Why Catholic?

Latest Episodes:

#136 - A Eulogy for Pope Francis Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard reflects on the reign of Pope Francis - the 266th individual to serve as the Vicar of Christ. Why does he feel like Pope Francis was one of the individuals that led him to become Catholic?

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SHOW NOTES:

* Episode 115: Popesplaining Pope Francis

* Pope Francis visits prison inmates on Holy Thursday

* ABC News Coverage of Pope Francis’ Election (video)

* Reuters - Pope Francis Says He Didn’t Want to be Pope

* How Mr. Rogers Helped Break Down Barriers of Segregation at Swimming Pools (video)

* The Pope: Answers (trailer)

* Traditionis Custodes - On the Use of the Roman Liturgy Prior to the Reform of 1970 (2021)

* EWTN: Vatican Publishes New Guidelines on the Traditional Latin Mass

* Synod on Synodality

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#135 - Intentional Prayer Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the Catholic Approach to Prayer by focusing on intentional prayer. Why do Catholics use the term “prayer intentions,” what do they mean by “offer it up?” and why do they often read prayers rather than pray extemporaneously? What are some practical ways we can be more intentional about our prayers and live out the command to “pray without ceasing?”

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SHOW NOTES:

* Episode #2 - The Language of Catholicism

* Episode #52 - The Communion of Saints

* Episode #55 - The Collective Treasury of the Church

* Episode #107 - Interview with Paul Rose - Creator of Sing the Hours

* Sing the Hours on YouTube

* Episode #133 - Lectio Divina, Meditation, and the Wardrobe

* Episode #132 - Imagination: a Key Ingredient for Prayer

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#134 - Prayer to the Power of X Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Is prayer something we do, or is it an opening for God to do something far beyond our efforts? In continuation on our series on the Catholic approach to prayer, Justin Hibbard explains a theory of how God uses prayer to rewire our brains.

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SHOW NOTES:

* The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

* Episode #133 - Lectio Divina, Meditation, and the Wardrobe

* Episode #85 - The Metaphysics of a Personal God

* “Prayer (1)” by George Herbert

* Episode #131 - Why Prayer is so Hard

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#133 - Lectio Divina, Meditation, and the Wardrobe Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the Catholic approach to prayer with exploring the ancient discipline of Lectio Divina. How can we incorporate Scripture and meditation into our prayer, and how does God use that time and space in transformative ways?

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SHOW NOTES:

* The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

* Video: Authentic Masculinity and Intimacy with Jesus (John Eldredge) | Pints with Aquinas Ep. 514

* Episode #128 - Immersing Yourself in Scripture

* Video: The Lectio Divina Steps

* Video: What is Lectio Divina + Catholic 101

* Podcast: Food for Faith: Lectio Divina

* Episode #132 - Imagination: A Key Ingredient for Prayer

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#132 - Imagination: a Key Ingredient for Prayer Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Do Catholics worship images and statues? In continuation of our series on the Catholic Approach to Prayer, Justin Hibbard talks about the use of images in Catholic liturgy. How do these images invoke the use of imagination, and why is imagination an essential ingredient for prayer?

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SHOW NOTES:

* Video: Misa Tridentina | Traditional Latin Mass

* Exodus90

* Episode 5 - Invitation to Narnia

* Video: What Happens During Mass? (A Visualization Movie of Consecration)

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#131 - Why Prayer is so Hard Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard begins a new series on the Catholic Approach to Prayer by exploring why it’s so challenging for Christians to pray? Why is prayer so important, and why do we struggle to have a disciplined prayer life?

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SHOW NOTES:

* Statistics about Protestant Pastor Prayer Life

* Prayers of St. Bridget

* Exodus90

* Episode #107 - Interview with Creator of Sing the Hours - Paul Rose

* Sing the Hours on YouTube

* Daily Rosary Meditations

* The Holy Rosary in Latin

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#130 - Cultivating a Charitable Church with Fr. Gray & Maria Villar Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard is joined by Fr. Christopher Gray - Pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Park City, UT and Maria Villar - St. Mary's Director of Charity to talk about how the parish has become a beacon of charity in the Wasatch Back. Learn how St. Mary's grew from providing assistance to being a hub for collaborating with assistance organizations within the local community.

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SHOW NOTES:

* St. Mary's Charity Overview

* Justin Hibbard's Interview on the Journey Home

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#129 - Catholic Bible Culture Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on Sacred Scripture by demonstrating how to utilize a variety of hermeneutical principles to not only interpret Scripture but to immerse yourself in Scripture.

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SHOW NOTES:

* ABC Scriptures - Memorize 26 Bible verses

* How to do Bible Sword Drills

* Dei Verbum

* Catholic Lectionary Statistics

* Episode #107 - Interview with Creator of Sing the Hours - Paul Rose

* Pope Francis: Keep your homilies short or ‘people will fall asleep’

* The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

* Catholic Bible Highlights

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#128 - Immersing Yourself in Scripture Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on Sacred Scripture by demonstrating how to utilize a variety of hermeneutical principles to not only interpret Scripture but to immerse yourself in Scripture.

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SHOW NOTES:

* Mark 4-5

* 3-Column Note Taking

* Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Train Scene

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#127 - Gnosticism and the New Testament Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Justin Hibbard continues our series on Sacred Scripture by looking at how the heresy of gnosticism provides the context for much of the New Testament. Which writers and passages seem to specifically focus on combatting gnosticism? How does that context help us better understand the meaning of Scripture? And in what ways do we see gnosticism today?

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SHOW NOTES:

* Episode #124 - 9 Aspects of Catholic Biblical Interpretation

* Timeline of Biblical Canon Lists

* Gnostics, Gnostic Gospels, & Gnosticism

* Religion for Breakfast: What did Gnostic Christians Believe?

* Thinking West: The Gnostic Roots of the Trans Movement

* Shameless Popery: How the Eucharist Defeated Gnosticism