Soul of the Apostolate | Ep. 1 - Active Works & the Interior Life

Soul of the Apostolate | Ep. 1 - Active Works & the Interior Life

Author: CatholicCulture.org July 4, 2025 Duration: 1:26:01

"If God calls me to apply my activity not only to my own sanctification, but also to good works, I must establish this firm conviction, before everything else, in my mind: Jesus has got to be, and wishes to be, the life of these works. My efforts, by themselves, are nothing, absolutely nothing."

Part One of this classic work by the French Trappist monk, Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard (1858-1935), examines the relationship between exterior works and the interior life of the apostle, demonstrating how the fruitfulness of the former depends entirely upon the vitality of the latter.

Episode 1: Part One

00:00 - Intro

00:38 - Prologue

05:50 - 1. God wants good works, and therefore zealous action

13:00 - 2. God wills that the life-principle of our works be Christ

20:59 - 3. What is the interior life?

42:58 - 4. Ignorance and neglect of this interior life

49:55 - 5. Is the interior life lazy?

01:04:06 - 6. Is the interior life selfish?

01:16:54 - 7. No conflict between the interior life and the salvation of souls

This work will be released in its entirety in episodic format.

The Soul of the Apostolate full text: https://www.cmri.org/0-olmc-mission/catholic-books/soul_of_the_apostolate.pdf

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Theme music: "2 Part Invention", composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.


Imagine having a great library of foundational Catholic texts, not just on your shelf but given a clear and engaging voice. That’s the experience offered by Catholic Culture Audiobooks. Voice actor James T. Majewski lends his talent to a rich collection of over one hundred recordings, transforming written classics into immersive listening. The selections have a particular emphasis on the profound works of St. John Henry Newman and the early Fathers of the Church, connecting modern ears to timeless wisdom. Within this podcast, you’ll encounter a varied tapestry of material-from papal encyclicals and personal letters to poetry, sermons, and complete book-length works. This includes significant titles like St. Augustine’s "De Doctrina Christiana" and St. Athanasius’s "Life of St. Anthony," all presented with thoughtful narration. It’s a resource for deepening understanding, enriching personal spirituality, or simply enjoying some of history’s most important Christian writings in a fresh, accessible format. Each episode is a direct production of CatholicCulture.org, created to make these essential works part of your daily routine, whether during a commute, a walk, or quiet reflection. The entire catalog serves as an auditory companion for education and spiritual growth, bringing the depth of Catholic tradition to life through the spoken word.
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