This week on the SSPX Podcast, we’re happy to welcome back Fr. Shane Pezzutti who will guide us through some recent listener questions regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today we’ll look at the concept of her Immaculate Conception. Namely, how could it be that Mary was sinless? Do we have proof? Wasn’t Jesus the only one without sin and that this is precisely the reason God sent him to save us? May is the perfect month to review some of these questions, not only to satisfy our reason, but to hop...
May 24, 2024•46 min
This week on the SSPX Podcast we address the sensitive topic of pregnancies out of wedlock. These occurrences, though hopefully rare, do happen and Catholics should know how to address them prudently and in the light of Catholic moral teaching. Moreover, out-of-wedlock pregnancies raise a host of questions, with the most prevalent being, “Must the father and mother of the child enter into marriage?” This was the main question from a listener which sparked this episode. But Father Ian Palko and I...
May 17, 2024•58 min
In this episode, drawn from the archives of the SSPX Podcast, we address the question of why do some say “Holy Spirit” and others “Holy Ghost” when referring to the third person of the Holy Trinity. Do they mean the same thing? And if so, what are the origins of this terminological difference? And, most importantly, does it matter? View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W6GqOnZWR_k Support the SSPX Podcast with 1-time or Monthly Donation >> Questions with Father full series: https://sspxpodcast...
May 10, 2024•7 min
Before the scientific discoveries of the late 19th century, most adherents of Catholicism and Protestantism believed that the earth and universe were 6000 years old, based on a chronology derived from the Bible. However, after the discovery of the radioactive behavior of atoms, developments in the study of geology, and accurate measurement of star distances provided solid scientific evidence for a universe and earth of an age in the billions of years, Catholic exegetes abandoned the idea that th...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 32 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue our discussion from the last episode on Young Earth Creationism. As covered on the last episode, Catholics are not obligated to believe the earth or universe is 6,000 years old; it is not a question of faith. In this episode we examine more closely specific arguments which suggest that young-earth-creationism and geocentricism—a description of the universe that places earth at its center—are parts of the deposit of the Faith. In so doing, Fr. P...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we’ll dive back into our Questions with Father episodes with a topic we touched on about 6 years ago: Young Earth Creationism. Many Catholics claim that it is doctrinal, and morally necessary to believe that the earth was created in a particular time, or in a particular way. In this episode and a following one to come later, Fr. Paul Robinson will lay out the Catholic perspective on not just this topic, but broadly, what a Catholic should believe in terms ...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 13 min
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, has been front and center in the news following the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that embryos created through IVF are legally “children” for the purposes of that state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. In the wake of the decision, politicians, religious leaders, and laypeople who view themselves as “pro-life” have wrestled publicly with legal and practical questions surrounding IVF, including its availability. Catholics, for their part, know–or ought to know–that...
Apr 13, 2024•1 hr 10 min
As we have already touched on in earlier episodes, screens and the content they deliver adversely affect the mental and emotional maturation of young people, with some content–such as pornography–inflicting lifelong damage. These dangers are considered in more detail today, with special attention paid to the responsibilities that all parents must shoulder to ensure their children grow up mentally, emotionally, and above all, spiritually healthy. Included in this discussion are lessons for how ad...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr
As we have already touched on in earlier episodes, screens and the content they deliver adversely affect the mental and emotional maturation of young people, with some content–such as pornography–inflicting lifelong damage. These dangers are considered in more detail today, with special attention paid to the responsibilities that all parents must shoulder to ensure their children grow up mentally, emotionally, and above all, spiritually healthy. Included in this discussion are lessons for how ad...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min
The long lasting effects of pornography cannot be understated. Exposure to it, especially at a young age, can leave an imprint on the mind that remains for years. Repeated exposure often leads to addiction, which is not easily overcome. Although all things are possible with God’s grace, those who have been exposed to this harmful material must not only have recourse to the sacraments, but take strong proactive steps to eliminate future opportunities to view this sinful material. Parents must be ...
Mar 22, 2024•54 min
In this fifth installment in our ongoing Digital Dangers series, we confront one of the most troubling topics in the digital age: pornography. Although pornographic material has been around for literally thousands of years, never before in human history has it been so widely disseminated and easily accessible. The pornography industry, which generates tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue, profits off the addictive nature of this imagery while preying on the young. While Catholics are li...
Mar 15, 2024•45 min
In this fourth episode of our ongoing Digital Dangers series, we explore one of the most dominant aspects of our digital age: social media. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X–formerly known as Twitter–allow literally billions of people to share content around the world in seconds. Much of this content is relatively benign, with people sharing family photos, updates on major life events, or thoughts on their favorite sports teams and television shows. However, these platforms al...
Mar 09, 2024•57 min
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is in the headlines following an Alabama Supreme Court decision holding that frozen embryos can be considered children under the law. While many Catholics laud this decision, just as many if not more are unaware of the Church’s teaching on IVF and the serious moral questions raised by this practice. View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nw5j21--U9I Support the SSPX Podcast with 1-time or Monthly Donation >> Questions with Father full series: https://sspxpodcast....
Mar 05, 2024•6 min
We’ll continue exploring the effects of modern technology on our lives, particularly our mental and spiritual health. As discussed in the last episode, technological tools such as smartphones and state-of-the-art search engines like Google grant us unprecedented access to nearly unlimited information. In addition, algorithms and tracking software lead us through a sea of content calibrated to our interests, which keeps us fixed to our devices. In this episode, we discuss why this is dangerous an...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Today, in the second part of our ongoing series Digital Dangers, we examine the effects of modern technology on our mental fitness, spiritual well being, and even our physical health. While technology such as smartphones, state-of-the-art search engines, and artificial intelligence give us access to vast reservoirs of information, are we harming ourselves intellectually through the superficial acquisition of knowledge? What adverse effects does this technology have on brain development and can i...
