Catholic Classics

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. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk discuss the movement from sin to holiness. Lastly, St. Augustine shares about St. Monica’s experiences at this point in his life. Today’s readings are Book 3, Chapters 8-12. To get your copy of the comple...

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. Augustine turns to Manichaeism. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk explain why St. Augustine joined the Manichaeans. They share what problems St. Augustine felt they answered. Today’s readings are Book 3, Chapters 5-7. To get your copy of the...

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 at length the temptations he feels in regards to love. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk comment on the reality of temptation. They note its limits, but also clarify that temptation can be very intense and feel unbearable. Today’s readin...

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 his studies and his search for wisdom. In this search, St. Augustine encounters the writings of Cicero. In this bonus episode, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk prepare us for what we can expect in the upcoming chapters. They also give us...

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 or the community we live in? Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk challenges us to take stock of who we spend our lives with, reminding us that true friendship should help you flourish, not falter. Today’s readings are Book 2, Chapters 8-10...

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 formation: his theft of the pears. Doing his best to make sense of this sin, St. Augustine reflects on why man ever chooses evil over God’s goodness. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk warn us not to allow our sins and failures to act as st...

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 answer these questions and prepare us to analyze St. Augustine’s famous sin of stealing the pears. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "CONFESSIONS" to 33-777. Please note: The Confessions of...

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 remained silent even while he strayed further from chastity. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk discuss God’s providence and what it means for us to choose him freely. Today’s readings are Book 2, Chapter 1-3. To get your copy of the comp...

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. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk share how God is always ready to receive us when we are ready to surrender to his mercy. They explain the importance of forming good habits in ourselves and in our children. Today’s readings are Book 1, Chapters...

As we continue learning about St. Augustine’s early childhood, he questions why his Baptism was deferred and connects this to his struggles with vice. We learn that sacraments are sources of grace, aiding us in sanctification. St. Augustine explains his distaste for studying and reading Greek literature. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk explore the effects of books and media, noting...

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 describes these relationships, St. Augustine also ponders the roots of disobedience and vice that he sees growing in himself at this point in his life. This requires us to consider the role of Original Sin in our lives. Are the effects of Original Sin...

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 also wrestles with the question of how and why God loves us. He then introduces us to God through prayer and praise. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk support St. Augustine’s conclusion that we are, in fact, made for God. Today’s readings...

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 Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk give us an overview of the themes and topics St. Augustine will explore in the upcoming chapters of Book 1. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "CONFESSIONS"...

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 Classics: The Confessions of St. Augustine. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk offer a broad overview of St. Augustine’s life and faith journey. They also explain what the Confessions is about and what you can expect as you begin reading. To...

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 share five tips to help you build a habit of spiritual reading. These practical tips will not only help you build a habit of spiritual reading, but they will help you do it well. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.co...

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 The Confessions of St. Augustine. You can download the reading plan and order your copy of The Confessions of St. Augustine at ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics.

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 in seeking the Devout Life, and finally, to be bold in our pursuit of Christ. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand highlight that to follow this wisdom, we cannot underestimate the importance of courage in the Christian life. To get your copy of the com...

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 virtues, the example of the saints, and the eternal love that comes from both Jesus and God the Father. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand assure us that God will faithfully give us what we need to continually transform our lives and draw closer to his...

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 when it comes to ourselves, God, and our neighbors. What are we still attached to? Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertram encourage us to ask God for the grace to unburden ourselves and run yet more quickly to him. To get your copy of the complete reading...

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 practical advice for persevering in the spiritual life as we inevitably experience trials, personal failures, and changing seasons. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob remind us to never give up when we fail because God can use our imperfections to perfect us i...

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 Devout life. In this final part of the book, St. Francis De Sales provides us encouragement when it comes to making progress in the spiritual life. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO"...

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 for God to give us moments of consolation to encourage us and moments of desolation to strengthen us. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand assure us that no matter the season, we will be able to see God’s hand in our lives. To get your copy of the comp...

Saint Francis de Sales explores common causes of desolation while assuring us that works performed and prayers offered in times of dryness are more precious in the sight of God. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand lead us to find freedom in these seasons by calling it what it is, calling on the name of the Lord, and continuing to show up despite the temptation not to. To get your copy of the comple...

Consolations are good, but they are not ends in themselves. Continuing his discourse on temptation, St. Francis de Sales warns against attaching ourselves to consolations and encourages us to instead attach ourselves to God. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand guide us through discerning which consolations are evil and which consolations are fruitful and how to devote oneself to God in both circums...

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 be self-reliant when we only need to place our complete reliance on God. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand stress the importance of getting out of our minds and into our bodies, loving others and letting them love us. To get your copy of the complete...