Podcasts about devout life

In this episode, Madeline chats with Kyle Shepard, an engineering PhD student at Purdue University. During their conversation, they discuss his childhood in Oklahoma, Internet research rabbit holes, critical thinking, his undergrad and Master's at Oklahoma State, PhD work at Purdue, being a lifelong learner, embracing being a dork, koinania, savoring classic works of literature, St. Francis de Sales, martyrs, being friends with people how are different ages than you, and so much more.During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include The Power of Silence by Cardinal Sarah, St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, a few episodes of this podcast (episodes 2, 16, and 47 specifically), and the following talk by Fr. John Kartje.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

A new "Catholic Classics" season with Fr. Mike Schmitz is coming this fall! In the meantime, Ascension has released a new book in the Catholic Classics series titled "Saints of the First Monasteries." Fr. Boniface Hicks, a contributor to the book, joins Fr. Gregory Pine to explore the key patristic texts featured in the book and the lives of early saints, including St. Anthony, St. Benedict, and St. Basil. They highlight the significance of monastic traditions and the profound spiritual lessons these saints imparted that remain relevant for living a holy life today. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

3/19/25 - We'll recount St. Francis de Sales' teachings on patience, humility, and gentleness through his writings, especially his Introduction to the Devout Life, and examine his letters, including those to Jane de Chantal, a French-Catholic widow with whom St. Francis eventually co-founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. With a message that is more applicable than ever in our busy modern climate, he notably believed that holiness can be achieved amidst the daily responsibilities of family, work, and social life, emphasizing that a deep prayer life can coexist with an active, worldly vocation. St. Francis also offers practical advice on managing anger, cultivating humility, and practicing gentle correction in relationships, drawing from his own experiences while serving as Bishop of Geneva.

Every year, we ask some of our regular radio friends to share Lenten reading recommendations to help give you ideas as you put together your own plan for Lent. Here are some of their ideas: Andrew Petiprin: –Prayer by Hans Urs Von Balthasar–The Portal of the Mystery of Hope by Charles Peguy–Sword of Honour by Evelyn Waugh Amy Welborn: –The daily readings from the Mass–The Habit of Being by Flannery O’Connor–Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales Danielle Bean: –No Greater Love – Edward Sri–The Power of Silence – Cardinal Robert Sarah–The Practice of the Presence of God – Br. Lawrence Amy Alznauer: The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor, specifically these short stories:-Temple of the Holy Ghost-A Good Man is Hard to Find-The Enduring Chill-Parker’s Back Ken Craycraft: –Let the Great World Spin by Callum McCann–Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen–The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade Matt Swaim: –The Sign of the Cross by St. Francis de Sales–Selected Poems and Prose by Gerard Manley Hopkins–Humble Strength by Dr. Kevin Vost What are you reading for Lent this year? We’d love to hear from you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canon Michael Stein, ICKSP serves as Rector at Old St. Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, Missouri. He was ordained in 2010.   In Today's Show Using prayer correctly in order to find a spouse. Are there any plans to open more Apostolates for the Institute in the near future? Do you have any recommendations on reading An Introduction to the Devout Life? If I go to confession to a Canon of the Institute should I say "Forgive me Father" or "Forgive me Canon"? Should the Bible be in schools? Is it true that people in purgatory can pray for us but they can't pray for themselves? If you think something is a sin even though it wasn't, should you then confess it? When does a selling price become unjust for something like coffee? What is the best way to teach children to not be scared of confession? If you are not in a state of grace when you die, can you have a Catholic funeral? If I think my friend is going to reveal a secret about his job. Should I tell him to keep it secret? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Lectionary: 315The Saint of the day is Saint Francis de SalesSaint Francis de Sales' Story Francis was destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the young man could eventually take his elder's place as a senator from the province of Savoy in France. For this reason Francis was sent to Padua to study law. After receiving his doctorate, he returned home and, in due time, told his parents he wished to enter the priesthood. His father strongly opposed Francis in this, and only after much patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle Francis did his father finally consent. Francis was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a center for the Calvinists. Francis set out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching and distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success. At 35, he became bishop of Geneva. While administering his diocese he continued to preach, hear confessions, and catechize the children. His gentle character was a great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own axiom, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.” Besides his two well-known books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote many pamphlets and carried on a vast correspondence. For his writings, he has been named patron of the Catholic Press. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman…. It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world.” In spite of his busy and comparatively short life, he had time to collaborate with another saint, Jane Frances de Chantal, in the work of establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified in Mary's visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety, and mutual charity. They at first engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the poor and the sick. Today, while some communities conduct schools, others live a strictly contemplative life. Reflection Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” As he said himself, it took him 20 years to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a problem, so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of acting. His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of “Gentleman Saint.” Saint Francis de Sales is the Patron Saint of: AuthorsDeafnessJournalistsWriters Click here for more on Francis de Sales! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

