Catholic Culture Audiobooks

July 24, 2020 is being observed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America as a day of mourning for Hagia Sophia, in response to the decision by Turkey's President to convert the historic cathedral in Istanbul from a museum to a mosque. In a message to the Greek Orthodox faithful, Archbishop Elpidiphoros wrote, "knowing that on Friday, July 24th, there will be an 'inauguration' of this program of cultural and spiritual misappropriation and a violation of all standards of religious harmony and mutual respect, we call upon all the beloved faithful of our Holy Archdiocese to observe this day as a day of mourning and of manifest grief. We urge you to invite your fellow Orthodox Christians and indeed all Christians and people of goodwill to share in the following observances." The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops shared this invitation, indicating that the Hagia Sophia — after serving for over eighty years as a museum — had become a place of encounter and dialogue between people of all faiths and cultures. The Greek Orthodox have asked that every church toll its bells, every flag be raised to half-mast, and that the Akathist Hymn is chanted in the evening — to which the USCCB has added that for Catholics unfamiliar with the Akathist Hymn, the recitation of the rosary is recommended. Both prayers entreat the Mother of God for her intercession. It is for this reason that we are re-releasing our reading of the Akathist Hymn, which appeared on this podcast back in March for the feast of the Annunciation. As access beyond the most recent 15 episodes of this podcast is restricted to our registered users, this particular episode is a perfect example of the kind of content only available to those who register for free at catholiculture.org/getaudio. We want everyone, however, to have access to this resource on this day. So for those who have yet to register, please consider doing so. And for those who have already registered and listened to this episode, we hope this re-release will serve as a prompting to join together with us as we unite alongside our fellow Christians in this day of mourning, praying the words of this powerful and ancient prayer to the Mother of God. Notes Full text: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=899 Example of sung chant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2IYzQ2Ava4 Go to http://www.catholicculture.org/getaudio to register for FREE access to the full archive of audiobooks beyond the most recent 15 episodes. Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

"Whoever, then, appears in his own opinion to have comprehended the Sacred Scriptures, or even some part of them, yet does not build up with that knowledge the two-fold love of God and his neighbor, has not yet known as he ought to know." "Everything which is not exhausted by being given away is not yet owned as it ought to be." This episode marks the beginning of an exciting new work on Catholic Culture Audiobooks: De Doctrina Christiana, or On Christian Doctrine, by St. Augustine of Hippo. Though De Doctrina is a shorter work than Confessions or The City of God, it's ranked right alongside them in significance — the three books together comprising St. Augustine's contribution to the "Great Books of the Western World" list. In this episode, we hear Book One in its entirety. Augustine provides, by way of introduction to the study of interpretation, an influential synthesis of Christian teaching based on the idea that only God should be enjoyed, as the source of true happiness, whereas all other things are meant to be used toward our true end. Over the course of the next few months, we'll be releasing the other three books in two parts each — for a total of seven episodes, each about an hour or so in length. It's the longest work we've tackled yet on this podcast, but we hope you'll join us on the journey as we make our way through this great work of our Christian inheritance and Catholic culture. Notes Translation courtesy of Catholic University of America Press: https://verbum.com/product/120407/saint-augustine-christian-instruction-admonition-and-grace-the-christian-combat-faith-hope-and-charity Alternate Translation at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=3275 Go to http://www.catholicculture.org/getaudio to register for FREE access to the full archive of audiobooks beyond the most recent 15 episodes. Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

In this sermon, Newman warns of the danger arising from inordinate love for "the elegant arts and studies," or what he refers to as accomplishments. It is one thing, for example, to be well-read in the classics merely to take delight in the lofty sentiments therein expressed—but it is another thing to "apply all we read to ourselves… from the mere sincerity and honesty of our desire to please God." The Danger of Accomplishments full text: http://www.newmanreader.org/works/parochial/volume2/sermon30.html SUBSCRIBE to Catholic Culture Audiobooks https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-culture-audiobooks/id1482214268 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter http://www.catholicculture.org/newsletter DONATE at http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Theme music: "2 Part Invention", composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved. Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

In a thought-provoking commencement address, a renowned Russian novelist reflects on the urgent struggle between truth and societal division. He critiques the Western perspective on non-Western cultures, emphasizing their unique identities. The discussion reveals the misconceptions surrounding global development and the pitfalls of legalism that diminish human dignity. Moreover, it highlights the spiritual crisis driven by materialism, urging a shift toward moral integrity and spiritual growth for a more fulfilling life.

