The Catholic Men's Podcast

See the illustrations for Saint John Bosco's dream in this video: https://youtu.be/un6kGZX1GPEThis prophetic vision is taken from the Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco by Rev. Giovanni Battista Lemoyne, S.D.B., Vol. VII, Ch. XVIII, page 169ff.A few nights ago, I had a dream that I would like to tell you about. It’s true, dreams are nothing but dreams, but still, I’ll tell them to you for your spiritual benefit. Try to picture yourselves with me on the seashore or, better still, on an outlying cliff with no other land in sight. The vast expanse of water is covered with a formidable array of ships in battle formation, prows fitted with sharp, spear-like spars capable of breaking through any defense. All are heavily armed with cannons, incendiary bombs, firearms, and other explosives. They are all heading toward one stately ship, mightier than them all. As they close in, they try to ram it, set it on fire, and cripple it as much as possible. A flotilla escort shields this stately vessel, and the winds and waves are with the enemy. Amid this endless sea, two solid columns soar high into the sky a short distance apart. At the very top of one is a statue of the Immaculate Virgin, at whose feet a large inscription reads: Auxilium Christianorum, Help of Christians; on top of the other, far loftier and sturdier, supports a Sacred Host proportional in size to the column and bears beneath it the inscription Salus Credentium, Salvation of believers. The commander of the great ship is the Roman Pontiff. Seeing the enemy’s fury, and his auxiliary ships’ grave predicament, he summons his captains to a conference. However, as they discuss their strategy, a furious storm breaks out, and they must return to their ships.When the storm abates, the Pope again summons his captains as the flagship continues. But the storm rages again, and standing at the helm, the Pope strains every muscle to steer his ship between the two columns from whose tops hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains. The enemy fleet closes in to intercept and sink the flagship at all costs. They bombard it with everything they have; incendiary bombs, firearms, cannons and every imaginable explosive. Now, the battle rages on ever more furious. Pointed iron prows ram the flagship repeatedly but to no avail. Unscathed and undaunted, it keeps on its course. At times, a formidable ram splinters a gaping hole in its hull; however, a breeze from the two columns immediately seals the gash.Meanwhile, enemy cannons blow up, firearms break and fall to pieces, and ships crack in two and sink to the bottom of the ocean. In blind fury, the enemy resorts to hand-to-hand combat, cursing, and blaspheming. Suddenly the Pope falls, seriously wounded. He is instantly helped up but struck down again, then dies. A shout of victory rises from the enemy, and wild rejoicing sweeps their ships. But no sooner is the Pope dead than another one takes his place. The captains of the auxiliary ships elected him so quickly that the news of the Pope’s death coincided with that of his successor’s election. The enemy’s self-assurance wanes pitifully as they feel victory slip through their fingers. Breaking through all resistance, the new Pope steers his ship safely between the columns and moors it to both of them; first, to the one with the Sacred Host, and then to the other that is topped by the statue of the Virgin. At this point, something unexpected happens. The enemy ships panic and disperse, colliding with and sinking each other.Some auxiliary ships, which had gallantly fought alongside their flagship, were the first to tie up at the two columns. Many others had fearfully kept far away from the fight, cautiously waiting until the wrecked enemy ships vanished under the waves. Then, they, too, head for the two columns, tie up at the swinging hooks, and ride safe and tranquil beside their flagship. A great calm now covers the sea..Check out the YouTube channel, if you want: https://www.youtube.com/@catholicmenspodcast

Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/x4EJf6amhDMThe depravity of Luther's error knew no bounds, even to the extent that at times, he thought he was God. This and many other shocking facts were brought to my attention by an article written by the great Brazilian Catholic thinker, Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, titled “Luther Thought He Was Divine” which I will recount on for you today. Here's the article and citations: https://www.pliniocorreadeoliveira.info/UK_19840110_LutherThoughtHeWasDivine.htm Keep in mind, I simplified some of the author's introduction for younger listeners.Here are the Martin Luther quotes and sources: He wrote to a friend that a man vexed by the Devil should occasionally “drink more abundantly, gamble, entertain himself, and even commit some sin out of hatred and spite for the Devil so that we may not give him an opportunity to disturb our consciences with trifles. The whole Decalogue should be erased from our eyes and our souls, from us who are so persecuted and molested by the Devil” (M. Luther, Briefe, Sendschreiben und Bedenken, Ed. De Wette [Berlin, 1825-1828]; Franca, pp. 199-200).Along the same line he also wrote: “God only obliges you to believe and to confess (the faith). In all other things He leaves you free, lord and master to do whatever you will without any danger to your conscience; on the contrary, it is certain that, as far as He is concerned, it makes no difference whether you leave your wife, flee from your lord, or are unfaithful to every obligation. What is it to Him if you do or do not do such things?” (Werke, Weimar ed., XII, pp. 131 ff.; Franca, p. 446).The incitement to sin given in a letter to Melanchton on August 1, 1521, is perhaps even more categorical: “Be a sinner, and sin strongly (esto peccator et pecca fortiter), but believe and rejoice even more firmly in Christ, the conqueror of sin, of death, and of the world. During this life, we have to sin. It is sufficient that, by the mercy of God, we know the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Sin will not separate us from Him, even though we were to commit a thousand murders and a thousand adulteries per day” (Briefe, Sendschreiben und Bedenken, II, p. 37; Franca, p. 439).“There is no religion in the whole world that teaches this doctrine of justification; I myself, even though I teach it publicly, have a great difficulty in believing it privately” (Werke, XXV, p. 330; Franca, p. 158).Luther himself recognized the devastating effects of his admittedly insincere preaching, saying: “The Gospel today finds adherents who are convinced that it is nothing but a doctrine that serves to fill their bellies and give free reign to all their impulses” (Werke, XXXIII, p. 2; Franca, p. 440).And Luther added, regarding his evangelical henchmen, that “they are seven times worse than they were before. After the preaching of our doctrine men have given themselves up to robbery, lying, imposture, debauchery, drunkenness, and every kind of vice. We have expelled one devil (the papacy), and seven worse ones have come in” (Werke, XXVIII, p. 763; Franca, p. 441).“After we understood that good works are not necessary for justification, I became much more remiss and cold in doing good...and if we could return now to the old state of things and if the doctrine of the necessity of good works to be holy could be revived, our alacrity and promptness in doing good would be different” (Werke, XXVII, p. 443; Franca, p. 443).All these insanities make it understandable how Luther reached a frenzy of satanic pride, saying of himself: “Does this Luther not appear to you to be eccentric? As far as I am concerned, I think he is God. Otherwise, how could his writings or his name have the power to transform beggars into lords, asses into doctors (of learning), falsifiers into saints, slime into pearls!” (Werke, Ed. Wittenberg, 1551, IV, pp. 378; Franca, p. 190).At other times, Luther’s opinion of himself was much more objective: “I am a man exposed to and involved in society, debauchery, carnal movements, in negligence and other disturbances, to which are added those of my own office” (Briefe, Sendschreiben und Bedenken, I, p. 232; Franca, p. 232).Excommunicated in Worms in 1521, Luther gave himself up to idleness and sloth. On July 13 of that year he wrote to Melanchton: “I find myself here insensate and hardened, established in idleness. Oh, woe! Praying little, and ceasing to moan for the Church of God, because my untamed flesh burns in great flames. In short, I, who ought to have the fervor of the spirit, have the fervor of the flesh, of licentiousness, sloth, idleness, and somnolence” (Briefe, Sendschreiben und Bedenken, II, p. 22; Franca, p. 198).In a sermon preached in 1532: “As for me I confess, and many others could undoubtedly make an equal confession, that I am careless of discipline and zeal. I am much more negligent now than under the papacy; no one has ardor for the Gospel now like that you used to see” (Saemtiliche Werke, XVII , p. 353; Franca, p. 441).Check out the YouTube channel, if you want: https://www.youtube.com/@catholicmenspodcast

Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/uHyKIgUL1kwPlease join me as I recount some of the most excellent stories from Catholic tradition, as well as a chapter from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.Some of the amazing music in this episode was performed by The Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles. I used it with their permission. Visit their website to purchase this wonderful music: https://benedictinesofmary.org/product-category/music_cds/Peace on earth to men of good will and Merry Christmas!00:00 The First Nativity Scene05:36 Christmas of a Chouan14:37 "The Twelve Days of Christmas" Origin20:23 The Count and the Chimney Sweep37:43 A Christmas Carol1:00:25 St. John Vianney - Christmas LegendCheck out the YouTube channel, if you want: https://www.youtube.com/@catholicmenspodcast

The heavenly symphony stopped and a sweet voice called him from the summit, “Juanito. Juan Diegito.” Hearing this, he happily ascended the hill. What he found upon reaching the source of the voice changed his life forever. There, on a rock, stood a beautiful lady. Everything around her was transformed. Her clothing was as radiant as the sun. The rock she stood upon seemed to emit rays of light. She was surrounded with the splendors of the rainbow. Cacti and other plants nearby looked like emeralds. Their spines sparkled like gold and their leaves were like fine turquoise.Juan Diego bowed before her in ceremonious respect. A tender dialogue between Our Lady and Juan Diego followed, “Listen, xocoyote mio, Juan, where are you going?”Rejoicing, he happily responded, “My Holy One, my Lady, my Damsel, I am on my way to your house at Mexico-Tlatilulco; I go in pursuit of the holy things that our priests teach us.”The celestial lady revealed to him that she was indeed the Mother of God, telling him of her desire to have a church built, where she might bestow all her love, mercy, help and protection. She showed overflowing love to Juan Diego, “and to all the other people dear to me who call upon me, who search for me, who confide in me; here I will hear their sorrow, their words, so that I may make perfect and cure their illnesses, their labors and their calamities.”Then Our Beloved Lady, respecting the authority established by God, sends the noble Juan Diego with this message to the bishop-elect of Mexico. She tells him to accomplish the mission diligently, promising to reward his services. He bows, telling her that he will go straightaway to fulfill her wishes, and departs...The excellent script for this video was written by Mr. Cesar Francoo, a good friend of mine. You can read it here: https://nobility.org/2011/12/guadalupe/Check out the YouTube channel, if you want: https://www.youtube.com/@catholicmenspodcast

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/RB8ObIPQM3IWe live in a time when some men still live in their parents’ basements, and the greatest crisis they face is the Wi-Fi going out—or not being able to skip an extra-long YouTube ad.Tonight, I invite you back to another time, when men left the comforts of home, braved the winter woods, and risked life and limb for the thrill of the hunt.This is one of the wildest stories in American frontier lore and I dedicate this episode to St. Hubert, patron saint of hunters.Now this story was originally published in the late 1800’s, so instead of saying Mountain Lion, the author actually used the outdated term “Catamount.” So I’ve replaced it with names like Mountain Lion or Cougar, although it was originally titled, “My Fight with a Catamount.”His story begins:My guide, Alaric, and I had gone in after moose to the country beyond Mud Brook, in Maine.Our task was a slow one; we had to examine each snow covered valley for moose tracks, tramping up one side and down the other, or as we usually managed it, separating at the valley's mouth, each taking a side, meeting at the end and then, if unsuccessful, taking the quickest way back to camp.And unsuccessful we were, since for three days we found no trail.But Alaric was not in the least discouraged."You can never tell about moose," he said; "they travel so. There were moose in this country before the snow, and there are moose within a day's walk of us now. It's just as I told you; we may have to spend five days finding where they are."It was on the second day that we found that, while after moose, we had been tracked by a mountain lion. The print of its paw was generously large."I've seen bigger," said Alaric, "but this feller's big enough. He's just waiting round, I guess, so as to get some of the meat we kill. We'll remember him," he said, looking up at me as he knelt on the snow, "so's to see that he doesn't spoil the hide or the head."I accepted the theory, and thought little more of it for 24 hours.At the end of the third day we found that the cougar had for a second time been following our trail—not only our trail, but also mine. He had followed me all day as I walked along the hillside. Alaric examined his tracks carefully for half a mile."He was in sight of you all the way," he said. "See here, where he stood for some time, just shifting about in one place, watching?" I saw—and thought...Check out the YouTube channel, if you want: https://www.youtube.com/@catholicmenspodcast