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The Catholic Controversy. It's a phrase that seems as old as the bible and as modern as present day. The Catholic faith has never been short of controversy and over the centuries it has endured challenge after challenge from bot outside and from within. One such controversy was when 72,000 Calvinists in Chablais had separated themselves from the Roman Church.  Their reasons were seemingly many, valid and justified, until a young future Saint, Francis de Sales, volunteered to re-evangelize the Calvinists. He was met with discord, made a fortress his home and  was forbidden to preach, so he began to write in defense of the faith and slipped these notes under the doors of the good people of Chablais, that they may reconsider their choice and come back into the faith. His arguments are incredibly detailed, laden with scriptural reference, humble, strong, tough, loving, raw and honest about what being catholic means and that it is far from attaining perfection but rather instead falling constantly while striving f

The Catholic Controversy. It's a phrase that seems as old as the bible and as modern as present day. The Catholic faith has never been short of controversy and over the centuries it has endured challenge after challenge from bot outside and from within.  One such controversy was when 72,000 Calvinists in Chamblais had separated themselves from the Roman Church.  Their reasons were seemingly many, valid and justified, until a young future Saint, Francis de Sales, volunteered to re-evangelize the Calvinists.  He was met with discord, made a fortress his home and  was forbidden to preach, so he began to write in defense of the faith and slipped these notes under the doors of the good people of Chamblais, that they may reconsider their choice and come back into the faith.  His arguments are incredibly detailed, laden with scriptural reference, humble, strong, tough, loving, raw and honest about what being catholic means and that it is far from attaining perfection but rather instead falling constantly while striv

How can we really begin to understand the Bible? It's a fairly daunting task to approach the reading of the bible from cover to cover. It is loaded with history, law, prophecy, stories and the Holy word of God. Sacred Scripture requires attention and understanding and frankly, time to absorb and comprehend the Word of God. as 2 Timothy 3:16 states All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. The Bible, as it is widely read today, was given to us by the Holy Roman Catholic Church and with the New Testament of Jesus Christ is wholly worth exploring, understanding and digesting for it's wisdom on both spiritual and the practical questions of life. Approaching something this beneficial requires assistance and so these next few episodes we will be going through, Understanding the Bible a book by Father Jeffrey Kirby who joins us to take us through and guide us on this

The classic Learning test (CLT). We all, in one way or another, have been tested. Tests are designed to help us to know where we are, but they can also act as goal and provide a marker of sorts in our progress toward an education or knowledge about something.  Tests and testing are also an important passage way toward the next level of our education as we learn and grow. We have no doubt heard of the site to S.A.T test that many universities require for admission. Students and parents alike sweat over the scores obtained on these tests.  Why the Classic Learning test? Well, what if these tests were flawed or even, by design, could lead students away from a specific type of education and in another direction entirely. A test is something one prepares for and tunes their learning accordingly toward the end goal which is to attain a high score.  Tests move us toward learning required for a successful test result.  To use and athlete analogy, an arm wrestler would prepare differently from the test of facing anoth

Memento Mori. Latin phrases have a way of tickling our intellect, even when we perhaps do not fully understand them. A short phrase like Memento Mori let's us know that  latin can accomplish much with two words. The short phrase translates to "Remember Death", or another translation also suggests this overall thought;  "that a person remember that he will one day die. One day our earthly end will have arrived and it is good to remember the one inevitable, unavoidable fact that death awaits every one of us. We will all have our last our, our last breath and our last heartbeat. Meditations on death are an important part of living. The book "Imitation of Christ", attributed to Thomas A Kempis,  is the most read book on earth after the Holy Bible and now we have a new volume by the same author, translated for the first time into English by Father Robert Nixon, Director at the New Norcia Institute for Benedictine Studies Western Australia. Death might seem like a macabre topic to start a new year, but the book, Me

