Catholic Classics
Episodes
Day 27: An Incomplete Knowledge (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
28 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As he continues his studies, St. Augustine realizes his knowledge of God, theology and Jesus are incomplete. He also concludes Book 7 with a compariso...
Day 26: Living an Ordered Life (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is the role of the human will? As St. Augustine resumes his expression of gratitude to God, he acknowledges the goodness of creation and God'...
Day 25: The Word Incarnate (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
St. Augustine embarks on a contemplation of key Catholic concepts, notably the Word or Logos. While he grasps the significance of the opening verses o...
Day 24: Astrology and Permitting Evil (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If God is all-powerful and loving, why does he permit evil? This is what St. Augustine wonders as he ponders astrology and its allures. He recognizes ...
Day 23: The Nature of God (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
St. Augustine considers the nature of God in Neoplatonic terms. Searching for a way to explain his reality, St. Augustine broadens his philosophical u...
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 7 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Setting the scene for Book 7, St. Augustine begins considering God differently. He is now 30 years old and no longer holds a dualistic understanding o...
Day 22: Chastity and Marriage (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we conclude Book 6, St. Monica arranges a marriage for St. Augustine. Still a slave to lust, he thinks this could be the only solution to living a ...
Day 21: Problems with Curiosity (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
22 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Enter St. Alipius. Alipius is a follower of St. Augustine who eventually converts with him. St. Augustine describes Alipius’ struggle with curiosity...
Day 20: Wrestling with Authority (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
21 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you know what authority to trust? St. Augustine finds himself struggling with the abusive authority of Manichaeism versus the authority of Sacr...
Day 19: Struggling with Past Wrongs (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What about Monica? In these chapters, St. Augustine writes extensively about his mother. He describes her devotion and persistence especially in regar...
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 6 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We need companions on the journey! In the chapters of Book 6, a greater emphasis is placed on the relationships in St. Augustine’s life. Fr. Gregory...
Day 18: Drawn in by Kindness (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kindness can go a long way. St. Augustine now finds himself in Milan after he quickly becomes frustrated with life in Rome. It is at this time that he...
Day 17: Our Choices vs. God’s Will (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is a hasty decision ever a good decision? Unsatisfied with his life in Carthage, St. Augustine decides to leave for Rome. Although his mother Monica d...
Day 16: Meeting Faustus (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
St. Augustine's long-awaited encounter with Faustus, the Manichaeans' Bishop, disappoints him. Finding Faustus incapable of answering his ques...
Day 15: Manichaeism (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is the difference between the Catholic and the Manichaean account of evil? St. Augustine anticipates his meeting with Faustus, the Bishop of the ...
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 5 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready for an exciting journey! In Book 5 of Confessions, we'll embark on a thrilling adventure to Carthage, Rome, and Milan. Join us as Fr. Gr...
Day 14: Discerning Truth and Beauty (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With the help of Aristotle’s philosophy, St. Augustine attempts to make sense of reality. He meditates on his natural understanding of challenging t...
Day 13: The Trials of Time (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
14 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How does time come to be? Considering the fleeting nature of reality, St. Augustine dives into what it means for us to exist within time while God exi...
Day 12: Attachment and Grief (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sifting through the grief of losing his friend, St. Augustine analyzes whether he is more attached to his friend or to the suffering itself. He notes ...
Day 11: Consumed by Passions (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The world offers many opportunities to satisfy our carnal desires. Such opportunities were also present in St. Augustine’s time and he pursued them....
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 4 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Relationship, fatherhood, heresy, and loss are all things that St. Augustine will face in the coming chapters. In Book 4 of St. Augustine, we will see...
Day 10: Love for God and the Love of a Mother (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to love God? What is our capacity for love of God? St. Augustine reflects on these questions and also ponders the origins of sin. Fr...
Day 9: Searching for Answers (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In his latter teenage years, we find St. Augustine diving into Scripture, Cicero, and the Manichaeans. It is at this point in his life that St. August...
Day 8: The Power of Temptation (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
St. Augustine desires a lot as he begins living in Carthage. Two significant desires are his desire for wisdom and his desire for love. He describes a...
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 3 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the upcoming chapters, St. Augustine begins his time in the city of Carthage. His time in Carthage from the ages of 16-19 years old is marked by hi...
Day 7: Communal Sin (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
08 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing his analysis of immoral acts, St. Augustine considers the communal dimension of sin. Do we ever sin simply because of the company we keep o...
Day 6: The Agony of Sin (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
07 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are never good reasons for wrong actions. Today, we read and learn about a part of St. Augustine’s life that proved significant to his moral f...
