Busted Halo

What is it?

Busted Halo is a media resource that uses a relevant and accessible voice to help people understand the Catholic faith, put it into practice, and share it with others. A ministry of the Paulist Fathers (The Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle), Busted Halo aims to bring the joy of the Gospel to all people in innovative ways. Through a radio show broadcast daily to all of North America, written articles, videos, podcasts, and social media, we aspire to help Catholics embrace their faith more fully. We value the experiences and questions of people seeking to better understand their faith and offer resources to better comprehend and share the richness of the Catholic faith.

How does it help?

Busted Halo is important for forming and promoting the laity in our country because many parishes, schools, and faith-formation programs lack the necessary time, money, and resources. Busted Halo is a place where anyone can come to listen, read, learn, ask questions freely, and experience the Catholic faith.

In the spirit of the Paulist Fathers, Busted Halo uses the most modern methods of communication to spread the message of the Gospel. We are active across all social media platforms and have our finger on the pulse of digital evangelization.

Busted Halo also offers a program called “Young Adult Ministry in a Box” which empowers young adults by offering structures, programs, and best practices so they can build young adult ministries themselves that meet the spiritual, social, and developmental needs of the community.

Why is it important?

Busted Halo enhances the formation of the laity by providing contemporary and innovative resources that explain the Catholic faith and encourage others to share it. We provide a welcoming space for people to ask their questions of faith, and answer across multiple mediums (international radio show, video, podcast, web, social media, e-mail, etc). Our articles, videos, podcasts, digital retreats, and other free resources are frequently used in parishes, classrooms, discussion groups, and more. Busted Halo aims to teach and explain, while keeping an upbeat, fun, approachable, and joyful tone.

We receive frequent feedback from those who have been touched by our ministry. For example:

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoy what you all do. As one of the many who has come back to the faith recently, I must say that your insights, humor and compassion have really been of help to me as I have come home. I pray that your efforts will continue to be a blessing for years to come.”

How did it start

Busted Halo was created in the Jubilee Year 2000 by the Paulist Fathers, who, in the spirit of their founder, Servant of God, Fr. Isaac Hecker, CSP, and patron St. Paul the Apostle, sought to use the most modern methods of communication to “go out to all the world” and particularly reach out to those young people on the fringes of faith or who have left the practice of the faith. Busted Halo has evolved and grown while continuing to be known for speaking to the needs, wants and interests of people seeking a more joyful and meaningful experience of Catholicism.

Benefits

Busted Halo provides accessible answers to people’s questions of faith, the opportunity to form community across digital platforms, and encouragement to share the faith in a joyful way. Busted Halo recognizes that everyone’s journey has imperfections and struggles (our halos are all a little “busted”), yet empowers and challenges the laity to embrace our call to holiness and strive for sanctity.

Means and funding

Busted Halo is primarily funded as a mission outreach of the Paulist Fathers, but also by the generous contributions of individual donors (via online monthly contributions and annual fundraising campaigns) and has been the recipient of foundation grants from both Catholic and secular granting institutions and family foundations.

Learn more

Those interested in learning more about Busted Halo should visit Bustedhalo.com and tune into The Busted Halo Show, which airs Monday – Friday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s channel 129.

Countries involved

Busted Halo is a unique media ministry of the Paulist Fathers based in the United States. However, we have fans, readers, users, listeners, and followers located in many countries (mostly English-speaking countries) throughout the world.

How to start?

Busted Halo resources (e.g. guides, social media challenges, virtual retreats, video series like our “Sacraments 101” or “In 2 Minutes” series) may be used and screened for free in any country and by anyone who knows English.