"Be sure that wherever our lot is cast we may and must aim at the perfect life." Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly Incorporating prayer and sacraments into a busy schedule Growing in virtue Battling wisely against temptation Making spiritual progress through daily, monthly, and yearly exercises Whether you are just beginning your spiritual journey or are more advanced in the spiritual life, you'll be able to apply this timeless wisdom immediately. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622) was the Bishop of Geneva and a renowned spiritual director. Preaching during the Counter-Reformation, he is estimated to have converted 70,000 Calvinists in his lifetime. He was a fervent proponent of the universal call to holiness and spent much of his time guiding lay people on the road to sanctity. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877, St. Francis is still helping to form saints through his many writings, of which Introduction to the Devout Life is the most famous. —description from the publisher Introduction to the Devout Life full text: https://watch.formed.org/introduction-to-the-devout-life-by-st-francis-de-sales SUBSCRIBE to Catholic Culture Audiobooks https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-culture-audiobooks/id1482214268 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter http://www.catholicculture.org/newsletter DONATE at http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio  Theme music: "2 Part Invention", composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved. Timestamps 00:38 Preface 12:26 Part 1 – Counsels and Exercises for the Guidance of the Soul from Its First Desire After a Devout Life unto a Full Resolution of Pursuing the Same 12:38 True Devotion Explained 18:19 The Nature and Excellence of Devotion 23:17 Devotion is Suitable to Every Vocation and Profession 27:26 The Need of a Guide for those who would Enter Upon and Advance in the Devout Life 33:35 The First Step: Purifying the Soul 38:22 The First Purification: From Mortal Sin 40:56 The Second Purification: From All Sinful Affections 44:17 How to Affect This Second Purification 46:56 First Meditation, On Creation 53:26 Second Meditation, On the End for Which We Were Created 59:26 Third Meditation, On the Gifts of God 1:05:20 Fourth Meditation, On Sin 1:11:39 Fifth Meditation, On Death 1:19:00 Sixth Meditation, On Judgment 1:24:59 Seventh Meditation, On Hell 1:29:02 Eighth Meditation, On Paradise 1:34:05 Ninth Meditation, On the Choice Open to You Between Heaven and Hell 1:39:26 Tenth Meditation, On How the Soul Chooses the Devout Life 1:46:40How to Make a General Confession 1:49:23 A Sincere Protest Made with the Object of Confirming the Soul's Resolution to Serve God as a Cojnclusion to its Acts of Penitence 1:53:58 Conclusion of This First Purification 1:55:53 The Necessity of Purging Away All Tendency to Venial Sins 2:00:35 It Is Necessary to Put Away All Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things 2:03:14 All Evil Inclinations Must Be Purged Away 02:05:29 Part 2 – Counsels as to Uplifting the Soul to God in Prayer and the Use of the Sacraments 2:05:38 The Necessity of Prayer 2:11:30 A Short Method of Meditation in the Presence of God: The First Point of Preparation 2:17:05 Invocation: The Second Point of Preparation 2:18:38 Representing the Mystery to Be Meditated to Your Imagination: The Third Point of Preparation 2:20:49 Considerations: The Second Part of Meditation 2:22:16 Affections and Resolutions: The Third Part of Meditation 2:24:01 The Conclusion and Spiritual Bouquet 2:25:44 Some Useful Hints on Meditation 2:30:40 Concerning Dryness in Meditation 2:33:15 Morning Prayer 2:36:05 Evening Prayer and Examination of Conscience 2:38:03 Spiritual Refreshment 2:42:42 Aspirations, Brief Prayer, and Holy Thoughts 2:53:34 Holy Communion, and How to Receive It 2:58:17 The Other Public Offices of the Church 3:00:13 How the Saints Are United to Us 3:02:58 How