SSPX Podcast

Today in the Catholic Mass Series, we begin a new section examining the externals that surround the Mass, like vestments, the church building, and starting today, sacred music. From antiquity, music has been a part of worship. In fact, even false religions recognize the importance of music in their respective devotions and rites. Today in the first of two episodes on music and the Mass, we explore the history of music in sacred worship, starting with Jewish ceremonies and the Psalms, leading up to the present day. We also start to examine the various kinds of music in a sung...

We continue the section of the podcast series where we go step by step through the Mass to examine the various sections of the Liturgy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the Canon, the Communion, and the Conclusion of the Mass. What is the meaning of the symbolism of the liturgical actions? What are the prayers of the Canon expressing? What is the meaning of the priest’s reception of the Eucharist and the purpose of the prayers after Holy Communion is distributed?

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Today we continue the section of the podcast series where we will go step by step through the Mass to look at the various sections of the Liturgy. In this week’s episode, we discover the richness of the Offertory prayers and rubrics. What are the various prayers said and what are they for? And which of the prayers perfectly encapsulates the entire reason for the Mass? We also examine the symbolism of various actions, such as placing a few drops of water with the wine, the hiding of the paten, and even details such as where the priest is su...

In today’s episode, we continue the section of the podcast series where we will go step by step through the Mass to look at the various sections and rubrics of the Liturgy. Now we turn to the Lessons, that is, the portion of the Mass that centers on the Epistle and Gospel. This also includes important elements such as the Alleluia or Tract and the Sermon. Moreover, we also examine the role of deacons and subdeacons during this part of the Mass.  

See all the episodes, and download resources: https://sspxpodcast.com/mass

We are continuing the section of the podcast series that proceeds step by step through the Mass to look at the various sections and rubrics of the liturgy. In this week’s episode, we focus on the section from the Introit up to the Collect. These prayers and the symbolism of the liturgical gestures have a deep history, which is apparent when we open our hand Missals to see phrases like “The Mass of the Catechumens” and “Stational Churches.” What do these terms mean? And what is signified during this beginning portion of the Mass? https://angeluspress.org/products/the-life-of-st-francis-de-sales  

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Duration: 01:08:22

We’re continuing the section of the podcast series where we will go step by step through the Mass to look at the various sections and rubrics of the Liturgy. Today we’ll look at the beginning part of the Mass – but we won’t look immediately at the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, like you might think. Before we do that in this episode, we’ll start by learning about the Asperges, the blessing of the church, the priest and ministers, and the faithful with Holy Water, as is done on every Sunday’s sung Mass. Why do we have t...

We now begin the section of the podcast series that proceeds step by step through the Mass to examine the various sections and rubrics of the liturgy, starting with the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar through the Conclusion. Before we look at the individual ceremonies, however, we must explicate the proper method for approaching the Mass. The ceremonies of the Mass are very ancient, and their origin is often lost in the mists of history. How can we go about discovering why the Mass is arranged as it is along with the meaning of its constituent parts?  

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Duration: 00:58:39

This week on The Catholic Mass Series, we finish our discussion at the Theology of the Mass with an episode about the reception of the Holy Eucharist. In the contemporary Church, the practice of receiving Holy Communion has changed. Why? What did the reception of the Eucharist look like throughout history? Did faithful in the early Church receive Our Lord on the tongue, and kneeling? Why did this practice change – and then why has the practice reverted back in the last fifty years? What about the priests’ reception of Communion?  

See all the episodes, and download resources: https://sspxpodcast.com/ma...

Duration: 01:05:39

This week on The Catholic Mass Series, we look at mysteries and the nature of the Blessed Sacrament. There is a lot that we cannot comprehend fully about the Eucharist, but examining this great mystery of the Church, we can deepen our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In this episode, examine questions concerning Our Lord’s real presence in the Eucharist. Then we discuss transubstantiation, and finally, the effects that Our Lord’s presence can have on the soul of the recipient.  

