327: The Marian Miracles That Prove Catholicism (w/ Fr. Tony Stephens, CPM)

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Father Tony Stephens, a Rector of Our Lady of Champion Shrine, the site of the first and only approved Marian apparition in the United States, to talk about Mary's miraculous appearances, the miracles associated with her intercession, and how to charitably help our Protestant brothers and sisters understand the role of our Blessed Mother. With Father Tony's expert guidance and cordial approach, we walk through not only Mary's appearance at Champion but Our Lady of Guadelupe, Lourdes, Fatima, and some of the other important appearances of Mary in order to explain and understand exactly what her role may be today, and historically, in salvation history. It's a great conversation.For more from Father Tony check out the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion website.Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Aaron Gunsaulus, the anti-Catholic, Calvinist pastor who became Catholic – although with 17 of his friends from the church he pastored! This is an amazing story. Aaron is a good friend of another good friend of the show, former Protestant Pastor Keith Nester, and the way their stories are connected is incredible. Aaron tells that story and explains how being "fair" to the Catholic Church began to soften his outlook and, ultimately, lead to not only his conversion but the conversion of his wife, one of their children (another is in RCIA), and 17 of their friends from their former church. It's an outrageous story!To follow Aaron check out his Substack and follow him on X.Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Christopher Kaczor, to discuss his new work on the reasonableness of belief in God and some of the most popular challenges – and changes – with how we approach this fundamental topic. What can we make of the shifting landscape of belief? Catholic conversions are on the rise! How do we address the perennial problems of Evil? God's hiddenness? And, hey, where did all those atheists go?!Dr. Kaczor is wonderfully articulate even when I am not – so hopefully you enjoy this episode!For more from Dr. Kaczor you can follow him on Twitter and you can find his book, Is Belief Believable? from Ave Maria Press and everywhere you find fine books.Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

n this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Matthew Mark McWhorter, a high-powered, high-profile corporate lawyer who turned his skills in the courtroom towards the Bible and Christianity. After a life-changing experience made him consider Christianity, McWhorter set out to research the evidence for belief in Jesus. He encountered the Bible and quickly realized that not all Christians believed in the same canon of Scripture – so which one is right. In this episode, we dive deeply into this exact topic and unpack why McWhorter thinks that a Protestant reliance on the *wrong* books of the Bible actually undermines their complete case for Christianity – and why Protestants should seriously rethink their "smaller" Bibles.For more from Matthew McWhorter including his wonderful book Canon Crossfire please visit his website.Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by husband and wife Catholic power couple Katie and Tommy McGrady to talk about their work on First Reconciliation, First Communion, and on raising authentic, enthusiastic Catholic families. We talk about the importance of approaching those first sacraments as a family, the joy and impetus of passing on the faith, and how to approach the Church as a Catholic convert with a young family, seeking to catechize well. This was such a joyful conversation – we hope you enjoy it! For more from Katie and Tommy check out their books from Ave Maria Press. You can listen to Katie on Sirius Satellite Radio's Catholic Channel and her podcast, Ave Explores.You can listen to their Family Mass Prep on the Hallow app.Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by author Mary O'Regan to talk about one of the most incredible, influential, and mind-boggling saints out there, our very favourite, Padre Pio. Mary begins with her own amazing story of Padre Pio, a near-death experience, and some life-changing visions – and from there, it gets even weirder! Mary is a wonderful storyteller and brings to the fore the life and works of Padre Pio including his incredible ability to help convert souls to Catholicism, he extraordinary graces in the confessional, and what it means to be a "spiritual child" of the great Padre Pio – a saint who lived a miraculous life under the scrutiny of modern science!For more from Mary check out her blog and get a copy of her book Padre Pio and You from Sofia Institute Press today!Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by one of the all-time great Early Church historians, Dr. James Papandrea to talk about what the Early Church really looked like. We tackle subjects like baptism, the Eucharist, the sources of authority, and the structure of the Church – from the beginning and through to today – and tackle the question of, if our current Evangelical churches don't look like the Early Church did then when, and why, did that change? It's all tough questions this week for a fantastic Church historian who is cordial, compassionate, and doesn't pull any punches. You're going to love this! For more from Dr. Papandrea visit his website.Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic it's near-Death experiences, demon-possessed cars, miraculous lottery wins, and miracles that seem absolutely unbelievable as I'm joined by Dr. John Sottosanti, an atheist surgeon, to tell his outrageous conversion to Catholicism and a deeper faith in Christ. Raised nominally Catholic, John drifted away from the faith an into a successful dental practice but was hounded – haunted, even – by the Catholicism of his childhood. Confronted, again and again, by the most incredible miracles this is the story of the "Hound of Heaven," and His pursuit of even the one lost sheep – until he came back into the fold. This is such an amazing story. John is an incredible storyteller!For more from John visit his website. Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend Devin Schadt founder of the Fathers of St. Joseph, to talk about the critical need for authentic Catholic men and what it means to practice your Catholic faith for husbands, fathers, and Catholic men everywhere. We talk about what it means to live an authentic Catholic life as a disciple, the role of humility (and pride!), and the real battle underway for the soul of each and every Catholic men – and why Satan hates Catholic men in particular! Plus, Devin shares some fantastic insights from his own personal journey. For more from Devin visit his website and check out his book The Rule: Counsels and Directives from Husbands and Fathers.Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the elder statesman of American Catholicism the one and only George Weigel. Author of countless award-winning books, a regular columnist and commentator, and an all-around completely reasonable and decent Catholic guy, George joins us the week with a kind of State of the Union, a medical exam, if you will, of the Catholic Church with an eye to helping those new to the faith and those looking at Catholicism from the outside understand what's happening in the Church today. We tackle ideas of the nature of the Church and disagreements in Catholicism, the outlook for the American Church with an American Pope at the helm, the idea of evangelization and what's missing from Catholic discipleship, and, in general, what new Catholics can expect when they convert – and they are converting in droves these days!George is a bit of a sage when it comes to understanding the Church and even though he calls me "Kevin" throughout he has a lot of good points to make and this ended up being an absolutely wonderful conversation.For more from George check out his website.Send your feedback to [email protected]. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic