The final session of the Council of Trent opened today in 1562. This would define Catholicism for the next four hundred years, a sadly mark the definite rupture with Protestantism. 

Today in 1525, the Zurich City Council arranged a public debate between Ulrich Zwingli and the Anabaptists who were opposed to infant Baptism.   In reality there was more at stake than baptism, 

Its 1412, The church is divided into three claims to the papacy, and the Medici become the Pope's bankers and one of the most powerful families in Europe

Today in 1892  chaplain and teacher James Naismith publishes the rules of basketball at the Springfield YMCA in Massachusetts. This is the story. 

The remarkable life and faith of Albert Schweitzer, who was born today in 1875

Today's pod looks at the life of a remarkable Scottish Woman, who dedicated her life to saving twins from infanticide amongst tthe Okoyong people in Nigeria

Today in 1897 saw the discovery of some half a million papyrus fragments in a remarkable archeological discovery in Egypt. This increased our knowledge of the ancient world include the Bible.  

Today the 11th of January we remember the Danish Bishop and pioneer in anatomy and geology Nicholas Steno, who was born today (according to the Gregorian Calendar)

On the 10th of January 1984, The United States and the Vatican established full diplomatic relations for the first time in 117 years.  Today's pod looks a little at the bromance between President Reagan and Pope John Paul II <...

Today millions of Phillipinos accompany a 7km procession of a statue of Christ carrying his cross in Manila. It lasts up to 22 hours and the intensity of devotion it inspires leads some to  risk their lives... find out why in today's podca...

Today's episode looks at the curious phenomenon of Gauchito Gill killed today in1878. With his roadside shrines all over Argentina, he is venerated as a saint although not yet declared one by the church. 

Today in 1610 Galileo Galilei observed 4 moons of Jupiter. This observation changed the way we understood the universe and led to conflict with the scientific community and then the Church. Todays pod explores this story. 

Today in 1893 Congress chartered the building of the Washington National Cathedral, Today's pod explores a remarkable building that is now of unifying importance for the nation. 

 Today is the last day of Christmas, so we explore the origins of Twelfth Night Festivities and answer the question why does Christmas last 12 days?

The Boys Scouts becomes a worldwide movement today in 1912 as the Scout Association was incorporated throughout the British Empire by royal charter. Today's pod looks at how the promise to do my duty to God has waxed and waned over the years&nb...

The amazing story of Father Damian, the apostle of lepers, who was born today in 1840

Today the Anglican Priest John Newton introduced a new hymn called I Chronicles 17.16-172 this has since became known as Amazing Grace, We look at how it has  become one of the most popular hymns of all time 

We look at how Abraham Lincoln saved the constitution and kept the country together - but wasn't able to change the constitution to acknowledge the deity

The ground breaking film Ben Hur was based on the novel that was voted the most influential Christian Book of the 19th Century.  It tells the fictional story of a Jewish prisoner, who encounters Christ  and eventually is freed from sl...

Thomas Beckets murder in Canterbury Cathedral made him one of the most popular saints of the medieval period and Canterbury became a pilgrimage destination for many from around Europe

John Wycliffe was a reforming priest from the 14th Century.  However he grew more critical and distant from the Pope and Church and inspired a group called the Lollards.  Sometimes he is called the evening star of scholasticism and th...

The building that has become iconic in Istanbul, today was consecrated as a church 'The Holy Wisdom',  Under the Ottomans it became a mosque, Attaturk turned into a museum and Erdogan has turned it back into a mosque

The first nurses on a US Navy hospital ship where 3 sisters from the Order of the Holy Cross - this is their story during the US Civil war

The Philocalus Calendar is the first time we have Christmas Day recorded as an annual feast