A Catholic’s Guide to the Spirituality of Death and Dying

Podcast-style audio & video course - 12 Topics
Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins
Ph.D. (University of Madison–Wisconsin)
(2 customer reviews)
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Includes Free Study Guide
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00

Audio Sample:

If you or someone you love is facing death, this deeply compassionate series offers hope and comfort.

While conversations about dying and death have become more popular in recent years, a decidedly Catholic perspective is often missing. Now, this course offers a unique approach to these conversations grounded in the Franciscan tradition.

Combining historical analysis and meditations for reflection, these lectures provide you with new insights into the spiritual dimensions of dying and death. You will emerge with a deep understanding of the nature of suffering, the works of St. Francis, prayer, and much more.

In 12 lectures, you will explore the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, as well as those of his companions that recorded his lived experience—including his death. In the first half of the program, you will study original historical research about Francis during his final days. As you do so, you will encounter his inspiring follower, Jacoba dei Settesoli, whos

Audio Sample:

If you or someone you love is facing death, this deeply compassionate series offers hope and comfort.

While conversations about dying and death have become more popular in recent years, a decidedly Catholic perspective is often missing. Now, this course offers a unique approach to these conversations grounded in the Franciscan tradition.

Combining historical analysis and meditations for reflection, these lectures provide you with new insights into the spiritual dimensions of dying and death. You will emerge with a deep understanding of the nature of suffering, the works of St. Francis, prayer, and much more.

In 12 lectures, you will explore the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, as well as those of his companions that recorded his lived experience—including his death. In the first half of the program, you will study original historical research about Francis during his final days. As you do so, you will encounter his inspiring follower, Jacoba dei Settesoli, whose example of care for the dying remains a powerful model today. With this historical foundation, you will embark on the second half of the program, which offers you opportunities for prayer, personal exploration, experiential meditations, and invitations for further growth.

The story of compassionate care, listening, and prayer shared by clergy and lay people offers beautiful, faith-inspired models for modern-day Catholics. Embark on this moving journey today.

Learn about downloadable programs.

Your Free Electronic Study Guide! When you order this course, we will send you a free electronic study guide that you can access in 3 convenient ways:

1) You can check your order confirmation email. It will include a link that enables you to download your guide.
2) The back of your program package also contains a copy of this link. You can access your guide by simply entering this URL into your browser.
3) Your case of CDs or DVDs will contain a copy of your electronic guide on CD. Simply insert this disc into your computer’s CD/DVD drive to access your guide.

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Prof. Darleen Pryds, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality and History at the Franciscan School of Theology, where she has taught since 2001. She earned her doctorate in Medieval Religious History from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and an M.A. in Medieval History from the University of Southern California. Previously, she served as Associate Director of the Newberry Library Center for Renaissance Studies in Chicago from 1994–1996, and as Assistant Professor of Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Virginia Tech from 1996–2001.
Prof. Pryds is the author of the books Women of the Streets: Early Franciscan Women and Their Mendicant Vocation (Franciscan Institute, 2010) and The King Embodies the Word: Robert d’Anjou and the Politics of Preaching (Brill, 2000), as well as numerous articles on Franciscan history and the spirituality of death and dying. She has received a Fulbright Fellowship to Italy, a Research Fellowship at the Medieval Institute at the University of Notre Dame, and a National Endowment for the Humanities research grant to research at the Vatican Film Library at Saint Louis University. She also offers lectures and retreats around the country and has been a hospice volunteer since 2009. 
Praise for Darleen Pryds
Dr. Pryds, a recognized specialist in the history of medieval women, demonstrates a great ability to bring the medieval world into the present. A committed practitioner supportive of both women’s preaching and care for the sick, her previous work . . . exemplifies the transformative nature of Franciscan spirituality.”– Joseph P. Chinnici, O.F.M., Franciscan School of Theology
“The scholarly work of Prof. Darleen Pryds has provided a contemporary voice for the ancient Franciscan tradition. . . . Her engagement with today’s social questions brings medieval spirituality into dialogue with issues of vital importance for our contemporaries. A rare combination of academic rigor and personal engagement makes her teaching lively and thought-provoking.”– Br. William J. Short, O.F.M., Graduate Theological Union
“She brings [her] rich background to bear on contemporary issues of pastoral theology. Her students appreciate the clarity and depth of her courses as well as her ability to engage them in the scholarly process.”– Professor Michael Guinan, O.F.M., Professor Emeritus, Franciscan School of Theology
“Darleen Pryds is an exceptionally gifted scholar-storyteller. A passionate medieval historian and compelling guide into lay Franciscan spirituality, her challenging insights are increasingly discussed across the country.” – David Elliott, author of Following Francis: A Faithful Fool’s Guide to Perfect Joy
“Prof. Darleen Pryds is a voice of insight, honesty, dedication, inclusion, and challenge to the practice of spirituality… Darleen’s presentations bring a fresh depth to all of those on the spiritual journey.” – Michael Minton, OFM, Director of San Damiano Retreat, Danville, California
“Dr. Darleen Pryds explores and lifts up the many aspects of lay spiritual practice for her graduate theology students. Her lectures combine serious historical scholarship with an astute grasp of current spiritual conditions, making for presentations that are dynamic and thought-provoking.” – Donna Foley, Associate Dean of Students, Franciscan School of Theology

  • The Canticle of the Creatures: An Overview of Franciscan Spirituality
  • Francis of Assisi: The Counter-Cultural Saint
  • Francis and Lady Jacoba
  • Jacoba dei Settesoli
  • Eclipsing Jacoba: The Fate of the Story
  • Re-examining Jacoba as an Ars Moriendi
  • Experiential Meditation on Loss
  • Being Present to What Is
  • The Spirituality of Mutual Care
  • The Language and Practice of Deep Listening
  • Storytelling as Part of Tradition and Faith
  • Francis and Jacoba as a New Ars Moriendi

2 reviews for A Catholic’s Guide to the Spirituality of Death and Dying

  1. Marianela

    This program gave tools that I can use with families and to support the staff.

    I am a hospice chaplain and bereavement coordinator; conversations at end of life are not easy. This program gave tools that I can use with families and to support the staff. The title of Spirituality of Dying and Death tells the story first comes dying before death, so we provide spiritual care of the dying and care for their loved ones after death.

  2. Mary, WI

    Winter Survey: January 2017

    The lectures and exercises gave me some beneficial insights.

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