Caught in the Whirlwind: The Sins of Incontinence in Dante’s Inferno 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.

All Episodes

Mystagogy

Caught in the Whirlwind: The Sins of Incontinence in Dante’s Inferno

February 12, 2023 • Barbara Nicolosi Harrington • Season 3 • Episode 2

This episode is a whirlwind tour through Dante’s whirlwind of the sins of the flesh. We’ll meet the Hoarders and the Wasters, the Gluttons, the Wrathful and the Sullen, and, of course, poor, pathetic, lustful Francesca and Paolo. If you are reading along, we’ll be considering Cantos V through VIII.

Here is the version of the text we are using for this course: The Divine Comedy

Also, I found a nice animated treatment of The Inferno that you might want to watch. Check it out here.

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.

Support the show

Intro:

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

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

In today's presentation, Barbara discusses cantos 5 through 8 of Dante's Inferno.

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.

People on this episode

Barbara Nicolosi Harrington

Host