Ave Explores

Everyday Faith for Everyday Catholics

About the show

A project of Ave Maria Press, Ave Explores helps you discover and learn about aspects of the Catholic faith from a variety of different angles, looking at topics relevant to the spiritual life in a fresh, engaging, and practical way.

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Episodes

  • Creating a Holy Home with Scott and Elisabeth Williams of Catholic Concepts

    October 18th, 2023  |  Season 21  |  49 mins 24 secs
    ave explores liturgical living, ave maria press, be a heart, catholic all year, catholic concepts, catholic family crate, catholicism, domestic church, elisabeth williams, elissa tiprigan, erica tighe campbell, fr. john burns, katie prejean mcgrady, kendra tierney, live as a domestic church, living the seasons, monk manual, scott williams, sock religious, steffani aquila, steven lawson

    It all started as an idea to create silly socks for a saint’s feast day. From there, Scott and Elisabeth Williams turned their desire to share creative ways to celebrate something meaningful in the Church into their company, Catholic Concepts.

    Listen to the story about how this couple went from fun socks to creating other beautiful products to help Catholics grow in their faith by sharing about saints, planning the week, and decorating a home with subtle references to Church teaching and devotions. Through their story, you’ll be inspired to express your faith and celebrate special days and moments in the Church year in creative, unique, and beautiful ways.

  • Embracing the Ebb and Flow of Advent and Lent with Fr. John Burns

    October 11th, 2023  |  Season 21  |  1 hr 1 min
    ave explores liturgical living, ave maria press, be a heart, catholic all year, catholic concepts, catholic family crate, catholicism, domestic church, elisabeth williams, elissa tiprigan, erica tighe campbell, fr. john burns, katie prejean mcgrady, kendra tierney, live as a domestic church, living the seasons, monk manual, scott williams, sock religious, steffani aquila, steven lawson

    Advent and Lent, revered penitential seasons, stand as gateways to prepare us for days of rejoicing and victory. These seasons are so iconic that even secular society joins in with traditions including Advent calendars for everything under the sun and seasonal fish sandwiches at your favorite drive-thru. Fr. John Burns explains how the natural ebb and flow of the liturgical year, especially with Advent and Lent as pillars of penance within the seasons, allow us to more fully celebrate what is worth celebrating and repent when we need to repent.

  • Living the Seasons of the Moment with Erica Tighe Campbell of Be a Heart

    October 4th, 2023  |  Season 21  |  51 mins 2 secs
    ave explores liturgical living, ave maria press, be a heart, catholic all year, catholic concepts, catholic family crate, catholicism, domestic church, elisabeth williams, elissa tiprigan, erica tighe campbell, fr. john burns, katie prejean mcgrady, kendra tierney, live as a domestic church, living the seasons, monk manual, scott williams, sock religious, steffani aquila, steven lawson

    Erica Tighe Campbell established Be A Heart as a contemporary lifestyle brand designed for Catholics seeking elegant ways to practice their faith and commemorate the various seasons of the Church calendar. While crafting her product line and writing her latest book, Living the Seasons, she has uncovered the profound significance of embracing both the present phase of life and the yearly cycle, recognizing them as invitations to align with God's purpose, design, and blessings.

    Discover how you, too, can embrace the seasons of the liturgical year to empower your own walk with the Lord and share the reason for your joy with those around you.

  • Liturgical Living is for All Steffani Aquila

    September 27th, 2023  |  Season 21  |  38 mins 10 secs
    ave explores, ave maria press, catholic all year, catholic concepts, catholic family crate, elissa tiprigan, erica tighe campbell, fr. john burns, katie prejean mcgrady, kendra tierney, liturgical living, living the seasons, monk manual, scott and elisabeth williams, sock religious, steffani aquila

    Liturgical living isn’t confined to family craft projects or activities for CCD classes. For Steffani Aquila, founder of His Girl Sunday and director of Liturgical Living for the Co-Cathedral in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, liturgical living is an invitation for all faithful men and women to engage meaningfully with the rhythms of the year. Join Steffani as she chats with Katie on what feast days and sacred seasons can teach everyone, regardless of age or background, about Jesus and how embracing these practices helps us discover a joy-filled life based on tradition, hospitality, and togetherness.

  • How to Live the Liturgical Year with Kendra Tierney

    September 20th, 2023  |  Season 21  |  46 mins 32 secs
    ave explores liturgical living, ave maria press, be a heart, catholic all year, catholic concepts, catholic family crate, catholicism, domestic church, elisabeth williams, elissa tiprigan, erica tighe campbell, fr. john burns, katie prejean mcgrady, kendra tierney, live as a domestic church, living the seasons, monk manual, scott williams, sock religious, steffani aquila, steven lawson

    Kendra Tierney wanted to teach her children about the depth and beauty of Catholicism and give them a lived discipleship that wasn’t stuffy or boring. In her quest to pass on a vibrant faith, she discovered the rhythms of the Church year—encompassing saints' feast days and the tapestry of liturgical seasons—as a foundation to illuminate, educate, and infuse the everyday with boundless joy and fun. Her exploration led to the creation of Catholic All Year, a one stop blog and shop that helps families embrace the liturgical year and nurture the faith within the home. Experience Kendra's journey to learn practical ways you can also bring your own faith journey alive and pass that joy on to those you love.

  • Living Life Intentionally with Steven Lawson of Monk Manual

    September 13th, 2023  |  Season 21  |  55 mins 34 secs
    ave explores liturgical living, ave maria press, be a heart, catholic all year, catholic concepts, catholic family crate, catholicism, domestic church, elisabeth williams, elissa tiprigan, erica tighe campbell, fr. john burns, katie prejean mcgrady, kendra tierney, live as a domestic church, living the seasons, monk manual, scott williams, sock religious, steffani aquila, steven lawson

    How do we live intentionally, striving not solely for productivity but also for purposeful flourishing?

