The recordings recommended in this episode are: Complete Symphonies Rundfunk-Symponieorchester Saarbrücken, conducted by Stanisław Skrowaczewski Symphony No. 4 Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gunther Wand Symphony No. 7 Vienne Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Karl Böhm Symphony No. 8 Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, conducted by Mare…

The books discussed in this episode are: Confessions translated with introduction and notes by Thomas Williams The Conversion of Augustine by Romano Guardini Augustine: Conversion to Confessions by Robin Lane Fox A Reader's Companion to Augustine's Confessions edited by Kim Paffenroth and Robert Peter Kennedy Augustine the Bishop by Frederick van d…

The books discussed in this episode are: Mirari vos, Quanta Cura (print edition), Immortale Dei, Libertas (print edition) by Gregory XVI, Pius IX, Leo XIII Religious Liberty and Contraception by Fr. Brian Harrison We Hold These Truths and More: Further Catholic Reflections on the American Proposition : The Thought of Fr. John Courtney Murray, S.J. …

The books discussed in this episode are: Purgation and Purgatory by St. Catherine of Genoa Life Everlasting and the Immensity of the Soul by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP On Purgatory: The Members of the Church Suffering by St. Robert Bellarmine The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri Saved in Hope (Spe salvi) by Benedict XVI...see also... Manual of I…

The works discussed in this episode are Bruckner's: Requiem, Psalms 114 and 112 Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, RIAS Kammerchor, directed by Łuckasz Borowicz The Masses Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, directed by Eugen Jochum Motets Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short Te Deum Chor des Bayrischen Rundunks, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by…

The books discussed in this episode are: Catechism of the Catholic Church by John Paul II The Case for Catholicism: Answers to Classic and Contemporary Protestant Objections by Trent Horn The Apostolic Fathers Teaching with Authority: How to Cut Through Doctrinal Confusion & Understand What the Church Really Says by Jimmy Akin Pope Peter: Defending…

The books discussed in this episode are: Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper The Musical Shape of the Liturgy by William Peter Mahrt Graduale Romanum Medieval Music and the Art of Memory by Anna Maria Busse Berger That All May Sing (vol. 1) (vol. 2) by Justine Ward In addition, the recordings of Gregorian chant by Dom Joseph Gajard, Mary …

The books discussed in this episode are: The Council of Florence by Joseph Gill Personalities of the Council of Florence by Joseph Gill The Filioque: History of a Doctrinal Controversy by. A. Edward Siecienski The Orthodox Eastern Church by Adrian Fortescue Rome and the Eastern Churches: A Study in Schism by Aidan Nichols OP Christian Unity. The Co…

The books discussed in this episode are: Celestial Hierarchy by Pseudo-Dionysius The Angels and their Mission: According to the Fathers of the Church by Jean Daniélou SJ Angels and Demons: A Catholic Introduction by Serge-Thomas Bonino OP World Invisible: The Catholic Doctrine of the Angels by Fr. John Saward Angels and Demons in Art by Rosa Giorgi…

The books discussed in this episode are: The poem "One dark night" (En una noche oscura) by St. John of the Cross The Ascent of Mount Carmel (Prologue, Diagram, and Picture) by St. John of the Cross The Spiritual Canticle by St. John of the Cross The Living Flame of Love by St. John of the Cross The Ascent of Mount Carmel and The Dark Night of the …

The books discussed in this episode are: Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyła Taking Sex Differences Seriously by Steven E. Rhoads The Great Mystery: Formation for Flourishing Marriages by David H. Delaney Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Brant Pitre Supernatural Fatherhood Through Priestly Celibacy: Fulfillment in Mas…

The books discussed in this episode are: Ordinatio (online translation) by John Duns Scotus, translated by Peter Simpson Treatise on the First Principle by John Duns Scotus, edited and translated by Thomas M. Ward John Duns Scotus: Selected Writings on Ethics translated and edited by Thomas Williams Duns Scotus by Richard Cross Understanding John D…

