Dr. Italy
In this brief video by Sherwood Fellows the key themes of Lent are explored - th...
In this 8 minute video, Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Ph.D. (Dr. Italy) shares so...
Saint Andrew of Crete on the nativity of Mary as a turning point between old and new covenant, the frontier where types and symbols give way to realit...
The parable of the merciless servant illustrates the meaning of "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," a petition i...
September 11th is the anniversary of one of most brutal acts of terrorism of all time. Three days later, on September 14, the Catholic and Eastern Or...
This tribute to the Trinity as deep mystery captures the spirit of St. Catherine of Siena so well that the Roman Catholic Church reads it every year on April 29, St. Catherine's feast day....
Jesus is the Good Shepherd because he leads us to verdant pastures where the food is ample and of the best quality. He wants us to thrive, not survive, so that the world might be able to see where abundant life is to be...
This moving excerpt from the St. Anselm's Proslogion (Cap. 14, 16, 26) addresses God as the Supreme Mystery who dwells in inaccessible light, source of all wisdom and goodness. It is used in the Roman Office of Readings for the liturgical memorial (feast)of St. Anselm...
Many are aware that Catholics believe in "the real presence." In this video, Dr. Italy explains the various ways that Jesus Christ is truly and really present in the Church's liturgy, culminating in the Eucharist....
Podcast by Dr. Italy showing the connection between Easter, the resurrection, and the Eucharist through an examination of the road to Emmaus story from Luke 24....
Cleopas and his unnamed companion were dejected as they made their way along the road to Emmaus. Their encounter with a stranger who rebuilds their faith and gives them hope to recognize him in the breaking of the bread - this illustrates for us...
In this 14 minute podcast, Anna Mitchell of the Sonrise Morning Show interviews Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio about his numerous visits to the empty tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Gospel of John tells us that, after the body...
This classic Paschal or Easter Sermon is from Saint John Chrysostom, fifth century early church father and one of the greatest preachers of all time. This homily for Holy Pascha exhorts all, even those who have not kept the Lenten fast, to rejoice and enter...
In this 7 minute podcast from the Sonrise Morning show on Catholic radio, Dr. Italy continues his discussion of the amazing saints and shrines of the Rhine River area - this time focusing on St. Meinrad and the beautiful Abbey of Our Lady of Einsiedeln,...
This article uses Aslan, the central figure in the well-known story of C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, to illuminate the meaning of the resurrection of the Lord and the "deep magic" of God's plan of salvation celebrated on Easter....
This first post of a 5 part series on understanding the mass focuses on what way the Eucharist is a sacrifice, how it is a re-presentation of the once and for all sacrifice of Christ on the Cross as well as an experience of the...
Catholic Christians are generally familiar with two creeds - the Nicene Creed which we typically recite at Sunday Mass and the Apostle's Creed which is the first prayer of the rosary. Where do these professions of faith come from, why are they different, and...
Andrew of Crete comments on Jesus' coming to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to remind us of Christ's continual coming and his final coming, calling us to receive his light and rejoice in his glory....
6 minute podcast in which on the journey of Jesus and his disciples from Bethany, over the top of the Mount of Olives to Bethphage, & down the Palm Sunday Road from there into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey amidst cries of hosanna. In...
Palm Sunday in most Christian Churches involves the distribution of palms and a commemoration of Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem amidst shouts of Hosanna. But what is the meaning of his decision to ride into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey? It has...
Saint Leo the Great on meditating upon Christ Crucified as a way of showing reverence for our Lord's passion and sharing in the victory of the cross. We must recognize that in taking our human nature to Calvary and then to the Father's right hand,...
Talk by Dr. Italy for the Year of St. Joseph showing how Jesus' foster-father had much more impact on the human formation of Jesus than most had imagined. Jesus, disciple of Joseph, went on to teach his own disciples what he learned from his heavenly...
The gospel story of the healing of the man born blind is notable for the method Jesus used to work this miracle - he made mud with spittle and clay and rubbed it on the man's eyes. This is a figure of the sacraments...
This brief video gives us a glimpse of the heart and vision of Perpetua, a young Roman woman whose resistance to the demands of a pagan society lead to her martyrdom...
Lenten fasting works best when accompanied by almsgiving and works of mercy, says Leo the Great, writing around AD 450. This powerful combination brings healing, spiritual renewal, and progress in virtue....
