For College Catholics

43 Q & A – Three Reasons Why to Be Catholic

In today’s episode I answer a question of one of our listeners. Rian, a freshman in college, from Chicago asks me which three reasons he could argue in favor of the Catholic Church being the true Church of Christ. In summary, the reasons are these: (1) the Church of Christ must be one, in the sense of not being “many”, and also one, in the sense that it must not be clearly divided in doctrinal sections or factions. (2) the Church of Christ today must be a continuation of the Church of Christ from Apostolic times. This is guaranteed by the Apostolic Succession, and the uninterrupted line of successors of St. Peter up until today. That is, there is an uninterrupted succession of Bishops of Rome (the Pope), until Pope Francis. (3) The Church of Christ today must have essentially the same teachings of the Church of Christ in Apostolic Times, and thus be the maintain and teach the same teachings from Christ. All these reasons point toward the Catholic Church, under the Successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis, as the true Church of Christ.

I add some useful recommendations for when you speak to non-Catholics with the hope of bringing them closer to Jesus Christ and His True Church.

Useful Biblical Quotes used in this episode:

Jesus establishing His Church on St. Peter, the Rock: Matthew 16:16-19

St. Paul speaking about One Faith, One Body, One Baptism - One church: Ephesians 4:4-6

Further LINKS to external articles on the same topic: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/how-do-we-know-its-the-true-church

https://bismarckdiocese.com/news/how-do-i-know-that-the-catholic-church-is-the-one-true-church

http://people.ucalgary.ca/~bmaundy/Apologetics/Main/One_True_Church.html

- TWO clarifying VATICAN DOCUMENTS stating that the Catholic Church is the True Church of Christ:

(1) Dominus Jesus [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000806_dominus-iesus_en.html]

(2) Responses to Questions [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html]

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Gear: Recorded with Shure Mv7 Dynamic Microphone.

- Intro music from pond5.com

42 Trust God as the New Year Approaches

In today’s episode I welcome Fr. Matthew Maxwell to speak about the end of the year 2021, and the beginning of a New Year! We discuss the importance of being aware of how time passes by. In fact, Human History is a process that progresses in a lineal way, from the Creation of the World, the creation of Adam and Eve, until the Second Coming of the Lord and the Final Judgment of the Nations, as we read in Matthew chapter 25. We talk about how important it is to have good solid resolutions to carry out in the upcoming year, that will help us to grow in holiness. We discuss how important it is to be patient with ourselves, while trusting in the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, whose feast day the Church places on January 1^st.

We reference the oldest known prayer in honor to our Lady, the “Sub Tuum Praesidium” (“We fly to thy patronage”), which we described more in detail in our Episode 24. In that episode, as well, I placed a recording of the Gregorian chant version of that prayer, sung by our Miles Christi seminarians. Here is the link to that episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/24-jesus-christ-is-true-god-and-true-man/id1558922030?i=1000533264313

- The Biblical quote we discussed is from the First Letter of St. John (1 Jn 2:18-21)

- You can email me any comments or questions at info@forcollegecatholics.org

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com

41 Christmas - Jesus Shows God‘s Infinite Love For Us

In today’s episode I welcome Fr. Matthew Maxwell to speak about the celebration of Christmas. The liturgical Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord helps us center our life in Jesus Christ, and the fact that God becomes man to save us. The Catholic Church wants to remind us that the WORD of God became Man and was born from the Virgin Mary, in order to die for us on the Cross, save us from death and sin, and give us the opportunity to enter Heaven and share in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

As St. Paul clearly states it in his letter to the Galatians 4:4-5, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

We discuss the importance and value of the Christmas Season, and some practical ways to benefit spiritually of this important feast.

