Catholic Theology Show

How does beauty guide Catholics toward God and shape their moral and spiritual lives? Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach, a professor of philosophy at Ave Maria University, to explore the profound role of beauty in faith. They discuss how beauty, as seen in nature, art, and moral goodness, serves as an accessible yet demanding path to God, reflecting His creative order. Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach's personal website The Philosophy of Motherhood w/ Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach 

How can Catholics find meaning in suffering and grow closer to God through it?Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Megan Hjelmstad, author of Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, to explore the theological and practical dimensions of suffering. They discuss how suffering, often an obstacle to faith, can be transformed into a path toward redemption by uniting it with Christ’s cross. Hjelmstad shares her personal experiences with chronic illness, pregnancy loss, and dietary restrictions, illustrating how these challenges led her to a deeper understanding of redemptive suffering.  Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Megan Hjelmstad's personal website  Find Megan Hjelmstad’s new book, Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, published by Emmaus Road 

How can we find authentic identity in an increasingly digital world? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Paul Vitz, Catholic psychologist and professor emeritus, to discuss his book, Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today's Identity Crisis. They explore the tension between the analog experiences that ground human identity in reality and the digital world's tendency to disconnect us from our bodies, relationships, and God.  Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Dr. Paul Vitz's profile from the Catholic Education Resource Center Find Dr. Paul Vitz on Amazon, including Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism Dr Paul Vitz’s latest book Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today’s Identity Crisis, published by St Augustine’s Press 

How can Catholics faithfully approach the concept of miracles and prayer? Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Anthony DeStefano, a Catholic author with over 30 books, to explore his latest work, The Miracle Book: A Simple Guide to Asking the Impossible.  DeStefano shares practical, theologically sound steps for seeking divine intervention and reflects on his personal journey from skepticism to faith, highlighting the transformative power of prayer and Eucharistic adoration. Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Dr. Anthony DeStefano's personal website Discover Dr. Anthony DeStefano on Amazon, including his latest work, The Miracle Book: A Simple Guide to Asking the Impossible, published by Sophia Institute Press 

What caused the crisis of faith in the Catholic Church following Vatican II? Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Larry Chapp, a retired theology professor and founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm, to discuss the cultural and theological turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s. Chapp shares his journey to starting the Catholic Worker Farm, inspired by Dorothy Day’s radical yet devout Catholicism, and underscores the importance of prayer and Scripture in renewing faith. Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Dr. Larry Chapp's personal website Discover the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm website Discover Dr. Larry Chapp on Amazon, including his work, Confession of a Catholic Worker: Our Moment of Christian Witness 

How can Catholics address the perceived conflict between faith and science to strengthen belief, especially among youth? Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Fr. Robert Spitzer, president of the Magis Center and a leading Catholic scholar, to discuss this critical issue. They discuss Fr. Spitzer’s mission through the Magis Center, including his book Father Spitzer’s Universe: Exploring Life’s Big Questions, which uses the Apostles' Creed to anchor Christian beliefs in scientific, philosophical, and historical evidence. Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Fr Robert Spitzer's Magis Center Page Find Fr Robert Spitzer on Amazon, which lists his books, including Fr. Spitzer’s Universe: Exploring Life’s Big Questions Magis Center Store, another place to find Fr. Robert Spitzer’s books Learn more about the Shroud of Turin 

Why is governance essential for fostering Christian perfection and societal order? Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Dr. Donald Prudlo, author of Governing Perfection and Warren Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Tulsa, to explore the necessity and value of governance in both ecclesiastical and secular contexts. They discuss how governance, rooted in the Christian tradition, balances individual dignity with the common good, drawing on historical examples like the Dominican Order and St. Francis of Assisi’s administrative challenges.  Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Dr. Donald Prudlo's Faculty Profile at the University of Tulsa Discover Dr. Donald Prudlo on Amazon, including his new book, Governing Perfection, published by St. Augustine’s Press 

How can Catholics engage with contemporary debates on sexuality and gender through a lens of faith and reason? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Michele Schumacher, private docent at the University of Freiburg, Switzerland, and author of Metaphysics and Gender: The Normative Art of Nature and Its Human Limitations, to explore these questions. Dr. Schumacher shares her journey from questioning God’s existence to becoming a moral theologian specializing in sexual ethics, emphasizing the universal call to motherhood, the grace of sacramental marriage, the transformative power of love in suffering, and the importance of Eucharistic adoration in aligning with God’s design. Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Dr. Michele Schumacher on Amazon, which lists her books, including Metaphysics and Gender: The Normative Art of Nature and Its Human Limitations The University of Freiburg website, where Dr. Schumacher serves as a private docent in the Theology department 

How does the Catholic Church understand the unique role of Jesus Christ in salvation? Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Eduardo Echeverria, author of Jesus Christ: Scandal of Particularity, Vatican II, A Catholic Theology of Religion’s Justification and Truth. They explore Vatican II’s teachings, the importance of apologetics, the dangers of religious indifference, and Echeverria’s journey from evangelical Protestantism back to Catholicism. Resources:  Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Discover Dr. Eduardo J. Echeverria's books on Amazon, including Jesus Christ: Scandal of Particularity, Vatican II, A Catholic Theology of Religion’s Justification and Truth Dr Eduardo Echeverria's Lectio Publishing author page 

How can the historical wisdom of the Habsburg dynasty guide us in modern times? Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Eduard Habsburg, Archduke of Austria and author of The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times, to explore lessons from 800 years of Habsburg history. They discuss the seven principles that shaped the dynasty, including the importance of marriage, the Catholic faith, and how these can be applied today. Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteEduard Habsburg on XEduard Habsburg on Amazon, which lists his books, including Building a Wholesome Family in a Broken World : Habsburg Lessons from the CenturiesThe Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times, by Eduard Habsburg, published by Sophia Institute PressHelp support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!