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 29, 2023 • 27min
Day 28: The Impact of One Conversion (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine struggles with chastity but reflects on the conversion of Victorinus. The hosts discuss the impact of one conversion and the unity of the body of Christ, drawing parallels to the exaltation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Oct 29, 2023 • 18min
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 8 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Book 8 of The Confessions of St. Augustine explores his conversion, emphasizing surrender to God's will. The hosts discuss the power of scripture and encourage readers to read and embrace it. They also highlight the uniqueness of each individual's conversion story and urge listeners to take the step of surrendering to God.
Oct 28, 2023 • 22min
Day 27: An Incomplete Knowledge (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine realizes his incomplete knowledge of God and theology. He compares Neoplatonic texts with Scripture. The hosts discuss the importance of humility in studying God. The podcast explores the depth of God's mysteries and the relationship between disciplines in Christian understanding. It also highlights the significance of humility in the Christian tradition.
Oct 27, 2023 • 23min
Day 26: Living an Ordered Life (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
The podcast discusses the role of the human will and our capacity to love, name everything, and lead a well-ordered life. They explore themes of praising God, contemplate evil, and reflect on the meaning and purpose of reality. They also discuss Saint Augustine's writings on beauty, hierarchy, and engaging with reality. They delve into his use of Eucharistic imagery to understand feeding on God and embracing the reality of Christ as a mediator.
Oct 26, 2023 • 24min
Day 25: The Word Incarnate (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine's contemplation of the Word and Incarnate Word, his struggle to understand it. Differences in the readings, idol worship, finding truth and God's existence, the concept of good and evil, and the development of St. Augustine's introspective disposition.
Oct 25, 2023 • 26min
Day 24: Astrology and Permitting Evil (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine questions astrology and the permit of evil; hosts discuss evil's existence and connection to fear; struggle against astrology beliefs; inner turmoil and limits of expressing suffering; importance of progress in Christian journey.
Oct 24, 2023 • 24min
Day 23: The Nature of God (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Augustine, a philosopher who considered the nature of God in Neoplatonic terms, discusses free will, the root and cause of evil, and our freedom to turn toward or away from God. The podcast explores St. Augustine's rejection of dualism, his turn to neo-platonism, and his contemplation of the concept of the human will.
Oct 24, 2023 • 18min
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 7 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Setting the scene for Book 7, St. Augustine explores neoplatonic philosophy, addressing questions about who God is and topics like creation, evil, and free will. The podcast also delves into St. Augustine's views on free will and grace, redemption and redemptive suffering, and the transformative process of conversion through conceptual therapy.
Oct 23, 2023 • 27min
Day 22: Chastity and Marriage (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
In this podcast, the hosts discuss St. Augustine's struggle with lust and his pursuit of marriage. They explore the historical context of arranged marriages and the contrast between celibacy and married life. St. Augustine battles with his desires, faces multiple sins, and ultimately turns to God for salvation.
Oct 22, 2023 • 22min
Day 21: Problems with Curiosity (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
St. Alipius, follower of St. Augustine, struggles with curiosity. Curiosity is good, but can be bad if it distracts us. Explore the life of St. Alipius, importance of vocation, misconceptions, virtue, mercy, dangers of judgment, and pursuit of true life.
