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: https://mediatrixpress.com/product/a-small-catechism-for-catholics/ The Large Catechism on Google Books: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Catechism_of_St_Peter_Canisius/yTdZDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 To find out more about St. Peter Canisius: A Champion of the Church: The Life of St. Peter Canisius - https://mediatrixpress.com/product/a-champion-of-the-church-the-life-of-st-peter-canisius/ Read the General Audience Address of Pope Benedict XVI (Feb. 9, 2011) dedicated to St. Peter Canisius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9550&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 Read the Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, Militantis Ecclesiae (1897) on St. Peter Canisius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4886&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 Get the current Catechism of the Catholic Church: https://catholicbooksdirect.com/products/catechism-of-the-catholic-church-complete-and-updated 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. 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: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4886&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 Read the General Audience Address of Pope Benedict XVI (Feb. 9, 2011) dedicated to St. Peter Canisius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9550&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 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 book on private prayer and devotion in the early Church: Praying Like the Early Church: Seven Insights from the Church Fathers to Help You Connect with God - https://sophiainstitute.com/?product=praying-like-the-early-church 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. 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: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=7725&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2622568 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 book on private prayer and devotion in the early Church: Praying Like the Early Church: Seven Insights from the Church Fathers to Help You Connect with God - https://sophiainstitute.com/?product=praying-like-the-early-church 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/    

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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lives-of-the-popes/id1885968422 Lives of the Popes on CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/category/lives-of-popes-podcast/ Join Mike and Jim on pilgrimage (not affiliated with Catholic Culture): https://www.206tours.com/cms/papandrea/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/  DONATE at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

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: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B001C09350?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_AytLlUDfAEjJq9aZT0yQ9KBo5&trackAsin=B001C03R70 The song is on the album Simple Heart: https://troubadourforthelord.net/store/ols/products/simple-heart 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 book on private prayer and devotion in the early Church: Praying Like the Early Church: Seven Insights from the Church Fathers to Help You Connect with God - https://sophiainstitute.com/?product=praying-like-the-early-church 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. 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 https://tanbooks.com/products/books/my-burden-is-light-suffering-and-consolation-in-the-christian-life/ The volume on St. John of Avila in the Classics of Western Spirituality series: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/4200-7/john-of-avila.aspx 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 is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian: https://scepterpublishers.org/products/the-original-church-what-it-meant-and-still-means-to-be-a-christian 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. 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 https://tanbooks.com/products/books/my-burden-is-light-suffering-and-consolation-in-the-christian-life/ 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 is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian: https://scepterpublishers.org/products/the-original-church-what-it-meant-and-still-means-to-be-a-christian 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. 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: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/2233-2/catherine-of-siena.aspx For comparison, the Diary of St. Faustina: https://shopmercy.org/diary-of-saint-maria-faustina-kowalska.html The letters of St. Catherine online: http://www.domcentral.org/trad/cathletters.htm 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 is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian: https://scepterpublishers.org/products/the-original-church-what-it-meant-and-still-means-to-be-a-christian 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. 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: http://www.domcentral.org/trad/cathletters.htm 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 is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian: https://scepterpublishers.org/products/the-original-church-what-it-meant-and-still-means-to-be-a-christian 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. 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 the US and the UK.   Links Check out St. John Henry Newman in Catholic Culture Audio Books - there are over 50 titles, including lectures, poems and meditations, and sermons. The entire text of The Idea of a University is also included. Click this link for the list of titles and links to the audio books: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/audiobook_newman_titles.cfm St. John Henry Newman's reflections on the Blessed Virgin and Marian Doctrines: The Mystical Rose - https://scepterpublishers.org/products/mystical-rose?_pos=1&_sid=6251db2e1&_ss=r Fr. Juan Velez' Holiness in a Secular Age: The Witness of Cardinal Newman - https://scepterpublishers.org/products/holiness-in-a-secular-age-the-witness-of-cardinal-newman?_pos=2&_sid=0e574e4ce&_ss=r&variant=40294599821 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 is The Original Church: What it Meant - and Still Means - to Be a Christian: https://scepterpublishers.org/products/the-original-church-what-it-meant-and-still-means-to-be-a-christian 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/