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This powerful film, unforgettable audiobook, and inspiring novel are among our all-time favorites. That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;ve decided to give them to you completely free!&nbsp;Please sign in or create your free account to access this content. You can enjoy this content for free through July 31, 2025.

Free Catholic Classics: June & July

This first full-length feature movie on Augustine uses a historic backdrop to tell the true story of one of the Church&rsquo;s most beloved and well-known Saints. Its message of sin, conversion, and redemption is as timely today as it was in the 5th century. It is the story of a gifted man who pursues fame and fortune without a moral compass&mdash;and the dramatic changes that occur in his soul when challenging events lead him to see the light of truth. It also chronicles the collapse of the Roman world and how Augustine laid the intellectual foundations of what became Europe. With Augustine, the stories of two other great saints&mdash;Monica and Ambrose&mdash;are also portrayed.

Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine

<DIV>Very few people know that Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) wrote a major work on Joan of Arc. Still fewer know that he considered it not only his most important but also his best work. He spent twelve years in research and many months in France doing archival work and then made several attempts until he felt he finally had the story he wanted to tell. He reached his conclusion about Joan's unique place in history only after studying in detail accounts written by both sides, the French and the English. Because of Mark Twain's antipathy to institutional religion, one might expect an anti-Catholic bias toward Joan or at least toward the bishops and theologians who condemned her. Instead one finds a remarkably accurate biography of the life and mission of Joan of Arc told by one of this country's greatest storytellers. The very fact that Mark Twain wrote this book and wrote it the way he did is a powerful testimony to the attractive power of the Catholic Church's saints. This is a book that really will inform and inspire. " I like Joan of Arc best of all my books; and it is the best; I know it perfectly well. And besides, it furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing. The others needed no preparation and got none." - Mark Twain "Mark Twain comes furtively like Nicodemus at night with this tribute to one of God's saints. In doing so he tells a secret about himself. It is as though the man in a white suit and a cloud of cigar smoke thought there just might be a place where people in white robes stand in clouds of incense." - Fr. George Rutler, Author, The Cure d'Ars Today "Twain's understanding of history and Joan's place in it accounts for his regarding his book Joan of Arc as worth all of his other books together." - Edward Wagenknecht, The Man and His Work"Joan of Arc is the lone example that history affords of an actual, real embodiment of all the virtues demonstrated by Huck and Jim and of all that Twain felt to be noble in man, Joan is the ideal toward which mankind strives. Twain had to tell her story because she is the sole concrete argument against the pessimistic doctrines of his deterministic philosophy." - Robert Wiggins, Mark Twain: Jackleg NovelistRead more about Mark Twain's favorite novel, Joan of Arc, by . </DIV>

Joan of Arc

Opening credits

Introductory Message

Part I꞉ Chapter I꞉ How the Great Wind Came to Beacon House

Part I꞉ Chapter II꞉ The Luggage of an Optimist

Part I꞉ Chapter III꞉ The Banner of Beacon

Part I꞉ Chapter IV꞉ The Garden of God

Part I꞉ Chapter V꞉ The Allegorical Practical Joker

Part II꞉ Chapter I꞉ The Eye of Death; or, The Murder Charge

Part II꞉ Chapter II꞉ The Two Curates; or, The Burglary Charge

Part II꞉ Chapter III꞉ The Round Road; or, The Desertion Charge

Part II꞉ Chapter IV꞉ The Wild Weddings; or, The Polygamy Charge

Part II꞉ Chapter V꞉ How the Great Wind Went from Beacon House

Closing credits

<DIV>This classic novel by Chesterton tells the rollicking tale of Innocent Smith, a man who may be crazy&#151;or he may be the most sane man of all. Arriving at a London boarding house accompanied by a windstorm, Innocent is soon accused of attempted murder, burglary, polygamy, and desertion of his wife. As the residents of Beacon House try to piece together what this madman is up to, a detective is called upon to unravel the accusations against Smith. Actor Kevin O&#x2019;Brien of the Theater of the Word gives a dramatic reading of the text. </DIV>

