Ignatius Press Podcast

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

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.