Les récits de Stéphane Bern

Called "The Little Flower," and "St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus," St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873 - 1897) is our most recent doctor of the Church. She only lived to be 24 years old, but in her short life she became an example of humble service and redemptive suffering. Links The writings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (The Institute of Carmelite Studies) - https://www.icspublications.org/search?type=product&q=Lisieux The Story of a Soul - From St. Thérèse's Original Notes - https://ascensionpress.com/products/story-of-a-soul-the-autobiography-of-st-therese-of-lisieux-catholic-classics OR: https://www.icspublications.org/products/story-of-a-soul-the-autobiography-of-st-therese-of-lisieux Her Last Conversations - https://www.icspublications.org/products/st-therese-of-lisieux-her-last-conversations Pope St. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter The Science of Divine Love (1997) - https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1997/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_19101997_divini-amoris.html SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's…

St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696 - 1787) is one of the most popular and widely-read spiritual writers of all time, and yet his most significant contribution to the Church was his moral theology, including the guidance he gave to clergy for hearing confessions. Links AUDIO BOOK - Liguori's Uniformity With God's Will - https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-alphonsus-liguori-uniformity-with-gods-will/?repos=6&subrepos=0&searchid=2680738 Classics of Western Spirituality, Alphonsus Liguori: Selected Writings - https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/3771-2/alphonsus-de-liguori.aspx Liguori's Duetto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYyHfHbHRxc Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter Spiritus Domini on St. Alphonsus Liguori (1987) - https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/spiritus-domini-8413 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's…

St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696 - 1787) was a priest, bishop, spiritual director, retreat leader, musician and composer. Co-founder of the Redemptorists, he was a teacher of prayer, and a very popular confessor, who knew how to bring people to repentance. Links Liguori's Duetto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYyHfHbHRxc Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter Spiritus Domini on St. Alphonsus Liguori (1987) - https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/spiritus-domini-8413 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/ Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff…

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) has been called a spiritual director by correspondence, for his many letters, and for the fact that he was a pioneer of Catholic publishing, spreading his pamphlets across Switzerland, writing for the spiritual growth of the laity. Links AUDIOBOOK - An Introduction to the Devout Life - https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-francis-de-sales-introduction-to-devout-life-full/?repos=6&subrepos=0&searchid=2667242 Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on St. Francis de Sales: Rerum Omnium Perturbationem (1923) - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4950&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2667245 Article on the teaching of St. Francis de Sales on predestination - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/most/getchap.cfm?worknum=214&chapnum=22&id=2078&repos=7&subrepos=0&searchid=2667248 The book: The Sign of the Cross - https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-sign-of-the-cross/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/…

What St. Peter Canisius and St. Lawrence of Brindisi did for Germany, St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) did for Switzerland. Born just three years after John Calvin died, St. Francis de Sales found the Catholics of Geneva a persecuted minority, but by the time he was finished there, the region was mostly Catholic again. Links AUDIOBOOK - An Introduction to the Devout Life - https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-francis-de-sales-introduction-to-devout-life-full/?repos=6&subrepos=0&searchid=2667242 Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on St. Francis de Sales: Rerum Omnium Perturbationem (1923) - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4950&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2667245 Article on the teaching of St. Francis de Sales on predestination - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/most/getchap.cfm?worknum=214&chapnum=22&id=2078&repos=7&subrepos=0&searchid=2667248 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:…

St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was a man known for his generosity. He was also well known for his writings on topics of spirituality, which were widely popular and were read by both Catholics and Protestants. Links Article "St. Robert Bellarmine's Influence on the Writing of the Declaration of Independence": https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6607 Article: "St. Robert Bellarmine, Galileo and Heliocentricity": https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-robert-bellarmine-galileo-and-heliocentricity/ Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Robert Bellarmine (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9554 Robert Bellarmine: Spiritual Writings - https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/2875-6/robert-bellarmine.aspx Way of the Fathers Podcast episode 4.13 - "Pelagianism and the Seeds of Calvinism" - https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/413-heresiespelagianism-and-seeds-calvinism/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:…

At the height of the Counter-Reformation, St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was one of the most influential apologists of the time. He openly debated with King James I of England, and his most famous book of apologetics was outlawed in England, but still became a best-seller. He was also responsible for an updated translation of the Vulgate which became the Church's official Latin Bible for centuries. Links Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Robert Bellarmine (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9554&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2663992 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/ Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church:…

