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Catholic History Trek

Catholic History Trek

By Scott Schulze & Kevin Schmiesing

A podcast exploring the history of the Catholic Church, especially the historical background of contemporary Catholic practices and issues. Hosted by Kevin Schmiesing and Scott Schulze.

To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal to CatholicHistoryTrek@gmail.com
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18: American Civil War Chaplain: Fr William Corby

Catholic History TrekMar 30, 2021

00:00
28:35
144. The Items of the Altar

144. The Items of the Altar

There are a lot of items involved in the celebration of a Catholic liturgy, and each of them has a name and a history.

In this gold-plated episode, Scott and Kevin provide a rundown of the chalices, patens, and things you may not even know the name for.


To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (KevinSchmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)

Thank you for your support!

Mar 22, 202429:39
143. Julian the Apostate’s 3rd Temple of Jerusalem

143. Julian the Apostate’s 3rd Temple of Jerusalem

Is returning the Jews to the Holy Land and rebuilding the temple a divine mandate for Christians, or is it working against the will of God?


I can’t answer that question. But I can take a historical look into the 4th century when the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate set out to rebuild the temple, and the divine intervention which followed that endeavor.


To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (CatholicHistoryTrek@gmail.com)

Thank you for your support!

Mar 14, 202413:27
142. Remembering the Alamo

142. Remembering the Alamo

Despite its humble beginning, Mission San Antonio de Valero was the nucleus of one of Texas’s largest cities and would become one of the nation’s most famous battlegrounds. Kevin traces the tumultuous history of the Alamo. 

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 23, Texas)


To help Catholic History Trek, please consider donating via PayPal (Kevin Schmiesing@CatholicHistoryTrek)

Thank you for your support!

Mar 07, 202411:04
141. Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary

141. Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary

Attributed to a couple men named Bernard, but written by neither, Scott looks at the history of the Memorare prayer.

(“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 13, Memorare)

Feb 24, 202407:12
140. Why Does a Priest Wear That? Part 2

140. Why Does a Priest Wear That? Part 2

In Episode 132 Scott and Kevin trekked thru the history of priestly vestments. In this episode they follow up with a historical tour of clerical clothing - cassocks, collars, and everything else in your comprehensive guide to clerical clothing. 

Feb 21, 202426:58
139. Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

139. Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

Even after Constantine's victory at Milvian Bridge, the Roman Empire was not free of Christian persecutions. Seven years later, a persecution in the eastern half of the empire would create the 40 martyrs of Sebaste.

 

On this episode, Scott treks thru their fate, their attempt to keep their number at 40, and Rome’s famous Lightning Legion.

 

("Martyrs" series no. 1, 40 Martyrs of Sebaste)

Feb 14, 202411:40
138. The Good Old Cathedral of the Holy Cross

138. The Good Old Cathedral of the Holy Cross

The “new” Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston dates to the 1870s. President John Adams was among the benefactors who enabled the construction of its predecessor, the city's first Catholic church.


(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 22, Massachusetts)

Feb 07, 202412:31
137. The Grave Sin of Eating Horses?

137. The Grave Sin of Eating Horses?

Was there a time when eating horse meat merited a penance comparable to committing murder? Find out in this episode, as Scott treks thru the history of the Catholic Church and her ban on consuming horses.

Jan 31, 202416:46
136. The Properties of the Church

136. The Properties of the Church

The Catholic Church owns a lot of property. How did that happen? Who actually owns the property? Can laypeople control Church property?

Scott and Kevin answer these questions—and a lot of others you didn’t know you had—as they explore the complicated and contentious history of Church property.

Jan 23, 202438:38
135. How To Die Like a Catholic

135. How To Die Like a Catholic

Death is not a comfortable topic for many but is a reality for all. In this episode Scott looks at the history of the Ars Moriendi, a popular Medieval text written to prepare one to die well.

Jan 15, 202412:29
134. Mary’s Montana Mission

134. Mary’s Montana Mission

Jesuit missionaries founded St. Mary’s Mission in the Bitterroot Valley, the first church in what would become the state of Montana.

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 21, Montana)

Jan 07, 202410:43
133. Catholics Against Alcohol?

133. Catholics Against Alcohol?

Throughout the 19th century, and into the early 20th century, a popular temperance movement swept across America and Western Europe which sought to end the consumption of alcohol.

 

In America, this movement peaked with the passage of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.


In this episode Scott covers the Catholic Temperance movement and Fr Theobald Matthew, the “Apostle of Temperance”.

Dec 30, 202314:29
132. Why Does a Priest Wear That?

132. Why Does a Priest Wear That?

Liturgical vestments are the distinctive articles of clothing worn by the Catholic clergy - primarily at the holy sacrifice of the mass. In this episode, Kevin and Scott take a look look at the purpose and history of each of these liturgical vestments.


Dec 22, 202333:04
131. Good King Wenceslas

131. Good King Wenceslas

According to the Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen.”

But who was Wenceslaus, and what is the feast of Stephen?

Scott treks thru the history of these two Catholic saints, and the carol that connects them.

Dec 14, 202310:02
130. Carolina's Old North Church

130. Carolina's Old North Church

William Gaston, the composer of North Carolina’s anthem, “The Old North State,” was also instrumental in building the state’s first Catholic church, St. Paul’s in New Bern.


(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 20, North Carolina)

Dec 06, 202308:07
129. St Olaf

129. St Olaf

In the era of Vikings, King Olaf is said to have gone from a raider and pillager, to champion of Christianity and worker of miracles.

Along the way, Scott treks thru the Heimskringla and the possible origin of the nursery rhyme, "London Bridge Is Falling Down".

Nov 29, 202314:28
128. Rails, Veils, and Other Lost Catholic Traditions

128. Rails, Veils, and Other Lost Catholic Traditions

Kevin and Scott describe a dozen historic practices that have, to one degree or another, been forgotten in much of the Catholic world. Join them in rediscovering the holy uses of chalk, salt, and tying knots.

Nov 22, 202349:08
127. Athleta Christi

127. Athleta Christi

Scott looks at the military leaders specially recognized by the popes as “Champions of Christ” for their victories over the enemies of the Church. These 4 men boldly held to both their God and their guns

Nov 14, 202313:59
126. The Historic Church of Minnesota

126. The Historic Church of Minnesota

The parish of St. Peter in Mendota Heights has two church buildings, and the older is known as “The Historic Church” for good reason. Among its nineteenth-century pastors was Auguste Ravoux, who was deeply involved in one of the largest executions in American history.

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 19, Minnesota)

Nov 07, 202319:14
125. Guardian Angel Prayer

125. Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom this podcast commits me here?

Scott explores the history of this popular Catholic prayer which seeks the aid and protection of one’s guardian angel.

("Catholic Prayers" series, no. 12, Angel of God)


Oct 31, 202309:41
124. Did Catholics Kill the President?

124. Did Catholics Kill the President?

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln is commonly thought to be the result of a plot hatched by Confederate sympathizers upset by the outcome of the Civil War.

But some Americans also detected a religious dimension: a sinister conspiracy orchestrated by the Catholic Church.

Were Catholics involved in Lincoln’s death? Kevin and Scott investigate.

Oct 23, 202339:45
123. Jedi Knights Templar

123. Jedi Knights Templar

Scott covers the history of the Knights Templar – their rise, their fall, and their connection to the Jedi from Star Wars.

Oct 15, 202320:06
122. The White Dove of the Desert

122. The White Dove of the Desert

An Italian Jesuit founded the San Xavier del Bac Mission near what is now Tucson in 1692. The mission’s charming adobe church still serves the area’s Catholics, including those of the Tohono O’odham Nation on whose land the mission stands.

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 18, Arizona)

Oct 07, 202308:23
121. Catholic Home Schooling

121. Catholic Home Schooling

Scott and his wife talk about the history of Catholic home schooling in America.

At the end of the episode, we get to hear from some home school students at the Red Barn co-op in west central Ohio.