to Hear and Read God's Word 3:05:05 How to Receive Inspirations 3:10:31 Confession 3:17:35 Frequent Communion 3:23:09 How to Communicate 03:28:01 Part 3 – Counsels Concerning the Practice of Virtue 03:28:08 How to Select That Which We Should Chiefly Practice 03:36:56 The Same Subject Continued 03:43:55 Patience 03:53:08 Greater Humility 03:59:02 Interior Humility 04:08:28 Humility Makes Us Rejoice in Our Own Abjection 04:15:11 How to Combine Due Care for a Good Reputation with Humility 04:22:40 Gentleness Towards Others and Remedies Against Anger 04:31:05 Gentleness Towards Ourselves 04:35:35 We Must Attend to the Business of Life Carefully, but Without Eagerness or Over-Anxiety 04:40:18 Obedience 04:45:43 Purity 04:49:05 How to Maintain Purity 04:52:48 Poverty of Spirit amid Riches 04:58:28 How to Exercise Real Poverty although Actually Rich 05:06:08 How to Possess a Rich Spirit amid Real Poverty 05:09:50 Friendship: Evil and Frivolous Friendship 05:13:31 Frivolous Attachments 05:18:48 Real Friendship 05:24:40 The Difference between True and False Friendship 05:28:57 Remedies against Evil Friendships 05:35:47 Further Advice concerning Intimacies 05:40:22 The Practice of Bodily Mortification 05:50:59 Society and Solitude 05:56:24 Modesty in Dress 06:00:20 Conversation: First, How to Speak of God 06:02:52 Unseemly Words and the Respect Due to Others 06:07:18 Hasty Judgments 06:17:28 Slander 06:28:27 Further Counsels as to Conversation 06:32:24 Amusements and Recreations: What Are Allowable 06:34:56 Forbidden Amusements 06:36:53 Balls and Other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements 06:41:59 When to Use Such Amusements Rightly 06:43:49 We Must Be Faithful in Things Great and Small 06:49:23 - A Well-Balanced, Reasonable Mind 06:53:33 - Wishes 06:58:15 - Counsels to Married People 07:11:47 - The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed 07:13:15 - Counsels to Widows 07:22:31 - One Word to Maidens 07:23:51 Part 4 – Counsels Concerning Some Ordinary Temptations 07:23:58 - We Must Not Trifle with the Words of Worldly Wisdom 07:29:29 - The Need of Good Courage 07:32:09 - Temptations and the Difference Between Experiencing Them and Consenting to Them 07:37:19 - Two Striking Illustrations of the Same 07:40:56 - Encouragement for the Tempted Soul 07:43:26 - When Temptation and Pleasure are Sin 07:47:23 - Remedies for Great Occasions 07:50:15 - How to Resist Minor Temptations 07:52:26 - How to Remedy Minor Temptations 07:55:02 - How to Strengthen the Heart Against Temptation 07:57:40 - Anxiety of Mind 08:03:27 - Sadness and Sorrow 08:08:40 - Spiritual and Sensible Consolations and How to Receive Them 08:23:23 - Dryness and Spiritual Barrenness 08:33:49 - An Illustration 08:41:07 Part 5 - Counsels and Practices for Renewing and Confirming the Soul in Devotion 08:41:15 - It Is Well Yearly to Renew Good Resolutions by Means of the Following Exercises 08:43:58 - Meditation on the Benefit Conferred on Us by God in Calling Us to His Service 08:48:55 - Examination of the Soul as to Its Progress in the Devout Life 08:52 :13 - Examination of the Soul's Condition as Regards God 08:56:52 - Examination of Your Condition as Regards Yourself 08:59:16 - Examination of the Soul's Condition as Regards Our Neighbor 09:00:43 - Examination as to the Affectations of the Soul 09:03:10 - The Affections to Be Excited After Such Examination 09:04:36 - Reflections Suitable to the Renewal of Good Resolutions 09:05:23 - First Consideration, On the Worth of Souls 09:08:13 - Second Consideration, On the Excellence of Virtue 09:10:01 - The Example of the Saints 09:11:48 - The Love That Jesus Christ Bears to Us 09:15:05 - The Eternal Love of God for Us 09:16:36 - General Affections That Should Result from These Considerations and Conclusion of the Exercise 09:19:16 - The Impressions That Should Remain After This Exercise 09:20:53 - An Answer to Two Objections That May Be Made to This Book 09:23:45 - Three Important and Final Counsels

