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In the final year before his death in 1996, Henri Nouwen wrote an account of the death of his friend Adam, a severely handicapped young man from L'Arche. In the story of Adam he found a way to describe his own understanding of the Gospel message. Adam could not speak or even move without assistance. Gripped by frequent seizures, he spent his life in obscurity. And yet, for Nouwen, he became his friend, teacher, and guide. It was Adam who led Nouwen to a new understanding of his faith and what it means to be Beloved of God.

The mystics show us the deepest recesses of the human spirit. Now, this remarkable series gives you the rare opportunity to take one of the world's leading experts on mysticism as your personal guide. Boston College's Fr. Harvey Egan draws on 50 years of teaching the Christian mystics. Brilliantly taught, his lectures are filled with faithful insights. Under his guidance, you will explore the mystical life by focusing upon 11 significant figures. You will begin with Ignatius of Loyola and his finding of God in all things.

For Merton, being contemplative meant living out the essential elements of the spiritual life. Having lived out the challenges and triumphs of a contemplative life, Merton had a plethora of practical advice to offer. If the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is truly at work daily, then what does it look like? How can we identify its authentic presence? If it's important to spend time in silence with God, how do we go about entering into it fruitfully?

Have you considered psychotherapy, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Even if you’ve already decided to give it a try, it can be hard to choose among the many types of therapeutic approaches. Luckily, celebrated professor and psychology expert Rebecca Shiner can help. In this insightful audio series, Professor Shiner provides an in-depth look at some of the most effective therapies available today.

Karl Rahner is known as the father of the Catholic Church in the 20th century. Join Rahner’s celebrated student, acclaimed theologian, author, and Boston College professor, Fr. Harvey Egan, SJ, in this exploration of Rahner’s wisdom. A Jesuit priest, Rahner was also a philosopher, theologian, commentator on church documents, devotional writer, preacher, and retreat director. His 4,000 written works reveal a powerful vision, and the questions he raised continue to inspire theology today.

What would you like to know about the Qur'an and its relationship to the Bible? Written in beautifully poetic and rhythmic language, the Qur'an comprises 114 suras ("chapters"). In this superb course, you will receive a general introduction to the Qur'an, paying particular attention to its relationship with the Bible. Prof. Gabriel Reynolds, a scholar of Islamic studies at Notre Dame, guides you through the beautiful language, fascinating history, and varied interpretations of the Qur'an.

The Gospels calls all Christians to work for justice, even in times of conflict. Under the guidance of celebrated moral theologian Fr. Tom Massaro, you will come to understand the dialogue between religion and society. As you do so, you will gain a deep understanding of the history and application of Catholic social teaching.

Explore the fascinating history, theology, and practices that 250 million Orthodox Christians claim as their own, and discover the differences and similarities between Orthodoxy and Catholicism with this incredible series. The Orthodox Church is the second largest Christian community in the world after the Roman Catholic Church. In this exceptionally well-taught audio course, you will explore the rich history, theology, liturgy, and traditions of Orthodoxy.

Beginning in the third century AD, pious men and women journeyed into the Egyptian desert, where they sought to be "alone with God alone." Known as the Desert Fathers and Mothers, they pursued lives of solitude and prayer in order to make offerings of themselves to God. They acquired great insight into the spiritual life, which has been passed down to us in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Now, you can discover the fascinating lives and works of such awe-inspiring figures as St. Antony the Great and St. Mary of Egypt.

In this fascinating series, the saints you’ll meet include a woman who didn't discover her true vocation until she was past sixty, a man who lived for years with a concubine and fathered an illegitimate son, a religious teacher and reformer who was repeatedly charged with heresy, three women who were wives and mothers before they became Sisters, and many more. The words of these great men and women may move you, but their actions will absolutely take your breath away.

This 15-lecture audio course will increase your excitement and wonder about the mysterious organ responsible for so many of the invisible but important things (like love, personality, and emotion) that make us who we are. The field of neuroscience is booming, heralding bold new discoveries and fresh insights into human nature, our behaviors, the mind - body connection, and even artificial intelligence. Now, How Your Brain Works: A User’s Guide to Neuropsychology gives you exactly the sort of orientation you need to contextualize these discoveries and understand your brain.

The Desert Fathers - Christian monks in the ancient Egyptian and Palestinian wilderness - strove to understand the causes and remedies of human sin and were the first to categorize temptations under the headings of the "deadly sins". This course will draw on their wisdom to gain a better understanding of how each deadly sin conflicts with God's plan of creation, redemption, and sanctification.

Born in the fourth century, Saint John Cassian (AD 360 - 435) lived when tensions between the traditional and innovative peaked. A monk and theologian, Cassian made the Christian tradition relevant for the needs of his day in his spiritual works. Indeed, his spirituality remains essential today; he influenced Saints Benedict and Ignatius of Loyola, and his works continue to be read worldwide.

Perhaps the world’s leading expert on forgiveness research, Everett Worthington distills decades of wisdom into 15 life-changing lectures. The author or editor of more than 38 books on marriage, family, and forgiveness, Prof. Worthington received the Humanitarian Award from the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling. Now you can learn to practice his groundbreaking REACH Forgiveness model through these 15 engaging lectures.

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? How do we slake our thirst for justice in an unjust world? What do forgiveness and compassion look like in practice? Pursue these questions and more with Capuchin Michael Crosby as he unlocks the meaning of the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. Fr. Crosby has been teaching Catholics for 30 years, and his book The Beatitudes is cherished by the faithful worldwide.

The rarely heard sermons and reflective talks in this set attest to the depths of Thomas Merton’s brilliance. You’ll witness the evolution of Merton’s thought as he moved away from a narrow, cloistered mindset to an ecumenical and socially engaged outlook. This curated collection spans five years of his life and comprises four talks that showcase the themes close to Merton’s heart: the authentic Christian life, contemporary society, contemplation, Marxism, and the relationship of literature to religion.

Nearly eight years in the making, Mary: Mirror of God Who Sees, Hears, Cares, and Comes is neither “pious chatter” nor “frilly theology.” It is born, rather, of Fr. Crosby’s serious questions about Mary’s rightful place in Christian faith, his constant grappling with the “So what?” of effective preaching, and his insights into the importance that God desires Mary to have in our lives.

The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles are two parts of a single triumphant work. Each an epic work in its own right, together they proclaim the gospel message and narrate the gripping story of the Church’s early days. Using the metaphor of a double helix, Fr. William Burton asks you to imagine Luke’s gospel and Acts as a single account with many parallels or rungs connecting the two sides of the twisted ladder.

Do you ever wish you better understood why people do what they do? What governs our thoughts and actions? How can we influence others? This course introduces you to the science of human social psychology and offers surprising answers to these questions. Our social situations can lead us to act in unexpected ways. Depending on the context, we can soar with dramatic joy or get lost in frustration and aggression. Sometimes we demonstrate deep compassion toward others, sometimes prejudice.

Join Fr. Richard Clifford, celebrated Harvard-educated scripture scholar, on a journey through the 46 books of the Old Testament. The Old Testament contains a wealth of wisdom, spiritual insights, and timeless stories. In this expansive course, you will explore the Garden of Eden, the reigns of King David and King Solomon, beautiful poetry, the wisdom of the prophets, and much more. Your guide, Professor Richard Clifford, SJ, a world-renowned and widely published scriptural scholar.