Ave Maria in the Afternoon – September 17, 2025 – Hour 2

Author: Bryant Schoenle Published on: September 17, 2025 Published in: Ave Maria in the Afternoon

For the first time in centuries, a member of the British royal family has received a Catholic funeral. Joanna Bogle joins us from London to discuss what this means for Catholics in England. We also talk with Kevin Matthews of the new film Broken Mary about how a chance encounter with the Blessed Mother changed his life.

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Erika Kirk’s Witness: How Women of Faith Build Peace

Just two days after her husband Charlie Kirk was assassinated, Erika Kirk addressed the nation. Grieving yet resolute, she honored her husband’s mission and called on others to continue his work. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer has more.

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Don’t let Charlie Kirk’s murder scare you

Erika Kirk’s Witness: How Women Of Faith Build Peace

Andrea Piccioti Bayer — Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is a legal analyst for EWTN News. She also directs the Conscience Project. Follow her on Twitter @bayerpicciotti and visit conscience-project.org.

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Broken Mary film shows there is always hope for the broken

Kevin Matthews thought he had it all. As one of the nation’s most recognized radio personalities, he found himself partying with celebrities and rubbing soldiers with superstars. One medical diagnosis changed everything – and in the height of his anguish he stumbled across a broken statue of the Virgin Mary. His story is told in the upcoming film Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story. Kevin joins us with a preview.

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Learn more about the film

Kevin Matthews, one of the most recognized radio personalities in broadcasting, was recently named to the all-time list of Top Twenty Radio Personalities. A household name in the Chicago area for over seventeen years, he entertained ten million listeners a week on AM 1000 The Loop and ABC and CBS radio. In the fall of 2008, while on-air, he was partially paralyzed by multiple sclerosis. Broken Mary is the story of his radio career, his struggle to overcome a debilitating disease, and a chance encounter with a statue of the Virgin Mary found next to a dumpster.

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British royal family has first Catholic funeral in centuries

The British Royal family held its first Catholic funeral in modern history on Tuesday for the duchess of Kent, the first senior British royal to be received into the Church since the 17th century. Joanna Bogle tells us more about what this means for Catholics in England.