16 May 2026

Traditional Catholic Evening Prayers in English | May


Traditional Catholic evening devotional prayers to close your day with your mind, heart, tongue, and soul on our Lord! The month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Begin and end each day with prayer. This video is a compilation of many traditional evening prayers Catholics say, and should not be considered a replacement for those who have an obligation to pray the Divine Office evening prayers.

Compline

From St Thomas Aquinas Seminary. You may follow the Office at Divinum Officium.

Vespers for the Saturday Within the Octave of the Ascension

From the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem. You may follow the Office at Divinum Officium.

Byzantine Saints: Saint Alexander, Archbishop of Jerusalem

St Honoratus, Bishop of Amiens: Butler's Lives of the Saints

Summa Contra Gentiles Book I: Order of Sayings About Divine Knowledge

From Contemplating History


Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274), was a Doctor of the Church, Philosopher, Theologian, Jurist, Dominican Friar, and Priest. Known as Doctor Angelicus "Angelic Doctor," and the Doctor Communis "Universal Doctor" his writings serve as a defense and proof of the validity of Christ's authority over all. The Summa contra Gentiles (also known as Liber de veritate catholicae fidei contra errores infidelium, "Book on the truth of the Catholic faith against the errors of the unbelievers"). The Summa contra Gentiles consists of four books. The structure of Saint Thomas's work is designed to proceed from general philosophical arguments for monotheism, to which Muslims and Jews are likely to consent even within their own respective religious traditions, before progressing to the discussion of specifically Christian doctrine. Book I begins with general questions of truth and natural reason, and from chapter 10 investigates the concept of a monotheistic God. Chapters 10 to 13 are concerned with the existence of God, followed by a detailed investigation of God's properties (chapters 14 to 102). When demonstrating a Truth about God which can be known through reason, St. Thomas gives multiple arguments, each proving the same Truth in a different way. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student of religion, or simply curious about the impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the world, this playlist is designed to provide an informative and engaging journey through its captivating past. Subscribe to the Contemplating History channel for more educational content and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history.

Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical Will Address AI and Faith

From Scripps News

Pope Leo XIV is expected to issue his first encyclical as he begins his second year as leader of the Catholic faith. Indications from the Vatican suggest the letter will focus on the role of artificial intelligence in the church and the lives of the faithful. An encyclical is a letter outlining the church's position on doctrine, morality, or social issues. While it does not carry the weight of infallible dogma — a truth obtained through divine revelation — it is considered a significant message within the church. Pope Leo has spoken frequently about artificial intelligence during his first year leading the church. TIME included him on its 2025 list of the most influential people in AI, calling the pope a top thinker and "spiritual counterweight" to the emerging technology.

The Holy Rosary

Saturday, the Glorious Mysteries, in Latin with Cardinal Burke.

The Life of Elizabeth I (Part 4) | Elizabeth vs Mary

From History Calling


TWO QUEENS, ONE THRONE. After Mary, Queen of Scots arrived in England, the life of Elizabeth I became increasingly difficult, as her cousin (now a prisoner Queen) acted as a focal point for conspiracies against the English monarch’s life and attempts to replace her with this Catholic alternative. The main theme of this week’s History Calling video, which the 13th in my Tudor monarchs’ series, is Elizabeth vs Mary and above all, it will answer the question, why was Mary queen of Scots killed? Looking at the 1570s and 1580s, it will trace Elizabeth’s attitude to her cousin and her reaction to the plots to overthrow her, including the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington Plots. It will ask why she signed the warrant for the execution of one of her few remaining family members and if the death of Mary, Queen of Scots was something she truly wanted. Using original sources and images, it will also look at the execution itself (which took place in Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire England, in February 1587) to explain how Mary Queen of Scots died. Furthermore, it will look at the deteriorating relationship between Elizabeth I and Philip II, as her one time brother-in-law moved closer and closer to launching the Spanish Armada against England. The reign of Elizabeth I was never boring, so get comfy as we look at one of the great scandals of the last Tudor’s life and one of the most famous events in English history. Other prominent figures discussed in this Tudors documentary will include Sir Francis Walsingham, William Cecil and James VI of Scotland. We’ll also hear about Elizabeth’s foreign policy and her very brief engagement to the French Duke of Alencon in 1581.

The Catholic Church and Modern Science: A Glorious History

From the McGrath Institute for Church Life


Stephen Barr, President of the Society of Catholic Scientists, presents on “The Catholic Church and Modern Science: A Glorious History.” This lecture is part of the Science & Religion Initiative’s Foundations week at the University of Notre Dame. Recorded on June 13, 2022.

Was St Brendan the First To Celebrate a Mass in America?

If St Brendan did reach North America, I'm quite sure that the first Mass he celebrated was in thanksgiving for a safe passage.


From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

Was his Mass the first "Thanksgiving" in America? And were the Irish the first to bring Christianity to South Carolina?

The Vikings are generally regarded by historians as the first European explorers to set foot on American soil, but there is a fascinating possibility that Irish Christians arrived there first.

There is a story from Ireland about a monk who was an expert sailor and traveled all over Ireland as well as Scotland, Wales, Brittany and France. His name was Brendan and he was born around 484 in southern Ireland. He had a great desire to bring more souls to God and took quite literally the commission of Jesus to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).

He heard rumors of a distant land in the West, which some believed was the original Garden of Eden. Taking a small crew, Brendan set out around the year 545 on a small round-bottom boat called a currach that was sealed with leather and had a square sail. An 8th-century account of the journey was recorded in The Voyage of St. Brendan, and it describes various stops along the way that appear to correspond to places such as the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland, and even describes icebergs.