- St. Augustine’s sermon: From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop - St. Mary (stmaryrockledge.org)

- LIVE Eucharistic Adoration Webcam at Marytown, IL - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWlEhpny5_o

- You can email me any comments or questions at info@forcollegecatholics.org

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com

40 The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

In today’s episode, after speaking a little about the importance of the season of Advent, and some helpful Advent practices, we’ll speak about the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano. Only around 41% of Catholics believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. After the Consecration at Mass, there is no longer bread or wine, but the Being of Jesus Christ himself, true God and true man. To confirm and strengthen our faith in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, God has given the Church several Eucharistic Miracles. These are miraculous events in which the reality of the transformation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is made physically evident. One of the most amazing eucharistic miracles is the one that happened in the 8^th century, in the town of Lanciano, Italy. I will be welcoming a college student who will share with us some insights and some of his experiences about the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano. Coley is a junior in college, studying in Kansas. He’s had the awesome opportunity to study abroad for a semester, in Florence, Italy. Among other places, he visited Lanciano, which is a small town on the Adriatic coast of Italy, due east from Rome. Don’t miss his amazing story!

- Survey about some topics referring to Catholics in the USA: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/special-report-the-catholic-hot-buttons

- About the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano, Italy: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/physician-tells-of-eucharistic-miracle-of-lanciano-1866

- About other Eucharistic Miracles (website started by Bl. Carlo Acutis): http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/list.html

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Intro music from pond5.com

39 St. Aloysius Gonzaga and The Final Judgment

In today’s episode we’ll speak about the Second Coming of the Lord and the Final Judgment, drawing an example from the life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga.

Before Ascending into Heaven, the Lord promised his Apostles (and us through them) two things: First, that He would not leave them alone; and second, that He would return one day with power, in a glorious way. He fulfilled the first promise by remaining with us in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar (where he stays “substantially” present), and by sending the Holy Spirit on the whole Church in Pentecost. He will fulfill the second promise at the end of times, at the end of the world.

At His Second Coming, the dead will rise, and Jesus will judge all humanity (Mt 25: 31-46). The Final Judgment will be a ratification of the particular judgment (which will happen at the end of our life), and it will take place at the sight of the whole world.

After these considerations, I discuss some spiritual attitudes that we should have when thinking about these things. I also look at a great example in the life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who lived from 1568 to 1591, and died as a result of a plague. May St. Aloysius Gonzaga be an example for all of us when facing the end of our own personal life!

- You can read the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Second Coming and the Final Judgment, numbers 668-682.

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com

38 Q & A – Dryness in Prayer

In today’s episode I answer a question of one of our listeners, about experiencing dryness in prayer, difficulty to pay attention, and a wandering mind. I share the example of St. Teresa of Avila, who also suffered something similar. I give some foundations to understand the spiritual realities of consolation and desolation, using the principles of St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Rules for Discernment of Spirits. I also give some simple recommendations on what to do in desolation. Among other things, I recommend examining one’s conscience and revisiting the way how to do a time of prayer or meditation (see the article in the show notes below).

 

- Article on HOW TO DO a time of MEDITATION: https://www.mileschristi.org/easy-steps-to-do-a-time-of-personal-prayer-or-meditation/ - (a Meditation Method based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.)

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com

37 Jesus ALWAYS Intercedes For Us

In today’s episode we’ll speak about how the mystery of the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven indicates the end of the life of our Lord in this earth. It was the moment when Jesus, surrounded by His disciples, ascended with His body and soul into Heaven. I discuss the reasons for the importance of this mystery, and its practical consequences for our life.

- The Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Ascension of the Lord: numbers 659-667.

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com

36 Jesus Christ is Truly Alive!

In today’s episode, after sharing the amazing example of the martyrdom of the seven Maccabee brothers, we will talk about the Resurrection of Christ, about the importance and meaning it has in our Faith, what it means in itself, how it was a real, historical event—and not just an illusion of some pious people—, and some of the characteristics of Christ’s risen body.

- Here are some of the quotes we referenced during this episode: the story of the Jewish mother and the martyrdom of her seven sons (2 Maccabees 7); Job’s faith on the Resurrection (Job 19:25-27); Jesus rises the son of a widow (Lk 7:11-17); Lazarus is risen from the tomb (John 11:38-44); St. Paul about the centrality of the Resurrection in the Christian Faith (1 Cor 15:3-4; 1 Cor 15:14, 17); Apparitions of Jesus (Jn 20:11-18; Jn 20:19-23); Jesus with a body of flesh and blood (Lk 24:39).