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Duration: 01:15:05

This week, as we approach Christmas, we examine the three ways in which our Lord is present at every Mass. This will help to deepen our faith as we understand how He is present not just in a poetic or imaginary way, but in a real - yet sacramental and mysterious – manner. We see how he is present as both the high priest and victim. Finally, we consider how He comes to us sacramentally through the Eucharist.

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Last week’s episode covered the fundamental nature of the Mass while answering Protestant objections. Today, we consider the question of the Mass's nature, including its relationship to the Holy Eucharist. What does it mean to refer to the Eucharist as a “sacrament” and how does this relate to the sacrificial nature of the Mass itself? Moreover, in recent decades, a greater emphasis has been placed on the idea that the Mass is a “memorial meal” or a “gathering.” Is it wrong to speak of the Mass—and the Eucharist—this way and, if so, why?  

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Duration: 01:31:06

Today, we continue exploring the Theology of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by focusing on its fundamental purpose and addressing key errors about it. We examine the parallels between minimizing Protestant hostility toward the Mass and efforts to justify the New Mass. Additionally, we consider historical objections to the Mass, such as the claim that faith and personal contact with Our Lord are sufficient for salvation, that a hierarchical priesthood is unnecessary, and that the Sacrifice of the Cross is distinct from the Mass celebrated on altars throughout Christendom.

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Duration: 01:32:18

Today, we start a new section of The Catholic Mass Series. We have been looking at the history of the Mass, from the Old Testament, to the Last Supper, on to the Liturgical Movement. And now we move onto exploring the rubrics and theology of the Mass. In this episode, we begin by asking some basic questions, ”Why is the sacrifice important? Why are victim, priest, and the offering so difficult to comprehend without a proper context?”  

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Duration: 01:08:25

Today, we bring our third and final episode on the “Liturgical Movement.” Last time we saw how World War II impacted the Roman Liturgy and its reform. Today, we delve into how the French and German clergy, emboldened by the lack of censures for their Modernist ideas, pushed for more radical changes that broke from the original spirit of the Liturgical Reform. We also explore what led these liturgical radicals to become more vocal, and how their planning made its way into the Second Vatican Council’s official documents. Finally, close by exposing the movement's true intention: the creation of the No...

Today, in our second episode on the Liturgical Movement we focus on origins of the movement and we examine how it went awry. We also focus on the inter-war period and see how it corrupted the liturgy and the indirect of modernism had a detrimental effect on the war we worship. We still have not recovered from it today.

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Today we start a series of three episodes, all looking at the period from the Council of Trent up to the Second Vatican Council. Specifically, we focus on what’s called “The Liturgical Movement.” This was a movement for the restoration of the Liturgy; renewing its discipline; and broadening the education of both the faithful and the clergy about the Mass itself. In the beginnings of the movement, it had a positive purpose, and it started out well. What we explore is what went wrong with the movement and the social, political, and ecclesiastical forces that disrupted an otherwise noble enterp...

Today we’ll trace the development of both the Divine Office and the Mass over 1,000 years, beginning with St. Gregory the Great in the 6th century and concluding with the reforms of the Council of Trent. We'll discuss how St. Gregory helped shape the liturgical framework and preserved unity while allowing local traditions to thrive. Moving forward, we’ll trace how these traditions evolved, influencing lots of different rites across Europe. We’re not used to thinking that lots of rites are good – but what was good about them? And why did these ultimately lead to the standardization by Pope St. Pius...

https://sspx.org/en/news/death-bishop-bernard-tissier-mallerais-47993

Last episode, we saw what Christ intended to leave us in the Mass – how He is both priest and victim, God and man. In this episode, we’ll investigate what happened after the Last Supper – after Our Lord Ascended into Heaven. Did the Mass celebrated by the first bishops look like the Tridentine Latin Mass we have today? How did the early Eucharist ceremonies develop, and how did various regions influence the way that the ceremonies of the Liturgy were practiced? We’ll also take a look at the immense influence that the Jewish synagogue ceremonies played in the early developm...

