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Perhaps no one had such a great influence on the Roman Catholic Church in the 20th century as Pope John XXIII, who was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014. Born Angelo Roncalli (1881-1963), he rose from humble beginnings to become a passionate advocate for social justice and world peace. His papacy was marked by compassion, charity, and love. In this course you will join ecclesial expert and Georgetown professor Gerard Mannion in encountering the enduring charisma of Saint John XXIII.

The four Gospels are foundational to Christianity. Yet Christian readers are often puzzled by the differences between the Gospels, preferring to harmonize the four into a single narrative. Now, this 24-part lecture course invites you to understand each Gospel's distinctive message. Along the way, you will examine theories about how the three Synoptic Gospels are related. You will also learn why the evangelists are symbolized by four living creatures: the man or angel, the lion, the ox, and the eagle.

In this brilliantly taught course, you will explore the theology and practice of the Catholic Mass with one of the world's leading liturgical professors as your guide. Catholics believe that every time they gather to celebrate, they are acting in obedience to Jesus' command to "do this in memory of me." Catholics have obeyed this command for nearly 2,000 years, and now you can explore anew the spiritual and theological meaning of this vital celebration.

Take a spiritual journey with one of the leading living Jesuit retreat masters: Fr. Joseph Tetlow, SJ (PhD Brown University.) In this 12-conference program, Fr. Tetlow draws from decades of experience with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He will guide you to choose Christ in the world, discover your authentic desire under God, and seek God in all things. Designed to fit into your own schedule, his retreat gives you the flexibility to take an Ignatian retreat over the course of a few days or months.

A voice for the voiceless and a champion of human rights, Blessed Oscar Romero (1917-1980) is beloved around the world. In six lectures, you are invited to explore his life and legacy.

In Understanding Your Brain and Mind, you’ll hear from more than 40 leading scientists with special insight into the title question. Among many others, you’ll meet luminaries such as Christof Koch, president and chief scientific officer of the Allen Institute of Brain Science in Seattle; Baroness Susan Greenfield, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease researcher and member of the House of Lords; Robert Stickgold, director of the Center of Sleep and Cognition at Harvard; and renowned scientist Jared Diamond, the author of best-selling books.

Christian theology may not believe in Marxism, and Marxism may think that God is dead, but the two ideologies still have much to say to one another. Thomas Merton, one of the world’s greatest modern Christian intellectuals, was fascinated by the dialogue between Marxists and Christians. Now, by listening to these nine masterful talks, which Merton delivered to the novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1965 and 1966, you can join in these conversations.

Immerse yourself in the diverse teachings of the world’s greatest spiritual masters through this illuminating and unifying audio course. Your guide is Dr. Kenneth Rose (PhD, Harvard University), an acclaimed expert in comparative religion. Under his tutelage, you'll discover the lives and teachings of 11 holy persons throughout the ages and from around the world.

In this erudite and inspiring 12-lecture audio course, you will take a riveting journey through the history of the Catholic faith’s most vital celebration. The Liturgy of the Eucharist has deep roots in tradition. But the Mass has also enjoyed a dynamic history over the centuries. As you will discover, its ongoing evolution reflects the ever-changing world and Christ’s presence in it.

Celtic Christianity has produced a kaleidoscopic array of saints, monks, and poets. In this series, Dominican Prof. Richard Woods cultivates more than 1,500 years of Celtic spirituality's rich traditions to acquaint you with the insight that these fascinating figures can offer us today.

Enter into the ancient world of the psalms in this essential audio course. You will explore the literary forms of the psalms, especially praise and lament. You will learn how the New Testament writers and early Christians used the psalms. The psalms have their origin in the worship and prayer of ancient Israel, and now you, too, can discover them as models and guides for your life of prayer.

Led by gifted professor, author, and contemplative retreat leader Fr. Donald Goergen, O.P., this life-changing series will capture your spiritual imagination and deepen your life with Christ. As Prof. Lawrence Cunningham writes, “Thomas Merton could easily be called the greatest spiritual writer and spiritual master of the 20th century in English-speaking America.” He was a monk and seeker - restless, deeply contemplative, and socially conscious.

Explore the nearly 500-year-old Ignatian Examen with one of the world's leading Jesuit experts and experience its direct relevance to your life today. The Ignatian Examen is a daily renewal of your relationship with the loving God. The Examen comes from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and has a deep history in the Ignatian tradition. Today, we have received the Ignatian Examen as a prayer of consciousness of the divine partnership God holds out to us.

Is extrasensory perception or “ESP” real? The possibility of ESP fascinates us, providing the plot for countless films and television shows. Think of The Shining or The Twilight Zone. No one denies how much ESP has captured the popular imagination, but is there any factual basis for it? Some say yes - even leading scientists. Recently, researchers have begun giving serious attention to what was once thought a pseudo-science. As human concepts of reality keep expanding, the existence of ESP appears ever more plausible.

Finally! A clear, concise, and informative overview of the beliefs and practices of the world’s great world religions. As both a wellspring of hope and an author of tragedy, religion has profoundly shaped the great civilizations of human history. An unequivocal force in the ancient world, religion continues to fire the imagination of millions in our own time and remains a fascinating index of human aspiration and creativity.

St. Thomas Aquinas OP (1224-1274) towers in the history of Christian thought as a mystic, spiritual master, theologian, philosopher, teacher, and preacher. Along with St. Augustine, his synthesis of Christian teaching and exposition of the truth of the Catholic faith remains unsurpassed in Western Christianity.

Despite her lack of formal education, Teresa of Avila became an inspirational mystic, an influential reformer, and the first female Doctor of the Church. Today, her spiritual works are widely acclaimed as timeless masterpieces. Now, guided by Carmelite spirituality expert Dr. Keith Egan, you will explore St. Teresa’s most beloved work, The Interior Castle.

You likely have questions about Catholic canon law. Brilliantly taught and filled with helpful, real-world examples, this survey course was designed with your questions in mind. You are invited to join one of America's leading canon law experts in exploring the principles and rules that govern our religious conduct. In 12 lectures, you will see how religion and the lives of all Catholics are intertwined in spiritual, practical, cultural, and historical ways.

Join monk and mystic Thomas Merton on a journey through monastic and contemplative history. In these talks delivered by Thomas Merton, you will gain a rich introduction to the monastic period of church history, encountering such figures as St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Benedict, John Cassian, Basil, and Charlemagne. As you will come to discover, the history of monasticism is deeply intertwined with the greater history of Europe and the Christian contemplative tradition.

What can Luke’s stories tell you about his audience? How does his portrayal of Jesus compare to those of the other Gospel authors? You will gain both a scholar’s insight into Luke’s authorship and deep spiritual epiphanies as you reframe your picture of Luke’s Gospel. As you try on different interpretations of Luke’s account of both Jesus and Jesus’ most loyal followers, you’ll come to a new understanding of what it means to be a good disciple.