Podcast Episodes

216. There is a Hell and I am in it

The terrifying words were recorded in an 1876 book by Monsignor Louis Gaston de Segur, recounting a ghastly apparition witnessed by his grandfather. But the holy de Segur wrote prolifically, and abou…

Published on 8 hours ago

215. Ecumenism

Episode 215

Ecumenism seeks to separate humanity, divided by religion to find common ground. Seems like a good ideal, but some Catholics (including many popes) were strongly opposed to it.

In this episode, Scott …

Published on 1 week, 4 days ago

214. The Historic Basilica of Jamestown

This historic Jamestown isn't in Virginia; it's in North Dakota—and it's home to the first Catholic parish and the first Catholic cathedral in the state.

("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 41, Nort…

Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago

213. The Franciscan Sisters Who Held the Mayo

Episode 213

In this episode Scott treks thru the history of how an order of Franciscans sisters, and an F5 tornado, helped bring about the world famous Mayo Clinic.

To help Catholic History Trek, please consider …

Published on 3 weeks, 5 days ago

212. The Extraordinary Fourth Century

Constantine and Helen. Basil and Gregory. Milan and Constantinople. Jerome and Augustine. Monumental people, places, and events came together in the fourth century to form the great Christian faith a…

Published on 1 month ago

211. The Councils of Baltimore

Episode 211

Baltimore has always held a place of prominence inthe history of American Catholicism, as the nation's first diocese and first archdiocese.

In this episode Scott treks back to Baltimore's provincial …

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

210. Wild, Wonderful St. Peter's in West Virginia

When John Brown raided the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, the pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church was caught up in the fray.

("Cradles of Catholicism" series, no. 40, West Virginia)

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

209. The Dark Age of the Papacy

The 10th and 11th centuries saw a sting of many short papacies, as secular rulers added and removed pontiffs to impose their will on the papacy.

Among these popes were some of the most wretched men to…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

208. For God and Country: US Military Chaplains

Marking 250 years since the establishment of the US Army Chaplain Corps, Scott and Kevin sketch the history of Catholic chaplains. They focus on remarkable twentieth-century American priests, includi…

Published on 2 months ago

207. The Quickest Canonization

St Peter of Verona holds the title as the quickest saint to be canonized after his death - only 337 days.

What made this Dominican, inquisitor, and son of heretics, a candidate for such a quick canoni…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago