Taylor Kemp and Dr. Arielle Harms reflect upon the life of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, the name Edith Stein received as a religious sister. Born into a Jewish family, and falling into atheism at an early age, Edith eventually converted to Catholicism. She was killed in Auschwitz. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was a prolific writer and philosopher and bestowed upon the Church many beautiful spiritual writings that reveal her depth of mind and love for Christ. See the work of Jesuit Ref...
Aug 09, 2025•21 min•Ep. 226
During times of corruption and heresy in the world, great saints arise to bring renewal to the Church. Learn about the life and legacy of St. Dominic, a 13th century priest who founded the Dominican Order—the Order of Preachers—and lived to promote the integration of the intellectual life and the life of poverty. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Instit...
Aug 08, 2025•23 min•Ep. 225
Join Dr. Ben Akers and Taylor Kemp as they discuss St. John Vianney, the Cure d'Ars and patron saint of parish priests. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Aug 04, 2025•21 min•Ep. 224
Born to a noble Italian family and known as the “Prince of Moral Theologians”, St. Alphonsus Liguori was a great preacher, lawyer, bishop, theologian, and Doctor of the Church. In this episode of Catholic Saints, Augustine Institute professors Dr. Sean Innerst and Dr. Ben Akers discuss this holy man, drawing wisdom from his life and works to aid Catholics today. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Form...
Aug 01, 2025•27 min•Ep. 223
Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Ben Akers discuss the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, a soldier for Christ. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jul 31, 2025•31 min•Ep. 222
Mary McGeehan and Dr. James Prothro discuss the biblical figures Mary, Martha, and Lazarus who are venerated as Saints in the Catholic Church. We meet Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the Gospel of Luke and then again in the Gospel of John. Following the example of this holy family, we can learn how to be a friend of Christ and invite Him into our homes and our hearts. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of F...
Jul 29, 2025•18 min•Ep. 220
Though they never appear in canonical Scripture, Sts. Joachim and Anne—the grandparents of Jesus—hold a place of great importance in the Church's tradition. Discover more about the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this episode of Catholic Saints with Mary McGeehan and Augustine Institute professor Dr. Carl Vennerstrom. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augus...
Jul 26, 2025•19 min•Ep. 219
On this episode of Catholic Saints, join Dr. Ben Akers and Mary McGeehan as they discuss the life of one of Jesus' inner circle disciples, St. James the Greater. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jul 25, 2025•24 min•Ep. 218
Dive into the lives of Holy Women You’ve Never Heard Of with Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Dr. Jessica Murdoch. St. Brigid lived as a princess, queen, and mother! She models how holiness is possible through many vocations and seasons of life. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jul 23, 2025•13 min•Ep. 217
Join Dr. Ben Akers and Taylor Kemp as they get to know Saint Mary Magdalene and how she creatively lives out faith, hope, and charity. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jul 22, 2025•22 min•Ep. 216
Mary McGeehan and Dr. James Prothro discuss the Old Testament prophet, Elijah. Found in both First and Second Kings as well as a few places in the New Testament, Elijah was a significant figure in Salvation History. As a prophet and miracle worker, Elijah boldly proclaimed the word of God, provided comfort and healing to those in need, and prefigured Jesus Christ. Following the example of Elijah, we can learn how to receive spiritual gifts from God and boldly use them in the world. See the work ...
Jul 20, 2025•21 min•Ep. 215
Dive into the lives of Holy Women You’ve Never Heard Of with Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Dr. Jessica Murdoch. St. Macrina the Younger comes from the "second holiest family" as the oldest sister to three canonized saints. She depicts how our domestic homes can become places of sanctity. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the ...
Jul 19, 2025•14 min•Ep. 214
A Franciscan cardinal bishop and contemporary of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure is an excellent example of saintly humility. Known as the "Seraphic Doctor," St. Bonaventure loved God above all else. He is known for many works, including The Life of Saint Francis and The Journey of the Mind to God. His feast day is July 15. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the A...
Jul 15, 2025•24 min•Ep. 213
Dr. Tim Gray & Dr. Ben Akers discuss the Rule of St. Benedict as it applies to daily life. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jul 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 212
Dr. Arielle Harms shares about the beautiful life of St. Maria Goretti and her virtuous disposition to mercy, courage, and purity. Please note the sensitive nature of St. Maria's story of martyrdom and parent discretion advised if listening with young children. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jul 06, 2025•14 min•Ep. 211
Mary McGeehan joins Dr. Ben Akers for a discussion on the life of St. Thomas the Apostle. They dive into Scripture to explore the life, leadership, and personality of this heroic and saintly man. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jul 03, 2025•29 min•Ep. 210
Join Dr. Tim Gray and Matthew Meeks, Chief Marketing Officer of the Augustine Institute, as they explore the story of Saint Junipero Serra who lived his whole life as a "song to Our Lady". See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jul 01, 2025•31 min•Ep. 209
Join Dr. John Sehorn and Mary McGeehan to discuss the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Killed under Emperor Nero in AD 64, the First Martyrs offer us a powerful witness of fidelity to Christ. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jun 30, 2025•22 min•Ep. 208
Pope Francis recently announced a new Doctor of the Church: St. Irenaeus of Lyons. In this episode of Formed Now, Dr. John Sehorn and Dr. Ben Akers discuss this second-century Church Father, explaining his importance to the history of Christianity and his title—the "Doctor of Unity." See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of th...
