Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
276 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsDr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Church historian, speaker, and author, delivers highly interesting and engaging reflections on Catholic tradition, teaching, and cultural heritage. Find out more about his ministry and discover countless free Catholic resources at www.dritaly.com.
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Episodes
Testimony, a key to Evangelization
February 10, 2020 14:19 - 36 minutes - 16.7 MBIn this second episode of Ascension Rountable's Podcast Series on the New Evangelization, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio (aka Dr. Italy) get's practical when it comes to the nuts and bolts of how to evangelize successfully. We cannot evangelize just by a silent example -- the fathers of the Second Vatican Council say over and over again that we must bear witness to Christ in word as well as in deed. Many of us find this rather intimidating. Where do we begin? Do we have sufficient education ...
Tabga, Site of the Multiplication of the Loaves & Fish
February 07, 2020 19:23 - 7 minutes - 3.35 MBIn this 7 minute podcast, Dr. Italy paints a verbal picture of the site called Tabga, between the Sea of Galille shore and the Mt. of Beatitudes. Here Jesus multiplied loaves and fish.
Capernaum, Homebase of Jesus & his Disciples
February 06, 2020 18:35 - 7 minutes - 3.59 MB7 minute podcast discussing Capernaum, the central town in the Galilean ministry of Jesus and the disciples. Home of Andrew and Peter, Capernaum was the site of some of the most powerful stories in the four gospels.
Holy Family during hidden years SRMS 12-9-19
December 23, 2019 18:47 - 12 minutes - 5.54 MB12 minute podcast that describes the lifestyle of the Holy Family in Nazareth during the “hidden years” before Jesus launched his public ministry. The four gospels tells us very little about the life of Jesus between his birth and his baptism besides his presentation forty days after his birth, the flight to Egypt and return to Nazareth, and his pilgrimage to Jerusalem with his family at age 12.
Bethlehem and the Christmas Story SRMS 12-4-19
December 18, 2019 13:48 - 12 minutes - 5.68 MB14 minute podcast in which Dr. Italy describes the town of Bethlehem and the field of the Shepherds at the time of the birth of Christ. Helps bring the Christmas story alive as we read of the little town that was the city of David. At Christmas we sing “O little town of Bethlehem.” But what was this town like at the time of Jesus? And how likely is it that the Church of the Nativity, on Manger Square, is built over the actual birth site of Jesus. What is it like to enter and explore th...
Unlocking the power of the rosary SRMS 9_30_19
October 03, 2019 16:13 - 16 minutes - 7.37 MBA 16 minute podcast in which Sonrise Morning show host Matt Swaim asks Dr. Italy some insightful questions about the rosary, Mary, the misteries, and the power of praying the rosary. The Rosary has been the most honored and best known devotional prayer in the Roman Catholic tradition for the last five hundred years. Yet few, even those very devoted to it, understand its meaning and unlock its full power. We know that it is a Marian prayer, and associate it with the simplest and best kno...
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August 14, 2019 14:33 - 14 minutes - 6.51 MBIn this podcast, other aspects of Kolbe’s life are also discussed which are little known. Kolbe founded a new monastery near Warsaw that grew into a veritable city, with over 1,000 Franciscan Friars living a live of prayer and apostolic activity. This monastery was so large that, in the early days of World War II, before it was shut down by the Nazis, it harbored close to 2,000 Jewish refugees, hiding them from the Germans. Before the war, St. Maximilian saw the importance of using modern...
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July 03, 2019 14:41 - 13 minutes - 6.04 MBThe sign of the cross is one of the hallmarks of Catholic life and prayer. Yet often it is made mechanically, even unconsciously. And if many were asked what it means, where it came from, and why it matters, they wouldn’t really have much to say.
