Today on Kresta - July 7, 2010

Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 7

4:00 – American Cicero: The Life of Charles Carroll
Aristocrat. Catholic. Patriot. Founder. Before his death in 1832, Charles Carroll of Carrollton - the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence - was widely regarded as one of the most important founders. Today, Carroll's signal contributions to the American founding are overlooked, but in the fascinating new biography American Cicero, historian Bradley Birzer rescues Carroll from this unjust neglect. Born out of wedlock, Carroll became the best educated founder, a man of supreme intellect, imagination, and integrity. He recognized the necessity of American independence well before most other founders, brilliantly analyzed the situation in the run-up to the Revolution (though that analysis is now ignored by historians), inspired the creation of the U.S. Senate, and helped legitimize his religion, Roman Catholicism, in America. In this week after the 4th of July, we examine this fascinating Founding Father.

4:40 – The Vatican Secret Archives
The Vatican Secret Archives have fuelled people's imaginations for centuries, most recently and notably Dan Brown (who has said he wasn't allowed in!). For the very first time, a publisher was allowed access to the archive without restriction. The result is an unprecedented and fascinating visual tour of this private place where the reader is not only able to view the public rooms that are only open to academics, but also the areas closed to the public, some decorated with 16th and 17th century frescoes, others stocked with documents dating back to the 8th century. Publisher Paul Van de Huevel joins us.

5:00 – Kresta Comments

5:40 – Bleeding Hands, Weeping Stone: True Stories of Divine Wonders, Miracles and Messages
Miracles are real! And the history of the Church, from ancient times to the modern day, is full of them. God in His mercy has not only given us the revealed truths of Scripture and Tradition, but in all times and places has exercised his power on earth in extraordinary ways: to teach, correct, warn, and inspire His people according to the needs of the age. Elizabeth Ficocelli is here to reveal history's most magnificent miracles. Some of them are quiet and simple, some of them are dramatic bordering on outrageous but all of them are signs of God's loving, providential hand at work in the world, continually inflaming our hearts to greater faith and more ardent love.