Shows
Catholic History Trek204. The Doctor of Grace: St. Augustine of HippoBesides being a great saint, Augustine was a great preacher, writer, and thinker, whose influence on the Church has been incalculable. Kevin and Scott cover all things Augustinian in this wide-ranging episode, which takes them from the fourth-century Roman Empire to the twenty-first century papacy.2025-06-2719 minCatholic History Trek201. StigmataFor the past 800 years, various men and women (mostly women) have mystically bore the wounds of Christ on their bodies.In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the phenomenon known as the stigmata.To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)Thank you for your support!2025-06-0417 minCatholic History Trek200. Catholic History Trek’s 200th EpisodeHistory’s best pope? Worst pope? How will historians look back on the Church today?Scott and Kevin mark this milestone in CHT’s history by venturing into reflection, opinion, and speculation, lobbing questions at each other and reacting to the sometimes predictable, sometimes surprising answers. 2025-05-2845 minCatholic History Trek196. Christus Regnat—Christ the King¡Viva Cristo Rey! With a special focus on Pope Pius XI's encyclical Quas Primas, Scott and Kevin unpack some of the theology and history behind one of the Church's major feasts, Christ the King. 2025-04-2023 minCatholic History Trek194. Catholics Went Down to GeorgiaCatholics from Maryland migrated to Georgia in the 1790s, creating the settlement of Locust Grove and the state's first parish, Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 36, Georgia)Contribute to Catholic History Trek at Paypal (Kevin Schmiesing at Catholic History Trek)The Purification Heritage Center2025-04-0508 minCatholic History Trek192. UniversitiesUniversitas magistrorum et scholarium. The modern university's very name derives from its medieval Catholic antecedent. Scott and Kevin tour the long, fruitful, and sometimes contentious relationship between the Church and universities. 2025-03-2131 minCatholic History Trek191. Stealing HeavenArthur Simon Flegenheimer, a.k.a. Dutch Schultz, was an infamous prohibition era mobster known for bootlegging, running breweries, speakeasies, and illegal gambling rings, and engaging in gang wars.
After the National Crime Syndicate put a hit on him, this Jewish-born criminal sought redemption thru the Catholic Church while on his deathbed.
Find out about his conversion, and lost treasure, on this episode of Catholic History Trek.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2025-03-1308 minCatholic History Trek188. An Imperishable Wreath: Catholicism and SportsScott and Kevin outline the historical connections between the Church and athletic games, highlighting a few of the many remarkable Catholic athletes and teams that have excelled in the field of competitive sports.
Support CHT by donating through PayPal to Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek2025-02-1930 minCatholic History Trek183. The Synthesis of All HeresiesA century and a half ago Pope Gregory XVI declared war against an insidious heresy to later be named Modernism.
This war was carried by on Popes Pius IX and Pius X, who issued a Syllabus of Errors, and required an Oath Against Modernism.
In this episode, Scott treks thru the history, and the current state, of this conflict.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2025-01-1219 minCatholic History Trek181. Catholic Railway Men - Casey Jones & Venerable Paul Pius PerazzoScott explores the history of a pair of Catholic railroaders. Casey Jones is a folk hero of the American railroading era, and Paul Pius Perazzo is on the "track" to sainthood.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-12-2816 minCatholic History Trek180. Let Us Pay: Money in the Life of the ChurchScott and Kevin trace the history of money—its use and misuse—within the institutions of the Catholic Church
Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)2024-12-2121 minCatholic History Trek176. The Dogs of the Lord - the DominicansThe Dominicans, or Dogs of the Lord (Latin Domini Canis)
have been influential in the spiritual renewal of the Church since they were founded 800 years ago by St Dominic de Guzman.
Kevin and Scott trek thru the history of this Order of Preachers, and many of the saints it produced.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-11-2126 minCatholic History Trek175. Congressional PriestsDo “Politics & Religion” mix? PEW Research polling shows half of all Americans believe religion should not influence US laws – that your congressman should not legislate based on his religious beliefs. But what if that congressman happens to be a priest?
Have priests even served in the U.S. Congress? Surprisingly, the answer is “yes.” In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the priests who have served in the US Congress.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your s...2024-11-1312 minCatholic History Trek173. A Truly Catholic President?In this episode Scott treks back to 19th century Ecuador to find Garcia Moreno, who was perhaps the gold standard of a Catholic politician, and the fulfillment of a 250-year-old prophecy by Our Lady of Good Success.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-10-2912 minCatholic History Trek171. St John of CapistranoJohn of Capistrano was a lawyer, governor, priest, crusader, and saint. Although many know his name as a home for migrating birds.
Scott treks thru his life and the California mission which bears his name.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-10-1416 minCatholic History Trek170. Don John of Austria Is Going to the War (Battle of Lepanto)G.K. Chesterton wrote this line about a pivotal encounter between the fleets of Catholic Europe and the Islamic Ottoman Empire. Join Scott and Kevin as they remember Don Juan, Pius V, and the Battle of Lepanto.
Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek). Thank you.2024-10-0725 minCatholic History Trek168. SSPX - Schismatics? Champions of Tradition? Both?Scott and Kevin probe the history of a controversial Catholic group - the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X - and its equally controversial founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-09-2228 minCatholic History Trek167. The Benedictine Invention of the Electric MotorDepending on the source, the invention of the
electric motor is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, Hans Christian Ørsted, Michael Faraday, William Sturgeon, or Thomas Davenport. But the work of a Benedictine monk from Scotland, Andrew Gordon, predates them all.
In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the forgotten Benedictine inventors of the electric motor – Andrew Gordon & Jedlik Anyos.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-09-1409 minCatholic History Trek165. The Missal MakersTwo of the most popular missals for the Latin mass are the missals by Fr Lasance and Baronious Press. In this episode Scott treks thru the history of the men whose names grace these missals – Francis Lasance and Cesare Baronious.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-08-3011 minCatholic History Trek164. Around a Church in 30 MinutesScott and Kevin take you on a tour of the interior of a Catholic church, identifying common features such as altars, tabernacles, and ambos—and a few uncommon ones such as papal umbrellas.
Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)2024-08-2235 minCatholic History Trek160. Catholics in the Wild WestScott and Kevin tell the story of Catholicism on the Western frontier: Indians, outlaws, shootouts, … and, of course, missionaries and nuns.
Please consider supporting this podcast by contributing through PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)2024-07-2233 minCatholic History Trek159. The Popes Who ResignedFrom Pope Pontian to Pope Benedict XVI, only a handful of St Peter's successors have resigned from the papacy. And the evidence is suspect that half of these possible resignations actually happened.
In this episode Scott treks back thru these 11 possible papal resignations.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-07-1419 minCatholic History Trek157. The Real Sword in the StoneIn this episode Scott treks thru the story of the saintly knight Galgano and his sword in the stone, which may have served as the inspiration for the legend of King Arthur and his own sword in a stone.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-06-3010 minCatholic History Trek156. From Confucius to Christ: The Church in ChinaChristianity came to China no later than the 600s, but, from Confucian sages to Communist despots, its growth has faced strong headwinds ever since.
Kevin and Scott recount the stories of a few of the exceptional figures in this history, including Franciscan missionaries, Jesuit scholars, and the “three pillars of Chinese Catholicism."
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-06-2330 minCatholic History Trek155. The Fewness of the SavedSt Leonard of Port Maurice was arguably the greatest missionary of the 18th century. In this episode Scott treks thru the life of St Leonard and his famous sermon on the little number of those who are saved.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-06-1516 minCatholic History Trek153. The Dutch CatechismIn 1966 the Dutch bishops released a new catechism with much excitement, as the first one to be published after the 2nd Vatican Council. But when the spirit of the age trumped the doctrines of the Church, problems arose.
In this episode Scott treks thru the background, history, and response to this infamous catechism.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-05-3113 minCatholic History Trek152. The “Other” Agnus DeiAgnus Dei is a name for Jesus as the “Lamb of God” and is a prayer said during mass. But Agnus Dei was also the name for a highly prized papal sacramental.
In this episode Scott treks thru the holy, and political, history of the sacramental Agnus Dei.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-05-2309 minCatholic History Trek151. Down on the FarmScott and Kevin venture beyond the city walls to explore the history of Catholicism and agriculture. From peasants to plantations, from hermits to homesteaders, from breeding to beekeeping, faith and farming have been companions through the centuries.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!
2024-05-1531 minCatholic History Trek148. Reconciliation in RetrospectIn hopes of atoning for at least some of their sins, Scott and Kevin humbly offer this episode on the history of the Sacrament of Penance, aka Confession, aka Reconciliation. Is listening to it a penance or a guilty pleasure? You decide.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-04-2236 minCatholic History Trek146. Hartford’s Holy TrinityConnecticut’s earliest Catholics worshiped in homes, barns, a Masonic hall, and finally, an Episcopalian hand-me-down, the state’s first Catholic church.
(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 24, Connecticut)
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-04-0710 minCatholic History Trek144. The Items of the AltarThere are a lot of items involved in the celebration of a Catholic liturgy, and each of them has a name and a history.
In this gold-plated episode, Scott and Kevin provide a rundown of the chalices, patens, and things you may not even know the name for.
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-03-2229 minCatholic History Trek142. Remembering the AlamoDespite its humble beginning, Mission San Antonio de Valero was the nucleus of one of Texas’s largest cities and would become one of the nation’s most famous battlegrounds. Kevin traces the tumultuous history of the Alamo.
(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 23, Texas)
To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)
Thank you for your support!2024-03-0711 minCatholic History Trek140. Why Does a Priest Wear That? Part 2In Episode 132 Scott and Kevin trekked thru the history of priestly vestments. In this episode they follow up with a historical tour of clerical clothing - cassocks, collars, and everything else in your comprehensive guide to clerical clothing. 2024-02-2126 minCatholic History Trek136. The Properties of the ChurchThe Catholic Church owns a lot of property. How did that happen? Who actually owns the property? Can laypeople control Church property?
Scott and Kevin answer these questions—and a lot of others you didn’t know you had—as they explore the complicated and contentious history of Church property.2024-01-2338 minCatholic History Trek132. Why Does a Priest Wear That?Liturgical vestments are the distinctive articles of clothing worn by the Catholic clergy - primarily at the holy sacrifice of the mass. In this episode, Kevin and Scott take a look look at the purpose and history of each of these liturgical vestments.
2023-12-2233 minCatholic History Trek128. Rails, Veils, and Other Lost Catholic TraditionsKevin and Scott describe a dozen historic practices that have, to one degree or another, been forgotten in much of the Catholic world. Join them in rediscovering the holy uses of chalk, salt, and tying knots.2023-11-2249 minCatholic History Trek124. Did Catholics Kill the President?The assassination of Abraham Lincoln is commonly thought to be the result of a plot hatched by Confederate sympathizers upset by the outcome of the Civil War.
But some Americans also detected a religious dimension: a sinister conspiracy orchestrated by the Catholic Church.
Were Catholics involved in Lincoln’s death? Kevin and Scott investigate.2023-10-2339 minCatholic History Trek120. The Twelve ApostlesKevin and Scott tackle the twelve (or thirteen...) monumental figures at the genesis of Church history, the men who put the “apostle” in “apostolic.”
They sort out the Simons, Jameses, and Judes, outlining what we know from Scripture and peering into apocryphal accounts of their post-Pentecostal peregrinations. 2023-09-2238 minCatholic History Trek116. Legendary Saints 2.0Exploding torture wheels. Flying friars. Angelic interventions.
Scott and Kevin travel across twenty centuries of Church history to collect and assess some of the most spectacular stories associated with the saints.
(This episode has been republished to edit some audio issues that arose during the creation of the MP3 file)2023-08-2330 minCatholic History Trek116. Legendary SaintsExploding torture wheels. Flying friars. Angelic interventions.
Scott and Kevin travel across twenty centuries of Church history to collect and assess some of the most spectacular stories associated with the saints. 2023-08-2330 minCatholic History Trek112. The Assumption: Jerusalem or Ephesus?Where did the Blessed Virgin Mary’s life on earth come to an end?