St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) was a Preacher, spiritual director, missionary, diplomat, confidant of princes and emperors, Papal Emissary, military chaplain, Provincial Vicar of the Capuchins, and Vicar General of the Franciscan order. Called the greatest preacher in the history of the Church, during his lifetime people treated him like a rockstar. He was also one of the most prominent Catholic apologists of his generation. Links Excerpt from The Image of Lutheranism: https://romanseraphicbooks.substack.com/p/st-lawrence-of-brindisi-vs-lutheranism Excerpt from The Mariale: https://www.franciscan-archive.org/laurentius/lau01005.html Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Lawrence of Brindisi (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9578&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2658399 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/…

St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) was one of the early Capuchins, the first Capuchin to be named a Doctor of the Church, and the third Franciscan so named, after St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Bonaventure. Just as the Discalced Carmelites were reformers within the Carmelite order, the Capuchins were reformers within the Franciscan order. St. Lawrence was also a popular preacher, a genius scholar, with a command of at least 10 languages, and the leading Catholic apologist of his day. Links Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Lawrence of Brindisi (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9578&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2658399 Was the Date for Christmas Originally a Pagan Holiday? Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/fzjIsL1FGEc?si=P6Yt8WvH-BEjQ3E0 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book -…

In a bonus episode originally published on the Catholic Culture Podcast (Sept. 5, 2023), Thomas Mirus interviews Carla Galdo about the poetry of St. John of the Cross, who recites some of the poems in Spanish and English. St. John of the Cross is not only one of the Church's greatest mystics, but also one of the most important figures in the Spanish poetic tradition. A new book of translations of St. John's poems, brought into English by contemporary bilingual poet Rhina Espaillat, gives us a chance to discover or rediscover this singular spiritual and artistic master. Carla Galdo joins the podcast to discuss Espaillat's translations of St. John of the Cross. Comparing them with earlier translations by Roy Campbell (a friend of Tolkien and Lewis) provides opportunity to highlight various approaches and problems in translating poetry. Carla and Thomas also discuss common misconceptions about the dark night of the soul, and John's use of the classic mystical symbolism of bride and bridegroom representing the…

St. John of the Cross (1542 - 1591) What St. Thomas Aquinas did for philosophy and systematic theology, St. John of the Cross did for mysticism. He brought mystical theology to a plateau, gleaning from the mystics who came before him, and making it accessible to those who want to follow in the contemplative life. Links Check out this Catholic Culture podcast about St. John of the Cross' poetry, including readings of some of his poems in Spanish and English: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/166-poetry-st-john-cross-w-carla-galdo/ Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter, Maestro en la Fe (1990): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5724&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080 Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. John of the Cross (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9548&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080 The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross:…

St. John of the Cross (1542 - 1591) Arguably the most famous of the mystics, St. John of the Cross is well known for the concept of the "dark night of the soul." He was the "first friar" of the Discalced Carmelites, co-founder of the reform movement with St. Teresa of Avila, and one of the greatest Spanish poets of all time. Links Check out this Catholic Culture podcast about St. John of the Cross' poetry, including readings of some of his poems in Spanish and English: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/166-poetry-st-john-cross-w-carla-galdo/ Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter, Maestro en la Fe (1990): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5724&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080 Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. John of the Cross (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9548&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080 The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross:…

St. Peter Canisius (1521 - 1597) This restorer of the Catholic faith among the Germans and Swiss was responsible for standardizing the current form of the Hail Mary prayer. A champion of Catholic education, especially seminaries, he is an example for all teachers and apologists to follow. Links The book, A Small Catechism for Catholics, by St. Peter Canisius, S.J., English translation by Ryan Grant: https://mediatrixpress.com/product/a-small-catechism-for-catholics/ The Large Catechism on Google Books: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Catechism_of_St_Peter_Canisius/yTdZDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 To find out more about St. Peter Canisius: A Champion of the Church: The Life of St. Peter Canisius - https://mediatrixpress.com/product/a-champion-of-the-church-the-life-of-st-peter-canisius/ Read the General Audience Address of Pope Benedict XVI (Feb. 9, 2011) dedicated to St. Peter Canisius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9550&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 Read the Encyclical of…

