Travels with Dante: In Search of Paradise

After waking up from a nightmare, Dante enters the Cornice of Avarice, where he finds the avaricious souls lying face down on the dusty ground. Join us this episode for a discussion on vanity, the deceitfulness of the world, and the dignity of man!

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As Dante enters deeper into the Cornice of Sloth, he discusses the problem of free will and misguided love with Virgil. Join Fr. Branson and René for a conversation about free will, the human passions, and reason. Additionally, tune in for an introduction to the purification of sloth as Dante meets the souls running up mount purgatory.

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Join us this episode as we finally reach the middle point of the entire Divine Comedy! Fr. Branson and René have a discussion about the structure of Purgatory, as illustrated by Virgil, and talk about the ways disordered love, and disordered love only, leads man to sin. 

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Dante's ascent through Mount Purgatory takes him to the Cornice of Wrath, a place where the wrathful are purified of their sins as they find their way through a thick fog by having to be attentive and hearing others. Fr. Branson and René will cover this Canto through discussions about the sin of wrath and the remedy of engaging with reality.

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This episode covers the cornice of envy, a section of Purgatory where souls are lying down with their eyes sown shut. In this cornice, the envious are purified by leaning on each other in order to stand, learning to appreciate the goodness of having others. Join Fr. Branson and René in a discussion about the things that can and cannot be shared, and a reflection on the relationship between individuals and community.

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Join us this episode as Dante continues and finishes his climb through the Cornice of Pride, as Fr. Branson and a new co-host talk about humility, purification of pride, and the importance of having someone to walk with. Listen in as well for a very interesting commentary on Dante's use of poetry and literary devices in this Canto. 

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Upon crossing the gates of Purgatory, Dante finally reaches the first cornice of mount Purgatory: a place where the prideful souls carry heavy rocks and look upon artful engravings on the ground. In this episode, Fr. Branson and Donovan explain the humbling nature of the prideful's punishment and point out the changes taking place in the souls of Purgatory. Tune in for discussions on real and false humility, the vanity of fame, and purification through humiliation.

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This episodes cover Canto 9 of Purgatorio: Dante's dream, his encounter with the angel, and reaching the gates of Purgatory. Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss the meaning of sponsorship, the symbology of liturgy in Purgatorio, and walking life trusting God without 'looking back'. 

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In this podcast, Fr. Branson and Donovan talk through Virgil and Dante's encounter with Sordello which Dante uses as a call for Italian unity. After we enter into the Valley of Princes for those who placed worldly pursuits above spiritual ones until the very end. Here we encounter Judge Nino, a serpent, and the head of the Malaspina clan in addition to talking about the theological virtues.

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Dante and Virgil come across an old friend and some new faces of those who were late to turn to faith. Donovan and Fr. Branson talk about the nature of waiting, and the beautiful literary symmetries that Dante makes in these Cantos.

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