What Catholics Believe

What Catholics Believe

Join professors of the Augustine Institute and other Catholic experts as they answer the most popular questions from the Internet on topics like the Eucharist, the Resurrection, the Papacy, Relics, and so much more! Was Jesus a ghost when he appeared to the Apostles? Is the Resurrection important? Are Catholics cannibals? Is the Eucharist in the Bible? Find out in this exciting series!

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What Catholics Believe
  • Who Is Jesus? What do Catholics Really Believe about Him

    Who is Jesus, and what do Catholics actually believe about him?

    In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Dr. David Moser explains the Catholic belief that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God, and the Savior who entered human history to free us from sin an...

  • Who Is the Holy Spirit?

    Who is the Holy Spirit, and how does he work in the life of the Church? In this episode, Fr. Ken Geraci explains what Catholics believe about the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Most Holy Trinity, the love proceeding from the Father and the Son.

    This episode explores the Holy Spirit’s pre...

  • Is Confirmation Just a Graduation? What Catholics Really Believe

    What is Confirmation—and why does the Catholic Church consider it essential for living the Christian life? In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Dr. Elizabeth Klein explains how Confirmation completes our baptismal identity and strengthens us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

    Far from bein...

  • What Catholics Believe About Holy Week (Palm Sunday to Easter Explained)

    What is Holy Week, and why is it the most sacred time in the Catholic Church? In this episode, Curtis Mitch walks through the meaning of Holy Week—from Jesus’ triumphant entry on Palm Sunday to His Passion, death, and Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
    Discover how each day—Holy Thursday, Good Friday...

  • What Catholics Believe About Almsgiving: The Truth About Money, Mercy, and Lent

    Do we put our faith in our savings account—or in the Lord? In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Professor Michael Barber unpacks the biblical meaning of almsgiving and why it is essential to the Christian life. Rooted in Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, almsgiving isn’t optional—...

  • Fasting in the Catholic Faith: More Than Giving Up Food

    In this episode, Deacon Koby Nguyen explains the true meaning of fasting in the Catholic Church. Learn how this spiritual practice draws us closer to God, connects to prayer and almsgiving, and helps open our hearts to love others. Perfect for Lent, Advent, or anytime you want to grow in holiness...

  • Prayer: Friendship With God, Not a Formula

    What is prayer, and why does it sometimes feel so difficult? In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Fr. Charles Archer explores prayer not as a technique to master, but as a living friendship with God. Drawing on Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, and the life of Jesus himself, he explains ...

  • Is the Catholic Church Anti-Sex? What Catholics Believe About Sex and Marriage

    Is the Catholic Church uncomfortable with sex—or even opposed to it? In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Dr. Scott Hefelfinger explains why the Church sees sex not as something trivial or shameful, but as profoundly meaningful, good, and life-giving.

    Drawing on Catholic teaching about mar...

  • Why Virtue Matters in the Catholic Life w/ Dr. Edward Sri

    What does it really mean to live a good life—and why isn’t good intention enough? In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Dr. Edward Sri explains why virtue is essential for becoming the kind of person who can truly love. Virtue isn’t just about self-improvement; it’s about freedom—the freedom...

  • What Catholics Believe About Baptism

    Join Dr. Sean Innerst as he sits down to answer some of the most asked questions of What Catholics Believe. Why is the sacrament called “Baptism,” and what actually happens when someone is baptized? Does Baptism truly take away original sin—and what does the Church mean by “original sin” in the f...

  • What Catholics Believe About Suffering: Why Do Bad Things Happen?

    Join Dr. Mark Giszczak, associate professor of Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the internet's most pressing questions about suffering.

    If God is all good and loving, why do bad things happen to good people? What is the meaning of s...

  • What Catholics Believe About Confession: Repeating Sins, Forgiveness & Penance

    Join Dr. Jim Prothro, associate professor of Scripture and Theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the internet's most pressing questions about the Sacrament of Confession. What happens if I commit the same sin again after confession? Is confession i...

  • What Catholics Believe About the Jubilee: Holy Doors, Indulgences & Scripture

    Join Dr. Mark Giszczak, associate professor of Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the internet's most pressing questions about the Jubilee.

    What is a Jubilee year? What is a Holy Door? What are indulgences? Is the Jubilee year in Scri...

  • What Catholics Believe About Advent: Preparing Your Heart for Christ

    In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Fr. Chris Martin explains what Advent is, why the Church celebrates it, and how Catholics can enter more deeply into this season of preparation. Discover the meaning behind the colors of Advent, the difference between Advent and Christmas, and how Script...

  • Is Christmas Pagan? What Catholics Believe About Christmas

    Join Dr. Michael Barber, professor of Scripture and theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the Internet's most popular questions about Christmas. Is Christmas a pagan holiday? Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25? What happened at the "first C...

  • Choosing a Pope: What REALLY Happens During a Conclave | What Catholics Believe

    Join Dr. Scott Hefelfinger in What Catholics Believe as he answers some of the most asked questions about how Catholics choose a new pope. What is a papal conclave? How does the voting process work? Can someone who isn’t a cardinal become pope? Why are cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel? Lear...

  • What Catholics Believe About the Resurrection: Was Jesus a Ghost?

    Join Dr. Michael Barber, professor of Scripture and theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the Internet's most popular questions about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Did the Resurrection actually happen? Was Jesus a ghost when he appeared to the ...

  • The Life of a Priest: What Catholics Believe About Celibacy, Marriage & Holiness

    Join Fr. Scott Bailey, a priest in the Archdiocese of Denver, as he answers some of the Internet's most popular questions about the priesthood.

    Find out the answers to these and many more questions in this episode.

    ▶ Help support the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission ...

  • What Catholics Believe About Halloween | All Saints, All Souls & its Origin

    Is Halloween really a pagan holiday—or is it deeply Christian? In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Dr. Ben Akers explains the Catholic roots of Halloween, its connection to All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and how Catholics can celebrate it faithfully. Discover the history of trick-or-t...

  • What Catholics Believe About Mary: Immaculate Conception, Virginity & the Rosary

    Join Dr. Edward Sri as he answers some of the internet's most asked questions about Mary. Who is Mary? Why do Catholics pray to Mary? How could she be a virgin if Jesus had brothers and sisters according to the Bible? Find out answers to these and more questions in this episode of What Catholics ...

  • How Someone Becomes a Saint: What Catholics Believe About Canonization

    Join David Uebbing as he unpacks the Catholic Church’s process of canonization—what it means, how it works, and why Saints matter in the life of faith. What are the stages of canonization? What qualifies someone to be declared a Saint? Do miracles still happen? And how can you become a Saint? Fin...

  • What Catholics Believe About Confession: How To Prepare & What To Say

    Join Dr. Jim Prothro, associate professor of Scripture and Theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the internet's most pressing questions about the Sacrament of Confession. Can a priest share the sins I confess? What is confession? Find out answers t...

  • What Catholics Believe About Christmas: Traditions, Santa Claus & the 12 Days

    Join Dr. Michael Barber, professor of Scripture and theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the Internet's most popular questions about Christmas. What are the 12 days of Christmas? Was Santa Claus a real person? What is Advent?

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  • What Catholics Believe About Leisure: The Bible & True Rest

    What is true leisure, and why does it matter for Christians today? In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Fr. Nathan Cromly answers some of the internet’s most asked questions about leisure. Discover how the Bible speaks about leisure, whether Jesus enjoyed leisure, how to avoid laziness, and...