Friends of the Rosary, Today is the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop and Doctor of the Church. St. Francis' ardent love of God and souls, his great kindliness, and his rare wisdom made him exceptionally influential in bringing about conversions and guiding souls in the spiritual life. He won back the faith of more than 70,000 heretics. The saint's Introduction to the Devout Life is most widely known, which, with the Imitation of Christ, is rightly considered the finest outline of Christian perfection. He proposed God's merciful love as the goal and motive of every human life. He wrote, "Man is the perfection of the universe; the spirit is the perfection of man; love, that of the spirit; and charity, that of love." Francis was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877. [embed]https://youtu.be/yXEmrmOd4RA?si=LGWfcRaVeFtLBDs-[/embed] Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • January 24, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET • Enhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University iOS app.

From the Archive! Dr. Tom Curran prays for families undergoing treatments for a life-threatening illness and reflects on majesty vs. pageantry. Tom shares insights from Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales.

This week Mother Natalia and Fr. Michael reflect on the entrance of their friend and spiritual daughter, Maddie, into Christ the Bridegroom Monastery. Mother Natalia then reflects on one of her favorite stichera that we sing during the Nativity, and encourages us to reflect on it in this week leading up to the celebration of Nativity.References:Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de SalesFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

Patrick speaks with Kiva, a 17-year-old who has never had a phone. Her Catholic family prioritizes real-life interactions and values. From attending Latin Mass to ballroom dancing, their choices bring genuine joy and connection instead of digital distractions. Kiva’s experience highlights the benefits of living intentionally and may inspire parents to rethink giving smartphones to their children. Al (email) - I quit porn cold turkey and did it at first by myself. I don't know if I could have kept it up by myself. Something has to fill the void. I chose Relevant Radio and have been growing every day. It's been 5 years. (00:31) Richard (email) - When I pray the rosary, do I have the pray the five mysteries within each day every time I pray the rosary? Or can I just pray one within each (joyful, sorrowful, glorious, luminous) every day? (01:55) Kiva (17-years-old) - I have never had a phone. (07:07) Nick – We have a 14-year-old and 16-year-old. My son is finding it hard to get his friends off their phones to play football. (17:21) John - When I was tempted by pornography, I would pray. Eventually the desires went away. (24:09) Maria - I have a grandson who is 11 and I gave him a cell phone but ended up taking it away. He now uses a smart watch to communicate and to keep track of him. It’s a great way to avoid phone use. (26:25) Katie - I have 6 kids, and we have a shared phone for the entire family. We try to minimize our phone usage but I still feel it is useful. We don’t want to depend on the phone for everything. (29:52) Rachel - My mom tried to do everything right, but we were still exposed to some bad things. (35:28) Steve - I gave my kid a smart phone at 11. The parental controls do have pitfalls. (41:36) Monica - Our younger son didn’t have a phone. Colleges asked him for his social media accounts, but he didn’t have a social media footprint. (44:53) Heidi – I’m reading The Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. Can you speak a little about evil friendships? My husband thinks we can keep these friendships to bring them to Christ but I am concerned about their bad influence. (46:18)

Patrick discusses maintaining true friendships and avoiding harmful ones. Referencing St. Francis de Sales' "Introduction to the Devout Life," Patrick talks about the importance of choosing friends who align with your values to protect your moral integrity. Learn why keeping a safe distance from negative influences is crucial for your spiritual well-being. Patrick continues his conversation with Heidi from the end of the last hour about how to handle unhealthy friendships (00:46) Anne - If you put a white glove in mud, the mud doesn't get glovier. It is important to choose good friends. I wish I had isolated my kids more. (14:46) Courtney (email) – What is your advice to living with parents or siblings who are a corrupting influence, given that we also have responsibilities towards our family members? (18:40) Richard - People need to watch what gets into their brain. Once the brain absorbs the bad it is hard to get rid of it. (27:12) Robert - Is it real or demonic when family members appear in dreams? (28:58) Jason – I have friends seeking God, but they don’t believe in Christ's divinity. How can I help my friends understand? (36:36) Rick - I didn't let my kids have phones until high school. We saw a lot of problems with their friends who had smartphones. (40:11) Joshua – Is Catholic counseling okay if it’s over the phone? (44:14) Andrea - Can you speak about Pope Francis and Baby Jesus wearing a keffiyeh (scarf). It is Palestinian. What do you think? (46:33)

