If the point of my faith is to set me free, why are there so many things I *have* to do as a Catholic? What should I do when I feel like I'm doing things because I have to and not because I want to? What's the difference between being free and doing whatever I want?

In this episode, we discuss interior freedom.

Support us on Patreon!
Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Galatians 5:1
The Catechism of the Catholic Church pt.1731-42
Pope John Paul II, USA Homily, 1995
Pope Leo XIII, Libertas
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Free Will
The Catechism in a Year, Eps. 234 and 235
Ascenscion, "What True Freedom Looks Like"
The Thomistic Institute, "Freedom (Aquinas 101)"
St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae: II.i Q.13
Fr Mike Schmitz, "Freedom and its Consequences"
Bishop Robert Barron "What is the True Nature of Freedom?"
Fulton Sheen, "Freedom"
Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom
Julio Dieguez, He Knows Not How

Does everyone have a vocation? How do I know what my vocation is? Can I say no to God's call? What if I make the wrong choice?

In this episode, we discuss what it means to live out our call to holiness and apostolate in a unique, personal way.

Support us on Patreon!
Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3
• Mark 16:15
• Pope Francis
  • Gaudete et Exsultate.
  • "Message of his Holiness Pope Francis for the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations"
• Opus Dei, "What is vocation? Does everyone have a vocation?"
• Ascenscion Presents
  • "Discern Your Vocation with One Simple Hack"
  • "Discerning a Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious Life"
  • "I Will Follow—Two Catholic Priests' Vocation Stories"
  • "5 Common Discernment Traps and How to Avoid Them (feat. Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.)"
  • "Reasons NOT to Discern Religious Life (feat. Stacey Sumereau)"
  • "How to Discern Pretty Much Anything"
• Fr. Columba Jordan CFR, "3 Steps to Discern Your Vocation"
• Fr. Mike Schmitz
  • "What's My Vocation?"
  • "How Do I Know if I Made the Wrong Choice?"
  • "Discernment 101"
  • "The Key to Discernment"
  • "4 Helpful Rules for Discernment"
• Thomas Keating, Crisis of Faith, Crisis of Love
• George Boronat, Going on Vocation
• USCCB, "Forms of Consecrated Life"
• Catholic Answers, "Do You Have a Vocation?"
• "Celibacy is a Gift"
• Pints With Aquinas, "Discerning your Vocation?"
• Pray Like a Girl, "5 Reasons You Should NOT Discern Religious Life"

St. Gianna Beretta Molla was born in 1922. As a young woman, she wanted to be a missionary but eventually saw that God was calling her to marriage and family life. She became a pediatrician, and she and her husband Pietro had three children. They lived a full and joyful life. When she was pregnant with her fourth child, she was diagnosed with a benign tumour in her uterus. After refusing any treatment that would take the life of her child, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl, before dying of complications from the birth eight days later, at the age of 39.

St Gianna is the patron saint of mothers, doctors, and unborn children.

Support us on Patreon!
Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

St Gianna Beretta Molla's website
Gianna Beretta and Pietro Molla, The journey of our love: the letters of Saint
Pietro Molla, Saint Gianna Molla: wife, mother, doctor
National Catholic Register, "5 Things St. Gianna and Her Husband Teach Us About Dating, Marriage and Love"
Hallow, "St. Gianna Beretta Molla"
Salt + Light Media, "Pierluigi Molla, on his mother, St. Gianna"
Aleteia, "St. Gianna’s son: 'She is not only a saint because of her heroic deed'"

What's an indulgence? How do I obtain one? Is it true that the Catholic church sold indulgences in the past?

In this episode, we wrap up our discussion on penance and contrition in the lead-up to Holy Week.

Support us on Patreon!
Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 1471-79.
• Pope Paul VI, Indulgentiarum Doctrina
• USCCB, "Indulgences and our Spiritual Life"
• Catholic Encyclopedia, "Indulgences"
• Catholic Answers,
  • "Myths about Indulgences"
  • "Understanding Indulgences in the Catholic Faith"
  • "How to Explain the Doctrine of Indulgences"
  • "What is Attachment to Sin?"
  • "Primer on Indulgences"
  • "What is the sin of Simony?"
• Ascenscion Presents,
  • "Did the Church Ever Sell Indulgences?"
  • "Do Catholics Still Do Indulgences? (feat. Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.)"
  • "Absolution and Indulgences: Two Distinct Gifts from God"
  • "Giving the Gift of the Plenary Indulgence"
• The Catechism in a Year
  • "Day 202: How Confession Heals"
  • "Day 203: The Purpose of Indulgences"
• The Catholic Weekly, "Q and A with Fr Flader: Conditions for indulgences"
• Catholic News Agency, "How to obtain a plenary indulgence during Holy Week 2024"

What should I say in the confessional? What happens if I forget one of my sins, or forget to say my penance? Can non-Catholics go to confession?

