Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, M.T.S., International Catholic Speaker and Evangelist
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers is a globally recognized Catholic speaker, author, and evangelist known as the “Dynamic Deacon” for his passionate and powerful preaching. Ordained in 2002 for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, he holds a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree from the University of Dallas. Deacon Harold speaks extensively across the United States and around the world, addressing topics such as the Eucharist, marriage and family, prayer, and evangelization. He is also a frequent guest on EWTN and has authored several books, including Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality.
In The Real Presence: The Mass, Deacon Harold offers a profound reflection on the offertory and the symbolism of the water and wine. He explains that as we bring the bread and wine to the altar, we are also offering our very lives to the Lord. When the priest adds a drop of water into the chalice of wine, it represents us and symbolizes our inseparable union with God.  Just as the water cannot be removed from the wine, we too are united with Christ in the sacrifice of the Mass. His powerful insights reveal the deeply personal and transformative nature of the Eucharist.

Dr. Scott W. Hahn, Ph.D., Founder and President of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology
Dr. Scott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, speaker, and author, and serves as the Founder and President of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. A convert to the Catholic faith, Dr. Hahn holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Marquette University and is a distinguished professor of Biblical Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He also serves as the McEssy Distinguished Visiting Professor of Biblical Theology at Mundelein Seminary. Through decades of teaching, writing, and media outreach, he has become one of the most trusted voices in Catholic evangelization and catechesis.
A prolific author, Dr. Hahn has written over 40 books, including the widely acclaimed Rome Sweet Home, The Lamb’s Supper, and Hail, Holy Queen. His ability to present deep theological truths in an accessible and compelling way has made him a highly sought-after speaker at conferences, universities, and parishes worldwide. In The Real Presence: The Mass, Dr. Hahn powerfully unpacks the scriptural foundations of the Catholic Mass and affirms the profound truth of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist—proclaiming, “It’s too good to be true, but it’s the truth!”

Curtis A. Martin, Founder and CEO of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)
Curtis Martin is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.  He holds a master’s degree in theology and has dedicated his life to evangelization, particularly among young adults. Under his leadership, FOCUS has become one of the most impactful Catholic apostolates in the world, with missionaries serving on college campuses across the United States and abroad. A gifted public speaker, he has addressed audiences at the Vatican, World Youth Day, and numerous national conferences, sharing the truths of the Catholic faith with clarity and conviction.
In The Real Presence: The Mass, Curtis Martin offers compelling reflections on the mystery of the Eucharist, emphasizing that while the Real Presence of Christ may be hard to believe, it is grounded in both Scripture and the consistent teaching of the Church. His ability to bridge reason and faith provides viewers with a thoughtful and accessible approach to understanding the profound reality of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C., International Speaker and Member of the Order of St. Clare
Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C., is a Poor Clare nun known worldwide for her healing ministry, deep prayer life, and powerful preaching on the Eucharist and priesthood. Born in Ireland and a member of the Order of St. Clare, Sister Briege has traveled the globe for decades, speaking at retreats, conferences, and healing services. She is the author of the bestselling book Miracles Do Happen, which recounts her miraculous physical healing and the spiritual calling that followed.
In The Real Presence: The Mass, Sister Briege shares a profound spiritual insight into the unseen realities of the Eucharistic celebration. She reflects on how the Mass is the meeting place of heaven and earth, where all the angels, saints, and even the apostles are truly present—though not visible to our eyes, they can be seen with the eyes of fatih. Her testimony invites viewers to awaken to the supernatural beauty of the Mass and to enter more deeply into its mystery with faith, reverence, and love.

