Pat chats with author and editor Brian O'Neal about his extensive 23-year project, saintstotmbs.com. The website serves as an all-encompassing global guide to over 12,000 holy places, shrines, and the specific burial sites of saints, blesseds, and venerables. Designed for spontaneous or planned pilgrimages, the resource aims to help travelers discover hidden sacred spots and connect deeply with historic figures of faith right from the road. https://saintstombs.com/

Andrew Reinhart explores the daily decision-making process for Catholics caught between the principles of faith and the ever-shifting advice of modern science. Using the historical flip-flops on the health effects of butter as a prime example, he breaks down the different types of scientific studies, from population-based research to randomized controlled trials. Ultimately, he encourages us to navigate headlines with a grain of salt, advising us to hold onto our religious convictions tightly while holding our scientific convictions loosely.

We enter the Deacon's Den with Deacon Dan Brahier reflects on the 10th anniversary of his life-changing semester teaching abroad in England. He shares how a routine academic exchange program unexpectedly became a profound spiritual journey filled with European pilgrimages and deep discernment. It was through clearing the clutter of his everyday life during this trip that he clearly heard God calling him to ordained ministry.

Professor Pete Sibilio dives into the significance of Pentecost, framing it not just as a single Sunday but as an active season of mission and spiritual renewal. He connects this pivotal New Testament event back to the Old Testament, exploring how it serves as a powerful undoing of the mistakes made at the Tower of Babel. We are challenged to embrace the fruits of the Holy Spirit as our personal "superpowers" to live a truly godlike life.

Pat chats with history teacher and author Phillip Campbell on an article he wrote about St. Louis IX of France and the medieval perspective on appropriate attire. The chat highlights a 13th-century court dispute where the king laid down a timeless rule of thumb: one should not dress so fancy as to appear ostentatious to the old, yet nice enough to impress the young. They also explore how modern egalitarianism has blurred the lines of social distinctions in dress, leaving many people today confused about what to wear. https://catholicexchange.com/st-louis-ixs-advice-for-propriety-of-dress/