Catholic Theology Show

Ave Maria University

Presented by Ave Maria University, Dr. Michael Dauphinais, Chair and Professor of Theology, sits down with colleagues and friends to discuss Catholic theology. Ave Maria is a Catholic University located in Southwest Florida. This Catholic podcast covers themes such as the value of a Catholic higher education, religious liberty, how to pray, the philosophies of Thomas Aquinas and more!

  1. 1d ago

    What Moses Teaches Us about Jesus w/Steve Ray | Ep. 194

    What does Moses have to do with Jesus—and why does it matter for Catholics today? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes back author, filmmaker, and Catholic convert Steve Ray for a sweeping exploration of the life of Saint Moses and his enduring significance for understanding Christ, the Church, and the Sacraments. Drawing from Scripture, Church tradition, and decades of leading pilgrimages through the Holy Land, Steve unpacks how the story of Moses serves as the foundation for understanding Jesus as the New Moses and the Christian life as a New Exodus. Together, Michael and Steve explore the burning bush, the divine name “I AM,” the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, the manna in the wilderness, the Tabernacle, and the Promised Land—revealing how each points forward to Christ and finds its fulfillment in the New Covenant. The conversation also highlights how the early Church interpreted the Exodus as the pattern for Christian initiation, illuminating the biblical roots of Baptism, the Eucharist, Confession, and Holy Orders. Along the way, Steve explains why the Old Testament is essential for understanding the New Testament, why Moses should be honored as a saint, and how the entire biblical story comes alive when viewed through the lens of typology. Whether you're new to Scripture or have studied the Bible for years, this episode offers a rich and accessible look at how God’s plan of salvation unfolds from Moses to Christ—and why the Exodus remains the defining story of every Christian journey from slavery to freedom, from death to life, and from earth to the Promised Land of heaven. Related Episodes: Crossing the Tiber: A Journey to Catholicism w/Steve Ray | Ep. 128

    1h 2m

  2. Jun 2

    Benedict XVI and the Liturgy w/ Fr. Joseph Fessio, SJ | Ep. 193

    The sacred liturgy is not a matter of personal preference or style it is the living heart of the Church’s worship and the clearest expression of her faith in Christ. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Ave Maria University welcomes Jesuit priest, publisher, and theologian Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press and founding provost of Ave Maria University. Drawing on decades of theological reflection and his collaboration with Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), Fr. Fessio reflects on Sacrosanctum Concilium and the meaning of actuosa participatio. He argues that true participation in the Mass is primarily interior—an attentive, living union with Christ in His sacrifice—and explores the continuity of the Church’s liturgical tradition, from Latin and Gregorian chant to the Roman Canon and the orientation of prayer. The conversation also engages Benedict XVI’s vision of the “reform of the reform” and the call to recover reverence, silence, and sacred order in the Eucharist. Resources: Catholic World Report – The Mass of Vatican II (Fr. Joseph Fessio essay/talk)https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/10/10/the-mass-of-vatican-ii/ Related Episodes: How to stay Faithful as a Catholic Theologian w/Fr. Fessio The Summa for the Beginners: The Sacraments w/Dr. Roger Nutt

    45 min

  3. May 26

    How to Stop Gossiping and Begin Praising God w/Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. | Ep. 192

    Speech is made for communion—it’s meant to bind people together in truth and charity—but in a fallen world it so often does the opposite, slipping into distortion, division, and harm. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dominican theologian Fr. Gregory Pine to discuss his book Training the Tongue: Growing Beyond the Sins of Speech. Drawing on the Epistle of James and the moral psychology of St. Thomas Aquinas, Fr. Pine reframes the task at hand: the goal isn’t merely to “tame” the tongue as if it were a wild animal, but to train it—forming it through virtue so that truthful, charitable speech becomes second nature, and patterns like lying, gossip, and complaint gradually lose their grip. Resources with Fr. Gergory Pine: Fr. Pine's Godsplaining Podcast Official site of the Thomistic Institute, where Fr. Gregory Pine serves as Assistant Director Related Episodes: Spiritual Theology According to Aquinas with Fr. Gregory Pine | Ep. 74The Summa for Beginners: The Moral Life w/Fr. Romanus Cessario | Ep. 164

    52 min

  4. May 19

    Finding God in Nature and in the Church w/Fr. John Nepil | Ep. 191

    Why do the most beautiful places on earth sometimes fill us with deep awe and wonder and yet other times leave us feeling empty? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. John Nepil about his book To Heights and Unto Depths, exploring how the beauty of nature can either deepen faith or become a substitute for it. Drawing from a 486-mile trek on the Colorado Trail, Fr. Nepil reflects on suffering, community, and the search for meaning, while addressing modern philosophies that promote self-creation over communion with God. The conversation also touches on hell, conversion, and how practices like prayer and the sacraments help us rediscover a life rooted in Christ. Relevant Episodes: The Catholic Calling to Environmental Stewardship w/Dr. Shepard | Ep. 96

