52 Masses: A Journey to Experience Catholicism Across America

Athletic Spirituality: Lessons Learned from the Locker Room

Being a professional athlete isn’t easy. And sometimes, having and keeping the faith can be just as difficult. Taylor Kemp, a retired professional soccer player for the DC United and US Men’s National teams, shares his story with us about how he came to learn and love God and how he navigated his faith in one of the toughest environments: sports. Taylor shares some of the lessons that he learned throughout his journey in hopes that it might help someone else’s spiritual life as well.

Suffering: What Every Catholic Should Know

This is the April CD of the Month. The mp3 is available now, and the CD will be available on May 1, 2023.
Suffering is a mystery: an unavoidable reality of human life on earth, which disorients us and tests our souls. It leads us to ask questions about God and his goodness. Though we seek pain relief and comfort, suffering cannot be solved by human effort. Instead, Jesus invites us, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). As we accept his call to self-denial, suffering can become redemptive, conforming us to Christ in his salvific suffering. This talk will explain Catholic teaching on the redemptive value of suffering and show how it can go from feeling useless to transforming us to be like God.

Approaching the Mystery of the Nativity with St. Ephrem and the Virgin Mary

The nativity story is one the biggest mysteries of the Catholic faith, as it has us consider even the mysteries of the Trinity. In St. Ephrem’s writings, he contemplates these mysteries through Our Lady, and finding beautifully unique understanding of the meaning of the nativity story through the very human experiences of Mary. Join Dr. Carl Vennerstrom as he explains and answers these important questions about the mystery of the nativity as we approach the Christmas season.

Our Hope for Educating Catholics

Family is one of the most important things in the world alongside faith. But how can families live out their faith and prayer lives together? How can we educate our children to be good Catholics for the future? Join Bonnie Landry as she explores who we are as families, what a family’s purpose is, and how parents can keep their children’s hearts close to family and to Jesus.

Families: Become Intimate Communities of Life and Love

Family is one of the most important things in the world alongside faith. But how can families live out their faith and prayer lives together? How can we educate our children to be good Catholics for the future? Join Bonnie Landry as she explores who we are as families, what a family’s purpose is, and how parents can keep their children’s hearts close to family and to Jesus.

St. Augustine's Theology of the Eucharist

Dr. Christopher Mooney is an assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. He specializes in Augustinian Theology and delivers this talk focusing on St. Augustine and his writings about the Eucharist. What did St. Augustine preach during his homilies about the Eucharist? What exactly is the Eucharist? Why do we say “Amen” after receiving the Eucharist at mass? Join Dr. Christopher Mooney in discovering St. Augustine’s understanding that we receive the Body of Christ in order to become the Body of Christ.

Understanding Luther: A Catholic Perspective on the Protestant Reformation

Ken Hensley, a well-known Catholic speaker, teacher, and author, provides an insightful perspective on Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation from his vantage point as a former Baptist minister. Referencing Luther’s writings and his own conversion story, Ken clearly shows the theological and practical flaws of sola Scriptura and other teachings promulgated by the sixteenth-century reformers. Both Catholics and Protestants are sure to benefit from this fascinating presentation!