This episode is a practical guide for going to confession.

Support us on Patreon!
Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 1480-1484
• Rite of Penance
• A Guide for Confession
• Archdiocese of Washington, "A Guide to Confession"
• St. Josemaria Institute, "A Short Guide for Confession"
• Hallow, How to Go to Confession: The Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation
• Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Rediscovering the Rite of Penance
• USCCB, "Act of Contrition"
• International Theological Commission, Penance and Reconciliation.
• Fr Gregory Pine, "How To Have A Great Confession"
• Fr Columba Jordan CFR, "How to Examine Your Conscience (& Know Your Main Fault)"
• Fr Mike Schmitz,
  • "Making a Good Confession"
  • "Do I need to go to Confession?"
  • "Going to Confession for the First Time in a Long Time"
• Ascension,
  • "Do this one thing before every Confession"
  • "A Guided Examination of Conscience"
• Catholic Answers,
  • "What if I Forgot to Confess a Sin and Remembered it Later?"
  • "Confession for non-Catholics"
  • "Can non-Catholics go to Confession?"
• Aleteia,
  • "I went to confession and forgot my penance. What should I do?"
  • "Can a non-Catholic go to confession to a priest?"
• EWTN, "Confession for RCIA Candidate"

What are the origins of Lent? Do I have to give something up? Why is there no mass on Good Friday? How long does the Easter season last? (Hint: ages)

In this episode, we discuss the Lenten and Easter Seasons.

Support us on Patreon!
Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• Catholic Encyclopedia,
  • "Lent"
  • "Easter"
  • "Altar of Repose"
  • "Abstinence"
• St. Alphonsus Ligouri, "Stations of the Cross"
• St. Faustina, "Stations of the Cross"
• St. Josemaria, "The Way of the Cross"
• Ascension,
  • "Fr. Mike's Easter Special"
  • "How to Celebrate Easter Well"
  • "4 Reasons Catholics Must Give Alms This Lent"
• Catholic Answers,
  • "What You Need to Know About Lent"
  • "Why is Christmas Day Fixed but Easter Moveable?"
  • "Does God See You?"
  • "When Does Lent Really End?"
  • "Do We Fast on Sundays in Lent?"
• Hallow,
  • "What to Give Up For Lent in 2024: Practical Fasting Ideas for Lent"
  • "Easter Vigil 2024: Guide to Catholic Easter Vigil Mass, Readings and More"
  • "Easter 2024: The Complete Guide to the Catholic Season of Easter"
• Aleteia,
  • "Can you stay one hour with me? The “Night Watch” of Holy Thursday"
  • "When should Catholics genuflect in a church?"

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19)

How does the Catholic church dialogue with other faiths and denominations without compromising on the truth? Why is it important to have friends who don't share my beliefs? How can I be genuinely open to others' opinions without becoming relativistic?

In this episode, we wrap up our discussion of unity and diversity by discussing evangelisation, ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and apostolate.

Support us on Patreon!
Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Matthew 28
John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint
Redemptoris Missio
Address to the Representatives of the Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities Gathered in Assisi for the World Day of Prayer
Catholic Answers, "What is the Doctrine of Ecumenism?"
"Is Ecumenism a Heresy?"
Peter Kreeft, "The Importance of Ecumenism"
"What Catholics and Protestants Can Learn from Each Other"
Ascension, "Aren't All Churches The Same?"
Vatican II, Unitatis Redintegratio
Nostra Aetate
Dignitatis Humanae
Apostolicam Actuositatem
Catholic Encyclopedia, "Union of Christendom"
"What Is the Lay Apostolate?"
"That We May Be One"
Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, Reflection And Orientations On Interreligious Dialogue And The Proclamation Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

How do we balance unity and diversity within the Catholic church? Do Catholics have to accept every single one of the official teachings of the church? Does union with the pope mean accepting and believing every single thing he says?

In this episode, we discuss unity and diversity within the Catholic church.

Support us on Patreon!
Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

John 17
Matthew 18
Matthew 16
Vatican Documents
Meditations for the Octave of Christian of Christian Unity
John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint
Catholic Answers, "Magisterium"
"What is the difference between doctrine and dogma?"
"Does doctrine change?"
"What's the Deal with Limbo?"
"Papal Infallibility"
"Can Dogma Develop?"
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal note on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life
On the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian
Aleteia, "What is the Magisterium of the Catholic Church?"
Pope John XXIII, Ad Petri Cathedram, On Truth, Unity and Peace in a Spirit of Charity\
The Catholic Encyclopedia, "Unity"
"Tradition and Living Magisterium"
"Christian Doctrine"
Pints with Aquinas, "What is the difference between doctrine and dogma?"
Relevant Radio, "Freedom in Temporal Affairs"