We have examined the Old Testament sacrifices, and how they all pre-figure the Mass. But instead of offering lambs, in the New Testament we offer bread and wine. Instead of the priest and victim being separate beings, today, they are one. Why? Why did God wish to have a sacrifice done this way? Why did Christ institute the Mass at the Last Supper, before His Sacrifice? We will look at the Last Supper and the Passion from a theological, historical, and anthropological perspective. We will see that Jesus knew full well what any first-century Jew would have known: when it...

This week on the SSPX Podcast, we’ll pause the Catholic Mass series for an episode of Questions with Father an a recent document that was released from the Vatican. The document is commonly known as “The Bishop of Rome” document, and is titled, “To Find a Way of Exercising Primacy.” In it, the Holy Father makes some curious remarks about ecumenism, referring to himself, for instance, as “the gravest obstacle on the path of ecumenism.” So what are we to think of this? What is the answer to ecumenism, and has the teaching of the Church changed?

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Duration: 00:58:51

The Old Testament is foreign to modern people in many ways. And one of the most striking examples of a “weird” practice has to do with the very specific, and often very messy practices surrounding ritual sacrifice. Last episode, we saw how sacrifice is required by God. But we’ll continue with this conversation, and look at the specific sacrifices in the Old Testament in different occasions. There were sin-offerings, peace-offerings, and holocausts, which are burnt-offerings. They also made use of bread, wine, food – and very often, whole animals, blood, fat – why? And more interesting to us today, what does this all r...

When did mankind begin to make sacrifices to God? What did they look like? As we have seen already in this series, the concept of making a sacrifice, or of putting something aside for the worship of God, is nothing new and it is not exclusive to the Judeo-Christian tradition. Man understands that he has duties to his creator. So today we will look back at our ancestors, specifically the practices of the Chosen People and how they worshipped God. In part two of this subject, we’ll see how it all connects to the Mass. But this week, let’s se...

Welcome to our fifth episode in The Catholic Mass series. Here, our goal is to continue an overview which will touch on themes that will be more fully developed later in the series. Today we’ll answer the question, what do we mean by the traditional Latin Mass, or as Archbishop Lefebvre called it, the Mass of All Time. In this episode, we’ll also give a brief survey of the Mass in order to provide a 30,000 view of the history of the immemorial Roman Rite.

See all the episodes, and download resources: https://sspxpodcast.com/mass

Today, we explore why it is so important that we have a liturgy at all. What do we mean when we say “Liturgy”? What is the reason for people gathering together to perform a religious ceremony? Is it something that we do are inclined to do naturally, or is it something that God has directed us to do?

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Duration: 00:58:49

Last week we discussed what we gain from the Mass – the four ends. Today, we explore why it is so important that we have a liturgy at all. What do we mean when we say “Liturgy”? What is the reason for people gathering together to perform a religious ceremony? Is it something that we do are inclined to do naturally, or is it something that God has directed us to do?

See all the episodes, and download resources: https://sspxpodcast.com/mass

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Welcome to the second of our introductory episodes in The Catholic Mass series. Last time we saw what the Sacrifice of the Mass is – today we’ll look at the next logical question – why? Why is it that Catholics, especially today, still put such an emphasis on this ancient and… well, strange practice? And what’s the point of religion in today’s world? There’s a real lack of the practice of religion, and the belief of God among our contemporaries. So why is it that we would want to be dependent on a seemingly unknowable God? And what does the...

Welcome to the first episode of The Catholic Mass here on the SSPX Podcast. We’re excited to get started on this – what will probably be about a year long series – examining the theology, the history, rubrics, the changes in the Mass, and so much more. But why spend so much time on one topic? As Fr. Paul Robinson will tell us in this first episode, because the Mass is the center of our Faith, and even though we’re doing an extended series, it really is inexhaustible. We can always dive deeper into the mysteries contained in this, the greatest...

