The Heritage of Pilgrimage – Podcast
Dr. Italy, in this 14 minute podcast, discusses the central and constant role pi...
Dr. Italy, in this 14 minute podcast, discusses the central and constant role pi...
2 minute trailer for the new video Bible Study series from Ascension Press, Jesu...
On the Second Sunday of Lent, the church places together the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mt. Moriah with the story of Jesus and three disciples on t...
An excerpt from the account of the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna on the West Coast of Asia Minor (now Turkey). He was apprehended by th...
This 5 minute podcast from the Sonrise Morning Show discusses Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio’s book, 40 Days, 40 Ways: A New Look on Lent. The conversatio...
Isn’t Advent great? Welcome to the season where the only song we sing for four weeks is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! It’s the best! Advent is...
28 November, 2016Most Americans tend to think of religion as something rather fluid. It’s very common for us to say things like “all religions are basicall...
12 February, 2016Since John Paul II coined the phrase, the call to the “New Evangelization” has resounded across the Church universal. Every single Catholic, declared Vatican II, is called to evangelize.
Many find this more than a little intimidating. So must we go door to door with Bible in one hand and rosary in the other? Must we become expert theologians, demonstrating from reason, scripture and history why Catholic doctrine is true?
If these were the requirements, the call to evangelize could not possibly be a universal one. But if we examine the Scriptures, we don’t find the Lord telling us “you will be my theologians.” Instead he says “you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8)
Many Catholics, hearing this, are immediately relieved. “That’s right. I’ll be a silent witness. That’s more my style. People will just see my actions and learn about my faith that way.”
Not so fast. A witness is called to the stand to give testimony. And that means to speak. Of course, the attorney who calls up the witness will try to demonstrate that the witness is honest, competent, and credible. If the judge and jury don’t believe in the integrity of the witness, they won’t put much stock in his or her testimony. But it is verbal testimony that is crucial to the case.
Note this, however. The essence of testimony is a sincere sharing of personal experience – something that the witness has seen or heard that is pertinent to the case.
We may or may not have academic knowledge of theology. But one thing we all have is our own experience of God’s action in our lives. How has faith made a difference in your life? How has God touched you? What has been your experience of God’s Fatherhood, Mary’s motherhood, the inspiration of the saints, intimacy with Christ in the Eucharist? These are the things to share at the right time with the right person. Who is the right person? The person in need. When is the right moment? The moment that a person, in response to a need, is asking honest questions.
Being a witness in action is, of course, of the utmost importance. The ultimate testimony is the laying down of one’s life for Christ in martyrdom. In fact “martyr” is nothing but the Greek work for “witness.”
Few of us will be called to shed our blood for Christ. But the daily laying down of our lives in sacrificial service to others is “white martyrdom.” I will argue, however, that the silent witness of a virtuous life is still not sufficient. If we have joy in our hearts even amidst tragedy or have a solid marriage despite our casual-sex culture, people need to know that it is not because of particularly good genes, a sanguine temperament, or happy pills, but because Christ is the foundation of our lives.
But how will they know unless we tell them?
From a colorful and varied background as a professor of theology, a father of five, business owner, and professional performer Marcellino D’Ambrosio (aka “Dr. Italy”) crafts talks, blog posts, books, and videos that are always fascinating, practical, and easy to understand. He is a popular speaker, TV and radio personality, New York Times best-selling author, and pilgrimage host who has been leading people on a journey of discovery for over thirty years. For a fuller bio and video, visit the Dr. Italy page. For a full Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Dr. Italy, click here.
Saint John
Posted at 17:13h, 30 JanuaryI really enjoyed your talk today Dr! Thanks for coming to MA!!!
God Bless You
Marcellino D'Ambrosio
Posted at 17:13h, 30 JanuaryIt was such a pleasure being with so many awesome Catholic men from the diocese of Worcester! Thanks for making me feel so at home!
Bob Bonnell
Posted at 17:16h, 30 Januarybadabing-O Dr. Marcellin-O
Steven Braatz
Posted at 17:16h, 30 JanuaryA really great word, thank you. Each of us I’m sure can recount so many times in our lives when the Lord was faithful, pouring out wisdom, guidance, blessings. Now it’s so important that we are ready and willing, even eager to share our story.