A “revert” to the faith, Ryan teaches theology at Marin Catholic College Preparatory in the San Francisco Bay Area. He earned a BA from Mt. Angel Seminary in philosophy, theology, and literature and an MA in theology & bioethics from Holy Apostles College & Seminary, as well as certification in health care ethics with distinction from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. He has been published in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly and has also written for the Dead Philosopher’s Society blog. He is currently completing a MA in philosophy and a licentiate in bioethics from a Pontifical university in Rome. His areas of interest include bioethics, apologetics, pro-life issues, and science & the New Atheism. Ryan also enjoys food, Legos (but who can afford it?), home-brewing, and is a CS Lewis/GK Chesterton-phile. Follow Ryan: @RyanCMayer
World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland just concluded. An estimated 2.5 million pilgrims attended the closing mass with Pope Francis. I’ve had the gift of attending three World Youth day celebrations—Paris ’97, Rome 2000, and as a volunteer in Cologne in 2005. The first was life-altering and each was epic in different ways. In …
You Can’t Miss World Youth Day Ever Again, Here’s Why Read More »
How do you combine the wit and charm of Chesterton, the absurd joy of St. Francis of Assisi, and the can-do American charisma of Jay Gatsby? Meet Mr. Blue. I read Mr. Blue for the first time a few years ago after reading an article that admonished something to the effect of, “you can’t claim …
Popes have signed lots of things throughout the centuries… promulgations, encyclicals, letters, treaties, baseballs, motorcycles, surf boards. haha. Enjoy 35 photos of Popes signing things. 1. Opening Vatican II-John XXIII The Second Vatican Council was opened by Pope John XXIII on October 11, 1962. 2. A Papal Bull–Pope Innocent III This is the lead …
35 Sometimes Hilarious Things Popes Have Signed or Autographed Read More »
Thinking of ditching the contraceptives and practicing Natural Family Planning? Yeah terrible idea. Here are 25 reasons why. 1. What is it some kind of religious type thing? Everyone knows NFP is just some weird Catholic thing, right? I only participate in non-religious stuffs. 2. Non-Catholics think it’s great too. I only participate …
25 Reasons Natural Family Planning is a Terrible Idea Read More »
G.K. Chesterton was many things: an essayist, artist, a social commentator, husband, master of paradoxes, convert…donkey. What? That’s right, a donkey. A six-foot two-inch, two-hundred-fifty pound donkey. If Chesterton is known for anything, it’s paradoxes. Paradox, is at the heart of his worldview, his writing, and his life. He was a walking paradox. A paradox is …
These Two Poems From G.K. Chesterton Will Help You Have a Great Holy Week Read More »
*This piece originally ran on Epiphany 2015. We saw fit to repost it this year, as well. The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “appearance” (Greek epiphaneia). The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, though in some places it is celebrated on the Sunday after January 1. In the Western Church, we typically associate …
There are no spoilers or exposed plot lines in this review. A spoilerific review will post later. Having been born shortly after A New Hope appeared in theaters, my childhood was saturated with Star Wars. I had UnderRoos, Star Wars VHS tapes worn out from rewinding and re-watching, and enough toys to fill a space …
Star Wars The Force Awakens: The Spoiler-Free Epic Review Read More »
Nothing says Thanksgiving dinner like awkward family attempts at evangelization. You have everyone’s attention and you may not see them again for a while. Don’t miss the opportunity to evangelize with these conversation starters.* Saints “They say a turkey will run around even after its head is cut off…speaking of which, ever heard of the Cephalophores?” …
Awkward Thanksgiving Evangelization Conversation Starters Read More »
I need you to stop what you’re doing right this instant and listen to what I’m about to tell you. Do you like to study Scripture, the Catholic faith and tradition? You’ve been going about it all wrong. You probably just, like, read it, right? That’s ok, but maybe you sometimes feel overwhelmed because there’s just …
You’ve Been Using the Bible the WRONG Way, Here’s Why Read More »
Pope Francis will be wrapping up his Apostolic Journey to the United States this weekend…maybe you heard? He visited Washington D.C., New York, and Philadelphia, spoke to Congress and the United Nations, and characteristically, made some surprise moves, as well. If we could summarize his visit in a brief phrase of some sort, it might sound something …
12 Times Pope Francis Dropped the Mic During His U.S. Visit Read More »