St. Peter Canisius (1521 - 1597) A counter-Reformation apologist and reformer, St. Peter Canisius wrote the first official Catholic Catechisms, and was responsible for major parts of Germany and Switzerland remaining Catholic. Links Read the Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, Militantis Ecclesiae (1897) on St. Peter Canisius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4886&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 Read the General Audience Address of Pope Benedict XVI (Feb. 9, 2011) dedicated to St. Peter Canisius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9550&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's book on private prayer and devotion in the early Church: Praying Like the Early Church: Seven Insights from the Church Fathers to Help You Connect with God -…

St. Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582) St. Teresa was already being called a saint, and a doctor, within her lifetime. She was a visionary who suffered greatly from physical illness, and spiritual disappointment, when even some of her friends didn't believe that her mystical experiences were real. She eventually convinced the naysayers, founded 17 convents and reformed the Carmelite order, all in the face of extreme opposition, even from the Spanish Inquisition. Links Check out this article on St. Teresa's Teaching: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=7725&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2622568 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's book on private prayer and devotion in the early Church: Praying Like the Early Church: Seven Insights from the Church Fathers to Help You Connect with God -…

Way of the Fathers hosts Mike Aquilina and Jim Papandrea get together with producer Thomas Mirus two big announcements: Thomas's new podcast Lives of the Popes (a sister podcast to Way of the Fathers), and Mike and Jim's second "Way of the Fathers Pilgrimage" in Rome and Assisi this October. Lives of the Popes on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lives-of-the-popes/id1885968422 Lives of the Popes on CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/category/lives-of-popes-podcast/ Join Mike and Jim on pilgrimage (not affiliated with Catholic Culture): https://www.206tours.com/cms/papandrea/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

St. Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582) St. Teresa of Avila was the first female Doctor of the Church. She was the co-founder (with St. John of the Cross) of the Discalced Carmelites. A reformer, and a mystic, her books on prayer taught the Church to go deeper, and her famous book, Interior Castle, is a spiritual classic. Links The song God Alone is Enough (based on the quote of St. Teresa of Avila) by John Michael Talbot: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B001C09350?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_AytLlUDfAEjJq9aZT0yQ9KBo5&trackAsin=B001C03R70 The song is on the album Simple Heart: https://troubadourforthelord.net/store/ols/products/simple-heart SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's book on private prayer and devotion in the early Church: Praying Like the Early Church: Seven Insights from the Church…

St. John of Avila (1499 - 1569) At the dawn of the Protestant Reformation, St. John of Avila stood in a long and noble tradition of preachers for reform within the Catholic Church. His down-to-earth, but pull-no-punches preaching style brought people back to the sacraments, and he often found that after he preached, he spent the rest of the day hearing confessions. Links A selection of 8 sermons by St. John of Avila: My Burden is Light: Suffering and Consolation in the Christian Life, translated by Brandon Otto https://tanbooks.com/products/books/my-burden-is-light-suffering-and-consolation-in-the-christian-life/ The volume on St. John of Avila in the Classics of Western Spirituality series: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/4200-7/john-of-avila.aspx SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book is The Original Church:…

St. John of Avila (1499 - 1569) In the aftermath of the reestablishment of Christendom in Spain, and at the dawn of the Protestant Reformation, St. John of Avila was a powerful and effective preacher for Catholic reform and evangelization. He brought the people of southern Spain back to the Church, and brought the clergy of southern Spain back to holiness. Links A selection of 8 sermons by St. John of Avila: My Burden is Light: Suffering and Consolation in the Christian Life, translated by Brandon Otto https://tanbooks.com/products/books/my-burden-is-light-suffering-and-consolation-in-the-christian-life/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian:…

St. Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380) was almost single-handedly responsible for bringing the Papacy back to Rome after the long Avignon Papacy. Her book, The Dialogue, demonstrates advanced theological understanding, and includes direction in how to progress in the spiritual life, and also the words of God spoken directly to her. Links The Dialogue, with Introduction: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/2233-2/catherine-of-siena.aspx For comparison, the Diary of St. Faustina: https://shopmercy.org/diary-of-saint-maria-faustina-kowalska.html The letters of St. Catherine online: http://www.domcentral.org/trad/cathletters.htm SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian:…

St. Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380) was a "third order" Dominican, spiritual advisor, and a mystic, but also a nurse, and a kind of free-lance politician. She wrote letters of advice (and criticism) to cardinals, bishops, and royalty. She negotiated peace (or tried to) between warring city states, and - like St. Hildegard before her - she had permission to preach and teach. Her "disciples" and spiritual advisees included women and men, laity and clergy. Links The letters of St. Catherine online: http://www.domcentral.org/trad/cathletters.htm SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian: https://scepterpublishers.org/products/the-original-church-what-it-meant-and-still-means-to-be-a-christian Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church:…

St. John Henry Newman (1801 - 1890) - Arguably the most famous convert since St. Paul, St. John Henry Newman defined the method for discerning the difference between legitimate growth and development in the Church, as opposed to the kinds of change that are really a deviation from Tradition and a corruption. Sorting this out led him to lose his trust in the Anglican communion, and in Protestantism in general, and unite with the Catholic Church. He would eventually be a cardinal, and he has been named co-patron of Catholic education, and now there are Newman Centers on college campuses across the US and the UK. Links Check out St. John Henry Newman in Catholic Culture Audio Books - there are over 50 titles, including lectures, poems and meditations, and sermons. The entire text of The Idea of a University is also included. Click this link for the list of titles and links to the audio books: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/audiobook_newman_titles.cfm St. John Henry Newman's reflections on the…

Cross-posted from the Catholic Culture Podcast with Thomas V. Mirus. Paul Shrimpton assisted in the process of making St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. He joins the podcast to discuss his involvement in the process, and his new book from Word on Fire Academic, "The Most Dangerous Man in England": Newman and the Laity. During his lifetime, Newman was a controversial figure within the Catholic Church in large part due to his views on the laity and his advocacy for their role in running Catholic schools. Shrimpton's book gives us a picture of Newman's view of the laity not only through his ideas, but through his practical endeavors in the world of education, his pastoral activity, and his deep and abiding friendships with many laypeople. "The Most Dangerous Man in England": Newman and the Laity https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/the-most-dangerous-man-in-england SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters DONATE to make this show possible!…

St. John Henry Newman (1801 - 1890) was an Anglican priest and Oxford scholar who reasoned his way into the Catholic Church, with the help of the Church fathers. He spent the first part of his life and career as a Protestant, but once a Catholic, he made a lasting and significant contribution to Catholic thought and apologetics. Links Check out St. John Henry Newman in Catholic Culture Audio Books - there are over 50 titles, including lectures, poems and meditations, and sermons. The entire text of The Idea of a University is also included. Click this link for the list of titles and links to the audio books: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/audiobook_newman_titles.cfm SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian:…

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) - Aquinas brought the development of Catholic thought and theology to a plateau, navigating the middle path between Augustine and Pelagius; Anselm and Abelard; and even Plato and Aristotle. He's called the Common Doctor because the Church has affirmed that his teaching should be taught, and held up as the standard, in every school, university, and seminary. Links Check out this YouTube clip, How the Summa Replaced the Sentences as the Standard Theology Textbook, w/ Philipp Rosemann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0od3JXnbfYY Also, check out this interview that St. Thomas' namesake - Thomas Mirus - did on the Catholic Culture Podcast with Matthew Minerd, about the education St. Thomas received and his responsibilities as a master of theology and his academic milieu: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/161-vocation-thomas-aquinas-matthew-minerd/ Three of St. Thomas' academic sermons are available as audio books on the Catholic Culture website: Beware of the False…

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) - Student of St. Albert the Great, and friend of St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas brought theology and scholastic philosophy together in a way that remains the standard of Catholic thought to this day. In some ways, St. Thomas can be thought of as a second Augustine, who arguably even surpassed the great father of the Church, and brought Augustine's teaching to a more perfect culmination. Links Three of St. Thomas' academic sermons are available as audio books on the Catholic Culture website: Beware of the False https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-thomas-aquinas-beware-false/ Heaven and Earth Will Pass https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-thomas-aquinas-heaven-and-earth-will-pass/ Send Out Your Spirit https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-thomas-aquinas-send-out-your-spirit/ Also, check out this interview that St. Thomas' namesake - Thomas Mirus - did on the Catholic Culture Podcast with Matthew Minerd, about the education St. Thomas received and…

St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) continued the legacy of St. Anthony and was the Franciscan counterpart to Aquinas. He's called the second founder of the Franciscans, and the Prince of the Mystics, because he continued the mystical tradition of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and he preserves for us the mystical spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, as well as being an important influence on later mystics, such as St. John of the Cross. Links Check out this three-part series on St. Bonaventure by Pope Benedict XVI (from 2010) Part 1: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9267 Part 2: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9271 Part 3: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9284 The Classics of Western Spirituality volume on St. Bonaventure: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/2121-2/bonaventure.aspx SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr.…

