From 1962 to 1965, the Catholic Church experienced a revolutionary period known as the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II). Pope John XXIII famously sought to “open the windows” of the Church to allow fresh air in. However, in the aftermath of the Council, many Catholics have been left wondering whether the Church and faith have fundamentally changed into something else.
The podcast "Vatican II: The Real History" aims to address these important questions clearly and objectively, with a strong emphasis on the historical context leading up to the Council.
Covering events from the 1789 French Revolution to the conclusion of Vatican II in 1965, the podcast provides a detailed narrative that encompasses the politics, theology, philosophy, and intrigue involved in the formation and conduct of the Council.
This podcast will differ from typical religious-oriented shows. Listeners will be taken beyond the conventional perspectives that many in modern hierarchy would prefer to present about Vatican II, while still respectfully honoring the timeless traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church.
¡Viva Cristo Rey!
11 - Descartes and the Philosophical Revolt Against the Church
René Descartes, the “father of modern philosophy,” initiated a philosophical revolution against the Catholic Church. His philosophy set the stage for a broader revolt against the Church's influence, ultimately leading to new theories of moral and personal liberty.
4 Jan 2026
10 - Scientism and the Inversion of Faith and Science
The Scientific Revolution did not just increase our understanding of the world; it marked an inversion of man’s role in relation to God. Key figures such as Galileo, Bacon, and Newton laid the groundwork for this transformation, which would play a significant role in the French Revolution and the Vatican II.
15 Nov 2025
9 - The Protestant Revolt (Part 2): The Mass Under Attack
The Protestant Revolt attacked liturgy as well as Catholic doctrine. Peasants in sixteenth-century England went to war to defend the Mass from innovations, while the Council of Trent and Pope St. Pius V confirmed the faithful in their liturgy.
25 Sept 2025
8 - The Protestant Revolt (Part 1): The Church Under Attack
With private judgment replacing Tradition, the sacramental Church and the ministerial priesthood come under attack from the Lutheran revolt, which is strengthened by John Calvin.
21 Jul 2025
7 - Nominalism: From Ockham to Luther
Nominalism rejects universal truths to focus on individual particulars that can only be grasped through internal, personal understanding. This outlook shaped both the Franciscan William Ockham and eventually Martin Luther. These ideas laid groundwork for the Protestant Revolt and later revolutions within the Church.
16 Jun 2025
6- Kabbalah and the Rise of the Christian Occult
Kabbalah and its Christian counterparts seek knowledge of God beyond traditional notions of Divine Revelation. The incorporation of Kabbalistic ideas into Christianity has driven revolutions against the Church.
3 May 2025
5- The Gnostic Revolt (Part 2): Marcion to the Albigensians
Gnosticism, associated with figures like Marcion and the Albigensians, is characterized by three core principles: dualism, the divinization of man, and knowledge as redemption. These ideas plague the Church down to the present time.
24 Mar 2025
4- The Gnostic Revolt (Part 1): Teilhard to Simon Magus
Since the time of Christ, Gnosticism has persistently attacked the Church and Ultimate Reality. It infiltrated Vatican II through Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and others. In this first part of our exploration of Gnosticism, we examine the first Gnostic, Simon Magus, and the founding mythology of this destructive heresy.
27 Feb 2025
3- What Is Truth?
Before Vatican II, the Church emphasized the importance of teaching St. Thomas Aquinas in pursuit of ultimate Truth. To grasp the revolutionary attacks on the Church, it is essential to have a basic understanding of St. Thomas’s ideas on how we come to know Truth.
10 Feb 2025
2- The Church’s Eldest Daughter
We begin the dive into the historical context necessary to understanding Vatican II, emphasizing the importance of understanding French history and its relationship with the Church. It highlights the Church's role in medieval society, especially its sacramental and hierarchical social order.
27 Jan 2025
1- The Fresh Air of Revolution
A personal journey back in time kicks off the podcast as we dive into the revolutionary impact of Vatican II on the Catholic Church. In this episode, the changes in rites, devotions, and practices resulting from the Council will be focused on.
3 Jan 2025
Trailer Episode
Welcome to Vatican II: The Real History. The journey to uncovering the real history and stories behind the Second Vatican Council begins. Website: http://catholicesquire.org YouTube: (1) Vatican II: The Real History - YouTube
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