Day 5: Divine Providence (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is the difference between lust and love? Seeking to grow in penitence, St. Augustine reflects on himself at sixteen years old. He notes how God r...
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 2 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where does sin come from? Is evil always due to ignorance? In this introduction to Book 2, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk begin to an...
Day 4: Forming Good Habits (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we wrap up Book 1, St. Augustine completes his narration of early boyhood. He discusses his continued downward slope into sin and error. Fr. Gregor...
Day 3: Baptism and the Fruits of Learning (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we continue learning about St. Augustine’s early childhood, he questions why his Baptism was deferred and connects this to his struggles with vic...
Day 2: The Role of Original Sin (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
St. Augustine begins an overview of his infancy and childhood. Here, he reflects on the many relationships in his life both familial and peer. As he d...
Day 1: Who Is God? (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can God be known? This is how St. Augustine begins Book 1 of Confessions. He ponders the existence of God and God’s knowability. St. Augustine a...
Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 1 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Who is God and how can experience his salvation? These two questions are St. Augustine’s primary focus in Book 1 of the Confessions. Fr. Gregory Pin...
An Introduction to St. Augustine and the Confessions
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Who is St. Augustine? Why did he write the Confessions? The answers to these questions will help you as you prepare to begin Season 2 of Catholic Clas...
5 Tips for Building a Spiritual Reading Habit
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Reading spiritual classics can be intimidating. We desire to do it well, but what does that look like? Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk...
Announcing Season 2 of Catholic Classics
02 Aug 2023
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 T...
Day 43: Conclusion: How Do I Go Forth? (Introduction to the Devout Life)
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We have arrived at the final episode! In these last chapters, St. Francis de Sales reminds us to be practical in our resolutions, not to be deterred i...
Day 42: Considerations When Moving Onward (Introduction to the Devout Life)
04 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
To strengthen our resolve in pursuing the Devout Life, Saint Francis de Sales offers 5 meditations on the excellence of our souls, the greatness of vi...
Day 41: Examining Our Conscience (Introduction to the Devout Life)
03 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As we approach the end of the book, St. Francis de Sales shows us how to calmly examine our conscience when it comes to the Devout Life, particularly ...
Day 40: Renewing Resolutions (Introduction to the Devout Life)
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As we commit to living the devout life, how do we renew our resolutions along the way? St. Francis begins this final part of the book by offering us p...
[BONUS] Intro Part 5: Exercises and Counsels for Renewing the Soul and Strengthening Her Devotion
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus episode, Fr. Gregory reads the commentary to Part 5 of Introduction to the Devout Life, the last part of Introduction to the Dev...
Day 39: The Rhythm of Consolation and Desolation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the conclusion of Part 4, St. Francis de Sales draws on the story of a companion of St. Bernard of Clairvaux to convey that we have to be prepared ...
Day 38: Enduring Desolation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Saint Francis de Sales explores common causes of desolation while assuring us that works performed and prayers offered in times of dryness are more pr...
Day 37: Receiving Consolation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Consolations are good, but they are not ends in themselves. Continuing his discourse on temptation, St. Francis de Sales warns against attaching ourse...
Day 36: The Temptation of Self-Reliance (Introduction to the Devout Life)
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anxiety and sorrow can be common obstacles to living the Devout Life well. St. Francis de Sales calls attention to how the Evil One will tempt us to b...
Day 35: Remedies for Temptation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
27 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Christian life is not simply about fighting temptations that might knock us off our path; it is about pursuing Christ. These temptations are not t...
Day 34: Consenting to Temptation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
26 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why does God allow temptation? When does experiencing temptation become sinful? St. Francis de Sales highlights the dangers of inviting temptations wh...
Day 33: Defining Temptation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As we begin Part 4, St. Francis de Sales builds the framework for us of what temptation is and how temptations work, explaining the differences betwee...
[BONUS] Intro to Part 4: Necessary Counsels Concerning Temptations That Occur Frequently in the Christian Life
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus episode, Fr. Jacob Bertrand reads the commentary to Part 4 of Introduction of the Devout Life, helping us understand the topic ...
Day 32: Widows and Single People (Introduction to the Devout Life)
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
St. Francis De Sales provides encouragement for widows and single people who can often feel left out in society. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertand exp...
Day 31: The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed (Introduction to the Devout Life)
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As we continue our reading on marriage today, St. Francis De Sales helps us understand the role of sex in the context of marriage and how grace and vi...
Day 30: Wisdom for Married Couples (Introduction to the Devout Life)
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What does it look like to live the devout life in the context of marriage and family? In today’s chapter, we learn about the sacrament of marriage a...