Sep 30, 202310:49
120. The Twelve Apostles

120. The Twelve Apostles


Kevin and Scott tackle the twelve (or thirteen...) monumental figures at the genesis of Church history, the men who put the “apostle” in “apostolic.”

They sort out the Simons, Jameses, and Judes, outlining what we know from Scripture and peering into apocryphal accounts of their post-Pentecostal peregrinations.

Sep 22, 202338:47
119. Rifles for Pope Pius IX

119. Rifles for Pope Pius IX

In the 1860’s Pope Pius IX acquired nearly 16,000 of the best military firearms of their day – the Remington rolling block rifle.

In this episode Scott treks thru the history of these firearms, the Catholics who made them, and why the pope wanted them.

Sep 14, 202313:11
118. The Church of Charles Town

118. The Church of Charles Town

Still standing in the heart of historic Charleston, St. Mary of the Annunciation Church was the birthplace of Catholicism in the Carolinas.

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 17, South Carolina)

Sep 06, 202309:57
117. Heretics, Pagans, and Schismatics, oh my!

117. Heretics, Pagans, and Schismatics, oh my!

Scott covers the historical differences between Heretics, Pagans, Schismatics, and other non-Catholics.

Aug 31, 202315:27
116. Legendary Saints 2.0

116. Legendary Saints 2.0

Exploding torture wheels. Flying friars. Angelic interventions.

Scott and Kevin travel across twenty centuries of Church history to collect and assess some of the most spectacular stories associated with the saints.

(This episode has been republished to edit some audio issues that arose during the creation of the MP3 file)

Aug 23, 202330:01
115. H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks

115. H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks

What the Hell? In this episode Scott explores the history of Hell.

Aug 15, 202315:40
114. Honolulu’s Our Lady of Peace

114. Honolulu’s Our Lady of Peace

Hawaii may be the last of the fifty states, but its cathedral is one of the nation’s oldest. Kevin dives into the rich Catholic history of the Aloha state.

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 16, Hawaii)

Aug 07, 202310:29
113. Altar Boys

113. Altar Boys

Not sure what the difference is between the biretta, boat, chalice, ciborium, corporal, cruet, pall, paten or purificator? Ask an altar boy.

For centuries, well-trained altar boys have assisted the priest in celebrating the sacrifice of the holy mass.

In this episode Scott treks thru the history of these young men, and their duties.

Jul 31, 202317:27
112. The Assumption: Jerusalem or Ephesus?

112. The Assumption: Jerusalem or Ephesus?

Where did the Blessed Virgin Mary’s life on earth come to an end?

Scott and Kevin examine the historical cases for the major contenders, finding testimony in the lives and writings of the apostle John, the Greek theologian pseudo-Dionysius, and the German mystic Anne Catherine Emmerich. 


Jul 23, 202321:24
111. 40 Hours Devotion

111. 40 Hours Devotion

How did the number 40 become a Catholic devotional practice known as the 40 Hours Devotion (when the Eucharist is exposed for adoration over a period of 40 consecutive hours), and why did Catholic priests in Philadelphia oppose implementing this devotion at their parishes?

Find out in this episode of Catholic History Trek, which will cover 40 hours in a mere 11 minutes.

Jul 15, 202311:09
110. Green Mountain Catholicism

110. Green Mountain Catholicism

Another New England state, another pair of “cradles.” As with Maine, Kevin finds in Vermont two Catholic churches whose stories are entwined with the early history of the state: the Chapel of St. Anne on La Motte Island; and the Church of St. Mary in Burlington.


(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 15, Vermont)

Jul 07, 202310:55
109. The Pope and the Comet

109. The Pope and the Comet

Did Pope Callixtus III excommunicate Halley’s comet and order the ringing of bells to chase it away?

That is what many believe, based on the words of the author of a best-selling Medieval cookbook. But is it accurate?

In this episode Scott treks thru the real history of Pope Callixtus III and the comet.

Jun 29, 202313:55
108. Catholics in the Civil War

108. Catholics in the Civil War

Inject some Catholicism into your Civil War buffery! Scott and Kevin survey a few of the bishops, chaplains, nurses, and officers - North and South - who participated in various ways in the war that split the country.

