Ignatius Press Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Religious Liberty in America with Dr. Beckwith, Member of the Presidential Religious Liberty Commission Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Earlier this year, Dr. Francis Beckwith was appointed to a select board of scholars to advise the Trump administration on national efforts to protect and advance religious Liberty.

Dr. Beckwith is a professor of philosophy and Church-State studies at Baylor University, and today he joins Mark Brumey to discuss religious liberty and Vatican II. The two examine “Dignitatis Humanae” and whether or not this declaration, this document, was a development or a departure from the Church’s stance on religious liberty. Dr. Beckwith explains the political role that the Church has played in history and its current place in modern politics. Finally, they discuss the challenges religious liberty faces today. This is a must-watch episode, not because of its depth of thought, but also because of its timeliness and relevance.

Dr. Beckwith has also written A Catholic Engagement with Latter-Day Saints. Get your copy here: https://ignatius.com/a-catholic-engagement-with-latter-day-saints-celdsp/?searchid=0&search_query=beckwith

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Can You Be a Jewish Catholic? With Dr. Costley and Dr. D’Costa Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Jews are God’s Chosen People, and it is through God’s gratuitous gift of grace that the rest of the world (the Gentiles) are grafted onto the tree of salvation.

Get “From Sinai to Rome” Here: https://ignatius.com/from-sinai-to-rome-fstrp

Pope Pius XI once remarked, “Spiritually, we [Catholics] are all Semites,” and, as Saint Paul writes in Romans, in a sense, Christians are Jews by adoption. In today’s episode, Andrew Petiprin is joined by Professors Angela Costley and Gavin D’Costa, who examine the question of Jewish–Catholic relations from every angle. They not only discuss how the Church is uniquely opposed to antisemitism, but also how the Church is deeply rooted in Judaism. Finally, they discuss the reality of Hebrew Catholics and their role in the Body of Christ.

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Should Catholics Celebrate Halloween and Read Horror Stories? w/Eleanor Nicholson Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

With Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day quickly approaching, Eleanor Nicholson gives her thoughts on how Catholics should approach Halloween and horror stories.

Get your copy of Dracula: https://ignatius.com/dracula-7dp/?searchid=3291085&search_query=dracula

Get Nicholson’s "A Bloody Habit" here: https://ignatius.com/a-bloody-habit-blhp/?searchid=3291600&search_query=bloody+habit

There are a variety of opinions among Catholics when it comes to Halloween and horror stories such as Dracula. Some avoid such things altogether, while others consume such content without hesitation. Eleanor provides a nuanced position as both a mother and the author of the mystery-thriller “A Bloody Habit.” She not only gives guidelines on what kind of things we should avoid, but also how Catholics can use Halloween and gothic novels to enliven their faith.

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Chesterton’s New Autobiography? w/ Dr. Dale Ahlquist Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

G.K. Chesterton is one of the great Catholic converts and writers of the 20th century, but much of his personal life has remained obscure until today!

Get Your Copy Here: https://ignatius.com/i-also-had-my-hour-ahhp/?searchid=3228600&search_query=i+also+had+my+hour

Dr. Dale Ahlquist joins Andrew Petiprin to discuss a book he has been working on for over a decade—an alternative autobiography of G.K. Chesterton. It remains an autobiography because he compiles the scatter writings where Chesterton talks about himself. This unique view of Chesterton reveals more of his personal life that even the most diehard devotee knows.

In this episode, they discuss the compilation of a very detailed timeline of Chesterton’s life as well as his conversion, his political philosophy, and his relationship with his wife. These details not only reveal a private side to Chesterton, but highlight the extreme holiness of one of the most insightful thinkers of the 20th century.

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Abigail Favale’s First Full-Length Novel is Perfect for Spooky Season Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Well known for her scholarly work in “Genesis of Gender,” Dr. Abigail Favale has now released her first full-length novel “Our Lady of the Sign.”

Get Your Copy Here: https://ignatius.com/our-lady-of-the-sign-olosp/

Dealing with themes of freedom, temptation, feminism, and spiritual warfare, “Our Lady of the Sign” is a work of suspense and thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This haunting book takes place during Advent, when the protagonist Simone returns to her hometown, and not everything is as she remembers.

In today’s episode, Dr. Abigail Favale talks to Andrew Petiprin about her inspiration for writing this book and how both her scholarly work and personal life influenced her writing. If you are looking for a suspenseful and slightly eerie book for “Spooky season,” then this is the book for you!

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Henri de Lubac is One of the Best Theologians of the 20th Century Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Henri de Lubac is not well known by most Catholics, but the upcoming documentary is hoping to change that...

See More of the De Lubac Film Here: https://m9b.185.myftpupload.com/

Purchase Henri De Lubac’s Books Here: https://ignatius.com/authors/henri-de-lubac/

Cardinal Henri de Lubac was a French theologian who lived in Europe during the tumultuous 20th century. He survived the front-line trenches of World War I and participated in the French Resistance of World War II. He lived to see the murder of the last Tsar of Russia, all the way to the fall of the Berlin Wall. During his life, he was known as a controversial theologian who was eventually elevated to a Cardinal by Pope Saint John Paul II and participated in the Second Vatican Council.

Today, we are joined by Geoffrey Zokal and Sam Soruch, who are creating a detailed documentary about Henri de Lubac. In this episode, they not only comment on the extraordinary life of Henri de Lubac, but also touch on some of the more controversial elements of his theology. They remark on both his profound wisdom and theological insight as well as his great personal humility and holiness.

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Watch Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-vB1HaBsog&t=44s

Lumen Christi Institute: https://lumenchristi.org/

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Celebrating 100 years of St. Thérèse’s Canonization w/ Fr. Tom Hiney Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

In 1925, St. Thérèse of Lisieux was canonized, and a hundred years later, her prayers and little way are just as important.

Get Your St. Therese Books and Movies Here: https://ignatius.com/saint-therese-of-lisieux-stllh/?searchid=3086238&search_query=therese

https://ignatius.com/saint-therese-of-lisieux-stslp/?searchid=3086238&search_query=therese

https://ignatius.com/miracle-of-st-therese-mstm/?searchid=3086238&search_query=therese

Today, Fr. Tom Hiney, who is currently writing a book about St. Thérèse, joins Andrew Petiprin to celebrate the Little Flower and discuss the great influence of such a young saint. In addition to highlighting some of the key moments in the life of. St. Thérèse, they discuss her response to suffering, the beauty of her face, and why she is fittingly a doctor of the Church. May she continue to intercede for each one of us!

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What Tolkien Can Teach Us: Celebrating Hobbit Day with Sr. Orianne Pietra Rene Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

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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Celebrating 25 Years of Pope Benedict XVI's Spirit of the Liturgy w/ Archbishop Cordileone Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

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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Saint John Henry Newman: A Protestant to a Doctor of the Catholic Church w/ Bishop Lopes and Dr. Jennifer Martin Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

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.

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