Catholic Culture Audiobooks

"This faith, if only you desire it, you can have." This letter, written by an anonymous author and addressed to a pagan named Diognetus, is not only a sublime example of Christian apologetics but also one of the most beautiful and exquisite works within all of early Christian literature. The translator describes its author as "an unnamed master of Greek style, a fervent Christian filled with Pauline convictions, a humanist who has achieved a remarkable harmony of supernatural faith and charity, with a highly cultivated intelligence, literary taste, conscience, and social sense. The calm and clarity of his thought reveal a master of logic, the deep convictions of a serious thinker, the eloquence of a trained rhetorician, the breadth of mind and warmth of heart, the poise of an educated gentleman.” Mike Aquilina on the Letter to Diognetus: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/episode-8-letter-to-diognetus-intro-to-apologists/ Translation courtesy of Catholic University of America Press: https://www.hfsbooks.com/books/the-apostolic-fathers-walsh-grimm-marique/ Alternate Translation at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=1620 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.

"And let us not merely seem to pay attention and to believe now, while being admonished by the presbyters, but also, when we have gone home, let us remember the commandments of the Lord..." The Second Letter of St. Clement is neither a letter nor by St. Clement. It is, instead, a homily—and the oldest example of Christian preaching aside from Scripture itself. Its appearance alongside St. Clement’s Letter to the Corinthians in many early manuscripts earns it its title. Highlights include affirmation of Christ’s divinity, emphasis placed upon the resurrection of the body, and some moving words on penance. Among the numerous Scriptural references, there are a few instances of quotation from unknown sources (likely one or more apocryphal gospels). Translation courtesy of Catholic University of America Press: https://www.hfsbooks.com/books/the-apostolic-fathers-walsh-grimm-marique/ Alternate Translation at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=1990 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.

“It was fitting, for His honor and glory, that she, who was the instrument of His bodily presence, should first be a miracle of His grace.” The work from which this reading is taken was published in 1849. The Immaculate Conception was defined solemnly as dogma in 1854. Here Newman evidences the excitement, anticipation, and awe at Mary's Immaculate Conception that was already universally held among the faithful.  Full text: http://www.newmanreader.org/works/discourses/discourse17.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.

"The season is chill and dark, and the breath of the morning is damp, and worshipers are few, but all this befits those who are by profession penitents and mourners, watchers and pilgrims." A sermon given by Newman while he was still an Anglican priest. Newman identifies Advent as an opportunity to reflect on and prepare for the particular judgment to occur at the end of each person's life. Full text: http://www.newmanreader.org/works/parochial/volume5/sermon1.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.

"Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."  The letters of St. Ignatius give witness to many of the early Church’s beliefs and practices. In this letter to the Church in Smyrna, Ignatius attests to Jesus’ true humanity and true divinity, His real presence in the Eucharist, and the universal hierarchy of bishop, priest, and deacon. The letter is also notable for containing the first recorded use of the term Catholic Church. Translation courtesy of Catholic University of America Press: https://www.hfsbooks.com/books/the-apostolic-fathers-walsh-grimm-marique/ Alternate Translation at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=1633 Sign up for our newsletter: http://www.catholicculture.org/getaudio 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.

Happy Thanksgiving! Full text: http://www.newmanreader.org/works/verses/verse15.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.

"In heaven, love will absorb fear; but in this world, fear and love must go together." Vivat Christus Rex! Links Full text: http://www.newmanreader.org/works/parochial/volume1/sermon23.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.

"But, if some shall disobey the words which have been spoken by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in no small transgression and danger." This letter is the only extant work by St. Clement of Rome, a 1st-century successor of St. Peter said to have been consecrated by Peter himself.  According to Johannes Quasten, Clement’s Letter to the Corinthians is “the earliest piece of literature outside the New Testament for which the name, position, and date of the author are historically attested.” It illuminates the origins of several Christian doctrines, including those of apostolic succession, Petrine primacy, and the papal office. Translation courtesy of Catholic University of America Press: https://www.hfsbooks.com/books/the-apostolic-fathers-walsh-grimm-marique/ Alternate Translation at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=1608 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 unseen God alone was their Comforter, and this invests the scene of their suffering with supernatural majesty, and awes us when we think of them.” This episode features a sermon first given by St. John Henry Newman on the Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, in which he reflects on martyrdom and the early church martyrs. Links Full text: http://www.newmanreader.org/works/parochial/volume2/sermon4.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.

"The uproar in the stadium was such that nobody could be heard at all." An authentic, firsthand account of St. Polycarp’s martyrdom on February 22, 156. Among other things, the account attests to the veneration of saintly relics by early Christians. The letter puts forth a clear defense of the veneration of saints as distinct from the worship rendered solely to God. The account is as moving now as it was when the Christians at Smyrna first wrote it. Translation courtesy of Catholic University of America Press: https://www.hfsbooks.com/books/the-apostolic-fathers-walsh-grimm-marique/ Alternate Translation at CatholicCulture.org:  https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=1627 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.