We begin the summer with the brief but seminal encyclical by Pope St. Paul VI, Of Human Life (Humanae Vitae).  Promulgated in July 1968, the work has proven to be prophetic in so many realms as to modernity’s assault on the family and the true nature of sexuality.  We will discuss why the work shook the Church and the world  and explore the amazing “why” behind the most ignored and vilified, yet central Catholic Church teaching for our time. We will also consider keynotes of Pope St. John Paul II’s follow-up to Humanae Vitae in his lifelong reflection called “The Theology of the Body.”

Sr. Helena Raphael Burns, fsp is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of Roman Catholic Sisters founded to communicate God’s Word through the media. She has an  M.A. in Media Literacy Education; a B.A. in theology and philosophy from St. John’s University, NYC; studied screenwriting at UCLA and Act One-Hollywood; and holds a Certificate in Pastoral Youth Ministry. Sr. Helena wrote and directed a documentary on the life of the Church’s new media saint, Blessed Father James Alberione: MediaApostle.com and is a co-producer on The40Film.com.  She has written a Theology of the Body curriculum used in her online TOB Certificate Course through Sacred Heart College, Peterborough, ON, Canada. Sr. Helena gives Media Literacy & Theology of the Body workshops and courses to youth & adults all over Canada and the U.S.

This program of mystagogy is hosted by the Adult Faith Programs at Saint Stephen Martyr Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.

The music in the introduction and close of this podcast is provided by George Sarah.

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