    1h 1m

  5. May 12

    Why Didn't C. S. Lewis Become Catholic? w/ Joseph Pearce | Ep. 190

    Why did a writer who defended so many deeply Catholic ideas stop just short of becoming Catholic—and what can that tell us about faith, history, and influence? In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and ⁠Joseph Pearce⁠ ⁠ explore the fascinating tension at the heart of C.S. Lewis’ life and thought. Mr. Pearce is a Visiting Professor Literature at Ave Maria University and author of C. S. Lewis and the Catholic Church, published by ⁠Ignatius Press⁠. They highlight why Lewis remains essential reading for Catholics, pointing to his strong affirmation of doctrines like purgatory, sacramental life, and the inseparable unity of faith and reason. Pearce and Dauphinais reflect on the paradox that Lewis’ distance from Catholicism may have expanded his reach, making him a trusted voice for non-Catholics while quietly leading many readers toward the Church. While also highlighting Pearce's books: C.S Lewis and the Catholic Church⁠ Relevant Episodes: Why Catholics Should read the Classics w/Joseph Pearce | Ep. 184 Defending the Faith Today with C.S Lewis' Mere Christianity w/Dr. Andrew Swafford | Ep. 169 The Four Loves of C.S Lewis w/David Bates | Ep. 109

    47 min

  6. May 5

    The Summa for Beginners: Aquinas and Justice w/Fr. Stephen Brock | Ep. 189

    What if our modern obsession with justice is actually missing its foundation? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Fr. Stephen Brock explore the meaning of justice through the lens of Thomas Aquinas. They contrast the classical view of justice as a virtue—a habit of giving others what is due—with modern approaches that reduce it to rights, power, or social systems, often influenced by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes. Fr. Brock argues that today’s intense desire for justice can become distorted when separated from God, leading to frustration, false solutions, or utopian thinking. Drawing on Aristotle and the Christian tradition, the conversation highlights how justice begins in the moral character of the person, is formed within the family, and ultimately finds its fulfillment in God, who alone can fully set things right. The episode offers a concise but rich reflection on virtue, society, and the deeper meaning of justice in a world searching for it. Check these out: The Philosophy of Saint Thomas Aquinas: A Sketch  The Light That Binds: A Study in Thomas Aquinas’s Metaphysics of Natural Law More Episodes like this: The Summa for Beginners: Aquinas and Theology w/Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. Exploring the Catholic Spiritual Life w/ Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P.

    58 min

  7. Apr 28

    Relevant Radio and the Saints w/Peter Atkinson | Ep. 188

    What happens when timeless stories of faith are told in a way that feels immediate, human, and deeply personal? In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Peter Atkinson about the vision behind The Merry Beggars and its rapid growth through audio storytelling. Peter recounts his path from Ave Maria University to pursuing acting, and how an unexpected pivot during the pandemic led to a creative breakthrough. Now working with Relevant Radio, The Merry Beggars produces immersive audio dramas that present the lives of the saints in a compelling and accessible format for modern audiences. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of portraying saints as fully human—people who struggled, suffered, and chose courage and faith. These stories, they explain, help listeners better understand their own spiritual journeys, especially in moments of difficulty and doubt. The episode also explores themes of ongoing conversion, the meaning of suffering, and the reality of God’s mercy, ultimately pointing to a larger goal: shaping culture by forming hearts and imaginations through consistent, high-quality storytelling grounded in faith. Related Episodes: Faith, film, and the art of story telling w/ Daniel Bielinski Sharing the Catholic Faith with Generation Alpha w/ Ambrose Bean ▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL:▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/

    1h 2m

  8. Apr 21

    How to Encounter God through Poetry w/James Matthew Wilson | Ep. 187

    Poetry is far more than personal expression; it is a contemplative encounter with reality itself. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Ave Maria University welcomes poet, critic, and theologian James Matthew Wilson, Cullen Foundation Chair in English Literature and Director of the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Professor Wilson explores how the Catholic imagination restores the unity of truth, goodness, and beauty. Drawing from Augustine, Aquinas, Dante, and Benedict XVI, he shows beauty as the splendor of being—the force that first draws us into wonder and ultimately leads us to contemplative praise. Through readings from his collection Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds, Wilson illustrates how disciplined poetic form becomes an act of doxology, responding to the divine love that precedes and sustains all creation. Related Episodes: An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology with Joseph Pearce The Theology of Tolkien w/ Joseph Pearce Tolkiens Liturgical Imagination in the Lord of the Rings w/ Dr. Ben Reinhard ▶ Help support Ave Maria University and this podcast by joining the Annunciation Circle: https://hubs.li/Q03312J80 ▶ Learn more about Ave Maria University: https://hubs.li/Q032PhpS0 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FIND ANSWERS ON SOCIAL: ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://youtube.com/@AveMariaUniversityFL ▶ WEBSITE: https://www.avemaria.edu ▶ INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/avemariauniv/ ▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/avemariauniv/ Ave Maria University is committed to providing a liberal arts curriculum based on Catholic principles and thought. We strive to enlighten students intellectually and spiritually, to prepare them for a life well lived.

    55 min
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About

Presented by Ave Maria University, Dr. Michael Dauphinais, Chair and Professor of Theology, sits down with colleagues and friends to discuss Catholic theology. Ave Maria is a Catholic University located in Southwest Florida. This Catholic podcast covers themes such as the value of a Catholic higher education, religious liberty, how to pray, the philosophies of Thomas Aquinas and more!

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