Scott and Kevin examine the historical cases for the major contenders, finding testimony in the lives and writings of the apostle John, the Greek theologian pseudo-Dionysius, and the German mystic Anne Catherine
Emmerich.
2023-07-2321 minCatholic History Trek108. Catholics in the Civil WarInject some Catholicism into your Civil War buffery! Scott and Kevin survey a few of the bishops, chaplains, nurses, and officers - North and South - who
participated in various ways in the war that split the country. 2023-06-2131 minCatholic History Trek104. Popes in the Dock of HistoryKevin and Scott investigate several sensational papal controversies, including the “cadaver synod,” and “Hitler’s pope.” They examine the historical testimony, weigh the evidence, and issue verdicts: Guilty or Not Guilty?2023-05-2238 minCatholic History Trek100: Catholic History Trek's 100th EpisodeIn this episode Kevin and Scott take an informal look back at the history of Catholic History Trek. They ponder the past, forecast the future, and share their thoughts on topics like favorite episodes and what their families think of the podcast.2023-04-2033 minCatholic History Trek96. The Church Needs ArtJoin Scott and Kevin on the via pulchritudinis, as they journey across the Church’s history highlighting a few of those Pope Paul VI called the “custodians of beauty” in our world. Learn about Catholic artists Giotto, Fra Angelico, Maria Hummel, John LaFarge, and more.2023-03-2132 minCatholic History Trek95. Mea CulpaThrough my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Scott covers the history of the penitential prayer offered at the beginning of the Catholic mass – the Confiteor.
Episode 9 in Scott’s series on the history of various Catholic prayers2023-03-1313 minCatholic History Trek93. The Basilica of St. PeterThe most famous of Rome’s four major basilicas, St. Peter’s has been the setting for innumerable historic events. Kevin and Scott dive deep into history - and dig deep underground - to unearth some of the stories tied to this storied church.2023-02-2518 minCatholic History Trek90. The Presentation of Our LordThe Purification of Mary. The Coming of the Son of God into the Temple. Candlemas. This ancient feast’s many names reflect its rich theology and history. Scott and Kevin take an in-depth look, exploring the Presentation's scriptural roots, its origin in the early Church, and its development over the centuries since.2023-01-2914 minCatholic History Trek89. The Church and EvolutionKevin and Scott revisit the controversial theme of science and religion in their exploration of the relationship between Catholicism and evolution.
They naturally select key topics along the way: Genesis, Darwin, Catholic scientists, and papal teaching.2023-01-2033 minCatholic History Trek86. Christmas with All the TrimmingsThe seasons of Advent and Christmas are shot through with Catholic history and symbolism. From wreaths to trees, from St. Nick to gingerbread, Scott and Kevin unwrap the stories behind many popular customs and objects associated with the celebration of the birth of Christ.2022-12-2226 minCatholic History Trek84. Catholics of Many TypesThe font you’re reading right now probably has something to do with the Church. Kevin and Scott explore the Catholic dimensions of the history of script, printing, and typeface.2022-12-0223 minCatholic History Trek82. Habemus Anti-Papam?Scott and Kevin take a closer look at the rogues of Church history, the men who claimed to be pope but weren’t — the anti-popes.2022-11-1628 minCatholic History Trek79. America's ChurchThe Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, is a tribute to the nation’s patroness and a monument to the colorful array of people who make up the Church in the United States. Kevin and Scott recount the history of this impressive building.2022-10-2220 minCatholic History Trek77. The RosaryKevin and Scott sift through a thousand years of history, a few battles, several religious orders, an array of popes, and a handful of saints - all to bring you the story of that most Catholic of prayers, the rosary.2022-10-0648 minCatholic History Trek74. Was Pope John Paul II “Great?”After the death of Pope John Paul II, many were calling for him to be known as "John Paul the Great". But was he?
