39 episodes

In a tradition that dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, many newly initiated Christians were prepared for lives of faith through a formation with spiritual, liturgical, and communitarian dimensions. This period of formation was called mystagogy, a word which, in Greek, means "leading through the mysteries." Our program of mystagogy will have four primary goals: 1) To break open Magisterial teaching on the lay state (selections from Vatican II as well as letters/encyclicals from recent popes) as well as classic spiritual texts to build a thoughtful, practical devotional life; 2) To introduce the various spiritual charisms in the Church (i.e. Dominican, Carmelite, Franciscan, Salesian, etc.) so that they may develop a personal program of spirituality rooted in the uniquely Catholic legacy; 3) To deepen the prayer life through study, communal prayer, the practice of meditation, Mass, and the Liturgy of the Hours; and 4) To establish a fully Catholic life and mission, including a formation in the art of the Church, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and the commitment to a specific personal work of service.

Mystagogy Barbara Nicolosi Harrington

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 5.0 • 8 Ratings

In a tradition that dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, many newly initiated Christians were prepared for lives of faith through a formation with spiritual, liturgical, and communitarian dimensions. This period of formation was called mystagogy, a word which, in Greek, means "leading through the mysteries." Our program of mystagogy will have four primary goals: 1) To break open Magisterial teaching on the lay state (selections from Vatican II as well as letters/encyclicals from recent popes) as well as classic spiritual texts to build a thoughtful, practical devotional life; 2) To introduce the various spiritual charisms in the Church (i.e. Dominican, Carmelite, Franciscan, Salesian, etc.) so that they may develop a personal program of spirituality rooted in the uniquely Catholic legacy; 3) To deepen the prayer life through study, communal prayer, the practice of meditation, Mass, and the Liturgy of the Hours; and 4) To establish a fully Catholic life and mission, including a formation in the art of the Church, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and the commitment to a specific personal work of service.

    Of Human Life and the Theology of the Body: An Island of Sanity in the Post-Sexual Revolution Chaos

    Of Human Life and the Theology of the Body: An Island of Sanity in the Post-Sexual Revolution Chaos

    We begin the summer with the brief but seminal encyclical by Pope St. Paul VI, Of Human Life (Humanae Vitae).  Promulgated in July 1968, the work has proven to be prophetic in so many realms as to modernity’s assault on the family and the true nature of sexuality.  We will discuss why the work shook the Church and the world  and explore the amazing “why” behind the most ignored and vilified, yet central Catholic Church teaching for our time. We will also consider keynotes of Pope St. John Paul II’s follow-up to Humanae Vitae in his lifelong reflection called “The Theology of the Body.”
    WeSr. Helena Raphael Burns, fsp is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of Roman Catholic Sisters founded to communicate God’s Word through the media. She has an  M.A. in Media Literacy Education; a B.A. in theology and philosophy from St. John’s University, NYC; studied screenwriting at UCLA and Act One-Hollywood; and holds a Certificate in Pastoral Youth Ministry. Sr. Helena wrote and directed a documentary on the life of the Church’s new media saint, Blessed Father James Alberione: MediaApostle.com and is a co-producer on The40Film.com.  She has written a Theology of the Body curriculum used in her online TOB Certificate Course through Sacred Heart College, Peterborough, ON, Canada. Sr. Helena gives Media Literacy & Theology of the Body workshops and courses to youth & adults all over Canada and the U.S.

    This program of mystagogy is hosted by the Adult Faith Programs at Saint Stephen Martyr Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.

    The music in the introduction and close of this podcast is provided by George Sarah.
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    • 58 min
    The Apostolate of the Laity

    The Apostolate of the Laity

    We continue our survey of key magisterial teachings for the modern era by breaking open The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (“Apostolicam Actuositatem“) of Vatican II.  Born in the heart and writing of Pope Pius XI, the Council Fathers issued a formal  call to holiness for all lay men and women, and proposed a new authority for the laity in all things related to the temporal sphere.  We will consider a little history of the development of the decree, and then discuss its main points.

    This program of mystagogy is hosted by the Adult Faith Programs at Saint Stephen Martyr Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.

    The music in the introduction and close of this podcast is provided by George Sarah.
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    • 1 hr 8 min
    Pope St. Pius X on Modernism

    Pope St. Pius X on Modernism

    We continue our survey of key papal teachings of the 20th century by considering Pope St. Pius 10th brilliant encyclical On the Doctrine of the Modernists. 

    Our guest presenter for the evening is Dr. Cynthia Nicolosi.  Dr. Nicolosi has a Masters in philosophy from Boston College and her doctorate in Philosophy from Santa Croce University in Rome.  Her doctoral studies focused on the work of St. Thomas Aquinas.  Dr. Nicolosi also has a Masters in theology from Santa Croce, and a Masters in Cognitive Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.  She currently teachers Honors courses and music history at Regent University.

    This program of mystagogy is hosted by the Adult Faith Programs at Saint Stephen Martyr Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.

    The music in the introduction and close of this podcast is provided by George Sarah.
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    • 1 hr 2 min
    The Means of Universal Salvation: Vatican II on the Church

    The Means of Universal Salvation: Vatican II on the Church

    In this episode, Barbara considers one of the two dogmatic documents issued by Vatican II.  A statement of profound mercy, Lumen Gentium (“The Light to the Nations”) considers the question of universal holiness and salvation. Questions addressed in this key text include:  “What is necessary for salvation?”  “Who can be saved?” and “What does holiness look like for the different members of the Church?” 


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    • 1 hr 3 min
    Finding Your Family Mission: St. John Paul II on the Domestic Church

    Finding Your Family Mission: St. John Paul II on the Domestic Church

    In this session, we consider the extraordinary role that the Christian family plays in the sanctification of the world. 

    Written in 1981, The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World was the second Apostolic Exhortation written by this great pope, and it continues to have much to say about the nature and vocation of those united in family life. 
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    • 1 hr 7 min
    St. John Paul II on the Splendor of Truth

    St. John Paul II on the Splendor of Truth

    The survey of key papal teachings in the modern era continues with an overview of “The Splendor of Truth” (Veritatis Splendor) by St. John Paul II.  Dr. Cynthia Nicolosi provides insight into this document on the moral life, which takes up the themes of man’s ability to discern good from evil, the nature of evil, the role of human freedom and conscience, and the authority of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church in guiding persons who are seeking truth in these areas.  
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    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

nealband ,

Well-formed: Start here.

Thank you for this clear, concise, what-to-do, where to go, presentation of the Catholic faith post-Easter vigil. I’m a cradle Catholic but after 8th grade confirmation, I had no road map for deeper formation. I atrophied. My inclination to go it alone was spotty and my choices were without direction. Thank you for this podcast.

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