In this 5 minute interview on the Sonrise Morning show, Dr. Italy discusses the amazing life and talents of St. Hildegard of Bingen, the medieval Benedictine abbess renowned for her visions, compositions, and prolific body of written work. Pilgrims on Dr. Italy’s 2023 Rhine Cruise...
The call of Abraham and the Transfiguration of Jesus are presented to us on the 2nd Sunday of Lent because they teach us about how to approach hardship and suffering with faith and hope....
The Temptation of Jesus in the Desert is the gospel of the first Sunday of Lent. The purple color of Lent symbolizes penance, but also royalty. As we remember how the first Adam was tempted and failed his test, we rejoice that...
Cyril, speaking to new Christians in Jerusalem around AD 360, explains why the Church is called catholic. The word "catholic" comes from the Greek word meaning "whole," "entire," or "all." After explaining the meaning of catholic, Cyril goes on to explain the meaning...
An anonymous account of the last days of St. Cyril, brother of Methodius. The two brothers brought the gospel to the Slavic People in the 9th Century. Their feast is February 14, Valentine's Day....
Podcast excerpted from radio interview in which Dr. Italy offers some reflections on the apparitions of Mary to lowly shepherd girls in Lourdes in 1858. Most Catholics have heard about Bernadette and how Our Lady appeared to her near the remote town of Lourdes in Southern...
This 2004 instruction from the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is entitled Redemptionis Sacramentum. It addresses certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Mass, otherwise known as the most holy Eucharist, the sacrament of our...
You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, proclaims Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. This seems to indicate that there is an essential role for passion, excitement and fire in the Christian life....
Pick up your mat and Go Home -What the healing of the paralytic as recounted in the Gospel of Mark teaches us about the faith of the community and even infant baptism....
Who precisely are the Fathers of the Church and why do they matter? And if they are so important, what’s the best way to get started learning about them?...
7 minute Podcast on why the Church celebrates the Conversion of Saul of Tarsus, aka St. Paul, with a special feast. Dr. Italy on the Sonrise Morning Show of EWTN. We have lots of feast days in the Catholic calendar. But the Catholic Church only dedicates...
The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes challenge us all. When Jesus praises the poor in spirit and those hungry for righteousness, he is also condemning the self-satisfaction that leads to sloth, a deadly disease that's risen to epic proportions in the Western...
Since Christians are members of Christ's Church and the term Church means those who are called, that must mean that every single believer without exception has a call or a vocation....
Pope Benedict here speaks of the Holy Land as "the Fifth Gospel" and speaks about the power and value of pilgrimage to Jerusalem as a way to increase our longing for the New Jerusalem. As we call to mind the Word of God who became flesh...
The reason why Josef Ratzinger, upon his election to the chair of Peter in 2005, selected the name of Pope Benedict XVI. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']I[/dropcaps]n the Bible, when God changes someone's name, it's a sign of a change of destiny, of a new...
[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']O[/dropcaps] utstanding among the saints is Mary, Mother of the Lord and mirror of all holiness. In the Gospel of Luke we find her engaged in a service of charity to her cousin Elizabeth, with whom she remained for "about...
It is fitting that the feast of St. John, apostle and evangelist, occurs during the Christmas season. For it is John, in his gospel and his first epistle, who so clearly teaching us the wonder of the incarnation, the word of God and word...
November 22, 2024 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It's time to give thanks for the past year, and to prepare for a once-in-25-year Jubilee. And the theme of Holy Year 2025 is - Pilgrims of Hope. It is the gospel, the Good News, that brings hope to...
Short services of blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene that are actually part of the official liturgy of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. But they can be conducted by lay men or women in their own homes. Both full...
[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']S[/dropcaps]t. Ambrose of Milan's life (Sant Ambroggio de Milano in Italian) is a particularly fascinating story. St. Ambrose was born around 339 in what is now Trier, Germany, the son of the Roman prefect of Gaul. Following his father's footsteps,...
Gaudete Sunday calls us to rejoice in hope. As John the Baptist found joy amidst suffering due to the Good News that the Christ had appeared, we too pause from our Advent penance to rejoice in a salvation that has drawn near and whose...
Christmas is a joyous celebration of the birth of Peace. So why does the Church precede the feast of December 25 with a somber season of fast and penance? A meditation for the Second Sunday of Advent, cycle A. ...