Day 29: Building Habits of Faithfulness (Introduction to the Devout Life)
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In these chapters, St. Francis De Sales reminds us that we are called not only to be faithful in big asks and big things, but in small things, too. Us...
Day 28: Advice for Leisurely Activities (Introduction to the Devout Life)
20 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Recognizing the importance of relaxing our minds and bodies, Saint Francis de Sales explores the potential dangers of recreational activities. He lead...
Day 27: Speaking Virtuously (Introduction to the Devout Life)
19 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In pursuing a Devout Life, Saint Francis de Sales addresses sins of speech and explains how gossip and slander harm the speaker and those spoken of. H...
Day 26: Concerning Hasty Judgment (Introduction to the Devout Life)
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Saint Francis de Sales begins exploring judgment and what it means to judge rashly or righteously. He reminds us that God judges wron...
Day 25: Modesty in the Moral Life (Introduction to the Devout Life)
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Saint Francis de Sales continues showing us the path to devotion by addressing our overall manner of life. He charges us to recognize the importance o...
Day 24: Mortification for Purification (Introduction to the Devout Life)
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, Saint Francis de Sales addresses the importance of external mortifications and, in particular, the practice of fasting and sleep...
Day 23: Council on Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Completing his examination of friendship, Saint Francis de Sales offers advice on companionship for those seeking to live the Devout Life. He discusse...
Day 22: The Necessity and Caution of Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we return to the theme of friendship. Saint Francis de Sales describes the necessity and danger of communion, arguing that a true friendship com...
Day 21: True Poverty and False Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)
13 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 fr...
Day 20: Aim for the Highest Good (Introduction to the Devout Life)
12 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 S...
Day 19: The Need for Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience (Introduction to the Devout Life)
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After covering patience, humility, and meekness, St. Francis de Sales shifts the conversation towards poverty, chastity, and obedience. Fr. Gregory an...
Day 18: Meekness and Controlling Anger (Introduction to the Devout Life)
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Day 17: Abjection and Reputation in Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Day 16: Interior Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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. Jac...
Day 15: Patience and External Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Day 14: Choosing Virtues (Introduction to the Devout Life)
06 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
[BONUS] Intro to Part 3: Certain Counsels for the Practice of the Virtues
06 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 summarize...
Day 13: Receiving Holy Communion (Introduction to the Devout Life)
05 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Day 12: The Importance of Eucharist and Reconciliation (Introduction to the Devout Life)
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 rec...
Day 11: The Source and Summit (Introduction to the Devout Life)
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Dev...
Day 10: Praying Throughout the Day (Introduction to the Devout Life)
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Day 9: Dryness in Prayer (Introduction to the Devout Life)
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
Day 8: Preparing for Prayer (Introduction to the Devout Life)
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
St. Francis de Sales continues to teach about the process of entering into prayer, primarily meditative prayer. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand als...
Day 7: The Necessity of Prayer (Introduction to the Devout Life)
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
[BONUS] Intro to Part 2: Instructions for Elevating the Soul to God Through Prayer and the Sacraments (Introduction to the Devout Life)
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
Day 6: Allow Christ into Your Life (Introduction to the Devout Life)
29 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As we come to the end of the first part of Introduction to the Devout Life, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand walk us through a profession to serve G...
Day 5: Choose Heaven (Introduction to the Devout Life)
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the final meditations from St. Francis de Sales, he takes time to meditate upon Heaven. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand explain how this leads u...
Day 4: Focus on God (Introduction to the Devout Life)
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand continue through four more meditations from St. Francis de Sales. These meditations focus primarily on sin, death, ...
Day 3: By God’s Grace (Introduction to the Devout Life)
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand continue discussing how to begin the journey towards the devout life. They explain how God’s grace moves through ...
Day 2: Preparing for the Journey (Introduction to the Devout Life)
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What do we need in this journey towards the devout life? Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand share that some of the essentials for this journey are acc...
Day 1: Start with God (Introduction to the Devout Life)
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Day 1 of Introduction to the Devout Life. Today, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk begin by explaining how important it is to...
[BONUS] Intro to Part I: On the Counsels and Exercises (Introduction to the Devout Life)
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus episode, Fr. Gregory Pine gives an overview of what we can expect in the first part of Introduction to the Devout Life. Fr. Greg...
Dedicatory Prayer and Author’s Preface (Introduction to the Devout Life)
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In preparation for the beginning of Catholic Classics Season 1: Introduction to the Devout Life, Fr. Gregory Pine reads through the Dedicatory Prayer ...
[BONUS] All About Catholic Classics and Introduction to the Devout Life
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What should you expect from this podcast? In this special pre-launch episode, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk share all about the Cath...