Feb 24, 2024•49 min
Welcome back to the SSPX Podcast, where we’re diving into our new series, Digital Dangers! In this ten-part series, we’ll answer questions about modern technology’s complicated nature and its lurking hazards. In a world where technology reigns supreme, we’ll explore its effects on us, our children, and our eternal destiny. How do we shield ourselves and our loved ones from the perils of the online, artificial world? Are smartphones a blessing or a curse? How can we safely navigate the digital la...
Feb 17, 2024•54 min
Welcome back to the SSPX Podcast, where we’re diving into our new series, Digital Dangers! In this ten-part series, we’ll answer questions about modern technology’s complicated nature and its lurking hazards. In a world where technology reigns supreme, we’ll explore its effects on us, our children, and our eternal destiny. How do we shield ourselves and our loved ones from the perils of the online, artificial world? Are smartphones a blessing or a curse? How can we safely navigate the digital la...
Feb 13, 2024•1 min
On the final episode of the Apologetics Series, we answer one last remaining question, “How do we know with certainty that we should join the Catholic Church?” Over the past 41 episodes we have shown that God exists, that His Word is true, that we can find Him, that Jesus is Him, and that the Church was given to us for our salvation. Yet we may still wonder if we should join an institution that has had corrupt leaders throughout history and today appears to be self-contradictory at points. Fr. D...
Feb 10, 2024•42 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue with the “Why Not” questions about what is reasonable to believe. In this episode, we turn our attention to Judaism. The Jewish people were the chosen people of God with whom He made a divine Covenant. Given this, is it true that this Covenant is still valid? Following the coming of Jesus Christ and the founding of the Church, is it right to practice Judaism today? View on YouTube:...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 53 min
From the 2023 Angelus Press Conference for Catholic Tradition. The Angelus Press Conference for Catholic Tradition is a unique opportunity to have a life-changing Catholic experience while deepening your faith. This annual Conference, which will be held between October 11-13, 2024, provides a chance to socialize with fellow Catholics, meet priests and religious, and attend lectures on the traditional Catholic Faith. Daily Mass and confessions are also available. The 2024 Conference is being host...
Feb 03, 2024•1 hr 18 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue with the “Why Not” questions about what is reasonable to believe. In this episode, we examine Mormonism or, as it is officially known, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. On the surface, there are many similarities between Mormon families and traditional Catholic families. Their values seem to match up. But even though the surface is similar, there are substantial differences between Mormon beliefs and Christianity. View on YouTube...
Jan 13, 2024•1 hr 25 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue with the “Why Not” questions about what is or is not reasonable to believe by examining Islam. Islam is the second largest religion in the world behind Christianity and therefore warrants special attention. To help unpack this religion, we review the so-called “Five Pillars of Islam” while exploring whether it has some of the same basic roots as Judaism and Christianity. View on YouTube:...
Jan 10, 2024•1 hr 12 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we’ll start our last batch of episodes – those dealing with the “why not” questions about what is reasonable to believe. Today we’ll be looking at the basic premise of Paganism – why Polytheism, animism, spiritualism, even if they have been at times very popular in history, and seem to be trendy now, simply don’t make sense to the reasonable person. We’ll see how, based on logic, the ideas inherent in Hinduism, Buddhism, and native or aboriginal spirituali...
Dec 23, 2023•1 hr 9 min
This is one of the most common objections to the Catholic Faith, namely that Catholics pray to Mary and the saints instead of going directly to Jesus. This criticism, common among Protestants, is often rooted in the Bible’s directive to go directly to Jesus and His Father.
Dec 16, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Today we’ll see how the other 5 sacraments are reasonable and logical. Can we show that Our Lord instituted these sacraments? Can we show that there is an unbroken tradition of belief in them, and that there is there a better answer than “the Catholic Church says so”?
Dec 09, 2023•40 min
On this special episode of the SSPX Interview Series, we're joined by Fr. Patrick Summers, the District Superior of Asia for the Society of St. Pius X. Father Summers shares some of the unique challenges and stories of the life of Tradition in the missions and encourages us to pray that the Lord send more laborers into the vineyard.
Dec 02, 2023•1 hr 3 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we begin the first of two episodes on the sacraments, and show that not only are they necessary, but they are rooted in Scripture. In this installment, we look specifically at the concept of the Mass as a sacrifice and the priesthood. Does God really require sacrifice? And what about the Mass itself? Did Our Lord intend us to take Him literally when he declared that the Eucharist really is His Body and Blood? By examining Scripture and Tradition, show this...
Nov 25, 2023•53 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue discussing the concept of morality with Fr. Palko. In the last two episodes, we looked at morality in a theoretical and principled way. Today, we examine specific moral issues while tackling traditional moral positions that contemporary society views as “outdated" regarding sexuality, abortion, euthanasia, organ transplants, and more.
Nov 18, 2023•1 hr 35 min
Last episode, we saw that an objective moral law exists. Now we begin to explore what this means for our lives. Are there circumstances where the same action can be more or less bad? What role does conscience play in making moral choices? Does an individual’s conscience “reign supreme,” as is often said? Finally, there is often talk about how we should not judge someone’s motivations, but is that true?
Nov 11, 2023•1 hr 20 min
On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue our Apologetics Series by looking at the concept of morality. This is the first of three episodes on the morality, with each one examining a unique spect of this topic. First, we explore if there is such a thing as objective and universal moral truth. For instance, are moral rules the same for all people across cultures? If there is universal morality, how do we know what it is and who is in charge of enforcing these rules?
Nov 05, 2023•1 hr 20 min