In this 13 minute podcast, Sonrise Morning Show host Anna Mitchell Interviews Dr. Italy on the insistent command in many of the scripture readings of the season, to rouse ourselves from sleep. What does it mean to be spiritually awake and alert? The Season of Advent...
Christmas lights begin to appear in November, chasing away the increasing darkness. Is all this just commercialism and secularism, or do holiday lights somehow tie into the true meaning of the Advent and Christmas season?...
Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2024 Pilgrimage Promotion Details Terms and conditions regarding the BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND and CYBER MONDAY discounts offered by our travel partner, Select International: Only NEW registrations made and deposited during the promotion are eligible for the discounts. The total trip...
Dr. Italy continues his "virtual tour" of sites on his upcoming Rhine pilgrimage, exploring the city of Speyer, Germany, in this 7 min. radio interview. Speyer has its beginnings in a Roman settlement, but in the early Middle Ages, it became an important center and...
On October 1, 1999, Pope John Paul II declared Edith Stein, whose religious name was Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, as one of the co-patrons of Europe. In the following excerpt from his decree, he explains the significance of his proclamation. Edith Stein—Saint Teresa Benedicta of...
Fulgentius of Ruspe on spiritual final bodily resurrection, justification & glorification. In causing both resurrections, God means to give us eternal joy....
The belief second and final coming of Jesus as sovereign Lord and judge of the world is common to all Christians, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. It is commemorated each November in the Roman Catholic Feast of Christ the King, a celebration that inspires both...
Our Rhine pilgrimage has been nicknamed "the pilgrimage of the hidden gems.” Many of the sites and saints we'll be considering are not necessarily household words in the USA of the 21st century. But what precious discoveries await those who will be coming! Above image of...
Our Rhine Cruise Pilgrimage in 2023 takes off from the breathtakingly beautiful city of Zurich, Switzerland, situated on both a lake and a river. In this 6 minute radio interview with Anna Mitchell, host of the Son Rise Morning Show, Dr. Italy discusses the ancient...
Will there be marriage in heaven? Jesus' answer to the Sadducees about the widow with seven deceased husbands needs to be understood in light of some important truths about the resurrection and the hereafter....
Zacchaeus (a.k.a Zaccheus) was an especially successful tax collector and therefore an exceptionally hated man. On the road to Jericho, from the limb of a Sycamore tree, this blood-sucking vampire caught a glimpse of mercy and grace and had to make a choice....
In this 7 minute radio interview on the Sonrise Morning Show, Dr. Italy highlights a destination on his upcoming 2023 Rhine pilgrimage that is known for it's spectacular beauty - the city of Lucerne, Switzerland. But more than just the majestic setting of Alpine mountains...
In this video, Dr. Italy discusses the importance of Ignatius, 2nd successor to Peter, Paul, and Barnabas in the city of Antioch. The precious 7 letters that survive from this father of the church are a precious testimony to the apostolic tradition. Ignatius of Antioch There are...
Gregory the Great here discusses the Lord's exhortation to pray for preachers of the gospel who are true laborers since the harvest is great but the serious laborers are few. It is fittingly read on the St. Luke the Evangelist on October 18....
The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (aka tax collector) in Luke 18 teaches us a lot about pride, humility and . . . insanity. It even gives us insight into one of the principal battle cries of the Protestant Reformation -- "sola...
The ancient city of Strasbourg, sitting on the border of France and Germany, is a blend of cultures and influences, with roots that go back to the Celts and Romans. In this 8 min. interview from Catholic radio, Dr. Italy discusses the fascinating history of...
Jesus' says "ask and you shall receive." But if we don't listen in prayer, we won't know what to ask for. Here are tips for using the inspired prayers called Psalms as guides to praying effectively....
St. Teresa of Avila on friendship with Jesus as the key to contemplation and the spiritual life and how all blessings, particularly contemplative prayer, come through the humanity of Christ. This selection is read on the Feast or liturgical memorial of Saint Teresa of Avila...
St. Bernard of Clairvaux here helps us meditate on the mysteries that are the heartbeat of the rosary. The celebration of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7 invites all to meditate upon the mysteries of Christ, following the example of...