The possibility of such a feat was researched in 1976 by historian Tim Severin, who crafted an identical boat from the description given and took along with him a few companions. He made stops similar to those he believed St. Brendan could have made and eventually reached Peckford Island, Newfoundland. Severin’s research proved that a cross-Atlantic voyage was possible during the 6th century using primitive technology.

The story of Brendan's voyage was a popular one and Christopher Columbus was well aware of the legends. If the journey was true, Brendan would have likely celebrated a thanksgiving Mass on American soil, as he celebrated Mass at each location he reached, even celebrating Mass on the back of a large fish.

Irish in South Carolina?

What makes this even more interesting is the recent evidence of Irish influence in South Carolina that predates Columbus. According to Irish Central, recently "Researchers began to investigate the similarity of Irish rock carvings to those in the state of South Carolina."

Furthermore, a Spanish historian in the 16th century described a neighboring colony in the Americas as the "Duhare," and "The Duhare words, recorded by the Spanish, were able to be translated using Gaelic dictionaries. Duhare, in fact, was found to be translated to either 'place of the Clan Hare,' or if the Duhare came from west of the Shannon River, it meant, 'du’hEir,' place of the Irish."

Recently, a professor emeritus from Harvard University claimed he found "Christian messages in old Irish script" carved on a rock in the area.

Furthermore, the Catholic Encyclopedia states that several scholars believe the Irish were the first to set foot on American soil, because of "the account of the Northmen who found a region south of Vinland and the Chesapeake Bay called 'Hvitramamaland' (Land of the White Men) or 'Irland ed mikla' (Greater Ireland), and on the tradition of the Shawano (Shawnee) Indians that in earlier times Florida was inhabited by a white tribe which had iron implements."

Some historians even claim, "Documents from the 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th centuries [might] describe voyages of persecuted Irish Christian sailing across the Atlantic to Witmannsland (White Mans Land in Norse)."

Currently there is no definitive evidence for any of the above claims, but if proven, these theories could help explains some of these ancient legends. The Voyage of St. Brendan may seem mythical to the modern reader, but to the medieval mind, there was truth hidden within it.

Time will tell if the Irish were the first to bring Christianity to the Americas.

Days of Darkness At The Time Of Antichrist | We Were Warned

Leo's Latest New Bishop Appointment Is The Most Blatantly Political Yet


Pope Leo appoints an open borders bishop to President Trump's backyard.

Inside A Perfectly Preserved 600-Year-Old Medieval Crooked House

From Chronicle – Medieval History Documentaries


Step inside The Crooked House in Lavenham, one of the most photographed homes in the world. Built in 1395 during the height of the English wool trade, this 600-year-old timber-framed masterpiece is a survivor of Britain’s medieval past.

Traditional Catholic Morning Prayers in English | May


Traditional Catholic morning prayers to help start your day in a godly way! The month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. May our devotion to the Blessed Mother increase more and more and help us to love her divine Son, Jesus, more and more. We've included the Memorare, the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Spiritual Communion. Begin your May with daily morning prayer. This video is a compilation of many traditional morning prayers Catholics say, and should not be considered a replacement for those who have an obligation to pray the Divine Office morning prayers.

Atheists' Favorite Bible Trap Just Backfired Spectacularly

From Totus Catholica


4.5 million people reached by one meme. Adam, Eve, two sons, Cain takes a wife from nowhere. Every comment saying the same thing: this destroys Christianity. But the meme refuses to quote Genesis 5:4. Adam had other sons and daughters. One chapter later, scripture answers the question the atheist comment section never reads. The Talmud in Sanhedrin 58b states it plainly: in the first generation, brothers married sisters. The rabbis call it chessed, covenant kindness, the same chessed that builds the new covenant in Christ. St. Augustine in The City of God, book 15, chapter 16, is not embarrassed by the question. He calmly distinguishes two layers of moral law: one rooted in nature itself, one rooted in a positive command given later, once the human family had grown large enough for the prohibition to apply. Catholic moral theology agrees. Parent-child relations are intrinsically evil. Sibling relations are forbidden by positive law calibrated to a society that already exists. Thomas Aquinas says the same in the Supplement to the Summa, question 54, article 3. And as an animal health scientist, I can tell you: a foundation population without accumulated mutational load faces a vastly lower risk profile. The genetics confirm the story, they do not destroy it. CHAPTERS: 0:00 The Meme That Reached 4.5 Million People 1:28 The Real Stakes: Monogenism, Romans 5, and the Eucharist 2:11 Genesis 5:4 - The Verse the Meme Will Not Quote 2:44 Talmud Sanhedrin 58b - Brothers Married Sisters 3:22 St. Augustine, City of God Book 15 Chapter 16 4:01 CCC 390 and 766 - One Pair, One Body, One Altar 4:34 Intrinsic Evil vs. Positive Law: Thomas Aquinas 5:47 Genesis 2 Happening on Calvary 6:58 Protestant Objection: Genesis Is Myth 7:33 Jewish Perspective: Chessed and Maimonides 8:06 The Genetic Objection Answered 🌍 Website: https://totuscatholica.org/ 📿 Rosary Guide: https://totuscatholica.org/rosary ✉️ Contact: https://totuscatholica.org/contact 🔍 Examination of Conscience: https://catholicexaminationofconscien... 📚 Free eBooks: https://buymeacoffee.com/totuscatholi... 👥 Become a Totus Insider: https://buymeacoffee.com/totuscatholi...