Catholic Saints

Many know this pope as an erudite and charismatic leader, but from a young age, he was no stranger to suffering, and these trials shaped his heart of courage and love. In this episode, Mary Kate McNamara, Manager of Pilgrimages at the Augustine Institute sits down with Father Tegha Nji to have a conversation about the life and legacy of Pope Saint John Paul II. Rev. Tegha Afuhwi Nji is an assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Known as the beloved physician and faithful friend of St. Paul, St. Luke is a crucial figure for the Church’s knowledge of Christ’s earthly ministry and the early Church. Join Dr. Ben Akers and Taylor Kemp as they explore the life and legacy of the author of the Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

Dr. Ben Akers and Annette Bergeon, Executive Director of Endow, discuss St. Teresa of Avila and her love of conversations with Jesus.

Join Dr. David Moser and Dr. Elizabeth Klein to learn about "Good Pope John." Though most well-known for calling the Second Vatican Council, this kind, humble man teaches us much about compassion and prayer. Dr. David Moser is an assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

To many, it may seem that one's intellect and one's faith have little to do with each other, but, in "Intellect, the Instrument of Religious Training," a sermon meant for university faculty and students, Saint John Henry Newman shows us otherwise. Join Dr. Christopher Blum and Dr. Elizabeth Klein for the first in a monthly series of new episodes within the Catholic Saints podcast that focuses on "Writings of the Saints." If you would like to learn more about the life and legacy of Saint John Henry Newman, search for his name in the Augustine Institute's podcast channel. Dr. Christopher Blum is a professor of history and philosophy at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Over the course of life, we will probably experience God's call to share the gifts He gave us in many different ways. Saint Bruno certainly did! Before founding the Carthusian order, he had already lived a life of service through teaching many who would go on to lead within the Church, including a pope, who would later call him out of the monastery and back to Rome. Join Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they introduce us to Saint Bruno. Dr. Elizabeth Klein is an associate professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Dr. Tim Gray and Paul McCusker talk about the incredible Saint Francis of Assisi. This massive figure of the Church spread the Gospel with incredible power and grace throughout the 13th century.

Dr. Ben Akers & Dr. Scott Hefelfinger, Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, discuss St. Therese of Lisieux, a great modern-day saint and Doctor of the Church. Watch Catholic Saints on FORMED. Sign Up for FORMED. Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle.

How do we know angels exist, and where do we learn about them? What are the different types of angels? How do we relate to our guardian angels? Join Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Taylor Kemp to dive into these questions and more.

Join Dr. Jean-Paul Juge and Dr. Elizabeth Klein as they discuss the lives and legacy of these twin brothers -- both physicians who offered their services for free and who became martyrs for their faith. These saints help us to meditate on the meaning of healing -- both body and soul -- and on Jesus as the Divine Physician. Dr. Jean-Paul Juge is a teaching fellow in the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

This twentieth-century Franciscan mystic had the extraordinary gifts of bilocation, the ability to read hearts, and the Stigmata, just to name a few, but what Saint Padre Pio has to teach us about prayer is extremely practical. Join Father Tegha Afuhwi Nji and Dr. Jessica Ewell for this final episode in the monthly series Praying with the Saints. Rev. Tegha Afuhwi Nji is an assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Michael Barber discuss the Gospel writer and Apostle, St. Matthew. To learn more about the Gospel of St. Matthew, Dr. Gray and Dr. Barber have an ongoing weekly Bible Study that walks through this beautiful Gospel.

Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Sean Innerst discuss the mystic & saint, Joseph of Cupertino.

Join Dr. John Sehorn and Taylor Kemp as they dive into the life of St. Cyprian on this episode of Catholic Saints! A Bishop and martyr, St. Cyprian is one of the most famous martyrs of North Africa.

From Antioch, the political center of the fifth-century world, arose a golden-tongued preacher and bishop: St. John Chrysostom. Listen to Dr. Carl Vennerstrom and Mary McGeehan discuss the life and preaching of this great doctor of the Church who gave us countless powerful prayers and homilies.

Dr. Carl Vennerstrom shares about St. Peter Claver, a saint with a heart for the poor, outcast, and enslaved. As a young, Jesuit priest he signed up to be a missionary to the New World to serve the slaves at the port of Cartagena, a major hub of slave trade. St. Peter indiscriminately preached the gospel through words and works of mercy to all he encountered.