    Steven Lawson, creator and founder of Monk Manual, explores how when we rush through life, we can miss moments that matter most. Steven’s conversation with Katie also offers insights on how to notice God at work in our daily lives and shows how the Church’s liturgical calendar and monastic orders provide a perfect template for intentional living.

  • The Eucharist Leads Us to the Poor with Fr. Malachy Napier, CFR

    June 8th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  48 mins 21 secs
    ave explores the eucharist, ave maria press, body blood soul and divinity, cfr, encounter jesus in the eucharist, engaging with our brothers and sisters in need, fr. malachy napier, katie prejean mcgrady, love others better, servant heart, source and summit of the catholic faith

    Fr. Malachy Napier, CFR, talks about how the Eucharist compels us to take what we receive and go out into the world to serve those who are forgotten, hurting, and alone by loving them like Jesus.

  • The Heart of Eucharistic Revival with Bishop Andrew Cozzens

    June 7th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  1 hr 21 secs
    and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, bishop andrew cozzens, blood, body, catholicism, cfr, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, fr. malachy napier, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

    Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, chairman of the USCCB’s evangelization and catechesis committee, talks with Katie Prejean McGrady about the Eucharistic Revival and what can happen when people recommit themselves to Jesus.

  • The Work of the Eucharistic Revival with Joel Stepanek

    May 31st, 2023  |  Season 20  |  1 hr 5 mins
    and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, blood, body, catholicism, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

    Joel Stepanek, chief mission officer for the National Eucharistic Congress, talks about the origin and goals of the movement and previews the tenth National Eucharistic Congress, scheduled for July 17-21, 2024,in Indianapolis, Indiana.

  • The Eucharist and the Abundant Life with Heather and Jake Khym

    May 24th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  1 hr 7 mins
    abide, abiding together podcast, abundant life, ave explores, ave maria press, eucharistic revival, heather khym, jake kyhm, katie prejean mcgrady, sr. alicia torres, the eucharist, the national eucharistic revival, timothy p. o'malley

    Heather and Jake Khym talk with host Katie Prejean McGrady about how a deeper understanding of the Eucharist can lead to abundant, life-changing healing in your life.

  • Bringing the Eucharist Home with Scott and Kathryn Whitaker

    May 17th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  57 mins 34 secs
    and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, blood, body, catholicism, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

    Scott and Kathryn Whitaker share how the Eucharist was a key part of the early days of their marriage and remains a root of their family life. Kathryn and Scott also provide practical tips on prioritizing the Eucharist to build a holy and happy culture in the home.

  • Adoring Jesus in the Eucharist with Perpetua Charles

    May 10th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  58 mins 2 secs
    and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, blood, body, catholicism, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

    Perpetua Charles shares her story of finding comfort, home, and community by seeking out the Eucharist in the various places she's lived and worked and offers insight into how she's allowed the Eucharist to be a source of solace by way of taking time for Eucharistic Adoration.

  • The Eucharist Renews Our Identity with Timothy P. O'Malley

    May 3rd, 2023  |  Season 20  |  44 mins 37 secs
    and divinity, ave explore the eucharist, ave maria press, becoming eucharistic people, blood, body, catholicism, eucharistic adoration, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, mcgrath institute for church life, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, soul, sr. alicia torres, the catholic mass, the eucharist, the source and summit of the catholic faith, the university of notre dame, timothy p. o'malley

    Theologian and author Timothy P. O'Malley talks with host Katie Prejean McGrady about the Eucharist as a renewing force in our lives. Because we come to know Jesus stirring our hearts, the Eucharist can renew our communities, families, homes, and personal identities.

  • The Eucharist Invites Us to Slow Down and Be Loved with Sr. Alicia Torres

    April 26th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  52 mins 10 secs
    and divinity, ave explores the eucharist, ave maria press, blood, body, eucharistic preachers, eucharistic revival, fe, fr. craig vasek, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, national eucharistic congress, scott whitaker, soul, sr. alicia torres, the source and summit of the catholic faith

    Sr. Alicia Torres, FE, shares how she was drawn to Franciscan spirituality rooted in a love of the Eucharist and seeing Jesus in the poor. She tells host Katie Prejean McGrady that she's come to see the Eucharist as a person who invites us to slow down and be loved intimately, even when things seem busy and beyond our control.

  • The Eucharist is Really Jesus with Fr. Craig Vasek

    April 19th, 2023  |  Season 20  |  45 mins 9 secs
    ave explores, ave maria press, blood, body, eucharistic preachers, eucharistic revival, fr. craig vasek, fr. ryan rojo, heather khym, jake khym, joel stepanek, kathryn whitaker, katie prejean mcgrady, national eucharistic congress, perpetua charles, real presence, sister alicia torres, soul and divinity, source and summit of the catholic faith, the eucharist, timothy p. o'malley

    Fr. Craig Vasek, talks with Katie Prejean McGrady about how this life changed after his first authentic encounter with the Eucharist. Vasek also reinforces that the Eucharist is not a holy object, but a person—Jesus—to encounter and love.

  • Finding Ourselves in Easter with Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR

    April 6th, 2023  |  Season 19  |  36 mins 11 secs
    adore, almsgiving, ave maria press, cfr, fasting, fr. agustino torres, fr. john burns, guided lent journal for prayer and meditation, lent, lift up you heart, prayer, return

    In this week's episode, Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR, talks with Katie about finding ourselves in the Easter story. He says that when we embrace an authentic relationship with Christ, we can see how our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have given space for him to dwell in our hearts.