Life & Impact of St. Gregory the Great
May 10, 2019 15:29 - 14 minutes - 6.52 MBAs the civilization in the West was dissolving into the Dark Ages, a man named Gregory was elected to fill the chair of St. Peter. First prefect or mayor of Rome, then monk, then the Pope's ambassador to Constantinople, then finally bishop of Rome, Gregory rocked the church and the civilized world. He was a man who could walk with kings and yet with whom the poor of Rome felt right at home. In this 20 minute podcast, Dr. Italy discusses just a few of Gregory's strengths as diplomat, disci...
Holy Land Pilgrimage In the Footsteps of Jesus
April 16, 2019 14:19 - 6 minutes - 3.02 MBJust returned from a New Year’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio fields questions from Matt Swaim that many people are curious about. Can we trust what we see in the news when it comes to the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories? Do Americans feel safe in the Holy Land? What’s it like learning about the Bible in the very place where it was written? And most importantly, what's it like to walk in the footsteps of Jesus?
The Original Bible Church
January 30, 2019 20:55 - 13 minutes - 6.28 MBThis podcast takes off from St. Jerome’s famous saying “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” It discusses the role of the Bible in the Catholic liturgy and, more broadly, in the daily lives of Catholic Christians. Dr. Italy shows the Catholic Church to be the original Bible Church.
Cana, a marvel of transformation
January 24, 2019 16:01 - 14 minutes - 6.78 MBIn this 14 minute Podcast, Dr. Italy discusses the hidden meaning of the wedding feast of Cana and tells us how the transformation of water into wine is a sign of an even greater transformation.
Bartimaeus & Faith that Acts Up
October 25, 2018 17:28 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBJesus made a habit of spending time with all the wrong people. In Jericho, a hot, dusty city near the Dead Sea, Jesus encountered the unsavory Zacchaeus on one occasion. On another, his ears were assaulted by the cries of an unwashed, blind beggar, yelling out his name, calling him "Son of David." This figure who struggled to get Jesus' attention actually has a lot to teach us about authentic faith.
St. Francis: The First Environmentalist?
October 02, 2018 19:53 - 15 minutes - 21.1 MBStatues of St. Francis of Assisi with a bird perched on his shoulder are found in gardens of people of all faiths and no faith, around the world. He certainly is distinguished for his love of animals and all creatures. But his love was not for “the environment,” but for creation and it’s maker. This distinction, which may sound subtle, is actually critical. This podcast discusses Francis’ inspiring creation spirituality, Pope Francis’ spiritual teaching in Laudato Si, and why they both are q...
Catholic Creatives, Millennials & Hope for the Church
September 18, 2018 19:52 - 14 minutes - 6.68 MBA growing movement among millennial Catholics called "Catholic Creatives" (www.catholiccreatives.org) make clear that many millennials have a hunger for God and a desire to help manifest the beauty of the Kingdom of God to this broken world. An international summit for the leaders of this movement recently occurred in Dallas. Dr. Italy, whose sons help to found the movement two years ago, attended the event and share what he experienced and why it is such a sign of hope for the future of t...
Tips for Dealing with the Sexual Abuse Crisis
September 15, 2018 18:23 - 12 minutes - 17.5 MBThe crisis caused by the revelations of clerical sexual abuse of minors as well as seminarians has rocked the Catholic Church over the past several months. It will take quite some time to sort through it all, so the issue is continually before us. How do we, laypeople and clergy alike, process what has happened? How do we conduct ourselves amidst this mess? What can we do to help the situation? These are the kinds of questions covered in this 14 minute podcast.
Historical Perspective on the Current Corruption Crisis
September 05, 2018 04:19 - 14 minutes - 6.59 MBThe current clerical sexual abuse and cover-up scandal has understandable shocked, sickened, and shaken many Catholics and non-Catholics alike. For many, it calls into question the legitimacy of a Church itself. Some have even suggested that this degree of corruption is unprecedented and threatens the very existence of the Church.