St. Teresa of Calcutta is known throughout the world as a woman totally committed to the Gospel and to the Catholic Church. Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Mark Giszczak discuss the great Catholic saint of the poor, Teresa of Calcutta.

Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. John Sehorn discuss Pope St. Gregory the Great and his impact on the Church.

Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Taylor Kemp discuss the unique life of St. Simeon the Stylite, famously known for standing on top of a pole for thirty years attempting to pray without ceasing. St. Simeon’s extremeness, like many Old Testament prophets, startles Christians to ponder how they are radically giving up their lives to God. His feast day is January 5.

Who should pray? How should we pray? What does it mean to pray for "the happy life?" Join Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Dr. Jessica Ewell to learn from Saint Augustine about prayer. Dr. Elizabeth Klein is an associate professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. John Sehorn discuss St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine.

Dr. Carl Vennerstrom and Mary McGeehan discuss the life and impact of St. Rose of Lima. Born in Lima in the late 16th century, Rose is known for her zealous faith, strong fasting, self-imposed penances, and her desire to remain unmarried to be Christ’s spouse. St. Rose experienced much tension between her vocation and her family life as her devotion to God sometimes conflicted with her obedience to her parents.

Join Dr. John Sehorn and Dr. Elizabeth Klein to learn about Saint Bernard de Clairvaux. Cousins, brothers, and even his own father joined him in the monastery where he lived a life of prayer and austerity. This monastic reformer and mystic have much to teach us about how to love God and, perhaps surprisingly, how to love ourselves. Dr. John Sehorn is the dean of the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Dr. Ben Akers and Dr. John Sehorn discuss how St. Helena discovered the True Cross of Christ.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe's life mirrors that of Christ, as he chose to suffer and die so that another might live, even while enduring constant affliction in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Those who witnessed Saint Maximilian's heroic act recalled how he transformed a prison camp into a cathedral through his unceasing praise of God. Hear Taylor Kemp and special guest Anthony D'Ambrosio discuss Saint Maximilian Kolbe and his witness of living a meaningful life by embracing the cross of Christian life.

In an age when religious life was closed to women who were considered older, to those with limited means, and to those with less than good health, there was a need for an order that would welcome such overlooked souls. Widowed at the age of 29, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal founded the Order of the Visitation along with her friend and spiritual director, Saint Francis de Sales. Celebrated today on August 12 in the United States, her feast day was originally on August 21, but whichever day you choose to listen, join Dr. Christopher Blum and Dr. Elizabeth Klein to learn about the life and legacy of this mother of six and brilliant administrator. Dr. Christopher Blum is a professor of history and philosophy at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Ben Akers discuss St. Clare and the beauty of poverty.

During times of corruption and heresy in the world, great saints arise to bring renewal to the Church. Learn about the life and legacy of St. Dominic, a 13th century priest who founded the Dominican Order—the Order of Preachers—and lived to promote the integration of the intellectual life and the life of poverty.

Join Father Tegha Afuhwi Nji and Dr. Elizabeth Klein to learn about Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of priests. With more than 30 documented miracles, this pastor of the tiny French town of Ars used to spend 16 to 18 hours a day hearing confessions. His road to the priesthood was not easy, and he has much to teach us about perseverance. Rev. Tegha Afuhwi Nji is an assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Born to a noble Italian family and known as the “Prince of Moral Theologians”, St. Alphonsus Liguori was a great preacher, lawyer, bishop, theologian, and Doctor of the Church. In this episode of Catholic Saints, Augustine Institute professors Dr. Sean Innerst and Dr. Ben Akers discuss this holy man, drawing wisdom from his life and works to aid Catholics today.

Join Father Tegha Afuhwi Nji and Dr. Jessica Ewell for the fourth in a monthly series of new episodes within the Catholic Saints podcast that focuses on "Praying with the Saints." What are the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius and how can they help us grow closer to God today? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this episode about Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits and a bulwark of Catholic spirituality. Rev. Tegha Afuhwi Nji is an assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Mary McGeehan and Dr. James Prothro discuss the biblical figures Mary, Martha, and Lazarus who are venerated as Saints in the Catholic Church. We meet Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the Gospel of Luke and then again in the Gospel of John. Following the example of this holy family, we can learn how to be a friend of Christ and invite Him into our homes and our hearts.

Blessed Stanley Rother's priestly vocation took him from a farming community in Oklahoma to the highlands of Guatemala. He died there as a martyr in 1981. Join Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Dr. David Moser to find out more about his life and legacy. Dr. David Moser is an assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Though they never appear in canonical Scripture, Sts. Joachim and Anne—the grandparents of Jesus—hold a place of great importance in the Church's tradition. Discover more about the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this episode of Catholic Saints with Mary McGeehan and Augustine Institute professor Dr. Carl Vennerstrom.

