Catholic Classics
Learn from the Catholic Church's greatest saints as teachers as you are led through classic Catholic spiritual writings.
Displaying items 101-110 of 183 in total of Catholic Classics with the tag "introduction to the devout life".
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Day 24: Astrology and Permitting Evil (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 25th, 2023 | 26 mins
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
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 the dangers in ascribing to astrology. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk explain that this is also a common enticement for modern people. They remind us that if we abandon ourselves to Divine Providence, we can be confident that God will care for us. Today's readings are Book 7, Chapters 5-7.
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Day 23: The Nature of God (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 24th, 2023 | 23 mins 51 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
St. Augustine considers the nature of God in Neoplatonic terms. Searching for a way to explain his reality, St. Augustine broadens his philosophical understanding of what God is. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk discuss free will, the root and cause of evil, and our freedom to turn toward or away from God. Today's readings are Book 7, Chapters 1-4.
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Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 7 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 24th, 2023 | 17 mins 44 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
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 of who and what God is. Turning from all the previous notions he had, he looks to Plato. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk explain what neoplatonism is and why this is important for us to prepare for Book 7.
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Day 22: Chastity and Marriage (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 23rd, 2023 | 26 mins 39 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
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 chaste life. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk explain that growth in virtue doesn't mean suffering through temptation but instead the flourishing of human love. Today's readings are Book 6, Chapters 11-16.
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Day 21: Problems with Curiosity (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 22nd, 2023 | 22 mins 27 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
Enter St. Alipius. Alipius is a follower of St. Augustine who eventually converts with him. St. Augustine describes Alipius’ struggle with curiosity. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk affirm that the desire to know is good. However, they caution that curiosity can become bad when it distracts us from our responsibilities. Today’s readings are Book 6, Chapters 8-10.
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Day 20: Wrestling with Authority (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 21st, 2023 | 23 mins 44 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
How do you know what authority to trust? St. Augustine finds himself struggling with the abusive authority of Manichaeism versus the authority of Sacred Scripture. As he works through these authorities, he finds himself questioning the source of happiness. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk discuss how to identify true happiness in our own lives. Today’s readings are Book 6, Chapters 5-7.
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Day 19: Struggling with Past Wrongs (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 20th, 2023 | 25 mins 24 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
What about Monica? In these chapters, St. Augustine writes extensively about his mother. He describes her devotion and persistence especially in regards to his own conversion. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk discuss the struggle we sometimes face when dealing with our past wrongs. They explain how St. Augustine let his own failings be a blockade to the progression of his faith. Today’s readings are Book 6, Chapters 1-4.
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Bonus Episode: Introduction to Book 6 (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 20th, 2023 | 16 mins 43 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
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 Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk discuss some of those relationships. St. Monica, of course, continues to be a pivotal person for St. Augustine. We are also introduced to St. Augustine’s companion St. Alipius. And finally, there is the continued presence of St. Ambrose in his life.
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Day 18: Drawn in by Kindness (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 19th, 2023 | 25 mins 20 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
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 encounters St. Ambrose for the first time. It is the kindness of St. Ambrose that draws St. Augustine in the most. It is through this that St. Augustine finds renewal and chooses to become a catechumen. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk reflect on the person of St. Ambrose and his impact on St. Augustine. Today’s readings are Book 5, Chapters 10-14.
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Day 17: Our Choices vs. God’s Will (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
October 18th, 2023 | 17 mins 15 secs
ascension, catholic, catholic church, catholic classics, catholic faith, catholic spiritual reading, catholic spirituality, catholicism, classic text, devout life, dominicans, faith, father gregory pine, father jacob bertrand, fr gregory pine, fr jacob bertrand, intro to devout life, introduction to the devout life, prayer, saints, spiritual reading, spiritual writings, spirituality, st francis de sales
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 discourages his move, he still goes. St. Augustine shares honestly about his decision making. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk discuss how God works with our choices, even our wrong choices. Today’s readings are Book 5, Chapters 8-9.