Kevin and Scott (the Devil's Advocate) take an objective look at both the acclaims and criticisms of John Paul II’s papacy.2022-09-0833 minCatholic History Trek71: A Catholic Media GiantIts presence in the Catholic world may be enormous today, but like many other great enterprises, it started small. Scott and Kevin recount the story of EWTN and its feisty founder, Mother Angelica.2022-08-1824 minCatholic History Trek67: CisterciansDo you prefer your observance strict or common? No matter, Kevin and Scott cover both as they travel back to the eleventh century to recount the history of the monks and nuns of the Order of Cistercians.2022-07-1732 min
Catholic History Trek64: Venerable Fulton SheenA towering intellect, an enthralling preacher, a media celebrity — and a mediocre bishop whose remains provoked an unseemly battle after his death. Scott and Kevin explore the remarkable story of the man who’s been called “the most popular and socially influential American Catholic of the 20th century.”2022-06-1729 minCatholic History Trek61: A Pilgrimage through Kevin’s BookWe’ve been mentioning it off and on since the beginning of our podcast, and now it’s finally here: A Catholic Pilgrimage through American History. Scott’s probing questions lead Kevin to reflect on all the most important aspects of his new book, including the role of firearms in protecting Catholic churches.2022-05-1733 minCatholic History Trek58: The Nine-Hour EpisodeWell, the podcast only takes twenty-eight minutes, but Scott and Kevin outline the history of the nine "canonical hours” in the Divine Office — or Liturgy of the Hours — the ancient set of prayers that has been recited daily by priests and religious during almost the entire history of the Church.2022-04-1628 minCatholic History Trek54: Stephen LangtonScott and Kevin describe the life and times of this consequential thirteenth-century cardinal and archbishop, who had a major impact on two of western civilization’s great documents: the Bible and the Magna Carta.2022-03-1622 minCatholic History Trek50: More Marian TitlesIn honor of an important anniversary, Scott and Kevin revisit an early podcast topic: Titles for Mary.
Listen in as they chat about Our Lady of Covadonga, Stella Maris, the Black Madonna — and the historical reliability of Indiana Jones.2022-02-1129 minCatholic History Trek49: The Catholic SchoolMarking Catholic Schools Week, Scott and Kevin tour the history of this venerable institution, working their way from the catechetical school of the early Church to the parochial school of the American church.2022-01-2833 minCatholic History Trek45: The Beacons Are Lit! Parishes in the Past and PresentScott and Kevin use the current reorganization of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as a springboard to discuss the nature and history of the basic elements of the Church’s structure: parishes and dioceses.2021-12-1639 minCatholic History Trek43: Squanto and the First ThanksgivingAlthough the Pilgrims were definitely not Catholic, there was at least one Catholic at the First Thanksgiving: the native guide and interpreter Squanto. Scott and Kevin examine the historical background of Thanksgiving, especially the Catholic side of the story.2021-11-2325 minCatholic History Trek42: The Swiss GuardScott and Kevin converse about “the pope’s army,” the 500-year old military unit that guards the gates of the Vatican. Looking for a deep dive into Swiss Guard weaponry? Scott has it covered.2021-11-1127 minCatholic History Trek40: The Papal StatesThe phrase “Italy invaded Rome” may sound nonsensical, but it happened in the 1870 — and the millennium-long existence of the papal states came to an end.
Kevin and Scott survey the history of the pope’s territories over the course of twenty centuries, ending up at the world’s smallest nation, Vatican City.2021-10-2227 minCatholic History Trek38: The FranciscansScott and Kevin tell the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the founding and growth of one of the Church’s most prolific religious orders. They meet a lot of other saints along the way, as they travel through the centuries and across the world, from medieval China, to colonial Spanish America, to twentieth-century Poland.