The books discussed in this episode are: On Lying & To Consentius, Against Lying by St. Augustine Summa theologiae II-II, qq. 57-120 (esp. 108-110) by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Teaching About The Morality Of Falsehood by Rev. Julius A. Dorszynski Moral Absolutes: Tradition, Revision, and Truth by John Finnis Truthfulness, Lies, and Moral Philosop…

The books discussed in this episode are: Vatican I: The Council and the Making of the Ultramontane Church by John W. O'Malley SJ The Conciliarist Tradition: Constitutionalism in the Catholic Church 1300-1870 by Francis Oakley Triumph in Defeat: Infallibility, Vatican I, and the French Minority Bishops by Margaret O'Gara The Pope and the Professor: …

The books discussed in this episode are: The Sources of Christian Ethics by Servais Pinckaers OP The Pinckaers Reader: Renewing Thomistic Moral Theology edited by John Berkman and Craig Steven Titus Morality: The Catholic View by Servais Pinckaers OP Passions and Virtue by Servais Pinckaers OP The Pursuit of Happiness - God's Way: Living the Beatit…

The books recommended and discussed in this episode are: Troilus and Criseyde by St. Gregory Nazianzus The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Oxford Guides to Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales by Helen Cooper Feminizing Chaucer by Jill Mann Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchas…

The books recommended in this episode are: Theology of the Liturgy: The Sacramental Foundation of Christian Existence (Collected Works, vol. 11) by Joseph Ratzinger Altar and Church: Principles of Liturgy from Early Christianity by Mons. Stefan Heid My Body Given for You: History and Theology of the Eucharist by Helmut Hoping The Roman Mass: From E…

The books recommended and discussed in this episode are: Theological and Dogmatic Works by St. Ambrose Enchantment and Creed in the Hymns of Ambrose of Milan by Brian Dunkle SJ Ambrose of Milan: Deeds and Thought of A Bishop by Caesare Pasini Ambrose by Boniface Ramsay OP The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God by Robert Loui…

The books discussed in this episode are: The Principles of Psychology by William James On The Trinity (De Trinitate), Book 11 by St. Augustine Summa theologiae, Secunda Pars (I-II, qq. 1-70) (I-II, qq. 71-114 ) (II-II, qq. 1-56) (II-II, qq. 57-140) (II-II, qq. 141-189) by St. Thomas Aquinas Treatise on the Love of God by St. Francis de Sales The At…

The books recommended in this episode are: Intention by G.E.M. Anscombe Ethics, Religion and Politics: Collected Philosophical Papers, Volume III by G.E.M. Anscombe Faith in a Hard Ground: Essays on Religion, Philosophy and Ethics by G.E.M. Anscombe edited by Mary Geach and Luke Gormally The Philosophy of Elizabeth Anscombe by Roger Teichmann The W…

The books and resources recommended in this episode are: Listening to Bach: The Mass in B Minor and the Christmas Oratorio by Daniel R. Melamed Bach by David Schulenberg Texts and Historically-Informed Translations for the Music of Johann Sebastian Bach by Michael Marissen and Daniel R. Melamed Bloomington Bach Cantata Project directed by Daniel R.…

The books recommended in this episode are: Maximus the Confessor by Andrew Louth The Cappadocians by Anthony Meredith Seventh-Century Popes and Martyrs: The Political Hagiography of Anastasius Bibliothecarius by Bronwen Neil Maximus the Confessor: Jesus Christ and the Transfiguration of the World by Paul Blowers Crisis of Empire: Doctrine and Disse…

The books recommended in this episode are: A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift The Battle of the Books by Jonathan Swift A Tale of a Tub by Jonathan Swift The Drapier's Letters by Jonathan Swift ...and for some additional recommendations... Jonathan Swift: Irish Blow-In and Jonathan Swift: Our Dean by Eugene Ham…

The books recommended in this episode are: Gregory of Nazianzus by Brian E. Daley SJ On God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations and Two Letters to Cledonius by St. Gregory Nazianzus Festal Orations by St. Gregory Nazianzus On God and Man: The Theological Poetry of St Gregory of Nazianzus by St. Gregory Nazianzus Christ in the Life and Teachin…

