The Simple Truth

11/26/25 - Maria Esperanza de Bianchini was born on November 22, 1928, in Barrancas, Venezuela, and from the age of five experienced mystical visions, including Thérèse of Lisieux appearing from the Orinoco River and giving her a red rose. At twelve, gravely ill, she saw the Our Lady of the Valley, who foretold her mission to "help save this world," after which her health was miraculously restored. Though she entered a convent in 1954, a vision involving a rose and the stigmata revealed her true vocation as a wife and mother, and she later founded Finca Betania, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared publicly beginning in 1976. Credited with extraordinary gifts—mystical visions, reading hearts, bilocation, and roses spontaneously emerging from her chest—she also founded the Betania Foundation to promote evangelization, family unity, and spiritual renewal. Maria Esperanza died on August 7, 2004, and in 2010 the Church formally opened her cause for beatification, granting her the title "Servant of God," leaving a legacy of faith, prayer, and divine intimacy that continues to inspire believers worldwide.

11/25/25 - Bishop Joseph Strickland unpacks his pastoral letter, "The Truth About Vatican II", revealing that while the Council was born from holy intentions, it was also shaped by human frailty and deliberate infiltration that has contributed to widespread confusion in the Church. He explains how many of Vatican II's ambiguous teachings have been twisted into a "spirit of rupture" that undermines the Church's timeless doctrine and calls for a hermeneutic of continuity, reading the Council through the lens of Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium rather than as a break in the Deposit of Faith. Bishop Strickland also reflects on his recent interactions at the annual USCCB meeting in Baltimore, where he boldly spoke out on pressing issues facing the Church and called for episcopal clarity on matters of faith, liturgy, and moral truth. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the need for reverent worship, fidelity to doctrine, and courageous leadership in an age of confusion.

11/24/25 - Fr. Francis Mary Roaldi, CFR, joins us to address the deep wounds and hidden suffering experienced by women and men after abortion. With compassion, clarity, and the heart of a true shepherd, Fr. Roaldi explains why no sin is beyond God's mercy, how Christ longs to restore every soul, and what the Church offers for real healing—from the Sacrament of Confession to ministries like Rachel's Vineyard and post-abortion counseling. Whether you are seeking healing yourself or hoping to support someone you love, this conversation will remind you that God never abandons His children and that peace, forgiveness, and restoration are truly possible.

11/21/26 - We explore the growing movement for legal and spiritual recognition of every pre-born child as a human person made in the image of God. As personhood becomes an increasingly urgent topic in the public square, we reflect on the Church's clear and unwavering teaching that human life must be protected from the moment of conception. We also highlight recent signs of hope, such as the National Men's March in Boston, where faithful men gathered to pray, repent, and publicly witness to the dignity of unborn children. We examine why personhood matters, how Catholics can effectively articulate the truth in a culture confused about the value of human life, and what concrete steps believers can take to build a society that recognizes, protects, and cherishes every human person, no matter how small.

11/20/25 - Today on The Simple Truth, Jim Havens recaps the Men's March to Abolish Abortion as well as the Rally for Personhood. If you enjoy The Simple Truth and the other great Catholic programs from The Station of the Cross, please consider making a donation of any size to support our apostolate! As a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, your donations are tax deductible and help us to continue spreading the Gospel to the airwaves for years to come! To donate, call 1-877-711-8500, visit thestationofthecross.com, or use your iCatholicRadio mobile app! We also offer a great assortment of thank-you gifts, which can be viewed at thestationofthecross.com! Thank you for your generosity!

11/19/25 - We are joined today by Joanne Wright, co-founder of The Station of the Cross Catholic Media Network! If you enjoy The Simple Truth and the other great Catholic programs from The Station of the Cross, please consider making a donation of any size to support our apostolate! As a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, your donations are tax deductible and help us to continue spreading the Gospel to the airwaves for years to come! To donate, call 1-877-711-8500, visit thestationofthecross.com, or use your iCatholicRadio mobile app! We also offer a great assortment of thank-you gifts, which can be viewed at thestationofthecross.com! Thank you for your generosity!

11/18/25 - Bill Baaki, attorney and dedicated board member of the historic Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Fultonville, New York, shares the deeply personal journey that drew him into a life of faith, service, and devotion to the North American Martyrs. Bill reflects on the moments of grace, suffering, and providence that shaped his spiritual path, the role the Shrine played in strengthening his love for the Church, and why the witness of the martyrs continues to transform lives today. His story offers hope, encouragement, and a reminder that God still works profoundly through holy places and courageous saints.

11/17/25 - Dr. Elizabeth Rex, president and co-founder of the Children First Foundation and one of the nation's leading advocates for "snowflake" embryo adoption, joins us for an in-depth Catholic examination of the moral questions surrounding the rescue and implantation of frozen embryos. Drawing on decades of pro-life research and testimony, Dr. Rex explains how embryo adoption developed in response to the explosion of IVF practices that left hundreds of thousands of tiny human beings abandoned in cryogenic storage, and she walks through the key points of contention within Catholic moral theology, including debates sparked by Dignitas Personae, concerns about whether adoption constitutes illicit "heterologous procreation," and the moral distinction between creating embryos versus rescuing already existing ones. She discusses real cases of families who have adopted embryos, the pastoral questions couples face, the urgent need for clarity as IVF expands in the United States, and why she believes embryo adoption represents a life-affirming and morally defensible response to the crisis of frozen human persons.

