Épisodes

  • Episode 231: Derek Rotty on his book Praying with Sacred Art (December 10, 2025)

    Episode 231: Derek Rotty on his book Praying with Sacred Art (December 10, 2025)
    Dec 11 2025
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Derek Rotty on his book Praying with Sacred Art: Pondering the Mystery of Redemption through Visio Divina

    One of the most powerful ways of encountering God is through our senses, especially through our perception of beauty. The good, the true, and the beautiful are inseparable, and beauty, rightly considered, always leads to the Creator.

    In this rich journey through sacred art, author Derek Rotty accompanies readers through the mysteries of salvation history, highlighting some of the Church’s most moving and celebrated works of visual art. He embraces the concept of visio divina, in which contemplation of sacred art becomes a prayer in much the same way as lectio divina makes a prayer out of Scripture reading.

    The Church has always known that images possess the power to communicate truths in a special way. She speaks of sacred art as “a freely given superabundance of the human being’s inner riches.” Thus, the God-given talents of the artist, from ancient iconographers to Caravaggio and beyond, are gifts for the whole Church to bring the faithful closer to the divine.

    Rotty reflects on powerful pieces of art and contextualizes them both in Church history and in the practice of visio divina. He explains:
    • The classical definition of beauty and why transcendence matters in sacred art How sacred art aids contemplative prayer
    • The importance of beauty within the walls of the church
    • How artists use symbology to communicate eternal truths


    In the book, Rotty dissects specific pieces of art, such as the Isenheim Altarpiece and Raphael’s Transfiguration, to aid readers in contemplation of the life of Christ and the divine mysteries. He also includes reflection questions to allow readers to begin their own practice of visio divina.

    Praying with Sacred Art takes readers on a sweeping pilgrimage through the movements of the liturgical year, equipping the faithful to “read” great pieces of sacred art and go deeper in their encounter with Our Lord.

    https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-with-sacred-art/
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    1 h et 2 min
  • Episode 230: Scott Smith on his book with Fr. Don Calloway entitled 33 Days to the Holy Family (December 9, 2025)

    Episode 230: Scott Smith on his book with Fr. Don Calloway entitled 33 Days to the Holy Family (December 9, 2025)
    Dec 10 2025
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Scott Smith on his book with Fr. Don Calloway entitled 33 Days to the Holy Family: Consecration to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

    The Holy Family serves as the pattern and model for marriage and family, demonstrating what these are, as well as the correct understanding of masculinity and fatherhood, femininity and motherhood, babies and children. God knew the great confusion and diabolical social messiness that would occur in modern times. Now is the time to be consecrated to the Holy Family! This is why we need another 33 Day consecration book to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Holy Family. They're the blueprint and model for happiness and holiness. With their guidance, and by consecrating ourselves to them, we can help restore order and common sense to a straying civilization. 33 Days to the Holy Family follows a pattern similar to all the other 33 Day consecration books. It's a book for everyone -- individuals, families, parishes, prayer groups, etc. It's not an academic book but presents an easy formula for you to follow daily. Once you pick a start date, simply follow the instructions for each day until you reach Day 33 and consecrate yourself to the Holy Family. As you embark on this 33-day journey, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and inspire you to always live under the watchful care of the Holy Family. Let the journey begin!

    https://www.amazon.com/33-Days-Holy-Family-Consecration/dp/1596146605/
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    1 h et 1 min
  • Episode 229: Fr. Jerome Magat on Fr. Jerome Magat on Honoring the Covenant (December 3, 2025)

    Episode 229: Fr. Jerome Magat on Fr. Jerome Magat on Honoring the Covenant (December 3, 2025)
    Dec 4 2025
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Fr. Jerome Magat on his books Honoring the Covenant: Daily Mass Gospel Meditations for Busy Married Couples and Honoring the Covenant: Sunday, Solemnity, and Feast Day Mass Meditations for Busy Married Couples.

