Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Religion & Spirituality

Although it takes only an hour each week, the Mass is one of the most important ways Catholics profess their beliefs in Christian love and mercy. When Catholics express their faith alongside their brothers and sisters, they are not only participating in powerful traditions, but also deepening their spiritual lives. Now, this powerful audio series lets you take a leading liturgical expert as your personal professor anywhere and anytime.

For much of Western history, belief in God seemed universal. As society has grown more secular, however, people have increasingly expressed disbelief in God. Today, a quarter of Americans are religiously unaffiliated, with many identifying as atheists. As the number of atheists has grown, so too have debates around the legitimacy of religion. Too often, these debates have been marked by misunderstanding on both sides.

Thomas Merton was one of the greatest spiritual writers and social critics of the past century. For thousands of men and women, he remains a guide and model for contemplative living, interreligious dialogue, and intellectual exploration. While many have encountered Merton through his best-selling books on spirituality and contemplation, few are familiar with his powerful - and often prescient - insights about vital social and cultural issues of his day.

This brilliantly taught audio course will ignite your imagination and enrich your mind. In 12 illuminating lectures, award-winning professor and acclaimed historian Prof. Christopher M. Bellitto (PhD, Fordham University) makes medieval history both engaging and enlightening. Throughout history, humans have conjured images to understand their relationships with other Christians, the wider world, and God. For medieval men and women, those images came from Christendom, which was the air they breathed.

The Trinity is the foundation of Christian faith, the lifeblood of its liturgy. In this remarkable course, you will come to understand the Trinitarian theology and history as never before. Your professor is Fr. David Vincent Meconi, SJ (DPhil, the University of Oxford), an expert on early Church history and an award-winning theology professor at Saint Louis University. The idea of one God as three persons cannot be understood through human reason alone. Indeed, the doctrine of the Trinity was not something that early Christians fully grasped.

The Second Vatican II emphasized the necessity of mission; in Ad Gentes we learn that "the Church, driven by inner necessity of her own catholicity, and obeying the mandate of her Founder, strives ever to proclaim the Gospel to all men." Today, all dioceses, parishes, and Christians are called to continue Jesus' mission to make God's love, salvation, and justice a reality on earth.

Recorded by a monk and mystic who changed the world, these newly remastered lectures showcase Thomas Merton's brilliant teaching. Originally delivered at the Abbey of Gethsemani to his fellow monks, Thomas Merton's talks invite you on a journey through monastic and contemplative history. Under his guidance, you will encounter the great figures of the Christian monastic tradition: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Benedict, John Cassian, Basil, and Charlemagne.

For nearly 500 years, Jesuits have given us a trove of spiritual insight and practice. In this unique audio course by one of the most gifted Jesuit spirituality experts of our time, you will find wise reflections on 10 great Jesuit prayers. Georgetown University's Fr. Howard Gray, SJ, PhD, introduces, narrates, and faithfully examines each prayer with your spiritual growth in mind.

Meticulously researched and brilliantly taught, this course is a rare opportunity to learn about Pope Francis from a leading Church historian. On March 13, 2013, the world watched as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the words habemus Papam rang through St. Peter's Square. The crowd was taken aback as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became the leader of the world's largest religious community and took the name of Francis - a name that no other pope had ever chosen before.

Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380) is one of the most beloved saints of the Christian tradition. In this captivating course, you will explore her life, faith, and works under the guidance of Sr. Suzanne Noffke, OP, PhD, an internationally acclaimed expert on Catherine. One of 25 children of a Tuscan wool-dyer guildsman and his irascible wife, Catherine was unschooled and had a humble upbringing. Despite her lack of formal education, her mind was too sharp and her heart too honest to settle for a blind embrace of doctrine.

In your life, your heart has undoubtedly been touched by mentors who have guided your spiritual journey. Through over 60 years of priestly ministry, Fr. Frank McNulty has served as one such mentor to countless men and women. Now, this unique audio retreat lets you learn from Fr. McNulty anytime and anywhere. Once known as the "most famous priest in America", Fr. McNulty was selected to address Pope John Paul II on behalf of all the nation's priests.

From acclaimed classicist Gregory Carlson, discover new insights into one of the greatest works of literature ever composed: Homer’s Odyssey. Why does this ancient epic poem continue to enthrall readers/listeners from all walks of life? You’re undoubtedly familiar with the Odyssey in some form. Now, this exciting audio course invites you to discover Homer’s text with new eyes.

Rediscover one of the Bible's most important books. With a leading Scripture scholar as your guide, you will gain powerful insights into one of life's most vexing questions. The Book of Job is a powerful and ultimately life-affirming book. But the text - one of the Bible's oldest - can sometimes seem puzzling to modern audiences. Now, The Book of Job: A Bible Study Course gives you an insightful look into how Job can transform your faith today.

Meister Eckhart remains the outstanding representative of Germany’s medieval Rhineland mysticism. While our knowledge of Eckhart’s life is limited, we can see that he was an active mystic in his preaching, teaching, and writing. His boldness of speech is matched by his power to integrate what seem like irreconcilable opposites.

Mercy is one of God's great gifts to humankind. Now, in 12 lectures by spiritual leader Fr. Dan Crosby, you will explore mercy in Scripture, Catholic Church teaching, and modern culture. In addition to exploring scriptural passages, you will look at Dives in Misericordia ("Rich in Mercy"), Saint John Paul II's encyclical on mercy. Divine Mercy marked every aspect of his pontificate, and you will see how Pope Francis carries on this legacy. Indeed, as Pope Francis writes, mercy is "the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us" (Misericordiae Vultus).

Since Pius XII wrote the papal encyclical Humani Generis in 1950, scientific discovery has been a topic of lively discussion in the Church. In The Intersection of Science and Theology, you will explore the place of science in the Christian tradition. Using the writings of Jesuit priest and scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin as a basis, these lectures look at God's two greatest gifts to humans: the Bible and nature.

In our busy, modern society, we can often get caught up in the tumult of our day-to-day lives. Now, Jesuit Father Gregory Carlson invites you on a truly one-of-a-kind retreat experience to help you awaken your spirituality. Using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola as his foundation, Fr. Carlson has crafted a distinctive and lively retreat for you to enjoy.

Through liturgical prayers, scripture readings, and the poetry and music of Christmas, you can grow in appreciation of the meaning of its celebration for our lives and in our world. In this series, you will focus on the “Holy Night” on which our Savior was born and on the origins of Christmas in the city of Rome. You will also explore the other two Masses of Christmas day and the celebrations that follow. Christmas is a truly special and meaningful time of the liturgical year. This course will give you newfound Christmas joy and understanding.

Walk in the footprints of Jesus Christ with St. Francis as your guide. In this Franciscan retreat, best-selling author Fr. Michael Crosby leads you on a powerful journey of prayer and reflection. As you will discover, the lessons of spirituality, faith, love, and humility that Francis of Assisi taught are more vital today than ever.

This concise, three-segment audio series by award-winning Catholic historian Christopher Bellitto is designed to thoughtfully answer your questions. In Picking Popes, Dr. Bellitto reviews the colorful history of picking popes, conclaves, and cardinals. You'll find plenty of anecdotes and analyses from a history professor who works with the media during papal transitions.