11/14/25 - We examine Bishop Joseph Strickland speaking out during the USCCB fall assembly about a confirmation liturgy on 8 November in which Gio Benítez - in a civil same‑sex marriage - was confirmed, his spouse acted as sponsor, and both received Holy Communion at a Mass concelebrated by James Martin, S.J. Bishop Strickland told the Committee on Doctrine, "Since we're in the area of doctrine… priests and others gathered celebrating the confirmation of a man living with a man openly. And it just needs to be addressed." Despite his appeal, the panel offered no response and moved on, leaving many observers concerned about the silence on such a serious doctrinal matter. We'll explore the theological and canonical issues raised, why faithful Catholics may feel persecuted from within, and what this could mean for bishops, sacramental integrity, and accountability in the Church.

11/13/25 - We welcome Ann Koshute, co-founder of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic ministry dedicated to walking with those struggling with infertility. Ann shares her own journey and the mission behind Springs in the Desert: to bring hope, understanding, and healing to men and women who often suffer in silence. We discuss the emotional, spiritual, and even marital challenges that accompany infertility, and how faith transforms that suffering into a path toward deeper intimacy with God. Ann explains how Springs in the Desert creates community through retreats, podcasts, and resources that affirm the dignity of couples and remind them that their fruitfulness isn't limited to biological parenthood but can flourish in countless spiritual and creative ways. Learn more about Springs in the Desert at https://springsinthedesert.org/

11/12/25 - Venerable Patrick Peyton was a priest whose devotion to the rosary reached millions worldwide. Born in 1909 in Ireland and later emigrating to the United States, Fr. Peyton experienced the hardships of immigrant life, which shaped his mission to strengthen families through prayer. As the founder of the Family Rosary Crusade, he used radio, television, and film to bring the rosary into homes, emphasizing that daily prayer can unite families and communities. His famous motto, "The family that prays together stays together," reflects his belief in prayer as a foundation for family life. We'll follow his journey from humble beginnings to global ministry, highlighting his faith, perseverance, and innovative approach to evangelization, showing how his message continues to inspire Catholic families to make prayer a central part of daily life.

11/7/25 - Jim Havens and Father Stephen Imbarrato, co-founders of the National Men's March to Abolish Abortion and Rally for Personhood, look back on a powerful weekend in Boston, Massachusetts — a gathering of thousands of men of faith who marched, prayed, and publicly witnessed to the truth that abortion is the preeminent moral crisis of our time. Jim and Father Imbarrato share firsthand accounts from the event, including moments of deep prayer and repentance and bold preaching on the streets of Boston. They reflect on how the men's public witness is awakening hearts, inspiring conversion, and calling the Church to greater courage in defending the unborn. From the opening prayers outside the Planned Parenthood clinic to the mass march and the rally in Boston Common, this recap captures the energy, unity, and spiritual conviction that marked the weekend. The hosts also discuss what's next for the Men's March movement and issue a call to action for men across the country to rise up, take responsibility, and lead their families and communities in the defense of life.

11/6/25 - Many of the sharpest divisions between Catholics and Protestants trace back not to Scripture itself, but to how words and ideas have been interpreted across centuries of separation. Dr. Adam Van Wart, professor of theology at Ave Maria University, unpacks the roots of these misunderstandings and offers a path forward rooted in truth and charity. Dr. Van Wart explains how key debates - such as faith alone versus faith and works, Scripture alone versus Sacred Tradition, and the role of the Church's magisterial authority - often stem from differences in emphasis and historical context rather than outright contradiction. Drawing upon the writings of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and early Reformers like Luther and Calvin, he demonstrates how theological language developed in response to real pastoral concerns, and how those differences became hardened into divisions over time. If you've ever wondered why Christians still struggle to understand one another after 500 years of dialogue, or how we might finally move toward genuine unity in Christ, this episode offers a thoughtful, hopeful vision rooted in history, theology, and the enduring witness of the Church.

11/5/25 - Teresa Helena Higginson (1844‑1905), born in Holywell, Wales, spent her life as a humble schoolteacher while living a remarkable hidden sanctity. From her childhood in a devout Catholic family to her work in schools across Wigan, Bootle, and Edinburgh, she quietly bore suffering, illness, and the challenges of teaching with unwavering faith. On Good Friday 1874, she received the first of her mystical stigmata (bleeding wounds in her hands and feet), and experienced repeated ecstasies in which she shared in the Passion of Christ. Teresa also promoted a deep devotion to the "Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of Divine Wisdom." Declared "Servant of God" in 1937, her life shows the extraordinary ways holiness can exist in ordinary daily work, patient suffering, and total union with Christ.

11/4/25 - Dr. Gerald P. Boersma, Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University and Humboldt Fellow at the University of Tübingen, shares his personal journey of faith, scholarship, and conversion of heart through the wisdom of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. In this conversation, Dr. Boersma reflects on how studying the Church Fathers and the great scholastics deepened his love for Christ and the Catholic Church, transforming theology from an academic pursuit into a lived encounter with Truth Himself. From his work as a Catholic systematic theologian and author of Augustine's Early Theology of Image (Oxford, 2016) to his reflections on faith, reason, and the image of God in man, this testimony reveals how intellectual formation and spiritual devotion can beautifully unite in the pursuit of holiness.  Learn more about Dr. Boersma's work at www.geraldboersma.com