Episodes

Monday Sep 22, 2025
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Today is Bilbo’s birthday! And to celebrate two nerds, Sr. Orianne Pietra Rene and Ben Eriksen, reflect on Tolkien’s myths which are arguably the best literary works of the 20th century.
Delve Deeper into Tolkien’s Works here: https://ignatius.com/the-philosophy-of-tolkien-phtop/?searchid=0&search_query=tolkien
https://ignatius.com/tolkien-man-and-myth-tmanp/?searchid=0&search_query=tolkien
https://ignatius.com/the-hobbit-party-hobph/?searchid=0&search_query=tolkien
It is not often that a religious sister and a philosopher sit down to talk about Tolkien, but in today’s episode, Sister Orianne and Ben have an in-depth conversation about Tolkien’s ability to uncover reality itself through myth. In particular, the highlight the liturgical themes of Tolkien’s myths and the importance of nature in Middle Earth. They also discuss the importance of Tolkien’s female characters and some of the ways that fellow Tolkien enthusiasts misuse Tolkien’s works. If you are a fellow Tolkien nerd, then grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee and celebrate Bilbo’s birthday by listening to this episode of the Ignatius Press podcast.
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Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Twenty-five years ago, the future Pope Benedict XVI released his pivotal work “The Spirit of the Liturgy,” and today we are blessed to be joined by Archbishop Cordileone and one of Pope Benedict’s own students, Fr. Fessio.
Get Pope Benedict XVI’s The Spirit of the Liturgy: https://ignatius.com/the-spirit-of-the-liturgy-commemorative-edition-splcep/?searchid=2985996&search_query=spirit+of+the+liturgy
In today’s episode, Fr. Fessio recounts the first time he learned about Cardinal Ratzinger writing “Spirit of the Liturgy” as well as his initial response reading the book. Archbishop Cordileone also outlines how this work has impacted his decisions in his own archdiocese. Finally, they highlight several practices that they believe every Catholic and parish should implement.
Fr. Fessio and Archbishop Cordileone both agree that this is one of Pope Benedict’s greatest works and that it can lead the way for a Liturgical renewal in the Catholic Church.
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Monday Sep 08, 2025
Monday Sep 08, 2025
Saint John Henry Newman will be the first English speaker to be declared a Doctor of the Church.
Get Your Copy of his works here:
https://ignatius.com/john-henry-newman-jhnp/
https://ignatius.com/parochial-and-plain-sermons-ppsh/?searchid=0&search_query=newman
https://ignatius.com/loss-and-gain-7lgp/?searchid=0&search_query=newman
It was recently announced that St. John Henry Newman will be the 38th person to be declared a Doctor of the Church. And today, we are blessed to be joined by two guests. First is Bishop Lopes, ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, which is a community within the Catholic Church who celebrate according to the Anglican use. And second is Dr. Jennifer Martin, professor of theology at Notre Dame, who was one of twenty people to personally advocate for John Henry Newman to be declared a Doctor of the Church.
In this conversation, Bishop Lopes and Dr. Martin outline the process of becoming a Doctor of the Church and articulate why Saint John Henry Newman’s teachings make him worthy of such a title.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
Follow us on social media:
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/IgnatiusPress
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Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal

Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio: Learn More About Today’s Saints
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
On September 7th, Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio will be canonized saints of the Catholic Church. Today, we talk to Courtney Mares about the lives of these remarkable saints.
Get Courtney Mares’s biography of Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers https://ignatius.com/carlo-acutis-updated-edition-sscaup/?searchid=2907778&search_query=carlo+acutis
Courtney Mares is the author of the definitive biography of Carlo Acutis and has written several articles about Pier Giorgio. Therefore, we are delighted to talk to her today about these modern saints. As a Vatican reporter, Courtney reveals many details about Carlo and Pier Giorgio that are not as well known. These details reveal that both men fully integrated their faith into their daily lives and that true sanctity is possible for all people!
Saint Carlo and Saint Pier Giorgio pray for us!
More resources for Carlo Acutis:
Carlo Acutis Comic Book from Magnificat: https://ignatius.com/carlo-acutis-6cah/?searchid=2907778&search_query=carlo+acutis
Carlo Acutis Comic Book from Voyage Comics: https://ignatius.com/miracles-of-the-eucharist-with-carlo-acutis-mecap/?searchid=2907778&search_query=carlo+acutis
More Resources for Pier Giorgio:
Pier Giorgio Comic Book from Magnificat: https://ignatius.com/pier-georgio-frassati-6pgfh/?searchid=0&search_query=pier+giorgio
Cristina Siccardi biography of Pier Giorgio: https://ignatius.com/pier-giorgio-frassati-pgfrp/?searchid=0&search_query=pier+giorgio
Luciana Frassati biography of Pier Giorgio: https://ignatius.com/a-man-of-the-beatitudes-manbp/?searchid=0&search_query=pier+giorgio
Pier Giorgio Movie: https://ignatius.com/pier-giorgio-frassati-pgfrm/?searchid=0&search_query=pier+giorgio
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
Follow us on social media:
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/IgnatiusPress
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignatiuspress
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignatius_press/
Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal

Monday Aug 25, 2025
Dr. Michael Pakaluk: How to Rediscover the Romanticism of Everyday Life
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Oftentimes, we overlook the heroic and extraordinary moments in our ordinary lives. But Dr. Pakaluk believes that holiness is much nearer than we may think. . . .
Get Your Copy of his “Shock of Holiness” here: https://ignatius.com/shock-of-holiness-sofhp/
Today, Dr. Pakaluk talks with Andrew Petiprin about his new book “Shock of Holiness.” This approachable and practical book is a series of articles written to show us that true heroism and holiness is found in our everyday life. From the mom taking her kids to Mass, to holy water, and everything in between, Dr. Pakaluk reminds Catholics that God’s grace and presence is imminently in our lives and can bring about an extraordinary change if we allow Him. Dr. Pakaluk calls us to find the true romanticism in our daily activities.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
Follow us on social media:
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/IgnatiusPress
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignatiuspress
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignatius_press/
Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal

