Institute of Catholic Culture

Join Dr. Steven Smith for a tour de force in the Gospel of Luke. Beginning with the notion of "kingdom" in the Old Testament and tracing through major examples in Luke, this webinar will help unlock the mystery of the Kingdom of God as it relates to Jesus.

In this study, Rev. Sebastian Carnazzo and Rev. Hezekias Carnazzo examine the literary structures (typology, framing devices, chiasms, parallel cycles, merisms) used by the Gospel writers to convey a deeper message and assist us in focusing our attentio

Society is at a crossroads in the educational formation of the next generation, and the Church offers the only true way forward. Under attack from the secularist agenda set forth fifty years ago by the Land O' Lakes statement, a new generation of Catholic intellectuals have reacted by working to reestablish centers of opportunity in which our youth can engage in a genuine Catholic education. Join the Institute of Catholic Culture and The Cardinal Newman Society in welcoming the presidents of faithful Catholic colleges to discuss and debate the crisis and find a solution to the education of the next generation. Speakers Patrick Reilly, President, The Cardinal Newman Society John Garvey, President, The Catholic University of America Father Sean Sheridan, President, Franciscan University of Steubenville William Thierfelder, President, Belmont Abbey College George Harne, President, Northeast Catholic College

The word ‘Trinity’ does not occur in the Bible, but we encounter this term very early in Christian history. In this webinar, we explore the biblical roots of the Trinity and follow its development from the first century to the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). After watching how this foundational doctrine developed over time, we conclude by peering deeply into the inner life of the Holy Trinity.

In this two-part webinar, Rev. Sebastian Carnazzo leads you through a study of the original unity of the Sacraments of Initiation, the history of their development, and the Church’s desire for their full restoration. Make sure you have your Bible and Catechism ready!

The word ‘Trinity’ does not occur in the Bible, but we encounter this term very early in Christian history. In this webinar, we explore the biblical roots of the Trinity and follow its development from the first century to the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). After watching how this foundational doctrine developed over time, we conclude by peering deeply into the inner life of the Holy Trinity.

The Gnostic heresy was one of the earliest heresies that infected the Church founded by Jesus Christ. By denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh Gnosticism sought to undermine the very foundation of our salvation, for as a famous Patristic maxim states, What has not been assumed has not been healed. In this lecture, Dr. William Marshner will reveal the errors of Gnosticism and show how Christ in His Incarnation, as the One Mediator between God and man, is the bridge to salvation.

With a special performance by Chorus Sine Nomine. “Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the fields, and lodge in the villages; let us go out early to the vineyards, and see whether the vines have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love.” - Song of Songs 7:11-12

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” - Micah 5:2

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only-begotten from the Father.” - John 1:14

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” - Micah 5:2

The soul who contemplates for more than a moment the events surrounding the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin on Tepeyac Hill in December of 1531 cannot fail to shudder before the uniqueness of this mystery. Our attention is focused on at least two things: a supernatural intervention in the life of a nation that has no equal, and a speculation about the rest of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe that has yet to unfold.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” - Micah 5:2

“When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” - Galatians 4:4-5

“When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony. ...Moreover, the annual and universal celebration of the feast of the Kingship of Christ will draw attention to the evils which anticlericalism has brought upon society in drawing men away from Christ, and will also do much to remedy them. While nations insult the beloved name of our Redeemer by suppressing all mention of it in their conferences and parliaments, we must all the more loudly proclaim his kingly dignity and power, all the more universally affirm his rights.” - Pope Pius XI, Quas Primas 19, 25

“It is quite evident that the present time especially cries out for a keener awareness of the Socratic-Platonic wisdom… It cries out for resistance to the attempt and the temptation to establish the autocratic rule of man, who deludes himself that he possesses sovereign powers over the world and over himself and thus squanders his real existential patrimony.” - Josef Pieper, Divine Madness: Plato’s Case Against Secular Humanism

“Human words and language accomplish a two-fold purpose, as Plato without doubt would have answered—in clear agreement with the entire tradition of Western thought. …First, words convey reality. We speak in order to name and identify something that is real, to identify it for someone, of course—and this points to the second aspect in question, the interpersonal character of human speech.” - Josef Pieper, Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It has become apparent that something must be done about technology in our lives. But we feel lost: just what is the problem, and how do we address it? This lecture will examine what Pope Francis calls the technocratic paradigm, and will offer a diagnosis along with concrete steps to address this fundamental problem of our times.