The books discussed in this episode are: Annum sacrum (print edition) by Leo XIII Quas Primas (print edition) by Pius XI Miserentissimus Redemptor by Pius XI Haurietis aquas (print edition) by Pius XII Dives in misericordia (print edition) by John Paul II Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the aff…

In this episode, Dr. Shaun Blanchard discusses the Jansenist controversy, its impact, and some of the best books on the subject: The Provincial Letters by Blaise Pascal Adoration and Annihilation: The Convent Philosophy of Port-Royal by John J. Conley S.J. The Wanton Jesuit and the Wayward Saint: A Tale of Sex, Religion, and Politics in Eighteenth-…

The books recommended in this episode are: On God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations and Two Letters to Cledonius by St. Gregory Nazianzus The Wellspring of Worship by Fr. Jean Corbon Three Treatises on the Divine Images by St. John of Damascus Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today by Joseph Ratzinger The Trinity: An Introducti…

The books recommended in this episode are: I Believe in the Holy Spirit by Yves Congar OP The Sanctifier by Archbishop Luis Martínez Summa theologiae (IaIIae, qq. 68-70) by St. Thomas Aquinas Catecheses on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit by Pope Francis In the School of the Holy Spirit by Fr. Jacques Philippe Five Books for Catholics may receive a com…

The books recommended in this episode are: A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture by Scott Hahn The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism: A New Theory of People, Exile, and Israelite Identity by Jason A. Staples Jesus and the Last Supper by Brant Pitre Acts and the Isaianic New Exodus by David W. Pao God with Us: Encou…

The books recommended in this episode are: Our Lady of Fatima by William T. Walsh The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Ligouri Calls from the Message of Fatima by Sister Lucia of Fatima Five Books for Catholics may receive …

The recommended books for this episode are: The Servile State by Hilaire Belloc An Essay on the Restoration of Property by Hilaire Belloc An Outline of Sanity by G.K. Chesterton A Humane Economy by Wilhelm Röpke The Economics of the Free Society by Wilhelm Röpke Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using …

The books recommended in this episode are: Corpus Mysticum: The Eucharist and the Church in the Middle Ages by Henri de Lubac SJ Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today by Joseph Ratzinger Flesh of the Church, Flesh of Christ: At the Source of the Ecclesiology of Communion by Jean-Marie Roger Tillard Eucharist, Bishop, Church: The Unity…

The books recommended in this episode are: On Matters Southern: Essays About Literature and Culture, 1964-2000 by Marion Montgomery Possum, and Other Receipts for the Recovery of "Southern" Being by Marion Mongomery Liberal Arts and Community: The Feeding of the Larger Body by Marion Mongomery Romantic Confusions of the Good: Beauty as Truth, Truth…

The books recommended in this episode are: The Complete Stories (also available for Kindle) by Flannery O'Connor Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose (also available for Kindle) by Flannery O'Connor, seleceted and edited by Sally and Robert Fitzgerald The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor (also available for Kindle) by Flannery O'Connor…

Lent is just a preparation and spiritual warm-up for Easter. Now that it is Easter, it is time to get down to exercising the Christian life in full. It makes sense, therefore, to keep setting aside some time for reading about the mysteries we celebrate and how we can live them out. Here then are some books and music that might be helpful. For furth…

Holy Week should be, insofar as possible, a time of recollection and prayer. To this end, reading one or other of the following books may be useful. It may help us enter more deeply into the mysteries we are celebrating and contemplating. Commentary on Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist: Homilies 48-88 by St. John Chrysostom What is Redemption? …

The books reviewed in this episode are: Hearing Bach's Passions by Daniel R. Melamed Lutheranism, Anti-Judaism, and Bach's St. John Passion: With an Annotated Literal Translation of the Libretto by Michael Marissen Bach in Berlin. Nation and Culture in Mendelssohn's Revival of the St. Matthew Passion by Celia Applegate Johann Sebastian Bach's St Jo…

