Catholic Classics
Ascension
Welcome to Catholic Classics from Ascension! Each season we'll read through a great Catholic spiritual writing providing insightful commentary and practical guidance along the way. Informative and enriching, these 20-30 mins episodes will allow you to learn from the Catholic Church’s most revered saints and teachers as you seek to cultivate your spiritual life.
In season three of Catholic Classics, join Fr. Jacob Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris as they read and explain Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In her “Little Way,” St. Thérèse shows us that, despite our weakness, (or perhaps because of it) God can make us saints through unbounded confidence in his love.
Find out more about the Catholic Classics podcast at ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics.
In season three of Catholic Classics, join Fr. Jacob Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris as they read and explain Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In her “Little Way,” St. Thérèse shows us that, despite our weakness, (or perhaps because of it) God can make us saints through unbounded confidence in his love.
Find out more about the Catholic Classics podcast at ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 6, 2023 • 15min
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 2 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Where does sin come from? Is evil always due to ignorance? Exploring the significance of a small act, the origins and mystery of sin, reflections on sin, brokenness, and love, and crowding out sin by embracing love.
Oct 5, 2023 • 21min
Day 4: Forming Good Habits (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
In this podcast, the hosts discuss St. Augustine's reflections on his past mistakes and the importance of God's mercy. They explore the disconnect between humans and God due to their worldly desires. They also talk about gratitude for childhood experiences and the challenges of raising children in a modern world. Lastly, they emphasize the importance of focusing on what truly matters in life.
6 snips
Oct 4, 2023 • 25min
Day 3: Baptism and the Fruits of Learning (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine questions his delayed baptism and links it to his struggles with vice; the power of sacraments and their role in sanctification; Augustine's disdain for studying Greek literature; the effects of books and media on our pursuits; the impact of education and consumption on individual character and growth.
Oct 3, 2023 • 24min
Day 2: The Role of Original Sin (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
The podcast explores St. Augustine's reflection on his relationships during his infancy and boyhood, and the role of Original Sin in our lives. It discusses the challenges of navigating life with Original Sin, the importance of memory and reflection, and parallels between parental and divine guidance.
8 snips
Oct 2, 2023 • 26min
Day 1: Who Is God? (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine ponders God's existence and knowability. He introduces us to God through prayer and praise. Fr. Pine and Fr. Janczyk support his conclusion that we are made for God. The chapter explores faith, God's omnipresence, and the desire for salvation. It reflects on infancy, existence, desire, love, and knowing.
Oct 2, 2023 • 17min
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 1 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine explores the themes of sanctity, insatiable desire for God, human reason, and seeking meaning in life in Book 1 of The Confessions. The upcoming chapters promise to delve into his thoughts on growth, holiness, and longing for God.
Sep 14, 2023 • 27min
An Introduction to St. Augustine and the Confessions
Learn about St. Augustine's life and why he wrote the Confessions. Explore his teachings on grace and predestination. Discover the historical context and structure of the Confessions. Get a guide to reading the book with introductions and footnotes.
Aug 21, 2023 • 18min
5 Tips for Building a Spiritual Reading Habit
Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk share five tips for building a spiritual reading habit. They discuss the importance of spiritual reading in deepening prayer and contemplation, the idea of viewing saints and spiritual authors as friends, and provide tips for finding spiritual growth and meaning in books. Additionally, they offer advice on accountability and retention strategies for developing a spiritual reading habit.
Aug 2, 2023 • 3min
Announcing Season 2 of Catholic Classics
A new season of Catholic Classics is starting this fall! We are so excited to announce that for this season of Catholic Classics, we will be reading The Confessions of St. Augustine. You can download the reading plan and order your copy of The Confessions of St. Augustine at ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics.
Dec 5, 2022 • 23min
Day 43: Conclusion: How Do I Go Forth? (Introduction to the Devout Life)
In the final chapters, St. Francis de Sales emphasizes practical resolutions, courage, and boldness in pursuing the Devout Life. The importance of diligence, prayer, and good works is highlighted. Surrendering oneself to God and living a devout life bring about transformative changes. Various practices and habits for living a devout life are discussed, including adapting confession traditions and integrating these practices into one's liturgical life. The speaker reflects on the need for conversations about Jesus and explores the value of spiritual classics in one's pursuit of Christ.
