Way of the Fathers

St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696 - 1787) is one of the most popular and widely-read spiritual writers of all time, and yet his most significant contribution to the Church was his moral theology, including the guidance he gave to clergy for hearing confessions.

Links

AUDIO BOOK - Liguori's Uniformity With God's Will - https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-alphonsus-liguori-uniformity-with-gods-will/?repos=6&subrepos=0&searchid=2680738

Classics of Western Spirituality, Alphonsus Liguori: Selected Writings - https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/3771-2/alphonsus-de-liguori.aspx

Liguori's Duetto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYyHfHbHRxc

Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter Spiritus Domini on St. Alphonsus Liguori (1987) - https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/spiritus-domini-8413

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696 - 1787) was a priest, bishop, spiritual director, retreat leader, musician and composer. Co-founder of the Redemptorists, he was a teacher of prayer, and a very popular confessor, who knew how to bring people to repentance.

Links

Liguori's Duetto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYyHfHbHRxc

Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter Spiritus Domini on St. Alphonsus Liguori (1987) - https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/spiritus-domini-8413

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) has been called a spiritual director by correspondence, for his many letters, and for the fact that he was a pioneer of Catholic publishing, spreading his pamphlets across Switzerland, writing for the spiritual growth of the laity.

Links

AUDIOBOOK - An Introduction to the Devout Life - https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-francis-de-sales-introduction-to-devout-life-full/?repos=6&subrepos=0&searchid=2667242

Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on St. Francis de Sales: Rerum Omnium Perturbationem (1923) - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4950&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2667245

Article on the teaching of St. Francis de Sales on predestination - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/most/getchap.cfm?worknum=214&chapnum=22&id=2078&repos=7&subrepos=0&searchid=2667248

The book: The Sign of the Cross - https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-sign-of-the-cross/

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

What St. Peter Canisius and St. Lawrence of Brindisi did for Germany, St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) did for Switzerland. Born just three years after John Calvin died, St. Francis de Sales found the Catholics of Geneva a persecuted minority, but by the time he was finished there, the region was mostly Catholic again.

Links

AUDIOBOOK - An Introduction to the Devout Life - https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-francis-de-sales-introduction-to-devout-life-full/?repos=6&subrepos=0&searchid=2667242

Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on St. Francis de Sales: Rerum Omnium Perturbationem (1923) - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4950&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2667245

Article on the teaching of St. Francis de Sales on predestination - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/most/getchap.cfm?worknum=214&chapnum=22&id=2078&repos=7&subrepos=0&searchid=2667248

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was a man known for his generosity. He was also well known for his writings on topics of spirituality, which were widely popular and were read by both Catholics and Protestants.

Links

Article "St. Robert Bellarmine's Influence on the Writing of the Declaration of Independence": https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6607

Article: "St. Robert Bellarmine, Galileo and Heliocentricity": https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-robert-bellarmine-galileo-and-heliocentricity/

Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Robert Bellarmine (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9554

Robert Bellarmine: Spiritual Writings - https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/2875-6/robert-bellarmine.aspx

Way of the Fathers Podcast episode 4.13 - "Pelagianism and the Seeds of Calvinism" - https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/413-heresiespelagianism-and-seeds-calvinism/

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

At the height of the Counter-Reformation, St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was one of the most influential apologists of the time. He openly debated with King James I of England, and his most famous book of apologetics was outlawed in England, but still became a best-seller. He was also responsible for an updated translation of the Vulgate which became the Church's official Latin Bible for centuries.

Links

Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Robert Bellarmine (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9554&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2663992

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) was a Preacher, spiritual director, missionary, diplomat, confidant of princes and emperors, Papal Emissary, military chaplain, Provincial Vicar of the Capuchins, and Vicar General of the Franciscan order. Called the greatest preacher in the history of the Church, during his lifetime people treated him like a rockstar. He was also one of the most prominent Catholic apologists of his generation.

Links

Excerpt from The Image of Lutheranism: https://romanseraphicbooks.substack.com/p/st-lawrence-of-brindisi-vs-lutheranism

Excerpt from The Mariale: https://www.franciscan-archive.org/laurentius/lau01005.html

Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Lawrence of Brindisi (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9578&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2658399

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) was one of the early Capuchins, the first Capuchin to be named a Doctor of the Church, and the third Franciscan so named, after St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Bonaventure. Just as the Discalced Carmelites were reformers within the Carmelite order, the Capuchins were reformers within the Franciscan order. St. Lawrence was also a popular preacher, a genius scholar, with a command of at least 10 languages, and the leading Catholic apologist of his day.

Links

Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Lawrence of Brindisi (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9578&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2658399

Was the Date for Christmas Originally a Pagan Holiday? Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/fzjIsL1FGEc?si=P6Yt8WvH-BEjQ3E0

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/

In a bonus episode originally published on the Catholic Culture Podcast (Sept. 5, 2023), Thomas Mirus interviews Carla Galdo about the poetry of St. John of the Cross, who recites some of the poems in Spanish and English.

St. John of the Cross is not only one of the Church's greatest mystics, but also one of the most important figures in the Spanish poetic tradition. A new book of translations of St. John's poems, brought into English by contemporary bilingual poet Rhina Espaillat, gives us a chance to discover or rediscover this singular spiritual and artistic master.

Carla Galdo joins the podcast to discuss Espaillat's translations of St. John of the Cross. Comparing them with earlier translations by Roy Campbell (a friend of Tolkien and Lewis) provides opportunity to highlight various approaches and problems in translating poetry. Carla and Thomas also discuss common misconceptions about the dark night of the soul, and John's use of the classic mystical symbolism of bride and bridegroom representing the relationship between the soul and God.

Links

The Spring that Feeds the Torrent: Poems by St. John of the Cross, Translated by Rhina P. Espaillat https://www.wisebloodbooks.com/store/p135/The_Spring_that_Feeds_the_Torrent%3A_Poems_by_St._John_of_the_Cross%2C_Translated_by_Rhina_P._Espaillat.html

St. John of the Cross: Poems, trans. Roy Campbell https://clunymedia.com/products/poems

Musical setting of "El pastorcico" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se0fcCvKqzY

Well-Read Mom https://wellreadmom.com

SUBSCRIBE to the Catholic Culture Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/

the-catholic-culture-podcast/id1377089807 DONATE to make this show possible! http://catholicculture.org/donate/audio

St. John of the Cross (1542 - 1591)

What St. Thomas Aquinas did for philosophy and systematic theology, St. John of the Cross did for mysticism. He brought mystical theology to a plateau, gleaning from the mystics who came before him, and making it accessible to those who want to follow in the contemplative life.

Links

Check out this Catholic Culture podcast about St. John of the Cross' poetry, including readings of some of his poems in Spanish and English: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/166-poetry-st-john-cross-w-carla-galdo/

Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter, Maestro en la Fe (1990): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5724&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080

Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. John of the Cross (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9548&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080

The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross: https://www.icspublications.org/collections/homepage/products/the-collected-works-of-st-john-of-the-cross

The song "Living Flame" on the album Held by Love by Songs in His Presence: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014C17NW/

SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/

DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Dr. Papandrea's Homepage: https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/

Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/

Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed: https://www.ccwatershed.org/