On this episode of Catholic Saints, join Dr. Ben Akers and Mary McGeehan as they discuss the life of one of Jesus' inner circle disciples, St. James the Greater.

Dive into the lives of Holy Women You’ve Never Heard Of with Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Dr. Jessica Murdoch. St. Brigid lived as a princess, queen, and mother! She models how holiness is possible through many vocations and seasons of life.

Join Dr. Ben Akers and Taylor Kemp as they get to know Saint Mary Magdalene and how she creatively lives out faith, hope, and charity.

Mary McGeehan and Dr. James Prothro discuss the Old Testament prophet, Elijah. Found in both First and Second Kings as well as a few places in the New Testament, Elijah was a significant figure in Salvation History. As a prophet and miracle worker, Elijah boldly proclaimed the word of God, provided comfort and healing to those in need, and prefigured Jesus Christ. Following the example of Elijah, we can learn how to receive spiritual gifts from God and boldly use them in the world.

Dive into the lives of Holy Women You’ve Never Heard Of with Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Dr. Jessica Murdoch. St. Macrina the Younger comes from the "second holiest family" as the oldest sister to three canonized saints. She depicts how our domestic homes can become places of sanctity.

A Franciscan cardinal bishop and contemporary of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure is an excellent example of saintly humility. Known as the "Seraphic Doctor," St. Bonaventure loved God above all else. He is known for many works, including The Life of Saint Francis and The Journey of the Mind to God. His feast day is July 15.

Dr. Tim Gray & Dr. Ben Akers discuss the Rule of St. Benedict as it applies to daily life.

Mary McGeehan and Dr. James Prothro discuss the life of St. Prisca. Mentioned in both Acts of the Apostles and some Pauline letters alongside her husband, Aquila, St. Prisca was a companion and co-worker of St. Paul. Although not much is definitively known about her, she is honored as a Saint and martyr who died in the first century.

This recently-canonized saint from Papua New Guinea believed so strongly in the sanctity of marriage that he died for it. Join Father Tegha Afuhwi Nji and Dr. Jessica Ewell to learn about the life and legacy of Saint Peter To Rot. Rev. Tegha Afuhwi Nji is an assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

Dr. Arielle Harms shares about the beautiful life of St. Maria Goretti and her virtuous disposition to mercy, courage, and purity. Please note the sensitive nature of St. Maria's story of martyrdom and parent discretion advised if listening with young children.

Mary McGeehan joins Dr. Ben Akers for a discussion on the life of St. Thomas the Apostle. They dive into Scripture to explore the life, leadership, and personality of this heroic and saintly man.

Join Dr. Tim Gray and Matthew Meeks, Chief Marketing Officer of the Augustine Institute, as they explore the story of Saint Junipero Serra who lived his whole life as a "song to Our Lady".

Join Dr. John Sehorn and Mary McGeehan to discuss the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Killed under Emperor Nero in AD 64, the First Martyrs offer us a powerful witness of fidelity to Christ.

Join Dr. Tim Gray and Dr. Michael Barber as they discuss St. Paul's conversion and his overhauled life mission. Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle.

Join Dr. Jean-Paul Juge and Dr. Jessica Ewell for the third in a monthly series of new episodes within the Catholic Saints podcast that focuses on "Praying with the Saints." Saint Irenaeus invites us to pray not just with our souls, but with our bodies as well. He affirms the goodness of God's creation and refutes the Gnostic belief that the body is evil and only the spirit can be saved. If you would like to learn more about the life and legacy of Saint Irenaeus, you can find that episode here in the Augustine Institute's podcast channel. Dr. Jean-Paul Juge is a teaching fellow in the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Learn more at Augustine.edu.

During the Nestorian Controversy of the fifth century, heroic saints like Cyril of Alexandria defended the truth of Christ’s divinity. In this episode, Dr. Carl Vennerstrom and Mary McGeehan discuss the Nestorian heresy and how St. Cyril’s humble, courageous spirit aided the Church during a time of discord. Discussion question: St. Cyril of Alexandria was a defender of the truth in a time of great debate, much like the times we are living in today. By reflecting on St. Cyril’s life, how can you embody his humility and courage in controversy? Ask the Lord to show you the places in your life where you can stand up for truth.