Jun 28, 2025•20 min•Ep. 207
During the Nestorian Controversy of the fifth century, heroic saints like Cyril of Alexandria defended the truth of Christ’s divinity. In this episode, Dr. Carl Vennerstrom and Mary McGeehan discuss the Nestorian heresy and how St. Cyril’s humble, courageous spirit aided the Church during a time of discord. Discussion question: St. Cyril of Alexandria was a defender of the truth in a time of great debate, much like the times we are living in today. By reflecting on St. Cyril’s life, how can you ...
Jun 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 206
Join Dr. Christopher Mooney and Mary McGeehan on this episode of Catholic Saints to discuss St. Josemaria: his origin, spirituality, Opus Dei, and how to follow his saintly example. St. Josemaria Escriva centered his ministry around a simple truth: each person can experience the extraordinary grace of holiness even in the ordinary events of day-to-day life. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . ...
Jun 26, 2025•21 min•Ep. 205
Join Dr. John Sehorn and Taylor Kemp as they talk about St. John the Baptist, the forerunner to Christ. In this episode, they discuss the Nativity of John the Baptist, how the Old Testament illuminates who St. John the Baptist is, and how he prepares for Jesus. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
Jun 24, 2025•25 min•Ep. 204
Dr. Arielle Harms and Taylor Kemp share about the life of Aloysius (Luigi) Gonzaga. Raised by his father to be a soldier, an early awakening of his personal faith led him to renounce his familial right of succession and enter the newly formed Society of Jesus. As a Jesuit he soon realized that despite his radical service, bold evangelization, and strict prayers and asceticism, the only way to truly become holy was to relinquish control and allow his soul to be conquered by Christ. See the work o...
Jun 21, 2025•19 min•Ep. 203
Dr. Arielle Harms and Taylor Kemp discuss the life and impact of St. Anthony of Padua. Born Fernando Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal, St. Anthony became an Augustinian friar before eventually joining the newly founded Franciscan order. His incredible memory combined with his dedication to studies and prayer enabled him to travel around Italy as an eloquent and inspiring preacher. He converted many people through his preaching and was eventually named an evangelical Doctor of the Church. See the work...
Jun 13, 2025•17 min•Ep. 202
Join Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Taylor Kemp as they discuss the life of St. Columcille. Like a prism, the lives of the saints reflect the likeness of Christ in their own unique ways. In this episode, learn how St. Columcille's life mirrors that of Christ's and how you can follow his example. St. Columcille's feast day is June 9. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Aug...
Jun 09, 2025•24 min•Ep. 201
Known as the "Apostle to Germany," the bishop and martyr St. Boniface worked tirelessly to renew the Church in Germany. Although his efforts ultimately bore great fruit and helped to recenter the faith of the Germans, St. Boniface often felt like a failure in his missionary work. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mi...
Jun 05, 2025•25 min•Ep. 200
Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Taylor Kemp discuss the Christians martyred under Marcus Aurelius around the year 170 AD. This episode invites a discussion on the nature of suffering, the difficulty of martyrdom, and dying in unity with the Eucharist. The martyr's feast day is June 2. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Missi...
Jun 02, 2025•23 min•Ep. 199
Dr. Ben Akers sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Klein to discuss St. Justin Martyr—an early Church martyr who lived from about AD 100 to 165 and wrote several significant Christian apologetic works. St. Justin was a convert to the Catholic faith, philosopher, and is famous for his idea of the "seeds of the Word" found throughout all of God's creation. St. Justin explains that all things are created by God and that there are seeds of God's truth found in all things. This allows Justin to confidently s...
Jun 01, 2025•20 min•Ep. 198
Learn about the remarkable story of St. Joan of Arc with Paul McCusker, author of the Augustine Institute Radio Theatre audio drama "The Victory of Joan of Arc", and Dr. Ben Akers on this episode of Catholic Saints! See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle ....
May 30, 2025•40 min•Ep. 197
St. Augustine of Canterbury is often called the "Apostle to the English". A great missionary, St. Augustine was pivotal in converting the Anglo-Saxons to the Catholic faith. Join Dr. James Prothro and Mary McGeehan as they discuss this great saint and his witness to Jesus Christ. See the work of Jesuit Refugee Service Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on Formed . Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mi...
May 27, 2025•19 min•Ep. 196
