John the Baptist's Birthday - Cause for Celebration
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
Release Date: 06/23/2026
Peter, the Pope and the Keys 20th Sunday A
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
When we think about the Pope, we often think of the Vatican. But the roots of the Papacy are in the Old Testament as well as in the Gospel story of Jesus changing Simon’s name to Peter and giving him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. More Catholic than the Pope.” There is nothing more quintessentially Catholic than the When we think “Catholic,” we think Rome, the Vatican, the dome of St. Peters.
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Assumption of Mary, Meaning & Origin
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
In this 15 minute podcast, Anna Mitchell, host of the Sonrise Morning show, asks Marcellino D'Ambrosio (aka "Dr. Italy") about the origins and meaning of the dogma and feast of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on August 15th.
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St. Maximilian Kolbe, Chaplain of Auschwitz
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
In this podcast, other aspects of Kolbe’s life are also discussed which are little known. Kolbe founded a new monastery near Warsaw that grew into a veritable city, with over 1,000 Franciscan Friars living a live of prayer and apostolic activity. This monastery was so large that, in the early days of World War II, before it was shut down by the Nazis, it harbored close to 2,000 Jewish refugees, hiding them from the Germans. Before the war, St. Maximilian saw the importance of using modern media for evangelization, and so began publishing a weekly magazine, and then a daily...
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Saint Clare of Assisi
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
But St. Clare deserves more than a footnote appearing in a life of another saint. Unlike Francis, she was a noblewoman, being groomed to marry a wealthy knight or even duke, but she forsook a life of privilege to live in the same abject poverty as St. Francis and his earliest disciples, founding a woman’s branch of the Franciscan Order. Despite her austerities and constant poor health, she nursed Francis in his final days of suffering and blindness and outlived him, going on to become an adviser to bishops and Popes
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Walking on the Water - Fear, Faith, and Trials
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
The gospel story of Jesus walking on the water and Peter sinking has much to teach us about the difference between fear, little faith, and the kind of trust that endures waves and storms, trials and crisis. One of the most famous stories of the New Testament is the one about Jesus walking on the water. If there is any gospel story we never tire of hearing, this is it.
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Transfiguration on Mount Tabor
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
Podcast discussing the beauty of Mount Tabor and the glory and meaning of the Transfiguration, a pivotal event in the life of Jesus that Catholics celebrate every August 6. 14 minute interview of Dr. Italy by Sonrise Morning Show radio host Anna Mitchell. The Transfiguration was indeed a pivotal event in the life of Jesus and his three closest disciples, Peter, James and John. Right after Peter confesses him to be the Messiah and Jesus makes clear that he would be a suffering messiah, they ascend a mountain to pray (luke 9). Neither Luke nor the other evangelists who tell the...
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The Principles Behind the Loaves and the Fish 18th_A
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
The famous miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes calls us to trust that when we offer the Lord our ordinary and scanty resources, he will work a wonder of transformation, just like he transforms the bread and wine of the Eucharist. One of the most famous miracles of Jesus is the only one recorded in all four gospels–the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.
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Martha, Mary, Prayer & Service
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
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, how is this fair? Secondly, why would Jesus apparently praise Mary sitting on her behind while Martha slaves in the kitchen? In this 20 minute podcast, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, aka Dr. Italy, discusses these issues with Anna Mitchell of the Sonrise Morning show. When you listen, you'll be surprised at what they come up with!
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Is the Kingdom of God Liberal or Conservative, Old or New?
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
How does the Kingdom of God relate to conservative versus liberal values? Should those seeking the pearl of great price look for it in realms that are more traditionalist and old or more progressive and new?
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Joachim, Anne, and the Role of Grandparents
Catholic Heritage with Dr. Italy
On July 26, the Latin rite of the Catholic Church honors the Grandparents of Jesus, parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. Matt Swaim asks Dr. Italy (Marcellino D'Ambrosio) just how we know about them, given that their names are not mentioned in the New Testament. After discussing the second century document, the Protoevangelium of St. James which is our source for Joachim and Anne, Dr. Italy talks about how Joachim and Ann were the ones to form Mary in the faith of the people of Israel and most probably had a role in the life of the messiah as well. He also...
info_outlineOn June 24, the Church observes a solemn feast in honor of the birth or nativity of John the Baptist. No other saint's birthday is celebrated with such solemnity. The unique role of the Forerunner, the Voice crying out in the Wilderness, in the history of salvation is part of the reason. But also the Church wants to draw our attention to the witness of John's character. It teaches us much about the path to holiness and the Kingdom of God.