Podcasts about encyclicals

In this enlightening episode of "Father and Joe," hosts Father Boniface Hicks and Joe Rockey delve into the profound world of papal encyclicals and their significance in modern society. The conversation explores the importance of taking the teachings of God and applying them to contemporary issues through the lens of encyclicals, all while understanding their hierarchy in relation to divine revelation found in the Bible.Father Boniface elaborates on how encyclicals are structured to build upon one another, providing a rich tapestry of Catholic doctrine that demands thoughtful engagement. The episode touches on various well-known encyclicals, including Pope Francis' "Laudato Si," and discusses the layered complexities and common misconceptions surrounding these papal documents. The hosts address the broader purpose of encyclicals, which is to teach and integrate theological insights into everyday life while steering clear of simplistic interpretations that can dilute their deeper meanings.The episode transitions into an engaging discussion about Pope Leo XIV, a figure distinguished by his unique blend of North American, Roman, and South American experiences. Father Boniface highlights how Pope Leo brings a global perspective to the papacy, traversing cultural and ecclesiastical divides. His diverse background in administration, pastoral ministry, and missionary work positions him as a "bridge builder" in a world often fragmented by tribalism.Listeners gain insight into the authoritative role of the Pope as the Vicar of Christ, tasked with teaching, governing, and sanctifying the Church. Father Boniface shares personal reflections and stories that illustrate the Pope's profound influence as a spiritual leader and teacher, continually shaping the Church's mission to nourish the faithful through authentic doctrine and the sacraments.Tune in to this episode for a rich, nuanced exploration of the papal role in guiding the Church, the layers within Church teachings, and how the humility and humanity of its leaders continue to inspire believers worldwide. The dialogue wraps up with an invitation for listeners to engage further by sharing their questions and feedback via email.Tags:Father Boniface, Joe Rockey, Catholic Church, Encyclicals, Papal Role, Spiritual Direction, Pope Leo XIV, Encyclical Hierarchy, Catholic Doctrine, Divine Revelation, Laudato Si, Rerum Novarum, Church Teachings, Pope Francis, Papal Authority, Vicar of Christ, Bridge Builder, Global Perspective, Catholic Podcast, Spiritual Insight, Theology, Faith Exploration, Spiritual Growth, Relationship with God, Missionary Work, Pastoral Ministry, Religious Orders, Augustinians, Church History, Canon Law, Universal Church, Pope as Teacher, Papal Influence, Moral Doctrine, Deepening Faith, Sacred Tradition, Biblical TeachingsHashtags:#FatherAndJoe, #CatholicPodcast, #Encyclicals, #ChurchTeachings, #PopeLeoXIV, #SpiritualDirection, #VicarOfChrist, #CatholicDoctrine, #DivineRevelation, #PapalAuthority, #LaudatoSi, #FaithJourney, #GlobalChurch, #TheologyTalk, #FaithAndLife, #ChristianPodcast, #PopeFrancis, #FaithExploration, #SpiritualGrowth, #PapalInsights, #CatholicFaith, #SpiritualWisdom, #DoctrineAndFaith, #BridgeBuilder, #Augustinians, #UniversalChurch, #MissionaryLife, #FaithInAction, #FaithAndCommunity, #SacredTradition, #FaithfulWitness, #BiblicalLearning, #MoralAuthority, #ChristianUnity, #PapalTeachings, #FaithDevelopment, #CommunityOfBelievers, #DeepeningFaith

Welcome to a Brain Wrinkling Wednesday with Fr. Tom Koys.  Today Father Koys chats regarding the Saint of the Day, Saint Christopher Magallanes & Companions whom were executed by the Anit-Catholic Government of Mexico.  He dives into history to discover the impact of the martyrs of the Cristero Movement. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish

What does the Church teach about building wealth? We dive into nearly 2,000 years of Scripture, Church teaching, Encyclicals, and lives of the Saints to find out. What we might might surprise you - and it would certainly catch Dave Ramsey off guard. Thank you to this episode's sponsor: The Catholic Financial Planners Network. Find a great financial planner today at https://CatholicFinancialPlanners.com Want to build a greater understanding of a Catholic approach to handling your money? Start your free trial of The Catholic Money Academy today at CatholicMoneyAcademy.com Music in this episode is by Dylan Gardner – ⁠⁠check out his album Almost Real⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, or wherever you listen to great music.

This meditation was given on April 10th, 2024 at P3: Prayer, Penance, and Pub, which is a weekly time of Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament with Confession available followed by young adult pub time. Each Wednesday, Exposition and Confession starts at 6:30pm, a meditation is given at 8pm, followed by Benediction and young adult Pub Time. Pub time will be held outdoors (weather permitting). Beer and wine are available on a donation basis. Cash and Card accepted. Follow us: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Linktree⁠

On this episode of The Open Door, panelists Jim Hanink, Mario Ramos-Reyes, and Valerie Niemeyer discuss four giants of 20th century Catholic thought: Edith Stein, Jacques Maritain, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Karol Wojtyla (St. John Paul II). Our welcome guest is Prof. Rick Spinello. He teaches at Boston College and St. John's Seminary in Boston. The author of numerous scholarly articles on ethics, Spinello has written or edited many books including The Encyclicals of John Paul II: An Introduction and Commentary and The Splendor of Marriage: John Paul II's Vision of Love, Marriage, Family, and the Culture of Life. Among the questions we'll be asking him are the following. Rick, how did you end up authoring a book on four Catholic philosophers?Your book combines biography with hard philosophical questions. Why did you write it?Would the average Catholic layperson, if there is such a person, want to read this book?What's it like to write a book about four saintly figures who were also intellectual giants?Why did you pick these four? Why not other Catholic “giants” of the last century?Is there such a thing as Catholic philosophy? Why has this been such a contested issue?What does this diverse group, Edith Stein, Jacques Maritain, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Karol Wojtyla have in common?Three of these philosophers are converts to Catholicism. How would you compare their conversion experiences?Why are their philosophies important for the Church? What's their message for us today?Of the four, who was your favorite?Four Catholic Philosophers: Rejoicing in the Truth (Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, Karol Wojtyła)This book unfolds the intersecting life stories of four important Catholic philosophers of the 20th century, namely, Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Karol Wojtyla, and examines the salient themes of their respective philosophies. Exploring the lives of these four individuals will unlock for the reader the nature of Catholic philosophy, which always aspires to a higher wisdom and the discovery of the hidden harmony of the universe. The spiritual itinerary of these faithful scholars is part of a larger story, therefore, of the intimate relationship between faith and reason that is at the heart of Catholic intellectual life.Four Catholic Philosophers: Rejoicing in the Truth (Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, Karol Wojtyła) | En Route Books and Media

0:00:   Frank O'Linn, Secratary of Education and Superintendent of Catholic Schools joins us.0:43:  School choice is on the docket right with the state approving their 2 year budget.2:19:  What is the Ed Choice Scholarship?3:00:  Should the church be taking money from the government for Catholic Education?4:10:  The Blessing at Baptism over parents talks about Education and Paul VI did as well.5:00:  The church has spoken about this in Encyclicals and in the Second Vatican Council.5:48:  Background on our Catholic Schools in Cleveland.8:30:  Do people not know about the scholarships that are available?11:05:  No deductions from a local district now.14:00  What would the impact be on Public Schools?15:50  Go to the action alert on school choice with the Catholic Conference of Ohio.17:10:  Church Search is at St. Basil in Brecksville, OH and congrats on priests celebrating their anniversaries.18:50:  Readings for Pentecost.19:50:  Check out our new video on the Eucharistic Revival.

The EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener: https://www.amazon.com/EZ-DUZ-Deluxe-Opener-Black-Grips/dp/B0071OUJDQ/ref=asc_df_B0071OUJDQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167123558869&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1548705745127775135&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029599&hvtargid=pla-272278256067&th=1 --- Pope Benedict XVI, formerly Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, passed away on December 31, 2022. Clark and Laura discuss the monumental impact Benedict had on them, and in the starting of A Simple House. In this episode: • Why you need to read Benedict's works • NEW SEGMENT: Simple Living Hacks • JP2 vs. Benedict in style and legacy • Controversy: how Benedict handled sex abusers, the media, and SSPX • The purpose of the Catholic Church --- Chapters: 0:00 Start 0:55 Intro to Pope Benedict segment 2:52 Benedict's contributions before papacy 5:08 Differences between Benedict and JP2 6:52 We went to Benedict's Mass in DC 7:55 Why retiring from being pope was a monumental move 11:41 Benedict's great theological contributions 16:45 "Introduction to Christianity"'s profound impact 20:07 Benedict's contributions to the Catechism 21:57 The three interviews 24:42 Encyclicals, Catholic Charities, & Love/Truth 31:26 Benedict's role in forming A Simple House 33:40 No one reads!! 42:09 The Historical-Critical Method and its faults 45:25 The "Jesus of Nazareth" books 46:56 Controversy: how Benedict handled sex abusers 53:10 Benedict's "bulldog" media portrayal 56:48 SSPX and Benedict 58:36 The Vatican Bank scandal 59:54 Seminarians at ASH 1:03:29 What's the purpose of the Church? 1:07:21 Flawless transition 1:08:20 NEW SEGMENT: Simple Living Hacks 1:14:44 Is it wrong or right to outsource? --- The Simpleton Podcast is also on Rumble and Odysee! You can watch the latest episodes of The Simpleton Podcast by going to: Rumble: rumble.com/user/asimplehouseU Odysee: odysee.com/@asimplehouseU You can also find the audio version of this episode almost anywhere you stream podcasts (specifically, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, Breaker, and Anchor). Just search "The Simpleton Podcast", or go to https://anchor.fm/simpletonpodcast. --- You can also find the video version of this episode on YouTube. Just search "The Simpleton Podcast", or go to https://youtu.be/iJkSauXaseM. --- Like, subscribe, share the podcast, and most of all, send us your feedback! We want to hear from you about what you loved, what you didn't, where you want to see the podcast go, and any other thoughts you have. Send us an email at asimplehouse@gmail.com with the subject line "The Simpleton Podcast Feedback". A Simple House is a Catholic ministry that serves project and Section 8 neighborhoods in southeast Washington, DC and Kansas City, MO. Our Catholic missionary work involves meeting people in their neighborhoods and in their homes. Missionaries strive to meet the material and spiritual needs of the poor. While missionaries serve at A Simple House, they live a simple religious life. Each missionary attends daily Mass, says morning and evening prayer from the Catholic Church's Liturgy of the Hours, and makes time for personal prayer and scripture study. To learn more about A Simple House and The Simpleton Podcast, visit asimplehouse.org. You can also follow us on these platforms: YouTube - A Simple House: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6LYNoV7AFGhKP4LR0Qqgnw YouTube - A Simple House U (home of The Simpleton Podcast): https://youtube.com/asimplehouseu_2022 Facebook: @asimplehouse Instagram: @asimplehouse.catholic

