Why the Priest Faces East: Ad Orientem Explained – Dr. Peter Kwasniewski – 07/10/2026

The Catholic Morning Show – 07/10/2026

Growing the Faith Tour with Karlo Broussard This July, Iowa Catholic Radio brings Catholic apologist Karlo Broussard to three Iowa cities for the Growing the Faith Tour, a three-night series exploring faith, happiness, and salvation: * Tuesday, July 21 – Spencer * Wednesday, July 22 – Creston * Thursday, July 23 – Pella All three events are free; pre-registration is requested. Details, directions, and registration: IowaCatholicRadio.com/events [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/events?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] The Forge Hog Roast with Sam Halligan Sam Halligan, Des Moines City Director of Forge, joins Bo to talk about the Forge Hog Roast — a couples' night built around live music, roasted hog, drinks, cigars, and fellowship for the men of Des Moines and their significant others. * When: Friday, July 31, 6–9 p.m. * Where: Wills Family Orchard, 33130 Panther Creek Rd, Adel, IA * Cost: $15 per person at the door * Live music from Catholic singer-songwriter Luke Spehar; confessions available with at least six priests on hand Register and learn more: myforge.org/event/the-forge-hog-roast [https://myforge.org/event/the-forge-hog-roast/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Ad Orientem with Dr. Peter Kwasniewski Author and liturgical scholar Dr. Peter Kwasniewski discusses his new booklet from TAN Books, Ad Orientem: The Direction that Changes Everything, unpacking why the direction a priest faces during Mass — toward the people or toward the East — carries deep theological significance for how Catholics understand the Eucharist. Learn more or order the booklet: tanbooks.com [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/ad-orientem-the-direction-that-changes-everything/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Listen to The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network, IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show], or the Iowa Catholic Radio app. #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #AdOrientem #ForgeHogRoast #CatholicFaith #DesMoinesCatholic #CatholicNews #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicMen Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Forge Hog Roast: A Couples' Night of Faith, Food & Fellowship – Sam Halligan – 07/10/2026

Forge is a Des Moines-based Catholic men's movement with more than 50 small groups meeting across the metro area. Every six weeks, Forge hosts a large-group event to complement its ongoing small-group ministry — and this time, they're opening the door to significant others too. The Forge Hog Roast * When: Friday, July 31, 6–9 p.m. * Where: Wills Family Orchard, 33130 Panther Creek Rd, Adel, IA * Cost: $15 per person at the door (drinks and cigars available for purchase separately) * Live music from Catholic singer-songwriter Luke Spehar * Confessions available with at least six priests from the Diocese of Des Moines * Open to couples, single men, and anyone curious about the Forge community Register and get details: myforge.org/event/the-forge-hog-roast [https://myforge.org/event/the-forge-hog-roast/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] What's next for Forge: * Alcohol, Axes, and a SEAL – Tuesday, September 22, 7 p.m., featuring Navy SEAL veteran and Franciscan University of Steubenville alum Sam Blair * Heart of the Mission Retreat – October 15–18 at Creighton Retreat Center, a three-day intensive for men seeking to grow deeper in their faith Full event calendar: myforge.org/events [https://myforge.org/events/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] #ForgeHogRoast #CatholicMen #DesMoinesCatholic #CatholicCouples #CatholicFellowship #LukeSpehar #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicCommunity Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why the Priest Faces East: Ad Orientem Explained – Dr. Peter Kwasniewski – 07/10/2026