The book complied by Paul Thigpen, The Life of Saint Joseph as Seen by the Mystics. Often thought of as the silent Saint - The Blessed Saint Joseph, is a quiet and strong figure. The man who was the foster father of Jesus on this earth is a somewhat mysterious figure often prompting questions or quick judgements. In some ways he very much in the background and not a single word he spoke was recorded in sacred scripture. This for reasons only God can know.  The book is a narrative account of Saint Joseph's life as seen through the visions of Catholic mystics throughout the centuries. The author compiled and arranged the texts of these visions into this volume, as a way of possibly deepening the understanding of the life of this incredible father.  The life of Saint Joseph is a trial of suffering and of great honor and of perfection of virtue. The writings of the mystic visionaries are a vivid account of well known bible stories, but the way they are revealed gives one’s heart a new outlook and a more detailed

CHRISTMAS BLOSSOMS - Priscilla Smith McCaffrey Christmas Blossoms is an illustrated book written by Priscilla Smith McCaffrey and it warms my heart. As we approach the advent season we may be pulling out our advent calendar, or preparing our Christmas decorations reading our homes for the wonderful season which annually comes upon us. It's a time to prepare for the celebration of the arrival of Jesus and to remember Him in His humility, poverty and innocence. He came to us as a child to conquer our hearts with HIs love. Year upon year, despite the distractions and all of the other reasons to renounce this season, the story of Jesus as the Christ child can only serve to deepen our faith, hope and charity. Christmas Blossoms is a thoughtful, heartfelt and delicate book which tells the story of Factory worker Jian, a painter, artisan and pre Mao Chinese Christian who lost everything, but placed his faith and love in the child Jesus in the form of a small figure he had created and kept secret in his pocket.    It

ALTER CHRISTUS - Fr. Ezra Sullivan O.P. Alter Christus is a latin term for how a Holy Priest acts as "another Christ" and it is the title of a book prepared by Fr. Ezra Sullivan. The Authority that flows from the Kingship of Christ into this world, through his Holy Church and Holy priests seems to have been mangled in Modernism and the modern world. The role and Authority of Priests themselves in our lives has eroded over the decades and through it is sometimes hard to grasp that this moment too is completely God will, Catholics are called to understand this. In Alter Chritus we see how Many Catholics have completely lost touch with the origins of their faith, I know I was once of them, and also the call of their Baptism. Fr. Sullivan has put together a book that seeks to reinvigorate priests to the initial and original understanding of their Holy Ordination and he writes a manual of sorts, to assist these Holy men, many who have fallen in some way in this modern world, to restore the gift of their ordination

The Once and Future roman Rite. R.I.T.E.  No matter what time we are living in, we are always living in God’s Time. Sometimes the future is found in the past. Sometimes we must move toward tradition, a way that we once did things in order to understand what "was" and use that new understanding of the "old way" to shape our future. Long before the New World Order was a catch phrase everyone came to know and somewhat understand, Roman Catholics were dealing with a the Latin version of the same phrase.  For Roman Catholics in the 1960 the words Novus Ordo, or NEW ORDER, were the two small latin words that the earthly leadership of the the One, Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church of Jesus Christ were floating as the bright and fantastic future of the faith. The Once and Future Roman Rite. Before Pope Pius the VI presented the Roman Catholic world with his vision of a new way to pray, Roman Catholics had been praying a Liturgy carefully handed to them through 15 centuries of tradition. The church moved slowly and c

THE SECRET OF THE HOLY FACE - Fr. Lawrence Carney III The secret of the Holy Face. The human face is a is a window into a person's life.  Our face, The face we present to the world and the faces of people we know and see are a focal point to our humanity. An expression, a smile, a frown or even the most subtle muscle move can reveal so much about a person.  Our face tells the world who we are, moment to moment.  In his recent book, The Secret of the Holy Face, Father Lawrence Carney reveals to us a detailed account of the three instances Jesus revealed to us his very face through three separate and distinct miracles which have been the subject of study and fascination ever since. The Secret of the Holy Face. Whether it is the veil Saint Veronica used to wipe the face of Jesus on his walk to Calvary or the imprint on the shroud of Turin or the linen veil and Manoppello Italy the very idea that God, through these miracles left for us an image of Himself as the second person of the Holy Trinity is a testament to

