Ave Explores

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

October 16th, 2024  |  Season 25  |  1 hr 3 mins

ave explores, ave maria press, fr. patrick mary briscoe, katie mcgrady, matt maher, meg hunter-kilmer, mike aquilina, peculiar stuff catholics do, sonja corbitt, steffani aquila

Why do we bake cakes for Shrove Tuesday or use chalk to mark our doors on the Epiphany? Why do we crown statues of Mary with flowers or sing hymns to the biggest candle of them all, the Paschal Candle, on Easter Vigil? Steffani Aquila, author of Festive Faith, walks us through the liturgical year and explains some of the most cherished, and oddest, liturgical living traditions and practices to help us embrace living a festive faith in our somewhat odd Church.

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

October 9th, 2024  |  Season 25  |  48 mins

ave explores, ave maria press, fr. patrick mary briscoe, jonathan roumie, katie mcgrady, matt maher, meg hunter-kilmer, mike aquilina, op, peculiar stuff catholics do, sean pilcher, sonja corbitt, steffani aquila

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

Mike Aquilina, Catholic scholar and prolific author, discusses the unusual practices of the Church's first few hundred years and how they led to some of today's most cherished traditions.

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

October 2nd, 2024  |  Season 25  |  1 hr 11 mins

ave explores, ave maria press, deacon david keene, jonathan roumie, katie mcgrady, matt maher, meg hunter-kilmer, mike aquilina, peculiar stuff catholics do, relics, sacra, saints, sean pilcher, sonja corbitt, steffani aquila, the chosen

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

Then, in a special bonus Ave Explores exclusive, Katie sits down with Jonathan Roumie, award winning actor from The Chosen and executive producer of the new film Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story to discuss how the joy of his Catholic faith guides him in his career and helps him discern good projects to work on, and he tells the story of meeting Pope Francis, who called him “Jesus.”

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

September 25th, 2024  |  Season 25  |  1 hr 17 mins

ave explores, ave maria press, david keene, fr. patrick mary briscoe, katie mcgrady, matt maher, meg hunter-kilmer, mike aquilina, peculiar stuff catholics do, saints, sean pilcher, sonja corbitt, steffani aquila

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

Teaser: Embracing the Oddities of Catholicism with Matt Maher

September 18th, 2024  |  Season 25  |  1 hr 2 mins

ave explores, ave maria press, katie mcgrady, matt maher, peculiar stuff catholics do

Matt Maher wouldn’t describe himself as a “peculiar” or “weird” Catholic, but he wouldn’t mind if you described him like that, because he knows that’s just sort of part of being Catholic. World renowned, Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, and producer, Matt Maher sits down with Katie McGrady to talk about what he loves about his Catholic faith, how he shares it in lots of non-Catholic spaces, and what it means to be your most authentic self in living and loving your Catholicism.

Katie McGrady Welcomes Oscar Rivera to the Ave Podcast Family

August 19th, 2024  |  32 mins 35 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcasts, katie mcgrady, oscar rivera, podcasts for the everyday catholic

In this bonus episode of Ave Explores, Katie Prejean McGrady sits down with Oscar Rivera, new host of Ave Spotlight. Together, they discuss the origins of their collaboration, dive into their experience at the National Eucharistic Congress, and share thoughts on the Olympics.

Week Seven: On Pilgrimage in the U.S. with Tim O'Malley and Chenele Shaw

June 25th, 2024  |  Season 24  |  1 hr 12 mins

amy j. cattapan, ave explores, ave maria press, brian caulfield, cardinal timothy m. dolan, catholicism in the united states, chenele shaw, csc, eucharistic pilgrimages, fr. edward looney, fr. korey lavergne, fr. nate wills, fr. tim anastos, joann seaman, katie mcgrady, kerry robertson, kevin schmiesing, meg hunter-kilmer, op, sr. mary michael fox, stephen j. binz, timothy p. o'malley

Catholicism is incarnational and tactile. We exist in reality, and so does our faith. Remembering that is essential to growing in our Catholicism, and Timothy P. O’Malley explains how “matter matters” in the places and spaces we worship. This summer, Catholics in the United States will have the chance to experience that incarnational reality on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, spanning four routes from coast to coast, converging in Indianapolis in July for the National Eucharistic Congress. Chenele Shaw, former host of Ave Spotlight, shares the story of the pilgrimage and what we can expect along the way.

