For College Catholics

15 Catholic Symbols of Faith

In this episode I will begin the presentation of the Catholic Creed, that is, a summary of the Truths of Faith that we profess as Catholics. This particular episode was recorded away from home, in Chicago, IL…! I am joined by Fr. Matthew Maxwell, to discuss some of the main “professions of faith” that were put forth through the centuries. We will look at the purpose of these written professions or summaries of our Faith, and then we will look at some of the most important ones that have been handed down to us from the very beginnings. We will mention some of the “professions” that appear in the Old and New Testament (Deut 26:5-9; Mt 28:19; 1 Co 15:3-5; 1 Tim 3:15-16; Philippians 2:6-11). After that, we will mention the “Regula Fidei” and the “Old Roman Creed”, the structure of which could be traced to the times of the Apostles themselves. Then we will look at the forms of the Creed that have been kept and used by the Catholic Church from very early centuries until today, particularly, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Nicene Creed (also called Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed).

Here is the approximate text of the “Old Roman Creed”. This text is taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia. There are other ‘forms’ of the text, that include some additions, and that were found in different parts of the Church in later years. You can read the whole article about the Old Roman Creed here: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm

Old Roman Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; Who was born of (Latin: “de”) the Holy Spirit, and of (Latin: “ex”) the Virgin Mary; crucified under Pontius Pilate and buried; The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, sits on the right hand of the Father, From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. And in the Holy Spirit, The holy Church, the Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body.

This Old Roman Creed is one of the earliest written versions that are extant, and, because in the first centuries of Christianity this Creed was not meant to be put into writing but only recited, it is very reasonable to think that its origin—at least in the main points and ideas—can be traced back to the Apostles Peter and Paul, who lived and died in Rome.

From this Old Roman Creed later came the “Apostles’ Creed”. And eventually, this one was used as a basis for the Nicene Creed.

The Apostles’ Creed can be found here: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/rosaries/prayers-of-the-rosary

The Nicene Creed can be found here: https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe

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

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

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises and find the upcoming dates and locations, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

This episode was recorded on the road, in Chicago, Illinois—after having a deep dish pizza! 😊

14 Pier Giorgio Frassati and Kevin Becker’s Cure

In this episode I invite a guest, Kevin Becker, who shares how he got to know about Pier Giorgio Frassati. He tells the story of how, in 2011, he severely injured his head (multiple fractures in his skull and severe brain inflammation) falling from the roof of his house while a junior in college. He remained several days in a coma, and the doctors started to fear the worst. During that time, his family started praying through the intercession of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati for his cure. Soon after he started to recover. His recovery was so fast, that the following semester he was cleared to play sports in college. He later related how during his coma, he repeatedly dreamed about seeing a young man who introduced himself as Giorgio—the name Frassati commonly used.

This amazing cure is being investigated in the Vatican to see if it can be considered a miracle obtained through the intercession of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati.

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

- Kevin Becker’s Story (YouTube Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4JPnDZWQoo

- “Frassati USA” website: www.frassatiUSA.org

- Great book on Bl. Pier Giorgio’s spirituality: https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/finding-frassati

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

- To do the Spiritual Exercises visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan

13 Faith Impact – Pier Giorgio Frassati

In this episode we discuss the impact faith can have in a person’s life, and in the life of the whole Church. I invite a guest, Matthew Zahn, to talk about the life of Pier Giorgio Frassati, his virtues and some aspects of his spiritual life.

Born in Turin, Italy on April 6, 1901, Pier Giorgio had a great faith from his youth. Two main pillars of his spiritual life were a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and a great love and veneration for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He wanted to devote his life to bring Christ to those around him, particularly the poor. While he came from a wealthy family, Pier Giorgio lived a simple life, with great detachment (spiritual poverty) and whatever he could, he gave it to the poor.

He loved the outdoors, particularly, mountain climbing, and would invite his friends first to go on outings, and then to pray in church.

At the age of 24, just before his planned graduation from college, he contracted poliomyelitis, and died soon after, on July 4, 1925.

We also talk about two miracles performed through his intercession.

