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 15, 2023 • 24min
Day 45: Divine Speech (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Explore St. Augustine's philosophical reflections on God's eternal nature and divine speech. Delve into the concept of creation from nothing, God's eternal presence, and the complexities of time in relation to spiritual growth. Contemplate the distinctions between divine and human speech through profound and highly philosophical reflections.
Nov 14, 2023 • 24min
Day 44: Creation and Time (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine reflects on creation narratives without scriptural commentary, guiding listeners to deeper understanding and love for God. The podcast discusses seeking divine wisdom, philosophical analysis of creation and time, mercy in human misery, and divine revelation's connection to creation.
Nov 14, 2023 • 19min
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 11 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Delve into Book 11 of The Confessions by St. Augustine with theological reflections on God, creation, and time. Explore the concepts of eternity, God's nature, and love, all while reflecting on past sins and future ambitions in a spiritual approach.
Nov 13, 2023 • 23min
Day 43: Overcoming Pride (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Explore the battle against pride in St. Augustine's Confessions, with a focus on recognizing and overcoming this vice to embrace humility. Reflect on the struggle of vanity, temptation, and the search for truth, while emphasizing the importance of Christ as the ultimate solution. Dive into the deceptive nature of pride, the journey of personal growth, and the ongoing battle against sin with reliance on God's grace and Christ's mediation.
Nov 12, 2023 • 26min
Day 42: Lust of the Eyes (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine reflects on loving God vs. fearing Him, discusses attraction to truth excessively, explores pride's subtleties. Highlights include lust of the eyes, resisting trivial temptations, pursuit of knowledge and virtue, and the challenge of humility and grace.
Nov 11, 2023 • 28min
Day 41: Attachments and Desires (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Fr. Jacob Bertrand and Fr. Gregory discuss the importance of moderating our bodily desires and attachments for spiritual growth. They highlight St. Augustine's insights on how earthly attachments can hinder our relationship with God. The podcast explores the role of music in worship and the impact of social media on our perception of the world.
Nov 10, 2023 • 27min
Day 40: Seeking Happiness (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine reflects on the pursuit of happiness and finding it in God. The hosts explore the nature of memory and God's transformative power. They discuss the struggle against temptation and the search for meaning. The concept of violence and God's desperation is examined, along with Augustine's gratitude and reliance on God's grace.
Nov 9, 2023 • 26min
Day 39: The Role of Memory (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the role of memory in the spiritual life, highlighting its importance in recognizing God's handiwork and pursuing a happy life. They explore the different senses in which memory operates and emphasize the need for purification of memory. The chapter also delves into the power of memory in recalling past experiences, finding lost information, and shaping our pursuit for happiness.
Nov 8, 2023 • 23min
Day 38: The Gift of the Mind (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Explore St. Augustine's reflections on the human mind and its capacity for knowledge. Learn about learning and recalling information from memory and the complexity of conversion. Discover the significance of effective communication and understanding the audience. Embrace the gift of the mind and the importance of fulfilling one's purpose
Nov 7, 2023 • 25min
Day 37: Sensing God in Creation (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine's exploration of creation, the senses, and the human mind as ways to encounter God. Reflections on love, seeking God, and the power of memory. The incredible capacity of the human mind and the presence of God in creation. The process of human knowledge and understanding, and God's revelation through creation and incarnation.
