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Ascension

Welcome to Catholic Classics from Ascension! Each season we'll read through a great Catholic spiritual writing providing insightful commentary and practical guidance along the way. Informative and enriching, these 20-30 mins episodes will allow you to learn from the Catholic Church’s most revered saints and teachers as you seek to cultivate your spiritual life.
In season three of Catholic Classics, join Fr. Jacob Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris as they read and explain Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In her “Little Way,” St. Thérèse shows us that, despite our weakness, (or perhaps because of it) God can make us saints through unbounded confidence in his love.
Find out more about the Catholic Classics podcast at ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics.

Catholic Classics

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.

BONUS: All About Saints of the First Monasteries (with Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Boniface Hicks)

What should you expect from this podcast? In this special pre-launch episode, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk share all about the Catholic Classics podcast. They also offer you a brief overview of Introduction to the Devout Life which is the book we will be reading this season.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

[BONUS] All About Catholic Classics and Introduction to the Devout Life

In preparation for the beginning of Catholic Classics Season 1: Introduction to the Devout Life, Fr. Gregory Pine reads through the Dedicatory Prayer and the Author’s Preface.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

Dedicatory Prayer and Author’s Preface (Introduction to the Devout Life)

In this special bonus episode, Fr. Gregory Pine gives an overview of what we can expect in the first part of Introduction to the Devout Life. Fr. Gregory’s summation and helpful outline of Part 1 will equip you to receive the wisdom of St. Francis de Sales.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

[BONUS] Intro to Part I: On the Counsels and Exercises (Introduction to the Devout Life)

Welcome to Day 1 of Introduction to the Devout Life. Today, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk begin by explaining how important it is to get the principles right when starting out in the spiritual life. They also share what devotion is and how it functions in our walk towards holiness.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

Day 1: Start with God (Introduction to the Devout Life)

What do we need in this journey towards the devout life? Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand share that some of the essentials for this journey are accompaniment, purgation, and the sacraments. However, one of the greatest essentials is the sacraments.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

Day 2: Preparing for the Journey (Introduction to the Devout Life)

Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand continue discussing how to begin the journey towards the devout life. They explain how God’s grace moves through all of it. Lastly, they go through three of St. Francis de Sales’ meditations to help us develop better contrition.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

Day 3: By God’s Grace (Introduction to the Devout Life)

Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand continue through four more meditations from St. Francis de Sales. These meditations focus primarily on sin, death, judgment, and hell. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand explain how to keep these things in mind while also keeping our focus on God and his mercy.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

Day 4: Focus on God (Introduction to the Devout Life)

In the final meditations from St. Francis de Sales, he takes time to meditate upon Heaven. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand explain how this leads us to a point where we must choose between Heaven and Hell.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

Day 5: Choose Heaven (Introduction to the Devout Life)

As we come to the end of the first part of Introduction to the Devout Life, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand walk us through a profession to serve God. They also help us in understanding the continued need for purification and letting go of attachments. In addition, they share some advice on making a general confession.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.

Day 6: Allow Christ into Your Life (Introduction to the Devout Life)

In the conclusion of Part 4, St. Francis de Sales draws on the story of a companion of St. Bernard of Clairvaux to convey that we have to be prepared for God to give us moments of consolation to encourage us and moments of desolation to strengthen us. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand assure us that no matter the season, we will be able to see God’s hand in our lives. 
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "INTRO" to 33-777.
Please note: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 39: The Rhythm of Consolation and Desolation (Introduction to the Devout Life)

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