Coffee With Damian

10/04/2026

What a joy it was to meet friends from all across the country while Mater Dei Radio was in St. Louis for the Beatification of Blessed Fulton Sheen! We spoke to photographer and videographer Damian about how Blessed Fulton Sheen is an inspiration to him in sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith through media.

See Damian's beautiful photography at:
https://coffeewithdamian.com/

Follow our coverage of the Beatification in St. Louis:
https://materdeiradio.com/beatification-of-archbishop-fulton-sheen/

10/02/2026

Another interview for my film about Modesty, this time Fr. Thomas Loya. We talked about the Theology of the Body and why we should cover our bodies.

09/30/2026

Vlog from Fulton Sheen's beatification is here!
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

09/26/2026

BLESSED Fulton Sheen, it's official!

Yesterday, we witnessed history as Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was officially declared Blessed during a beautiful beatification Mass in St. Louis, celebrated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle before tens of thousands of people.

But for me, this journey started months ago. As soon as the beatification was announced, I knew: I had to be there!

I’ll admit, I wasn’t very familiar with Fulton Sheen until about two years ago. Then I read Life Is Worth Living, and I was amazed by how he could communicate deep theological truths through a chalkboard, humor, and an incredible ability to connect with people.

Then I discovered his media apostolate.

Media are not bad. They can be used for evangelization.

“That’s what I’m trying to do,” I thought.

With my media pass, my day started at 6 AM with a press conference about the “Miracle Baby” and the story behind Sheen’s beatification.

Then came the Mass.

Seminarians. Deacons. Priests. Bishops. Cardinals.

They just kept coming.

“The Army of God,” I thought.

Real warriors. Men of God. Men laying down their lives for Christ and His Church.

I felt hope. A lot of hope.

Religious sisters, children, families, priests, and Catholics from around the world—praying, worshipping, laughing, and crying together.

How good is that?

We are the Body of Christ. We are brothers and sisters, walking the same road toward Heaven.

I still have so much to learn about media and how it can be used for the greater glory of God.

But I have a good teacher.

Blessed Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

Feast Day: December 9

09/02/2026

Holy Mass for the Care of Creation

Yesterday, September 1, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass for the Care of Creation at Borgo Laudato Si’, in the Garden of the “Little Madonna” within the Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo.

The Eucharist, the very heart of Christian life, invites us to renew the way we see and care for God’s creation. Creation is not simply something around us—it is a gift entrusted to us by the Creator and a reminder of His goodness.

Around 250 people gathered for this beautiful celebration, joining the Holy Father in prayer and thanksgiving for the gift of creation.

A beautiful reminder that our faith calls us not only to worship God, but also to receive His creation with gratitude and care for it as faithful stewards.

Santa Messa per la Cura del Creato

Ieri, 1° settembre, Papa Leone XIV ha celebrato la Santa Messa per la Cura del Creato presso il Borgo Laudato Si’, nel Giardino della “Piccola Madonna”, all’interno dei Giardini Pontifici di Castel Gandolfo.

L’Eucaristia, vero cuore della vita cristiana, ci invita a rinnovare il nostro modo di guardare e prenderci cura del creato. Il creato non è semplicemente ciò che ci circonda: è un dono affidatoci dal Creatore e un richiamo alla Sua bontà.

Circa 250 persone hanno partecipato a questa bellissima celebrazione, unendosi al Santo Padre nella preghiera e nel rendimento di grazie per il dono del creato.

Un bellissimo promemoria del fatto che la nostra fede ci chiama non solo ad adorare Dio, ma anche ad accogliere con gratitudine il Suo creato e a prendercene cura come fedeli amministratori.

08/31/2026

Just a quick postcard from Rome! More things is happening that I could possibly imagine! More to come, ciao!

08/18/2026

For our last short film, we shot in one day, one page of script, and a lot of passion!
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07/16/2026

Do you ever meet someone and feel like you've known them for years?

The conversation flows effortlessly, you could talk for hours, and you quickly realize you share the same values and love for Christ. That's exactly how it felt when I met Chris and Bree.

It all started on July 11, 2024, when Fr. Mike Schmitz was speaking at the Athenaeum Center in Chicago. After the event, I noticed a couple taking a photo with Fr. Mike (the last photos in this post). My first thought was, "Who are they?" They just looked so joyful and genuine. I immediately had a good feeling about them, even though I never introduced myself (I was too shy!).

But that wasn't the end of the story.

Almost exactly one year later on July 26, 2025, Bree sent me a message saying they were engaged and looking for a wedding photographer! As it turns out, the event with Fr. Mike Schmitz had been one of their very first dates.

Of course, I said YES. I was honored and excited that they wanted me to capture one of the most important days of their lives.

The rest is history—and you can see it unfold in these photos.

One thing I have to mention is that before the wedding, they sent me a handwritten card along with an invitation to attend the wedding itself. That's incredibly rare for a photographer. Most vendors simply arrive, do their job, and leave.

Chris and Bree made me feel like I wasn't just the photographer—they made me feel like I was one of their guests, sharing in their joy.

That kindness meant more than they probably realize, and I hope I was able to capture their wedding in a way that reflects the beauty of who they are.

Chris and Bree, thank you for your friendship and your witness to Christ-centered love. I will always keep you in my prayers.

May God bless your marriage abundantly. ❤️

07/08/2026

I arrived early to capture the Theology on Tap event at St. Clement Church in Chicago. The evening began with the 6:00 p.m. Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr. Mike Schmitz.

The church was packed.

People are hungry and thirsty—but that deepest hunger and thirst can only be satisfied by Our Lord Jesus Christ: "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life." (John 6:54)
After Mass, Fr. Mike gave a powerful reflection on God's love for us.

Sometimes it can feel as though God doesn't love us because He allows us to suffer or because He lets us experience the consequences of our choices after we fall.
But can we truly believe that when we look at the Cross?
Would Christ have sacrificed everything if He didn't care?
Our God is not like the false gods of the ancient world that demanded sacrifices from their followers. Our God became the sacrifice Himself—for our salvation.
Because of His sacrifice, heaven has been opened to us. Joy is always within our reach.
Even the Declaration of Independence speaks of the "pursuit of happiness" as one of our fundamental rights. But we were created for something even greater than happiness.
We were made for joy.
Happiness depends on circumstances. It comes and goes as our situations change.

Joy is different. Joy is rooted in our relationship with God. It flows from trusting Him, knowing that He is faithful, and believing that everything He permits in our lives can be used for our good.

As Fr. Mike Schmitz beautifully said:
"Joy is the settled conviction that God is faithful."

Let us live with a joy so authentic that it makes others stop and ask where it comes from—so that we can point them to its true source: Our Lord Jesus Christ!

06/21/2026

In Persona Christi.

Just yesterday, three new warriors joined the ranks of the Catholic Church as newly ordained priests, called to represent Our Lord Jesus Christ in a unique and profound way through their ministry.

One of them is Father Conrad, a Filipino who came to the United States with his parents when he was just three years old. God already had a plan for his life.
Now, with hands consecrated for the sacred priesthood, Father Conrad has been entrusted with the privilege of bringing Christ to the world through the sacraments as he serves the Archdiocese of Chicago and its people.

He enters the spiritual battle as a shepherd, taking responsibility for the care of the flock entrusted to him and the spiritual well-being of his people.
Let us pray for Father Conrad—that he may faithfully proclaim the Catholic faith, courageously shepherd those in his care, and imitate Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His Bride, the Church.

Father Conrad, may God bless you, strengthen you, and keep you always in His grace!