In this 7 minute excerpt from a national radio interview, Dr. Italy describes his recent journey to Poland, Austria and Bavaria. He then goes on to describe his upcoming Rhine pilgrimage Cruise focusing on the River of the Catholic Tradition and the extraordinary saints whose...
The Bible stories of Namaan the Syrian and Jesus' healing of the 10 lepers shows us that gratidue is an obligation of justice. To remember the source of our blessings and to give thanks is exactly why some countries, like the USA and Canada, dedicate...
In this 7 minute radio interview on the Sonrise Morning Show, Dr. Italy continues a discussion on our Catholic heritage inspired by his upcoming pilgrimage cruise along the Rhine River. The featured site explored in this interview is the amazing Cologne (or Köln, in German)...
In this interview on Catholic Answers Live hosted by Cy Kellett, Dr. Italy discusses Sacred Tradition, a topic explored in his recent study course on the Catholic faith: What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith. Learn what the Church means by Tradition, and...
Jesus calls us to have faith at least the size of a mustard seed. He also constantly addresses his disciples with this command: Be not afraid! St. Francis of Assisi shows us how to leave behind fear and grow in trust....
Stewardship . . . what does this term really mean? The parable of the dishonest steward in Luke 16 argues against the divorce between God and everyday life. Though it is idolatry to serve money, it is very important to serve God by the way...
Luke, chapter 16, tells the story of the Rich man and the Beggar, Dives and Lazarus. It shows how some choices we make lead to addictions that can determine our eternal destiny. Gluttony, one of the 7 Deadly Sins, is a poison that has an...
In this 6 minute interview on EWTN Nightly News, Dr. Italy discusses the relevance and purpose of his new study series with Ascension Press: What We Believe: the Beauty of the Catholic Faith. For newcomers to the faith or longtime Catholics, this series aims not...
Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son and Israel's worship of the Golden Calf at the foot of Mt. Sinai are some of the best known of all Bible stories. The connection? Maybe they both reveal much about the nature of sin, grace ....
7 minute podcast segment in which Dr. Italy is interviewed about the dynamics of discipleship and the paradox of freedom and rest through discipline. The term discipleship has been heard a lot in the past few years. Many parishes are writing mission statements these days calling...
So what is meant by "fortresses" of faith? Much like the castles of medieval times, the saints serve as very visible guideposts, help us orient ourselves, and can even offer refuge in times of trouble. In this 7 minute podcast from the Sonrise Morning Show...
In Luke 14, Jesus speaks some very disturbing words to anyone who wants to be his disciple. He talks about discipleship as requiring people to renounce not only their possessions but also their own life and family. The example of Thomas More shows...
In this 8 minute radio interview with Anna Mitchell from the Sonrise Morning Show, Dr. Italy discusses his new study series, What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith, published by Ascension Press. This study aims to help people come to a greater insight...
In the topsy turvey world of the Kingdom of God humility opens doors, the last shall be first and the meek shall inherit the earth. Meekness is not weakness, & pride is a symptom of insanity. This post explains why....
[dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']T[/dropcaps]he feast of the Assumption is a day of joy. God has won. Love has won. It has won life. Love has shown that it is stronger than death, that God possesses the true strength and that his strength is...
The prophets of the Old and New Testaments show us that sometimes love demand that we speak truth that people don't want to hear. Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern; Jesus was run out of Nazaret. This shows us that God's messengers shouldn't expect...
In this 14 minute podcast, Dr. Italy discusses the inspiring life of the great friend of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Claire. Her name means light or clarity, and the way she lived up to her name shows us the way to illumine our corner...
Jesus' call to enter through the narrow door seems to conflict with the idea that God wants all to be saved, that the universal, Catholic Church means "here comes everybody." But a deeper look resolves the inconsistency....
Faith or belief is more than conviction that God exists. Authentic Christian faith is a dynamic journey of trust, confidence, and commitment that involves no small amount of risk taking....
The story of the rich man in Luke 12 who gloats over his bumper harvest brings up a good question - is money and success evil? Augustine, following Paul, says it's not money but the love of money that's the problem....
One and a half minute trailer for the video study series from Ascension Press: What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith, by Marcellino D’Ambrosio (“Dr. Italy”) and Andrew and Sarah Swafford. Filmed on location in Rome, “The Eternal City,” this 10-part video series provides...
