The Commentaries

Dr. Paul Thigpen explores the historical context of Saint Augustine's association with the Manichean sect, a radical offshoot of Gnosticism. Augustine's journey unfolds, revealing his struggles with lust, his embrace of Manichean beliefs, and the profound impact of a friend's conversion on his own spiritual path, ultimately leading to a heartfelt portrayal of grief over the friend's death. Episode...

St. Augustine, initially a gifted young man, faced moral challenges in the vice-ridden city of Carthage. Engaging in lustful pursuits and embracing the theater, Augustine's soul grappled with the consequences of his actions. The episode concludes with glimpses of Saint Monica, Augustine's mother, persistently praying for his return to the true faith, offering a powerful example of perseverance in...

St. Augustine reflects on the shattering impact of sin, describing how it fragments and scatters the soul. He delves into the disorder of love, emphasizing the need to love God above all else. The narrative unfolds with Augustine's struggle, influenced by his parents' actions, his friends, and his own disordered affections, leading him into a life of sin. Dr. Paul Thigpen concludes this episode wi...

Dr. Paul Thigpen explores Saint Augustine's reflections on childhood, divine grace, and the foundations of identity. Augustine contemplates the mysterious beginning of life, emphasizing the role of God's grace in every aspect, from bodily existence to the formation of one's character. The narrative delves into Augustine's early years, revealing his struggles with schooling, his love for play, and...

Dr. Paul Thigpen explores Saint Augustine's spiritual journey, discussing his initial questions about God and the soul. The Confessions is identified as the first spiritual autobiography in the Christian tradition, shedding light on Augustine's early years and providing detailed insights into his thoughts on theology, devotion, philosophy, and psychology. Thigpen emphasizes the devotional aspects...

Welcome to The Commentaries season on The Confessions of St. Augustine! Dr. Paul Thigpen serves as your guide for this classic spiritual autobiography. The series begins with an overview of St. Augustine's life and times in the late fourth and early fifth centuries, marked by political turmoil, the fall of Rome, and spiritual challenges. St. Augustine's restless spiritual journey, from a childhood...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores St. Catherine's final moments on earth. Through a heartfelt prayer and a detailed account of Catherine's holy death from a letter by a contemporary, gain insight into the saint's intense suffering and unwavering dedication to prayer. Sister Mary Madeline encapsulates Catherine's profound spiritual legacy, emphasizing her Christocentric focus, relational approach...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores the rewards of obedience, the pitfalls of disobedience, and the profound impact of humility on virtue. The Father emphasizes the importance of obedience in the context of religious vows and the salvation of souls, providing insights into the joy of a life dedicated to serving God. The episode wraps up with Catherine's heartfelt prayer, expressing gratitude for di...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd begins her examination of The Treatise of Obedience by delving into the Father's insights on what nourishes and destroys obedience, highlighting signs of virtue in the soul. Drawing from Saint Catherine's prayer to the Trinity, the discussion emphasizes the importance of faith, patience, and humility in fostering obedience. The Father contrasts the paths of obedience and...

The Treatise on Prayer concludes by emphasizing the importance of praying for souls and the Church, delving into the difference between the death of a just person and a sinner. The Father speaks of the challenges faced by priests, urging prayers for their renewal and conversion. Sister Mary Madeline passionately narrates Catherine's prayer, highlighting the plea for God's mercy to restore and nour...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd discusses the significance of prayer for priests. Addressing the challenges within the Church during Catherine's time, Sister Mary emphasizes Catherine's deep devotion to the priesthood. The episode explores the profound gift of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, and the importance of priests living in true dignity. The Father's teachings to Catherine undersco...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores the theme of the three lights of truth within Saint Catherine's Treatise of Prayer. Beginning with the necessity of the light of reason, she delves into the stages of spiritual growth and the various kinds of tears experienced in a spiritual life. The episode concludes with a discussion on the three lights by which individuals come to know truth, emphasizing the...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd delves into the profound theology of tears as outlined by St. Catherine in The Dialogue . Exploring the five kinds of tears, ranging from those of worldly sorrow to the sublime tears of divine union, she emphasizes how tears signify the state of the soul's journey towards God. The episode concludes with St. Catherine's earnest petitions to God, seeking guidance in discern...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores the unitive state, the highest stage in the spiritual life. Focusing on prayer, she delves into the soul's desire to transcend the earthly state, emphasizing the transformative power of divine love. The discussion covers various forms of baptism, the sacraments, and the stages of spiritual development, highlighting the profound union with God achieved in the unit...

