Podcasts about devout life

Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Deacon Nathan Biersdorfer to continue our series on Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. Other guests include Karlo Broussard from Catholic Answers on relics and superstition, and canon lawyer Fr. Philip Michael Tangorra on the latest regarding the intent of the SSPX to consecrate bishops without permission from the Holy See. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** St. Thomas More’s Prayer for Good Humor Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is goodand that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments,nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke, to discover in life a bit of joy,and to be able to share it with others. Amen. ***** Cincinnati Right to Life is online at cincinnatirighttolife.org. Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Tom Curran interviews Fr. Nathan Dail, Director of Campus Ministry at St. Paul's Student Center at Boise University and Vocation Director for the Diocese of Boise. Fr. Dail shares insights from Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales and explains the need for transformation from self-obsession to ascension.

Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Deacon Nathan Biersdorfer to continue a series on Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. Other guests include Gary Zimak on preparing well for Lent, and Karlo Broussard from Catholic Answers. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** Act of LoveO my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me, and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen. ***** Cincinnati Right to Life is online at cincinnatirighttolife.org. Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy feast of St. Thomas Aquinas! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Mike Aquilina and Dr. Matthew Bunson to reflect on the legacy of the Angelic Doctor. Other guests include Deacon Nathan Beiersdorfer to continue our series on Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, and Gary Zimak on Paul’s advice to Timothy about detachment from goods. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas for Students Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen. ***** Cincinnati Right to Life is online at cincinnatirighttolife.org. Information on this Saturday’s men’s conference at St. Mary in Bethel with Fr. Ricardo Pineda of the Fathers of Mercy can be found at stellamarisfamily.org. The full text of Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales can be found online here. Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, January 24, is the feast day of Francis of Sales, a sixteenth-century French saint.As a young man, he became profoundly disturbed when contemplating the possibility of his soul spending eternity in hell.After weeks of barely eating and sleeping, he finally prayed before a miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, entrusting his life entirely to God's merciful love. This experience formed the basis of his pastoral work as a bishop in post-Reformation Geneva and inspired his influential writings.His masterly Treatise on the Love of God influenced Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and Saint John Bosco. His Introduction to the Devout Life is a classic guide to holiness for laypeople.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠January 24, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, 1567-1622; born in Savoy, France, and as bishop devoted his work to implementing the decrees of the Council of Trent; also co-founded the Visitandines, with St. Jane Francis de Chantal; among his most read and revered writings are Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/24/26 Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

Psalm 21Psalm 92Psalm Reading 1: Deuteronomy 10Reading 2: From The Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, bishopSt. Helena Ministries is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Your donations may be tax-deductibleSupport us at: sthelenaministries.com/supportPresentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975

Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Francis de Sales Saint Francis de Sales' Story Saint Francis de Sales 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. Saint Francis de Sales 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 Saint 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 of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Happy feast of St. Agnes of Rome! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Mike Aquilina to discuss the impact her martyrdom had in changing the perception of Rome towards Christians. Other guests include Karlo Broussard on why Catholics venerate relics, and Clare Ath from Vita et Terra on how what Pope Francis called the “throwaway culture” affects the unborn. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** Collect for the feast of St. Agnes of Rome Almighty ever-living God, who choose what is weak in the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of your Martyr Saint Agnes, may follow her constancy in the faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. ***** Clare Ath’s article on abortion and the throwaway culture is in the Washington Times. The full text of Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales can be found online here. Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

St Francis de Sales is a popular Saint and Doctor of the Church who promoted the universal call to holiness and encouraged lay people to grow in holiness in their current state of life. This blogcast explores “St. Francis de Sales: The Doctor of Divine Love" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Erin Donn and read by Brian Rhude.Today we celebrate the heavenly birthday of one of my dearest friends, St. Francis de Sales. It is often said that the saints choose you, and I have certainly found that to be the case with Francis. Since I first “met” him while reading a book about the saints, he has continued to captivate and encourage me.Francis was born in France in 1567 to an aristocratic family. He was well educated, and while his father hoped this would lead Francis to a career in law, his studies ended up leading him to the priesthood. He was a sought-after spiritual director (perhaps his most well-known directee was St. Jane Frances de Chantal with whom he started the Visitation Sisters). Francis was also devoted to evangelization and catechesis through preaching and writing, and had a love of the poor which was manifested through works of charity and his own detachment from material things. He was canonized a saint in 1665 and named a Doctor of the Church in 1877.One of the things that makes a saint is that their life and teaching transcend time and remain relevant over the centuries. This is certainly true of St. Francis de Sales. While Vatican II affirmed the universal call to holiness in the 1960s, Francis ardently promoted this teaching three centuries prior. When St. Jane Frances de Chantal wanted to leave her duties as a mother for the “higher” calling of entering religious life, Francis encouraged her to have patience and fully embrace her current vocation as a mother. Rather than imagining that holiness is better achieved in religious life, he reminded her that faithfulness to the real life unfolding before her was the place for her to become holy. As he said to another directee in An Introduction to the Devout Life, “work in quiet cooperation with him, and then rest satisfied that if you have trusted entirely to him you will always obtain such a measure of success as is most profitable for you, whether it seems so or not to your own individual judgment.”When Francis was named a Doctor of the Church, it was under the title Doctor of Divine Love. Francis' personal devotion to the Lord and life of ministry flowed from his own love for God and awareness of God's love. When Francis' devoted friend, Bishop Jean-Pierre Camus, questioned him about how to grow in love of God and neighbor, Francis replied simply, “You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working. Just so you learn to love God and many by loving. If you really want to love God, go on and love Him more and more.” This simple approach to God is a hallmark of Francis' spirituality. Without pretending that such growth in holiness would be quick or easy, he offered straightforward guidance that people in any vocation or stage of life could follow. While we may not be able to love God perfectly and completely today, we can certainly strive for that and lay our foundation today. Francis shows us that God's love toward us and our love toward God are reciprocal, growing in relation to one another.One of my favorite quotes from St. Francis de Sales is, “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.” Francis offers the guidance of a gentle, compassionate father. He knew firsthand the temptation towards despair at our lowliness before God, but he also knew personally that God offers us the grace we need in our pilgrimage towards Him. God knows each of us intimately–our strengths and our struggles–and looks into our hearts. Rather than being overwhelmed by our shortcomings, spiritual and otherwise, Francis encourages us to extend God's own gentleness and patience to ourselves. As Francis says elsewhere, God “delights to show forth his power in our weakness, his mercy in our misery.”​St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of Divine Love, pray for us! Author:Erin Donn serves as the parish missionary at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, DC. Resources:Listen to On Mission: The SaintsOn Mission: St. Vincent PallottiBrowse the Saints and Feast Day SiteRead the Ad Infinitum blog Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Looking for a spiritual director—but don't have one yet? Julie invites you to sit at the feet of St. Francis de Sales, a saint, bishop, and master of the spiritual life, as he gently guides souls through his classic work Introduction to the Devout Life. Until the Lord provides you with a spiritual director, Francis de Sales can be yours—patient, practical, and deeply human. As a saint alive in heaven, he continues to assist those who sincerely seek holiness in everyday life.Subscribe to Your Next Mission From God on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.Your Next Mission From God is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.

