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 II is dedicated to the Creation (in other words, the physical universe, everything which exists).
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.
26 July 2026
Summa Contra Gentiles, Book II: XXXIV Arguments of Whom Want To Prove an Eternal World by Creation
From Contemplating History
AI, Transhumanism, and the Fight to Stay Human | Magnifica Humanitas Part 3
From Crash Course Catholicism
What are the greatest threats that artificial intelligence poses, and how can we remain fully human in the age of AI?
In Part 3 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 3 of the encyclical and examine the opportunities, dangers, and moral questions surrounding artificial intelligence.
Pope Leo argues that AI is not simply another technological innovation. It is reshaping the way we think, make decisions, relate to one another, and even understand what it means to be human. Drawing on the Church's rich philosophical and theological tradition, he warns against the rise of a "technocratic paradigm" -- a culture that prizes efficiency, control, and profit above the dignity of the human person.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What Pope Leo means by the "technocratic paradigm"
- Why technological progress must be accompanied by moral progress
- How artificial intelligence differs fundamentally from human intelligence
- The dangers of overreliance on AI, algorithms, and simulated relationships
- Why AI should never replace human moral judgment or accountability
- The importance of political oversight, subsidiarity, and the common good in AI governance
- Why we need to "disarm AI"
- The rise of transhumanism and posthumanism
- Why our limitations are not defects to eliminate but part of what it means to be human
- How God's grace and not technology is the path to becoming truly "more than human"
Dying for a Dynasty: Heartbreaking Stories of Royal Women Who Died in Childbirth
From History Calling
Discover the TRAGIC STORIES of royal women who died in childbirth, sacrificing their lives to try to protect their families’ legacies, in this royal history documentary from History Calling.
The immense pressure to produce an heir and secure dynasties came at a devastating cost for many Queens and Princesses throughout history, who paid the ultimate price in their quest to be the mothers of kings. From medieval European courts to Renaissance palaces, we’ll travel to countries including France, England, Spain and Russia over the course of this episode to learn about countless royal women who faced the terrifying risks of pregnancy and childbirth without modern medicine or proper care. Some, like Queen Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, became celebrated mothers even in death, thanks to the fact that they produced a live son before expiring, while others, such as Princess Charlotte of Wales, daughter of George IV, left entire nations mourning their loss and caused a succession crisis by dying without an heir. Jane, Charlotte, Isabella of Valois, Catherine Parr and many others were women whose lives were entwined with power, politics and expectation, yet whose fates remind us of the fragility of life, no matter one’s status.
We’ll dive into their personal stories and look at how their untimely deaths altered the course of kingdoms and empires, allowing women like Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria to ultimately take the throne. This isn’t just a story of tragedy, it’s also a glimpse into the realities of royal motherhood and the high stakes of succession in history’s most powerful families.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a royal watcher, or someone fascinated by the real stories behind palace walls, this video sheds light on a rarely discussed chapter of royal history and shares some fascinating true stories about the tragic lives of the world’s lost royal mothers.
The Only Place in the World Where St Anne Has Appeared
St Anne, whose Feast is today, has only one recorded apparition, in a small village in Brittany.
From Aleteia
By Cerith Gardiner
Learn more about the humble Breton village, home to the only known apparition of Jesus’ grandmother, St. Anne.
Most Catholics have heard of apparitions of the Virgin Mary at places like Lourdes or Fatima. But did you know the Virgin Mary’s own mother, St. Anne, also has an apparition story?
In fact, there is only one place in the world where St. Anne is said to have appeared -- a small village in Brittany, France.
This unique 17th-century event transformed the village of Keranna (now Sainte-Anne-d’Auray) into one of France’s great pilgrimage sites, according to NCR, drawing the faithful who are curious about the grandmother of Jesus and the miracles attributed to her intercession.
St. Anne’s life and legacy in the Church
According to Christian tradition (drawn from early apocryphal writings), St. Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary and thus the grandmother of Jesus. The Bible does not name Mary’s parents, but ancient sources call them Anne and Joachim. In Catholic devotion, Saints Anne and Joachim are honored together each year on July 26, and St. Anne is considered a patron saint of mothers, grandmothers, and teachers, among others.
