Seminar Topics
Patrick Madrid gives presentations on the following themes:
1. Is Everything Up for Grabs? (A Catholic Critique of Moral Relativism)
This presentation provides a practical, down-to-earth explanation of what moral relativism is (the notion that all beliefs are relative and there is no such thing as “objective” truth) and how to recognize its more subtle forms. Patrick exposes the seven fatal flaws of moral relativism, offers sample dialogues for speaking with moral relativists, and he explains how Catholics can respond to moral relativist arguments in a friendly yet effective way.
2. Turn Away From Childish Things and Become the Man Christ Wants You to Be
This popular talk is specially geared for men’s conferences and groups, this talk examines the specific practical things Catholic men can do to live out St. Paul’s teaching about attaining Christian maturity in 1 Corinthians 13, what the dangers are which must be avoided, and what the benefits of doing so are for happy marriages, effective parenting, personal fulfillment, and salvation.
3. Answers to Lies Society Tells You
A fast-paced, information-packed look at several common fallacies we frequently encounter in our culture, including ones like these: “If it feels good, do it,” “There’s no such thing as objective truth,” “The earth is overcrowded,” “Suffering is bad,” “Abortion is wrong, except in cases of rape and incest,” “Belief in Christ is just a blind leap of faith,” “Assisted suicide is a noble option for those whose quality of life is not worth living,” “The Catholic Church is anti-intellectual,” “Question authority!” and more.
4. The Godless Delusion: A Catholic Critique of Modern Atheism
In recent years, militant atheists have been stepping up their attacks on belief the existence of God using books, the media, the Internet, etc., to shake the faith of believers. This talk offers a robust philosophical critique of the central atheist presupposition: Naturalism, the worldview which holds that everything that exists is material and, therefore, nothing immaterial (such as God, angels, human souls) can possibly exist. After listening to this seminar, Catholics can effectively respond to and refute typical atheist arguments in a way that is charitable yet uncompromising.
5. Viva Cristo Rey! The Battle for the Catholic Faith in Mexico
This vivid and eye-opening presentation, which Marcus Grodi described as “One of the most sobering talks I have ever heard,” explores the history of the systematic persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico in the 1920s. A thorough review of the historical facts, it recounts the details of how thousands of Mexican Catholics (laity, religious, bishops, and priests) endured terrible sufferings during this ruthless and bloody persecution by the government.
6. Where Is That In the Bible?
This lively workshop explores a wide array of scriptural evidence for Catholic teachings. Succinct biblical answers are presented in response to many questions raised about Catholic teaching and practices by non-Catholics, including: calling priests “father,” infant baptism , the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, purgatory and prayers for the dead, confession to a priest, the intercession of Mary and the saints, Sacred Tradition, the sacraments, as well as non-Catholic theories such as the “Rapture,” “once-saved-always-saved,” sola scriptura (Latin: the Bible alone), and more.
7. Why Be Catholic? (When You Could Be Anything Else?)
This talk is a charitable and respectful examination of a dozen key biblical and historical reasons for being Catholic. Includes a discussion of common reasons why Catholics leave the Church, why they return, and what lay Catholics can do to help people better understand the teachings of the Catholic Church from a biblical and historical standpoint. One of Patrick’s most popular talks!
8. The “Ticking Time Bomb” —How Global Aging Will Affect You
Drawing upon Catholic moral teaching as expressed in Scripture and Tradition, this seminar covers the practical and spiritual implications of several interlocking social and moral issues such as contraception, abortion, euthanasia, cloning, and the population implosion taking place in the West; discusses the rapidly expanding of “global aging,” the myth of over-population, why countries whose birth rates are below replacement levels (most are) signals an imminent social catastrophe of staggering proportions, and how the Terri Schiavo saga is an example of the “right to die” movement’s steady transformation into the “obligation to die” juggernaut that will threaten the lives of countless aged and infirm men, women, and children in the years to come.
9. The Bible and the Catholic Church: A Marriage Made in Heaven
Examines the nature and interdependence of Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium; offers practical tips and proven techniques for Catholics who want to share and explain Catholic teaching with others; critiques the Protestant notion of “sola scriptura” (Latin: by Scripture alone) and its claim that Scripture is formally sufficient and self-interpreting, by showing from the Bible, the facts of Christian history, and common sense itself that the Reformation principle of sola Scriptura is not what the Bible itself teaches, it is not what Christ or the Apostles, taught, and it was in fact a notion that was firmly rejected by the early Church Fathers. Loaded with scriptural information!
10. Search and Rescue: How You Can Help People Come Home to the Church
Based on the popular book by the same title, this seminar explains ten crucial “dos and don’ts” for Catholics who want to share, explain, and defending their Catholic beliefs. With a generous helping of humorous anecdotes, biblical examples, and practical illustrations, this talk equips lay-Catholics with the tools they need to help their family, friends, and co-workers come into (or back into) the Catholic Church. Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York, said: “How do you bring someone back to the Catholic Church? First you pray, then you follow Patrick Madrid’s advice in Search and Rescue.” In this talk, he shows you exactly how its done.