Genesis or Bereishis (“In the beginning”) is the first book of the Bible. It tells the story of creation and God’s covenants with the first men (1-11) and the patriarchs (12-50). It ends with the death of Joseph, who had brought to Egypt both his brothers and his father, Jacob. Many of the stories related in Genesis are amongst the most memorable o…

The books recommended in this episode are: Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Person and His Work by Jean-Pierre Torrell OP Saint Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Jean-Pierre Torrell OP Thomas Aquinas: Selected Writings edited and translated by Ralph McInerny Commentary on the Gospel of John (vol. 1) (vol. 2) (vol. 3) by St. Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas…

The recordings recommended in this episode are of: Quatre Motets pour un temps de pénitence by François Poulenc Miserere by Henryk Górecki Triodion by Arvo Pärt Miserere and Videns Dominus by James MacMillan Symphony of Psalms by Igor Stravinsky Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate lin…

The books recommended in this episode are: Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making by Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher OMV The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher OMV Spiritual Consolation: An Ignatian Guide for Greater Discernment of Spirits by Fr. Timothy M. Gallaghe…

Here are this year's list of recommended readings for Lent. You can also check out last year’s list and the Message of Pope Francis for Lent 2024. On Repentance and Almsgiving by St. John Chrysostom Encyclical Letter Dives in misericordia (Rich in Mercy) by St. John Paul II The Lord by Romano Guardini A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn T…

The books recommended in this episode are: Arcanum and Casti connubii by Leo XIII and Pius XI The Social Teachings of Wilhelm Emmanuel Von Ketteler: Bishop of Mainz (1811-1877) edited by Rupert J. Ederer Catholic Social Teaching: A Volume of Scholarly Essays edited by Gerard V. Bradley and E. Christian Brugger The Teachings of Modern Roman Catholic…

Simon P. Keefe recommends some books that can help us learn about Mozart’s music and penetrate it more deeply as we listen to it. The Letters of Mozart and his Family (3rd edition) edited by Emily Anderson Mozart: A Documentary Biography by Otto Erich Deutsch Mozart's Requiem: Reception, Work, Completion by Simon P. Keefe Mozart in Vienna: The Fina…

The books recommended in this interview are: Understanding Early Christian Art by Robin M. Jensen The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art by Thomas F. Mathews The Invisible God: The Earliest Christians on Art by Paul Corby Finney Likeness and Presence: A History of Art before the Era of Art by Hans Belting, trans. E. Jephcott T…

The books recommended in this interview are: Tales of Faith: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel through Literature by Holly Ordway Faith, Hope and Poetry: Theology and the Poetic Imagination by Malcolm Guite Imaginative Apologetics: Theology, Philosophy, and the Catholic Tradition by Andrew Davison Spiritual Direction from Dante: vol. 1, Avoiding the In…

Dr. Thomas Scheck discusses Origen of Alexandria (185-253) and recommends the following books: Contra Celsum by Origen (edited by Henry Chadwick) Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (vol. 1) (vol. 2) by Origen (translated by Thomas P. Scheck) Homilies on Joshua by Origen (translated by Barbara J. Bruce) Homilies on Numbers by Origen (translated…

The books recommended in this episode are: Faith and Politics: Selected Writings by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI A New Song for the Lord: Faith in Christ and Liturgy Today by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger What is Christianity?: The Last Writings by Benedict XVI Fundamental Speeches from Five Decades by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI The Nature and Miss…

Prof. Dwight Lindley, the Barbara Longway Briggs Chair in English Literature at Hillsdale College, discusses some of the best of Dickens’s novels and of the studies on them. He recommends: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Bleak House by Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens Chesterton on Dicken…

The works recommended are: Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaugh Williams Lauda per la Natività del Signore by Otterino Resphighi Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noël by François Poulenc Retablo de Navidad by Joaquín Rodrigo Having beheld a strange Nativity (Canticles and Prayers II) by Georgy Sviridov Five Books for Catholics may receive a co…