It's Time to Address the Papal Elephant in the RoomPope Francis is the 266th Pope of the Holy Catholic Church, having been elected to the papacy following the vacancy left by Pope Benedict XVI's resignation. I will be the first to admit that I was beyond upset when Benedict announced his resignation. I entertained all sorts of notions of conspiracy theories and that he must be being forced to resign in some way, though he has maintained that the decision was his and borne from personal prayer and discernment. When Pope Francis became Pope, I was watching the news like everyone else in the world. I heard the words “Habemus Papam [we have a pope], Cardinale Bergoglio.” Who?!? Who was this Argentinian Italian Cardinal? What? He's a Jesuit? He's chosen the name “Francis”?!? How odd. Then, over the last nine years, I have been edified, inspired, and emboldened by Pope Francis to have an ever greater zeal for evangelization and a decreased sense of materialism. His document Evangelii Gaudium (2013) is spectacular. I also enjoyed many of the teaching points of Laudato Si (2015). Gaudete et Exsultate (2018) has some solid moments as well! I also particularly like this line from Fratelli Tutti (2020): “We gorged ourselves on networking, and lost the taste of fraternity (FT, 33).” That is a fantastic line. The most recent document on the Eucharist is beautiful, though it does not offer anything substantial new in terms of reflection. No Shortage of Issues With the Current PontificateI know there has been some controversy lately about this document, claiming that the Pope is advancing some sort of Lutheranesque sola fide doctrine, but I unequivocally denounce these criticisms as the bad fruit of uncharity.What I want to stress here is that I have read every encyclical and exhortation that Pope Francis has published, including those not previously listed. I always try to give him a fair shake and read the documents charitably. But I have also been irritated, outraged, scandalized, and befuddled by Pope Francis, especially every time he speaks to reporters on airplanes, gives interviews to atheists who do not take notes, gives talks and sermons that suggest novel interpretations [always bad news when it comes to Church teaching], betrays the Church in China over and over again, allows too much nonsense to continue [in Belgium, Germany, the Amazon, et. al.], says something jesuitically ambiguous, or refuses to clarify matters of doctrine. There are plenty of things to be worried about with Pope Francis. However, I wonder if there are elements in the Church that are looking for problems where there are none. It is perfectly appropriate to charitably criticize error and imprudence. It is not okay to invent mountains out of molehills, or, as the case may be, to invent mountains out of level ground.Pope Francis has done and said many things which are problematic and borderline heretical (many of those in my company would argue that the line has been crossed numerous times into formal or material heresy). His general ambiguity and lack of clarity make it exceptionally difficult to have conversations about the consistency and authority of the Church with radical traditionalists [sedevacantists and those that reject Benedict's resignation], Protestants, Orthodox Christians, and non-Christians alike. This is especially the case in a climate of many lackluster, cowardly bishops and priests [not all, of course], an immobilized laity, a growing contingent of lapsed Catholics, and the ever-looming sex abuse crisis.Many in the Church are worried. Many of my friends have reached out to me to have conversations about the shenanigans they are seeing coming out of the Vatican or from Pope Francis himself. What are we, as faithful Catholics, to make of such turbulent times? I thought it might be fruitful to dive into what the Magisterium is and how we can evaluate levels of Magisterial authority.What is the Magisterium?Jesus Christ is God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, and the Incarnate Word of God. He is also our King, reigning as our sovereign Lord. As the full revelation of God to man, He imparted all that He taught, did, implemented, and is to the Apostles. As the fathers of the Second Vatican Council put it in Dei Verbum, the sacred constitution on the Word of God:“... Jesus perfected revelation by fulfilling it through his whole work of making Himself present and manifesting Himself: through His words and deeds, His signs and wonders, but especially through His death and glorious resurrection from the dead and final sending of the Spirit of truth (DV, 4).”The Church is His Body, of which He is the Head, and He reigns still. In obedience to Him, the faithful here on Earth continue to perpetuate this sacred Deposit of Faith, which is Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scriptures, until He comes again in glory. The council fathers, in the constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, said this:“This Sacred Council, following closely in the footsteps of the First Vatican Council, with that Council teaches and declares that Jesus Christ, the eternal Shepherd, established His holy Church, having sent forth the apostles as He Himself had been sent by the Father; and He willed that their successors, namely the bishops, should be shepherds in His Church even to the consummation of the world. And in order that the episcopate itself might be one and undivided, He placed Blessed Peter over the other apostles, and instituted in him a permanent and visible source and foundation of unity of faith and communion. And all this teaching about the institution, the perpetuity, the meaning and reason for the sacred primacy of the Roman Pontiff and of his infallible magisterium, this Sacred Council again proposes to be firmly believed by all the faithful. Continuing in that same undertaking, this Council is resolved to declare and proclaim before all men the doctrine concerning bishops, the successors of the apostles, who together with the successor of Peter, the Vicar of Christ, the visible Head of the whole Church, govern the house of the living God (LG, 18).”The Magisterium, simply put, is the teaching authority of Jesus Christ to authentically interpret the Deposit of Faith in the age of the Church passed on to the Apostles and their successors: the Pope and the bishops in union with him. As History progresses, we have new technology, means of communication, and techniques which change the way we interact with one another and how we understand the world around us. As such, in His Wisdom, God gave us the Magisterium to faithfully interpret the perennial and unchanging teachings of the Church on Faith and Morals in contemporary circumstances, from age to age.It is important to emphasize this last point: Church teaching on Faith and Morals cannot, does not, and will not change. As the Second Vatican Council clearly teaches: “The Christian dispensation, therefore, as the new and definitive covenant, will never pass away and we now await no further new public revelation before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ (DV, 4).”The Church's Magisterium, therefore, does not give us new teachings that contradict old ones, nor does it give us new revelations or pretend to alter the foundational doctrines and dogmas of the Holy Faith. The Magisterium, at any given time, is beholden to the preceding Magisterium. We faithfully echo on the words, life, and teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church without substantial change. A Religion of the Word - The Supreme Rule of FaithThe Word of God is the supreme rule of faith - the standard by which the Divine and infallible faith can be tested. The rule of faith and the Faith itself are from the same divine wellspring. This rule of faith is not extrinsic to the faith nor is it an add-on to the faith. Truly, the Word of God is not a collection of writings or even teachings. The Word of God is Jesus Christ Himself. We are not a religion of the book of God, but rather a religion of the Word of God.The Word of God flows into Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Sacred Scripture is the driving force of doctrine. The written word of God is inerrant and faithfully transmitted and guarded from error by Holy Mother Church. Sacred Tradition is not primarily a collection of doctrines, but, as the Directory for Catechesis teaches: “is a life of faith that is renewed every day (Dir. 26).” As St. Vincent of Larens taught, Sacred Tradition advances, “consolidated with the years, developed with time, deepened with age (ibid.).”How then can we arrive at the true interpretation of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition? This is where the Magisterium comes in. The Directory for Catechesis puts the relationship between Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium well:“The Church's Magisterium, supported by the Holy Spirit and endowed with the charism of truth, exercises its ministry of authentically interpreting the word of God, which it serves. The Magisterium therefore performs the ministry of safeguarding the integrity of Revelation, the word of God contained in Tradition and in Sacred Scripture, and its continual transmission. It is this living Magisterium that interprets it in a consistent manner and is subject to it (cf. DV 10) (Dir. 26).” The living Magisterium interprets Scripture and Tradition in a consistent manner. And the key phrase for today's discussion is that the Magisterium is “subject to” the Word of God. Remember, the supreme rule of faith is the Word of God, Jesus Christ. The Church cannot and will not contradict Jesus on Faith and Morals because the Church is divinely guarded by the charism of infallibility.How Do We Weigh Magisterial Teachings?Doctrine does not change, but it can develop, in a certain sense. Therefore, it is important to understand what is set dogma, what is developed doctrine, what is merely a discipline, and so on. We need to be able to weigh magisterial authority. Not everything the Church teaches is marked by infallibility. For example, let's look at the 1998 profession of faith that used to be used when someone assumed a certain office in the Church. Following the public profession of the Nicene Creed, they would say:“I also firmly accept and hold each and everything definitively proposed by the Church regarding teaching on faith and morals. Moreover, I adhere with religious submission of will and intellect to the teachings which either the Roman pontiff or the College of Bishops enunciate when they exercise their authentic magisterium, even if they do not intend to proclaim these teachings by a definitive act.”So, some things are definitively proposed on faith and morals; to these, we firmly accept and hold. We give “religious submission of intellect and will” to the teachings of the Pope or college of Bishops when they speak together, even on matters other than faith and morals, even in the ordinary magisterium. Clearly from this, we see a distinction in level of authority and level of adherence to this spectrum of Church teachings.The main categories, in order of importance are: 1) dogmas, 2) other infallible statements, 3) doctrines that have not been taught infallibly, 4) theological opinions, 5) other non-doctrinal statements.* DogmaDogmas of the Church are truths that the Magisterium teaches infallibly as being divinely revealed in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. These can be taught by the Pope, an ecumenical council, or by the Church's ordinary and universal Magisterium. Dogmas require the theological assent of faith by all members of the faithful. We are not free to dissent from them in any way. To obstinately place them in doubt or deny them is to fall under the censure of heresy. HeresyAs an aside, a lot of people speak about this priest or that, or bishop, pope, or lay person, being a heretic. We have to understand the difference between the crime of heresy and sin of heresy. Formal heresy (the crime of heresy) is “the wilful and persistent adherence to an error in matters of faith” on the part of a baptized person; the persistence in error comes from having been formally corrected but continuing in error. Heresy is a grave sin as well, even if it is committed privately. The important note here is that heresy is the crime and sin of corrupting dogmas of the Church. Heresy is thrown around a lot today as a term, but most of the time the issues would better be described as either theological error or imprudence. For example, if the pope or a bishop phrases something in an unfortunate way, they could have misspoken or made a theological error without it rising to the grave sin and crime of heresy. We have to proceed in love of the truth but also in charity for the individual speaking or writing. * Other Infallible StatementsA step below dogma is “opinions to be held definitively” and these are taught infallibly but are not directly “divinely revealed.” The fact that only men can priests is infallible doctrine but not dogma because it is an open question, theologically, whether it is connected to divine revelation or is itself an example of divine revelation. There is a related discipline to this of clerical celibacy in the Latin Church and episcopal celibacy in the Eastern Churches. So, we see the dogma pertaining to the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the infallible doctrine and reality that only baptized men can validly receive this Sacrament, and the discipline of clerical celibacy. All three: dogma, doctrine, and discipline are important but in various weights and with different magisterial weight.According to St. John Paul II in Ad Tuendam Fidem, in such cases of infallible statements the faithful are “required to give firm and definitive assent to these truths, based on faith in the Holy Spirit's assistance to the Church's magisterium, and on the Catholic doctrine of the infallibility of the magisterium in these matters. Whoever denies these truths would be in a position of rejecting a truth of Catholic doctrine and would therefore no longer be in full communion with the Catholic Church.”So, these statements still pack a lot of weight and are guarded by the charism of infallibility. Other examples of such infallible statements include:* When the Pope speaks ex cathedra with the authority of Peter. This is extraordinary magisterium.* When the bishops, in communion with the Pope, define doctrine at a General Council. This is also called extraordinary magisterium.* When the bishops, in communion with the Pope, together with the Pope, propose definitively in agreement, though they are dispersed. This is the ordinary and universal magisterium.* Doctrines That Have Not Been Taught InfalliblyWhen the Pope speaks in an ordinary, but authoritative way, we are required to submit our mind, intellect, and will, but it is not guaranteed to be infallible. Likewise, it is the case with bishops in communion with the Pope who teach authoritatively in their diocese. Just because these doctrines have not been infallibly declared does not make them unimportant. They are also part of the Deposit of Faith. Sometimes, in the history of the Church there has arisen solid reasons to take the time to define certain doctrines to protect against error or heresy.* Theological OpinionsTheological opinions are the next rung on the ladder. They are not infallible nor are they authoritative. The opinions of theologians can be in legitimate disagreement and ongoing dialogue.* Other Non-Doctrinal StatementsThere are some teachings of the magisterium that are not universal and to be held always. They are more or less circumstantial to time, customs, and culture. For example, if a Church document describes the state of a society, makes suggestions or exhortations, these are to be received with respect and a grateful heart, but do not require strict intellectual assent.Important Sources of Authoritative Catholic Teaching (Non-Papal)There is a hierarchy, not just of dogma, doctrines, and disciplines, but also of magisterial texts. The Church FathersThe writings of the Church Fathers, the writers of the first eight centuries of the Church, are accepted as true and authoritative when they speak “in unison” on a matter over those eight centuries. Repetition through the ages does matter. Doctors of the ChurchThe Doctors of the Church are those ecclesial writers who have been given this title for the great advantage given to the whole Church derived from their doctrine. There are now 23 Doctors of the Church who are held in very high esteem for their faithful teaching. The other Saints as well contribute to the great tradition of the Church in varying degrees through their lives and works.Rules of LifeThese rules govern communal life for certain communities and they have to be approved by the Pope. For example, the Benedictine Rule of Life is the ordered way of living as a Benedictine monk in a monastery.Code of Canon LawThe Code of Canon Law was first compiled from various sources in 1917 and was revised in 1982. The 1982 version is our current Church law which governs all Catholics of the Latin Rite. There is also a Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Churches. These canons are authoritative and binding on the faithful. Papal DocumentsPapal documents all carry various magisterial weight. The five main sources of these are (in order of importance): Wednesday audiences, Apostolic exhortations, encyclical letters, papal bulls, and the motu proprio.Wednesday audiencesEvery Wednesday normatively, when the Pope is in Rome, he gives an audience and a talk to those gathered in St. Peter's square. These audiences are authoritative when they involve teachings on faith and morals, but not infallible. For example, much of St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body was taken from his weekly Wednesday addresses.ExhortationsThe lowest authority of a Papal document is an apostolic exhortation. This is a document in which the Pope exhorts the faithful on a certain matter. An exhortation does not define doctrine, by design. It is higher in authority than a normal ecclesial letter. Exhortations usually follow a meeting of a synod of bishops to outline their deliberations.EncyclicalsA Papal encyclical or letter is a letter from the Pope to the entire Church. The first Encyclical was the first letter of St. Peter. The next recorded example after Peter is a letter from Pope Clement I to the Christians in Corinth. An encyclical seeks to clarify a certain doctrine. Therefore, it is part of the ordinary magisterium of the Pope and requires us to submit our mind and will on matters of faith and morals. Encyclicals have a high level of magisterial authority.Papal BullsA papal bull is a public decree or charter issued by the Pope. These are authoritative and binding. A Bull may treat statutes, appointment of bishops, dispensations, excommunications, Apostolic constitutions, canonizations, and convocations.Motu ProprioA motu proprio is technically a type of rescript, which is an official edict or announcement. A motu proprio is an official legal act taken by the Pope on his own power and volition and personally signed by him. It has full legal effect for Canon Law. Motu Proprio literally means “by his own hand.” Council DocumentsNext, let's take a look at three types of documents that come from General Councils: Constitutions, Decrees, and DeclarationsConstitutionsAn Apostolic Constitution is the most solemn form of legislation issued by the Pope. They are either doctrinal or pastoral. They are issued as Papal bulls because of their solemn and public form.DecreesA decree is an order or law given by the council and the Pope to the rest of the world or a specific group of people. These are legislative acts of the pope. These decrees have the full power of the Pope in making laws.DeclarationsDeclarations are more specific and usually address a specific topic. However, they still carry the same weight as other documents of a general council of bishops in communion with the Pope. So, they are authoritative and infallible on matters of faith and morals.CatechismsThroughout the Church's history, there have also been various written systematic presentations of the Faith. These are called Catechisms. Some are universal and others are for a particular locale. The Catechism of the Catholic Church was promulgated in 1992 originally and in English in 1997. This document was a game-changer. It was the first truly universal Catechism and was so beautifully compiled. It is the go-to standard in terms of understanding what the Church is and what she believes. The Baltimore Catechism was a question/answer Catechism which arose from a local council in Baltimore, Maryland in 1885. It is based on St. Robert Bellarmine's 1614 Small Catechism.The important thing to keep in mind about Catechisms is that they are compilations. They contain dogma, doctrine, and discipline. They contain prudential applications of principles and law. The doctrines contained in Catechism are thus magisterial, but they bear no more weight than before they were compiled in the Catechism.Judging the nature of a teaching…First, we can look at the nature of the document that teaches a doctrine. Some are more authoritative than others. For example, A papal encyclical is more authoritative than the weekly general audiences a pope gives, and the dogmatic constitutions of Vatican II are more authoritative than the council's decrees.The second test is the frequency with which the magisterium repeats a doctrine. If it is something mentioned only occasionally, or has not been mentioned in centuries, it will have a lower level of authority attached to it. But if it is something that the magisterium repeats with great regularity, it is more authoritative.The third test is the tone of the words used to express the teaching. If it is proposed briefly and tentatively, it will have less authority. If it is expounded at length or emphatically, it will have more authority.What To Do If the Pope Seems to Be In Error?So, what do we do when we think that Pope Francis is in error or is holding heretical positions? First, we pray for him. Second, we recognize that God alone judges the Pope… and I mean this juridically. Only the college of cardinals can formally correct the Pope in any sort of authoritative way. Further, no one can be found to be a manifest and formal heretic without a trial. In general, stop calling other people “heretics.” It is unhelpful and often uncharitable. We also need to remember that we must not be guilty of the sin of rash judgment in regards to the Pope (or anyone else, for that matter). The Fourth Council of Constantinople in Canon 10 says: “As divine scripture clearly proclaims, Do not find fault before you investigate, and understand first and then find fault, and does our law judge a person without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”I do not claim to have the answers. How do you solve a problem like Pope Francis? No clue. But I do know and believe that the Holy Spirit guides and guards the Church. I know and believe that the Church is the Body of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and King. And I know and believe that the entire apostolic action of the Church is directed always to the glory of the Father. I propose that we dive deep into the study and love of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The perennial truths of the Faith will not and cannot pass away. When the Pope is truly in error, he ought to be charitably and fraternally corrected. But, if you are reading this (or listening to the podcast), then you are not likely to be the one to correct the Holy Father. Do not trust everything you hear from the armchair theologians and gossipers of the Church on YouTube and other podcasts. Theirs is a poison which does just as much, if not more, harm to the Church as anything we are seeing from the hierarchy. I know this was a much longer article/podcast than normal, but I did not want to shortchange any of the explanations. With much more left to say, I will opt to wait until another occasion. I will end with the words of St. Paul to the Thessalonians:“... test everything; hold fast to what is good (1 Thess. 5:21).”Thanks for reading Will Wright Catholic! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Thank you for reading Will Wright Catholic. This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willwrightcatholic.substack.com

