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The Catholic Church, Plagues, & The Coronavirus

In this episode of The Catholic Talk Show, we discuss the impact of the Coronavirus on Catholics and how the Catholic Church and saints have dealt with plagues throughout history.

In this episode, you will learn:
• Who are the patron saints against plagues?
• Who was Saint Corona?
• How have plagues shaped the history of the Church?
• What can Catholics do during quarantines and pandemics?
• Which Saint used science and faith to battle medieval plagues?
• How a Pope miraculously saved Rome from a plague
• and much more


Show Links & Resources:

Saint Sebastian Interceding for the Plague by Josse Lieferinxe – View Here
“Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence” by Catherine Doherty – Learn More

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15 comments on The Catholic Church, Plagues, & The Coronavirus

  1. Andrea says:

    Hi guys,

    Smart idea the remote podcast. Good example. We Catholics need to be religiously philosophical. We can take precautions, we can listen to the emergency recommendations for non-socializing but our lives belong to God. God is the intercessor or maybe this is how we go home to God. We have no control which is why people are panicking. Many are not ready in any sense for this pandemic. I am putting myself in God’s capable hands. I am praying that others get spared. I have friends who have three babies coming this month, May and in June. I ask that all three of you pray for these young moms to stay healthy for their babies.

    I agree with all three of you that we should take this solitude and share it with God and the Blessed Mother. That is what I have been doing these past two weeks when we have been literally under siege with bombardments of news from around the world on this coronavirus. It is like we are under attack from the Huns. This may be the greatest crisis humanity will face and those who always respond to others with love and universal cooperation will do so, those who want to take care of themselves only will try to hoard all the supplies for themselves and have just recently done so with the run on TP. There is enough for everyone if hoarders are not allowed to hoard. I am sure stores are now going to limit the quantities sold because these people can’t evidently control themselves despite the fact most of them are adults. Most of them could care less about their neighbors and their needs.

    A doctor on TV news yesterday reminded all of us that 88% of people infected just get mildly sick and should stay home. This is good to remember so as not to overwhelm the medical industry and all local hospitals. Getting this virus is not automatically the kiss of death although a vaccine may be months away still. It will be interesting to see how much they learn about this virus and how it morphs.

    Prayer is a powerful weapon and I have believed in it and prayed since I was a toddler and taught how to talk to God. I agree with you Ryan Scheel that we need to pray for our loved ones and for all those who are vulnerable. As Martin Luther said: “Pray and let God worry.” I keep reminding myself of this.

    You are right Fr. Rich, fear is one of the steps to flailing out hopelessly in violence against others because they can’t strike down the virus or the real enemy. I never knew there was a St. Corona in Italy and this almost totally obscure saint is now being called upon. What horrible methods of brutal death can be enacted against these saints. Against our fellow humanity. This has always been more frightening to me than biological attacks.

    Ryan Dellacrosse I so agree with you and all the attacks against our Pope, a good man following Christ. A lot of these people need to find a common enemy for their feelings of hate for others especially others who are different. They need someone to blame. Fr. Rich I agree with you pray for our enemies, pray for everyone which I do daily and pray makes you hate that politician less or your enemy less. Prayer is a powerful bond. One time I had someone ask me NOT to pray for them because they thought I was being hypocritical because I did not like this person on many levels and that was well known. He didn’t want that bond with me. Whether I was right or wrong I acceded to his request. Another moral choice I was faced with one day.

    The drive-through confessions is a wonderful loving service. Life will become a new temporary normal under coronavirus until that vaccine is out there. I agree with you three that it will probably get worse for a time but it will get better. People need to rise above their nature and it can be done. Humanity is amazing and the stories of all those who do and care for others keep us going.

    Thank you for your prayers. I too will be praying for all of us during this humanitarian crisis and our Lenten Season which is almost over-shadowed.

    We

  2. Andrea says:

    This is also St. Patrick’s Day let us pray to St. Patrick as well, Fr. Rich. I had already shared some Irish humor but here’s a wee bit more:

    Bridget thought herself the unluckiest lass in the world. She bought a non-stick fry pan and couldn’t get the label off!
    Paddy was asked if he could speak German, and he answered yes, of course if it is spoken in Irish.
    Sean was an unlucky bettor. He lost a bundle on the Melbourne Cup, a famous horse race, and then lost more on its TV replay.

    God probably gets a major kick out of Irish humor as well!

  3. JMC says:

    I am blessed to live in a state that so far only has 13-14 cases in the entire state, so no real precautions have been mandated by our governor or mayors yet. However, I have two brothers who live in New York State, one in the city itself, and the other in a much smaller city upstate. The one upstate has fallen away from the faith and claims to be an atheist (methinks he doth protest too much, but that’s a whole other matter); he can’t understand how the one in the city, right smack in the middle of all the craziness, can be so laid back and actually *cheerful.* Given that chemotherapy and surgery-induced diabetes have pretty much destroyed his immune system, he can’t even leave his house right now, so he can’t do much to help others; but his attitude is still a shining example of what true reliance on God can do. “God helps those who help themselves” is the older way of saying work as if everything depends on you, while leaving it all in God’s hands.

  4. Marisa says:

    Hi guys! I enjoyed this show, as I have previous episodes. Very timely and so much good information. One thing I was confused by was a comment made toward the very end by Ryan Scheel regarding what to post online about the virus. “Don’t tell people garlic will cure this.” Huh? Why would it be a problem for people to use natural remedies, particularly in mild cases. I frequently use garlic, essential oils (thanks for the blessing of the oils idea, Fr. Rich!) to treat colds and such. I thought it was an odd comment. Why not use God’s medicine cabinet when appropriate? Thanks again for the great show.

  5. Anna says:

    Guys thank you so much from Germany, where the panic is as contagious as the disease and I REALLY needed to hear this show this week! You have brought me alot of peace. God bless you all and thank you Fr. Rich for your beautiful guided prayers at the end.

  6. Donna Beedy says:

    I have a question. Our bishop absolved us from going to mass if we were afraid but now they have cancelled mass and said we could watch it online. Are we still absolved if we don’t watch it online. I just can’t get into it and it is not the same for me.

    1. Frank Cioppa says:

      I would see no obligation to watch Mass online, but I would recommend 1) that priests celebrate daily Mass privately and 2) that the laity “attend Mass spiritually” by reading the full Mass texts (daily) in communion with the Masses said throughout the world.

  7. Irene says:

    Great episode! I went to do more reading on St. Charles Borromeo’s actions during the plague in Milan (closing churches, etc) as Ryan had mentioned, but I can’t find any sources that corroborate that statement; only contradictions (he continued to lead large processions, public prayer, etc.). Can you please cite your source?

  8. Great show love it. Where can I send a check to support the show.
    The program on the Shroud was approved by Jesus.
    As you guys were talking, the Bobble Head Jesus was nodding in agreement throughout the entire show.
    Pax
    Doc

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