In this episode, Dave Napierkowski and James Joseph share their experience of reading the famous work of St. Francis De Sales called "Intro to the Devout Life." A must read for seminarians and those looking to grow in their spiritual journey. (The mission of the podcast continues to be recording the experiences of seminarians to update friends of the seminary about life at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.) Email with any questions or comments: sonsofarspodcast@gmail.com Also check out what's going on at Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary where you can sign up for monthly newsletter: https://sjvdenver.edu/ 

Fr. Mike Schmitz joins Fr. Gregory Pine for a special conversation about Season 4 of Catholic Classics! Beginning October 22, 2025, Fr. Mike will guide listeners through The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. Together, he and Fr. Gregory explore this spiritual classic's structure and central themes, highlighting why it has been of enduring value for Catholics throughout the centuries. To get your copy of the complete 30-day reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics Season Four of Catholic Classics: The Imitation of Christ is available for free exclusively in the Ascension App. To get started, download the Ascension App in the app store on your mobile device or visit ascensionpress.com/imitationofchrist

Patrick Madrid takes a call from Matt in Huntington Beach, who asks a very relatable question: How do I keep prayer intentional when I have so many intentions that it feels like a checklist? Patrick admits right away that he’s not speaking as a prayer “expert,” but as a fellow traveler who wrestles with the same distractions. He encourages you to pray at times and in places where the noise of life is quieter -- whether that’s at home in the early morning or during a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. But he also affirms that prayer doesn’t have to be limited to those moments; it can happen anywhere -- in the car, at the grocery store, or in the middle of a busy day. What matters most, Patrick says, is not the absence of distractions but what you do with them. He suggests offering those distractions to God directly: “Lord, I’m trying to pray, but my mind is scattered. I give you these distractions too.” That effort, he says, is pleasing to God because it shows love and persistence. Patrick also draws on Ignatian spirituality, recommending a prayer method that involves putting yourself into the scene of Scripture or the mysteries of the Rosary. For example, while praying the Sorrowful Mysteries, you can imagine yourself standing at the pillar as Jesus is scourged, which helps stir gratitude and deepen prayer. He goes on to outline the stages of prayer: -Discursive prayer -- the “shallow end,” made up of spontaneous prayers or rote prayers like the Our Father -Meditation -- a deeper form, where the mind and heart actively engage with the truths of the Faith -Contemplation -- the “deep end” of prayer, described by saints like Teresa of Avila as gazing on God with love, much like beholding a beautiful sunset in awe On the specific problem of prayer becoming a long “laundry list,” Patrick introduces the idea of virtual intentions. Instead of naming every single person or need individually each time, you can entrust categories of people or petitions to God: “Lord, I pray for all those I promised to pray for” or “I pray for all who have died.” This way, prayer remains heartfelt without being mechanical. Finally, Patrick recommends two spiritual classics to grow in prayer: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales and The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila. Both provide wisdom on moving from simple, everyday prayer to deeper intimacy with God. Patrick reminds you: the key is not perfection, but intention. As long as you’re sincerely engaging with God rather than just “clickety clacking” through words, your prayer life will bear fruit.

In this episode, Eileen is joined by Fr Eamon Roche as they reflect on prayer to the Holy Spirit and the “Intoduction to the Devout Life” by Francis de Sales L'articolo E222 | Life to the Full – Eileen O'Driscoll – Fr Eamon Roche proviene da Radio Maria.

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.

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.

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 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)

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)

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.