Delve into the intricate connections between baptism, grace, and prayer, exploring the Father's insights on the transformative power of Christ's blood. Sister Mary Madeline Todd offers a detailed analysis of the Father's teachings, touching on prayer's centrality, the significance of the Eucharist, and the diverse forms of baptism. Episode 12 covers Treatise 3, Subsections 5-9. LEARN MORE - USE CO...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores the theme of prayer, focusing on the Eucharist and the progression from servile fear to filial fear. Emphasizing the importance of prayer, she discusses the qualities of humble, continual, and faithful prayer, stressing its role in achieving pure and generous love. The episode delves into the significance of the Eucharist, the power of Christ's blood, and the tra...

Longing for spiritual growth? Let Saint Catherine be your guide from servile fear to filial love in her profound treatise of discretion. Learn to ascend through love on the bridge to perfection with insights on imperfect vs perfect love of God and neighbor. Episode four covers Treatise 2, Subsections 35-42. LEARN MORE - USE COUPON CODE COM25 FOR 25% OFF: The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena : ht...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd continues her exploration on The Treatise of Discretion, focusing on the significance of the three steps in the bridge as representative of the powers of the soul. The discussion delves into the interplay between the intellect, memory, and will, emphasizing the need for their unity in pursuing virtue. The episode concludes with a reflection on the transformative journey f...

Saint Catherine's Treatise on Discretion continues to explore the increase in the pain of the damned after the general judgment, the significance of temptation and suffering in spiritual lives, and the metaphor of Christ as the Bridge. Sister Mary Madeline Todd explains how souls can navigate the challenges of life and concludes with a powerful prayer that provides profound insights into the intri...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores the themes of pride, sensuality, greed, and injustice. Saint Catherine emphasizes the dangers of succumbing to these vices, leading to distorted judgment and a departure from virtue. The Dialogue also delves into the consequences of rejecting divine mercy, highlighting the joy of those who embrace love and charity, contrasting with the suffering of those who choo...

Delve into the Treatise of Discretion with insights from Saint Catherine of Siena, contrasting the challenging paths of Christ the Bridge and the tempestuous river. Explore the transformative journey of purification, love, and union with God, and discover the enduring presence of the Church as the living bridge. Discover the beauty of the soul in grace and the tragic consequences of turning away f...

Explore Saint Catherine's explanation of Christ as The Bridge, focusing on the initial sections discussing the broken road to heaven and the construction of the bridge with stones symbolizing virtues. Through prayer and insightful reflections, Sister Mary Madeline Todd helps to uncover the transformative journey of the soul along the three steps of the bridge, aligned with purification, enlightenm...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores Saint Catherine's Treatise on Discretion, focusing on humility, penance, and prayer. The episode delves into the Father's guidance on avoiding extremes in spiritual practices, emphasizing the importance of virtue and discretion over mere penance. Through profound reflections and a parable about the interconnected virtues, gain insights into the roots of the soul,...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd delves into St. Catherine of Siena's dialogue with God the Father on Divine Providence. The focus is on growing in virtue, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the love of God and love of neighbor. The episode explores how virtues are tested and strengthened through interactions with others, touching on the transformative power of true charity. Sister Mary Madeline also...

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores the profound intersection of virtue, humility, and prayer. Saint Catherine, motivated by a deep desire for God's glory and the salvation of souls, emphasizes the importance of exercising oneself in humble prayer. Delve into Catherine's teachings on self-knowledge, virtue as a divine gift, and the transformative power of Christ's love, offering a compelling journe...