This week on the Restoring Christian Culture Podcast, hosts Marco Salinas and Dan Sevigny are back for a frank, no-holds-barred conversation about the latest upheaval in Catholic education in San Antonio.

A sudden Catholic school closure has sent shockwaves through the local faithful—causing teachers and families to scramble, and prompting a surprising response from church leadership. Marco and Dan share the behind-the-scenes story of how Lumen Christi Academy was called to stand in the breach, the controversy over diocesan prohibitions, and why authentic independent Catholic education matters now more than ever.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this episode:

A Catholic School’s Sudden Closure: The rapid collapse of a well-known, traditionally-minded Catholic school and the scramble that followed for teachers, families, and options.

Charter School Takeover: Why a public charter school (not even Christian in identity) is moving into a space once built and funded by generations of Catholic donors, and what that means for Catholic identity.

Lumen Christi Academy’s Open Door: How Marco and the team at Sanctus Ranch responded with charity and initiative—offering a real Catholic alternative without diocesan backing or government strings.

Diocesan Pushback: The hosts discuss the Archdiocese’s public prohibition against families choosing independent Catholic schools and explore the real reasons behind this resistance.

Free Speech and Catholic Dialogue: The troubling trend of censorship within Catholic social media groups, moms’ groups, and local forums that suppresses open discussion and parental discernment.

Why Independence Matters: A candid explanation of why Lumen Christi Academy refuses government vouchers and diocesan control—and the practical, sacrificial realities of being truly independent.

The Fruits of Formation: Stories from parents, students, and faculty about the authentic Catholic community and transformation happening at Lumen Christi, from daily Mass to the classical curriculum.

Real Choices for Families: Encouragement and challenges to Catholic parents—your canonical rights, your responsibilities, and the courage needed to seek out the best for your children’s souls.

Special Announcements:

Interested in experiencing the Lumen Christi difference? Visit lumenchristiacademy.org for info, tuition structure, and upcoming open events.

Mark your calendar: June 21 Gala at Sanctus Ranch, featuring Ed Schaefer (The Collegium) and Dr. Peter Kwasniewski!

Support the mission through prayer, donations, or by becoming a Guardian Angel or Godparent for a Lumen Christi student.

Take Action:

Have questions or want to tour Lumen Christi? Reach out via lumenchristiacademy.org.

Share this episode to help spread the word about authentic Catholic education—and the battle for our children’s formation.

Thanks for listening! Please consider rating the show and leaving a review—it helps other faithful Catholics find this important conversation. Prayers and blessings from the Restoring Christian Culture Podcast team!

Connect with Sanctus Ranch and Lumen Christi Academy:
LumenChristiAcademy.org | SanctusRanch.com | TheRcci.org

#CatholicEducation #SchoolChoice #ChristianCulture #SanAntonio #RestoringChristianCulture #LumenChristiAcademy

Restoring Christian Culture Podcast
Episode 12:


In this special episode, Dan welcomes first-time guest, Board Member and friend of the Ranch, John Garcia, to explore a deeply meaningful topic in Catholic tradition: the anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima and the First Five Saturdays devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Drawing from their personal journeys and practical family life, Dan and John discuss how these unfamiliar devotions have guided them toward a more vibrant and traditional practice of faith.

Key Topics Covered:

The Story of Fatima:
John recounts the miraculous events of Fatima—three shepherd children in Portugal, the visits from the Virgin Mary, the growing crowds, their unwavering testimony, and the famous Miracle of the Sun witnessed by thousands.

The First Five Saturdays Devotion:
What it means, why Our Lady asked for it, and practical tips on how to live out this devotion today: confession, Communion, praying the Rosary, and acts of reparation.

Practical Family Devotions:
The hosts share honest stories of introducing the Rosary into busy family life, the challenges faced, and how persistence leads to grace and transformation.

The Rosary: A Key to Christian Renewal:
Insights on fostering Marian devotion among men, making the Rosary a “manly” prayer, and inspiring children by living example.

Upcoming Events:
Announcement of Sanctus Ranch’s 24-hour Rosary Rally on May 30–31. Listeners are encouraged to send in prayer petitions for inclusion during the event.

Restoring a Rosary Culture:
Reflecting on the role of Marian devotion in reviving Christian culture, including film recommendations and practical advice for families seeking to restore tradition at home.

Resources and Recommendations:

Movies for the Feast of Fatima:

The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952, Warner Brothers)

The 13th Day (modern adaptation)

Rosary Rally Details:
Join the Sanctus Ranch 24-hour Rosary Rally, May 30th (1pm) to May 31st (1pm), including Mass, a Rosary procession, and crowning of Mary.

Submit Prayer Intentions:
Send your petitions to be included in the 24-hour rosary. Details available on the Restoring Christian Culture website and Facebook page.

Listener Challenge:

Wherever you are on your faith journey, Dan and John encourage you to pick up the Rosary and pray it daily. Whether you’re new or returning, let the Rosary become a central part of your family and personal prayer life. As Our Lady asked at Fatima, “Pray the Rosary every day.”

Connect with Us:
If you have questions, intentions, or topics you’d like us to cover, reach out on our website or social media. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe!

Restoring Christian Culture Podcast
Restoring faith, family, and culture—one prayer at a time.

In this landmark episode, Dan Sevigny and his son, Mathias, sit down together at Sanctus Ranch to discuss one of the most exciting developments in Catholicism: the election of the new pope, Leo the Fourteenth—an American! Join the conversation as Dan and Mathias break down the surprising results of the conclave, the significance of a U.S.-born pope, and what this means for Catholics everywhere.

In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:

• The White Smoke Moment: Reactions from the Lumen Christi Academy community as news broke of the new pope, and the sense of awe at an American rising to the Seat of St. Peter.
• Name Significance: The importance of Pope Leo XIV choosing a pre-conciliar name and its historical and spiritual references, especially in relation to Pope Leo XIII.
• First Impressions: Reflections on Pope Leo XIV’s appearance, traditional papal vestments, and why his entrance felt so “papal."
• The American Angle: What it means for the global church to have an American pope, and the ripple effects for Catholic culture and evangelization in the U.S.
• Papacy Expectations: Why Mathias and Dan urge all Catholics to embrace a spirit of patience and prayer, giving the new pope time to lead before jumping to conclusions.
• The Augustinian Influence: Insights into the new pope’s background as an Augustinian and what that might signal for his papacy.
• Latin Mass and Tradition: Excitement around the traditional Latin Mass being celebrated in major Roman basilicas shortly after the election—a hopeful sign for traditional Catholics.
• A Generation's Opportunity: What a long papacy could mean for young Catholics, priests, and religious vocations in the coming decades.
• Restoring Christian Culture: Drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum and its vision for a truly Christian society.

Highlights & Takeaways:

• Cautious optimism prevails for Catholics across the spectrum—many hope for a return to tradition, clear teaching, and a quieter, more prayerful papacy.
• Linguistic fluency and global experience may make Pope Leo XIV uniquely equipped to serve the modern Church.
• The presence of an American pope opens fresh doors for evangelization and healing inside the Church, especially for those who have stepped away in difficult times.

Stay Connected:

• Follow updates and the ongoing mission to restore Christian culture at Dan’s Substack (search “Restoring Christian Culture Initiative”).
• Check out Mathias’s Substack: “Ever Ancient, Ever New.”

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—and share this episode with anyone curious about this momentous change in the Catholic Church.

God bless,
The Restoring Christian Culture Podcast Team