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski is a Catholic author, lecturer, and longtime advocate for traditional liturgy. His new booklet, Ad Orientem: The Direction that Changes Everything, published by TAN Books, examines why the direction of worship — toward the East, symbolizing Christ — has shaped Catholic prayer since the age of the apostles. Highlights from the conversation: * What ad orientem means: Priest and people facing the same direction — historically East — during the Eucharistic liturgy, a practice St. Basil the Great described as received from the apostles * Debunking the "banquet table" theory: Kwasniewski explains why the idea that early Christians worshiped facing one another around a table doesn't hold up to scholarship from historians such as Fr. Josef Jungmann, Fr. Louis Bouyer, Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, and Msgr. Stefan Heid * The exception of St. Peter's Basilica: Built facing west due to the location of Peter's tomb, requiring the pope to stand at the west end of the altar while still facing liturgical East * Can the Novus Ordo be celebrated ad orientem? Yes — Kwasniewski points to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), which presumes the priest turns toward the people only at specific points, implying an eastward-facing default * The spiritual stakes: Why facing the same direction as the congregation helps the priest avoid becoming the center of attention, and how it re-orients worship toward God rather than the assembly Order the booklet or learn more: tanbooks.com [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/ad-orientem-the-direction-that-changes-everything/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] #AdOrientem #CatholicLiturgy #TANBooks #PeterKwasniewski #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicMass #LatinMass #CatholicPodcast #IowaCatholicRadio Episode Contributors Bo Bonner, Dr. Peter Kwasniewski Search Keywords Ad Orientem, Peter Kwasniewski, ad orientem Mass, TAN Books, priest facing east Mass, Novus Ordo ad orientem, General Instruction Roman Missal, Catholic liturgy podcast, traditional Latin Mass, versus populum Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Catholic Morning Show – 07/09/2026

This Week on The Catholic Morning Show Bo Bonner, Alexia Baker, Brady Grimm, and Ayden Pugh welcome Deacon Mark Campbell into the studio for a full morning of Scripture, prayer, and practical faith formation. Sunday's Readings, Previewed Deacon Randy Kiel joins for his regular Thursday visit to walk through the readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 12, 2026) — Isaiah's rain-and-snow prophecy and Saint Paul's letter to the Romans on suffering and glory, and how both point to the fruitfulness of God's Word. Full readings: USCCB – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Pope Leo XIV's July Prayer Intention Bo and Alexia unpack the Holy Father's prayer intention for July 2026, "for respect for human life," and share opera singer Andrea Bocelli's story of a mother who chose life against medical advice. Find the full prayer intention at USCCB – Pope's Monthly Intentions [https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2026?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] or watch the video at Vatican.va [https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/prayers/documents/20260702-popesprayer-luglio.html?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. The Eleventh Commandment: Wrapping Up a Ten-Week Series Ed Van Buskirk, founder and president of the Ten Commandments apostolate If U Love Me, joins Bo and Deacon Mark Campbell to close out their multi-week look at the Ten Commandments with a challenge from Matthew 28: go and make disciples. Ed shares practical ways to know, live, and share the Commandments — including the Ten Commandments Sunday parish program and the God's Recipe for School and Family program for kids. Learn more at IfULoveMe.org [https://ifuloveme.org/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. Catch The Catholic Morning Show weekday mornings at 7 AM Central, live or on-demand at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. #CatholicPodcast #CatholicMorningShow #TenCommandments #PopeLeoXIV #CatholicRadio #DailyMassReadings #ProLife #CatholicFaith Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This Sunday's Readings: Why God's Word Never Returns Empty – Deacon Randy Kiel – 07/09/2026

Sunday's Readings, July 12, 2026 – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time * First Reading (Isaiah 55:10-11): God's Word, like rain and snow, never returns to Him without accomplishing its purpose — a foreshadowing of Jesus as the Bread of Life. * Second Reading (Romans 8:18-23): Saint Paul reflects on his own suffering and reminds us that present hardships are nothing compared to the glory to come, even as creation itself groans in "labor pains," awaiting new life rather than death. Deacon Randy connects both readings to the hope Catholics carry into Mass each week. Full text of Sunday's readings: USCCB – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] #SundayReadings #CatholicMass #DeaconRandyKiel #CatholicMorningShow #WordOfGod #CatholicPodcast   Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.