The little way of living with less. It's a funny world we live in. Over the course of my life the mantra of MORE MORE MORE seems to have been pushed to the public in unimaginable ways in a relentless attempt to have us all become the fruit of industry.  We consumers, consume and much effort is made to move people to consumption and more often than not, OVER consumption. Somewhere along the way I wanted to simplify, to have less, do more with less and use what I have rather than contribute to the excess of a modern world, bent on having me play the obedient role of consumer.  Living with less. In her book, The Little Way of living with Less, Laraine Bennet takes the simple teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux and blends it with a method of reducing one's life, in size and footprint and getting back to essentials.  She shares personal stories we can all relate to and takes downsizing to a spiritual level by incorporating the teachings of this great Saint in order to help humble us a little and live our lives con

The Journey to Mount Carmel - Father Jeffrey Kirby STL The Journey to Mount Carmel is a spiritual path. The Spiritual way can be long and arduous and one must face difficulties along the way. Carmel, or more properly Mount Carmel, has a special place in Christian contemplative Spirituality. The profit Elijah first went to this mountain to live in its caves, to get away from the exterior noise of the the outside world and begin to listen for God's voice from within an inner and private sanctum.  Oh Elijiah's journey to Mount Carmel, 500 years before Christ offered the solitude of a hermitic life in service to God and from that silence God gifted his prophecy through a select few who went to the mountain to listen to Him.   The term Carmelite takes its name from mount Carmel and at a moment when the church was again in need of contemplative force, Our Lady of Mount Carmel appeared to Saint Simon stock and gave him the instructions on the Brown Scapular.  The Saints who've worn the Brown scapular are too many to

You are called to Greatness You are called to greatness. Good books are good books. You can pick them up anytime and re-read them and they always have something new to offer. This is certainly true of sacred scripture. In the Case of “you are called to greatness” by Father Leo Trese, who left a legacy of Hemmingwayesque simple, clear, direct practical teaching with his books, we can immerse in the profound nature of his solid teaching. Reading this volume is a strong refresher of good catechism and also a great barometer of where I am in the life of faith. To explore and understand virtue the way it is taught in this book by father Leo was, as one small example a joyful reminder of a rich perspective. Father Trese left us in 1970, but this book encourages us to remember not only that we are called to greatness but practically hear and live the invitation to that call to greatness. There may be good teachers today, but there is a solid a grounded feeling here, rooted in practical tools for modern living. Joini

The Diary of Saint Gemma,  gives me great pause for reflection. I always admire young saints ability to be so certain, or rather to listen so obediently to God’s call to them from a young age.  Saint Gemma Galliani’s life is no exception. Her diary has all the rantings of a young Catholic, living the struggle of attempting to live in perfect love and union with Christ.  To choose to leave the worldly life and enter into a deep spiritual life, full of its pain and grace, heartbreak and loneliness, longing and desire for heaven and sanctity.  It is striking and inspiring to read about the intimate conversations she has with Jesus, or lady of sorrows and her Guardian Angel. Sometimes i even felt a bit too close while reading this book, almost a voyeur into what the saints must endure to purge themselves of sin while still lining in a human body and striving for the beatific vision immediately after this life ends.  In the case of Saint Gemma, who died at just 25 years of age, we really get a sense of how much th

The idea of being a pilgrim still fascinates me. I like to arrive at unknown places with an empty mind and to have it filled with the knowledge the place and surroundings have to offer. Being a pilgrim, to me is arriving humbly and hungry and walking away satisfied and enriched.  That is how I felt after reading Pilgrimage to the Museum. It's no secret that the Met in New York City is a must see museum for anyone who wants to understand, study or just experience art. My guest today Stephen Auth has created a unique pathway through that museum, giving a virtual tour in book form that leaves you in wonder and also enriched.  His keen eye, detailed descriptions and straight forward storytelling has you come away with lessons in art, history, theology and at the same times touches the heart by relating complex history through the works found in the Met.  I have never been on a tour with Stephen, but in the end it feels like I have been on a lovely journey through one of the worlds greatest museums.  Steve and his

