Catholic Classics

Day 16: Joyful Freedom

23 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brother Lawrence's holiness was marked not by severity, but by a joyful freedom rooted in faith. Fr. Gregory and Rebecca explore how the practice of G...

Day 15: Living Towards Heaven

22 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Heaven is more than a future destination—it is a reality that begins to shape our lives today. Fr. Gregory and Rebecca offer practical wisdom for na...

Day 14: The Eternal Perspective

21 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In light of eternity, what really matters in our lives? Fr. Gregory and Rebecca discuss how keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord helps us see our strugg...

Day 13: Holding On To Hope

20 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When our spiritual life feels dry, uncertain, or stripped of the consolations we expect, God may be doing some of His deepest work. Fr. Gregory and Re...

Day 12: How to Make Space for God

19 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Growing in God’s presence requires both fidelity and surrender. Fr. Gregory and Rebecca reflect on mortification, creating space for God in our dail...

Day 11: The Secret to Union with God

18 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brother Lawrence describes the practice of God’s presence as a simple attentiveness to the Lord that soon becomes the soul’s place of rest. Fr. Gr...

Day 10: Identity Begins with God

17 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to know who we are in light of who God is? Fr. Gregory and Rebecca begin our entry into the Spiritual Maxims by exploring identity, ...

Day 9: Take Courage and Persevere

16 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How do we remain faithful when prayer feels repetitive, life feels exhausting, or suffering lingers longer than we expected? Fr. Gregory and Rebecca e...

Day 8: God Is Near in Our Suffering

15 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Christian life is not about escaping suffering but discovering God within it. Fr. Gregory and Rebecca reflect on the powerful reality that God is ...

Day 7: Staying Faithful in the Waiting

14 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We should not rush the work of grace, but rather trust in God's care of our souls. Fr. Gregory and Rebecca reflect on the virtues of patience and pers...

Day 6: Peace Through Holy Conversation

13 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brother Lawrence reminds us that holiness is not found in extraordinary experiences, but in simple and consistent attentiveness to God's presence. Fr....

Day 5: The Goal of Devotions

12 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Devotions are meant to lead us into loving communion with God. Fr. Gregory and Rebecca explain how practices like the Rosary, novenas, and spiritual r...

Day 4: A Gentle Gaze Toward God

11 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Prayer is less about having extraordinary experiences and more about faithfully turning our hearts toward God throughout the day. Fr. Gregory and Rebe...

Day 3: Practicing the Presence of God

10 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How do we actually practice the presence of God in our lives? Fr. Gregory and Rebecca explore how prayer is not meant to be confined to just the chape...

Day 2: The Way of Love

09 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Holiness is not about completing a checklist—it’s about love. Fr. Gregory and Rebecca explain what it means to act “purely for the love of God" ...

Day 1: Pure Abandonment to God

08 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Do you actually trust God with your life? In this first conversation, Brother Lawrence invites us to begin the spiritual life by trusting in God’s p...

Introducing Season 5: The Practice of the Presence of God

18 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is known to be Pope Leo XIV's favorite spiritual book—what makes this text so special? I...

Introducing Season 4: The Imitation of Christ (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fr. Mike Schmitz joins Fr. Gregory Pine for a special conversation about Season 4 of Catholic Classics! Beginning October 22, 2025, Fr. Mike will guid...

BONUS: All About Saints of the First Monasteries (with Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Boniface Hicks)

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new "Catholic Classics" season with Fr. Mike Schmitz is coming this fall! In the meantime, Ascension has released a new book in the Cathol...

Bonus Episode: Epilogue (Story of a Soul)

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a conclusion to this season of Catholic Classics and to the life of St. Thérèse, Fr. Michael-Joseph provides an introduction to the epilogue of S...

Day 28: Union with God (Story of a Soul)

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does one reflect on in the days leading up to death? In these last pages of Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse is also very near to the day of her de...

Day 27: Loving in Little Ways (Story of a Soul)

27 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It can be challenging to let the small things go. For St. Thérèse, it was the small things that she saw as the greatest opportunities for love. She ...

Day 26: The Simplicity of Prayer (Story of a Soul)

26 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Not many people would describe prayer as something simple. However, the way in which St. Thérèse describes it conveys the possibility of simplicity ...

