FACTS

The Making of the Rosary

What is the Rosary—and where did it actually come from? In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce and Pat May break down the real history behind one of the most misunderstood devotions in Christianity. Was the Rosary invented in the Middle Ages? Did Saint Dominic really receive it in a vision? And how do the The Gospel According to Luke, early monastic prayer, and centuries of Christian tradition all come together to form what we know today? We walk through the development step-by-step—from the Desert Fathers and repetitive prayer, to the formation of the Hail Mary, to the rise of the mysteries, and the global spread of the Rosary through figures like Pope Pius V and Saint Louis de Montfort. This isn’t surface-level history. This is the making of the Rosary. If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #Rosary #ChurchHistory #Catholic #FACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce #PatMay

Was Augustine Catholic or Calvinist?

Did John Calvin faithfully follow Augustine of Hippo, or did he selectively use him for Reformation purposes? In this episode of FACTS, we examine the real historical relationship between Calvin and Augustine on grace, justification, the Church, apostolic succession, the Eucharist, prayer for the dead, and purgatory. Many claim Augustine was basically Protestant before the Reformation. But is that anachronistic? The better question may be whether Calvin was truly a good Augustinian. We walk through direct quotations, historical context, and where Calvin aligns with Augustine—and where he sharply departs. Topics include: Augustine on grace and free will Calvin on predestination and human inability Justification: made righteous or counted righteous Authority of the Catholic Church The Eucharist and sacramental realism Prayer for the dead Purgatorial purification Was Augustine closer to Catholicism or Calvinism? If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #Augustine #JohnCalvin #Reformation #ChurchHistory #Catholic #Protestant #Calvinism #Theology #Eucharist #Purgatory #EarlyChurch #FACTSPodcast

John Calvin’s Dilemma: The Church is Ancient, Universal… and ‘Corrupt’?

In this episode of the FACTS Podcast, Stephen Boyce and Pat May take a deep dive into a powerful 1551 letter from John Calvin—and uncover a major tension at the heart of the Reformation narrative.Calvin argues that the Church needed “reformation,” pointing to widespread practices like prayers for the dead and the intercession of saints as corruptions. But there’s a problem…He also admits those same beliefs are:1. deeply rooted2. widely spread3. long establishedSo which is it?Stephen and Pat walk through Calvin’s own words line by line and ask the question many avoid:If these practices were everywhere and early… how can they be dismissed as later corruptions?In this episode, we cover:• Calvin’s letter to the English crown and why it matters• The historical reality of early Christian practices• Whether “reform” assumes a lost Church• Prayers for the dead in the early Church• The intercession of saints—biblical and historical foundations• Why this debate ultimately comes down to authority and ecclesiologyThis isn’t just about Calvin—it’s about the credibility of the early Church, the development of doctrine, and whether Christianity can sustain the idea of a total early corruption.If the Church was wrong early… what does that mean for the Bible itself?Join us as we break it all down.Drop your thoughts in the comments:Can something be ancient, universal… and still be a corruption?If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7#FACTSPodcast #ChurchHistory #JohnCalvin #Catholic #Protestant #Apologetics

Anglican Patrimony Is Catholic Again: England’s Lost Tradition Returns Through the Ordinariate

The Vatican’s 2026 document on Anglican patrimony reveals how elements of the Anglican tradition are now fully lived within the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate.In this episode, Stephen and Pat explore the history of Christianity in England—from the mission of Gregory the Great and the See of Canterbury, through the Reformation, to the modern restoration of Anglican patrimony under Anglicanorum Coetibus.Discover what was lost, what has been preserved, and why the Ordinariate matters for understanding unity, tradition, and the nature of the Church.Here is the link to the statement from the Vatican: https://www.doctrinafidei.va/en/documenti/characteristics-of-the-anglican-heritage-as-lived-in-the-ordinar.htmlIf you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

From Supper to Resurrection: Walking Through Holy Week

From the Upper Room to the Empty Tomb, Holy Week reveals the full story of redemption. In this episode, we walk through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday—unpacking the institution of the Eucharist, the sacrifice of the Cross, the silence of the tomb, and the victory of the Resurrection. This is not just history—it is the Gospel in motion.If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7