The Metaphysics of Martyrdom | Interview with J. Marianne Siegmund & Missio Dei

Cahokia Mounds, Black Elk Book, & Research.

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! If you’re a paid supporter of Missio Dei Catholic, please leave a comment or question related to the video on the topic of Nicholas Black Elk, Lakota Catholicism, Missionary Adaptations, Cahokia Mounds, Dickson Mounds, etc. Make sure to help support Missio Dei Catholic’s mission of proclaiming the gospel. Nicholas Black Elk: The Apostle to the Lakota will be a part of our launch of the Missio Dei Inc. Publishing as a flagship title. My Dad and Scouting America was a major influence in my interest in indigenous studies—and were the beginning of my path to Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk. Please consider supporting a Catholic Scout today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe [https://www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Did Aquinas Reject the Immaculate Conception?

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Please subscribe and follow Alex Spieldenner [https://substack.com/profile/135714613-alex-spieldenner]—a great philosopher and Thomist. In this special episode, we sit down with our in-house theologian, Andrew McGovern, and special guest Alex Spieldenner from Aquinas and Beyond to explore the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception and St. Thomas Aquinas. We begin with Pope Pius IX’s historic 1854 ex cathedra definition: that Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin from the first moment of her conception by a singular grace and the merits of Jesus Christ. Why does this dogma matter? Did St. Thomas Aquinas actually deny the Immaculate Conception? * Deep dive into Summa Theologica III, Question 27 – what Aquinas actually taught * Mary’s holiness, sanctification in the womb, and grace fitting for the Mother of God * Medieval understanding of generation, ensoulment, animation, and “quickening.” * Why Aquinas emphasized that Mary (and everyone) needs Christ the Redeemer Blessed John Duns Scoutus’ and the Franciscan Teaching * Franciscan perspective: Bl. John Duns Scotus and his stronger emphasis on the Primacy of Christ * Scotus’ famous principle: “God could do it, it was fitting, therefore He did it.” * Comparison of Christology between Aquinas and Duns Scotus * Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant (with biblical reference to Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6) * What are Réginald Marie Garrigou-Lagrange OP’s thoughts on Duns Scotus? What would Aquinas think about the topic with our knowledge of biology and medicine? * What was Aquinas’ knowledge of the process of conception? * Philosophical and biological discussion: zygotes, the union of sperm and egg, and how modern science relates to Aquinas’ thought * Would St. Thomas Aquinas support first-trimester abortion? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe [https://www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Is Judas in Hell?

Thank you, How To Be Catholic [https://substack.com/profile/120396948-how-to-be-catholic], Sqplr [https://substack.com/profile/42262441-sqplr], and many others for tuning into our live video with Andrew McGovern, Th.D. [https://substack.com/profile/23942752-andrew-mcgovern-thd]! Our goal is to hold a roundtable discussion once a month. The Missio Dei Roundtable welcomes any combination of Missio Dei writers to tackle theological topics, providing clarity and helping teach key concepts that aid in understanding the issues. In our latest episode, “Is Judas in Hell,” Andrew and I discuss the following: * What is the Consensus Patrum? * What is the Sensus Fidelium? * The Dogmatic Constitution of the Church Lumen Gentium pars. 16, 25 * What do the last 4 Popes say on the topic of Judas? * Imperfect and Perfect Contrition * The Church’s understanding of depression relating to modern medicine. * And More! Missio Dei Catholic relies on your support to keep our mission alive. Our goal is to create Catholic media that is free to access. Our goal by Pentecost 2026 is to launch a free Lectio Divina app dedicated to the memory of Fr. Randy Soto, New Testament professor at Holy Apostles College & Seminary. The next major project for Missio Dei Catholic (a concept from Kaleb Hammond [https://substack.com/profile/58387254-kaleb-hammond]) is set for release on All Saints Day 2027, a compendium book project titled “They Should be Saints!” The book will focus on various Catholics who either have no formal canonization process underway or are in the status of Servants of God. The goal is to highlight men and women who have lived a heroic life of virtue to help explore their cases and build their cults for canonization. Finally, another goal for Missio Dei Catholic in 2026 is pushing content that shows how many of us writers and content creators live our Catholic faith daily—idea via Mandy Mazzawi [https://substack.com/profile/61353611-mandy-mazzawi] Missio Dei Catholic has always been supported by grassroots donors as a cooperative publication. Our mission of proclaiming the gospels is shaped by our many creators and YOU, the supporter. Please subscribe, pray for us, and if able, support us financially in our goal to make this content free access for all. Blessings, Phillip Hadden President of Missio Dei Inc. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe [https://www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Metaphysics of Martyrdom | Interview with J. Marianne Siegmund & Missio Dei

In this interview, we explore The Metaphysics of Martyrdom by J. Marianne Siegmund, a profound philosophical and theological reflection on martyrdom as more than heroic death—it is an act of metaphysical witness. Drawing from Sacred Scripture, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. John Paul II, Siegmund presents martyrdom as a convergence of free will, grace, truth, and love, where the human person bears witness to reality itself. Get the book @ https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/metaphysicsofmartyrdom/ [https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/metaphysicsofmartyrdom/] Rather than viewing martyrdom merely as suffering or political resistance, this conversation uncovers its deeper meaning: a participation in being, where fidelity to truth, goodness, and beauty is sealed through self-gift. We examine how martyrdom reveals the dignity of the human person, the nature of moral freedom, and the ultimate victory of divine love over violence and death. This discussion is for anyone interested in Catholic philosophy, metaphysics, moral theology, and the mystery of sanctity, especially in a world increasingly hostile to truth. Please help keep our mission alive by donating to the Missio Dei Evangelization Fund. Your support is essential to the charism of our ministry. [https://donorbox.org/missio-dei-evangelization-fund] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe [https://www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Rediscover the Sunday Readings: The Liturgical Sense of the Readings at Mass – Year A

If you’ve ever walked out of Mass feeling like the readings passed right by you, The Liturgical Sense of the Readings at Mass – Year A [https://www.saintdominicsmedia.com/product-category/books/liturgical/] by David L. Gray [https://www.saintdominicsmedia.com/product-category/books/liturgical/] is a book you’ll want in your library. In this insightful work, Gray invites readers to rediscover the profound beauty and meaning of the Sunday Mass readings by showing how each passage is woven into the tapestry of the liturgical year and the rhythm of Catholic worship. Rather than reading Scripture as isolated texts, Gray reveals how the liturgical sense—the way readings relate to the entire structure of the Mass and the greater story of salvation—enriches our understanding of God’s Word. From the Opening Rite to the Concluding Rite, he explains how Scripture and liturgy illuminate one another, encouraging readers to move beyond passive attendance to active, prayerful engagement with the sacred mysteries. This book is ideal not only for clergy preparing homilies but also for lay faithful, catechists, and study groups looking to pray with greater depth and live more intentionally in the light of the Gospel. With clarity, reverence, and accessibility, Gray’s commentary helps us see how every reading leads us deeper into the heart of the Mass and encourages spiritual growth in daily life. Use the code missiodei for a 35% discount when youpurchase the book from saintdominicsmedia.com [http://saintdominicsmedia.com/] 📖 About the Author:David L. Gray is a Catholic theologian, author, and speaker with a passion for helping the faithful deepen their appreciation of the liturgy and Scripture. He holds a Master of Theology degree and is pursuing a doctorate in Liturgical Catechesis, bringing both scholarly insight and pastoral clarity to his writing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe [https://www.missiodeicatholic.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]