Recommended BOOKS on Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati:

- A Man of the Beatitudes: Pier Giorgio Frassati, Luciana Frassati, Ignatius Press, 2001. link: https://www.amazon.com/Man-Beatitudes-Pier-Giorgio-Frassati/dp/0898708613

- Letters to His Friends and Family, Pier Giorgio Frassati, Alba House, 2009. link: https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Friends-Family-Giorgio-Frassati/dp/0818913053

- The Soul of Pier Giorgio Frassati, Robert Claude, Spiritual Books Assocation, Inc. (New York)

- YouTube video on the amazing cure of Kevin Baker: (4) GIORGIO: A Modern-Day Miracle Story - YouTube

 

Prayer to request a grace through the intercession of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

"O merciful God,
Who through the perils of the world
deigned to preserve by Your grace
Your servant Pier Giorgio Frassati
pure of heart and ardent of charity,
listen, we ask You, to our prayers and,
if it is in Your designs that he be glorified by the Church,
show us Your will,
granting us the graces we ask of You,
through his intercession,
by the merits of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen."
(IMPRIMATUR, 1932 +Maurilio Cardinal Fossati, Archbishop of Turin)

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Miles Christi Religious Order www.mileschristi.org

To do the Spiritual Exercises visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan

12 The Catholic Meaning of Faith (2) – Some Characteristics

Some characteristics of our Catholic Faith: In this episode we address some consequences that are derived from a correct, Catholic understanding of what FAITH is. Faith is an act of our intelligence, moved by our will and by the Grace of God, by which we accept all the truths that God has revealed and the Church teaches as revealed by God (see St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, 2, 9; and 1^st Vatican Council, Dei Filius 3). The main reason why we accept these truths is because we accept the witness and authority of God, who cannot be deceived nor deceive us.

As a consequence, it is clear that our faith is a gift of God; besides, the act of faith should be freely made; it should be “certain”; it should be complete—or integral—, without “picking and choosing” some truths and leaving out others. If both are correctly understood there shouldn’t be an opposition between faith and science, or between faith and reason. Faith is universal, in other words, it is for all men, and it should be embraced by all men. It is all-encompassing, in the sense that there should be no area of our life that is not affected by our faith.

All the concepts discussed can be found in the Catechism, #142-184.

At the end, we discuss what to do to persevere in your faith, and we look at the amazing story of John Henry Newman’s conversion to Catholicism. He is a canonized saint who converted from Anglicanism.

St. John Newman said, “This I am sure of, that nothing but a simple, direct call of duty is a warrant for any one leaving our [Anglican] Church… The simple question is: Can I (it is personal, not whether “another”, but can I) be saved in the English Church? Am I in safety, were I to die tonight? Is it a mortal sin in me, not joining another communion? (Apologia, 208)

LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT (poem)

Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow, rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

Poem by St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Host: Fr. Patrick Wainwright, a priest of the Miles Christi Religious Order.

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Miles Christi Religious Order’s site is www.mileschristi.org

To know what are the Spiritual Exercises retreats, and to see the dates and locations for our upcoming retreats in the US, visit https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan

11 The Catholic meaning of “Faith” (1)

What does it mean to have Faith? What is the Catholic meaning of Faith? There are so many ways in which the word “faith” is used that it can almost mean anything you want!

The Catholic meaning of faith can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #150.

“Faith is the supernatural virtue which is necessary for salvation. It is a free gift of God and is accessible to all who humbly seek it. The act of faith is a human act, that is, an act of the intellect of a person - prompted by the will moved by God - who freely assents to divine truth.” (Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church #28).

As St. Thomas Aquinas says it in his Summa Theologica: “Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace.” (S.Th. II-II, 2, 9. You can also see the Vatican Council I, Dei Filius #3.)

All the concepts discussed can be found in the Catechism, #142-184.

The main reason why we believe: we believe in the truths revealed by God through Jesus Christ, because Jesus Christ is God. (Catechism #156).

Because of this, it is reasonable to look for signs that indicate that indeed, it is God that has spoken through Jesus Christ. We call these signs “motives of credibility” or “reasons to believe”. (fulfillment of prophecies of the Old and New Testament; the miracles performed by Christ and the saints, the holiness of the teachings of Christ and the Church; the growth of the Catholic Church throughout the world; the permanence of the Catholic Church throughout the centuries (in spite of persecutions and interior heresies); and the holiness of a multitude of saints.

We discuss the life and the heroic martyrdom of St. Polycarp, in the year 155, who was the Bishop of Smyrna and direct disciple of St. John the Evangelist, and how his perseverance in the face of such terrible torments was a witness to his heroic faith in Jesus Christ, whom he received through the witness of St. John the Evangelist.