St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) was the friend and colleague of St. Thomas Aquinas. What Aquinas was to the Dominicans, Bonaventure was to the Franciscans. St. Bonaventure is known as the second founder of the Franciscans because he was important for the organization of the order, and for bringing forth and expanding upon St. Francis' spirituality. Links Check out this three-part series on St. Bonaventure by Pope Benedict XVI (from 2010) Part 1: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9267 Part 2: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9271 Part 3: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9284 The Classics of Western Spirituality volume on St. Bonaventure: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/2121-2/bonaventure.aspx SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com Dr. Papandrea's latest book is The Original…

St. Albert the Great (1206-1280) mastered every field of study available to him, from astronomy to zoology. He was called the "miracle of his time," not because he performed miracles, but because he was considered an authority - on the level of St. Augustine and Peter Lombard - even within his own lifetime. He was the mentor and teacher of a more famous doctor of the Church: St. Thomas Aquinas. Links For a great conversation about Peter Lombard's Sentences, check out this article, The Most Influential Theology Book Nobody Reads: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/195-most-influential-theology-book-nobody-reads-philipp-rosemann/ For the background on Pseudo-Dionysius, listen to this Way of the Fathers episode: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/who-was-pseudo-dionysius-areopagite/ The Classics of Western Spirituality volume which includes Albert & Thomas: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/3022-X/albert-and-thomas.aspx SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:…

St. Albert the Great (1206-1280) was one of the real geniuses of the middle ages, and was the teacher and mentor of St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Albert had mastered virtually every field of study available to him, and he is one of the most important bridges between ancient and medieval philosophy. Links For a complete, unbiased, and very accessible overview of the Crusades, see the book God's Battalions by Rodney Stark: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/gods-battalions-rodney-stark?variant=32216080351266 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com Dr. Papandrea's book on ROME is revised and updated for the Jubilee year: ROME: A Pilgrim's Guide to the Eternal City - Second Edition: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385206643/rome-second-edition/ Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Theme Music: Gaudeamus…

St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) is actually called the Hammer of Heretics, but the truth is that even in his uncompromising critiques of heresy, he had compassion for those who were led astray by the heresies, and he refused to engage in the personal attacks and name-calling that are so prevalent in apologetics, even among some other saints. So his homiletical hammer, as it were, was aimed more at the heresies than at the heretics. Listen in to find out why he's also the patron of people who have lost something. Links For more on how the Church fathers interpreted Scripture, see Reading Scripture Like the Early Church: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/reading-scripture-like-the-early-church/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Dr. Papandrea's book on…

St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) is called the Doctor of the Gospel, or the Evangelical Doctor, because he is known as both an expert in biblical interpretation, as well as one of the greatest preachers the Church has ever produced. Links SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Dr. Papandrea's book on ROME is revised and updated for the Jubilee year: ROME: A Pilgrim's Guide to the Eternal City - Second Edition: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385206643/rome-second-edition/ Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

St. Hildegard of Bingen, 12th-century abbess, mystic, polymath, and Doctor of the Church, is best known to non-Catholics for something else – her music. We have more pieces of music by Hildegard than by any other medieval composer whose name we know. Her chants are beautiful, otherworldly, virtuosic and ahead of their time. Some of them were written for her morality play, the Ordo virtutum, which is also the first of its kind. Thomas Mirus (producer of Way of the Fathers and host of the Catholic Culture Podcast) interviews musicologist Margot Fassler about what makes St. Hildegard's music so special. Links Way of the Fathers episodes on St. Hildegard's life and works: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/512-st-hildegard-bingen-multimedia-visionary/ https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/513-st-hildegard-bingen-teutonic-prophetess/ St. Hildegard's letter to the Prelates of Mainz https://digfir-published.macmillanusa.com/mckay11eepages/mckay11eepages_ch9_4.html Margot Fassler, Cosmos, Liturgy, and…