During the next year [50 episodes/weeks], join us as we explore the history, theology, and spirituality of the Mass. More than an academic exercise, this series is designed to deepen your knowledge of the Church’s liturgy in order to draw you closer to Our Lord at Mass. 

Whether you are new to Catholic Tradition or have been attending the traditional Latin Mass for years, this series offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the beauty and riches of Catholic liturgy while appreciating why Archbishop Lefebvre and the Society he founded has worked tirelessly for more than half-a-century to...

On this week’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we will be answering a fairly common listener question – and one we tackled very briefly in one of our earliest episodes years ago – What should Catholics think about organ donation? Fr. Ian Palko is back to discuss this topic which, like many others we’ve talked about recently, doesn’t have an easy, clear-cut answer. It seems, on the surface, like a great gift and an extraordinary act of charity to give someone an organ so they can live. But we’ll see it’s not so simple. This is a question that...

On this week’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we welcome again Fr. Shane Pezzutti to discuss what the Church professes concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a point of Catholic dogma that Our Lady’s virginity was perpetual, yet some Christians question this position based not only on conjecture, but ostensibly on the Bible. In this episode, we examine the question and explain, on the basis of Scripture and Tradition, why the Church states infallibly that Mary remained a virgin for her entire life. May is the perfect month to review some of these questions, not only to sa...

This week on the SSPX Podcast, we’re happy to welcome back Fr. Shane Pezzutti who will guide us through some recent listener questions regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today we’ll look at the concept of her Immaculate Conception. Namely, how could it be that Mary was sinless? Do we have proof? Wasn’t Jesus the only one without sin and that this is precisely the reason God sent him to save us? May is the perfect month to review some of these questions, not only to satisfy our reason, but to hopefully increase our devotion as well to this gre...

This week on the SSPX Podcast, we’re happy to welcome back Fr. Shane Pezzutti who will guide us through some recent listener questions regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today we’ll look at the concept of her Immaculate Conception. Namely, how could it be that Mary was sinless? Do we have proof? Wasn’t Jesus the only one without sin and that this is precisely the reason God sent him to save us? 

May is the perfect month to review some of these questions, not only to satisfy our reason, but to hopefully increase our devotion as well t...

This week on the SSPX Podcast we address the sensitive topic of pregnancies out of wedlock. These occurrences, though hopefully rare, do happen and Catholics should know how to address them prudently and in the light of Catholic moral teaching.

Moreover, out-of-wedlock pregnancies raise a host of questions, with the most prevalent being, “Must the father and mother of the child enter into marriage?” This was the main question from a listener which sparked this episode. But Father Ian Palko and I will dive into some connected questions as well; concerning the relationship between unwed parents, their respec...

In this episode, drawn from the archives of the SSPX Podcast, we address the question of why do some say “Holy Spirit” and others “Holy Ghost” when referring to the third person of the Holy Trinity. Do they mean the same thing? And if so, what are the origins of this terminological difference? And, most importantly, does it matter?

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W6GqOnZWR_k

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Before the scientific discoveries of the late 19th century, most adherents of Catholicism and Protestantism believed that the earth and universe were 6000 years old, based on a chronology derived from the Bible. However, after the discovery of the radioactive behavior of atoms, developments in the study of geology, and accurate measurement of star distances provided solid scientific evidence for a universe and earth of an age in the billions of years, Catholic exegetes abandoned the idea that the earth was 6000 years old. Fundamentalist Protestants, however, clung to the idea that this was a teaching of the Bible, and seek...

On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue our discussion from the last episode on Young Earth Creationism. As covered on the last episode, Catholics are not obligated to believe the earth or universe is 6,000 years old; it is not a question of faith. In this episode we examine more closely specific arguments which suggest that young-earth-creationism and geocentricism—a description of the universe that places earth at its center—are parts of the deposit of the Faith. In so doing, Fr. Paul Robinson helps Catholics further distinguish between what the Catholic Church teaches infallibly and scientific views...