LINKS to Miracle obtained through St. John Newman’s intercession:

July 2019: https://www.chicagocatholic.com/chicagoland/-/article/2019/07/03/local-woman-s-cure-leads-to-cardinal-newman-canonization

February 2019: https://www.chicagocatholic.com/chicagoland/-/article/2019/02/19/miracle-attributed-to-blessed-john-henry-newman-has-local-ties

Host: Fr. Patrick Wainwright, a priest of the Miles Christi Religious Order.

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Miles Christi Religious Order’s site is www.mileschristi.org

To know what are the Spiritual Exercises retreats, and to see the dates and locations for our upcoming retreats in the US, visit https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan

10 Conversion, Dating and Marriage Interview: Tim and Peri Rose Force

Join our conversation with Tim and Peri Rose Force, who have dedicated the last four years to serve the Catholic student community at “The Grotto” (that is, the Catholic Newman Center at Hillsdale, MI, part of the local St. Anthony Parish).

We talk about Peri Rose’s conversion from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (LDS, a.k.a., Mormons) to Catholicism, how they met and decided to get married.

We discuss the unity and indissolubility of marriage as established by God between a man and a woman, and elevated by Christ to the dignity of a Sacrament. This sacrament provide God’s graces and help, and it is like a safeguard of the family, society, the husband-and-wife relationship, and the well-being of the children. These are all benefits are unavailable when there is simple cohabitation or “living as a couple”. We address the benefits of a sacramental union in God versus the hook-up culture model.

You can read more about the sacrament of Marriage in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 1601 through 1666

Tim and Peri Rose have been ministering to college students at “The Grotto” in a unique way for the past four years, and share their experience of God’s grace, vulnerability and community life.

Finally, we ask them some questions so that they can share their wisdom about marriage and college life with our young adult audience, especially those still in college.

Recorded on site, with a “mobile studio” in the Force’s kitchen!

Find out more about the Miles Christi Spiritual Exercises that Tim talks about, all the dates and locations (in the USA and Canada) here: Spiritual Exercises | Miles Christi

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Miles Christi Religious Order www.mileschristi.org

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Gear used:

- Mic: ATR 2100-XLR (x1), SE Electronics V7 (x2) Dynamic Microphones.

- Headphones: AudioTechnica ATH-M20x.

- Recorder: Portable ZOOM H6

- Software: Adobe Audition

09 Scripture, Tradition and The Magisterium (2) – Fr. Maxwell, MC

In this episode we welcome Fr. Matthew Maxwell. We will discuss in detail the meaning of the Sacred Tradition of the Church, the Sacred Scriptures, and the role of the Magisterium of the Church.

Apostolic Tradition: Jesus Christ did not write a “text book” to transmit the revealed truths to all men, but instead established His Church on St. Peter and the Apostles, and entrusted to them the responsibility of passing on all those truths (the “Deposit of Faith”) to all generations through history, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Sacred Tradition is the transmission of the Deposit of Faith by the Apostles to their successors “by the spoken word of their preaching, by the example they gave, by the institutions they established, what they themselves had received.” (Dei Verbum 7)

Sacred Scripture: Some of the Apostles, and their immediate disciples put into writing—under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—what they gathered from the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Sacred Scripture contains and transmits infallibly everything that God wanted to communicate to men about the truths necessary for salvation. The Canon of Scripture is the entire list of books recognized by the Church as “inspired” by God. (Dei Verbum 11)

The Magisterium of the Church is the “teaching authority” given by Christ to St. Peter, the Apostles and their successors. The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ" (DV 10). The Church puts forth the teachings of Christ through dogmas, symbols of Faith, Encyclicals, Documents of Councils of Bishops (like the Council of Trent, or the Second Vatican Council) and Catechisms.

After discussing these points, Fr. Matthew will give us the story of how he discerned his call to be a Priest in Miles Christi, and some other fun facts!

All these topics can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 74 to 141.

Besides, one of the Church Fathers, Tertullian, witnesses clearly to the truth of the Apostolic Tradition as a source of revelation, in one of his writings, which you can find in the Second Reading of the Office of Readings for the Feast of Sts. Philip and James (May 3). The quote is from his “Treatise On the Prescription of Heretics” (Cap. 20:1-9:21,3; 22,8-10: CCL 1, 201-204). It can be found here: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/tradition-of-the-apostles-tertullian/ 

Email us at info@forcollegecatholics.org with any feedback, shout-outs, or questions you might have!

