Episodios

  • The 500-Year-Old Mystery of Our Lady of Good Counsel

    The 500-Year-Old Mystery of Our Lady of Good Counsel
    May 3 2025
    The year is 1467. Imagine you’re looking out at the stormy waters of the Adriatic Sea from an Italian coastal town and to your astonishment, you see two men walking on water, following an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, Jesus. That image is now known as Our Lady of Good Counsel of Genazzano and can be seen to this day suspended in mid-air without any supports. I want to relate the history of this miraculous image, which involves a great warrior, two faithful soldiers, and a widow of inspiring faith. Having just lost a loved one, I can’t tell you how much of a consolation this story was to me. Those who love Our Lady will find solace in hearing it, and unbelievers will have evidence of her intercession. I’ll tell it as it was set forth in Monsignor George Dillon’s book, “The Virgin Mother of Good Counsel.”

    Watch the video: https://youtu.be/vXph5UK6CUk

    00:00 Intro
    00:52 Random Fisherman
    01:08 Origin of the Image
    01:26 Scanderbeg
    04:37 Giorgio and De Sclavis
    07:29 Petruccia de Nocera
    08:58 Our Lady Comes to Genazzano
    09:50 Proofs of the Miraculous Image
    Más Menos
    13 m
  • He Jumped on a Grenade to Save His Fellow Marines (Easter Sunday, 1967)

    He Jumped on a Grenade to Save His Fellow Marines (Easter Sunday, 1967)
    Apr 16 2025
    See pictures of Doug Dickey by watching the video: https://youtu.be/Qia6M8uZiZA

    During World War II, Venerable Fulton Sheen compiled a prayer book for soldiers titled “The Armor of God.” In it he wrote that the vocation of a soldier is next in dignity to the priesthood, not only because it commissioned him to defend justice on the field of battle and order on the field of peace, but also because it called him to the spirit and intention of sacrifice. And in the Gospel of Saint John we read, “Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
    When I read that verse the other day I immediately thought of a Medal of Honor recipient who laid down his life to save his brothers in arms on Easter Sunday in 1967 during the Vietnam War. His name was Douglas Dickey, a United States Marine who had the rare quality of being pure of heart. His story is especially compelling since he seemed to have premonitions of the violent way he would die, even when he was a child. He didn’t show the slightest hesitation when called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, which is why I think it’s fitting to reflect on his act of valor during Holy Week when Our Lord sacrificed His life so that we could have eternal life. I’m using an article written by a friend of mine, Mr. Norman Fulkerson, that’s based on the book, “A Final Valiant Act,” by Lt. Col. John Lang.

    Sources:

    Lt. Col. John B. Lang, “A Final Valiant Act: The Story of Doug Dickey” (Havertown, Penn: Casemate Publishers, 2020).
    https://www.amazon.com/Final-Valiant-Act-Story-Dickey/dp/1612007570

    Norman Fulkerson, “Doug Dickey: A Pure and Combative Warrior” (TFP.org).
    https://www.tfp.org/doug-dickey-a-pure-and-combative-warrior/
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    10 m
  • St. Therese Appears with a Sword in Battle (1917)

    St. Therese Appears with a Sword in Battle (1917)
    Apr 7 2025
    The audio probably won't make sense until you wach the video: https://youtu.be/bWsgzqsXaa4