  

His Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre serves as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, the Pope’s official representative and ambassador to the U.S. Catholic Church. A native of Rennes, France, Cardinal Pierre has served the Church around the world as a Vatican diplomat, including appointments in Haiti, Uganda, and Mexico before being assigned to the United States in 2016. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis in 2023 in recognition of his faithful service and deep commitment to the mission of the universal Church.
In The Real Presence: The Mass, Cardinal Pierre offers a powerful reflection on the transformative nature of the Eucharist. He explains that when we receive the Body of Christ in Holy Communion, we are not only united with Jesus, but we become part of His Body. This divine exchange enables us to live more fully as the Body of Christ in the world, bringing His presence to others. With clarity and pastoral wisdom, Cardinal Pierre invites viewers to embrace the Eucharist not only as nourishment, but as the key to Christian identity and mission.

The Most Reverend Erik T. Pohlmeier, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine
Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier was appointed the eleventh bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine by Pope Francis and was installed on July 22, 2022. Prior to his episcopal appointment, he served the Church in Arkansas for over two decades as a pastor, seminary instructor, and diocesan director of faith formation. Bishop Pohlmeier is a member of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. He chairs the Subcommittee on the Catechism within this committee where he contributes to the Church’s ongoing mission of forming disciples in the truth of the Gospel.
Known for his clarity and depth as a teacher, Bishop Pohlmeier brings a pastoral and approachable voice to Catholic theology.   He holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with a specialization in moral theology.  In The Real Presence: The Mass, he reflects on the transformative power of the Eucharist, emphasizing that those who receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament are building up the presence of Christ within them.  Bishop Pohlmeier beautifully conveys the connection between receiving divine love at the altar and being sent forth to share that love with the world.

Father Mike Schmitz, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and Chaplain for the University of Minnesota–Duluth

 Father Mike Schmitz is a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, where he serves as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and as chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota–Duluth. Widely known for his engaging preaching and digital evangelization, he is the creator of the popular Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year podcasts with Ascension, which have topped charts globally and brought millions closer to Christ and His Church. Father Mike is a sought-after speaker at conferences, retreats, and events across the country, especially among young adults and college students.
In The Real Presence: The Mass, Father Mike speaks powerfully about the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and in every sacrament. He explains that while Jesus acts in the person of the priest—in persona Christi—it is the Holy Spirit who makes the sacraments effective, bringing about the miracles that transform bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. His reflections remind viewers that the same Spirit who overshadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation is active and alive in every celebration of the Eucharist.

Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith
Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., is a Jesuit priest, philosopher, and physicist, and the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America and advanced degrees in theology and science, including a master’s in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and a degree in cosmology and philosophy of science from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology. A former president of Gonzaga University, Father Spitzer is an internationally recognized speaker and author who bridges faith and science, especially in areas related to cosmology, metaphysics, the multiverse, and near-death experiences. His book The Soul’s Upward Yearning explores scientific and philosophical evidence of the soul, while The Afterlife Revolution addresses near-death experiences and evidence for life beyond this world.
In The Real Presence: The Mass, Father Spitzer speaks compellingly about the intersection of time and eternity during the consecration at Mass. He explains that at the moment of consecration, time “collapses,” uniting the present moment with the Last Supper, as if we are transported through time to that sacred moment with Christ and the apostles. Drawing from his deep knowledge of cosmology and theology, he also reflects on how heaven and earth, though distinct like parallel universes, intersect during the Mass. His insights open a cosmic window into the mystery of the Eucharist, showing how the supernatural and the temporal come together in the liturgy in ways far beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses.

The Most Reverend David L. Toups, S.T.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas
Bishop David L. Toups was appointed the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont by Pope Francis and was installed on August 21, 2020. In addition to his pastoral leadership in Beaumont, Bishop Toups serves the Church on the national level through his involvement with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), including his work with the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. Known for his dynamic preaching and accessible teaching style, Bishop Toups is a sought-after speaker at conferences, retreats, and events across the country.
A theologian and educator at heart, Bishop Toups brings deep academic and spiritual insight to his role as bishop. He holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, with a focus on priestly formation. In The Real Presence: The Mass, he speaks compellingly about the mystery of transubstantiation, the divine structure of the Mass, and the sacred role of the priest acting in persona Christi—in the person of Christ—during the Eucharistic celebration.