Catholic Exchange

Dr. Alex Lessard joins the podcast to discuss the organization Adeodatus, "an educational nonprofit organized to support the ongoing renewal of Catholic liberal education through conferences, community-building, publication, consulting, and due diligence." Dr. Lessard touches upon: * The importance of the liberal arts and the role of the Church in education * The whole-person approach to education vs. the utilitarian modern model * The true purpose of learning: the ascent to wisdom and knowledge of God * Why any scholar, when divorcing an academic field from its teleological end in God, loses expertise of the field itself * Resources for grassroots implementation of Catholic principles of formation * Technology in education: how we must control the tools lest they control us Listeners can learn more at adeodatus.com [https://adeodatus.com/#about]. The first of three annual conferences is taking place later this month. Support the Show. [https://catholicexchange.com/donate]

Catholic Exchange contributor Mary Beth Bracy  resolved on Divine Mercy Sunday to be "married to Jesus Christ immortal." She joins the podcast to share about her vocation as a Consecrated Virgin in the world.  Mary Beth sheds light on: * Saints who were consecrated virgins and the role of this vocation in the early Church * Her resolutions, daily responsibilities, and prayer routine * The community aspect of consecrated virginity, and role in parish life * Maintaining her perpetual Eucharistic adoration chapel * The importance of spiritual direction * How writing helped her to discern * Tips for discerning any vocation Mary Beth's writing can be found at Catholic Exchange and on her blog, The Little Way [https://sondance20.wixsite.com/thelittleway/]. If you enjoyed this discussion, please consider supporting [https://catholicexchange.com/donate/] the show. Support the Show. [https://catholicexchange.com/donate]

Author Marlene Watkins joins the podcast to discuss her recent book Everyday Miracles of Lourdes:  Twenty Extraordinary Experiences Along the Way to the Grotto [https://sophiainstitute.com/product/everyday-miracles-of-lourdes/?utm_source=CEPodcastEveryDayMiraclesatLourdes12May23&utm_medium=CEPodcastEveryDayMiraclesatLourdes12May23&utm_campaign=CEPodcastEveryDayMiraclesatLourdes12May23&utm_content=CEPodcastEveryDayMiraclesatLourdes12May23]. Marlene covers: * The ministry and mission of the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers * How Marlene's life was forever changed by her first trip to Lourdes * The 70 approved, documented miracles of Lourdes, plus the 7800+ testimonies of healings * How Our Lady of Lourdes continues to provide medical healings to this day, as well as spiritual healings and miraculous conversions * How the peace and joy at Lourdes alleviates doubts and revitalizes the faith of pilgrims * How Mary won over the heart of one Protestant convert * How you can access the special graces of Lourdes--on pilgrimage or at home If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider supporting [https://catholicexchange.com/donate/] the show. Support the Show. [https://catholicexchange.com/donate]

Catholic historian and writer Elena Maria Vidal sets the record straight on the oft-maligned Catholic Queen of France and martyr of the Revolution. While candidly acknowledging the queen's faults, Elena's work paints a portrait of Marie Antoinette in all her complexity. Drawing from her years of research, Elena discusses: * Popular misconceptions about the queen, then and now * The origin of the "let them eat cake" rumor * What modern TV series and movies get wrong * Marie Antoinette's strong Catholic faith and moral character, and many recorded charitable works * The deeply Catholic milieu of the French court and its role in Christendom * The truly demonic nature of the French Revolution and its pagan "Cult of Reason" * How the queen was able to secretly receive the sacraments before her death * Marie Antoinette's piety and equanimity at the guillotine Elena has written several books about Marie Antoinette and her family, including two novels and a biography. They are available at the links below: Marie-Antoinette, Daughter of the Caesars: Her Life, Her Times, Her Legacy [https://www.amazon.com/Marie-Antoinette-Daughter-Caesars-Times-Legacy/dp/1530934486/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21J2KEQNBUVVP&keywords=elena+maria+vidal&qid=1682697265&sprefix=elena+maria+vidal%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1]Trianon:  A Novel of Royal France [https://www.amazon.com/Trianon-France-Elena-Maria-Vidal/dp/0557351715?ref_=ast_author_dp] Madame Royale [https://www.amazon.com/Madame-Royale-Elena-Maria-Vidal/dp/0557560926/ref=d_pd_sbs_vft_none_sccl_2_2/141-5047910-8006152?pd_rd_w=b3JkO&content-id=amzn1.sym.1e7a0ba4-f11f-4432-b7d8-1aaa3945be18&pf_rd_p=1e7a0ba4-f11f-4432-b7d8-1aaa3945be18&pf_rd_r=F4EA8DC9GGYDSSF8R8MR&pd_rd_wg=TE9uu&pd_rd_r=316150ab-c566-4c44-9be5-12846a7f3ad5&pd_rd_i=0557560926&psc=1] Her latest research focuses on the Stuart dynasty. She blogs at https://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/. [https://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/] + If you enjoyed this discussion, please consider supporting [https://catholicexchange.com/donate/] the show. Support the Show. [https://catholicexchange.com/donate]

Fr. Michael Rennier joins the podcast to discuss his new book The Forgotten Language: How Recovering the Poetics of the Mass Will Change Our Lives [https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-forgotten-language/?utm_source=CEpodcastForgottenLanguage21April23&utm_medium=CEpodcastForgottenLanguage21April23&utm_campaign=CEpodcastForgottenLanguage21April23&utm_content=CEpodcastForgottenLanguage21April23]. Father Michael discusses: * His conversion story: from Pentecostal student, to Episcopal priest, to Catholic priest * How the transcendence and wonder of the Mass played a role in his conversion * Combatting pride and surrendering to God's will * Why beauty challenges us, as opposed to sentimental gratification * How beauty, as an "encounter with eternity," communicates theological truths * How to alleviate boredom at Mass * Simple ways for parish priests to instill beauty in their liturgy and church buildings If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider supporting [https://catholicexchange.com/donate/] the show. Support the Show. [https://catholicexchange.com/donate]