Day 25: The Depths of Charity (Story of a Soul)

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Love is not always easy. In fact, love can be very hard. In this final chapter of Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse is drawing near to the end of her lif...

Day 24: Not Me, But Christ (Story of a Soul)

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are there people in your life that you struggle to get along with or even be around? St. Thérèse admits in her writings to there being sisters withi...

Day 23: Temptation of Doubt (Story of a Soul)

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A common temptation is the temptation to doubt. St. Thérèse was faced with this temptation in a significant way and she explains it within her writi...

Day 22: Suffering with Joy (Story of a Soul)

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are relationships ever easy? In her third manuscript, St. Thérèse focuses on her life in Carmel. She shares about the new prioress and how she gets ...

Day 21: The Vocation of Love (Story of a Soul)

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is my vocation? This is a question St. Thérèse pondered even after entering Carmel. As she continues to convey her Little Way, St. Thérèse co...

Day 20: A Worthy Ambition (Story of a Soul)

20 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is the Little Way? Today’s reading brings us to the second manuscript of Story of a Soul. This manuscript is also known as the charter for the ...

Day 19: Doubts of Heaven (Story of a Soul)

19 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For some, doubtful thinking can be very distressing. As St. St. Thérèse continues to experience dryness in her spiritual life, she is also plagued w...

Day 18: Experiences of Death (Story of a Soul)

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

St. Thérèse recounts a trying time within Carmel during which almost the entire monastery was overcome with influenza. During this trial, St. Thérè...

Day 17: Learning Poverty (Story of a Soul)

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Change almost always brings challenges with it. This is true for St. Thérèse as she begins her life in Carmel. She expresses some of the challenges ...

Day 16: Entering Carmel (Story of a Soul)

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The day has finally come! Today’s episode brings us to a pivotal moment in St. Thérèse’s life: her entrance into Carmel. St. Thérèse describes...

Day 15: Patience in Following God’s Will (Story of a Soul)

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Even a young person can offer great wisdom. In these pages, we walk with St. Thérèse through the aftermath of her encounter with Pope Leo XIII. She ...

Day 14: Holy Boldness (Story of a Soul)

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Seeing the city of Rome through the eyes of a saint is a delight. St. Thérèse provides the details of her visit to Rome and some of the sites she vi...

Day 13: Being in the World (Story of a Soul)

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The world holds so much beauty and wonder. In today’s reading, we go with St. Thérèse as she begins her pilgrimage to Rome. She outlines what it i...

Day 12: Overcoming Timidity (Story of a Soul)

12 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The growth of an individual can happen very gradually, and therefore, be unnoticeable. In the case of St. Thérèse, her growth is quite tangible. It ...

Day 11: Humility & Perseverance (Story of a Soul)

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Revealing our greatest desires can be a very vulnerable experience. St. Thérèse describes the circumstances of sharing her desire for Carmel to both...

Day 10: A Christmas Conversion (Story of a Soul)

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us are able to look back on our lives and point to significant moments of change or growth. St. Thérèse is no different. In today’s readin...

Day 9: Loss & Loneliness (Story of a Soul)

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is great heartache that can come with the experience of loneliness. St. Thérèse continues to struggle in developing friendships and writes of ...

Day 8: Dealing with Scrupulosity (Story of a Soul)

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It is a good thing to be concerned about doing what is right. However, fear of not doing the right thing can become excessive and turn into something ...

Day 7: The Source & Summit (Story of a Soul)

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How good is it when great joy follows great suffering? In today’s reading, St. Thérèse describes a number of significant moments of joy in her lif...

Day 6: The Strange Sickness (Story of a Soul)

06 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It can be very difficult to say “good-bye” to someone. For St. Thérèse, the departure of her sister Pauline to Carmel was almost unbearable. Thi...

Day 5: The Most Difficult Years (Story of a Soul)

05 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The experience of loneliness is one that many people can relate to. What St. Thérèse describes as her “saddest” years are marked with loneliness...

Day 4: Liturgical Living in the Family (Story of a Soul)

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Each family is unique and may come with their own traditions or day to day practices. St. Thérèse describes some of the practices held in her own fa...

Day 3: The Love of a Mother and Father (Story of a Soul)

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The presence of a mother and father is important for every child. St. Thérèse was no different. However, as described in today’s reading, she lost...

