Catholic Saints Podcast – Augustine Institute

Episode: St. Francis de Sales on Courage (Part IV)
Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Dr. Ben Akers
Guest: Dr. Christopher Bloom

Episode Overview

This episode, the final installment in a four-part series, delves into the theme of courage (also called bravery or fortitude) as understood by St. Francis de Sales in his classic spiritual work, Introduction to the Devout Life. As Lent approaches, Dr. Ben Akers and Dr. Christopher Bloom focus on how Christian courage is not just for martyrs or heroes, but is vital for daily perseverance and fidelity in the ordinary duties of life. The conversation weaves together practical insights from St. Francis de Sales, encouraging listeners to embrace courage in both small and significant ways on their spiritual journey.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Focus on Courage?

• Dr. Bloom emphasizes that courage is underappreciated in contemporary Christian life.
  • Courage is not just about big, heroic acts, but about determination to put into practice the lessons of a devout life.
  • “He wants to stir up in us a kind of determination to put these lessons into practice.” (C, 00:55)
• Dr. Akers connects the virtue of courage with the preparations for Lent.

2. Christians and the “Worldly”

• St. Francis warns against being swayed by criticism from the "worldly" — people who mock or discourage devout living.
  • Examples: Attending Mass more often, adopting new spiritual disciplines, or visible changes in behavior.
  • “The worldly here is in effect anyone who might criticize the Christian for his or her choices towards a more devout life.” (C, 02:31)
• Importance of Christian witness: Even small acts of faith can powerfully impact others (e.g., story of Edith Stein’s conversion through a simple witness in church) (C, 04:40).

Notable Quote:

“God can do amazing things with our acts of piety... These are not only good deeds...they’re going to strengthen our hearts, which is a fascinating concept.”
(C, 05:35)

3. Courage in Ordinary Life

• True courage, according to St. Francis de Sales, is lived through fidelity to one’s “providentially assigned state in life.”
  • Practical manifestations: Patience, perseverance, and constancy.
  • “It’s a brave thing to be patient with someone who’s annoying you or…to persevere in some long task.” (C, 06:19)
• Illustration of the difference between a comet and a planet: constancy over fleeting brilliance (B & C, 07:44–08:16).

4. When You Begin: Expect Discouragement

• Dr. Akers highlights the normalcy of initial discouragement and weariness when pursuing a devout life.
• St. Francis repeatedly encourages, "Begin again" — a foundational principle for overcoming setbacks.
  • “This is the first rule of the spiritual life. Begin again every day…after every confession, every Lent.” (C, 09:04)
• Reference to the phrase “nunc coepi” (“begin again”) as a spiritual motto (B, 10:26).

5. Strengthening the Will (the “Heart”)

• “Heart” is understood as the will — choosing to do the good discerned by the intellect.

  • The will grows stronger through repeated good choices, even when done reluctantly at first.
  • “Each one of those choices adds up to a state of our will. If our will is confirmed in choosing the good…then it’s strong.” (C, 10:49)

• Practical spiritual advice:

  • Start by working on one virtue (which counters a particular vice) rather than being overwhelmed.
  • Examples: Vanity vs humility, avarice vs generosity (B & C, 12:31–13:44).

Notable Quote:

“Pick a vice that you maybe struggle with and a virtue that you want to attain…then go after that hammer and tong.”
(B, 13:05)

• The key is steady, humble effort (“my heart is ready, O God”—Psalm 57) (B, 14:00).

6. Avoiding Self-Absorption and Anxiety

• St. Francis cautions against excessive self-reflection, which can breed anxiety and spiritual paralysis.
• Anxiety is termed “the source of all temptations.”
  • “Think of anxiety as being thrown on your heels…If you’re anxious and thrown on your heels, then these temptations that come might knock us over.” (C, 14:52)
• Proverbs and metaphors:
  • “The devil is ready to fish in troubled waters.” (B, 16:06)
  • Anxiety is not from the Lord; peace and confidence stem from trust in God’s greatness and providence (C, 16:37).

Notable Exchange:

B: "Anxiety, he says, is a source of all temptations. What does he mean by that? That was a striking phrase."
C: "Think of anxiety as being thrown on your heels...you're stuck...that's how anxiety works upon us...these temptations...might knock us over."
(B & C, 14:51–15:36)

7. Building Trust and Finding Peace

• Faith gives a vision: God is bigger than our problems.
  • Reference to J.B. Phillips’ book title, Your God Is Too Small.
  • “This is what you need is just remember, oh, yeah, God’s big. God’s bigger than this. Whatever this is, God’s bigger than it…” (C, 16:37)
• Jesus’ instructions against anxiety in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6 and 7) (B, 16:20–17:50).
• Lent seen as an annual opportunity to "begin again," focusing on growth in virtue and configuring our lives to Christ (B, 18:05).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christian Courage:
  “It’s in those ordinary duties that you find courage or the opportunities to exercise courage.”
  (C, 06:19)

• On Constancy:
  “He had a great illustration…this firm resolution…as being part of courage. The difference between a planet and a comet...the comet’s light is passing while the planet is persevering and unfailingly shining."
  (B, 07:48)

• On the Spiritual Life:
  “Begin again every day, every season in life, after every confession, every Lent...”
  (C, 09:04)

• On Anxiety and Temptation:
  “Anxiety causes distress…you put yourself, as you say, on your heels, and I'm going to make a bad decision.”
  (B, 15:36)

• On God's Sovereignty:
  “God stands beyond the world...is completely unmovable, and there’s no obstacle that he can’t overcome.”
  (C, 17:20)

Section/Timestamp Guide

| Topic | Host/Guest | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------| | Introduction & Overview of Courage | B & C | 00:22 | | Courage: Not Just for Heroes, but Everyday Virtue | C | 00:55 | | Facing Worldly Criticism | C | 02:31 | | Witness & Subtle Evangelization (Edith Stein anecdote) | C | 04:40 | | Ordinary Duties as Courageous Acts | C | 06:19 | | Planet vs. Comet Metaphor for Steadfastness | B & C | 07:44 | | Perseverance and Discouragement | C | 09:04 | | “Begin Again” – Motto for the Spiritual Life | B | 10:26 | | Strengthening the Will ("the Heart") | C | 10:49 | | Choosing One Virtue to Cultivate | B | 13:05 | | Avoiding Anxiety and Its Spiritual Dangers | C & B | 14:34 | | Anxiety as the Gateway to Temptation | C | 14:52 | | Devil “Fish in Troubled Waters” Proverb | B | 16:06 | | Faith in God’s Providence | C | 16:37 | | Lent as Time to Begin Again | B | 18:05 |

Closing Thoughts

Dr. Akers and Dr. Bloom conclude by reaffirming the relevance of courage for every Christian — not as a singular, dramatic moment but as daily faithfulness in one’s vocation. Lent is highlighted as a prime spiritual reset, a time to "begin again" in earnestness and courage, seeking to configure life ever more closely to Christ.