Overview

Down through the ages, people have responded in various ways to the call of Jesus to follow him. Some of those responses have attracted followers and sparked new and rich spiritual traditions. On this DVD, Albert Haase, OFM, scholar of Christian spirituality, highlights six of the most vital spiritual traditions in the history of the Church: the Benedictines, Cistercians, Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Jesuits. Each 30-minute presentation offers insights into the founder, the characteristics, and famous followers of that tradition. Ideal viewing for anyone wanting to know about these vital expressions of faith, these presentations share time-tested wisdom that will shape your own response to Jesus's invitation. Similar in appeal to James Martin's The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, they'll enrich your spiritual life and practice as you learn from the experiences of others. A simple discussion guide is included for small groups and adult faith formation programs. Albert Haase, OFM, is a former missionary to mainland China and the award-winning author of eight books including Catching Fire, Becoming Flame, which is also available as two six-segment DVDs. Preacher of parish missions, presenter of spirituality workshops, and spiritual director, he lives in Texas. Visit his website at www.AlbertOFM.org.

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9781612616544

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Reviews

Albert Haase, ofm, offers what is essentially an illustrated lecture on the history of Western Christian monasticism here in six easy lessons covering the Benedictines, Cistercians, Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Jesuits, backed with apt illustrations and useful graphics. Haase characterizes the approach of each order as a distinctive means of embracing Christ s scriptural call to sell all you have, give it to the poor, and come follow me, although all of the orders espouse elements of poverty, prayer, and service. While the series is constructed around the specified half-dozen, Haase situates the monastic movement within a larger Christian (and non-Christian) context, making brief remarks, for example, about the Egyptian desert fathers who were Eastern precursors to Benedict. One might quibble with some of Haase s generalizations and question his choice of individual members of orders whom he cites as representative. An argument could also be made that his treatment of the Franciscans is too gentle downplaying, for example, the strenuous debate over the corporate ownership of property that divided his own order in the 14th century. But overall this is a more than competent treatment of the monastic movement in the Western church (especially given the advent of Pope Francis, whose choice of name indicates his embrace of Saint Francis s ideals) that will invite Catholics to reflect on ways of applying Jesus s words. DVD extras include a discussion guide. Recommended. [Note: also newly available at the same price is Catching Fire, Becoming Flame with Haase.] F. Swietek, Video Librarian This totally unique DVD is enjoyable and enriching on so many levels. It explores 6 different responses over the centuries to the call of Christ to follow Him. Each response results in a rich Christian spiritual tradition which has not only survived the test of time but impacted in very positive ways human history, culture, science, philosophy. Fr Albert Haase explores the milieu in which each tradition arose and the personalities of the early Fathers and Mothers of Christianity responsible for initiating the movement. The viewer is entranced by the magnificent geography of the origins of these spiritualities and gets to see some of the original structures and monasteries where the traditions evolved. Fr. Haase carefully enumerates how these traditions- Benedictine, Cistercian, Carmelite. Dominican, Franciscan, Jesuits- differ from each other and how each illustrates a beautiful way to answer the call to follow Jesus. Incorporated in each section is a study of some of the greats from each tradition including St Thomas Aquinas, St. John of the Cross, St. Theresa of Avila. Thomas Merton, St Francis of Assisi among many others. This DVD series so excited the members of my bible study that several members are ordering their own personal copy. It is the type of study you will want to see again and again. As a Catholic it is particularly enjoyable as Pope Francis has declared this the year of appreciation of consecrated life [monks, nuns etc] but I think all Christian would love this DVD because it reviews their history as well- this is CHRISTIAN spirituality, not owned solely by Catholics. [Much of the origins of these traditions predate the Reformation.] In summary, I would say GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS DVD. It will enrich your walk with the Lord. Sherry P In the interest of full disclosure, Fr. Haase and I were classmatesat Catholic Theological Union.This DVD highlights six vitalspiritual traditions in the historyof the Church (Benedictines, Cistercians, Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Jesuits) and isintended to be viewed as a resourcefor the observance of the HolyFather s Year of Consecrated Life. Haase received a PhD in historicaltheology from Fordham University, so he is well suited to the task. TheDVD examines six saints who, inthe history of Christian spirituality, responded to the Lord s Gospel invitation to Come follow me. Each thirty-minute segment offersa fascinating and well-preparedpresentation beginning with anintroduction by Haase, followed by abrief overview offered by a memberof the order which is subsequentlydiscussed. Haase continues witha brief biographical overview ofthe founders/foundresses andan account of the historicaldevelopment of their communities. Next he enumerates characteristicsof the community s spiritualityand generally highlights certainmembers of the community andhow their lives and ministriesarose within that spiritual tradition.The segment on Benedictines isrepresentative of the approachtaken in which Haase lists thecharacteristics as: 1) awarenessof God s presence in the liturgy, the Work of God through Lectiodivina, and individual privateprayer; and 2) seeing Christ inothers, especially in the superiorand in the sick, guests, and thepoor. This involves a threefold lifeof service, hospitality, and humility. There is an accompanying six-pagediscussion guide which envisions aninety-minute format for viewing, reflecting, and discussing. Therationale for the choices of thesesix orders and their spiritualtraditions is unstated. The programcould just as easily have treatedthe Augustinian, Carthusian, orSalesian communities and theirrespective spiritual traditions.There is one factual error: inthe segment on Cistercians, thepainting of Corot, Monk Reading, has as its subject a Carthusian, nota Cistercian monk. While the costof the DVD may be a deterrentto some, the intended audience isadult parish faith formation groups.It could also be effectively used bydiocesan and religious communityvocation offices and in houses offormation. Jay Harrington, OP, Catholic Library World This video provides an overview of the Jesuits and how they have been formed in the tradition founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola as he sought to follow Jesus and live out his call. The focus on Ignatius life in the midst of the 16th century context of the Counter Reformation helps ground the impact of his life experiences on his faith journey. Wonderful images of the sites of his moving life experiences enliven this presentation. The life of St. Ignatius is presented, showing the growth and development of the Jesuit tradition as a natural result of his saying yes to discerning and following God s will he came to understand by listening and responding to the call of Jesus. It shows the development of the Jesuit educational system as well as the impact of his Spiritual Exercises. How do the Jesuits respond to the Call of Jesus? This video points to 7 key ways that are foundational to this tradition and explains these in an easily understandable progression. There is also a focus on 4 key influential Jesuits in the history of this Tradition: Matteo Ricci, Mary Ward (not a Jesuit, but one that founded an order of women who followed the tradition), Jean-Pierre de Caussade, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. These 4 mini-portraits show the richness and the impact of this tradition in our world over the past few centuries. Gregory D. Allen-Ignatian Formation Director, Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon Come Follow Me offers a brief overview of the historical and spiritual roots of six religious orders whose contributions to the life of the Catholic Church continue to be felt today: the Benedictines, Cistercians, Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Jesuits. At the beginning of each chapter is a brief interview of a member of the order being treated; this is followed by a presentation by Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, highlighting the historical roots of the founders of these orders, their challenges in obeying the unique call of Christ at their particular point in history, characteristic themes in the spirituality of the order, and examples of noteworthy persons and saints. From a technical perspective, the presentation of the orders is clean and consistent, and the images provided a helpful guide in orienting the mind of the viewer to the people and places under discussion. Questions for study groups accompany the DVD, and each section provides a good starting point for getting to know the various orders better. Fr. Thomas Esposito, Vocation Director, Cisctercian Abbey, Our Lady of Dallas

