Using Prayer beads is not biblical!" he said. But that doesn't mean it isn't Christian! I came across a post on Threads the other day—one of those confidently wrong zingers that floats around Protestant corners of the internet. It claimed that “using prayer beads is not biblical,” accompanied by a smug graphic with the caption: “This is how Satan taught the world to pray. I decided to write this piece going through the ancient history of how Christians used pebbles and beads—a precursor to the Rosary beads—as an essential part of their prayer lives

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The answer, and the detail behind it may surprise you.

In this short clip from a recent episode of The Live Sessions I respond to a question asked from someone in the live chat room: Are Catholics obligated to obey the Pope under any circumstances? Using a relatable analogy of fatherly authority, military discipline and spiritual combat, I explain the theological basis for obedience to the Pope, how far it goes, the role of humility in spiritual warfare, and how this obedience ultimately empowers personal growth and holiness.

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Opening segment is below. Description and link to the full episode follows.

The answer, and the detail behind it may surprise you.

I get into some uncomfortable truths about the state of the Church today. From the undisciplined and unholy behavior of the faithful to the alarming trend of irreverence in the sanctuary, I challenge listeners to confront the reality of the Church's position in the world today. Do we stand up to, or challenge to the secular counter-culture, or do we merely coexist with it—sometimes even cooperating with it? I call on all Catholics to a return to seriousness and to take a collective stand against a culture that is increasingly hostile to the faith.

By the way - This episode is on my Substack, but I’m pointing you to the podcast’s new website. You’ll find video and audio versions there. It’s audio-only on Substack.

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Here’s an excerpt from my latest writing piece, and link to the full article on Substack.

There’s a lot of noise out there in Catholic circles. You’ve heard it: “The liturgy is bland!” “Vatican II ruined the Church!” “We need to do this or that to fix everything!” I get it. I really do. The Church is run by human beings, and human beings—bless our hearts—can do some monumentally dumb things. Mistakes are made, parishes go through rough patches, and yes, some Masses need more polish. Maybe they’re too plain or poorly executed (even if still valid and licit). We do need a restoration of Catholic culture—and that starts at the parish level, supported by strong and courageous bishops.

But here’s the thing I’ve grown tired of: this attitude that the Church belongs to us, as if it’s ours to remake in our own image and likeness. That’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous. It’s exactly how Protestantism started: people deciding they knew better than the Bride of Christ, breaking off to create something “better” based on their personal preferences.

The Catholic faith is not a customizable product. It’s a gift. A living, breathing mystery that God entrusted to His Church—not to be reshaped at our whim, but to shape us…

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Here’s what I’m working on, which you won’t want to miss. And you won’t miss it, because you’ll be notified by this newsletter 😀

Until next time,

Ave Maria, Virgo Fidelis!