Mitt Romney once mistakenly quipped that people were either "makers or takers" echoing a common sentiment among US politicians that by working we provide society with value and are rewarded with a sense of dignity. But what if we considered that each of us had dignity that wasn't engulfed in our work identity? Would we be less susceptible to burnout if we accepted ourselves as enough as we are, regardless of our job status?    Having come through a dark period of burnout himself, Jonathan Malesic firmly believes that we all have dignity. Period. He has written a timely book called The End of Burnout: Why work drains us and how to build better lives. We are delighted that Jon has come to talk to Behavioral Grooves Podcast about what leads to burnout and how to prevent it.   Jon delves into how the Protestant work ethic can contribute to burnout. And echoes Jennifer Moss' sentiments from last week's episode that burnout is an issue with corporate culture, not an individual problem.   And to Tim's delight, Jon provides some historical context to the first musical mentions of burnout by Bob Dylan and Neil Young back in the 70s. We learn why that period in particular was a pivotal moment in the US labor market and how this is reflected in music from that era.   If you are a regular listener to Behavioral Grooves, please consider donating to our work through Patreon. If donating isn't an option, don't worry, writing a podcast review helps others find our show, and we love reading them!   Topics (2:28) Welcome and speed round questions. (7:47) The expectations of work vs. the reality of work. (11:38) Jonathan's experience of burnout. (16:21) The 6 factors that can lead to burnout. (21:29) Solutions to burnout. (23:43) How the Protestant work ethic contributes to burnout. (27:43) Putting dignity before work. (32:44) How Jonathan wrote his whole book listening to just one album. (37:33) Bob Dylan and Neil Young started singing about burnout in the 70s. (42:45) How to avoid burnout. (45:56) Grooving Session with Kurt and Tim on the causes and solutions to burnout.   © 2022 Behavioral Grooves   Links Jonathan Malesic: https://jonmalesic.com/  “The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives” By Jonathan Malesic: https://amzn.to/3tDdS8j The Parking Lot Movie by Meghan Eckman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Parking_Lot_Movie Christina Maslach: https://psychology.berkeley.edu/people/christina-maslach  Michael Leiter: https://mpleiter.com/author/mpleiter/  Episode 247, Dr Phil Zimbardo: Stanford Prison Experiment, 50 Years On: What Have We Really Learnt? https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/stanford-prison-experiment/ The Pope's Encyclicals: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/ Herbert Freudenberger: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Freudenberger  The Myth of Sisyphus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Myth_of_Sisyphus  Episode 301, Jennifer Moss: How To Fix Burnout (Hint: It Isn't Another Yoga Session): https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/how-to-fix-burnout-jennifer-moss/  Episode 281, Sesil Pir: Why Leaders Need To Care For People, Not Manage Them: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/care-for-people-not-manage-them/  Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves   Musical Links Neil Young “Ambulance Blues”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LTiKJlB62g Bob Dylan “Shelter from the Storm”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gsDBuHwqbM The War on Drugs “Lost In The Dream”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3HqnHUohOo Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan “Mustt Mustt”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDfELfpumEE   

