Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Religious Studies

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.

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.

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.

Taught by one the world's leading Ignatian spirituality experts, this course is a must-have for any Christian giving or finding spiritual direction. Available as a 12-part course, Finding Spiritual Direction was carefully crafted to help you navigate the rich currents among Christians seeking, giving, or getting spiritual direction. Drawing on 50 years of experience, engaging spirituality leader Rev. Tetlow, SJ, explores spiritual direction in its most basic reality: the personal relationship of two disciples guided by the Holy Spirit.

The apocalypse is one of the most often discussed yet least understood topics in Christianity. In her essential course, Dr. Dorothy Jonaitis invites you to unravel the mysteries surrounding the final days of the world. Our culture is saturated with depictions of the "End Times", and many Christians derive their understanding of eschatology from books and novels. But scripture rarely supports such popular (and often doom-filled) representations, creating more misinformation than not.

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.

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).

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.

How many parishes do you know of that are truly great? In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins makes the point that good is the enemy of great. What does a great parish look like? Obviously it nurtures the spirituality of its parishioners, but it must do more than that. To be truly great, a parish must also have the temporal side in order. It must be a welcoming, community building place where people want to be. And it must be well-managed.

What if 10 minutes of your day could add 10 years to your life? While this is far from a proven rule, studies have shown that spending just 10 minutes in prayer everyday can significantly affect your health. Join leading spirituality expert, Fr. Richard Woods, in exploring the timeless connections between health, faith, and spirituality.

Learn from the powerful model of Salesian spirituality and deepen your relationship with God and the world. St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) was born to a life of privilege, but after experiencing a profound conversion, he abandoned his wealth to devote himself to God. He went on to become a champion of the poor and a renowned preacher. Along with his spiritual friend St. Jane de Chantal, St. Francis de Sales taught the tradition of devout humanism.

What does it mean to feel at home? Are you at home with God in your life every day? Experience the spiritual comfort of being at home with Christ through this special retreat with Sister Ann Willits OP. A retreat offers us an opportunity to talk both to and about God. And if we are listening, God talks back to us. A retreat is both freeing and intentional, an event which discloses relationships with God, with one another and with oneself.

All women experience joyful, sorrowful, glorious, and luminous mysteries. In addition, they also experience ordinary mysteries that take place during prayer, conversation, volunteer activities, and other daily actions. It is in these seemingly mundane activities that God is profoundly present in His Mystery. This retreat invites women to reflect upon the experience of ordinary mystery in their own lives.

Drawn from his spiritual exercises, spiritual discernment is one of St. Ignatius Loyola's most enduring legacies. Now you can explore Ignatius' discernment method with one of the world's leading Jesuit spirituality masters as your guide.

Through 18 lively, rich lectures, you'll explore the origins of women's religious life, the often treacherous foundlngs of the first North American communities, the lives of pioneer nuns, ethnic and assimilation issues, tensions with clergy, Vatican II and its impacts, current circumstances, and much more.You will find this course surprising, fascinating, well researched, and enjoyable.

Christianity offers a rich range of spiritual schools ranging from those of desert fathers through the Benedictine, Franciscan, Dominican, and Jesuit approaches. This course will offer an approach to Christian spirituality itself, and its distinctiveness among the religions of the world. You will examine the concepts of humanity and holiness and their connections within Catholicism. You will begin with some basic but profound questions. In finding answers to these questions, you will come to better understand Catholic spirituality.