Ignatius Press Podcast

When Fr. Paul Mankowski, SJ died in September 2020, friends, colleagues, and long-time readers mourned the loss of the biting wit and keen insight that characterized his writing, much of which was published under the pseudonym “Diogenes.”   In this episode, two men who knew and admired Fr. Mankowski—his fellow Jesuit, Fr. Joseph Fessio, and his editor at Catholic World Report and later Catholic World News, Philip F. Lawler—remember their friend, whose writing spanned decades and covered Church news, art and culture, politics, and more.   A sampling of Fr. Mankowski’s writings, most of which he published as Diogenes, has been collected in the new book, “Diogenes Unveiled: A Paul Mankowski Collection,” edited by Lawler and available at Ignatius.com: http://bit.ly/3X6UuNR   You can read more essays by Mankowski in the book “Jesuit at Large,” edited by George Weigel: https://ignatius.com/jesuit-at-large-jlerp/   You can find Philip F. Lawler’s writing at CatholicCulture.org: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/authors.cfm?authorid=3   And you can follow him on Twitter, @PhilLawler.

Broken-down buses, long lines, fractious tourists, strikes—and countless encounters with God’s immense providence. These are just some of the memorable experiences recounted by Irish tour guide Kieran Troy in his new book, “In the Stars the Glory of His Eyes,” which takes the reader to some of the most evocative Catholic pilgrimage sites: Vatican City, the Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto, the shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, the Abbey of Montecassino, and many more. In this episode, Troy speaks with Ignatius Press editor Thomas Jacobi about the book, and about the inspiring, exhausting, and often comical experiences he’s had over decades of leading groups of pilgrims to many of Christendom’s most beloved places. With wit and charm, Troy gives a first-hand account of Christ at work in all the beautiful messiness of pilgrimage. Find the book, “In the Stars the Glory of His Eyes: Tales of an Irish Tour Guide in Rome,” here: https://bit.ly/3E8aWG5

Dr. John Bruchalski is a Catholic OB/GYN who used to perform abortions, believing he was providing compassionate care for women in crisis. A terrible misjudgment in the delivery room revealed to him the humanity of the unborn child, and he has since committed his life to providing women—and the children in their wombs—with truly loving, life-affirming medical care. In this episode, Dr. Bruchalski details the events that led up to his conversion to pro-life medicine and his recommitment to his Catholic Faith. He also discusses the “hard cases”—including rape, incest, and fetal abnormalities—that many believe justify legal abortion. Dr. Bruchalski’s new book, “Two Patients: My Conversion from Abortion to Life-Affirming Medicine” (https://bit.ly/3DAho8s) is a memoir of his experiences. It is also a plea that advocates on both sides of the abortion debate see the humanity of all God’s children—from the unborn baby to misguided medical professionals.

Does the Catholic Church hate gay people? Do people of faith just want those with same-sex attractions to suffer? Is it possible for the Church’s teaching on sexual morality to be a source of unity among believers, whatever their sexual orientation?   In this episode, Paul Senz talks to Fr. Mike Schmitz, host of the popular Bible in a Year podcast, about the Catholic Church’s teaching on same-sex attraction, which Fr. Mike wrote about in his book “Made for Love” (https://bit.ly/3z9YkLN). Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of not adopting an “us vs. them” attitude when discussing sexuality and identity; of approaching those with experiences of same-sex attraction with compassion, but not condescension; and of always keeping in mind that each of us was made by Love, from Love, and for Love.

Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. is a Dominican friar as well as a photographer of sacred art. His new book, “Mysteries Made Visible: Praying the Rosary with Sacred Art,” brings together Fr. Lew’s stunning photography and his rich contemplations on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, inviting all of us - those who pray the Rosary faithfully and those who struggle with the devotion - to pray with deeper reverence and greater understanding.   In this episode, Fr. Lew discusses how he came to discern his vocation as a Dominican, his interest in photography, and his great devotion to promoting the Rosary among the Faithful. He describes what he calls “Visio Divina”—that is, praying and meditating upon theological truths while viewing sacred art.   You can view sample pages from “Mysteries Made Visible” at Ignatius.com: https://ignatius.com/mysteries-made-visible-mmvp/

Fifty years ago, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Henri de Lubac, and Joseph Ratzinger, among others, founded the theological journal Communio, which set out, as Balthasar put it, to “fight at all costs against the deadly polarization brought on by the fervor displayed by traditionalists and modernists alike” and “to perceive of the Church as a central communion, a community that originated from communion with Christ, who presented himself as a gift to the Church; as a communion that will enable us to share our hearts, thoughts, and blessings.”   In the last five decades, Communio has continued the work of its founding mission, advancing theological discussion and deepening the Church’s understanding of her role in the world. Later this month, a conference celebrating the journal’s 50th anniversary will take place at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry.   In this episode, Mark Brumley and Carl E. Olson speak with the organizers of the conference—Matthew Kuhner, Ph.D., Vice President and Academic Dean at St. Bernard's; Daniel Drain, Coordinator of Academic Operations and Lecturer in Pastoral Theology at St. Bernard's; and Lisa Lickona, S.T.L., Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Bernard's. They discuss the mission and legacy of "Communio," its continued relevance in the life of the Church, and what they hope the conference will achieve.   Related links: Details about the conference, including in-person and virtual registration information, can be found here: https://stbernards.regfox.com/communioconference2022 The Fall 1992 issue of Communio contains a number of the journal’s founding documents: https://www.communio-icr.com/issues/view/the-theology-of-henri-de-lubac-communio-at-twenty-years The Communio website includes a collection of individual articles (many available as PDFs) about the journal: https://www.communio-icr.com/about/articles  

Why were so many of the great writers of detective stories Christians? Dorothy Sayers, G.K. Chesterton, Graham Greene, and many more—in addition to their other literary achievements—wrote (and loved reading) mystery stories. In this week’s episode, John Herreid talks to author Fiorella de Maria about her Father Gabriel mystery novels—the fourth of which, “Death of a Scholar,” is now available—as well as the enduring appeal of detective fiction, and why the genre’s themes of guilt, truth, and justice resonate with the Catholic moral imagination.   “Death of a Scholar” is available in paperback and ebook at Ignatius.com: https://bit.ly/3TmXN1F

When you think of Purgatory, what kind of place comes to mind? In “A Hiker’s Guide to Purgatory,” novelist Michael Norton paints a vivid picture of Purgatory as a place of great beauty, alongside suffering; of hope and even joy, alongside painful transformation and reconciliation. In this episode, Norton speaks with Ignatius Press editor Thomas Jacobi about the personal process of writing this imaginative journey through the afterlife, which he sees not as much as a place of punishment as an opportunity from a merciful God to heal our wounds and brokenness in a way we couldn’t in our earthly lives. “A Hiker’s Guide to Purgatory: A Novel,” by Michael Norton, is now available in paperback and ebook: https://bit.ly/3dI8dIT

Mark Brumley and Carl E. Olson discuss the latest news and features at Catholic World Report, including pieces about why some call Gen Z “the loneliest generation,” controversies about whether or not Humanae Vitae is infallible teaching, and the outsize influence of social media on how we think about the Church. Mentioned in this episode: “Walking with Generation Z: Understanding the Loneliest Generation” by Benjamin Eriksen: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/08/11/walking-with-generation-z-understanding-the-loneliest-generation/ “Pope Francis, contraception, and the problem of ecclesial authority” by E. Christian Brugger: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/08/04/pope-francis-contraception-and-the-problem-of-ecclesial-authority/

In a world grown cold without wonder, how do we reimagine the drama and joy of Christianity? For C.S. Lewis, the answer was to invite us into a different world that would help us see this one with fresh eyes. In this episode, Paul Senz talks with Leonard J. DeLorenzo, editor of “Chronicles of Transformation: A Spiritual Journey with C.S. Lewis,” a unique volume that explores the beloved terrain of Narnia with insightful essays, moving poetry, and original new artwork.   The book is now available at Ignatius.com: https://bit.ly/3cz6THK