FACTS

Join me for a special Daddy-Daughter Date Podcast as my daughter and I explore the life of her patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi.
Most people know Francis as the saint who loved animals, but his story is much bigger than that. We talk about his wealthy upbringing, his dreams of becoming a knight, his conversion, his encounter with lepers, the call to “rebuild my Church,” his friendship with St. Clare, his radical poverty, the Christmas scene at Greccio, his meeting with the Sultan during the Crusades, the stigmata, and his final years.
Along the way, we talk about what Francis can teach us about following Christ, caring for others, making peace, loving creation, and becoming holy in everyday life.
This episode is meant to be fun, thoughtful, and simple enough for kids while still taking the history and faith of St. Francis seriously.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

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What really happened during the Fourth Crusade?Historian Dr. Thomas Madden joins me to explain how the crusade began, why Egypt was its original target, and how financial problems with Venice led the crusaders toward Zara and ultimately Constantinople. We also discuss Pope Innocent III’s response, the role of the Byzantine prince Alexios, the sack of Constantinople in 1204, and the myths surrounding its violence and destruction.Finally, we examine who bears responsibility and whether the Fourth Crusade permanently divided Eastern and Western Christianity.Subscribe to FACTS with Stephen Boyce New episodes weekly on Scripture, Church history, and theology.Support our ministry: If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #theFACTSpodcast #StephenBoyce #ChurchHistory #EarlyChurchHistory

What does it look like to pursue authentic love and relationships in a culture increasingly shaped by hookups, dating apps, social media, and casual commitment?In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce is joined by EveRosemary (https://www.instagram.com/theeverosem...) for a conversation about modern dating from a Catholic perspective. We discuss hookup culture, chastity, saving $ex for marriage, dating apps, situationships, expectations between men and women, and why so many young adults seem to desire marriage while struggling to form lasting relationships.Can Catholic dating offer something different from what modern culture has normalized? And how can Catholics pursue relationships centered on genuine love, commitment, and ultimately marriage?Join us for an open conversation about Catholic dating in the age of hookup culture.Topics include: Catholic dating • Hookup culture • Chastity • Dating apps • Social media • Situationships • Marriage • Modern relationships • Catholic teaching on se*ulityhttps://www.theeverydaysaint.com/

In 1800, the Catholic Church appeared to be on the verge of collapse. Rome had been invaded, the Papal States seized, and Pope Pius VI had died as a prisoner in France. Yet the cardinals gathered in Venice and elected another successor of Peter: Pope Pius VII.Only two months after his election, Pius VII issued Diu Satis, declaring that Peter “lives in his successors” and that every attempt to overthrow the House of God is ultimately in vain. In this episode, we examine the historical circumstances behind the letter, Pius VII’s appeal to Pope St. Martin I and St. Irenaeus, and his defense of the Church founded upon Peter—the Rock against which the gates of hell will not prevail.We will also consider the remarkable fact that the Vatican was built upon ground once belonging to pagan Rome, with St. Peter’s Basilica standing over the burial place of the apostle himself.Pius VII would eventually live the principles of his own letter. Napoleon had him arrested and held prisoner in France, but after Napoleon’s downfall, the pope protected his family and helped send the priest through whom his former persecutor returned to the sacraments and received the last rites.Napoleon could imprison the pope, but he could not destroy the papacy—and when Napoleon finally fell, Peter’s successor still sought the salvation of his soul.Link to Diu Satis: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius07/p7diusat.htm

Gavin Ortlund claims there are no clear examples of Christians praying to the saints during the first 200 years of Christianity—and that the Bible provides no warrant for the practice.In this episode, Stephen Boyce, Pat May, and William Albrecht respond by examining the biblical and historical evidence. We discuss Revelation 5 and 8, 2 Maccabees 15, Origen, Cyprian, Hippolytus, the Acts of Paul, Victorinus, and the early Christian inscriptions asking Peter and Paul to intercede.Does the evidence really begin 200 years after the New Testament, or is Gavin overlooking sources that directly challenge his argument?Join us as we work through the texts in their historical context.#GavinOrtlund #IntercessionOfTheSaints #ChurchFathers #catholicapologetics