On this edition of The Catholic Morning Show, Deacon Mark Campbell and Alexia Baker explore the heroic spiritual life of Father Dolindo Rotolo — the Neapolitan mystic behind the beloved Surrender Novena — through a conversation with author Maria Palma Smith. The show also welcomes historian and author Jeb Smith to challenge modern assumptions about democracy and liberty through the lens of medieval kingship in his provocative new book Missing Monarchy. Listeners also hear details about the upcoming Growing the Faith of Iowa Tour featuring Catholic apologist Dr. Karlo Broussard across three Iowa locations in July.
On June 9, 2026, Deacon Mark Campbell and Alexia Baker host two compelling conversations on The Catholic Morning Show.
First, Maria Palma Smith joins to discuss her spiritual biography Jesus, I Surrender Myself to You, co-authored with a devoted niece of Father Dolindo Rotolo. Father Dolindo was a Neapolitan priest born in Naples in 1882, a mystic deeply loved by Saint Padre Pio, and the man to whom Jesus personally gave the prayer that would become the beloved Surrender Novena. Maria shares the remarkable story of Father Dolindo's decades of suffering, including nearly 20 years forbidden from celebrating Mass — a period of profound spiritual fruitfulness in which he wrote his autobiography and a 33-volume commentary on Sacred Scripture for the laity. His deep Eucharistic devotion and Marian love serve as an enduring model of surrender for Catholics today. The book is available through TAN Books and Amazon.
🔗 TAN Books — Jesus, I Surrender Myself to You
Then, Jeb Smith — Vermont-based historian and author — joins to discuss Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About the Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy and Liberty, published by Sensus Fidelium Press. Jeb argues that medieval kingship, rooted in a Catholic understanding of natural and divine law, preserved liberty and self-governance for centuries in ways modern democracy has failed to replicate. He makes the case for radical decentralization — returning power to the county level — as the path back to authentic self-governance. The book is available through Sensus Fidelium Press and Amazon, and more of Jeb's work can be found at his author website.
🔗 Missing Monarchy — Sensus Fidelium Press
🔗 Author Jeb Smith's Website
Also mentioned on today's show — mark your calendars for the Growing the Faith of Iowa Tour with Dr. Karlo Broussard, Catholic Answers' live apologist:
Also, join Des Moines Catholic police officers for a Rosary and Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Saturday, June 13 at 1:30 PM at the Des Moines Police Department, 25 East First Street, Des Moines. Gather on the west side near the memorial. Lawn chairs welcome.
Learn more about Iowa Catholic Radio and submit your parish events at: 🔗 https://www.IowaCatholicRadio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show
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