    This letter is addressed to His Reverence, the parish priest of Contrexéville (Vosges).
    Contrexéville, December 23, 1917, auxiliary hospital no 9, bed no 69.
    Considering I have had faith in the Servant of God Thérèse of the Child Jesus since March, 1916, I want to relate the following fact, begging you to kindly forward it to the Carmelite monastery of Lisieux.
    On October 3, 1917, my regiment, the 2nd March Regiment of the Tlemcen Fusiliers (Algeria), was appointed to take possession of the sector of the woods of Caurières and Bezonvaux in Eastern France.
    On October 4, my group arrived in the valley, and I was appointed by my officer to defend the front of the communication trench which led to our lines and was situated 60 meters ahead toward the enemy lines, in case of an attack.
    From that date to October 13, 1917, we were exposed on a daily basis to heavy bombardments and gas emissions, from which I was always spared.
    There were frequent attacks from the enemy in the other groups of my regiment.
    Seeing how things were going, I told my lieutenant: "I expect us in all probability to be attacked this way before we are relieved.”
    And here’s what happened:
    On October 14, at about half past three in the morning, I was standing in my usual place, when I was suddenly dazzled by a great silver brightness, and much to my astonishment, before my eyes, I saw Sister Thérèse like an angel. She was walking left and right, holding in her hand a very short saber. I was compelled to follow her, and I found myself in front of a swamp that made a natural defense and was located behind our lines. I rubbed my eyes, pinched myself and said to myself: "You are not asleep, though. What does that all mean?" In brief, I went back to my previous place, and saw once more with surprise this vision moving about in like manner.
    I then understood it was a warning from Heaven. I didn't lose a single minute; I quickly inspected my post and had the pins pulled out of my grenades, in case of an unforeseen attack.
    When it was all over, I picked up my watch, which said that it was four o'clock, and I thought: it's just the time when the Boches usually launch an attack.
    I said nothing to my men, except that they had to watch well and be careful. I had been surveilling the side of the swamp for no more than two minutes when I saw a crawling shadow sneak away, then two, then three, in single file. I first believed the relief patrol was arriving and immediately challenged them in Arabic with the word Chkoune, which means: "Who goes there?" But the sole response I received was to hear a grenade burst, which, fortunately enough, landed beyond the small parapet of the communication trench.
    "Here are the Boches,'' I exclaimed. "Grenadiers, bombard!"'
    I immediately threw three grenades; I then saw a German advancing toward me. No hesitation. I killed him right away with a shot of my automatic Pistol, and he fell down at my feet.
    From that moment on, it turned into a huge exchange of grenades and almost hand-to-hand fighting. I didn't lose my courage, I stirred up my men, and, soon wounded myself, I only commanded the louder: "Bombard!" But there was no more reaction from the enemy. Down to my last ounce of strength, I sat on the parapet. Everything was quiet again; I was relieved by my section officer arriving with reinforcements, and then evacuated to the dressing post with all my men, including four wounded.
    I didn't forget to immediately thank my Protector, who has always preserved me since December 1916, and whose celestial warning was our safety.
    This declaration is certified by the author himself, whose signature below can be published; he recommends to all his comrades the utmost confidence in the Servant of God, Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
    A. DIEZ
    Sergeant, 2nd Fusilier March Regiment
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    5 m
  • His Life Depended on a Game of Chess

    His Life Depended on a Game of Chess
    Mar 31 2025
    Watch the video: https://youtu.be/F-u_LRPVai4

    After World War II, the Communist Soviets occupied Hungary, causing thousands of Catholics to flee their tyranny. Today’s story is about a Hungarian man who assumes another person’s identity to escape to Austria, a free country. Little did he know that his knowledge of chess would play such an important role in attaining freedom.

    “Your Move Hungarian”
    by Ferenc Laszlo

    "I was trying hard to suppress my anxiety that September morning in 1946, as I stood in the dismal Keleti railway station in Budapest, Hungary.

    Panic, I knew, could wreck my hopes.

    I was waiting prayerfully for the name of Oscar Zinner to be called – even though I knew that it might mean my doom..."
    Más Menos
    14 m
  • The Miracle of Father Baker: Our Lady of Victory Basilica, NY

    The Miracle of Father Baker: Our Lady of Victory Basilica, NY
    Mar 24 2025
    Video of this podcast: https://youtu.be/zR8TDIK0QOE

    I walked 30 miles on pilgrimage to the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Victory in Lackawanna, New York built by the great Venerable Father Baker.

    Having spent some time in the Buffalo area, everyone has been telling me some incredible stories about Father Baker and his cause for canonization so I decided to research him for myself and bought a couple books about him. However, the most beautiful summary of his life can be found on his website, fatherbaker.org.