"Mistrust Him, Meg, I will not, even if I feel myself faint." In this episode, we present the entirety of Dialogue on Conscience, by St. Thomas More and his daughter Margaret. Dialogue on Conscience is presented in the form of two letters; the first is written by More's stepdaughter, Alice Alington, to his eldest daughter, Margaret Roper; the second is a letter written by Margaret in response to Alice — itself the record of a dialogue between Margaret and St. Thomas that provides us with an invaluable look into More's wit, personality, and faith. Links Interview with More scholar Louis Karlin https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/robert-bolts-man-for-all-seasons-christian-saint-or-hero-selfhood/ Discussion of film A Man for All Seasons https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/man-for-all-seasons-1966/ Text courtesy of Catholic University of America Press: https://www.amazon.com/Thomas-More-Source-Book/dp/0813213762 Another version of the text: https://www.thomasmorestudies.org/docs/Dialogue%20on%20Conscience%20Modernized.pdf Donate at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

"Because of something uncertain, there should not be a definite abandonment of duty — for, in that event, there is certain ruin for the people, not only in things pertaining to this life, but also in those of that other life which must be cared for with incomparably greater attention and anxiety." In his Letter to Honoratus, Augustine writes in response to a question put to him by a fellow bishop: is it permissible for bishops and their clergy to flee oncoming persecution? Augustine exhorts bishops to place their trust in God, emphasizing the power of God to protect, and the primacy of prayer. He underlines that concern for eternal life takes precedence over the preservation of temporal life, and he insists that bishops and their clergy are beholden to serve the laity in their charge. If the laity remain, the clergy are obliged to do similarly. After all, Augustine points out, it is during the times of most danger that the sacraments are most needed — and in most demand. Links Alternate Translation at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=3143 SUBSCRIBE to Catholic Culture Audiobooks https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-culture-audiobooks/id1482214268 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter http://www.catholicculture.org/newsletter DONATE at http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

"The man who thinks that he is quiet and peaceful has within him a passion that he does not see." St. Dorotheus was a 6th century Palestinian abbot who founded a monastery near Gaza. Excerpts of his instruction on self-accusation are found in the Office of Readings. Excerpts from Doct. 13, De accusatione sui ipsius, 1-3: PG 88, 1699 Donate at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

"Love gives life to the soul, for just as the body lives through the soul, so the soul lives through God, and God dwells in us through love." A Pentecost sermon by St. Thomas Aquinas. Links Article on Aquinas' preaching style: "What Lessons Do Thomas Aquinas' Sermons Hold For Modern Preachers?" https://www.hprweb.com/2017/06/what-lessons-do-thomas-aquinass-sermons-hold-for-modern-preachers/ Translation courtesy of Catholic University of America Press: https://www.hfsbooks.com/books/the-academic-sermons-aquinas-hoogland/ SUBSCRIBE to Catholic Culture Audiobooks https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-culture-audiobooks/id1482214268 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter http://www.catholicculture.org/newsletter DONATE at http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Theme music: "2 Part Invention", composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

"Let the working man and the employer make free agreements, and in particular let them agree freely as to the wages; nevertheless, there underlies a dictate of natural justice more imperious and ancient than any bargain between man and man, namely, that wages ought not to be insufficient to support a frugal and well-behaved wage-earner." The second half of Leo XIII's classic encyclical offers a defense of the right of association, exhortation to preferential option for the poor, emphasis on the importance of Sabbath rest, as well as an explication of the principles of a just wage. Full Text at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=4904 Go to http://www.catholicculture.org/getaudio to register for FREE access to the full archive of audiobooks beyond the most recent 15 episodes. Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

"Hence, it is clear that the main tenet of socialism — community of goods — must be utterly rejected, since it only injures those whom it would seem meant to benefit, is directly contrary to the natural rights of mankind, and would introduce confusion and disorder into the commonweal." Rerum Novarum—literally meaning "Of New Things," but more accurately translated, "Of Revolutionary Change,"—was Pope Leo XIII's response to the political upheaval of the 19th century. Issued on May 15, 1891, Rerum Novaum set forth a definitive word on these "new things", and laid the groundwork for much of the development of the Church's social thought through the 20th century. Today, Rerum Novarum is considered a foundational text of Catholic social teaching. Covering everything from property rights to trade unions, to questions of wages and the relationship of man to the State; it's a sweeping document that is at once comprehensive and accessible. There's no need to be a political philosopher or economist here. Leo XIII develops his arguments in a methodical and straightforward way, and states plainly that human society can be healed in no other way than in a return to Christian life and Christian institutions. In this first half, Pope Leo XIII lays out the problems, rejects socialism's call for the abolition of private property, and identifies those rights and duties of the person and family that are prior to and independent of the State. He outlines the respective rights and duties of the worker and of the employer, affirming their mutual need for one another and calling them not only to cooperation, but to love. Today, when so many of the same social ills have reared their ugly head, Rerum Novarum is required reading for anyone looking to address the political and economic questions of today. Full Text at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=4904 Go to http://www.catholicculture.org/getaudio to register for FREE access to the full archive of audiobooks beyond the most recent 15 episodes. Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.