About Me
Hi, I’m Katie Patrizio.
I’m a Catholic speaker and teacher, best known for my talks on Scripture.
I also host a podcast on the weekly Mass readings called Sunday Dive.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Master’s degree in Biblical theology from John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego.
I grew up in Southern California but currently live in Iowa where I serve as Director of Faith Formation at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, the largest Catholic parish in the state.
How my work will benefit you
Many Catholics feel lost when it comes to understanding Scripture.
I did too until I had some fantastic professors in college who were able to break the Bible stories down for me into a coherent narrative.
My work seeks to do the same by:
Uncovering the Jewish background of the Scriptures
Exploring the cultural environment and historical backdrop of daily life at the time of Jesus
Laying open the original Greek or Hebrew of the Biblical text for the everyday reader to understand
Connecting the Old and New Testaments to one another
And, most importantly, making the Bible relevant to your daily life and struggle for holiness.
To be honest, most of the ideas that I forward are not my own.
I stand on the shoulders of giants, both past and present: great theologians, former professors, and colleagues who have given their lives to the study of God’s word. What I do is take this information and distill it into an understandable and easily consumable format so that it can benefit you.
I don’t know all the answers and I certainly revise my opinions from time-to-time but that’s because I value life-long learning. If you’re here, I imagine that you probably do too.
A few more things about me:
My podcast Sunday Dive gets 200+ downloads per week.
I speak regularly both locally, nationally, and virtually. I’ve spoken at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) and LA Congress, two of the largest conferences in the nation, and my online talks for PrayMoreNovenas.com were viewed by tens of thousands of people.
In my free time, I enjoy:
Reading - Some of my favorite books include The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown and The Wright Brothers by David McCullough.
Camping, Hiking, and Cycling - I love to be outside. My favorite places to camp are the California coast and the North Shore of Lake Superior. I’ve hiked Mt. Whitney, backpacked the Grand Canyon, and cycled the full week of RAGBRAI.
Competitive Rowing - When I moved to landlocked Iowa from sunny San Diego I knew I would need a water fix so I took up rowing and absolutely love a good sprint race.
What People Are Saying
"Every time I hear Katie speak, I learn something about Scripture that I didn’t know before. Katie blends a deep love of God's word with a dynamic teaching style, and I've personally witnessed a number of lives changed through her talks."
— Dr. Bud Marr, Director of the National Institute for Newman Studies
"Katie is a young, faithful, and exuberant Catholic speaker and apologist. Her passion for the joint efforts of evangelization and education combined with her theological and pastoral knowledge make her effective in reaching not only the minds, but the hearts of those who hear her speak."
— Josh Mazrin, Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Venice in Florida
"I have personally experienced Katie's presentations. It is obvious that she finds joy in her ministry. This is important because her joy convinces others that what she is doing is out of love for the Lord and His Church."
— Bishop Richard Pates, Emeritus Bishop of Des Moines
“Katie is a dynamic speaker and gifted storyteller. She has a deep understanding of the faith and presents in a way that is relevant, practical, and engaging. She brings a fresh perspective that is uniquely her and authentically Catholic.”
- Victoria Radleigh Smith, Director of Mission Integration at the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
“My 5-year-old and I saw your mind blowing videos on the Advent retreat and we’re beyond grateful to God for your gifts. I wish you were coming out to Southern California!”
“I have trouble understanding the Bible but I truly enjoyed your talks. You were excellent in explaining Scripture. Thank you so much. ”
“”I truly enjoyed your talk and learned so much! Thank you for the gifts you share!””
“You captivated me during your talk!! I totally adored your series and didn’t want it to end.”