St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a mystic, an anointed prophet, a reformer, theologian, poet, teacher, and preacher. Over eight centuries ago, she wrote, "Today the Catholic faith is in a state of agitation, on a global scale. The gospel limps its way around the world; the early Church fathers, who wrote so well, are ignored; people are apathetic; they refuse to read and taste the nourishment in the Scriptures." Links To get a sense of what the Cathars were all about, here's the Way of the Fathers episode on gnosticism: https://youtu.be/JYeyevLBF4I?si=rr0eWytzOAuHyPfH Carmen Acevedo Butcher's Hildegard of Bingen: A Spiritual Reader: https://paracletepress.com/products/hildegard-of-bingen-doctor-of-the-church?_pos=1&_sid=82546e597&_ss=r Playlist of Hildegard's Music on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nJez_L5_xEzOeIgUp4rEsPrdri_ZJIG-E Playlist of Richard Souther's VISION: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen:…

St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a visionary, teacher, Abbess, composer, theologian, painter, and the first woman in history to be given papal approval to preach in public. Four centuries before the emergence of the "Renaissance Man," there was Hildegard of Bingen. Usually known mostly for her music (and rightfully so) there is so much more to this medieval mystic. Links To get a sense of what the Cathars were all about, here's the Way of the Fathers episode on gnosticism: https://youtu.be/JYeyevLBF4I?si=rr0eWytzOAuHyPfH Playlist of Hildegard's Music on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nJez_L5_xEzOeIgUp4rEsPrdri_ZJIG-E Margot Fassler's Cosmos, Liturgy, and the Arts in the Twelfth Century: Hildegard's Illuminated "Scivias" https://www.pennpress.org/9781512823073/cosmos-liturgy-and-the-arts-in-the-twelfth-century/ Carmen Acevedo Butcher's Hildegard of Bingen: A Spiritual Reader: https://paracletepress.com/products/hildegard-of-bingen-doctor-of-the-church?_pos=1&_sid=82546e597&_ss=r…

St. Bernard of Claivaux (1090 - 1153 AD) was the founder of the Cistercians, a reform order of the Benedictines, and was one of the Church's true mystics. He opposed the "intentionalism" of the heretic Peter Abelard with his quip: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." He also opposed an anti-pope, corrected a king, brokered peace in Europe, and had to nuance the doctrine of "just war" in the face of Christian losses in the Crusades. Links Check out this article on St. Barnard of Clairvaux and the Active Life: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/bernard-clairvaux-and-active-life/?repos=6&subrepos=0&searchid=2539743 Here's the Classics of Western Spirituality volume on St. Bernard: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/2917-5/bernard-of-clairvaux.aspx SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original…

St. Bernard of Claivaux (1090 - 1153 AD) was born to be a knight, and grew up in a castle, but he chose to be a different kind of knight - a true prayer warrior - and he supported the invention of the Christian knight by endorsing the Knights Templar. He would be the founder of the Cistercians, a reform order of the Benedictines. He was a strong advocate of devotion to Our Lady, and of orthodox doctrine, and he would turn down the office of bishop in six different cities. Listen in to find out what "mellifluous" means! Links SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch To ask questions, make comments, or interact with Dr. Papandrea, join the conversation in the Original Church Community: https://theoriginalchurch.locals.com/ Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the…

St. Anselm (1033 - 1109 AD) was Abbot of the monastery of Bec, and later, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was the first of the medieval scholastics, and the first real systematic theologian. His treatise, Cur Deus Homo brought together biblical and patristic themes related to salvation and the atonement to provide the Church with a comprehensive (up to that point) teaching on the Incarnation and the Atonement, known as the Satisfaction Theory of Atonement. Links To read Anselm's Cur Deus Homo online: https://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/ans/ans117.htm To read several of the most important works of St. Anselm, get the book Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/anselm-of-canterbury-the-major-works-9780199540082?q=Anselm%20major%20works&lang=en&cc=us For more on the medieval scholastics, the atonement, and St. Anselm, see the book Reading the Church Fathers: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/reading-the-church-fathers/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:…

St. Anselm (1033 - 1109 AD) was Abbot of the monastery of Bec, and later, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was the first of the medieval scholastics, and the first real systematic theologian. In many ways, St. Anselm is the bridge between St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. Links To read Anselm's Cur Deus Homo online: https://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/ans/ans117.htm To read several of the most important works of St. Anselm, get the book Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/anselm-of-canterbury-the-major-works-9780199540082?q=Anselm%20major%20works&lang=en&cc=us For more on the medieval scholastics, the atonement, and St. Anselm, see the book Reading the Church Fathers: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/reading-the-church-fathers/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original…

