Italian-American immigrants have shaped cultural Catholicism in the United States for generations. These families embraced their traditions and practices inherited from Italy to create a distinct home life that blends faith with family life and excellent cuisine as common touch stones. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share how their families practice Catholicism and the particular traditions that Italian-American Catholics have in common.

St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati are now canonized Saints and their simple, yet profound witness provides the Church, and in particular its younger members, inspiration to grow in holiness and draw others to Christ through their personal example. Brian Rhude, Project Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share what what the canonizations of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati mean for the Church.

St. Vincent Pallotti founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate and the later developed Pallottine Fathers and Brothers to encourage collaboration between clergy, religious, and lay people to evangelize in every day life. Connor Combs and Sebastian Fernandez, Summer Associates at the Catholic Apostolate Center, join this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share what they’ve learned about St. Vincent Pallotti and the Pallottine charism.

Basilicas are churches in the Catholic Church that receive the honorific title by the pope. There are four major basilicas in Rome and the others worldwide are minor basilicas. Grady Connolly, founder of Social Thomist, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share his experiences taking pilgrimages around the United States to visit all 93 minor basilicas.

Parents experience shifts in their prayer routines after welcoming children into the world. As single people, one can experience long stretches of time without interruption to say their prayers. After welcoming a child, a parent needs to adjust. Meg Ferguson, Curriculum Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share her journey to adapting her prayer life to being a parent and developing a more personal and intimate relationship with God in the process.

Retreats are an ancient practice for Catholics to get away from the day-to-day life and allow God to work in their hearts in a deeply intimate way. Brian Rhude, Project Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center and Campus Minister for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, William Tishuk, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Dr. Susan Timoney, STD, Associate Professor of Practice at the Catholic University of America, to discuss the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, 2025.

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Center colleague Sarah Harrigan, Manager of Communications and Special Programs, to discuss the connections between the Thanksgiving holiday and our call to be in thanksgiving in and through the Faith.

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers, the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, founded St. Vincent Pallotti.

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Ryan Corey and John Cardillo, Summer Associates at the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss the Liturgy of the Hours and how to incorporate the prayer of the Church in daily life.

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Ryan Corey and John Cardillo, Summer Associates at the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss their experiences living in a faith community while ministering to peers at The Catholic University of America.

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Dr. Susan Timoney, Associate Dean for Graduate Ministerial Studies at the Catholic University of America, to discuss the Year of Prayer proclaimed by Pope Francis for 2024 ahead of the Year of Jubilee in 2025.

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Emily Lomnitzer, a professional vocalist and diocesan youth choir director, to discuss the role of Sacred Music in Liturgy and personal prayer.

In this episode of On Mission, Brian Rhude, Project Coordinator for the Catholic Apostolate Center, joins Chris Pierno and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss the Solemnity of Mary and Christmas Season celebrations.

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss Lectio Divina, which is Latin for “Divine Reading”: what it is, how to pray with scripture, and how it can be a time of conversation with God. Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of Biblical and scriptural reading, prayer, and meditation and contemplation with roots pertaining to St. Benedict and the Benedictines. Five steps one could use in Lectio Divina is: 1. Invoke the Holy Spirit to guide this time of prayer, 2. Read the scripture passages, slowly and meditatively, 3. Meditate and listen for the voice of God, 4. Pray and speak to God, 5. Contemplate and spend time in the presence of God.

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined Christian Bordak-Roseman, a graduate of the Catholic University of America and former peer minister, to discuss how one can continue to pray and encounter Christ while on vacation and away from one’s typical routine. Prayer on vacation doesn’t need to be complex. Be sure to invite St. Christopher, the patron Saint of travelers. Some methods of praying away from home is to make Mass a priority, to keep a journal, utilize a prayer app, bring a spiritual book, listen to a religious podcast, spent quiet moments in contemplative prayer and thank God for the day.