Ave Explores

Week 4: The Pope Has a Wawa Order with Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez

October 29th, 2025  |  52 mins 49 secs

archbishop nelson pérez, ave explores, ave maria press, catholic social teaching, from leo xiii to leo xiv, inés san martín, josé manuel de urquidi, katie mcgrady, msgr. roger landry, praying with the popes, shannon wimp schmidt

When Pope Leo was elected on May 8, 2025, Archbishop Nelson Pérez was flying home to Philadelphia from Rome. Mid-flight, he got to share the historic news with his fellow passengers. In this episode, Archbishop Pérez reflects on Pope Leo’s leadership style, his vision for the Church, and his awareness of the world’s challenges—qualities that are inspiring Catholics everywhere to renew their witness to Christ’s love and their commitment to making disciples. And yes, the new pope even has a Philly connection: he’s a Villanova grad with a standing order from Wawa.

Week Three: Pope Leo, the Missionary Pope with Msgr. Roger Landry of the Pontifical Mission Societies

October 22nd, 2025  |  52 mins 38 secs

archbishop nelson pérez, ave explores, ave maria press, catholic social teaching, from leo xiii to leo xiv, inés san martín, josé manuel de urquidi, katie mcgrady, msgr. roger landry, praying with the popes, shannon wimp schmidt

Pope Leo is the first missionary Pope since St. Peter, and it is already quite evident how his formation as a missionary in Peru is guiding his papal ministry. Msgr. Roger Landry, the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, shares how the Holy Father is walking in the footsteps of his predecessors by first reminding us that we are called to "go out to all the world and share the good news" with a missionary mindset and a willing heart.

Week Two: The Uniqueness of Each Pope with Inés San Martín and José Manuel de Urquidi

October 15th, 2025  |  Season 30  |  1 hr 14 mins

archbishop nelson pérez, ave explores, ave maria press, catholic social teaching, from leo xiii to leo xiv, inés san martín, josé manuel de urquidi, katie mcgrady, msgr. roger landry, praying with the popes, shannon wimp schmidt

Katie sits down with José Manuel de Urquidi of the Juan Diego Network and Inés San Martín of the Pontifical Mission Societies to discuss their personal experiences with Pope Francis and Pope Leo. Together, they explore how to understand Pope Francis’s legacy and the unfolding mission of Pope Leo. Reflecting on cultural nuances and the influence of social media, José Manuel and Inés reveal how each pope’s distinct personality and leadership style can be appreciated in light of those who came before.

Week One: A Dozen Popes with Shannon Wimp Schmidt

October 8th, 2025  |  Season 30  |  1 hr 56 secs

archbishop nelson pérez, ave explores, ave maria press, catholic social teaching, from leo xiii to leo xiv, inés san martín, josé manuel de urquidi, katie mcgrady, msgr. roger landry, praying with the popes, shannon wimp schmidt

Shannon Wimp Schmidt joins Katie to explore the significance of the papacy, highlighting key teachings and defining moments from the past twelve popes—from Leo XIII at the turn of the twentieth century to Leo XIV today. Together they trace how the papacy has evolved through the personalities, styles, and themes each pope brought to their encyclicals and homilies, showing how the Lord continues to guide his Church. In the end, they consider a personal question: What role does the pope play in our individual faith journeys today?

NEW SERIES Teaser: Leo in the Fisherman's Shoes featuring Katie McGrady

October 1st, 2025  |  Season 30  |  22 mins 36 secs

archbishop nelson pérez, ave explores, ave maria press, catholic social teaching, from leo xiii to leo xiv, inés san martín, josé manuel de urquidi, katie mcgrady, msgr. roger landry, praying with the popes, shannon wimp schmidt

When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025, he stepped into the metaphorical shoes of the fisherman worn by 266 men before him. Choosing a name that hadn't been held by a pope in over 100 years, he entered an office held by men with varied personalities, lofty goals, numerous agendas and projects. Learning about those popes only helps us understand this current pope, and when we watch what Pope Leo does, says, writes, and where he'll go, we do so in light of all the ones who have done things in the papacy before. This upcoming series of Ave Explores will take a look at the history of the papacy, and the work of the popes, from Pope Leo XIII at the turn of the century up to Pope Leo XIV today.

Preparing for the Mass with Mark Hart

June 8th, 2022  |  Season 16  |  31 mins 24 secs

amber casey, ave explores, ave maria press, deacon greg kandra, emily stimpson chapman, fr, fr. ajani gibson, fr. joshua whitfield, fr. michael white, fr. patrick briscoe, katie prejean mcgrady, mark hart, op, paula huston, shannon wimp schmidt, susan timoney, the mass, tim grumbach, timothy p. o'malley, tom corcoran

Mark Hart discusses how being open and prepared for Mass—even in the midst of our busy lives—allows us to fully experience the fruits of the Eucharist and to understand the gift of the Mass.

The Mass as a Weekend Experience with Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran

June 3rd, 2022  |  Season 16  |  33 mins 18 secs

amber casey, ave explores, ave maria press, deacon greg kandra, emily stimpson chapman, fr, fr. ajani gibson, fr. joshua whitfield, fr. michael white, fr. patrick briscoe, katie prejean mcgrady, mark hart, op, paula huston, shannon wimp schmidt, susan timoney, the mass, tim grumbach, timothy p. o'malley, tom corcoran

Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran—coauthors of the bestselling Rebuilt—discuss how the culture of their parish was transformed when they began to focus on Mass as a weekend experience that begins in the parking lot and culminates in the celebration of the liturgy. The two also share how they help families engage in worship.

How the Mass Converted a Family with Amber Casey

June 1st, 2022  |  Season 16  |  47 mins 6 secs

amber casey, ave explores, ave maria press, deacon greg kandra, emily stimpson chapman, fr, fr. ajani gibson, fr. joshua whitfield, fr. michael white, fr. patrick briscoe, katie prejean mcgrady, mark hart, op, paula huston, shannon wimp schmidt, susan timoney, the mass, tim grumbach, timothy p. o'malley, tom corcoran

The Latin Mass and Novus Ordo with Fr. Tim Grumbach

May 27th, 2022  |  Season 16  |  59 mins 44 secs

amber casey, ave explores, ave maria press, deacon greg kandra, emily stimpson chapman, fr, fr. ajani gibson, fr. joshua whitfield, fr. michael white, fr. patrick briscoe, katie prejean mcgrady, mark hart, op, paula huston, shannon wimp schmidt, susan timoney, the mass, tim grumbach, timothy p. o'malley, tom corcoran

During the pandemic, Fr. Tim Grumbach, a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, learned how to say the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, also known at the Latin Mass. He reflects on how saying both the Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo--the Mass most Catholics participate in today--enhanced his appreciation for the liturgy and helped him become a better priest.

Cultural Experiences in Mass with Fr. Ajani Gibson

May 25th, 2022  |  Season 16  |  58 mins 7 secs

amber casey, ave explores, ave maria press, deacon greg kandra, emily stimpson chapman, fr, fr. ajani gibson, fr. joshua whitfield, fr. michael white, fr. patrick briscoe, katie prejean mcgrady, mark hart, op, paula huston, shannon wimp schmidt, susan timoney, the mass, tim grumbach, timothy p. o'malley, tom corcoran

Fr. Ajani Gibson, a newly ordained priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, discusses how culture can permeate the liturgy in beautiful ways. He says that when we make space for cultural expression in the Mass we elevate our worship and the body of Christ becomes more united.