The Commentaries

Latest Episodes:

6. The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena: Traveling by Christ, the Bridge Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

Delve into the Treatise of Discretion with insights from Saint Catherine of Siena, contrasting the challenging paths of Christ the Bridge and the tempestuous river. Explore the transformative journey of purification, love, and union with God, and discover the enduring presence of the Church as the living bridge. Discover the beauty of the soul in grace and the tragic consequences of turning away from Divine love.

Episode six covers Treatise 2, Subsections 12-15.

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The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/42oGlwW
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/44C8ymi

The Commentaries is a podcast series from TAN in which you’ll learn how to read and understand history’s greatest Catholic works, from today’s greatest Catholic scholars. In every series of The Commentaries, your expert host will be your personal guide to not just read the book, but to live the book, shining the light of its eternal truths into the darkness of our modern trials and tribulations.

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

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5. The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena: Christ, the Bridge Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Explore Saint Catherine's explanation of Christ as The Bridge, focusing on the initial sections discussing the broken road to heaven and the construction of the bridge with stones symbolizing virtues. Through prayer and insightful reflections, Sister Mary Madeline Todd helps to uncover the transformative journey of the soul along the three steps of the bridge, aligned with purification, enlightenment, and unity.

Episode five covers Treatise 2, Subsections 7-11.

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Saint Catherine of Siena by Mary Fabyan Windeatt: https://bit.ly/47vYc8t
The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/42oGlwW
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/44C8ymi

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

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4. The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena: Humility, Penance, and Prayer Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores Saint Catherine's Treatise on Discretion, focusing on humility, penance, and prayer. The episode delves into the Father's guidance on avoiding extremes in spiritual practices, emphasizing the importance of virtue and discretion over mere penance. Through profound reflections and a parable about the interconnected virtues, gain insights into the roots of the soul, the role of humility, and the blossoming of virtues.

Episode four covers Treatise 2, Subsections 1-6.

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Saint Catherine of Siena by Mary Fabyan Windeatt: https://bit.ly/47vYc8t
The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/42oGlwW
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/44C8ymi

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

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3. The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena: Growth in Virtue Dec 03, 2023

Show notes

Sister Mary Madeline Todd delves into St. Catherine of Siena's dialogue with God the Father on Divine Providence. The focus is on growing in virtue, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the love of God and love of neighbor. The episode explores how virtues are tested and strengthened through interactions with others, touching on the transformative power of true charity. Sister Mary Madeline also stresses how humility plays an especially crucial role in deepening one's connection with God and fostering unity within the community.

Episode three covers Treatise 1, Subsections 6-8 of The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena.

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Saint Catherine of Siena by Mary Fabyan Windeatt: https://bit.ly/47vYc8t
The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/42oGlwW
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/44C8ymi

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

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2. The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena: Desire for God's Glory and the Salvation of Souls Dec 02, 2023

Show notes

Sister Mary Madeline Todd explores the profound intersection of virtue, humility, and prayer. Saint Catherine, motivated by a deep desire for God's glory and the salvation of souls, emphasizes the importance of exercising oneself in humble prayer. Delve into Catherine's teachings on self-knowledge, virtue as a divine gift, and the transformative power of Christ's love, offering a compelling journey into the heart of Catholic spirituality.

Episode two covers Treatise 1, Subsections 1-5 of The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena.

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Saint Catherine of Siena by Mary Fabyan Windeatt: https://bit.ly/47vYc8t
The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/42oGlwW
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/44C8ymi

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

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1. The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena: St. Catherine and the Four Treatises Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to The Commentaries season on The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena! Your host Sister Mary Madeline Todd, OP, starts the journey by explaining why she feels St. Catherine chose her to lead you deeper and closer to Christ.

The Dialogue flows from a conversation in prayer that Catherine had with God the Father.

It covers four major topics:

1. Divine Providence

2. Discretion

3. Prayer

4. Obedience

Sister Mary Madeline delves deeper into the preface and introduction of the book and explains why a reader must understand the mindset of the Middle Ages to understand St. Catherine’s inspiring work.

