
Crash Course Catholicism
A summary of the teachings of the Catholic Church, given to you in short, easy-to-digest episodes, uploaded fortnightly.
Episodes
91 episodes
88 - Hope!
Happy 2025! Let's talk about Hope!Pope Francis has declared 2025 a jubilee year - a year of reconciliation, healing, and mercy. The theme for this jubilee year is "Pilgrims of Hope." So what does it mean to have Hope? How can we grow in...
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Season 2
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Episode 88
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31:54

87 - Mary: Conceived without sin
What does the "Immaculate Conception" mean? Where do we see evidence of Mary's sinlessness in the Bible? What did the early church fathers have to say about Mary? Why is Mary so important?In this episode, we look at the Catholic church'...
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Season 2
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Episode 87
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31:36

86 - How Annulment Works
What is a declaration of nullity, and how is it different from divorce? Can the Catholic church ever dissolve a marriage? What factors would render a marriage null? What does the process of annulment involve?In this episode, we look at ...
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Season 2
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Episode 86
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33:32

85 - Some Useful Terminology
What's the difference between doctrine and dogma? What's an ecumenical council and how is it different from a synod? What's an encyclical, or an apostolic exhortation, or a papal bull?In this episode, we cover terminology that often com...
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Season 2
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Episode 85
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31:37

84 - How The Pope Works
Why does the Catholic church have a pope? What does the pope do? Is he always infallible? Who chooses the pope? What should we do about bad popes?In this episode, we look at how the papacy works.
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Season 2
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Episode 84
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38:53

83 - How Angels Work
What does the Catholic church teach about angels? How many angels are there? Can they read our minds or see the future? Can I give my guardian angel a name?In this episode we cover the church's teaching on the angels, and tell some stor...
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Season 2
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Episode 83
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33:26

82 - St. Paul and St. Mary Magdalene
Paul and Mary Magdalene were not part of the twelve apostles, but they WERE two incredibly important figures in the early Christian church. They were also both just completely awesome. In this episode, we wrap up our discussion of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 82
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36:21

81 - The Apostles (IV): Thomas, Bartholomew, Simon, Jude, Judas, and Matthias
Who were the apostles? What were their lives like? What do we know about them? In these episodes, we unpack the lives of the apostles (plus a couple of bonus extras). Today, we continue with Matthew and John.
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Season 2
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Episode 81
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30:34

80 - The Apostles (III): Matthew and John
Who were the apostles? What were their lives like? What do we know about them? In these episodes, we unpack the lives of the apostles (plus a couple of bonus extras). Today, we continue with Matthew and John.
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Season 2
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Episode 80
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30:19

79 - The Apostles (II): Andrew, Philip, James the Greater, James the Lesser.
Who were the apostles? What were their lives like? What do we know about them? In these episodes, we unpack the lives of the apostles (plus a couple of bonus extras). Today, we continue with four apostles: Andrew, Philip, and the two Jameses.
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Season 2
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Episode 79
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24:55

78 - The Apostles (I): Simon Peter
Who were the apostles? What were their lives like? What do we know about them? In the next few episodes, we're going to unpack the lives of the apostles (plus a couple of bonus extras), beginning with this episode on Simon Peter.
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Season 2
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Episode 78
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25:40

77 - The Mystery of Suffering
In this life, are we supposed to suffer or to be happy? Why does God allow us to suffer? Is suffering compatible with joy? In this episode, we explore the mystery of suffering.
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Season 2
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Episode 77
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36:16

76 - How Jesus' Humanity Works
Did Jesus always know that he was God, or did he acquire that knowledge at some point during his childhood or adolescence? Were there things that Jesus didn't know when he was on earth? Did he know what was going to happen in the future? Was Je...
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Season 2
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Episode 76
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26:23

75 - Eucharistic Miracles
Every. Single. Mass. Is a miracle. Eucharistic miracles remind us of that fact. In this episode, we discuss four amazing incidents, three of which occurred in the last thirty years. In each of these miracles, a communion host transforme...
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Season 2
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Episode 75
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25:31

74 - Bl. Carlo Acutis: An ordinary teenager who became a saint
Pope Francis has just announced that Blessed Carlo Acutis is going to be the first millenial saint. Carlo Acutis was an ordinary teenager who died suddenly at the age of 15. He was known for his love of God, and in particular for his love for J...
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Season 2
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Episode 74
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31:59

73 - How Freedom Works
If the point of my faith is to set me free, why are there so many things I *have* to do as a Catholic? What should I do when I feel like I'm doing things because I have to and not because I want to? What's the difference between being free and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 73
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29:44

72 - How Vocation Works
Does everyone have a vocation? How do I know what my vocation is? Can I say no to God's call? What if I make the wrong choice?In this episode, we discuss what it means to live out our call to holiness and apostolate in a unique, persona...
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Season 2
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Episode 72
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29:56

71 - St. Gianna Beretta Molla: Wife, Mum, Doctor, Saint
St. Gianna Beretta Molla was born in 1922. As a young woman, she wanted to be a missionary but eventually saw that God was calling her to marriage and family life. She became a pediatrician, and she and her husband Pietro had three children. Th...
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Season 2
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Episode 71
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29:36

70 - How Indulgences Work
What's an indulgence? How do I obtain one? Is it true that the Catholic church sold indulgences in the past?In this episode, we wrap up our discussion on penance and contrition in the lead-up to Holy Week.
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Season 2
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Episode 70
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23:51

69 - How to go to Confession (and make it a good one!)
What should I say in the confessional? What happens if I forget one of my sins, or forget to say my penance? Can non-Catholics go to confession?This episode is a practical guide for going to confession.
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Season 2
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Episode 69
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28:18

68 - Lent and Easter
What are the origins of Lent? Do I have to give something up? Why is there no mass on Good Friday? How long does the Easter season last? (Hint: ages)In this episode, we discuss the Lenten and Easter Seasons.
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Season 2
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Episode 68
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27:39

67 - Ecumenism and Apostolate
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19)How does the Catholic church dialogue with other faiths and denominations without compromising on the truth? Why is it important to have friends who don't share my beliefs?...
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Season 2
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Episode 67
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32:06

66 - Unity and Diversity
How do we balance unity and diversity within the Catholic church? Do Catholics have to accept every single one of the official teachings of the church? Does union with the pope mean accepting and believing every single thing he says?In ...
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Season 2
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Episode 66
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33:41

65 - Gifts and Charisms of the Holy Spirit
What are charisms? Do Catholics believe that people can speak in tongues? How do I know what my unique gifts are?Happy New Year! Welcome to our first episode of 2024!
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Season 2
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Episode 65
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28:20

64 - Advent and CHRISTMAS!!!
What should we do during Advent? Have we always celebrated Christmas on the 25th December? What are the origins of the Christmas tree and the nativity scene? In this episode, we discuss one of the most beautiful and important times in t...
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Season 2
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Episode 64
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22:21
