Continuing our offerings for Black History Month, a time to get in touch with the rich heritage of African-American history, American Catholic Radio offers an interview with Benedictine historian Father Cyprian Davis, a leading scholar of African-American Catholic history in the U.S. St. Josephine Bakhita, a native of Darfur, is featured in “Saint of the Day.” She was sold into slavery at a young age, but her spirit was always free—and eventually prevailed, leading her to canonization in the year 2000.

As the season of Lent begins, ACR begins a series of special features to help your listeners journey through Lent. For the next seven weeks, our “Catholic Treasure” feature will test their knowledge of Lenten customs. This week, producer John Feister will talk with Bishop John Botean, one of 12 bishops featured in our Lenten Radio Retreat. Bishop Botean will talk about how Lent is observed in the Eastern Catholic Churches.

The witness of everyday Catholic life is crucial to Lenten practice. Producer Judy Zarick visits with Jenna Schmitt, from Scottsdale, Arizona, who survived a high-risk pregnancy, and then teamed with a friend to help other women find the resources they need to make it through their pregnancies. Judy also has an interview with a college student who began a retreat program for high schoolers.

Lent is the principal time of the year to renew one’s faith.  Let Franciscan Radio stimulate the renewal of faith for your listeners!

Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.

Use the links below to preview the shows or download them in MP3 format for broadcast.

Highlights from this episode include:

St. Josephine Bakhita

Jenna Schmitt helped found a support group for women with high-risk pregnancies. After surviving a high-risk pregnancy herself, she teamed with Jennifer Dziuk to help other women find the resources they need to make it through their pregnancies.

Why does God put us through the uncertainties of life? How does the Church understand blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Will earthly marriage count, and will we know our spouses in heaven?

Our Lady of Lourdes

Benedictine monk Father Cyprian Davis, author and historian, talks about the history of African-American Catholics.

Highlights from this episode include:

Blessed Jacinta and Franciso Marto

Tucker Redding began a retreat program called the Zion Retreat. The purpose of the retreat is to bring together high school youth from several parishes to see that the community of the Catholic Church is larger than their home parish.

What can a non-Catholic expect on her first visit to a Catholic service? What does the Bible say about God’s mercy?

Lent as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment

Bishop John Botean talks about how Lent is observed in the Eastern Catholic Churches.