Starting the Descent into Dante’s Inferno: The Dark Woods, The Three Beasts Artwork

Mystagogy

In a tradition that dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, many newly initiated Christians were prepared for lives of faith through a formation with spiritual, liturgical, and communitarian dimensions. This period of formation was called mystagogy, a word which, in Greek, means "leading through the mysteries." Our program of mystagogy will have four primary goals: 1) To break open Magisterial teaching on the lay state (selections from Vatican II as well as letters/encyclicals from recent popes) as well as classic spiritual texts to build a thoughtful, practical devotional life; 2) To introduce the various spiritual charisms in the Church (i.e. Dominican, Carmelite, Franciscan, Salesian, etc.) so that they may develop a personal program of spirituality rooted in the uniquely Catholic legacy; 3) To deepen the prayer life through study, communal prayer, the practice of meditation, Mass, and the Liturgy of the Hours; and 4) To establish a fully Catholic life and mission, including a formation in the art of the Church, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and the commitment to a specific personal work of service.

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Mystagogy

Starting the Descent into Dante’s Inferno: The Dark Woods, The Three Beasts

February 09, 2023 • Barbara Nicolosi Harrington • Season 3 • Episode 1

We begin the third part in our five part series: a ten-week tour through Dante’s epic spiritual poem, The Divine Comedy. An imaginative vision of hell, purgatory, and heaven, this ranks with the greatest narrative works ever written. Barbara will break open Dante's Divine Comedy in order to explore the themes of sin, suffering, virtue and holiness.

The music in the introduction and close of this podcast is provided by George Sarah.

This program of mystagogy is hosted by the Adult Faith Programs at Saint Stephen Martyr Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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Intro:

Hello and welcome to the third series in the Mystagogy program, hosted by the Adult Faith Programs at Saint Stephen Martyr Church in Chesapeake, VA.

For those of you who might be new to the Mystagogy podcast: In Greek, the word mystagogy means "leading through the mysteries." In the earliest centuries of Christianity, mystagogy referred to the practice of helping Christians to appreciate more deeply the Christian mysteries into which they had been initiated by baptism, confirmation and reception of the Eucharist. This period of formation allowed newly initiated believers to deepen their spiritual, liturgical and community lives.

This present program of mystagogy is being developed and taught by Barbara Nicolosi Harrington, a university professor of screenwriting, cinema, Great Books and theology.

The first series of the program focused on prayer as the underpinning of Catholic discipleship. The second series highlighted the Catholic legacy of art, story, music and poetry. In the third series - starting today - Barbara will break open Dante's Divine Comedy in order to explore the themes of sin, suffering, virtue and holiness.

Today's presentation provides an introduction to Dante Alighieri and the first cantos of the Divine Comedy.

Outro:

Thanks for joining us for this episode of the Mystagogy podcast.

The music for the podcast is provided by George Sarah. Learn more about his music over at GeorgeSarahMusic.com or by following the link in the show notes.

Until next time, be well and God bless.

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Barbara Nicolosi Harrington

Host