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
Nov 25, 2022 • 7min
[BONUS] Intro to Part 4: Necessary Counsels Concerning Temptations That Occur Frequently in the Christian Life
In this special bonus episode, Fr. Jacob Bertrand reads the commentary to Part 4 of Introduction of the Devout Life, helping us understand the topic of temptation that St. Francis De Sales explores in this part of the book.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Please note: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Nov 25, 2022 • 27min
Day 33: Defining Temptation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
As we begin Part 4, St. Francis de Sales builds the framework for us of what temptation is and how temptations work, explaining the differences between experiencing them and consenting to them. Father Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand remind us not to be surprised or discouraged when temptation arises but to trust that God gives us the grace to withstand that reality, to choose the good, and be formed in the midst of it.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Please note: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Nov 24, 2022 • 28min
Day 32: Widows and Single People (Introduction to the Devout Life)
St. Francis De Sales provides encouragement for widows and single people who can often feel left out in society. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertand explain St. Francis de Sales’perspective on these states in life, remining us that being a widow or a single person doesn’t mean God has forgotten about you, rather, it means that God is preparing you in a particular way for himself.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
To support Ascension's free media, please consider making a financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support
Please note: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Nov 23, 2022 • 25min
Day 31: The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed (Introduction to the Devout Life)
As we continue our reading on marriage today, St. Francis De Sales helps us understand the role of sex in the context of marriage and how grace and virtue should shape the marital act. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand further elaborate on God’s plan for human sexuality how it contributes to the holiness of married couples
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
To support Ascension's free media, please consider making a financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support
Please note: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Nov 22, 2022 • 30min
Day 30: Wisdom for Married Couples (Introduction to the Devout Life)
What does it look like to live the devout life in the context of marriage and family? In today’s chapter, we learn about the sacrament of marriage and how spouses sanctify each other through their love and sacrifice. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand highlight the obstacles and challenges of marriage and emphasize the importance of leaning on God to persevere in this life-giving vocation.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
To support Ascension's free media, please consider making a financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support
Please note: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Nov 21, 2022 • 29min
Day 29: Building Habits of Faithfulness (Introduction to the Devout Life)
In these chapters, St. Francis De Sales reminds us that we are called not only to be faithful in big asks and big things, but in small things, too. Using the virtues of faithfulness and perseverance, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand make practical connections between living a virtuous life and living a life of devotion.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
To support Ascension's free media, please consider making a financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support
Nov 20, 2022 • 28min
Day 28: Advice for Leisurely Activities (Introduction to the Devout Life)
Recognizing the importance of relaxing our minds and bodies, Saint Francis de Sales explores the potential dangers of recreational activities. He leads us to consider our amusements and cautions against excess. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand share principles we can follow to ensure devout and contemplative leisure.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
To support Ascension's free media, please consider making a financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support
Nov 19, 2022 • 31min
Day 27: Speaking Virtuously (Introduction to the Devout Life)
In pursuing a Devout Life, Saint Francis de Sales addresses sins of speech and explains how gossip and slander harm the speaker and those spoken of. He likens harmful speech to that of murder and charges us to express ourselves cautiously. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss the gravity of daily, mundane offenses and how these can be more seductive and harmful than larger, rarer sins.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
To support Ascension's free media, please consider making a financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support
Nov 18, 2022 • 26min
Day 26: Concerning Hasty Judgment (Introduction to the Devout Life)
In this episode, Saint Francis de Sales begins exploring judgment and what it means to judge rashly or righteously. He reminds us that God judges wrongdoers. Rather than concerning ourselves with our neighbors, we should turn our judgments to our own lives. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand define what it means to make hasty or poor judgments, and they encourage us to seek nothing but that which leads us to a deeper devotion.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
To support Ascension's free media, please consider making a financial gift at ascensionpress.com/support
Nov 17, 2022 • 31min
Day 25: Modesty in the Moral Life (Introduction to the Devout Life)
Saint Francis de Sales continues showing us the path to devotion by addressing our overall manner of life. He charges us to recognize the importance of modesty in action, dress, and speech. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss the various messages people can send through their appearances and demeanors.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