Manalive: A Novel by G.K. Chesterton

<DIV>The liturgy of the Catholic Church is the action by which Jesus Christ unites the members of the Church in glorifying God. It makes people holy through words, music, action and signs. The Eucharist is intended to be the most powerful means of union with our God, with the saints in heaven and with each other, and is to be a foretaste of the praise of God given in joy by the saints in heaven. As we move through the whole of the year, the Church is united with the mysteries of Christ's earthly life so as to come closer to her Lord and Saviour. Monsignor Peter Elliott provides scholarship and many years' experience and love of the liturgy. His previous work Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite has helped many people to celebrate our liturgy with attention and devotion. This present work is a guide to the most important moments of the Church year from Advent and Christmas to Holy Week, Corpus Christi and to the Solemnity of Christ the King. His book has been a long-awaited guide to those who wish to celebrate the events of the Church year with dignity, devotion, and deep faith. "Monsignor Elliot is one of the most insightful and reliable liturgists writing today. The rubrics of the Roman Rite are not self-explaining, but with Elliot's work safely in reach, a generation of liturgists raised without a rich training in tradition can confidently approach the Ritual and be more respectful of the faithful's fundamental right to sound worship." -Dr. Edward Peters Institute for Pastoral Theology, Ave Maria University </DIV>

Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year: According to the Modern Roman Rite

Want to get more out of reading books? Join Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro every Wednesday as they take an important book off the shelf and steadily unpack the most important passages over the coming weeks. Not only can you enjoy their delightful and engaging banter, but their discussion will help you get more out of the text as you follow along.

Off the Shelf

#Metoo. Sexting pressure. The hook-up culture. Teenage depression. How did the culture become so toxic for women? And how did one man foresee this all so clearly 50 years ago? From the producer of the acclaimed documentary, Convinced, this powerful film reveals the devastating effects of the sexual revolution and the counter-cultural movement today that is rising from its ashes.
Some images were used in the creation of this video to reflect the serious nature of the content discussed in the video. Though these images are muted, it is advised that parents preview this content before deciding to view it with a younger audience.

Unprotected: A Pope, the Pill, and the Perils of Sexual Chaos

Michael O'Brien's Novels Are Becoming MOVIES
Join us and Donate at: https://officialthelighthouse.com/support/
 
The Lighthouse is one of Michael O'Brien’s most well-known novels and it is now in development for becoming a movie. Join us today for an extra special podcast as Ben Eriksen talks with Charlie Goodwin (executive producer) and Eric Groth (producer) about this upcoming film. They discuss their vision of this movie and how they plan to be both good stewards of Michael's novels and of donor’s money by producing a quality film that reaches far into the secular culture.
 
The Lighthouse Movie Website: https://officialthelighthouse.com/
 
You Can Get Your Copy of "The Lighthouse" here: <a href='https://ignatius.com/the-lighthouse-lthh/?_gl=1*13r6g2i*_gcl_au*MjQ2MjkwMjQ4LjE3NTAzNjM4OTA.*_ga*MTU3MzE1MDQxOC4xNzUwMzYzODkw*_ga_RYK15GBDJ9*czE3NTAzOTYwNDEkbzMkZzEkdDE3NTAzOTYwNDckajU0JGwwJGgw'>https://ignatius.com/the-lighthouse-lthh/?_gl=1*13r6g2i*_gcl_au*MjQ2MjkwMjQ4LjE3NTAzNjM4OTA.*_ga*MTU3MzE1MDQxOC4xNzUwMzYzODkw*_ga_RYK15GBDJ9*czE3NTAzOTYwNDEkbzMkZzEkdDE3NTAzOTYwNDckajU0JGwwJGgw</a>
 
Hear Michael O'Brien in his own words here: <a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpT6P15kwrU&amp;t=45s'>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpT6P15kwrU&amp;t=45s</a>
 