On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we’ll dive back into our Questions with Father episodes with a topic we touched on about 6 years ago: Young Earth Creationism. Many Catholics claim that it is doctrinal, and morally necessary to believe that the earth was created in a particular time, or in a particular way. In this episode and a following one to come later, Fr. Paul Robinson will lay out the Catholic perspective on not just this topic, but broadly, what a Catholic should believe in terms of Scripture and Science.

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Duration: 01:13:27

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, has been front and center in the news following the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that embryos created through IVF are legally “children” for the purposes of that state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. In the wake of the decision, politicians, religious leaders, and laypeople who view themselves as “pro-life” have wrestled publicly with legal and practical questions surrounding IVF, including its availability. Catholics, for their part, know–or ought to know–that the Church opposes IVF, though many remain unsure as to why. If IVF assists couples in having children, is this not a good...

As we have already touched on in earlier episodes, screens and the content they deliver adversely affect the mental and emotional maturation of young people, with some content–such as pornography–inflicting lifelong damage. These dangers are considered in more detail today, with special attention paid to the responsibilities that all parents must shoulder to ensure their children grow up mentally, emotionally, and above all, spiritually healthy.

Included in this discussion are lessons for how adults, too, can take steps to protect themselves in our omnipresent digital age.

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Duration: 01:00:11

As we have already touched on in earlier episodes, screens and the content they deliver adversely affect the mental and emotional maturation of young people, with some content–such as pornography–inflicting lifelong damage. These dangers are considered in more detail today, with special attention paid to the responsibilities that all parents must shoulder to ensure their children grow up mentally, emotionally, and above all, spiritually healthy. Included in this discussion are lessons for how adults, too, can take steps to protect themselves in our omnipresent digital age.

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eCuuSTAns9s

The long lasting effects of pornography cannot be understated. Exposure to it, especially at a young age, can leave an imprint on the mind that remains for years. Repeated exposure often leads to addiction, which is not easily overcome. Although all things are possible with God’s grace, those who have been exposed to this harmful material must not only have recourse to the sacraments, but take strong proactive steps to eliminate future opportunities to view this sinful material. Parents must be especially vigilant to ensure that unprotected smart phones and other electronic devices are not left unattended lest the ch...

In this fifth installment in our ongoing Digital Dangers series, we confront one of the most troubling topics in the digital age: pornography. Although pornographic material has been around for literally thousands of years, never before in human history has it been so widely disseminated and easily accessible. The pornography industry, which generates tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue, profits off the addictive nature of this imagery while preying on the young. While Catholics are likely familiar with the grave moral issues surrounding this, they may not be fully aware of the psychological, emotional, and spiritual damage...

In this fourth episode of our ongoing Digital Dangers series, we explore one of the most dominant aspects of our digital age: social media. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X–formerly known as Twitter–allow literally billions of people to share content around the world in seconds. Much of this content is relatively benign, with people sharing family photos, updates on major life events, or thoughts on their favorite sports teams and television shows. However, these platforms also allow for the spread of disinformation, profanity, and other harmful material on an unprecedented scale. Individuals and entities can misl...

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is in the headlines following an Alabama Supreme Court decision holding that frozen embryos can be considered children under the law. While many Catholics laud this decision, just as many if not more are unaware of the Church’s teaching on IVF and the serious moral questions raised by this practice.

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nw5j21--U9I

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We’ll continue exploring the effects of modern technology on our lives, particularly our mental and spiritual health. As discussed in the last episode, technological tools such as smartphones and state-of-the-art search engines like Google grant us unprecedented access to nearly unlimited information. In addition, algorithms and tracking software lead us through a sea of content calibrated to our interests, which keeps us fixed to our devices. In this episode, we discuss why this is dangerous and what we can do to place ourselves on guard against an overwhelming amount of content, much of which is misleading and potentially ha...

Today, in the second part of our ongoing series Digital Dangers, we examine the effects of modern technology on our mental fitness, spiritual well being, and even our physical health. While technology such as smartphones, state-of-the-art search engines, and artificial intelligence give us access to vast reservoirs of information, are we harming ourselves intellectually through the superficial acquisition of knowledge? What adverse effects does this technology have on brain development and can it lead to addiction? Moreover, is technology damaging our capacity to have interpersonal relationships and, most importantly, a relationship with God?

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Welcome back to the SSPX Podcast, where we’re diving into our new series, Digital Dangers! In this ten-part series, we’ll answer questions about modern technology’s complicated nature and its lurking hazards. In a world where technology reigns supreme, we’ll explore its effects on us, our children, and our eternal destiny. How do we shield ourselves and our loved ones from the perils of the online, artificial world? Are smartphones a blessing or a curse? How can we safely navigate the digital landscape without damaging the sanctuary of our family homes? Join us as we tackle these qu...

Welcome back to the SSPX Podcast, where we’re diving into our new series, Digital Dangers! In this ten-part series, we’ll answer questions about modern technology’s complicated nature and its lurking hazards. In a world where technology reigns supreme, we’ll explore its effects on us, our children, and our eternal destiny. How do we shield ourselves and our loved ones from the perils of the online, artificial world? Are smartphones a blessing or a curse? How can we safely navigate the digital landscape without damaging the sanctuary of our family homes? Join us as we tackle these qu...

On the final episode of the Apologetics Series, we answer one last remaining question, “How do we know with certainty that we should join the Catholic Church?” Over the past 41 episodes we have shown that God exists, that His Word is true, that we can find Him, that Jesus is Him, and that the Church was given to us for our salvation. Yet we may still wonder if we should join an institution that has had corrupt leaders throughout history and today appears to be self-contradictory at points. Fr. David Sherry will join us for the final word.

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Duration: 00:42:21

On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue with the “Why Not” questions about what is reasonable to believe. In this episode, we turn our attention to Judaism. The Jewish people were the chosen people of God with whom He made a divine Covenant. Given this, is it true that this Covenant is still valid? Following the coming of Jesus Christ and the founding of the Church, is it right to practice Judaism today?

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From the 2023 Angelus Press Conference for Catholic Tradition.

The Angelus Press Conference for Catholic Tradition is a unique opportunity to have a life-changing Catholic experience while deepening your faith. This annual Conference, which will be held between October 11-13, 2024, provides a chance to socialize with fellow Catholics, meet priests and religious, and attend lectures on the traditional Catholic Faith. Daily Mass and confessions are also available. 

The 2024 Conference is being hosted at the Hilton Kansas City Airport – 8801 NW 112th St, Kansas City, MO 64153.

Get your tickets for 2024: https://angeluspress.org/pages/conferences

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Duration: 01:17:53

On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue with the “Why Not” questions about what is reasonable to believe. In this episode, we examine Mormonism or, as it is officially known, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. On the surface, there are many similarities between Mormon families and traditional Catholic families. Their values seem to match up. But even though the surface is similar, there are substantial differences between Mormon beliefs and Christianity.

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On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we continue with the “Why Not” questions about what is or is not reasonable to believe by examining Islam. Islam is the second largest religion in the world behind Christianity and therefore warrants special attention. To help unpack this religion, we review the so-called “Five Pillars of Islam” while exploring whether it has some of the same basic roots as Judaism and Christianity.

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On today’s episode of the SSPX Podcast, we’ll start our last batch of episodes – those dealing with the “why not” questions about what is reasonable to believe. Today we’ll be looking at the basic premise of Paganism – why Polytheism, animism, spiritualism, even if they have been at times very popular in history, and seem to be trendy now, simply don’t make sense to the reasonable person. We’ll see how, based on logic, the ideas inherent in Hinduism, Buddhism, and native or aboriginal spiritualities simply won’t match up to reality.

You can find notes to all th...

This is one of the most common objections to the Catholic Faith, namely that Catholics pray to Mary and the saints instead of going directly to Jesus. This criticism, common among Protestants, is often rooted in the Bible’s directive to go directly to Jesus and His Father.