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) wrote eighty-eight Encyclicals during his twenty-five year pontificate (1878-1903). Fifty-six of those are included in this collection. Among the topics covered are the Rosary, socialism, Christian marriage, labour, freemasonry, Church and state, human liberty, dueling, the Holy Eucharist, and more. Genre(s): Christianity - Other Pope Leo XIII (1810 - 1903) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/3daudiobooks0/support

In this episode we welcome Fr. Matthew Maxwell. We will discuss in detail the meaning of the Sacred Tradition of the Church, the Sacred Scriptures, and the role of the Magisterium of the Church. Apostolic Tradition: Jesus Christ did not write a “text book” to transmit the revealed truths to all men, but instead established His Church on St. Peter and the Apostles, and entrusted to them the responsibility of passing on all those truths (the “Deposit of Faith”) to all generations through history, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Sacred Tradition is the transmission of the Deposit of Faith by the Apostles to their successors “by the spoken word of their preaching, by the example they gave, by the institutions they established, what they themselves had received.” (Dei Verbum 7) Sacred Scripture: Some of the Apostles, and their immediate disciples put into writing—under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—what they gathered from the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Sacred Scripture contains and transmits infallibly everything that God wanted to communicate to men about the truths necessary for salvation. The Canon of Scripture is the entire list of books recognized by the Church as “inspired” by God. (Dei Verbum 11) The Magisterium of the Church is the “teaching authority” given by Christ to St. Peter, the Apostles and their successors. The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ" (DV 10). The Church puts forth the teachings of Christ through dogmas, symbols of Faith, Encyclicals, Documents of Councils of Bishops (like the Council of Trent, or the Second Vatican Council) and Catechisms. After discussing these points, Fr. Matthew will give us the story of how he discerned his call to be a Priest in Miles Christi, and some other fun facts! All these topics can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 74 to 141. Besides, one of the Church Fathers, Tertullian, witnesses clearly to the truth of the Apostolic Tradition as a source of revelation, in one of his writings, which you can find in the Second Reading of the Office of Readings for the Feast of Sts. Philip and James (May 3). The quote is from his “Treatise On the Prescription of Heretics” (Cap. 20:1-9:21,3; 22,8-10: CCL 1, 201-204). It can be found here: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/tradition-of-the-apostles-tertullian/  Email us at info@forcollegecatholics.org with any feedback, shout-outs, or questions you might have! Podcast Website: www.forcollegecatholics.org Miles Christi Religious Order www.mileschristi.org Intro music from www.pond5.com Recorded at the Miles Christi Family Center, South Lyon, Michigan Gear used - Mic: Shure MV7 Dynamic Microphone & ATR 2100-XLR - Recorder: ZOOM H6 Portable Recorder - Software: Adobe Audition

Sean Domencic, director of Tradistae, 1) gives a brief overview of what he's been doing and where he's been speaking for the last month, 2) discusses the discernment and logistics happening behind the scenes at Tradistae, and 3) announces the new schedule and focus of the Tradistae podcast and website while offering some recommended listening.  ----more---- The new Tradistae contact page: https://tradistae.com/contact/ ----more---- The New Monthly Tradistae Schedule (April 2021) 1st Week - Hangout with Patrons 2nd Week - Public Podcast 3rd Week - Easy Essay (w/ Audio) 4th Week - Patreon Podcast ----more---- Podcasts to Listen to: New Polity Solidarity Policy Podcast The Liberation Theology Podcast A Day A Week The Josias Catholic Culture Audiobooks Aufhebungabunga Lectures of David Harvey Audiobooks on Librivox: The Servile State https://librivox.org/the-servile-state-by-hillaire-belloc/ Utopia of Usurers https://librivox.org/utopia-of-usurers-of-g-k-chesterton/ Saint Francis Biography https://librivox.org/saint-francis-of-assisi-a-biography-by-johannes-jorgensen/ Encyclicals of Leo XIII https://librivox.org/the-great-encyclical-letters-of-pope-leo-xiii-by-pope-leo-xiii/  Support us on Patreon! And pray for the conversion of your community to Catholic Social Teaching. 

Today in 475 the Byzantine Emperor Basiliscus releases an Enkyklikon, a circular letter to the bishops of his empire about the Monophysite controversy.  These encyclicals have become a key part of papal teaching, today we explore how.

This file contains the following: Unigenitus-Pope Clement XI (Condemnation of the Errors of Paschasius Quesnel), Unam Sanctum-Pope Boniface VIII (Outside the Church there is neither salvation nor the remission of sins), Quartus Supra-Pope Pius IX (On the Church in Armenia), Ineffabilis Deus-Pope Pius IX (The Immaculate Conception), Acerbo Nimis-Pope St. Pius X (On teaching Christian Doctrine), Quanta Cura-Pope Pius IX (Condemning Current Errors), E Supremi-Pope St. Pius X (On the Restoration of all Things in Christ). The Oath Aginst Modernism-Pope St. Pius X, Quo Primum-Pope St. Pius V, Levate-Pope Pius IX (On the Afflicitons of the Church), Qui Pluribus-Pope Pius IX (On Faith and Religion), Syllabus of Errors Condemned by Pope Pius IX, Mirari Vos-Pope Gregory XVI (On Liberalism & Religious Indifferentism), Exeunte Jam Anno-Pope Leo XIII (On the Right Ordering of Christian Life).

Selected Excerpts: “The common good is what affects every level of our population. What affects the poor; it's housing, food, jobs and wages, the neighborhoods....Just that word, common. God made all of us. We are brothers and sisters. God did not separate us. We are one in Jesus, his son, and we separate ourselves when we don't care for the poor. We live in a common home, just as a family does, which are brothers and sisters. Some who are poor and disabled these days are readily sacrificed because they're a burden and Pope Francis and Jesus didn't see anybody that way.”   “We are to create a community of belonging and a community of solidarity, really of our time and our energy and our resources.”   “We are truly brothers and sisters to each other. I like this image of a melody from Saint Irenaeus. Francis quotes that the notes and the melody are not created separately and apart from each other. But they're composed by the same person in one melody. And it's not the same melody if we leave some notes out, it has to contain every note.”   “True love of neighbor comes from the realization that God sent his son, Jesus, to unite us with himself and with each other. If we are Christian, we believe that we are one in Jesus. And with Jesus, one in the Father, loved by God's Holy Spirit of love. If we believe that, our hearts must identify with others, without worrying about where they were born or where they come from. Sharing what we have, not worrying about what they're going to take away from us. What can we give them? ...they're amazing gifts to us.  They bring us news of other cultures, expand our own worlds, show us places where we're not able to go.”   References:   --What is an encyclical? It is a circular letter from the Pope; addressed to Catholic clergy and laity, it contains the Pope’s views on church teachings and doctrine in a particular area.   --Rerum Novarum: On the Condition of Labor (On the Rights of Workers) is an encyclical written by Pope Pious XIII in 1891. See: http://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html.   --Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship: A short summary, including a link to the entire document: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/fratelli-tutti-pope-fraternity-social-friendship-short-summary.html.   --Encyclicals are part of the Catholic Social Teachings (CST): Here are the key principles of CST: https://www.cctwincities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Key-10-Principles-of-CST_1-pager.pdf. These short videos bring the CST principles/themes “to life and inspire us to put our faith into action”: https://www.crs.org/resource-center/CST-101.   --What is the common good? A short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6oSJg6wuBg. “Every person should have sufficient access to the goods and resources of society so that they can completely and easily live fulfilling lives. The rights of the individual to personal possessions and community resources must be balanced with the needs of the disadvantaged and dispossessed.” Cited from: https://www.caritas.org.au/about/catholic-social-teaching-values#:~:text=The%20common%20good,of%20the%20disadvantaged%20and%20dispossessed.   --Story of the Good Samaritan: This story is found in the New Testament of the Bible; see Luke 10:25-37. In the encyclical, Pope Francis breaks open this parable in its implications for us today.                                                                                                                                                             --Hands Across the World: Franciscan Associate Brianda Cediel is co-founder of this non-profit, a first learning experience of language and living skills for newly arrived immigrants and refugees in the St. Cloud area of Central Minnesota: https://www.handsacrosstheworldmn.org/. Co-founder Franciscan Sister Tonie Rausch died in 2016.   --Saint Gregory the Great: “When we provide the needy with their basic needs, we are giving them what belongs to them, not to us”.       -As quoted in Fratelli Tuttis; from Regula Pastoralis, III, 21: PL 77, 87.   --Franciscan Morning and Evening Praise: This beautiful prayer book is filled with Scripture, Franciscan readings, songs, and a full liturgical year of morning and evening prayer. Many Third Order Regular congregations in the United States, including our own, pray with this book twice daily. Unfortunately, it is mostly out of stock. If you are interested, there are some copies of the two-volume edition available: https://www.leafletonline.com/franciscan-morning-and-evening-praise.

Episode 108 Fratelli Tutti Papal Encyclical Description: Papal encyclicals are a big deal and they don’t come out often. Encyclicals are the way the popes of Rome push out their big new teachings. Francis I has been pope a little over 7 years by this point in October 2020 and has just published his third Papal Encyclical. Francis’ encyclicals are whales too. They are huge documents stuffed with carefully worded language. We’ve brought in today a guest today to talk about this latest encyclical. Glenn Amorosia is an amateur historian of Papal Encyclicals. I will let Glenn introduce himself shortly, but I need to mention that he is an incredible source of knowledge for papal encyclicals. I really like to support people who dedicate their spare time to intellectual pursuits and mastering a subject area. With that, join Glenn and I as we dissect this latest papal encyclical, Fratelli Tutti. You can learn more about the History of Papacy and subscribe at all these great places:http://atozhistorypage.com/email: steve@atozhistorypage.comhttp://rss.acast.com/historyofthepapacyhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofthepapacyhttps://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfThePapacyPodcast/https://twitter.com/atozhistory The History of the Papacy on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6DO2leym3kizBHW0ZWl-nA Get Your History of the Papacy Podcast Products Here: https://www.atozhistorypage.com/products Help out the show by ordering these books from Amazon!https://amzn.com/w/1MUPNYEU65NTF Music Provided by:"Danse Macabre" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"Virtutes Instrumenti" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"Virtutes Vocis" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"Funeral March for Brass" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"String Impromptu Number 1" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Agnus Dei X - Bitter Suite Kevin MacLeaod (incomptech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/historyofthepapacy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The first non-Italian in nearly 500 years. The third-longest reign. 104 trips to 129 different countries. 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions and 45 Apostolic Letters. St. John Paul II was a pope unlike any other, so join Michael Gormley as he dives into the life of JPII. Did he believe all religions were equal? How did he resist the communists? What can we learn from his writings to help us in our faith? Find out now!