She is especially beloved in certain regions -- for example, Brittany in northwestern France claims St. Anne as its patron saint. The Bretons have a deep affection for “Good St. Anne,” affectionately calling her Mamm gozh ar Vretoned, meaning “their grandmother” in the local Breton language.
This enduring devotion is reflected in centuries of popular piety: St. Anne is frequently depicted holding young Mary in her lap, and many Catholics turn to her for help with family needs and prayers for children.
The only apparition of St. Anne at Auray, Brittany
The neo-Gothic Basilica of Sainte-Anne d’Auray in Brittany, France, stands on the site where St. Anne is believed to have appeared nearly 400 years ago, in 1624. Today it remains the spiritual heart of Brittany, commemorating St. Anne’s unique apparition and drawing crowds of pilgrims each summer.
The story of St. Anne’s apparition at Auray dates back to the early 17th century. By local tradition, an ancient chapel dedicated to St. Anne had existed in Keranna many centuries before, but it had fallen into ruin and faded from memory. In 1623-1624, St. Anne suddenly appeared to a humble Breton farmer named Yves (Yvon) Nicolazic on multiple occasions.
Nicolazic saw a “beautiful Lady” who revealed, “I am Anne, mother of Mary”, and asked him to rebuild the chapel that once stood on that spot. To convince the skeptical local clergy, St. Anne guided Nicolazic to discover a long-buried wooden statue of herself -- a remnant of the old chapel, hidden for almost a millennium.
In March 1625, he unearthed this ancient statue of St. Anne as proof of his visions. Soon after, miracles began to be reported at the site and pilgrims started flocking to venerate the rediscovered statue.
Church authorities, initially cautious, investigated the events. They found Nicolazic sincere and the apparition evidence credible. With episcopal approval, a new chapel was built by 1628 on the exact place indicated by St. Anne. This chapel became the center of a rapidly growing pilgrimage. Over the next decades and centuries, the Sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-d’Auray gained fame throughout Brittany and beyond.
Royal approval
Even the French royal family took interest -- Queen Anne of Austria (wife of Louis XIII) sent precious gifts, including a relic of St. Anne, to honor the shrine. Devotion to St. Anne at Auray persisted through turbulent times, even surviving the French Revolution (during which the first chapel was damaged and the original statue was tragically destroyed).
In the 19th century, Pope Pius IX encouraged the flourishing pilgrimage. In 1864 he ordered the construction of the much larger basilica that still stands today, elevating it to the rank of a minor basilica. This impressive church -- built on the very spot where Nicolazic found the statue -- now houses relics of St. Anne and serves as the focal point for pilgrims seeking her intercession.
In fact, Sainte-Anne-d’Auray has become the third most popular pilgrimage site in France (after Lourdes and Lisieux) according to NCR, a testament to the lasting impact of St. Anne’s visit to this Breton hamlet.
Every year around St. Anne’s feast (July 26), thousands of people travel to Auray for the Grand Pardon of Sainte Anne, a traditional Breton pilgrimage festival. Pilgrims attend Masses (some celebrated in the Breton language), participate in torchlight processions and folk celebrations, and honor St. Anne in gratitude for “grandmother’s” care from heaven.
Some notable pilgrims
The shrine’s popularity isn’t limited to locals, either. Over the years it has drawn notable pilgrims such as Napoléon III, General Charles de Gaulle, and even Pope John Paul II, who visited in 1996 and preached to a crowd of 150,000 at the basilica. All came, like countless ordinary believers, to seek the prayers of the woman who raised the Blessed Virgin Mary.
For curious Catholics, Sainte-Anne-d’Auray offers a fascinating glimpse into the faith of Breton Catholics and their special relationship with Jesus’ grandmother. It is a place where history, legend, and devotion intertwine. In a world filled with Marian apparitions, this singular apparition of St. Anne stands out as a gentle reminder that every generation of Jesus’s family -- from his Blessed Mother to his saintly Grandma -- has a role in God’s plan.
And as the Bretons will happily tell you, “Mamm gozh ar Vretoned” is always ready to welcome her spiritual grandchildren who come to Auray in search of grace and comfort.
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