The Role of Hospitality in Evangelization
July 26, 2018 16:18 - 38 minutes - 22.1 MBIn this third and final episode of Ascension Rountable's Podcast Series on the New Evangelization, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio (aka Dr. Italy) provides further practical suggestions on a key feature of successful evangelization - hospitality. Whether we wish to evangelize as individuals, families or parishes, we need to understand that people only open up their hearts when we open up our own hearts, lives, homes and churches in a way that makes them feel comfortable, welcomed, and appreciated...
A Miracle Baby
July 18, 2018 21:39 - 15 minutes - 7.13 MBOn July 17, 2017, a baby was born to Cristina Boshart, the daughter of Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio. The story of the coming together of Cristina with her husband, Alex, their journey of faith and life, and especially the conception and birth of a healthy child that beat all the odds, is a fascinating and inspiring story that the Sonrise Morning show wanted Dr. Italy to tell on the air.
The Fundamentals of Theology
July 10, 2018 16:11 - 14 minutes - 6.4 MBJust about everyone has ever lived has wondered about the existence of God, what happens after death, right and wrong, the meaning of life. And those exposed to Judeo-Christian culture have questions about special persons and events of what many religions believe to be salvation history - Abraham, Moses, the Exodus, Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection.
Pope Francis on the Beatitudes
June 19, 2018 21:10 - 17 minutes - 7.83 MBThe Beatitudes are all about what true happiness is and how to obtain it. Pope Francis calls them the Christian ID card, and features them as the pivotal point in his 2018 Apostolic Exhortation, Rejoice and Be Glad (Gaudete et Exsultate). This podcast provides a brief overview of these 8 keys to happiness and Pope Francis’ reflection on them.
Pope Francis on the Call to Holiness
June 06, 2018 18:56 - 15 minutes - 7.22 MBIn this podcast, Marcellino D'Ambrosio notes that we prefer to debate these issues but avoid the REAL ISSUE - the call each of us has to ongoing, never-ending conversion, the call to become saints. That's what this papal exhortation is all about. Despite all the debate over Vatican II, the universal call to holiness was the heart of the council's teaching, the real point of the whole affair. The center of the central document of the council was Lumen Gentium Chap V - the Universal Call to...
Why Confession?
March 15, 2018 07:00 - 14 minutes - 6.45 MBOne of the most frequent objections to Catholic life and teaching revolves around the issue of confession of sins to a priest in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. This practice, many allege, just inserts church bureaucracy into a matter that should be a private affair between the sinner and God. Dr. Italy in this podcast explains that if we understand sin properly, we will realize that the sinner needs not only forgiveness but healing and deliverance since sin gouges wounds in t...
Ignatius of Antioch, Apostolic Father - Podcast
February 28, 2018 23:48 - 17 minutes - 8.01 MBIgnatius of Antioch, whom the Church remembers on October 17, is one of the most important of the apostolic fathers, the Fathers of the Church who lives overlapped the lives of the last of the apostles. Ignatius was, in fact, only the second successor of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas in the important city of Antioch, where the followers of Jesus were called Christians for the first time. He is, therefore, a crucial link between us and the generation of the apostles who preceded him, a witness ...
Hyde Amendment, a Key Election Issue - Podcast
February 28, 2018 23:46 - 7 minutes - 9.67 MBCan a Catholic Christian vote for someone who is pro-abortion? The Church says yes, but only if there is a proportional reason for doing so. Abortion is the direct and violent taking of an innocent taking of a human life, and there are nearly one million lives ended annually in the US through abortion. So the evil avoided through the voting for an abortion-rights candidate must be rather enormous and certain to be proportionate to the evil that will be certainly done through legal protect...
Why Lent has 40 Days
January 30, 2018 17:10 - 5 minutes - 2.68 MBSo why does Lent have 40 days? OK Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days, granted. But why not three for the Trinity, or seven for the days of the week, or ten, which is a nice round number, or twelve, for the twelve tribes of Israel? There are many 40 's in the Old Testament that maybe provide a clue. Noah and the Ark for starters. How about the Israelites wandering in the desert -- but wasn't that for forty years? Then there are special forty day seasons in the lives of Moses...