What if some of our most celebrated American values—independence, grit, innovation—can also be spiritual traps? In 1899, Pope Leo XIII warned about “Americanism,” a heresy that elevates personal effort and autonomy while quietly sidelining grace, humility, and reverence for tradition. In this episode, Dr. Greg explores what the Pope saw coming, and how this heresy still affects our Church and culture today.

Key Topics:

What Pope Leo XIII meant by “Americanism”—and how this heresy impacts us today
How independence and innovation can be both a gift and a spiritual risk
The fine line between healthy revolution and abandoning what’s been rightly passed down
Why natural virtue and hard work matter—but only when elevated by grace
What American saints reveal about living holiness within a unique cultural spirit
How to discern what to keep and what to leave behind in our cultural inheritance
Why a mature, integrated Catholic identity is the only path forward in a fragmented world

Learn More:

Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae: Concerning New Opinions, Virtue, Nature and Grace, With Regard to Americanism (Pope Leo XIII, 1899): Read the full text
Cabrini (2024) – A powerful film about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s mission and courage: Watch or learn more
Related Being Human episodes:
- Episode 202: Complementarity Without the Competition: Why We Need Each Other
- Episode 200: Leaked Audio from a Groundbreaking Franciscan University Conference Keynote
- Episode 151: From Gender Dysphoria to Gender Integration
- Episode 75: Gender Fluidity or Complementarity?
Saints mentioned in this episode: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. John Neumann, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Theodora Guérin, St. Isaac Jogues, St. René Goupil, St. Jean de Lalande, St. Damien of Molokai, St. Marianne Cope, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Junípero Serra, and Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk.
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Matthias Noback, Author of Recipes for Decoupling