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Michael O'Brien's Novels Are Finally Becoming Movies

<DIV>On August 9, 1945, an American B-29 dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing tens of thousands of people in the blink of an eye, while fatally injuring and poisoning thousands more. Among the survivors was Takashi Nagai, a pioneer in radiology research and a convert to the Catholic Faith. Living in the rubble of the ruined city and suffering from leukemia caused by over-exposure to radiation, Nagai lived out the remainder of his remarkable life by bringing physical and spiritual healing to his war-weary people. A Song for Nagasaki tells the moving story of this extraordinary man, beginning with his boyhood and the heroic tales and stoic virtues of his family's Shinto religion. It reveals the inspiring story of Nagai's remarkable spiritual journey from Shintoism to atheism to Catholicism. Mixed with interesting details about Japanese history and culture, the biography traces Nagai's spiritual quest as he studied medicine at Nagasaki University, served as a medic with the Japanese army during its occupation of Manchuria, and returned to Nagasaki to dedicate himself to the science of radiology. The historic Catholic district of the city, where Nagai became a Catholic and began a family, was ground zero for the atomic bomb.After the bomb disaster that killed thousands, including Nagai's beloved wife, Nagai, then Dean of Radiology at Nagasaki University, threw himself into service to the countless victims of the bomb explosion, even though it meant deadly exposure to the radiation which eventually would cause his own death. While dying, he also wrote powerful books that became best-sellers in Japan. These included The Bells of Nagasaki, which resonated deeply with the Japanese people in their great suffering as it explores the Christian message of love and forgiveness. Nagai became a highly revered man and is considered a saint by many Japanese people.</DIV>

A Song for Nagasaki: The Story of Takashi Nagai a Scientist, Convert, and Survivor of the Atomic Bomb

The Ignatius Press Study Bible was twenty-five years in the making, and now that you have a copy. But how are you supposed to use it? Today, Curtis Mitch, co-editor of the Ignatius Press study Bible, joins Andrew Petiprin to break down the practical ways that people can use this Bible in daily life. Curtis highlights some of the unique features of this study Bible that will help readers understand not just a given passage of the Bible, but the overall divine narrative present throughout Sacred Scripture. Curtis also provides several practical tips and starting points for those who may feel overwhelmed when opening this study Bible for the first time. Finally, he explains how the resources in this Bible can be used in a group study and throughout the Liturgical Year so Catholics everywhere can gain a greater understanding of God Himself—the author of Sacred Scripture.
If you are interested in getting more out of you new Ignatius Press Study Bible, this episode is for you!
 
Get Your Copy of the Ignatius Press Study Bible: <a href='https://ignatius.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-2h/?searchid=2264659&amp;search_query=study+bible'>https://ignatius.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-2h/?searchid=2264659&amp;search_query=study+bible</a>
 
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
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Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. <a href='https://www.classicals.de/legal'>https://www.classicals.de/legal</a>

Curtis Mitch: How to Use the Ignatius Press Study Bible

Introduction

Chapter 1꞉ "The Very Worst Scandal of Our Times"

Chapter 2꞉ "Monstrous Doctrines and Prodigious Errors"

Chapter 3꞉ Media Matters

Chapter 4꞉ All in the Family?