St. Peter Damian (1007 - 1072 AD) was an advisor to, and sometimes corrector of, Popes, Emperors, and Kings. Through his writings he was a reformer of the clergy, and the monasteries, especially calling out and confronting immorality among the clergy. He was a member of the first college of cardinals as we know it today, and took part in wrestling away from royals and nobles the power to appoint Popes, restoring the process of papal elections. Links Listen to the Catholic Culture audio book of St. Peter Damian's The Lord Be With You: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-peter-damian-lord-be-with-you/ Listen to previous episodes of The Way of the Fathers on the subject of the validity of the Sacraments: Episode 4.8 - Novatian: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Part 1: The Good): https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/48-novatian-good-bad-ugly-pt-1-good/ Episode 4.9 - Novatian: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Part 2: The Bad and the Ugly):…

St. Peter Damian (1007 - 1072 AD) is another one of our lesser-known Doctors of the Church, and yet he was, in his time, a man who could give advice to the Popes, and call for reform in the clergy and in the monasteries. Known as a Catholic reformer (long before the Protestant Reformation), he confronted clergy immorality, simony and lay investiture, as well as corruption in the process of the election of Popes, and he was a member of the first college of cardinals, as we know it today. Links Listen to the Catholic Culture audio book of St. Peter Damian's The Lord Be With You: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-peter-damian-lord-be-with-you/ Listen to previous episodes of The Way of the Fathers on the subject of the validity of the Sacraments: Episode 4.8 - Novatian: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Part 1: The Good): https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/48-novatian-good-bad-ugly-pt-1-good/ Episode 4.9 - Novatian: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Part 2: The Bad and the Ugly):…

The Holy Father has proclaimed 2025 as a Jubilee year, and pilgrims are already flocking to Rome to cross the thresholds of the major basilicas, and to visit the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul. Original host of the Way of the Fathers podcast, Mike Aquilina, and current host of the podcast, James L. Papandrea, talk about jubilee and pilgrimage, and introduce listeners to the first (of hopefully many) Way of the Fathers pilgrimage. If you're interested in going on pilgrimage to Sicily, December 1-11, 2025, with Mike, and Jim, and Fr. Kevin Barrett, you can find more information at this link: https://www.206tours.com/cms/stpaulcenter/aquilina/ Why Sicily? "Sicily," said Goethe, "is the key to everything." It was the site where Plato imagined his perfect republic. Sicily gave Rome its first taste of Empire. Homer set much of his Odyssey in Sicily: Scylla and Charybdis, the forge of Hephaestus … It's the land of the Cyclops, the place where Icarus hit the ground when his wings began to melt. St. Paul spent three…

St. Gregory of Narek (c. 945-1003), was an Armenian saint: a monk, scholar, poet, and hymn writer. Praised as a saint by Pope St. John Paul II, who called by him the "great Marian doctor of the Armenian Church," St. Gregory of Narek was officially proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015–one of the most recent additions to the list of the Doctors of the Church. Links Listen to our Way of the Fathers episode on the heresy of Eutyches and monophysitism: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/416-heresieseutyches-monophysitism-drop-in-ocean/ Listen to our Way of the Fathers episode on the heresy of rebaptism: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/410-heresies-rebaptism-and-donatists/ Listen to a lecture by musicologist Dr. Haig Utigjian on St. Gregory's Odes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xleJO1xra08 (The lecturer sings an example of a (later) melody at about minute 36) The book, The Doctor of Mercy: The Sacred Treasures of St. Gregory of Narek, by Michael Papazian:…

In the first episode on St. Gregory of Narek (c. 945-1003), Dr. Papandrea introduces one of the newest additions to the list of Doctors of the Church. Gregory was an Armenian monk, scholar, poet, and saint, who was praised by Pope St. John Paul II. Links Listen to Mike Aquilina's episode on Christianity in Armenia - The Way of the Fathers episode 3.9 Ejmiastin and Christian Armenia: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/39-cities-god-ejmiatsin-and-christian-armenia/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com To ask questions, make comments, or interact with Dr. Papandrea, join the conversation in the Original Church Community: https://theoriginalchurch.locals.com/ Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

