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Pivotal Players

Bishop Barron continues on his journey to take people around the world and deep into the Catholic Faith.  In CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Volumes I and II he unlocks the truth behind the Catholic Church's most influential people.  These multi-part film series and study programs illumine a handful of saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but changed the course of civilization.

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St. Catherine of Siena:  The Mystic

The Study Program for CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players is the best way to immerse yourself fully into these holy men and women. Whether you use it for personal formation or to host a complete formation program for your parish or group, you’ll go deeper into the lives of these extraordinary people with experts who have written each lesson commentary under the direction and approval of Bishop Barron.

Volume I

St. Francis of Assisi:  
Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, Franciscan priest and preacher to the papal household 

St. Thomas Aquinas:
Dr. Matthew Levering, renowned Catholic theologian and Thomistic scholar 

St. Catherine of Siena:
Fr. Paul Murray, O.P., Dominican preacher and spiritual master

Bl. John Henry Newman:
Fr. Ian Ker, world's leading Newman scholar

G.K. Chesterton:  
Dale Ahlquist, founding president of the American Chesterton Society

Michelangelo:  
Dr. Anthony Esolen, professor of Renaissance English Literature at Providence College

Volume II is being released in sets of two Pivotal Players each year.  The study guide is written for these two Players and the program can be hosted in five sessions.

Volume II

St. Augustine and St. Benedict:  
Chad C. Pecknold and Abbott Jeremy Driscoll

Fulton J. Sheen and Flannery O'Connor
Dr. Mark Zia and Lorraine Murray

BartolomÉ de Las Casas and St. Ignatius


The video-based study program can be experienced individually or in a group.  Each Study Guide lesson provides details about the Pivotal Player’s life and contributions to the culture. In addition, you'll find “Questions for Understanding" that support the teaching in the video and reference Scripture verses and sections from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You'll also find several “Questions for Application" in each lesson to help you connect the material to your own life and experience.


For group study, you'll find a foundational plan to present the Volume I program in 13 sessions, each 90 minutes long or the intensive plan to present the Volume I program in 7 sessions, each 2 ½ hours long. For each set of Volume II Players, you can present the study in 5 sessions, each 90 minutes long. The first session covers a general orientation, followed by two sessions on each Pivotal Player. Each session includes video viewing (25-30 minutes) and small group discussion of the Study Guide questions (60 minutes).


The Leader’s Kit provides everything you need to host the Pivotal Players Study Program. We recommend that each parish or group purchase one Leader’s Kit to get started and then a separate Leader’s Guide for each small group facilitator. In addition, each participant in the group needs their own Study Guide, which can be purchased in bulk with a volume discount before your program begins.

Leaders can also register for a free training webinar which teaches the best ways to run an effective Pivotal Players study group.

Volume I

  • Lesson 1
  • Lesson 2
  • Lesson 3
  • Lesson 4
  • Lesson 5
  • Lesson 6

St. Francis of Assisi:  The Reformer (Part I and II)

Is there a more winsome and beguiling figure in the entire history of the Catholic Church than Francis of Assisi?  Even for non-believers, Francis seems to sum up what is best in the Christian tradition, and it would be difficult to find anyone—even the most ardent of atheists—who would stand against him.  Il Poverello, the little poor man—simple, humble, close to nature, deeply in love with God—continues to sing across the ages to our own cynical time.  

Volume II

  • Lesson 1
  • Lesson 2
  • Lesson 3
  • Lesson 4
  • Lesson 5
  • Lesson 6

St. Augustine: The Teacher (Part 1 &  II)

St. Augustine of Hippo is possibly the best example of how faith in Christ changed a person. Born into a wealthy family with a Christian mother and a pagan father, Augustine lived a life focused on career and sensual pleasures before meeting St. Ambrose, who convinced him that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  Augustine’s narrative of personal transformation in his book Confessions provides a template for life in Christ that still rings true today.

Support materials

Volume I

CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players Certificate of Completion

Volume I
DOWNLOAD - English
DOWNLOAD - Spanish


CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players Bulletin Insert / Flyer (editable)

Volume I
DOWNLOAD - English
DOWNLOAD - Spanish

CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players Large Poster (editable)

Volume I
DOWNLOAD - English
DOWNLOAD - Spanish


Bulletin / Pulpit Announcement

Volume I
DOWNLOAD - English
DOWNLOAD - Spanish

Registration Form (editable)

Volume I
DOWNLOAD - English
DOWNLOAD - Spanish


CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players Volume I Family Devotional
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Participant Survey

Volume I
DOWNLOAD - English


Bishop Barron Bio
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"Managing Challenging Personalities" Powerpoint
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Volume II

CATHOLICISM: THE PIVOTAL PLAYERS CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Sheen & O'Connor
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Augustine & Benedict
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Flyer

Sheen & O'Connor
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Augustine & Benedict
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Poster

Sheen & O'Connor
DOWNLOAD

Augustine & Benedict
DOWNLOAD


Pulpit ANNOUNCEMENT (Editable)

Sheen & O'Connor
DOWNLOAD

AUGUSTINE & BENEDICT
DOWNLOAD 


Registration form (Editable)

Sheen & O'Connor
DOWNLOAD

Augustine & Benedict
DOWNLOAD

Participant Survey

Sheen & O'Connor
DOWNLOAD

AUGUSTINE & BENEDICT
DOWNLOAD