Today on The Way is Love we welcome Back Adam Blai with his new book, the Exorcism Files. In this volume Adam draws from his extensive experience as a lay person assisting with Exorcisms around the world. The book is a collection of his experiences presented as short stories which highlights the seemingly innocent pitfalls and practices which allow a person to become demonically oppressed or even possessed.  Adam Blai presents readers with enlightening true stories and traces their causation. Whether people provided a gateway through Ouija boards, tarot cards, Reiki, Yoga, or martial arts, Blai reports from firsthand observation how they were lured into the occult. As much as one might think that practices which have become "mainstream" Adam has witnessed how people have been horribly affected by willing to engage in these practices.  Blai demonstrates that there is a supernatural enemy in this world who is trying to destroy us. Perhaps author Mike Aquilina says it best.  "I don’t envy Adam Blai’s knowledge o

Celestial beings are no myth. They have been written about for centuries. Long before UFO's and Aliens became the popular culture, saints and mystics, pontiff and prophets were tuned to the messages from God through the Holy Angles.  Nine Choirs strong, an unimaginable number of Angels were created at the moment of creation. God assigned one to each and every one of us to be our protector and friend. Our very own Angel Guardian. If you are hearing my voice right now, count yourself as a person who has a Guardian Angel.   The Holy Angles are to be taken seriously. Throughout scripture we see the Angels, announcing, assisting, overseeing and protecting. From Job to Christ himself the Holy Angles of God assiduously love Him and carry our his Will. They are infused with incredible powers, incredible love, devotion, intellect and wisdom and can in an instant discern, defend and act on your behalf.    For any of you listening who think that the work of the Holy Angels is mere fantasy or that these mystical and beau

KNOW THYSELF: The Game of Temperaments Know Thyself: The Game of Temperaments is created by Larraine Bennett. She is here to speak with us about the types of Temperaments and the new game created to discover  and learn about them.  You think you know yourself?   We are all born with distinct personality traits. Some love going to parties, while others seek solitude. Some are naturally brash and assertive, while others are content to just get along. Temperaments are a part of the way we're made. Ancient philosophers identified four basic temperaments that wise thinkers through the ages have used to understand human nature. Author Laraine Bennett,  has a master's degree in Philosophy and has co-authored 6 books with her husband, Art, and one solo book, A Year of Grace: 365 Reflections for Caregivers. She helped create the popular TemperamentQuiz.com. and has been married to husband for 45 years. They have 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren. Laraine has developed a board game called,  Know Thyself! The Game of

Peace be with you. That is the name of the book and the sentiment of our show today here on The Way is Love Podcast. Who isn't searching for peace daily in these times? It seems that less and less of what we are presented with involves the peace and tenderness of heart that humanity needs in the times we are living through.  The book "Peace be with you" by Father Narcisco Irala is just what one might be looking for. If you like manuals and books that give you concrete instructions on helping yourself and other people then revisit this volume originally published in 1969.    But we have evolved so much since then you might be saying? Reading through this volume I really felt a call back to action. I like a book that has a pragmatic approach and a Formula for Happiness at its onset.  It's refreshing to read a book that has quotes like this one. “Every morning,” says the Doctor of Gentleness, St. Francis de Sales, “prepare your soul for a tranquil day.”  Peace be with you is published by Sophia Press and our gue

A Surfer's Guide to the Soul, Bear Woznick, a masters World Champion Tandem surfer lays out a fascinating life. His book recounts his life in Faith, battling himself, life and the elements. I confess, I read this book in one sitting. It's amazing how the things you need to hear arrive at your doorstep in one way or another. If you like adventure, if you want to feel like you are sitting down with a good friend, whose openness and willingness to share his failures as much as his success', while the whole time putting you at ease then this is a great read for you. If you are on any kind of journey, then there is probably one that Bear has been on in his life that you can resonate with. Praise for A Surfer's Guide to the Soul Maybe Melody Green, author, speaker, songwriter describes it best in the first pages of this book. “Find out how one man enjoys the highs, embraces the lows, and survives and grows from the inevitable wipeouts. Whether you surf or not, this book will challenge you in new ways to let go, div