Chapter 5꞉ A Case for Openness

Chapter 6꞉ The Church with Nothing to Hide

<DIV>Shaw, widely known Catholic writer, speaker and former communications director for the U S Bishops, discusses the abuse of secrecy in the Church, the scandals it has caused and the serious problem of mistrust that exists in the credibility of the Church. Not concerned with the legitimate secrecy that is necessary to protect confidentiality and people&#x2019;s reputations, Shaw is rather concerned here with the stifling, deadening misuse of secrecy that has done immense harm to communion and community in the Church in America. Shaw shows the secrecy issue is a theological as well as practical problem that raises such questions as: What kind of Church do we want our Church to be, open or closed? What kind of Church should it be? And how much secrecy is compatible with having such a Church? As Pope Benedict XVI has stated, &#x201C;The consequence is clear: we cannot communicate with the Lord if we do not communicate with one another.&#x201D; The Church is a communion, not a political democracy, and thus openness and accountability are even more crucial for the life of the Church than they are in a democracy. In a talk he gave many years before he became the current Pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had this to say about the reality of ecclesial communion: &#x201C;Fellowship in the Body of Christ and receiving the Body of Christ means fellowship with one another. This of its very nature includes mutual acceptance, giving and receiving on both sides, and readiness to share one&#x2019;s goods . . . In this sense, the social question is given quite a central place in the theological heart of the concept of communion.&#x201D; This is a beautiful vision of the Church. Shaw&#x2019;s aim in his book is to make a contribution to realizing this vision in the concrete circumstances of the present day, by helping to end the culture of secrecy, especially within American Catholicism, and replacing the destructive culture with an open, accountable community of faith. &#34;Throughout his career, Russell Shaw has served admirably Mother Church through his balanced, reasonable, informed, accessible, and forthright writings. Understanding that there are legitimate applications for the use of secrecy in both everyday religious life and secular society, he now addresses the unfortunate and long standing consequences of unnecessary secrecy and the lack of open and effective communication within the Catholic Church. Inhibiting the promotion of truth, knowledge, and accountability and increasing the chances of corruption, the author notes how unnecessary secrecy in the Church also weakens community/&#34;communio;&#34; maintains a second class status for the laity, furthers its &#34;clericalization&#34; and lessens its influence in worldly affairs; creates suspicion both internally and in the outside world; and impedes the speedy and effective just resolution of any number of crises affecting the religious institution today, most conspicuously, the recent sexual scandal. Let's hope the Bishops and other Church insiders recognize this important message of reform on the part of someone so committed to the Catholic faith. - Joseph A. Varacalli, author, The Catholic Experience in AmericaRussell Shaw has long been a unique -- and uniquely valuable -- voice in American Catholicism. He was for many years the US Bishops' official spokesman, and he has the perspective and insights of an &#34;insider&#34;. But Shaw is not an apologist for the hierarchy. He is at once a devout and loyal (and orthodox) member of the faithful, and a sharp critic of the cult of secrecy which so many bishops have cultivated. In this sobering but much-needed book, Shaw shows how some shepherds abused secrecy, and in doing so compounded the sex misconduct crisis with a broader crisis of trust in clerical leadership. But this is not a book about sex-abuse. I</DIV>

Nothing to Hide: Secrecy, Communication and Communion in the Catholic Church

Saint John of the Cross is the Church&#39;s premier teacher on contemplative prayer. Catholic tradition even calls him the Mystical Doctor. The sixteenth-century Carmelite priest not only wrote four massive treatises on the spiritual life, along with some of the finest poetry in the Spanish language, but also worked alongside Teresa of &Aacute;vila in renewing the Carmelite order. Th&eacute;r&egrave;se of Lisieux claimed she found no other spiritual reading that could satisfy her soul like John of the Cross.Yet the volume and intensity of Saint John&#39;s work can make his teachings seem daunting, even to trained theologians. This book by Father Donald Haggerty, author of The Contemplative Hunger and Contemplative Enigmas, offers readers a unique step-by-step introduction to the way of contemplation as Saint John understood it and taught it&mdash;a burning, transformative intimacy with the God who made us. Furnished abundantly with quotations from across the Mystical Doctor&#39;s writings, this guidebook confronts the mysteries, difficulties, and joys of prayer, showing how silent contemplation prepares our hearts for an unspeakable love.For all his theological richness, Saint John gave practical, realistic advice on navigating the world of contemplation, and Father Haggerty&mdash;a spiritual director for decades&mdash;applies these principles to our lives today. Whether you are new to prayer or have been praying since childhood, you will find an illuminating and surprising companion in Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation.