045 - Apparitions of Mary
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
Why have there been apparitions of the Virgin Mary around the world throughout the centuries? The Catholic Church takes them very seriously and conducts long, careful investigations before endorsing any of them. This episode explores a number of them and shows how they all accomplish the same goals, to point people to Jesus, to call for prayer, and to provide hope. We examine some of the approved apparitions; primarily Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico (1531) and Our Lady of Lourdes in France (1858). We look at some of the historically significant apparitions including; Our Lady of...
info_outline
044 - Angels
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
Angels are discussed all through the Bible, but what are they? Many people think that when they die, they will become angels. They won't!!! Humans are 'hylomorphic' beings. We are hybrids that exist between the angles, who are purely spiritual beings and animals, which are purely material beings. We are the hybrids because we have material bodies and spiritual souls. So, what are Angels? St. Thomas Aquinas (known as the "Angelic Doctor") used the Bible to describe 9 choirs of angels. The highest, The Seraphim and Cherubim directly serve God in heaven. The lowest, the Archangels and...
info_outline
043 - The Beatitudes
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
This episode explroes the Catholic understanding of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) as the heart of Jesus’ preaching—less about “being happy” and more about becoming holy. Walking beatitude by beatitude, the episode contrasts the world’s idea of happiness with the Christian path of flourishing through humility, repentance, gentleness, justice, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and endurance under persecution. Key Takeaways 1. The Beatitudes describe what grace produces in a disciple. They are less “commands” and more...
info_outline
042 - Therese of Lisieux - Story of A Soul
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
How did a cloistered teenage nun who died of Tuberculosis at 24 become a Doctor of the Church? In Episode 42, we explore the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her revolutionary “Little Way” of love, trust, and spiritual childhood. This is a story of humility that changed the Church—and can change your life. Please visit our website: . You can sign up for our newsletter, leave me a voice message with a comment or suggestion, get connected with us on socials, and you can become a Patron who makes all of this magic happen! AllRoadsLeadToRome.net We are also...
info_outline
041 - How Catholics Read the Bible
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
Many Christians assume the Bible is easy to read: “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it.” But is that how Scripture has actually been read throughout history? In this episode, we explain why Scripture was never meant to stand alone and how the Church has consistently interpreted the Bible from the time of the early Church Fathers to today. Key Points: Why the Bible is not a single book, but a library of 73 inspired books How different literary genres in Scripture require different ways of reading Why Jesus established a Church, not a book—and...
info_outline
040 - The Atonement
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
The Atonement is the word used to describe the meaning of the death of Jesus on the cross. It is also why him being executed is the symbol for the Christian religion. This episode explores the mystery of the Atonement—how Christ’s death on the Cross restores humanity’s broken relationship with God. T Catholic understanding of the Atonement is a rich, multi‑dimensional mystery rooted in Scripture, shaped by the Fathers of the Church, clarified by St. Thomas Aquinas, and lived out in the sacraments. This episode explains why Catholic theology refuses to reduce the Cross to just...
info_outline
039 - Stations of the Cross
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
The Stations of the Cross is a powerful and uniquely Catholic devotional practices. It is mostly associated with Lent, but it can be prayed at any time and invites believers to enter deeply into the suffering, death, and redemptive love of Christ on Good Friday. Rather than treating Christ’s Passion as a historical footnote or a mere prelude to the Resurrection, the Stations ask us to walk with Jesus, contemplate each moment of His suffering, and unite our own pain with His. This episode explains why that kind of prayer matters, especially when faith is tested by personal suffering....
info_outline
038 - A Priest Talks About Confession
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
info_outline
037 - The Catechism - Part 4
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
Part 4 of the Catholic Catechism focuses on Christian Prayer. Prayer is not merely a duty or a chore to complete; it is a gift from God and the lifeblood of authentic Christian faith. Drawing on Scripture, the Catechism, and insights from saints like Thérèse of Lisieux, Padre Pio, and St. Anselm, this episode explains what prayer truly is, why it matters, and how it forms us in holiness. Prayer is at the heart of the Christian life. In this episode, we learn that prayer is not primarily our attempt to reach God, but our response to God who reaches out to us first. The...
info_outline
036 - The Catechism - Part 3
All Roads Lead to Rome: On Becoming Roman Catholic (OCIA)
Part 3 of the Catholic Catechism focuses on Human Dignity, the Moral life, and the 10 Commandments. Key Topics Human Dignity and Moral Life Catholic morality begins with recognizing the inherent dignity of the human person, made in the image of God. True morality flows from understanding who we are and whose we are. Seeing Christ in Others Drawing from Matthew 25, the episode emphasizes seeing Jesus in the poor, the suffering, and the marginalized. This vision underlies the Church’s commitment to charity, social justice, and the sanctity of human life Beatitude:...
info_outlineEpisode Title: 026 - Christmas
Description: In this episode, Dr. Bickford explores the historical, theological and cultural aspects of Christmas. We review the meaning of the Incarnation, prophesies of the birth of the Messiah, the birth of Jesus, and various cultural practices that have developed.
Recommended Reading: The True Meaning of Christmas by Michael Patrick Barber.
Key Points:
- Historical and Religious Context:
- Explanation of the origin and meaning of Christmas.
- Discussion on the existence of Jesus and the historical evidence supporting it.
- Reference to the Catechism and its teachings on Christmas.
- The Incarnation of Jesus:
- Explanation of the belief in Jesus as the Incarnation of God.
- Reference to the Nicene Creed and its description of Jesus.
- Prophecies and Birth of Jesus:
- Discussion on the prophecies about Jesus' birth and their significance.
- Description of the events leading up to Jesus' birth, including the visits of the Archangel Gabriel to Zechariah and Mary.
- Journey to Bethlehem:
- Explanation of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and the significance of Bethlehem.
- Description of the status of Mary and Joseph and the legal aspects of their betrothal.
- Birth of Jesus:
- Description of the birth of Jesus in a cave and the significance of the manger.
- Explanation of the tradition of the Christmas creche and its origins.
- Announcement to the Shepherds:
- Description of the angel's announcement to the shepherds and their significance.
- Discussion on the role of shepherds in society and their representation in the Christmas story.
- Visit of the Wise Men:
- Description of the visit of the Wise Men and the significance of their gifts.
- Explanation of the traditional date of their arrival and the celebration of Epiphany.
- Date of Christmas:
- Discussion on the date of Christmas and the arguments against it being chosen to replace a pagan holiday.
- Explanation of the significance of living a "full of years" life and its relation to Jesus' birth date.
- Christmas Traditions:
- Explanation of various Christmas traditions, including creches, the Christmas tree and Santa Claus.
- Discussion on the commercialization of Christmas and the importance of focusing on its religious meaning.
- Favorite Christmas Hymn:
- It ends with a reading of "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" and its significance.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please let us know at: MSBickford@AllRoadsLeadToRome.net
Please follow, subscribe, and leave a review! Also check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and X
Please tell A Catholic Curious friend about us!