In this second episode on St. Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735 AD), Dr. Papandrea talks about the literary legacy of this Doctor of the Church. Bede is not only considered the "father of English history," but also the "father of English education." Although he is now most famous for his Ecclesiastical History of England, his contribution to the Church is actually much greater than that. Links The Oxford book - St. Bede: The Ecclesiastical History of the English People; The Greater Chronicle; Bede's Letter to Egbert - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-ecclesiastical-history-of-the-english-people-the-greater-chronicle-bedes-letter-to-egbert-9780199537235?q=978-0199537235&cc=us&lang=en The Classics of Western Spirituality book - The Venerable Bede: On the Song of Songs and Selected Writings - https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/4700-7/the-venerable-bede.aspx The Ancient Christian Texts book - Latin Commentaries on Revelation - https://ivpress.com/latin-commentaries-on-revelation SIGN UP for Catholic…

In this episode, the first in our series on the Doctors of the Church, Dr. Papandrea introduces you to St. Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735 AD). He lived in a Benedictine monastery from the age of seven, and he wrote the first scholarly history of England and its conversion to Christianity. He is considered the "Father of English History" and the patron saint of historians Links SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com To ask questions, make comments, or interact with Dr. Papandrea, join the conversation in the Original Church Community: https://theoriginalchurch.locals.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book, Praying Like the Early Church: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-like-the-early-church/ Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

With this episode, we begin our new series on the Doctors of the Church. What is a Doctor of the Church? Are all Doctors also saints? What makes a person a Doctor of the Church? All these questions, and more, will be answered, as well as some hints at what you can expect from this series. Get ready to sample the fruit of some of the greatest minds the Church has ever produced! Links To listen to our episode 4.13 on Pelagianism: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/413-heresiespelagianism-and-seeds-calvinism/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com To ask questions, make comments, or interact with Dr. Papandrea, join the conversation in the Original Church Community: https://theoriginalchurch.locals.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book, Praying Like the Early Church: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-like-the-early-church/ Theme Music:…

St. Severinus Boethius was a man with one foot in the ancient world and one foot in the middle ages. He is another one of our lesser-known fathers who were anything but forgotten among the medieval scholastics. In this episode, Dr. Papandrea introduces another enigmatic but highly influential Church father. This is the last episode of our interim series on "Forgotten Fathers" - the next episode of The Way of the Fathers will introduce us to the Doctors of the Church, and begin our new series on the Doctors. Links If you need a refresher on Arianism, listen to episode 4.11 in our series on The Heresies: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/411-heresies-arianism-man-who-became-god/ To read Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/14328/14328-h/14328-h.htm To read Boethius' On the Trinity: https://www.logicmuseum.com/authors/boethius/boethiusdetrinitate.htm Here's the video with an interpretation of the reconstruction of Boethius' songs:…

Whenever you see "Pseudo-" in front of a name like this, it means we don't really know who the person was. This Church father wrote under the name of Dionysius the Areopagite, a convert of St. Paul mentioned in the book of Acts. But the documents attributed to him were written hundreds of years later. Nevertheless, this unknown pseudonymous author was hugely influential for some of the most important fathers and doctors of the Church. The medieval scholastics and mystics found these writings especially inspiring. Links To listen to Mike Aquilina's episode on other anonymous Church fathers: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/episode-6-whats-in-name-anonymous-texts-from-early-church/ To go deeper into the case of Dionysius the Areopagite, with some more cautions about this author's theology and its use throughout history, see the New Advent article: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05013a.htm To read Pseudo-Dionysius' treatise, The Divine Names: https://ccel.org/ccel/rolt/dionysius/dionysius.iv.ii.html…

Egeria (or Etheria) was a woman who embarked on a three-year pilgrimage to the Holy Land, in the late fourth century. From her "pilgrimage diary" (actually fragments from her letters to her "sisters" back in Spain) we learn much about liturgy in Jerusalem. There we can see the beginnings of the lectionary, and the seeds of the Stations of the Cross. In this episode, Dr. Papandrea also talks about the history of the spiritual discipline of pilgrimage itself. Links To listen to Mike Aquilina's episode on the city of Jerusalem, Episode 3.2: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/32-cities-god-jerusalem-city-origin/ To listen to Mike Aquilina's episode on Cyril of Jerusalem, Episode 34: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/cyril-jerusalemmystery-and-mayhem/ To read the fragments from Egeria's "diary" (letters): https://www.ccel.org/m/mcclure/etheria/etheria.htm For more on the historical context of the early Church in the fourth century, see the book: Reading the Church Fathers: A History of the Early…