“Wherever politics tries to be redemptive, it is promising too much. Where it wishes to do the work of God, it becomes, not divine, but demonic.” - Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions

“Wherever politics tries to be redemptive, it is promising too much. Where it wishes to do the work of God, it becomes, not divine, but demonic.” - Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions

People are always trying to do without religion, even pray without it. Many in these days, in fact, claim to be "spiritual" without being "religious." Secularized forms of spirituality (which is what many versions of Yoga, Zen, and Transcendental Meditation have become) can't deliver what they promise. Spirituality that can deliver is rooted in the mystery of Christ, fully human and fully divine.

In this talk, Clayton describes, through his own ‘story in prayer,’ the profound effect of prayer in our lives. Using the book The Little Oratory that he co-wrote, Clayton discusses how to reclaim an almost lost tradition that families used for centuries to build a beautiful bridge between home and church, and to help live the liturgical life of the Church more fully in the home.

People are always trying to do without religion, even pray without it. Many in these days, in fact, claim to be "spiritual" without being "religious." Secularized forms of spirituality (which is what many versions of Yoga, Zen, and Transcendental Meditation have become) can't deliver what they promise. Spirituality that can deliver is rooted in the mystery of Christ, fully human and fully divine.

"Of course the world of work begins to become—threatens to become—our only world, to the exclusion of all else. The demands of the working world grow ever more total, grasping ever more completely the whole of human existence."- Josef Pieper, Leisure: The Basis Of Culture

"The story of Vendée should be a beacon for Catholics today. These heroic peasants summon us to rise and protect Holy Mother Church from those determined to destroy her under color of law. The glory of Vendée is the glory of Calvary—self-sacrifice giving life to the Church."- Anne Gardiner, New Oxford Review

"The story of Vendée should be a beacon for Catholics today. These heroic peasants summon us to rise and protect Holy Mother Church from those determined to destroy her under color of law. The glory of Vendée is the glory of Calvary—self-sacrifice giving life to the Church."- Anne Gardiner, New Oxford Review

"Moral principles do not depend on a majority vote. Wrong is wrong, even if everybody is wrong. Right is right, even if nobody is right." - Fulton J. Sheen

“I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute, where no Catholic prelate would tell the president (should he be Catholic) how to act.” - John F. Kennedy

“Recognizing that natural law is the basis for and places limits on positive law means admitting that it is legitimate to resist authority should it violate in a serious or repeated manner the essential principles of natural law. … Natural law is therefore the basis of the right to resistance.” - Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 400

“Recognizing that natural law is the basis for and places limits on positive law means admitting that it is legitimate to resist authority should it violate in a serious or repeated manner the essential principles of natural law. … Natural law is therefore the basis of the right to resistance.” - Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 400

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." - Declaration of Independence

"Arise, O Lord, and judge your own cause. Remember your reproaches to those who are filled with foolishness all through the day. Listen to our prayers, for foxes have arisen seeking to destroy the vineyard whose winepress you alone have trod." - Pope Leo X, Exsurge Domine

"All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. O what a disgrace if such a despised and base race, which worships demons, should conquer a people which has the faith of omnipotent God and is made glorious with the name of Christ!"- Pope Urban IIThis lecture was given at two different times and locations. The resources are listed as such.

"All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. O what a disgrace if such a despised and base race, which worships demons, should conquer a people which has the faith of omnipotent God and is made glorious with the name of Christ!"- Pope Urban IIThis lecture was given at two different times and locations. The resources are listed as such.

"It is accordingly our wish and command that the English Church shall be free, and that men in our kingdom shall have and keep all these liberties, rights, and concessions, well and peaceably in their fullness and entirety for them and their heirs, of us and our heirs, in all things and all places for ever."- Magna Carta

“For God’s sake, spare not; strike hard at the beginning; stay not to take spoil; all the booty shall be in common, and there will be plenty for everyone. … I have no doubt of the victory; we are come for glory; the victory is in our hands, and we may make sure of obtaining it if we so please.” - Duke William, preparing his men for battle

“It is fitting that the end of all our desires, namely eternal life, coincides with the words at the end of the creed, ‘Life everlasting. Amen.’”- Saint Thomas Aquinas, On the Apostles' Creed

Can the human mind truly understand reality? Modern skepticism and relativism undermine our human identity and vocation by cutting at their root: our ability to grasp fundamental truths. The great Western philosophical tradition can help us see our identity as rational creatures, and help us bring the light of reason to an age of darkness.

“It is fitting that the end of all our desires, namely eternal life, coincides with the words at the end of the creed, ‘Life everlasting. Amen.’”- Saint Thomas Aquinas, On the Apostles' Creed

Can the human mind truly understand reality? Modern skepticism and relativism undermine our human identity and vocation by cutting at their root: our ability to grasp fundamental truths. The great Western philosophical tradition can help us see our identity as rational creatures, and help us bring the light of reason to an age of darkness.

Celebrating Pentecost, we recall one of God’s founding acts in forming the Church, the Body of Christ. We are reminded of the wonder of living in this world buoyed up by the Spirit of God. The Scriptures, the Fathers, and the Liturgy all blaze with the power of his Presence and show us the meaning of the People of God as the People inflamed by God’s Spirit.

In a traditional philosophy class, truth, goodness, unity, and (usually) beauty are called "transcendental properties of being"—something which is rejected by many modern philosophers. In this talk, we discuss issues that arise from this philosophy, such as the objectivity of truth, beauty, and goodness and how this can be reconciled with their apparent subjectivity.

In certain Protestant circles, there is a strong and often vivid preoccupation with signs of the Second Coming of Christ. Many of the notions expressed are either erroneous or extreme. The Catholic approach is perhaps less provocative, as it does not generate Left Behind movie series or cause people to sell their houses and gather on hillsides waiting for the end. This lecture sets forth certain principles of Catholic Eschatology, drawing insights from the Catechism and Scripture.

When Jesus spoke of giving his body to eat, it scandalized some of his followers. Even to this day, some Christians find Jesus' words to be a stumbling block. Most Protestants apply a merely symbolic meaning to the New Testament passages that refer to Christ's body. This presentation will break down common objections to the Catholic doctrine, and build a powerful case—from Scripture as well as the practices of the early Christians—for taking Jesus at his word.

As Christians, we live as people of the New, not the Old, Covenant. Yet, how could the first Christians embrace this new paradigm of Jesus: what of God’s Temple, its sacrifices and high priesthood? These and other biblical mysteries are addressed in the Book of Hebrews, one of the richest and most thought-provoking texts of the entire Bible.

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side."- John 20:19-20

As Christians, we live as people of the New, not the Old, Covenant. Yet, how could the first Christians embrace this new paradigm of Jesus: what of God’s Temple, its sacrifices and high priesthood? These and other biblical mysteries are addressed in the Book of Hebrews, one of the richest and most thought-provoking texts of the entire Bible.

There is no point in talking about the evidence for the resurrection unless it is your purpose to talk about the evidence for the resurrection. This is a very practical presentation not only of the case for the resurrection of Jesus, but also why it is urgent for Catholics to make that case, particularly to the young.

"What is worship? What happens when we worship? In all religions sacrifice is at the heart of worship. But this is a concept that has been buried under the debris of endless misunderstandings."- Cardinal Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy