As Catholics, we have been given a great gift; we have been given the sacraments. The sacraments are tailored specifically for humans, they bring much needed (and free!) grace from God, but are seen in a physical way so that we can be certain of the Lord’s help.

From surviving World War II, Communism, attempted assassination, and Parkinson’s disease, this episode looks into the incredible life and witness of St. John Paul II.

Further Resources:

1. Book:  Evert, Jason.  Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves, 2014.
2. Book:  John Paul II.  Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination, 1996.
3. Online:  Brief biographical information: http://www.2papisanti.org/EN/JohnPaulII
4. Online:  Brief biographical text from the booklet for the canonization Mass of St. John Paul II: http://www.vatican.va/special/canonizzazione-27042014/documents/biografia_gpii_canonizzazione_en.html

An explanation on the development of the Catholic canon and the differences found within protestant bibles.

Further Resources:

1. Book (and online):  Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs #120-130.
2. Online:    An extremely helpful chart comparing the books in four different bibles: Jewish, Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant.  http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Heb-Xn-Bibles.htm
3. Online:  Article explaining the development of the Old Testament canon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_of_the_Old_Testament_canon

True freedom, contrary to its current ‘absolute’ sense, is lived to its fullest when in accord with human nature.  Jesus Christ taught us how to be truly free, because he was truly human; living in perfect accord with that nature. What the contemporary and Christian understanding of freedom have in common is a “yes” to something other; while one leads to slavery, the other leads to great acts of love and attainment of true freedom. The perfect exemplar of this is Christ on the Cross.

Some people say that living a moral life consists in following a set of rules established by the Church, but the reality is that the moral life is steeped in love and the eternal design of God. We cannot simply follow a set of rules, but we must conform our entire lives to the Father. Sound challenging? Well it is, but learn how we are able to successfully pursue the moral life with God’s help in this Catholic Bytes episode.

Further Resources:

1. Book: Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 1749-1761 and nn. 1803-1845
2. Book: Introduction to Moral Theology by William May

A brilliant mind, gifted speaker, and renowned intellectual, St. Augustine of Hippo is recognized as a key figure in both Church and World history.  Delve into details of his personal life with Catholic Bytes, to discover Augustine’s journey from sin to sanctity, from prestige to repentance. Two main ideas are core to his thought – found in his beloved writings, particularly the Confessions – “homesickness” and “restlessness”.

Further Resources:

1. Book:  St. Augustine of Hippo.  The Confessions (particularly Book VIII)

The body allows man to interact with and experience the world.  It is more than something we have, but an inseparable part of man’s being.

Further Resources:

1. Book:  Anderson, Carl Anderson and José Granados.  Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
2. Book:  West, Christopher.  Fill These Hearts.  New York: Image, 2012.
3. Book:  John Paul II, trans. by Michael Waldstein.  Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body.  Boston: Pauline, 2006.

A look into the true nature of prayer and how to approach the Lord with perseverance, a spirit of poverty, and persistence.

Further Resources:

1. Book (also online):  Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 2558-2758.  http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8Z.HTM

He was neither Pope nor Politician, is neither known for great feats nor extraordinary gifts, Bl. Pier Giorgio rather finds sanctity in the “ordinary”.  He is the ‘everyman’; a reminder of the holiness each is called and can achieve through daily life. Discover more about this young 20th century saint and the 4 loves which defined his life.

Every first Friday of the month we will be publishing an episode on a saint who’s feast day falls during the month. Get to know the saints and ask them to intercede for you throughout the month!

Further Resources:

1. Book: Luciana Frassati. Man of the Beatitudes: Pier Giorgio Frassati. 2001
2. Book: Maria Di Lorenzo. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: An Ordinary Christian. 2004.
3. Website: http://frassatiusa.org/

Have you ever been tempted to eat 16 oreos, and proceeded to do so even knowing it’s disgusting? If so, join the rest of humanity. It’s called temptation which works at us both interiorly and exteriorly.  Yet, don’t despair.  Listen here to discover a gratuitous gift to help overcome temptation, and say yes to what you truly desire.