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Miles Christi Religious Order www.mileschristi.org

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan

Gear used

- Mic: Shure MV7 Dynamic Microphone & ATR 2100-XLR

- Recorder: ZOOM H6 Portable Recorder

- Software: Adobe Audition

08 Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church

In this episode we discuss how the Fullness of God’s Public Revelation came through Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. (Second Vatican Council, Dei Verbum, 2)

He passed on the "Deposit of Faith" to the Apostles. This was transmitted in the Church, to future generations in two ways, through Tradition and The Sacred Scriptures. God granted the Holy Spirit to assist the Church in faithfully preserving intact that Deposit of Faith, and in correctly interpreting the Scriptures and Tradition through her Magisterium.

All this can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 74 through 79 (link).

The fact that all Catholics must firmly believe that Jesus Christ established only one Catholic Church as the only means of salvation is clearly stated in the document “Dominus Jesus”, number 16. All Catholics must firmly believe that the Lord Jesus will never abandon His Church.

All Catholics must also believe that there is a continuity between the Church founded by Christ and the Catholic Church.

The document can be found here: Library : Dominus Iesus (On the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church) | Catholic Culture

OR in the Vatican Website (link).

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Miles Christi Religious Order www.mileschristi.org

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan

Gear used:

- Mic: Shure MV7 Dynamic Microphone

- Software: Adobe Audition

07 The Problem of Evil - Fr. Walter Ciszek's Example

In this episode we discuss first how God created the world from nothing, and how he continues to maintain the world in its being. This action of God implies that He provides the means for each being to obtain its purpose in this world.

However, the reality of EVIL is a stumbling block for many to accept that a good God could have created this world. With our guest, John Dejak, we look at the life and writings of a great priest, Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J., to understand a bit more how to accept the reality of evil in our world, while using it to give greater glory to God and bring about good in the world.

John speaks about the life of Fr. Ciszek, and gives us some insights into his spiritual life, in the midst of the terrible sufferings he endured while a prisoner in the Soviet Union, and even after that, while he lived in America during turbulent times.

Apart from “With God in America”, Fr. Ciszek is the author of “With God in Russia” and “He Leadeth Me”, which we highly recommend you to read, if you want to have some profound insights as to how endure sufferings in a saintly way.

All the principles discussed here, about creation, Diving Providence and evil, can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 299 through 314.

John Dejak helped edit and compile one of Fr. Ciszek’s book, “With God in America”, which you can find here: https://www.amazon.com/God-America-Spiritual-Legacy-Unlikely/dp/0829444548

Please visit the Fr. Ciszek, S.J., Prayer League website: www.ciszek.org - This is the organization that promotes Fr. Ciszek's Cause of Canonization. There you can get prayer cards, books, etc.

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Please check our silent Spiritual Exercises retreats at the Miles Christi Religious Order www.mileschristi.org

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan

Gear used:

- Mic: Shure MV7 Dynamic Microphone

- Recorder: ZOOM H6 Portable Recorder

- Software: Adobe Audition

06 God Revealed Himself through Jesus Christ

In this episode we discuss how God has chosen to reveal Himself to man. He did so first of all at the beginning of time, to Adam and Eve.

However, after the fall, He also revealed Himself to Abraham, and his descendants. He did so gradually, little by little throughout the centuries. This revelation reached its culmination in Jesus Christ. Jesus established the Catholic Church, giving her the mission to protect that “deposit of Faith”, and transmit it faithfully to the different cultures and societies throughout history.

The fact that Jesus Christ (the Word of God made flesh) is the only mediator between God and Man, the only Revealer of the Father, and that He established only one Church—the Catholic Church—is stated in the document “Dominus Jesus”, signed by Card. Ratzinger, the then Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This is a document worth reading!

The complete document “Dominus Jesus” can be found here: Library : Dominus Iesus (On the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church) | Catholic Culture

We also discuss what are “private revelations” and their roll in the history of the Church.

Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org

Miles Christi Religious Order www.mileschristi.org

Intro music from www.pond5.com

Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan

Gear used

- Mic: Shure MV7 Dynamic Microphone

- Recorder: ZOOM H6 Portable Recorder

- Software: Adobe Audition