The Lord's Prayer, commonly known as the "Our Father," is known said so often that we can forget how extraordinary it is to call the Creator of the Universe "Abba." "Thy Kingdom Come" means that we pray for his will, not ours....
The story of the visit of Jesus to the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany raises questions about hospitality, service, prayer, action and contemplation. First of all, does Jesus love some people, like Mary, Mary, and Lazarus, more than others? If so,...
The profound origin and meaning of the sign of the cross is just one example of the depth and richness of the Catholic Tradition. It invites us to rediscover and reappropriate our heritage....
In this 14 minute podcast, Dr. Italy discusses with Anna Mitchell the various layers of meaning of the sign of the cross, one of the biblical treasures of the Catholic tradition. The sign of the cross is one of the hallmarks of Catholic life and prayer. ...
The theology of the Body of John Paul II has challenged a fundamental assumption about the Catholic faith - that it considers the body and bodily pleasures as unspiritual or even evil. This article helps to illumine what St. Paul means in Galatians 5:17 when...
This instruction by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith entitled "On the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian" or Donum Veritatis, is a clear and detailed discussion of the various levels of authority carried by different forms of teaching exercised by the Magisterium of...
In this 14 minute Podcast, Sonrise Morning Show host Anna Mitchell asks Dr. Italy why there is a need for confession (aka the sacrament of penance or reconciliation) when we can go straight to God and ask forgiveness for our sins....
In this 7 minute podcast, Dr. Italy paints a verbal picture of the site called Tabgha, between the Sea of Galille shore and the Mt. of Beatitudes. Here Jesus multiplied loaves and fish....
5 minute podcast on the Mount of Beatitudes on the Northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, traditional site of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and where he spent solitary hours in prayer....
7 minute podcast excerpt from National Radio that helps us understand what the Sea of Galilee is like and puts into perspective the gospels stories of Jesus walking on the water and calming the storm. In this episode from the Sonrise Morning Show, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Holy...
Have you ever wondered what is meant by "a doctor of the Church"? Here is a definition and a complete list of all 36 of the men & women proclaimed Doctors of the Catholic Church up to 2017 with links to biographies and excerpts...
Dr. Italy discusses in this podcast how can we find tranquility in the midst of turbulent times of turmoil. The value of the famous Serenity Prayer. 2020 was a time of exceptional turmoil and disruption throughout the world due to the COVID 19 pandemic. America, in...
One of the great themes of Easter has always been New Creation - the death of our old selves which we leave buried in the tomb and a new beginning powered by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is undeniable that the darkness of...
Into Death and Beyond it is an inspiring short film of the last days of St. Maximilian Kolbe and the prisoners with whom he was confined in the starvation bunker of Auschwitz. https://vimeo.com/262935794 Little is known for certain about what transpired in the starvation bunker at Auschwitz...
6 min podcast by Dr. Italy discussing Bethany as a rest stop between Jericho and Jerusalem. Describes the journey Jesus would have taken, his familiarity with a particular family of Bethany, and the help this provides in understanding the story of the raising of Lazarus. Jesus,...
5 min podcast discussing Terence Malick's film, A Hidden Life, which tells the story of World War II martyr of conscience, Blessed Franz Jagerstatter and his equally heroic wife Fani. Terence Malick recently directed a film about a simple Austrian farming couple whose alpine paradise was...
7 minute interview of Dr. Italy by Anna Mitchell of the Sonrise Morning Show, on St. Polycarp, one of the most fascinating of the Apostolic Fathers, those who pass on to us what they heard from the apostles of Jesus. Dr. Italy and Anna Mitchell here...
14 minute podcast in which Dr. Italy tells the fuller story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Chaplain of Auschwitz.. Few know the extent of his heroic charity before he volunteered to die in the place of another, or the days after his fateful decision....
The key penitential practices of Lent-prayer, fasting, and almsgiving or mercy are here explained by one of the greatest preachers of the early Church. Saint Peter Chrysologus shows how Lenten prayer, mercy and fasting are one, and they give life to each other....
Who were the Early Church Fathers (aka Fathers of the Church)? Why are they important in Christian history and why are they relevant today? An overview....
Mike Gormley, host of popular podcast "Every Knee Shall Bow," interviews Dr. Italy on his book, Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. The focus is what history can tell us about Jesus. The four gospels provide us with a compelling picture of Jesus. But...