Jun 21, 202331:23
107. Fatima Prayer

107. Fatima Prayer

For the past century Catholics have included the Fatima Prayer in their praying of the Rosary. But this prayer was only one of several given by the Blessed Virgin to the three shepherd children at Fatima.

Episode 11 in Scott's series on the history of various Catholic prayers.

Jun 13, 202312:23
106. Catholicism Comes to Kansas

106. Catholicism Comes to Kansas

In the 1830s, Kansas was Indian Territory. At the mission of St. Mary’s at Sugar Creek, Catholic Potawatomis and the priests and sisters who ministered to them laid the foundation on which the Church in Kansas was built. 

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 14, Kansas)

Jun 06, 202309:51
105. Receiving Holy Communion

105. Receiving Holy Communion

Communion in the hand or on the tongue? What about with a straw or on the eyes?


In this episode, Scott takes an unexpected journey thru the 2,000-year long history of how Catholics have received the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.

May 30, 202330:47
104. Popes in the Dock of History

104. Popes in the Dock of History

Kevin and Scott investigate several sensational papal controversies, including the “cadaver synod,” and “Hitler’s pope.” They examine the historical testimony, weigh the evidence, and issue verdicts: Guilty or Not Guilty?

May 22, 202338:50
103. Glory Be!

103. Glory Be!

Discover the origin of the prayer which is both a doxology and a stand against heresy.


(“Catholic Prayers” series, no. 10, Glory Be)

May 14, 202311:05
102. Ground Zero for Catholic New York

102. Ground Zero for Catholic New York

From Ven. Pierre Toussaint to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to Cardinal John McCloskey, some of US Catholicism’s most illustrious figures have passed through the doors of St. Peter's Church in Manhattan. Kevin takes a tour of this historic structure, including its role as a shelter in the midst of disaster on September 11, 2001.

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 13, New York)

May 06, 202312:35
101: Roberto Clemente & Gil Hodges

101: Roberto Clemente & Gil Hodges

With baseball season upon us, Scott looks at a pair of Catholic hall of fame players who are known not only for their baseball success, but also for how they lived their Catholic faith both on, and off, the field.

Apr 28, 202318:05
100: Catholic History Trek's 100th Episode

100: Catholic History Trek's 100th Episode

In this episode Kevin and Scott take an informal look back at the history of Catholic History Trek. They ponder the past, forecast the future, and share their thoughts on topics like favorite episodes and what their families think of the podcast.

Apr 20, 202333:59
99. Our Lady of Revelation at Tre Fontane

99. Our Lady of Revelation at Tre Fontane

“Death to the Pope!” gave Bruno purpose in life, until the Blessed Virgin Mary intervened.

This episode (which includes a special guest reader) brings together the martyrdom of St Paul, an Adventist’s plot to kill the pope, the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, and a modern Marian apparition.

Apr 12, 202315:01
98: Arkansas’s First Catholic Church

98: Arkansas’s First Catholic Church

In  the latest installment in his series on the states, Kevin visits Arkansas to recount the history of St. Mary’s Church in Plum Bayou.

(“Cradles of Catholicism” series, no. 12, Arkansas)

Apr 05, 202309:20
97. IHS

97. IHS

The 3 letters IHS can be found on Catholic buildings, altars, and art. But what do they mean, and what is their origin?

In this episode, Scott answers those questions, and debunks incorrect meanings associated with these letters.

Mar 29, 202318:07
96. The Church Needs Art

96. The Church Needs Art

Join Scott and Kevin on the via pulchritudinis, as they journey across the Church’s history highlighting a few of those Pope Paul VI called the “custodians of beauty” in our world. Learn about Catholic artists Giotto, Fra Angelico, Maria Hummel, John LaFarge, and more.

Mar 21, 202332:46
95. Mea Culpa

95. Mea Culpa

Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Scott covers the history of the penitential prayer offered at the beginning of the Catholic mass – the Confiteor.

Episode 9 in Scott’s series on the history of various Catholic prayers

Mar 13, 202313:57