Many Christians, whether they are aware of it or not, have mistaken notions about the mystery of atonement—particularly the role God the Father plays in Christ’s saving work on the Cross. In her new book “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology” (https://bit.ly/3yaUrGb) Margaret Turek, professor of theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University, hopes to dispel these misconceptions and present readers with a clear illumination of the wholly gratuitous, radically forgiving, passionate and powerful nature of God's redeeming love for mankind. In this episode, Dr. Turek speaks with Mark Brumley about her book, and about some of the spiritual insights the be gleaned from contemplating the mystery of Christ’s atonement.

Violence, nudity, bad language. These elements are often enough for Catholic viewers to dismiss movies and their potential impact entirely. But is it possible for people of faith to watch, enjoy, and critique the latest Hollywood offerings—without losing their souls? Douglas Beaumont thinks so, and explains why and how in his book, “The Message Behind the Movie, Reboot: Engaging Film without Disengaging Faith” (https://bit.ly/3xaWU37). In this episode, Beaumont talks with Carl E. Olson, editor of Catholic World Report, about the book, as well as how their mutual experience of converting to Catholicism from Evangelical Protestantism shaped how they watch and enjoy movies today.

Join Ignatius Press as we talk about some of the best summer reading books for Catholic kids and teens. Feel free to post questions in the comments!

What does it mean to be a man or a woman? How do we talk about gender in a world that seems confused about the most basic realities of our bodies? What does Christianity bring to the table in discussions of feminism and women’s roles? Dr. Abigail Favale’s new book “The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory” (https://bit.ly/3KUyO01) grapples with these questions and more. In this episode, Favale speaks with Leah Libresco Sargeant, author of “Building the Benedict Option: A Guide to Gathering Two or Three Together in His Name” (https://bit.ly/3Fyacta) and the “Other Feminisms” Substack (https://otherfeminisms.substack.com/), about Favale’s new book and how the Catholic view of the human person can help us understand and communicate the beauty and challenges of our sexed bodies.

When Charles de Foucauld was killed by bandits in the Sahara Desert in 1916, the French aristocrat-turned-monk was virtually unknown. Over the course of a century, however, the radiance of Foucauld's hidden life has spread, and the Church will officially recognize him as a saint when Pope Francis canonizes him on May 15, 2022.   In this episode, David Pinault, professor emeritus of religious studies at Santa Clara University, joins us to discuss the life and legacy of Charles de Foucauld. Pinault wrote the foreword to Ignatius Press’ new edition of Foucauld’s definitive biography, “Charles de Foucauld” by Jean-Jacques Antier (https://bit.ly/3Ks6SQN).

For about 300 years, Catholic priests and lay people in England were persecuted, and even martyred, for the practice of their Faith. But before this period of brutality, Catholicism had been vibrant in England. And after it, Catholic England would flourish once again. Joseph Pearce, acclaimed biographer and author of the new book FAITH OF OUR FATHERS: A HISTORY OF TRUE ENGLAND, joins us in this episode to discuss “true England”—the England in which the Catholic Faith thrived before its violent suppression by the Tudor monarchs; the England that maintained the Faith through a bitter period of anti-Catholic bigotry; and the England that flowered again in the literary and spiritual revivals of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Mark Brumley and Carl E. Olson join us from their respective home libraries to chat about the latest stories and features at Catholic World Report, including pieces on the war in Ukraine, the 50th anniversary of the release of “The Godfather,” and why Henry VIII—bad as he was—should not be “canceled.”

Fr. Donald Haggerty is a much-sought-after retreat leader and spiritual director. His newest book, “Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation,” is a unique, step-by-step introduction to the way of contemplation as Saint John understood it: a burning, transformative intimacy with the God who made us. In this episode, author and editor Kathryn Jean Lopez speaks with Fr. Haggerty about the Church’s premier teacher on contemplative prayer, examining how we can use Saint John’s insights into the spiritual life in our contemporary context. This episode was produced in collaboration with the National Review Institute.

https://www.ignatius.com/Saints-P3499.aspx Let's talk about saints! Jesus told us to be perfect, and the Second Vatican Council highlighted this command by speaking of the universal call to holiness for all Christians. How do we answer this call? One great way is to learn from and pray with the saints, the ordinary men and women who fought the good fight to be holy until the end of their lives, and won. The saints have inspired Christians for more than two thousand years because they show us what it looks like to follow Jesus Christ despite countless challenges and obstacles. This unique book contains short biographies of several saints, along with prayers to each one, for every day of the year. It also provides definitions of Church terms and other helpful back - ground information. The saints in this collection come from every period of Church history and all walks of life. They represent numerous countries, cultures, age groups, and vocations. They show us that holiness truly is a path open to anyone, and by their example and prayers they help us to follow it.

Exorcisms, demonic possession, occult practices…these aren’t just the stuff of horror movies—they are real (if dramatic) reminders of the existence of the devil and his presence in the world. But as gripping as stories of the supernatural are, it can be easy to forget that the seductive activities of the devil are often found in far more mundane circumstances: the temptations to pride, lust, greed, and other sins that we all experience in our daily lives. In his book CHRIST VERSUS SATAN IN OUR DAILY LIVES: THE COSMIC STRUGGLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL, spiritual writer and philosopher Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., tackles the topic of recognizing and overcoming spiritual evil. His focus is the human heart. His goal: our spiritual and moral transformation, which leads to true peace and genuine happiness.