- The Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Resurrection of Jesus: CCC numbers 638-658.

- St. John Paul II on the apparition of the Risen Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary: 21 May 1997 | John Paul II (vatican.va)

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com

35 Interview - Chiara Corbella Petrillo’s Story

Today we are joined by Anne, a student at the University of Michigan. She’s a junior, and has a part-time job as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

We share the story of Chiara Petrillo, who was born in Rome, in 1984, and died on June 13, 2012, at the age of 28.

After marrying Enrico, she had three children—Maria, Davide and Francesco—, two of which died shortly after they were born. The third one, Francesco, lived, but Chiara had been diagnosed with cancer and died one year after his birth. During that last year of her life, she was able to meet Pope Benedict XVI and tell him her story.

Chiara is not yet a canonized saint, but she is in the process of being considered for canonization. She’s an amazing example of a holy woman, and a great inspiration to many in the world.

We talk about her faith in God, her trust in Divine Providence, her love for the life of a child in the womb, and her absolute denial to perform an abortion on her three children. We also speak about one of her spiritual legacy, especially through a phrase she used as an inspiration, “piccoli passi possibili”, which means “small possible steps.” In our language we could say “baby steps!”, or “one step at a time.”

Below you will find a prayer to ask for graces through her intercession.

Here are some useful links:

News Story on Chiara: 'A saint for our times' – the inspiring story of Chiara Corbella Petrillo (catholicnewsagency.com)

Video of Chiara herself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbHpCJ8AfUY&t=290s

Video of Enrico Petrillo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElQXbiRHySg

Enrico Petrillo’s witness at St. Peter’s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeCsuSKVKa8

Book to read: https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/chiara-corbella-petrillo

If you wander IF it is correct, or WHY we pray through the intercession of the saints, please read this article (it is available in audio format as well!): Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints? | Catholic Answers

PRAYER to ask for graces through Chiara’s intercession:

God, you are infinitely good

and have, in your great mercy,

chosen Chiara as your beloved daughter.

With wisdom you have guided her

on the path marked out by the Gospel,

and taught her, through Mary,

to treasure Your Son with a

passionate love in her heart

and to follow Him as bride and mother

with unshakeable trust in the way of the cross.

May the light of the Gospel of Christ,

which shines in Chiara,

rekindle the confidence of eternal life

in the hearts of our brothers and sisters.

Through her intercession grant us the grace

that we are asking You and, if it is Your will,

let Chiara be proclaimed blessed,

for our good and for the glory of Your Name.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen. (With ecclesiastical approval)

 

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com

34 Jesus Never Did Me Any Wrong - And He Died For Me

In today’s episode we’ll speak about how the death of Christ was a sacrifice which our Lord offered for you and for your salvation, so you could enter Heaven and spend the rest of eternity with God.  The Holy Mass is the very same Sacrifice of the Cross, but offered in an unbloody manner. We consider the ultimate purpose (the four “ends”) of the Sacrifice of the Cross and the Sacrifice of the Mass. Finally, we look at some ways to benefit spiritually from the Passion and Death of our Lord, and how to unite our sufferings with His. We’ll consider the amazing witness of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, that led to his martyrdom.

- Link to the Acts of the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0102.htm

- The Sacrifice of the Mass and the Sacrifice of the Cross are the SAME sacrifice, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (numbers 1362 through 1367). Here is n. 1366-1367:

“1366 The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, because it is its memorial and because it applies its fruit.”

“1367 The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: "The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different." "And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and offered in an unbloody manner... this sacrifice is truly propitiatory.” [Council of Trent (1562 A.D.), Doctrina de SS. Missae sacrificio, c.2: DS 1743; see Hebrews 9:14, 27]

- Link to an article on the Historical proofs of the life and death of Jesus Christ: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/14/what-is-the-historical-evidence-that-jesus-christ-lived-and-died

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat), visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com