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The Life of Saint Catherine of Siena: https://bit.ly/3sIWZM6
Saint Catherine of Siena by Mary Fabyan Windeatt: https://bit.ly/47vYc8t
The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/42oGlwW
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/44C8ymi

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

And for more great ways to deepen your faith, check out all the spiritual resources available at https://TANBooks.com and use Coupon Code COM25 for 25% off your next order.

20. The Interior Castle: The Stages of Contemplation Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

Fr. Reid reviews St. Teresa's stages of contemplation:

Passive Recollection
Prayer of Quiet
Prayer of Union
Spiritual Betrothal
Spiritual Marriage

It’s Teresa’s belief that God gives this favor of contemplation to those who have renounced the world, at least in their desires, and whom He desires to call to advance further to a higher life.

Episode 20 is a review of the book and the previous 19 podcast episodes.

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The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Ávila: https://bit.ly/43sanBo
St. Teresa of Ávila: Reformer of Carmel: https://bit.ly/3qpKVOa

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

And for more great ways to deepen your faith, check out all the spiritual resources available at https://TANBooks.com and use Coupon Code COM25 for 25% off your next order.

19. The Interior Castle: Prayer and The Way of Perfection Jun 25, 2023

Show notes

Fr. Reid examines St. Teresa's various forms of prayer and reminds us of a very important principle in the spiritual life: our growth in virtue and our faithfulness to prayer are corollaries. The more we pray, the more we grow in virtue. The more we grow in virtue, the more we will want to pray. Of course, the opposite is true as well. The less we pray, the less we will grow in virtue. And the more we grow in vice, the less we will want to pray.

Episode 19 focuses on the epilogue.

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The Interior Castle (Paperback Edition): https://bit.ly/3CbAAbe
The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Ávila: https://bit.ly/43sanBo
St. Teresa of Ávila: Reformer of Carmel: https://bit.ly/3qpKVOa

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

And for more great ways to deepen your faith, check out all the spiritual resources available at https://TANBooks.com and use Coupon Code COM25 for 25% off your next order.

18. The Interior Castle: “Be Perfect As Your Heavenly Father Is Perfect” Jun 24, 2023

Show notes

St. Teresa is at pains to express how the soul spiritually married to our Lord now lives a new life, a life of complete union with Christ. When our Lord says in His Sermon on the Mount to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” this is what He wants from us.

Episode 18 focuses on The 7th Mansions, Chapters 3 & 4.

LEARN MORE - USE COUPON CODE COM25 FOR 25% OFF:

The Interior Castle (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/42oGlwW
TAN Classics Deluxe Set: https://bit.ly/3MTGBOz
The Interior Castle (Paperback Edition): https://bit.ly/3CbAAbe
The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Ávila: https://bit.ly/43sanBo
St. Teresa of Ávila: Reformer of Carmel: https://bit.ly/3qpKVOa

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

And for more great ways to deepen your faith, check out all the spiritual resources available at https://TANBooks.com and use Coupon Code COM25 for 25% off your next order.

17. The Interior Castle: The Very Center of The Soul Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

St. Teresa discusses our Lord’s presence in the very center of our souls, mortal sin, Trinitarian theology, and the distinction between spiritual betrothal and spiritual marriage. At this stage, Teresa says the soul “is far more active than before in all that concerns God’s service” and is even more attentive to avoid offending God in any way.

Episode 17 focuses on The 7th Mansions, Chapters 1 & 2.

LEARN MORE - USE COUPON CODE COM25 FOR 25% OFF:

The Interior Castle (Deluxe Edition): https://bit.ly/42oGlwW
TAN Classics Deluxe Set: https://bit.ly/3MTGBOz
The Interior Castle (Paperback Edition): https://bit.ly/3CbAAbe
The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Ávila: https://bit.ly/43sanBo
St. Teresa of Ávila: Reformer of Carmel: https://bit.ly/3qpKVOa

To download your FREE Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANcommentaries.com

And for more great ways to deepen your faith, check out all the spiritual resources available at https://TANBooks.com and use Coupon Code COM25 for 25% off your next order.

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