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Episodes from Explaining the Faith with Fr. Chris Alar
The Two Pentecosts in the Bible & the 2nd Pentecost to Come!
We know about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit from the Bible in Acts 2, but do you know there were two Pentecosts in Scripture, including John 20? And what is the Second Pentecost still to come? Hear Fr. Chris Alar explain all about Pentecost and some fascinating aspects of it that most people have never heard of.
Amazing Story of St. Rita! The Saint of Impossible Cases
We all know the top saints who can help us with specific needs. But how about impossible cases? That would be the job for St. Rita. Make her your patron saint and find out how she can help you now. Hear Fr. Chris Alar explain her amazing story!
The Angels and the Ascension: What We Didn't Know
Surprisingly, Fr. Chris Alar has never done a Saturday Talk on the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. Join him now as he explains some fascinating facts that most of us do not know, including how the angels were involved!
The Hidden Life of the Holy Family from the Mystics (PART 2)
In Part 2 of 2, what did the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) talk about and do but was not recorded in the Bible? How do we know this? Answer: from tradition and from the mystics such as Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich, Ven. Mary of Agreda, St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Elizabeth of Schonau. Join Fr. Chris as he summarizes what these mystics have said about what happened within the Holy Family during their time in Egypt, during their hidden life in Nazareth, during the death of St. Joseph, and during the public ministry of Jesus. Interesting stories are...
The Hidden Life of the Holy Family from the Mystics (PART 1)
In Part 1 of 2, what did the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) talk about and do but was not recorded in the Bible? How do we know this? Answer: from tradition and from the mystics such as Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich, Ven. Mary of Agreda, St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Elizabeth of Schonau. Join Fr. Chris as he summarizes what these mystics have said about what happened within the Holy Family during their time in Egypt, during their hidden life in Nazareth, during the death of St. Joseph, and during the public ministry of Jesus. Interesting stories are...
Most Popular Saint in the World After Mary & Joseph: St. George
Few people know that outside the United States, the most popular saint in the world is St. George! Why? Was the story of him slaying a dragon real? Why is he honored in Islam? Hear Fr. Chris Alar tell this incredible story of the saint you need to know more about, because the rest of the world does.
Divine Mercy in the Liturgy: It's NOT Just a Devotion!
Divine Mercy is both a Message and a Devotion. As JPII and Pope Benedict stated, the message of Divine Mercy is NOT optional. It is the "nucleus of the Gospel" and an integral part of Christian life and prayer - not a secondary devotion. So in answer to all the criticism about St. Faustina and the devotional of Divine Mercy, Fr. Chris Alar explains where Divine is within the Mass: EVERYWHERE!
Meaning of the Stations of the Cross: Learn a Quick Way to Pray!
We all know about the Stations of the Cross but many people don't pray them often because they are inconvenient to get to and take too long to pray. Join Fr. Chris Alar as he gives you a better understanding of why we pray the Stations, how to understand them better, and a new way to pray them quickly!
The Last Supper: A Summary of Its Meaning
What we know about the Last Supper comes from the Bible, but what is the significance and the theology behind what Christ did? What is the symbolism and the teaching that Christ wants us to learn? Join Fr. Chris Alar as he shares with us what he learned in seminary about the Last Supper and help you to understand it in a better way than ever before.
Complete Summary and Meaning of Palm Sunday
We all know about receiving palms on Passion Sunday, and we know we read the account of the Crucifixion at Mass, but what else is important about this day? What are the traditions of Christians for centuries that are still in place but have also been lost? Hear Fr. Chris Alar explain.
Book of Job: Meaning of Suffering? It's More Than That!
We all know the story of poor Job. He was a good and righteous man but God allowed him to endure suffering beyond imagination. Why? The answer may surprise you - it isn't what you think. Join Fr. Chris Alar as he explains why this book of the Bible is different from any other.
Saints Perpetua & Felicity: What I Learned in Seminary
With so many Christian martyrs over the centuries, why do we remember these two and not many others? What really happened and how was one treated as the slave of the other? Join Fr. Chris Alar as he explains their incredible story and how it can help us today.