Bonus material includes our hosts’ personal Franciscan connections and, after a long and painful absence from Catholic History Trek, a railroad reference.2021-10-0253 minCatholic History Trek36: Food and DrinkCappuccino and croissants, champagne and king cake, pierogis and Dom Perignon. Scott and Kevin take a toothsome trek through the entwined histories of Catholicism and some popular foods and beverages.2021-09-1029 minCatholic History Trek35: The TheatinesKevin and Scott dive back into the sixteenth century to explore the creation and development of an obscure but influential religious order: the Clerics Regular, or Theatines. Scott reveals that brown isn’t the only option when it comes to scapulars.2021-08-2624 minCatholic History Trek33: The MassRecounting the history of the Catholic Eucharistic liturgy is a massive task, but Scott and Kevin dust off their missals and do their best to get it rite, trekking from Justin Martyr to Pius V to Paul VI and beyond.2021-08-0750 minCatholic History Trek31: CandlesFrom the Easter Vigil to excommunication, you can find candles burning brightly throughout the history and liturgies of the Catholic Church. In this episode — composed of at least 51 percent beeswax — Scott and Kevin shed some light on the Church’s candle-using traditions.2021-07-1526 minCatholic History Trek30: Memento Mori: Blessed Giovanni Giovenale Ancina“What you are, I once was. What I am, you will be.”
Scott investigates Blessed Giovanni Giovenale Ancina and his connection to the peculiar tradition of saints who kept human skulls in the Catholic spiritual practice of Memento Mori.
Along the way, St Philip Neri makes an appearance, as does a fresco that was lost for centuries.2021-07-1211 minCatholic History Trek29: The Deepest Bias? Anti-Catholicism in American HistoryFrom the Revolution to the Know Nothings, from Bible riots to Amy Coney Barrett, Scott and Kevin trace anti-Catholicism through its long and disreputable career as a major player in the history of the United States.2021-07-0359 minCatholic History Trek28: LitaniesKevin describes the historical background of these responsory prayers, “multifaceted gems” of Catholic spirituality.2021-06-2510 minCatholic History Trek27: The Pope's ArmiesWe know the pope as the Successor of Peter, the Supreme Pontiff, and the Holy Father. But as a Leader of Armies?
In this episode Scott presents a history of various military units which have served under the papacy.2021-06-2315 minCatholic History Trek26: The Sacred Heart DevotionThe Sacred Heart of Jesus is everywhere in today’s Catholic world, but it wasn’t always so. Scott and Kevin explore the background and development of this popular devotion, including the pivotal role of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. And Scott outdoes himself with not one, but two, train references.2021-06-0922 minCatholic History Trek25: The Original Flagpole Sitters: Anchorites & StylitesScott seeks out the history of the elusive anchorites and stylites, the Christian ascetics who went to great extremes to achieve solitude and seek a closer union with God.2021-06-0417 minCatholic History Trek24: A Catholic Guy Gets a HolidayThe plot thickens as Scott and Kevin tread carefully through the explosive history of the conspiracy to assassinate King James I and its long lasting aftermath. The failed scheme of Guy Fawkes and his accomplices provoked anti-Catholic measures, implicated priests, and created a new English holiday.2021-05-2620 minCatholic History Trek23: Pontifical UniversitiesKevin and Scott explicate the connection between the papacy and higher education, focusing on the development of a unique institution: the pontifical university.2021-05-1323 minCatholic History Trek22: When in Doubt, Call It a ChurchShrine, basilica, cathedral - what's the difference? Kevin goes deep into the terminological weeds to sort thru the various titles for places of worship. Put on your cappa magna and join the expedition into the history and customs of Catholic nomenclature.2021-05-0817 minCatholic History Trek21: Church PewsScott provides a "front row seat" to the history of seating in churches, and highlights a time when pews were rented.2021-05-0515 minCatholic History Trek20: 28th International Eucharistic CongressScott covers Eucharistic devotion in France which grew into the International Eucharistic Congresses. The 28th such congress, which drew nearly one million Eucharistic pilgrims to Chicago, Illinois, is highlighted.2021-04-2416 minCatholic History Trek19: The JesuitsKevin and Scott hit a few highlights in the history of one of the Church’s most illustrious religious orders, the Society of Jesus.
In perhaps the oddest reference ever made on Catholic History Trek, Scott invokes the pop singer Toni Basil to introduce the Martyrs of Nagasaki.2021-04-1440 minCatholic History Trek18: American Civil War Chaplain: Fr William CorbyKevin and Scott unveil the priest memorialized in Notre Dame's "Fair Catch Corby" statue.
