5.33 St. Peter Canisius: Doctor of the Catechism
Way of the Fathers
St. Peter Canisius (1521 - 1597) This restorer of the Catholic faith among the Germans and Swiss was responsible for standardizing the current form of the Hail Mary prayer. A champion of Catholic education, especially seminaries, he is an example for all teachers and apologists to follow. Links The book, A Small Catechism for Catholics, by St. Peter Canisius, S.J., English translation by Ryan Grant: The Large Catechism on Google Books: To find out more about St. Peter Canisius: A Champion of the Church: The Life of St. Peter Canisius - Read the General Audience Address of Pope Benedict XVI...
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5.32 St. Peter Canisius: Second Apostle of Germany
Way of the Fathers
St. Peter Canisius (1521 - 1597) A counter-Reformation apologist and reformer, St. Peter Canisius wrote the first official Catholic Catechisms, and was responsible for major parts of Germany and Switzerland remaining Catholic. Links Read the Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, Militantis Ecclesiae (1897) on St. Peter Canisius: Read the General Audience Address of Pope Benedict XVI (Feb. 9, 2011) dedicated to St. Peter Canisius: SIGN UP for Catholic Culture’s Newsletter: DONATE at: Dr. Papandrea’s Homepage: Dr. Papandrea’s book on private prayer and devotion in the...
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5.31 St. Teresa of Avila: La Madre
Way of the Fathers
St. Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582) St. Teresa was already being called a saint, and a doctor, within her lifetime. She was a visionary who suffered greatly from physical illness, and spiritual disappointment, when even some of her friends didn’t believe that her mystical experiences were real. She eventually convinced the naysayers, founded 17 convents and reformed the Carmelite order, all in the face of extreme opposition, even from the Spanish Inquisition. Links Check out this article on St. Teresa’s Teaching: SIGN UP for Catholic Culture’s Newsletter: DONATE at: Dr....
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New Lives of the Popes podcast, and pilgrimage with Mike and Jim
Way of the Fathers
Way of the Fathers hosts Mike Aquilina and Jim Papandrea get together with producer Thomas Mirus two big announcements: Thomas's new podcast Lives of the Popes (a sister podcast to Way of the Fathers), and Mike and Jim's second "Way of the Fathers Pilgrimage" in Rome and Assisi this October. Lives of the Popes on Apple Podcasts: Lives of the Popes on CatholicCulture.org: Join Mike and Jim on pilgrimage (not affiliated with Catholic Culture): SIGN UP for Catholic Culture’s Newsletter: DONATE at:
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5.30 St. Teresa of Avila: Doctor of Prayer
Way of the Fathers
St. Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582) St. Teresa of Avila was the first female Doctor of the Church. She was the co-founder (with St. John of the Cross) of the Discalced Carmelites. A reformer, and a mystic, her books on prayer taught the Church to go deeper, and her famous book, Interior Castle, is a spiritual classic. Links The song God Alone is Enough (based on the quote of St. Teresa of Avila) by John Michael Talbot: The song is on the album Simple Heart: SIGN UP for Catholic Culture’s Newsletter: DONATE at: Dr. Papandrea’s Homepage: Dr. Papandrea’s book on...
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5.29 St. John of Avila: The Master
Way of the Fathers
St. John of Avila (1499 - 1569) At the dawn of the Protestant Reformation, St. John of Avila stood in a long and noble tradition of preachers for reform within the Catholic Church. His down-to-earth, but pull-no-punches preaching style brought people back to the sacraments, and he often found that after he preached, he spent the rest of the day hearing confessions. Links A selection of 8 sermons by St. John of Avila: My Burden is Light: Suffering and Consolation in the Christian Life, translated by Brandon Otto The volume on St. John of Avila in the Classics of Western Spirituality...
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5.28 St. John of Avila: Apostle of Andalusia
Way of the Fathers
St. John of Avila (1499 - 1569) In the aftermath of the reestablishment of Christendom in Spain, and at the dawn of the Protestant Reformation, St. John of Avila was a powerful and effective preacher for Catholic reform and evangelization. He brought the people of southern Spain back to the Church, and brought the clergy of southern Spain back to holiness. Links A selection of 8 sermons by St. John of Avila: My Burden is Light: Suffering and Consolation in the Christian Life, translated by Brandon Otto SIGN UP for Catholic Culture’s Newsletter: DONATE at: Dr....
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5.27 St. Catherine of Siena: Mystic of the Incarnate Word
Way of the Fathers
St. Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380) was almost single-handedly responsible for bringing the Papacy back to Rome after the long Avignon Papacy. Her book, The Dialogue, demonstrates advanced theological understanding, and includes direction in how to progress in the spiritual life, and also the words of God spoken directly to her. Links The Dialogue, with Introduction: For comparison, the Diary of St. Faustina: The letters of St. Catherine online: SIGN UP for Catholic Culture’s Newsletter: DONATE at: Dr. Papandrea’s Homepage: Dr. Papandrea’s latest book is...
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5.26 St. Catherine of Siena: Mother of a Thousand Souls
Way of the Fathers
St. Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380) was a “third order” Dominican, spiritual advisor, and a mystic, but also a nurse, and a kind of free-lance politician. She wrote letters of advice (and criticism) to cardinals, bishops, and royalty. She negotiated peace (or tried to) between warring city states, and - like St. Hildegard before her - she had permission to preach and teach. Her “disciples” and spiritual advisees included women and men, laity and clergy. Links The letters of St. Catherine online: SIGN UP for Catholic Culture’s Newsletter: DONATE at: Dr. Papandrea’s...
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5.25 St. John Henry Newman: The Doctor of Friendship
Way of the Fathers
St. John Henry Newman (1801 - 1890) - Arguably the most famous convert since St. Paul, St. John Henry Newman defined the method for discerning the difference between legitimate growth and development in the Church, as opposed to the kinds of change that are really a deviation from Tradition and a corruption. Sorting this out led him to lose his trust in the Anglican communion, and in Protestantism in general, and unite with the Catholic Church. He would eventually be a cardinal, and he has been named co-patron of Catholic education, and now there are Newman Centers on college campuses across...
info_outlineSt. Albert the Great (1206-1280) was one of the real geniuses of the middle ages, and was the teacher and mentor of St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Albert had mastered virtually every field of study available to him, and he is one of the most important bridges between ancient and medieval philosophy.
Links
For a complete, unbiased, and very accessible overview of the Crusades, see the book God’s Battalions by Rodney Stark: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/gods-battalions-rodney-stark?variant=32216080351266
SIGN UP for Catholic Culture’s Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/
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Dr. Papandrea’s Homepage: http://www.jimpapandrea.com
Dr. Papandrea’s book on ROME is revised and updated for the Jubilee year: ROME: A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Eternal City - Second Edition: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385206643/rome-second-edition/
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/