Week Six: Forming Young Minds and Serving Those in Need with Fr. Tim Anastos and Kerry Robinson

June 18th, 2024  |  Season 24  |  56 mins 4 secs

amy j. cattapan, ave explores, ave maria press, brian caulfield, cardinal timothy m. dolan, catholicism in the united states, chenele shaw, csc, eucharistic pilgrimages, fr. edward looney, fr. korey lavergne, fr. nate wills, fr. tim anastos, joann seaman, katie mcgrady, kerry robertson, kevin schmiesing, meg hunter-kilmer, op, sr. mary michael fox, stephen j. binz, timothy p. o'malley

The Church in the U.S. has made a lasting impact on education and social services. From universities and lay apostolates that educate and form young adults to networks of Catholic Charities offices that provide essential help to those in need, Catholicism in the U.S. is not naval-gazing or self-centered. The Church in the U.S. seeks to serve. Fr. Tim Anastos, chaplain at the University of Illinois, and Kerry Robinson, CEO of Catholic Charities USA, share how the missions of formation and charity are a significant part of the story of Catholicism in this country.

Week Five: Catholicism on the California Coast and in the Colorado Mountains with Stephen J. Binz and JoAnn Seaman

June 12th, 2024  |  Season 24  |  47 mins 46 secs

amy j. cattapan, ave explores, ave maria press, brian caulfield, cardinal timothy m. dolan, catholicism in the united states, chenele shaw, csc, eucharistic pilgrimages, fr. edward looney, fr. korey lavergne, fr. nate wills, fr. tim anastos, joann seaman, katie mcgrady, kerry robertson, kevin schmiesing, meg hunter-kilmer, op, sr. mary michael fox, stephen j. binz, timothy p. o'malley

St. Junipero Serra evangelized California and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini evangelized Colorado. Their influence extends up and down the West Coast and throughout the Rocky Mountains, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire today. In this episode, Stephen J. Binz, a pilgrimage leader to the California Missions, and JoAnn Seaman, director of the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, CO, share the stories of these two remarkable saints and the places where their impact is still felt.

Week Four: Southern Suffering and Sanctity with Fr. Korey LaVergne and Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP

June 5th, 2024  |  Season 24  |  1 hr 40 mins

amy j. cattapan, ave explores, ave maria press, brian caulfield, cardinal timothy m. dolan, catholicism in the united states, chenele shaw, csc, eucharistic pilgrimages, fr. edward looney, fr. korey lavergne, fr. nate wills, fr. tim anastos, joann seaman, katie mcgrady, kerry robertson, kevin schmiesing, meg hunter-kilmer, op, sr. mary michael fox, stephen j. binz, timothy p. o'malley

From the inspiring faith of little Charlene Richard, a twelve-year-old girl who died of Leukemia and is now on the path to canonization, to the enduring resilience of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia during the Civil War and the culture wars of today, Catholicism in the South is far from just a cultural norm—it embodies a story of suffering and sanctity. Fr. Korey LaVergne, pastor of St. Edward’s Church in Louisiana and Charlene Richard’s home parish, and Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP, offer profound insights into the vibrant and joyful reality of Catholicism in the Southern United States.

Week Three: The Holiness of Bl. Michael McGivney and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with Brian Caulfield and Amy J. Cattapan

May 29th, 2024  |  Season 24  |  1 hr 18 mins

amy j. cattapan, ave explores, ave maria press, brian caulfield, cardinal timothy m. dolan, catholicism in the united states, chenele shaw, csc, eucharistic pilgrimages, fr. edward looney, fr. korey lavergne, fr. nate wills, fr. tim anastos, joann seaman, katie mcgrady, kerry robertson, kevin schmiesing, meg hunter-kilmer, op, sr. mary michael fox, stephen j. binz, timothy p. o'malley

The stories of saints in the United States are diverse and dynamic. The first American born female saint, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the founder and first chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Bl. Michael McGivney, show us how holiness is found in a unique way. Brian Caulfield and Amy J. Cattapan share the stories of these two holy American heroes that introduce us to Catholicism on the east coast.

