A listener named Kathleen asks Father Dave about the saint-making process in the Catholic Church. “If someone asks for the intercession of a person that the Church recognizes as venerable, and the request is granted, how does one prove that the [venerable] person actually granted it?”
We may know how to pray with our hearts and minds, but Father Dave welcomes Dr. Ansel Augustine to discuss what it means to put that prayer into action. Dr. Augustine currently serves as the Assistant Director of African American Affairs for the USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, and his new book is called, “ Praying With Our Feet: Encountering God in the Margins. ”
A listener named Cecilia asks Father Dave about one aspect of the Nicene creed: “What Scriptures are being referred to when we say, ‘He rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures?’”
Rome is the center of the Catholic Church, and Father Dave welcomes Judith Valente to discuss what faith lessons we can learn from Italian culture. Judith is a veteran journalist, retreat and pilgrimage leader, and the author of the new book, “ The Italian Soul: How to Savor the Full Joys of Life. ”
The amount of suffering in the world can feel overwhelming, and Father Dave welcomes Bill O’Keefe from Catholic Relief Services to explain the important work they do helping those in need around the globe. Bill is Executive Vice President for Mission, Mobilization, & Advocacy for Catholic Relief Services.
The National Eucharistic Revival concluded this past Sunday with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and Father Dave welcomes back Catholic speaker and ministry consultant Mari Pablo to discuss what happens next. Mari also discusses her new ministry “ In His Heart ” which launches on Friday, June 27th, this year’s Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus....
In this second dispatch from the Jubilee Pilgrimage, led by Father Dave, Brett, Lino Rulli, and Tyler Veghte of “ The Catholic Guy Show ,” we hear more about their experiences in Rome. They traveled through the holy doors of all four papal basilicas in Rome and Vatican City: Saint Peter, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint John Lateran, and Saint Mary Major.
Father Dave and Brett joined Lino Rulli and Tyler Veghte of “ The Catholic Guy Show ” on SiriusXM’s Catholic Channel for a pilgrimage to Italy for the Jubilee Year . They led 90 pilgrims through holy sites in Siena, Florence, and Rome.
Father Dave welcomes Tom Corcoran to discuss how small group interactions can help revitalize parishes. Tom is the president of Rebuilt Parish , as well as lay associate to the pastor at Church of the Nativity in Maryland. He is co-author of the new book, “ The Transformative Power of Small Groups: A 7-Step Guide for Building Vibrant Catholic Communities .”...
Father Dave welcomes back Timothy O’Malley to discuss how we can better relate to Mary as our Blessed Mother. O'Malley is associate director at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, and the author of the new book “ A Fierce and Tender Love: 7 Meditations on Mary, Mother of God. ”
As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate, Father Dave welcomes back Dr. Matthew Bunson to discuss his new biography, “ LEO XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope .” Dr. Bunson is Vice President and Editorial Director of EWTN News.
We all feel restless at times, and Father Dave welcomes back Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith to discuss finding our identity in Christ. Dr. Saundra is a board-certified internal medicine physician, the CEO of Restorasis , and the author of “ Being Fully Known: The Joyful Satisfaction of Beholding, Becoming, and Belonging. ”...
A listener named Matt wonders about the timing of priesthood ordinations. Matt asks, “In different states, why is the ordination of the priests different and not all the same?”
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and also a time we honor Mary as our Blessed Mother. Father Dave welcomes back Scott Weeman, founder of Catholic in Recovery , to discuss his new book, “ The Recovery Rosary: Meditations for Those Impacted by Addiction, Compulsions, and Unhealthy Attachments. ”
Father Dave and Lino Rulli from SiriusXM's The Catholic Channel share the first moments following the election of Pope Leo XIV while broadcasting from Vatican City.
We are called to share our faith joyfully, and Father Dave welcomes Shemaiah Gonzalez to discuss her new book, “ Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight. ”
Father Dave welcomes back journalist and papal biographer Austen Ivereigh to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis and what’s next for the global Church. Austen is the author of two biographies of Pope Francis, and he and the pope co-wrote a book called, “ Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future. ”
Father Dave continues his conversation with John Allen, Jr., as the Holy Spirit will soon guide the College of Cardinals in the papal conclave. John is editor of Crux , an independent Catholic news service that aims to be an objective voice in Catholic media, and has written twelve books on the Vatican and Catholic affairs.
Father Dave welcomes film producer Jim Wahlberg to talk about the new movie “ Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality ,” which is in theaters until May 1st . The movie’s theatrical release was scheduled to coincide with the canonization of Carlo Acutis, though that Mass is now postponed following the passing of Pope Francis....
As we continue to mourn the loss of Pope Francis, Father Dave welcomes back John Allen, Jr. to reflect on the papacy. John is editor of Crux , an independent Catholic news service that aims to be an objective voice in Catholic media. He has written twelve books on the Vatican and Catholic affairs.
Holy Week and Passover coincide in 2025, and Father Dave welcomes back Rabbi Brad Hirschfield to discuss this meaningful time of year.
A listener named Alex asks Father Dave about the Eucharistic Prayer. Alex says, “In the Mass, Eucharistic Prayer I has a lengthy list of saints. How is this list determined, and can the presider add or subtract names to the list?”
Many feel God’s presence while spending time outdoors, and Father Dave welcomes Father John Nepil to discuss his faith connection to hiking the Colorado Trail. Father John is an avid hiker and mountaineer, and he has celebrated Mass atop all 54 of Colorado’s highest peaks . His new book is called “ To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. ”...
Father Dave answers a question from a listener named Steven about how the Church elects a new pope. Steven asks, “I'm praying for Pope Francis' health every day, but if he passes away, what are the next steps for electing a new pope?”
Many grew up watching the Christian animated series “ VeggieTales ,” and Father Dave welcomes the show’s co-creator Mike Nawrocki to discuss sharing faith with kids. Mike wrote and directed episodes of the hit show as well as both theatrical-release films, and he served as the voice of Larry the Cucumber. Mike’s latest project is a new kids show called, “ The Dead Sea Squirrels ,” based on his own book series....
A listener named Jim asks Father Dave about Sunday Mass readings during Lent. Jim says, “At Mass [on the Third Sunday of Lent], I was expecting the Gospel to be from Luke about the fig tree , but the actual Gospel that was read was from John about [the woman at the well.] Why would that change?”
A listener named Marty asks Father Dave about the presence of Holy Water in churches during Lent. “I was a parishioner at a church that took Holy Water out of the church for Lent and replaced it in the fonts with sand,” Marty says. “I strongly questioned it, and they relented and returned it. It's not right to take Holy Water out of a Catholic church for Lent, correct?”
Fasting is a pillar of Lent , and Father Dave welcomes Sister Nancy Usselmann to discuss how fasting from the digital world can impact our faith. Sister Nancy is a Daughter of Saint Paul , the Director of Pauline Media Studies, and the author of “ Media Fasting: Six Weeks to Recharge in Christ. ”
A listener named Dan asks Father Dave for advice on current struggles in his spiritual life due to politics. Dan says, “I am at a point where my faith is barely hanging by a thread, because so many people I know support political policies that fly in the face of the teachings of Jesus and are based in hate and fear.”
March celebrates Women’s History Month , and Father Dave welcomes Taryn DeLong and Elise Crawford Gallagher to examine work-life balance from the viewpoint of Catholic women. Taryn and Elise are the co-presidents of the online community Catholic Women in Business and the authors of “ Holy Ambition: Thriving as a Catholic Woman at Work and at Home. ”...