Welcome, Catholic Pilgrims, to the concluding episode of Season Four. Congratulations are in order for those that have made the journey through this book. I know that it can be hard to be methodical and take things slowly as we learn from the Saints, but it's important that we do so.  To purchase the book: From Catholic Treehouse From Amazon

As a conclusion to this season of Catholic Classics and to the life of St. Thérèse, Fr. Michael-Joseph provides an introduction to the epilogue of Story of a Soul. His introduction is followed by the reading of the epilogue. In the epilogue, we are given an account of the final months of St. Thérèse's life. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

What does one reflect on in the days leading up to death? In these last pages of Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse is also very near to the day of her death. She reflects on prayer being the source of all good. She writes about intercessory prayer and how the people entrusted to us can be our treasures. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph offer their final insights into the text and the life of St. Thérèse. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

It can be challenging to let the small things go. For St. Thérèse, it was the small things that she saw as the greatest opportunities for love. She recounts in these pages several instances where she struggled with the behavior of fellow sisters in the convent. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph explain how St. Thérèse's perception of herself was not necessarily scrupulosity, but an understanding of who she was and how God loved her still. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Not many people would describe prayer as something simple. However, the way in which St. Thérèse describes it conveys the possibility of simplicity in prayer. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph reflect on prayer as friendship with God and how prayer may not be easy, but it can be simple. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Love is not always easy. In fact, love can be very hard. In this final chapter of Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse is drawing near to the end of her life. As she does, she contemplates the mysterious depths of charity. She ponders what it means to love and how Christ loves through us. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss how each of us is called to live charity. They remind us that there is always an opportunity to love. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Are there people in your life that you struggle to get along with or even be around? St. Thérèse admits in her writings to there being sisters within the convent that she struggled to show charity towards. She uses these examples to reflect on Christ's love acting within her. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

A common temptation is the temptation to doubt. St. Thérèse was faced with this temptation in a significant way and she explains it within her writings. She also shares insight on fraternal charity. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph ponder some of the triggers that may have contributed to St. Thérèse's trial of faith. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Are relationships ever easy? In her third manuscript, St. Thérèse focuses on her life in Carmel. She shares about the new prioress and how she gets along with the other sisters in the convent. St. Thérèse also begins to describe her trial of faith. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph use St. Thérèse's writings to draw the distinction between the virtue of humility and the virtue of magnanimity. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

What is my vocation? This is a question St. Thérèse pondered even after entering Carmel. As she continues to convey her Little Way, St. Thérèse contemplates the vocation of love. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss how the vocation of love is for all and that this vocation does not require a felt love, but is, instead, an act of the will. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

What is the Little Way? Today's reading brings us to the second manuscript of Story of a Soul. This manuscript is also known as the charter for the Little Way. Within her writings, St. Thérèse expresses to her sister Marie some of what God has revealed to her as well as her intense desire to love. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph also discuss the dream that St. Thérèse has of Ven. Anne of Jesus. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

For some, doubtful thinking can be very distressing. As St. St. Thérèse continues to experience dryness in her spiritual life, she is also plagued with doubts, including doubts about Heaven. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph encourage us that even in times of struggle, we can persevere with faith and hope just like St. Thérèse. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

St. Thérèse recounts a trying time within Carmel during which almost the entire monastery was overcome with influenza. During this trial, St. Thérèse experienced death very closely as a number of nuns who fell ill did pass away. St. Thérèse recounts the tasks that fell to her as she was one of the few that was not bedridden. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss St. Thérèse's challenge with dryness in prayer and what each of us can do when we experience a similar dryness. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Change almost always brings challenges with it. This is true for St. Thérèse as she begins her life in Carmel. She expresses some of the challenges she faced in this drastically different way of life. However, she also shares how she sought growth in virtue through all of it. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph explain the typical stages of religious formation. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