Day 2: First Memories (Story of a Soul)

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It is not common to have first hand accounts of the early lives of saints. However, St. Thérèse gives a thorough account of some of her earliest mem...

Day 1: The Mercies of God (Story of a Soul)

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

St. Thérèse begins her autobiography explaining why she is writing it. She describes her reluctance to write, but also her sense of obedience to Mot...

Bonus Episode: Prologue (Story of a Soul)

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To help set the scene for the autobiography of St. Thérèse, Fr. Michael-Joseph provides an introduction to the prologue of Story of a Soul. His intr...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 9)

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

O St. Therese, seraphic virgin, beloved spouse of our Crucified Lord, you who on earth did burn with a love so intense toward your God and my God, and...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 8)

29 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

O glorious St. Therese, who, burning with the desire of increasing the glory of God, invariably attended to the sanctification of your soul by the con...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 7)

28 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Therese of the Child Jesus, most loving Saint, in union with you I adore the divine Majesty. My heart is filled with joy at the remembrance of the mar...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 6)

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

O Little Flower of Jesus, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and compassionate toward those who honour you and invoke...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 5)

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

O Little Flower of Carmel, Almighty God endowed you, consumed by love for him, with wondrous spiritual strength to follow the way of perfection during...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 4)

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

O Little Flower of Jesus, who at an early age had your heart set on Carmel and in your brief earthly life did become the mirror of angelic purity, of ...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 3)

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

O Therese of the Child Jesus, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Carmel, I greet you, great saint, seraph of divine love. I rejoice in the favours ...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 2)

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, who did will that Blessed Therese, being watered by the heavenly dew of your guiding grace, should bloom in Car...

Novena of St. Thérèse of the Little Flower (Day 1)

22 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Thérèse of the Child Jesus, well beloved and full of charity, in union with you, I reverently adore the majesty of God, and since I rejoice with exc...

An Overview of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Story of a Soul

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who is St. Thérèse? Why did she write Story of a Soul? The answers to these questions will help you as you prepare to begin Season 3 of Catholic Cla...

Introducing Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris, O.C.D.

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We are excited to welcome the guest co-host for Season 3 of Catholic Classics: Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris, OCD. In this bonus episode, Fr. Jacob-Bertran...

Announcing Season 3 of Catholic Classics!

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A new season of Catholic Classics is starting this fall. We are so excited to announce that for this season of Catholic Classics, we will be reading S...

Day 60: Rest in Him (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this final episode, St. Augustine reflects on the height of creation: humanity. He ponders how men and women are oriented towards God because God h...

Day 59: Gifts vs. Fruits (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this penultimate episode, St. Augustine distinguishes between a gift and a fruit so as to help us understand what it means to receive from God. St....

Day 58: The Hierarchy of Creation (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue walking through the creation story, St. Augustine draws out the spiritual implications of the days of creation. He describes what it me...

Day 57: Creation and the Sacraments (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Augustine continues through Genesis and the story of creation. He shows how creation, the Church and sacraments are connected. In considering Gene...

Day 56: Creation of the Heavens (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

26 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Augustine explores the creation of the heavens and earthly light. He considers the purpose God intended for them and their role in our daily lives...

Day 55: Finding Rest (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Carrying on through the creation account, St. Augustine focuses on the themes of rest and the Holy Spirit. He reiterates that God is the only place a ...

Day 54: God’s Goodness in Creation (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Challenging some of our understandings of the book of Genesis, St. Augustine poses some difficult questions. He focuses on the creation account and th...

Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 13 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As with the previous books, St. Augustine opens the final Book of Confessions with a prayer of praise to God. He revisits his motivation for writing, ...

Day 53: Living God's Word (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Building on his previous examination, St. Augustine dives deeper into the various interpretations of Sacred Scripture. As a divinely authored and insp...

Day 52: Interpreting Scripture (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Augustine acknowledges the many insights and interpretations of Scripture. He distinguishes between the factual truth of biblical events and the d...

Day 51: Truth in Scripture (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While Sacred Scripture can be interpreted in different ways, it always conveys the truth. St. Augustine explores the way we find truth in Scripture, a...

Day 50: God's Unchanging Nature (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do we reconcile God’s unchanging nature with creation’s changing nature? St. Augustine continues his discussion on the creative narrative in G...