2021-03-3128 minCatholic History Trek17: The miraculous image of Colombia: Our Lady of Las LajasIn a Colombian 2-for-1, Scott unveils a pair of miraculous Colombian images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The reason-defying "Our Lady of Las Lajas" and the "Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira" painting.2021-03-2415 minCatholic History Trek16: The Prodigious PasteurScott and Kevin recall the life and work of Louis Pasteur, and find that Catholicism and science walk hand-in-hand through history.2021-03-1818 minCatholic History Trek15: From Cyprian to Coronavirus: Catholic Health CareDid you know that Christianity gave the world its first hospitals? Kevin takes a quick tour of the history of Catholic care for the sick, spotting a lot of saints along the way.2021-03-1413 minCatholic History Trek14: Are the Minor Orders "Out of Order"?Scott visits the historic minor orders of the Catholic Church, including recent changes by Pope Francis.2021-03-1124 minCatholic History Trek13: Church Music through the AgesStarting with the Psalms and ending with the Polka Mass and covering a lot of stuff in between, Kevin and Scott try to hit the most important notes in this survey of the history of liturgical music in the Catholic Church. A bonus: Kevin sings bass with the Schmiesing Family Singers.2021-03-0438 minCatholic History Trek12: Chapel CarsChoo-Choo! Here comes the church. Scott shares the history of Catholic chapel rail cars.2021-02-2613 minCatholic History Trek11: Popes against KingsScott and Kevin “go to Canossa” (among other places) to describe a few of the most prominent examples of popes and bishops taking on kings, queens, and emperors in defense of Catholic doctrine and Church authority. We also learn that the 1569 Rising of the North was not led by girls.2021-02-2033 minCatholic History Trek10: The Catholic Novelist in the Protestant South: Flannery O’ConnorKevin takes a tour through some Catholic literary history by summarizing the life and work of this important twentieth-century author. Along the way, he talks about wingless chickens.2021-02-1311 minCatholic History Trek9: Think FastScott and Kevin offer much food for thought in this meaty episode on the history of fasting and abstinence in the Church.
Among the delights in this smorgasbord of Catholic custom: a detailed explanation of the lost season of Septuagesima.2021-02-0637 minCatholic History Trek8: Saint Michael Prayer 2.0In this episode, Scott explores a mystic vision and changes to the mass, and shows how they are related to a popular Catholic prayer devoted to Saint Michael the Archangel.
(“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 1, St Michael)2021-01-2912 minCatholic History Trek7: Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches 2.0This episode keeps Kevin and Scott close to home as they describe and provide the historical backstory for the “Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches,” a German Catholic enclave in rural western Ohio.
(Version 2.0 updated 15 March 2021 with improved audio quality)2021-01-2314 min
Catholic History Trek6: Saint Benedict Medal 2.0Scott treks thru the history of St Benedict and the medal that bears his name.
(This episode is titled 2.0 because the audio was updated in July 2022 to improve some quality issues which existed on our earliest episodes)2021-01-1408 minCatholic History Trek5: Battle of ViennaScott and Kevin recount the monumental 1683 battle between Christian and Muslim forces, including its background and consequences. There are a couple of relevant musical clips along the way, for which credit goes to the Swedish metal band Sabaton (“Winged Hussars”) and to Polish Eagle (“Bogurodzica”).2021-01-1130 minCatholic History Trek4: Marian Apparitions: Our Lady of Good Help 2.0Scott presents the first and only Marian apparition site in the United States which has been approved by the Catholic Church.
(This episode is titled 2.0 because the audio was updated in July 2022 to improve some quality issues which existed on our earliest episodes)2021-01-0408 minCatholic History Trek3: Camino and Canterbury 2.0Scott and Kevin verbally trek to Spain and England to explore two of Christendom's most popular pilgrimage destinations.
(This episode is titled 2.0 because the audio was updated in July 2022 to improve some quality issues which existed on our earliest episodes)2020-12-3023 min