Catholic Classics

Day 29: Building Habits of Faithfulness (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 21st, 2022  |  28 mins 53 secs

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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. Using the virtues of faithfulness and perseverance, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand make practical connections between living a virtuous life and living a life of devotion.

Day 28: Advice for Leisurely Activities (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 20th, 2022  |  28 mins 5 secs

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Recognizing the importance of relaxing our minds and bodies, Saint Francis de Sales explores the potential dangers of recreational activities. He leads us to consider our amusements and cautions against excess. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand share principles we can follow to ensure devout and contemplative leisure.

Day 27: Speaking Virtuously (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 19th, 2022  |  31 mins 26 secs

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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. He likens harmful speech to that of murder and charges us to express ourselves cautiously. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss the gravity of daily, mundane offenses and how these can be more seductive and harmful than larger sins.

Day 26: Concerning Hasty Judgment (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 18th, 2022  |  26 mins 13 secs

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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 wrongdoers. Rather than concerning ourselves with our neighbors, we should turn our judgments to our own lives. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand define what it means to make hasty or poor judgments, and they encourage us to seek nothing but that which leads us to a deeper devotion.

Day 25: Modesty in the Moral Life (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 17th, 2022  |  31 mins 17 secs

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Saint Francis de Sales continues paving the path to a Devout Life by addressing our overall manner of life. He charges us to recognize the importance of modesty in action, dress, and speech. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss the various messages people can send through their appearances and demeanors.

Day 24: Mortification for Purification (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 16th, 2022  |  26 mins 48 secs

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In today’s episode, Saint Francis de Sales addresses the importance of external mortifications and, in particular, the practice of fasting and sleeping. He explains that mortification is a tool for purification. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss the importance of putting to death the desires in our lives that have become idols.

Day 23: Council on Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 15th, 2022  |  26 mins 40 secs

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Completing his examination of friendship, Saint Francis de Sales offers advice on companionship for those seeking to live the Devout Life. He discusses the presence of imperfection and sin within friendship. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand encourage us to analyze the good and evil of our own relationships.

Day 22: The Necessity and Caution of Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 14th, 2022  |  29 mins 33 secs

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Today we return to the theme of friendship. Saint Francis de Sales describes the necessity and danger of communion, arguing that true friendship communicates in virtue. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand discuss friendships between men and women, pointing out concrete and practical examples of how to approach such relationships virtuously.

Day 21: True Poverty and False Friendship (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 13th, 2022  |  27 mins 21 secs

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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 friend of Jesus Christ. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand explain what true friendship looks like and the shared life it entails.

Day 20: Aim for the Highest Good (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 12th, 2022  |  23 mins 30 secs

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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 Sales is aiming to help us strive for the highest good and not lower goods.

Day 19: The Need for Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 11th, 2022  |  29 mins 49 secs

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After covering patience, humility, and meekness, St. Francis de Sales shifts the conversation towards poverty, chastity, and obedience. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand help us to understand why these virtues are not reserved only for religious or clergy, but are important for all pursuing the Devout Life.

Day 18: Meekness and Controlling Anger (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 10th, 2022  |  27 mins 4 secs

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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, he shares about the virtue of meekness. He explains what it is and how we can put it into practice towards our neighbors and ourselves.

Day 17: Abjection and Reputation in Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 9th, 2022  |  29 mins 35 secs

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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 help us to understand how abjection is not a bad thing and why it is important. They also explain how to appropriately care about your reputation.

Day 16: Interior Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 8th, 2022  |  23 mins 36 secs

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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. Jacob-Bertrand discuss how to understand humility and also how to work through some of the difficulties in practicing it.

Day 15: Patience and External Humility (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 7th, 2022  |  25 mins 53 secs

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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 Fr. Jacob-Bertrand help us to understand how St. Francis de Sales is getting to the real meaning of each virtue.

Day 14: Choosing Virtues (Introduction to the Devout Life)

November 6th, 2022  |  28 mins 27 secs

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.