Day 49: Genesis (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does the creation account in Genesis reveal? St. Augustine begins his examination of Scripture by reflecting on the creation of heaven and earth ...

Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 12 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we begin our journey into Book 12, Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk and Fr. Gregory Pine guide us through the main theme of this Book: Scripture. In the...

Day 48: Remembering the Past (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

18 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the conclusion of Book 11, St. Augustine focuses on analyzing the power of memory and the dynamics between remembering the past, time, and reality....

Day 47: Measuring the Present (The Confessions of St. Augustine).

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do we measure the present? As St. Augustine continues his examination of time, he focuses specifically on the passing of time in the present and t...

Day 46: Past, Present, and Future (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Without dismissing the importance of the past and future, St. Augustine considers how everything only exists in the present. We engage with the past a...

Day 45: Divine Speech (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean for God to exist outside of time? St. Augustine explores this concept in these chapters, contemplating what it means for God to prov...

Day 44: Creation and Time (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Augustine delves into the creation narratives, abstaining from scriptural commentary. Instead, he scrutinizes the initial chapters of Genesis, eng...

Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 11 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we enter Book 11, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk remind us that these last three chapters are less autobiographical and more theol...

Day 43: Overcoming Pride (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing his examination of pride, St. Augustine notes how this vice lurks in evil and good works. He sums up his battle between joy in his conversi...

Day 42: Lust of the Eyes (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

12 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it better for God to be loved or feared? St. Augustine reflects on this question as he addresses the threefold concupiscence of sin found in John’...

Day 41: Attachments and Desires (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

11 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Moderating our bodily attachments and desires is essential for spiritual growth. St. Augustine describes the ways our bodily desires and attachments c...

Day 40: Seeking Happiness (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

True and enduring happiness is found only in God. St. Augustine examines the ways he looked for happiness in the wrong places, mainly in himself and i...

Day 39: The Role of Memory (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the role of memory in the spiritual life? As St. Augustine continues his philosophical discussion on the human mind, he focuses on understandi...

Day 38: The Gift of the Mind (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The human mind is a magnificent gift of God given to us to discover truth. Using a scientific approach, St. Augustine delves into the origins of intel...

Day 37: Sensing God in Creation (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We can find God’s footprints in the beauty of creation and the mystery of our own humanity. St. Augustine poetically explores creation, the senses, ...

Day 36: St. Augustine’s Testimony (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What moves St. Augustine to share his testimony with others? St. Augustine reflects on his motivations behind making Confession and his approach to sh...

Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 10 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we enter Book 10, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk prepare us for a shift in tone. We transition from St. Augustine discussing his ...

Day 35: St. Monica’s Death (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

05 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Having completed her earthly mission, St. Monica passes from this life to the next. Facing grief and mourning, St. Augustine pursues truth to elevate ...

Day 34: St. Monica’s Life (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

04 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the lead-up to St. Monica’s death, St. Augustine reflects on her life. He shares stories from her early childhood and the hardships she endured i...

Day 33: The Sacrament of Baptism (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Augustine receives the sacrament of Baptism alongside his son and friend. He turns to the Old Testament for preparation and understanding of his p...

Day 32: Litany of Thanksgiving (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Following his conversion, St. Augustine thanks God for his new life. He prepares to leave his teaching position. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertra...

Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 9 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Book 9 follows St. Augustine’s reception into the Church. While finally receiving the sacraments brings forth great joy, conversion requires sacrifi...

Day 31: The Conversion (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is finally conversion day! After providing further philosophical proofs against the Manichaeans, St. Augustine reaches the point of conversion. Not...

Day 30: Spirit and Flesh (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Augustine offers his insight on the language of the two wills that is found in Scripture. One of his primary reasons for addressing this was in or...

Day 29: The Radicality of Conversion (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Augustine finds himself incredibly close to conversion. He conveys two stories regarding the conversion of other men. He shares how these men were...

Day 28: The Impact of One Conversion (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Augustine has settled his theological and philosophical challenges when it comes to Catholicism. However, an area that he continues to struggle wi...

Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 8 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Book 8 finds St. Augustine at the moment of his conversion. In this book, St. Augustine surrenders to the will of God and consents to grace. Fr. Grego...