11. Surprised by Truth: Why Are So Many Non-Catholics Becoming Catholic?
Each year, thousands of people convert and are received into the Catholic Church. In this talk, Patrick explores the specific reasons for conversion and the theological, spiritual, scriptural, and interpersonal dynamics that lead people into the Catholic Church. A respectful and thought-provoking overview of why people become Catholic and how we can help them.
12. Answer Me This! — How to Answer Common Questions About Catholicism
From Mary to the papacy, from the Eucharist to contraception, there are many questions people ask about the Catholic Church. This illuminating seminar shows how to answer these and other questions using the Bible and the facts of Christian history for support. Just as importantly, this talk shows why it’s so important to always answer questions and challenges “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:16), and how to do so without losing your cool or trying to “win” an argument.
13. Pope Fiction: Answers to Myths and Misconceptions About the Papacy
Covers many common biblical and historical misunderstandings about the papacy, including papal infallibility, was Peter the first pope? What about the bad popes? What role did the popes play in the Inquisition, the Crusades, and the Galileo Affair? Were there ever three popes at one time? Was there ever a female imposter pope called “Pope Joan”? What exactly did Pope Pius XII do to help the Jews during the Holocaust? And more.
14. The Case for Christ: Evidence of His Existence, Resurrection, and Divinity
These days, many people dismiss the idea that Jesus Christ was the Son of God or that He rose from the dead. Indeed, many deny that he even existed. This dynamic and fast-paced seminar presents the solid historical proofs for the existence of Christ, His public ministry, death and Resurrection, and shows why its really the skeptics — not believing Christians — who are mired in “blind faith” when they deny the existence and divinity of Jesus Christ.
15. Any Friend of God’s Is a Friend of Mine: Mary & the Communion of Saints
Many people question and object to Catholic teaching on the role of Mary and the saints in God’s plan of salvation. This seminar examines the biblical evidence supporting Catholic doctrines and practices, such as praying to and honoring Mary and the saints, the use of statues and icons vs. the sin of idolatry, the rosary, praying for the souls in purgatory, etc. It offers succinct and persuasive answers to questions such as, “How can Mary hear all those millions of simultaneous prayers?” “Why do Catholics ‘worship’ Mary?” Why do you pray to saints when you can go directly to God?” “Do Catholics worship statues?” and more.
16. How to Explain the Sacraments to Someone Who Doesn’t Believe in Them
The sacramental system is at the heart of the Catholic Faith, though many people, including some Catholics, don’t understand why we need sacraments. This seminar examines the rich scriptural evidence surrounding the purpose and effects of the sacraments, especially baptism, the Eucharist, and confession to a priest. Discover why Christ used physical things like water, bread, wine — and even His own saliva — to impart grace to people! Special attention is given to the testimony of the early Church Fathers regarding the sacraments and their celebration in the early Church.
17. A Course in Eucharistic Miracles
Patrick takes you on a guided tour of numerous astounding Eucharistic miracles from around the world. After laying the foundation with a brief biblical and theological catechesis on the Catholic Church’s doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, he then discusses a series of spectacular miracles connected to the Blessed Sacrament, including episodes from the lives of the saints you may never have heard about before.
18. Catholicism 101
A broad overview of the major doctrines and practices of the Catholic Faith, including: Trinitarian monotheism, the Incarnation and divinity of Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture and its relationship to Tradition, the Church, salvation and justification, the sacraments, apostolic succession and the papacy, the communion of saints, Marian doctrines (i.e., her Immaculate Conception, the Virgin Birth, her Bodily Assumption, etc.), heaven & hell, purgatory and prayers for the souls of the faithful departed, sacramentals, calling priests “father,” and more. This theme requires more than a single evening to adequately cover and is recommended as an all-day seminar.
19. Free From All Error: The Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture
In the past 100 years, a pernicious attitude of skepticism toward the Bible has crept into the minds of many, casting doubt on whether Scripture is true and trustworthy. In this talk, Patrick Madrid explains the perennial Catholic teaching that Scripture is indeed inerrant, and he examines many common arguments against it, including that the Bible is just a “collection of myths,” that the miracles recorded in the Bible didn’t really happen, that the Bible contains errors, that “Jesus didn’t know He was God,” and others. He also considers some of the more common psychological motives for skepticism toward the Bible. This talk will show you the solid, compelling reasons why you can trust the Bible.
20. Open-Forum Q&A Workshop
This free-wheeling and exciting question-&-answer workshop covers the waterfront of issues pertaining to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Scripture, Tradition, and Church history. The audience determines the questions and are encouraged to bring their Bible, a note pad, and their toughest questions — all of which will be answered in a friendly, charitable, and informative style.
To schedule a seminar with Patrick Madrid, please fill out our information request form. Someone will get back to you promptly.
You can also contact Patrick through regular mail at: PO Box 640, Granville, OH 43023
or by e-mailing him at: info at patrickmadrid dot com
“Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
