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
4 snips
Nov 6, 2022 • 28min
Day 14: Choosing Virtues (Introduction to the Devout Life)
Here in the third part of Introduction to the Devout Life, we are focusing primarily on virtue. Today, St. Francis de Sales is taking us through how to choose which virtues, in particular, we need to cultivate in our lives.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics
Nov 6, 2022 • 6min
[BONUS] Intro to Part 3: Certain Counsels for the Practice of the Virtues
In this special bonus episode, Fr. Gregory offers an overview of what we can expect in the third part of Introduction to the Devout Life. He summarizes the primary theme of this section: the life of virtue.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 5, 2022 • 19min
Day 13: Receiving Holy Communion (Introduction to the Devout Life)
At the conclusion of Part 2, St. Francis de Sales offers advice on how to best receive Holy Communion. In addition, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand review what we have learned in this second part of Introduction to the Devout Life.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 4, 2022 • 29min
Day 12: The Importance of Eucharist and Reconciliation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
As St. Francis de Sales continues to guide us in how to actively pursue the Devout Life, he shares practical steps in making a good confession and receiving Holy Communion well. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand offer advice and encouragement on taking these steps in our own lives today.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
8 snips
Nov 3, 2022 • 29min
Day 11: The Source and Summit (Introduction to the Devout Life)
In this second part of Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales has been sharing about two of the tools that will help us grow in the Devout Life: prayer and the sacraments. In this episode, we will begin to look at the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Nov 2, 2022 • 30min
Day 10: Praying Throughout the Day (Introduction to the Devout Life)
St. Francis de Sales acknowledges that one of the greatest struggles in prayer is how busy life can be. In today’s readings, he explains that each of us should still be finding time throughout the day for brief moments with the Lord. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand explain how this might look in practice.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
22 snips
Nov 1, 2022 • 28min
Day 9: Dryness in Prayer (Introduction to the Devout Life)
How do you enter into prayer when you don’t want to pray? Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand continue to explore the advice offered by St. Francis de Sales on how to enter into prayer. In particular, this episode deals with the difficulty of dryness in prayer and how to persevere through it.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
16 snips
Oct 31, 2022 • 27min
Day 8: Preparing for Prayer (Introduction to the Devout Life)
St. Francis de Sales continues to teach about the process of entering into prayer, primarily meditative prayer. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand also take us through St. Francis de Sales’ explanation of moving from aspiration to action when it comes to the Devout Life.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
9 snips
Oct 30, 2022 • 27min
Day 7: The Necessity of Prayer (Introduction to the Devout Life)
The second part of Introduction to the Devout Life begins with an explanation on the necessity of prayer. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand help us to understand why prayer is so important and how we can begin to establish a habit of mental prayer with the guidance of St. Francis de Sales.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Oct 30, 2022 • 6min
[BONUS] Intro to Part 2: Instructions for Elevating the Soul to God Through Prayer and the Sacraments (Introduction to the Devout Life)
In this special bonus episode, Fr. Jacob-Bertrand offers an overview of what we can expect in the second part of Introduction to the Devout Life. He summarizes the primary theme of this section which is prayer and the sacraments and how those draw us into a closer relationship with God.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