The day has finally come! Today's episode brings us to a pivotal moment in St. Thérèse's life: her entrance into Carmel. St. Thérèse describes her final moments with her family and the emotions she felt as she bid them farewell. She also describes what her reception was like at Carmel. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph reflect on these moments as well as their own experiences of entering religious life. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Even a young person can offer great wisdom. In these pages, we walk with St. Thérèse through the aftermath of her encounter with Pope Leo XIII. She reveals her patience with the will of God and her refusal to be discouraged. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss how there is never a good reason to delay a pursuit of holiness. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Seeing the city of Rome through the eyes of a saint is a delight. St. Thérèse provides the details of her visit to Rome and some of the sites she visited. She writes of the most significant part of her time in Rome: meeting Pope Leo XII. She describes the visit itself but also her feelings through the whole process. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph reflects on how St. Thérèse must have been tempted towards discouragement, but instead abandons herself to God's will. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

The world holds so much beauty and wonder. In today's reading, we go with St. Thérèse as she begins her pilgrimage to Rome. She outlines what it is like for her to be out in the world and seeing some of nature's beauties for the first time. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph explain the significance of what St. Thérèse shares in these pages, especially, praying for priests, Our Lady of Victory, and the impact of nature's beauty. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

The growth of an individual can happen very gradually, and therefore, be unnoticeable. In the case of St. Thérèse, her growth is quite tangible. It is clear in her writing that she is making conscious efforts to overcome her timidity. This is clear in her visit to the bishop as she requests his special permission for entrance into Carmel. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss St. Thérèse's experience of meeting the bishop and ponder how she must have felt after his denial. They point out how St. Thérèse is continuing to show great tenacity in her pursuit of Carmel. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Revealing our greatest desires can be a very vulnerable experience. St. Thérèse describes the circumstances of sharing her desire for Carmel to both her father and uncle. As she faces the initial denial of her uncle and the rector of Carmel, we begin to see the perseverance St. Thérèse possessed when it came to her vocation, and ultimately, her path towards holiness. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph explain why St. Thérèse needed her uncle's permission to enter Carmel. They also describe the factors of granting permission for an individual to enter a religious community. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Many of us are able to look back on our lives and point to significant moments of change or growth. St. Thérèse is no different. In today's readings, St. Thérèse reflects on one of the more significant moments in her life: her Christmas conversion. She outlines what happened exactly and how it impacted her. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss the changes that St. Thérèse strove to make due to her conversion. They also reflect on the reality that we cannot accomplish holiness ourselves and we must let God in. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

There is great heartache that can come with the experience of loneliness. St. Thérèse continues to struggle in developing friendships and writes of the loneliness she feels. She also shares her reaction to learning that her sister Marie will be entering Carmel. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph share the testimony of one of St. Thérèse's sisters and what this sister saw in St. Thérèse's struggle with friendship and her experience of isolation. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

It is a good thing to be concerned about doing what is right. However, fear of not doing the right thing can become excessive and turn into something called “scrupulosity.” St. Thérèse struggled with scrupulosity and details how her sister Marie helped her in this struggle. She also outlines the challenges she faced in making friends. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph explore the reasons for why St. Thérèse struggled with developing friendships and how many of us face the same difficulties in developing our own friendships. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

How good is it when great joy follows great suffering? In today's reading, St. Thérèse describes a number of significant moments of joy in her life. She shares about the reception of her future religious name, her growth in prayer, and the reception of her First Holy Communion. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph reflect on their own experiences of preparation and reception of their First Holy Communions. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

It can be very difficult to say “good-bye” to someone. For St. Thérèse, the departure of her sister Pauline to Carmel was almost unbearable. This experience leads to a significant sickness for St. Thérèse. She describes her experience in the sickness and the miraculous healing she received. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph reflect on St. Thérèse's sickness and what God was able to do within her suffering. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

The experience of loneliness is one that many people can relate to. What St. Thérèse describes as her “saddest” years are marked with loneliness. Her years at school found St. Thérèse without many friends and even bullied. Another element of her suffering in these years was the entrance of Pauline into Carmel. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph ponder the hardships that St. Thérèse endured and how God's presence was evident throughout them. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Each family is unique and may come with their own traditions or day to day practices. St. Thérèse describes some of the practices held in her own family that were majoritively centered around liturgical living. She also shares a vision she had of her father and her experience of visiting the ocean for the first time. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph ponder the ways in which the Martin family entered into liturgical living and the influence this had on St. Thérèse. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