This video provides an overview of the Jesuits and how they have been formed in the tradition founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola as he sought to follow Jesus and live out his call. The focus on Ignatius' life in the midst of the 16th century context of the Counter Reformation helps ground the impact of his life experiences on his faith journey. Wonderful images of the sites of his moving life experiences enliven this presentation. The life of St. Ignatius is presented, showing the growth and development of the Jesuit tradition as a natural result of his saying yes to discerning and following God's will he came to understand by listening and responding to the call of Jesus. It shows the development of the Jesuit educational system as well as the impact of his Spiritual Exercises. How do the Jesuits respond to the Call of Jesus? This video points to 7 key ways that are foundational to this tradition and explains these in an easily understandable progression. There is also a focus on 4 key influential Jesuits in the history of this Tradition: Matteo Ricci, Mary Ward (not a Jesuit, but one that founded an order of women who followed the tradition), Jean-Pierre de Caussade, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. These 4 mini-portraits show the richness and the impact of this tradition in our world over the past few centuries. --Gregory D. Allen-Ignatian Formation Director, Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon

Author Information

Albert Haase, OFM, is a popular Franciscan preacher, teacher, spiritual director, and guest on talk radio shows. A former missionary to mainland China, he is the award-winning author of ten books on popular spirituality, including Catching Fire Becoming Flame, and the presenter on four best-selling DVDs. He is currently chaplain at Cedarbrake Retreat Center, Belton, TX.

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