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the most widespread Catholic devotion in the world. But apart from the image of the Sacred Heart, many of us Catholics are fuzzy on the details. Not cool. You deserve better. Listen as Richaél Lucero reveals the 12 gifts Christ promises through his Sacred Heart. As well as a breakdown of its “threefold love.” This will unite you closely with the interior life of Christ. SHOW NOTES: —DONATE! Become a patron. You’ll received exclusive merchandise and resources: www.patreon.com/clumsytheosis —Email list sign up. In the weekly email you’ll have the most recent episode and additional resources conveniently available in your inbox: eepurl.com/gItxjH —Prayers referenced: Find the prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque here: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/act-of-consecration-to-the-sacred-heart-12727 —12 Promises of the Sacred Heart: A list can be found on the EWTN website: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/12-promises-of-the-sacred-heart-13683 —Encyclicals referenced: -Learn more about the threefold love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in HAURIETIS AQUAS (on devotion to the Sacred Heart): http://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_15051956_haurietis-aquas.html -Read about consecration to the Sacred Heart in ANNUM SACRUM: http://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_25051899_annum-sacrum.html -Learn about reparation to the Sacred Heart in MISERENTISSIMUS REDEMPTOR: http://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19280508_miserentissimus-redemptor.html -Read the LETTER OF JOHN PAUL II ON THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE HUMAN RACE TO THE DIVINE HEART OF JESUS: https://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1999/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19990611_consagrazione-sacro-cuore.html Follow me on SOCIAL MEDIA! Instagram— www.instagram.com/clumsytheosis/ Twitter— twitter.com/ClumsyTheosis Facebook— www.facebook.com/clumsytheosis VISIT MY WEBSITE: www.clumsytheosis.net

Dr. Alan Schrek looks at the Encyclicals of Pope John Paul II.

QUOD AUCTORITATE ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII  PROCLAIMING AN EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE Venerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. 1. That which We, by the Apostolic authority, have more than once decreed, that an extraordinary year of Jubilee should be kept throughout the whole Christian world, and the treasures of heavenly gifts, the dispensation of which is in Our power, should be thrown open to the faithful-that with the favour of God We have determined to decree for the ensuing year. The advantages of this step will not escape you, Venerable Brethren, who are so familiar with the spirit of the age and the temper of the time, but there is a special reason now which makes Our decision seem more than usually opportune. In view of the fact that in Our recent Encyclical Letter We pointed out how important it is that the States should conform as closely as possible to truth and the Christian ideal, it will easily be understood how fitting it is that We should now use every effort to excite men, or to lead them back to the practice of Christian virtues. For a State is what the lives of the people make it: and just as the excellence of a ship or a house is dependent upon the good quality and the right adjustment of its component parts, so, unless the individual citizens lead good lives, the State cannot keep in the path of virtue, and without offending. Civil government and those things which constitute the public life of a country come into existence and perish by the act of men; and men almost always succeed in stamping the image of their opinions and their lives upon their public institutions. In order therefore that Our teaching may sink into men's minds, and what is the great thing, actually govern their daily lives, an attempt must be made to bring them to think and act like Christians, not less in public than in private.   2. And in this matter effort is the more needful because perils everywhere abound. The great virtues of our forefathers have in large measure disappeared; the most violent passions have claimed a freer indulgence; the madness of opinion which knows no restraint, or at least no effective restraint, every day extends further; of those whose principles are sound there are many who, through a misplaced timidity, are frightened, and have not the courage even to speak out their opinions boldly, far less to translate them into deeds; everywhere the worst examples are affecting public morals; wicked societies which We ourselves have denounced before now, skilled in all evil arts, are doing their best to lead the people astray, and as far as they are able, to withdraw them from God, their duty, and Christianity.   3. Amid these many and pressing evils, which are the more serious because they are already of long duration, nothing must be left undone by Us which can afford any hope of relief. With this purpose, and in this hope, We proclaim a sacred Jubilee to all those who have their salvation at heart, and need to be reminded and exhorted to raise their thoughts, now busied with worldly matters, to the contemplation of heavenly things. And this with a gain not merely to the individuals themselves, but to the whole future well-being of the commonwealth, because in proportion as individual citizens advance along the path of perfection, there is a corresponding increase in the general rectitude and probity, in the public life and morals of the nation.   4. But you will observe, Venerable Brethren, that success will largely depend upon your industry and zeal, as it will be needful to prepare the people properly and carefully if they are to reap the fruits which are to be placed before them. We commit it to your judgment and prudence to place this matter in the hands of priests whom you may select, that by discourses fitted to the capacity of the crowd they may instruct them, and above all exhort them to that penance which, according to St. Augustine, consists in "the daily chastisement of the good and the faithful followers of Christ in which we strike our breasts, saying forgive us our sins.'"(1) With good reason We mention here in the first place that part of penance which consists of the voluntary punishment of the body. You know the temper of the times - how many there are who love to live delicately and shrink from whatever requires manhood and generosity; who, when aliments come, discover in them sufficient reasons for no to beying the salutary laws of the Church, thinking the burden laid upon them more than they can bear, when they are told to abstain from certain kinds of food orto fast during a few days in the year. It is not to be wondered at if, weakened by these habits of indulgence, they gradually give themselves up body and soul to the more imperious passions. It is therefore necessary to recall to the paths of moderation those who have fallen or who are likely to fall through this sort of effeminacy. Therefore those who speak to the people should lay it down persistently and clearly that according not only to the law of the Gospel, but even to the dictates of natural reason, a man is bound to govern himself and keep his passions under strict control, and moreover, that sin cannot be expiated except by penance. That the virtue of which We have spoken may be durable, it will be prudent to put it in some sort under the safe guardand protection of a stable institution; you know well, venerable brothers, towhat We allude; We mean that you should continue each one in his own diocese to protect and propagate the Third Order, called the Secular Order, of the Franciscan Friars. To keep up the spirit of penance in the Christian multitude nothing is more effectual than the example and the grace of the Patriarch Francis of Assisi, who combined with the greatest innocence of life so much zeal for mortification that the image of Jesus Christ crucified was not less visible in his life and conduct than in the signs which were supernaturally impressed upon him. The laws of his Order, which We have modified for the times, are as light to bear as they are effectual for the practice of Christian virtue.   5. In the second place, as every hope of safety lies in the protection and succour of our Heavenly Father in the midst of so great private and public necessities, We would earnestly desire to see confidence united with the revival of an assiduous zeal in prayer. In every great crisis of Christendom, and every time the Church was afflicted by evils within or dangers without, our fore fathers, with their eyes lifted to Heaven in supplication, taught us how and when we should seek for the light of our souls, for the strength of virtue, andfor help suited to the need. For deeply engraved upon men's minds were these precepts of Jesus Christ: "Ask and it shall be given you;"(2) "We ought always to pray and not to faint."(3) And with this teaching the word of the Apostle corresponds: "Pray without ceasing;"(4) "I desire, therefore, first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men."(5) Upon which subject St. John Chrysostom has left us this saying, not less true than ingenious, in the form of a comparison: "Even as man, who comes into the light of day naked and wanting all things, has been end owed by nature with hands to procure for himself all the necessaries of life; so in supernatural things, seeing that of himself he can do nothing, he has received from God the faculty of prayer, that he may use it wisely for the obtaining of all that is needful to his salvation."   6. From all this, Venerable Brethren, each one of you may gather how agreeable to Us and how commendable is the zeal with which at Our suggestion you have spread the devotion to the Most Holy Rosary, especially in these last years. Nor can We pass over the popular piety which has almost everywhere been excited by this method of prayer. Now you must watch with the greatest care that this devotion be practiced with even greater and greater fervour, and that it be persevered in without failing. And if We insist upon this exhortation, as We have already done several times, not one of you will be surprised, for you understand how important it is that this habit of the Rosary of Mary should flourish among Christians. And you are perfectly aware that this is a part and a beautiful form of that spirit of prayer of which we speak, and that it is at once admirably suited to our times, easy to practice, and fruitful in results. But as the first and the chief fruit of the Jubilee must be, as We have already pointed out, amendment of life and progress in virtue, We deem especially necessary the avoidance of that evil which We have not neglected to point out in Our past Encyclicals. We allude to those internal, and, as it were, domestic dissensions among some of ourselves; dissensions of which it is hardly possible to say how much they break or relax the bonds of charity, to the great detriment of souls. If We recall this to you once more, Venerable Brethren, who are the guardians of ecclesiastical discipline and of mutual charity, it is that We desire to see your watchfulness and your authority always directed to the prevention of so great an evil. By your warnings, your exhortations, your reproaches, urge all "to keep the unity of spirit in the bond of peace," induce the authors of the dissensions, if such there be, to return to their duty by the consideration which they should ever keep in mind that the only-begotten Son of God, even at the approach of His last torments, asked nothing more urgently of His Father than the mutual love of those who believed, or should believe, in Him,"that they may all be one, even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us."(6)   7. Relying, therefore, on the mercy of the omnipotent God, and the authority of the Blessed Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, and making use of that power of binding and loosing which our Lord has given to Us, though unworthy of it, We grant under the form of a General Jubilee a plenary indulgence to all the faithful of both sexes upon this condition and subject to this obligation, that during the coming year of 1886 they perform the things mentioned below.   8. The citizens and inhabitants of Rome must pay two visits to the Lateran, the Vatican, and the Liberian Basilicas, and pray there for some time to God according to Our intentions for the well-being and the exaltation of the Church, for the rooting out of all heresy, and for the conversion of all who are in error, and in accordance with Our intentions pour out prayers to God that concord may reign among Christian princes, and that peace and unity may be the lot of all the faithful. They must also fast for two days, only using the food usually allowed in times of penance, in addition to the forty days of Lent and other days set aside by the Church as fast days. They must also, after having properly confessed their sins, receive Holy Communion, and, in accordance with the advice of their confessor, give an alms, each according to his means, to the furthering of some work likely to promote the propagation and increase of the Catholic Church. Each may choose the object he prefers; but We think it well especially to name two, towards which assistance may be given with the greatest advantage; and of these each is an object which in many places is in need of help and aid, and fruitful in advantage, not less for the State than for the Church, We mean the Primary schools for boys and the Seminaries for the Clergy.   9. Those who reside outside Rome, in whatever part of the world they may live,must pay two visits at prescribed intervals to three churches to be appointed by you, Venerable Brethren, your Vicars or Officials, on your or their command, by those who have the charge of souls; or three visits if there are only two churches, or six visits if there is only one; and also must comply with all the conditions already laid down above. This indulgence may be applied by way of suffrage to the souls who have departed this life joined in charity with God. We give you power to reduce the number of the visits according to your judgment to certain churches in the case of chapters, congregations, as well secular as regular, communities, confraternities, universities, and colleges where the visits are made in procession.   10. Sailors and travellers may obtain the indulgence upon their return home, ortheir arrival at some fixed station, by visiting six times the principal church,or the parish church of the district, and complying with the other conditions which We have already laid down. In the case of regulars of either sex, and evenin the case of persons belonging to enclosed orders, and also in the case of all others, whether ecclesiastical or lay, who are prevented either because they arein prison, or through infirmity, or any other good reason, from fulfilling the above conditions, or some of them, the confessor has power to commute for other pious works, and also has power to dispense from Communion children who have not yet made their First Communion. Moreover, We grant to all and each of the faithful, both lay and ecclesiastic, secular and regular, of whatever order and institute, and even of those which ought to be specially named, that they should choose for the purpose of the Jubilee any approved confessor they like; nuns, novices, and other women living in the cloister may avail themselves of this power provided the confessor chosen is approved for nuns. To confessors up on this occasion, and while the time of this Jubilee lasts, We grant all the faculties which were granted by Our Letters Apostolic of February 15th, 1879, beginning with the words Pontifices maximi; always excepting the things which were excepted in those Letters.   11. Finally let all do their best to gain the graces of heaven during this time by a special devotion to the great Mother of God. For We wish this Jubilee to be placed under the patronage of the Most Holy Rosary of the Virgin; and with her assistance We are confident that there will be many whose souls, set free by the cleansing away of the stains of sin, will be renewed by faith and piety and justice, not only to the hope of eternal salvation, but also as an earnest of amore peaceful time.   12. As a pledge of heavenly graces and a witness to Our fatherly good will towards you, We give from the bottom of Our heart the Apostolic Benediction to you and your Clergy, and the whole people committed to your care and watchfulness.   Given in Rome, at St. Peter's, on the twenty-second day of December, in the year 1885, the eighth of Our Pontificate. LEO XIII

AUDIO/VIDEO: G.K Chesterton archive, University of Notre Dame I take great offense to those Catholics out there spouting out G.K. Chesterton was a socialist. It is straight up libel. He wasn’t a socialist and didn’t promote socialism. If you can be wrong on something as large & importance as this, what else can you be wrong about? This is a big one. This is simply someone NOT doing their Due diligence.  These people like John Zmirak are just wrong on this topic.  There is other work out there that is equally worthy of being read like Chesterton, Tolkien and others. Encyclicals are great but there truly are other GREAT Christian works out there.

Reflecting on Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Redemptor Hominis, Colin reminds us that Christ the redeemer is the center of the entire universe and all of human history. But is he the center of your own personal universe and your own personal history? As Catholics, we need to re-situate Jesus Christ as the center of our reality. Everything we do, say and believe should orbit around him. The devil is looking to sidetrack us and lead us to focus on anything other than Christ the redeemer. For Catholics, it might be Church politics, our families, our work— even a specific spiritual practice— but if we place any of these at our center, we need to re-calibrate our lives and put Christ back in his rightful place. Only when our lives are reordered around him will we be fully redeemed. _ Snippet from the Show:_ Christ the Redeemer is the center of the entire universe and of human history, but is he the center of your universe?