    Here’s the full article: https://www.fatherbaker.org/the-father-baker-story-the-early-years

    Here’s the website for Our Lady of Victory Basilica: https://www.olvbasilica.org/

    Some books about Father Baker:

    1. "Walk Humbly With Your God: Father Nelson Baker and the Brothers of the Holy Infancy and Youth of Jesus" by Donald Monnin
    2. "Father Baker" by Floyd Anderson
    3. "Father of the Fatherless: The Authorized Biography of Father Nelson Baker" by Richard Gribble CSC
    Más Menos
    12 m
  • St. Patrick's Prophecies for the End Times

    St. Patrick's Prophecies for the End Times
    Mar 17 2025
    This episode will cover St. Patrick's incredible prophecies about the Emerald Isle and the five mysterious favors that he obtained from God during his forty days of fasting in the mountains. In his time of solitude, he fought off devils seeking to tempt him in such a brilliant way that they fled in terror, which definitely reminded me of St. Michael.

    Watch the video for this episode: https://youtu.be/Bws5Ck2x3uM

    Sources:
    St. Patrick’s Prophecy, Tírechán's Collections Concerning St. Patrick, Book of Armagh (TCD MS 52): http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts...

    Text of the script:
    "St. Patrick the Patrician" by PATRICK FRANCIS CARDINAL MORAN (1913 Catholic Encyclopedia): https://nobility.org/2012/03/p...


    For further reading on St. Patrick:

    The Trias thaumaturga (gol., Louvain, 1647) of of the Franciscan COLGAN is the most complete collection of the ancient Lives of the saint. The Kemare Life of Saint Patrick (CUSACK, Dublin, 1869) presents from the pen of HENNESSY the translation of the Irish Tripartite Life, with copious notes. WHITLEY STOKES, in the Rolls Series (London, 1887), has given the textand translation of the Vita Tripartita, together with many original documents from the Book ofAmragh and other sources. The most noteworthy works of later years are SHEARMAN, Loca Patriciana (Dublin, 1879); TODD, St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland (Dublin, 1864); BURY, Life of St. Patrick (London, 1905); HEALY, The Life and Writings of St. Patrick (Dublin, 1905).
    Más Menos
    7 m
  • Thankful!

    Thankful!
    Mar 12 2025
    I was bored of driving, so I made up this silly poem today. I'm not sure if I really like all these things... it just fit the poem. https://youtube.com/shorts/7j4JRBFFV3o



    Thankful!


    If it's a terrible day, remember
    That you should never lose your temper.
    If you are muddled in toils and strife,
    Perhaps you should think of the finer things in life.

    The swish-pop of a well-earned beer.
    Aiming an arrow at a stock-still deer.
    Steaming coffee in your cup.
    The sweet brown eyes of your loving pup.
    I don't mean to be sappy,
    But these things make me happy.

    Ardbeg Whiskey in a glass.
    A front-row seat in a Latin Mass.
    The cheerful chirping of a cricket
    Getting out of a speeding ticket.
    It all keeps me from stressing
    When life can be depressing.


    Crackling tobacco in corncob pipes.
    Old Glory with her stars and stripes.
    Being first in Confession line
    And the wonderful smell of pine.
    I don't know what all this means to you,
    But it makes me feel fine.


    Steaks medium-rare.
    Snow flakes in your hair.
    The smile of a loved one.
    Ah… the glory of a setting sun
    And when a fish takes the bait,
    It just makes me feel great.

    Finishing your Rosary late at night,
    That you be ready for tomorrow's fight.
    Friendly conversation by the fire.
    Beautiful high notes of a Tenebrae choir.
    Handling the grip of a well built gun.
    This is what I'm all about, son.



    Is it wrong that I admire what God has given me?
    The crisp mountain air and the rolling sea!
    I need to travel! To witness the glory of Rome.
    But for now, New York is my home.



    All in all, I'm content
    With these consolations heaven sent
    To keep me sane in this mad, mad world,
    Knowing that I am furled
    In Mary's Mantle.



    SO… when sufferings cut like a knife,
    Thank God for the finer things in life.



    Hope you liked it. I was more or less just sleep deprived.
    Más Menos
    2 m
  • Saint Columba and the Loch Ness Monster

    Saint Columba and the Loch Ness Monster
    Mar 11 2025
    In today's video, I tell the story of St. Columba's incredible confrontation with the devilish Scottish beast: https://youtu.be/3nq3jRuXVvQ


    Read the full story in Angelo Stagnaro's excellent article: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/st-columba-and-the-loch-ness-monster
    Más Menos
    5 m
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