Catholic Culture Audiobooks

"The Lord's memorial is the central mystery of our Christian life. It has taken the form of a meal at which He offers Himself as the food. We were taught this in the Communion instruction of our childhood; we hear it repeated again and again in sermons and retreats; we read it in religious books. Yet are we really aware of the stupendousness of the thought?" Romano Guardini (1885-1968) was a German priest and academic, regarded to be one of the most important Catholic intellectual figures of the 20th century. He authored numerous books and was a major influence on such Catholic thinkers as Josef Pieper, Luigi Giussani and Joseph Ratzinger, among others. He declined a cardinalship offered by Pope Paul VI in 1965, and his cause for canonization was opened in December 2017 by the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. Guardini was particularly influential in the area of liturgy. The work from which this reflection comes, Meditations Before Mass, originated as a series of discourses offered in preparation for the celebration of Mass. "Their purpose," Guardini writes, "was simply to reveal what the Mass demands of us and how those demands may be properly met." Links Christ's Offering of Self full text: https://guardini.wordpress.com/meditations-before-mass/ 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.

"Be sure that wherever our lot is cast we may and must aim at the perfect life." Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly Incorporating prayer and sacraments into a busy schedule Growing in virtue Battling wisely against temptation Making spiritual progress through daily, monthly, and yearly exercises Whether you are just beginning your spiritual journey or are more advanced in the spiritual life, you'll be able to apply this timeless wisdom immediately. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622) was the Bishop of Geneva and a renowned spiritual director. Preaching during the Counter-Reformation, he is estimated to have converted 70,000 Calvinists in his lifetime. He was a fervent proponent of the universal call to holiness and spent much of his time guiding lay people on the road to sanctity. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877, St. Francis is still helping to form saints through his many writings, of which Introduction to the Devout Life is the most famous. —description from the publisher Links Introduction to the Devout Life full text: https://watch.formed.org/introduction-to-the-devout-life-by-st-francis-de-sales 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 this episode from the archive, a selection of three of Newman's poems is read, all of which were composed within a few days of one another and all reflecting on the efficacy of prayer. DONATE at http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Full text: http://www.newmanreader.org/works/verses/index.html 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.

"If you hate your own corruption in sincerity and truth, if you are really pierced to the heart that you do not do what you know you should do, if you would love God if you could, then the Gospel speaks to you words of peace and hope. It is a very different thing indolently to say, 'I would I were a different man,' and to close with God's offer to make you different, when it is put before you. Here is the test between earnestness and insincerity." This sermon is taken from a collection of sermons given by Newman between 1825 and 1843, before his conversion to Catholicism. In it, he reflects on Christ's counsel to his Apostles, "If you know these things, happy are you if you do them." (John 13:17) Links Knowledge of God's Will without Obedience full text: https://newmanreader.org/works/parochial/volume1/sermon3.html Go to http://www.catholicculture.org/getaudio to register for FREE access to the full archive of audiobooks beyond the most recent 15 episodes. 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.

Explore the impactful insights from Pope Leo XIII on social justice and labor rights in a transformative era. The discussion critiques both socialism and capitalism, emphasizing the right to property as essential for human dignity. Discover the Church's pivotal role in bridging economic divides through moral principles and private charity. The call to action encourages individuals to embrace charitable virtues to foster social responsibility. Delve into how these teachings lay the foundation for contemporary Catholic social doctrine.

"Be solicitous only to pour out tears abundantly, and leave to God the care of drying them up." On the Sanctity and Duties of the Monastic State by the Abbé Armand-Jean de Rancé was originally published in Paris in 1683. Although Abbé de Rancé, the founder of the Trappists, originally wrote for his monks, many laity of 17th c. France enthusiastically adopted much of his spirituality, and to wonderful effect. With asceticism re-appearing now as a corrective to our self-indulgence and softness, his incisive book is a badly needed, bracing corrective for the Christians of our time. -- from the description of Back to Asceticism: the Trappist Option, trans. Lee Gilbert. Links Back to Asceticism: The Trappist Option -- https://www.amazon.com/Back-Asceticism-Translation-Introduction-MONASTIQUE/dp/057855366X 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 the second coming when He will come for rendering repayment, He will not come in humility and poverty, but in such majesty and power that the whole world will tremble." St. Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419) was born in Valencia, Spain, and died in Vannes, Britany. He was a great scholar and theologian, and even served as an advisor to Benedict XIII, the Avignon anti-pope. St. Vincent was also a great preacher, traveling throughout Europe as a parish mission preacher. The favorite topic of his sermons was the final judgment, and he is often called the "Angel of the Judgment." This sermon demonstrates St. Vincent's ability, in typically Dominican style, to render a close analysis of scripture into an accessible sermon capable of drawing out both the literal and moral significance of the sacred text. Happy feast of St. Vincent Ferrer! Links Sermon on the Last Judgment full text: https://www.svfsermons.org/A398_On%20the%20Last%20Judgment,%20Sheep%20and%20Goats.htm More St. Vincent Ferrer sermons trans. by Fr. Albert G. Judy, OP: http://www.svfsermons.org 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.

"For, truly, she is raised above the condition of sinful beings, though by nature a sinner; she is brought near to God, yet is but a creature, and seems to lack her fitting place in our limited understandings, neither too high nor too low. We cannot combine, in our thought of her, all we should ascribe with all we should withhold." The Reverence Due to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a sermon first given by Newman for the Feast of the Annunciation, before his conversion to Catholicism. In it he considers in what respects the Virgin Mary is "Blessed". Happy Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord! Links The Reverence Due to the Virgin Mary full text: https://www.newmanreader.org/works/parochial/volume2/sermon12.html 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.

St. Patrick shares his incredible journey from captivity to becoming the Apostle of Ireland. He reflects on divine mercy and the blessings that shaped his faith. The transformative power of faith is explored, highlighting challenges in evangelism and the inclusivity of the gospel. His confession reveals the profound change in Ireland as people turn from idol worship to devotion to Christ. Personal struggles of converts, especially women, are discussed, emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity and a steadfast commitment to spreading the teachings of Christ.

"So long as we are sheep, we conquer: though ten thousand wolves prowl around, we overcome and prevail. But if we become wolves, we are worsted, for the help of our Shepherd departs from us: for He feeds not wolves, but sheep." A towering figure among the Early Church Fathers, St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407 AD) is one of the greatest preachers the Church has ever produced. Most of Chrysostom's extant writings, in fact, are sermons. This is the thirty-third of the nearly one hundred exegetical homilies by Chrysostom on the Gospel of Matthew, in which Chrysostom emphasizes Christ's command that his followers be as "sheep in the midst of wolves... wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Links Homily 33 on the Gospel According to St. Matthew Full Text: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=2009 Learn more about St. Chrysostom on Way of the Fathers: Ep. 41—Chrysostom (Part 1) | Golden Mouth & Golden Mysteries: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/42chrysostom-part-1-golden-mouth-golden-mysteries/ Ep. 42—Chrysostom (Part 2) | Triumph, Tragedy & Glory: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/42chrysostom-part-2-triumph-tragedy-glory/ 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.