."CE is supported by Sophia Institute Press and our listeners. If you are able to donate, please visit http://catholicexchange.com/donateSupport the show