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 16, 2022 • 27min
Day 24: Mortification for Purification (Introduction to the Devout Life)
In today’s episode, Saint Francis de Sales addresses the importance of external mortifications and, in particular, the practice of fasting and sleeping. He explains that mortification is a tool for purification. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss the importance of putting to death the desires in our lives that have become idols.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 15, 2022 • 27min
Day 23: Council on Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)
Completing his examination of friendship, Saint Francis de Sales offers advice on companionship for those seeking to live the Devout Life. He discusses the presence of imperfection and sin within friendship. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand encourage us to analyze the good and evil of our own relationships.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 14, 2022 • 30min
Day 22: The Necessity and Caution of Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)
Today we return to the theme of friendship. Saint Francis de Sales describes the necessity and danger of communion, arguing that a true friendship communicates in virtue. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss friendship between men and women, pointing out concrete and practical examples of how to approach such relationships virtuously.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 13, 2022 • 27min
Day 21: True Poverty and False Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)
Today, Saint Francis de Sales completes his consideration of poverty. He reminds us that to live a Devout Life means to embrace poverty as the dear friend of Jesus Christ. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand explain what true friendship looks like and the shared life it entails.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 12, 2022 • 24min
Day 20: Aim for the Highest Good (Introduction to the Devout Life)
St. Francis de Sales continues his examination of chastity and poverty. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand help us to understand that St. Francis de Sales is aiming to help us strive for the highest good and not lower goods.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
5 snips
Nov 11, 2022 • 30min
Day 19: The Need for Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience (Introduction to the Devout Life)
After covering patience, humility, and meekness, St. Francis de Sales shifts the conversation towards poverty, chastity, and obedience. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand help us to understand why these virtues are not reserved only for religious or clergy, but are important for all pursuing the Devout Life.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 10, 2022 • 27min
Day 18: Meekness and Controlling Anger (Introduction to the Devout Life)
St. Francis de Sales continues to walk us through some of the virtues that he believes are important to cultivate in the Devout Life. In this episode, he shares about the virtue of meekness. He explains what it is and how we can put it into practice towards our neighbors and ourselves.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 9, 2022 • 30min
Day 17: Abjection and Reputation in Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)
Today, St. Francis de Sales treats the ideas of abjection and reputation when it comes to the virtue of humility. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand help us to understand how abjection is not a bad thing and why it is important. They also explain how to appropriately care about your reputation.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 8, 2022 • 24min
Day 16: Interior Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)
In this episode, St. Francis de Sales continues his examination of humility, but now turns to the more interior aspects of it. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss how to understand humility and also how to work through some of the difficulties in practicing it.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
9 snips
Nov 7, 2022 • 26min
Day 15: Patience and External Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)
St. Francis de Sales offers patience and humility as two virtues that need our particular attention as we strive for the Devout Life. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand help us to understand how St. Francis de Sales is getting to the real meaning of each virtue.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