Week Two: Our Lady in the Midwest with Fr. Edward Looney and Fr. Nate Wills, CSC

May 22nd, 2024  |  Season 24  |  1 hr 9 mins

amy j. cattapan, ave explores, ave maria press, brian caulfield, cardinal timothy m. dolan, catholicism in the united states, chenele shaw, csc, eucharistic pilgrimages, fr. edward looney, fr. korey lavergne, fr. nate wills, fr. tim anastos, joann seaman, katie mcgrady, kerry robertson, kevin schmiesing, meg hunter-kilmer, op, sr. mary michael fox, stephen j. binz, timothy p. o'malley

Whether it’s the Lady who appeared in a forest to young Adele Brise or the Lady atop a golden dome visible for miles from a college campus in northern Indiana, the Blessed Virgin Mary is revered, cherished, and celebrated in the American Midwest. Fr. Edward Looney, author and priest in the Diocese of Green Bay, and Fr. Nate Wills, CSC, chaplain to the University of Notre Dame football team, share the story of Catholicism in the Midwest of the United States, through the lens of Marian devotion and midwestern grit.

Week One: The Places and People of the U.S. Catholic Church with Kevin Schmiesing and Meg Hunter-Kilmer

May 15th, 2024  |  Season 24  |  57 mins 40 secs

amy j. cattapan, ave explores, ave maria press, cardinal timothy m. dolan, catholicism in the united states, chenele shaw, csc, eucharistic pilgrimages, fr. edward looney, fr. korey lavergne, fr. nate wills, fr. tim anastos, joann seaman, katie mcgrady, kerry robertson, kevin schmiesing, meg hunter-kilmer, op, sr. mary michael fox, stephen j. binz, timothy p. o'malley

What places hold significance, and who are the key figures in the narrative of Catholicism in the United States of America? From both a historical and modern perspective, the story of the Church in the US is expansive, diverse, and compelling. Authors Kevin Schmiesing and Meg Hunter-Kilmer share their insights and expertise on the noteworthy locations and influential figures shaping the Church in the United States today. Explore must-visit shrines and churches, delve into the inspiring tales of Americans on the path to sainthood, and embark on a captivating journey through Catholicism in America.

Teaser NEW Series: Catholic Hope in the US with Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

May 8th, 2024  |  Season 24  |  1 hr 3 mins

amy cattapan, archbishop timothy m. dolan, ave explores catholicism in the us, ave maria press, chenele shaw, csc, eucharistic pilgrimages, eucharistic revival, fr. edward looney, fr. korey lavergne and sr. mary michael fox, fr. nate wills, fr. tim anastos, joann seaman, katie mcgrady, kerry robinson, kevin schmiesing, meg hunter-kilmer, national eucharistic congress, op, st. elizabeth seton, st. frances xavier cabrini, timothy p. o'malley

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, the 10th Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York, shares his favorite Catholic churches and places in the United States of America. He offers insight into the current challenges facing Catholics, from a perspective of the historical Catholic Church, and reasons for his abundant hope in the Church in America today.

Lent Makes Us Fully Alive with Fr. Tim Anastos

March 22nd, 2024  |  Season 23  |  36 mins 36 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, cfr, claire and mike couche, csfn, fr. agustino torres, fr. tim anastos, katie prejean mcgrady, lent 2024, made for heaven journal, manny gonzalez, mark hart, sr. josephine garrett, tanner kalina

Fr. Tim Anastos, author and assistant chaplain at the St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois, highlights how Lent offers us an opportunity to become fully alive in Christ Jesus. Through our weeks of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we have experienced the love of the Lord in distinct and profound ways. Now, as Holy Week unfolds and we participate in the liturgies of the Triduum, we witness the culmination of these graces and how they reveal that life is worth living with Jesus Christ.

The Eucharist Can Revive Our Lent with Tanner Kalina

March 15th, 2024  |  Season 23  |  32 mins 26 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, cfr, claire and mike couche, csfn, fr. agustino torres, fr. tim anastos, katie prejean mcgrady, lent 2024, made for heaven journal, manny gonzalez, mark hart, sr. josephine garrett, tanner kalina

In this sacred season, our ultimate aim is to draw nearer to Christ. And what better way to achieve this closeness than by physically spending time with him in the presence of the Eucharist?

Join Tanner Kalina, a passionate Eucharistic missionary for the National Eucharistic Revival, as he demonstrates how Lent is the perfect time to seek the Lord's presence. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, Tanner reveals how this season offers a unique opportunity for the Lord to manifest his love, mercy, and kindness to us.

Lent is about having—and maybe doing—less to create space for the Lord to pour out his abundance upon us. This episode shares how we can allow the Eucharist to become our ultimate source of what more the Lord hopes to give