#12527 Marian Apparitions - Jimmy Akin

“How Old Was Mary When She conceived Jesus?” This question opens a discussion on her significance within the Catholic faith, addressing whether she holds a higher status than other saints. The conversation also touches on the nature of Marian prayers and how to respond to those who downplay her importance in Christianity. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 15:41 – Is Mary a saint and if so, is she higher than other saints? 23:29 – Is there any evidence that would suggest Mary’s parents were visited by an angel informing them that she would be born without sin and would be the mother of the savior? 31:42 – How do I respond to my protestant friend who says all she needs is God and Mary is not important to Christian Faith? 37:35 – How old was Mary when she conceived Jesus? 41:30 – At the annunciation it was just the Angel Gabriel and Mary, is there any witnesses or way to vouch for the event being true? 46:49 – Why does the Church teach that some things are symbolic about Mary?

“How do we respond to people that accuse Catholics of celebrating pagan holidays?” This question opens a discussion on the misconceptions surrounding Catholic traditions. Additionally, the episode addresses the relationship between Christians and Muslims as brothers, the distinctions between Catholic doctrine and dogma, and the Catholic perspective on predestination. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 28:55 – Curious why the Catholic Faith does not teach dispensationalism? 36:08 – What is the difference between Catholic Doctrine and Catholic Dogma? 47:25 – If catholicism is true, then protestantism is false, but if protestantism is true, then catholicism is idolatry. 51:02 – What is the catholic view on predestination? 54:02 – My friend is protestant and is interested in church history where can he find the papacy in early Church history?

“How do I respond to Protestants on confession and sin?” This question opens a discussion on the necessity of confessing sins to a priest, addressing common misconceptions. Other topics include the Church’s role in disciple formation, the understanding of mortal sin, and the challenges faced by Catholics in applying Church teachings in everyday life. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 18:09 – How do I respond to a protestant when they ask why I feel a need to confess my sins to a priest? 24:14 – Why do we not spend more time in the church forming disciples? 31:57 – Why do we say it’s impossible not to know if you’ve committed a mortal sin? 38:20 – Why does there seem to be a vast difference in the teaching the Church has preserved and the practical application and knowledge of your average Catholic? 46:16 – Why can’t a parent take communion if they have a child who is living at home with a boyfriend or girlfriend?

“Why Does Jesus Praise Belief Without Evidence?” This question addresses the challenge of faith in light of Jesus’ words in John 20:28, which commend belief without sight. The discussion also touches on why Catholics view salvation as a gift rather than something earned, and whether it’s appropriate for a Catholic to participate in a memorial for a Freemason. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – Jesus says in John 20:28, ‘Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.’ Why do Christians believe in Jesus when he commends belief without evidence, which is betrayal of the human intellect? 15:47 – Why don’t Catholics believe that salvation is earned if it really seems like you do? 29:03 – Would it be ok for me to play at a Robbie Burns memorial concert as a Catholic even though he was a Freemason? Why? 45:43 – Why do Catholics believe in the real presence? 49:15 – Why does the Church never teach any specific people who are in hell? 52:01 – The new papal document on Mary. Why did the pope come out with this document? How do we defend it against protestants?

Questions Covered: 02:55 – Why do we have a feast for the Name of Jesus? 13:06 – Why is his name Jesus if the angel said to name him Emmanuel? 18:00 – What does it mean when Jesus talks about receiving someone “in my name”? 21:55 – What does it mean when Jesus says “when two or three are gathered in my name…”? 29:15 – Believing in the “name” of Jesus 35:15 – If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. 47:30 – Improper use of Jesus’ name 50:01 – Why is the baptism in the name of Jesus invalid? 52:50 – What is the name written on the forehead about in the book of Revelation?

Questions Covered: 03:10 – Making suffering meaningful 16:41 – The biggest hurdle trying to convince people of the pro-life argument, that is that human life is innately valuable, is apathy. I find that people either A) don’t care that the child in the womb is a life, and/or B) people don’t think there’s adequate authority to tell others “how they should live their life”. What is the best argument against apathy? Or this false view of infringing on someone’s individual liberty? 24:30 – Are there any saints you have a strong devotion to? 29:24 – If you notice others around you, be it coworkers, friends, acquaintances, etc., talking about their anti-Catholic beliefs, what is your obligation to say something in defense of the Catholic Church? Is it necessarily a sin of omission to not confront the person saying such things? Can you share some tips for what to say if you decide to confront the person? 34:32 – I have a friend who is a Protestant who told me that the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed recited by Catholics is in “error” because scripture claims that only Jesus Christ is the Creator, not God the Father. His comment is “Show me the Father who died on the cross for my sins if I’m wrong” which in my view he seems to be denying the Trinity but he claims he isn’t – says that Catholics are incorrect and that scripture backs up his claims. Can you help me respond to him? 43:35 – Hi Trent! Sometimes I feel that I get too deep in the online apologetic world and am wanting to disconnect a little bit. What prudential or practical advice would you give for disconnecting from the online world and building a better habit for spiritual practices like prayer and reading scripture? I often struggle to take the time to pray or read the Gospel, but will spend a lot of time online engaging in apologetic content. Thank you for all you do and I hope this has been a restful week for you and your family! 48:11 – Can you clarify the Church position on cremation for us?

Questions Covered: 18:15 – Kibeho 29:00 – Akita 40:43 – Fatima 44:29 – Zeitoun

Questions Covered: 04:50 – What categories does the Church classify apparitions into? 11:25 – Are we required to believe them? 16:19 – Fr. Michel Rodrigue 38:31 – La Salette 49:05 – Mejugorje

Flannel Panel year in review! Questions Covered: 08:20 – Nobody goes to the movies anymore 17:47 – Weight loss drugs 29:30 – Crisis of institutions 44:05 – Migration 50:00 – Rise of AI

Flannel Panel year in review! Questions Covered: 02:50 – Did Catholics win the internet in 2025? 05:00 – Matt Fradd joining Daily Wire 28:45 – Growth of Church in USA