The presence of a mother and father is important for every child. St. Thérèse was no different. However, as described in today's reading, she lost her mother at a very young age. Out of this experience, St. Thérèse describes how her sister Pauline stepped into the role of mother and how her father's love was the greatest witness of God the Father's love for her. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss the impact that her mother's death had on her life. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

It is not common to have first hand accounts of the early lives of saints. However, St. Thérèse gives a thorough account of some of her earliest memories. She shares about each of her sisters and her relationships with them. In these pages, we also read through the story surrounding St. Thérèse's prophetic statement “I choose all!” Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss how St. Thérèse's family is the foundation for who she is. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

To help set the scene for the autobiography of St. Thérèse, Fr. Michael-Joseph provides an introduction to the prologue of Story of a Soul. His introduction is followed by the reading of the prologue. In the prologue, we are given a deeper look at the family of St. Thérèse's, especially her parents. The prologue also gives insight into the first year of St. Thérèse's life. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

St. Thérèse begins her autobiography explaining why she is writing it. She describes her reluctance to write, but also her sense of obedience to Mother Agnes. In these first pages, St. Thérèse touches on the importance of her family's influence as well as the prevalence of God's mercy throughout her life. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph consider what we can garner from St. Thérèse's reluctance to write her autobiography. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

O St. Therese, seraphic virgin, beloved spouse of our Crucified Lord, you who on earth did burn with a love so intense toward your God and my God, and now glow with a bright and purer flame in paradise, obtain for me, I beseech you, a spark of that same holy fire which shall help me to put things of the world in their proper place and live my life always conscious of the presence of God. As I conclude my novena I also beg of you to secure for me the special favour I seek at this time... St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

O glorious St. Therese, who, burning with the desire of increasing the glory of God, invariably attended to the sanctification of your soul by the constant practice of prayer and charity so that, becoming in the Church a model of holiness, you are now in Heaven the protector of all those who have recourse to you in faith, look down upon me who invokes your powerful patronage and join your petition to mine that I be granted the favour I seek in this novena... St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

Therese of the Child Jesus, most loving Saint, in union with you I adore the divine Majesty. My heart is filled with joy at the remembrance of the marvellous favours with which God blessed your life on earth and of the great glory that came to you after death. In union with you, I praise God, and offer him my humble tribute of thanksgiving. I implore you to obtain for me, through your powerful intercession, the greatest of all blessings -- that of living and dying in the state of grace. I also beg of you to secure for me the special favour I seek in this novena... St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

O Little Flower of Jesus, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and compassionate toward those who honour you and invoke you in suffering and distress, that I kneel at your feet with perfect confidence and beseech you most humbly and earnestly to take me under your protection in my present necessity and obtain for me the favour I ask in this novena...Vouchsafe to recommend my request to Mary, the merciful Queen of Heaven, that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of Jesus, her divine Son.. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

O Little Flower of Carmel, Almighty God endowed you, consumed by love for him, with wondrous spiritual strength to follow the way of perfection during the days of your short life. Sickness touched you early but you remained firm in faith and prayer was your life. O pray for me that I may benefit by your intercession and be granted the favour I ask in this novena... St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

O Little Flower of Jesus, who at an early age had your heart set on Carmel and in your brief earthly life did become the mirror of angelic purity, of courageous love and of whole hearted surrender to Almighty God, turn your eyes of mercy upon me who trusts in you. Obtain for me the favour I seek in this novena...and the grace to keep my heart and mind pure and clean. O dear saint, grant me to feel in every need the power of your intercession; help to comfort me in all the bitterness of this life and especially at its end, that I may be worth to share eternal happiness with you in heaven. Amen. St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.

O Therese of the Child Jesus, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Carmel, I greet you, great saint, seraph of divine love. I rejoice in the favours our Lord so liberally bestowed on you. I humility and confidence I ask you to help me, for I know God has given you love and pity as well as power. Tell Him, now, I beseech you, of the favour I seek in this novena... Your request will crown my petition with success and bring joy to my heart. Remember your promise to do good here on earth. “I shall spend my heaven doing good on the Earth. After death I shall let fall a shower of roses.” St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us. To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.