    Concerning Honoring the Covenant: Daily Mass Gospel Meditations for Busy Married Couples: Couples are incredibly busy—so busy that there’s always a temptation to make spiritual growth an afterthought or a future project once the children have left or retirement sets in. And even for married persons who are open to spiritual growth, the tendency is to focus upon praying as individuals, not on praying as a couple. To remedy this gap, Honoring the Covenant contains meditations that are simple, direct, and practical. They are designed for couples who want to make time to pray together and are seeking brief and meaningful insights into the Gospel reading of the day vis à vis their married life.

    https://www.amazon.com/Honoring-Covenant-Meditations-Married-Couples/dp/B0CNNZHMTB/

    Concerning Honoring the Covenant: Sunday, Solemnity, and Feast Day Mass Meditations for Busy Married Couples: Couples are incredibly busy—so busy that those who are growing with Honoring the Covenant: Daily Mass Gospel Meditations for Busy Married Couples requested a collection of meditations for the rest of the liturgical year! Honoring the Covenant: Sunday, Solemnity, and Feast Day Mass Meditations for Busy Married Couples complement the daily meditations (Fr. Magat’s first book) and are simple, direct, and practical. They provide brief and meaningful insights into the readings of these particularly sacred celebrations.

    https://www.amazon.com/Honoring-Covenant-Solemnity-Meditations-Married/dp/B0DWLHCXHN/
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    58 min
  • Episode 228: Bo Bonner on his book A Very Little Office of Compline: Night Prayer for Children (December 2, 2025)

    Episode 228: Bo Bonner on his book A Very Little Office of Compline: Night Prayer for Children (December 2, 2025)
    Dec 3 2025
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Bo Bonner on his book A Very Little Office of Compline: Night Prayer for Children.

    Visit we beseech thee Lord
    This house in which we dwell,
    Let Angels who abide herein
    The devil’s snares dispel,
    In peace, please keep our weary heads,
    And your blessings always as well.
    Through Christ our Lord,
    Amen.

    Teach your children the timeless rhythm of prayer with A Very Little Office of Compline. When praying the psalms and hymns of the Divine Office in the given hours of the day, we truly “pray without ceasing.” This gift of prayer that orients us always toward God can be enjoyed by even the littlest of souls. Compline, prayed in the last hour, is especially enriching for children because it sets a nighttime prayer routine. Compline includes psalms and hymns that ask God for His protection while we sleep. A Very Little Office of Compline can be used to pray the Liturgy of the Hours as well. These prayers, complete with elegant illustrations, were faithfully adapted by Bo Bonner so that your children are introduced to the beauty and depth of the Divine Office in an approachable way.

    https://www.amazon.com/Very-Little-Office-Compline-Children/dp/1505135060/
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    46 min
  • Episode 227: Fr. Serafino M. Lanzetta on his book The Silent Witness of Nazareth (November 26, 2025)

    Episode 227: Fr. Serafino M. Lanzetta on his book The Silent Witness of Nazareth (November 26, 2025)
    Nov 29 2025
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Fr. Serafino M. Lanzetta on his book The Silent Witness of Nazareth: St. Joseph: Spouse of Mary, Powerful Intercessor, Guardian of the Church.

    Where are you, dear fathers? Where are you, O man?

    Sometimes the fatherless look for a father in the wrong places. As the temporal reflection of our Heavenly Father, St. Joseph, patron of fathers and the universal Church, offers us an antidote for the unprecedented crises of our times. His virtuous life serves as a model for those striving to live pure lives, whether as consecrated souls or as spouses, in an unchaste world.

    As Mary leads us to Jesus, so Joseph leads us to Mary and, in the mystery of Mary, we see St. Joseph revealed. Through his heroic courage and charity, St. Joseph became a comforter of the afflicted and terror of demons, providing an indomitable model for Christ.

    Fr. Serafino M. Lanzetta illuminates St. Joseph’s hidden life, drawing from Scripture and Tradition, to unveil his holiness and the splendor of his skill in guarding the heavenly treasures of Jesus and Mary. In these inspiring pages, you will discover fresh and fascinating insights about St. Joseph and grow in devotion to him as never before by learning:

    • The crucial role he played in offering Christ to the world and reflecting triune love
    • Four aspects of St. Joseph’s dignity, and his unique participation in Christ’s priesthood
    • Ways that St. Joseph was Our Lady’s great protector—and is your protector too
    • The power of St. Joseph’s silence and how he adored, in advance, the Bread of Life
    • What the Church Fathers say about St. Joseph’s justice and faith in the divine mystery
    • How experts in Josephology explain the great mysteries surrounding his life


    The volume features a new litany of praise to St. Joseph, reflections on the Seven Sorrows and the Seven Joys of St. Joseph, and traditional prayers from the saints. Next to Our Lady, St. Joseph is unparalleled in holiness and deserving of the highest degree of veneration. St. Joseph is the man who mirrors Mary’s virtues and valiantly intercedes for us.

    In glorious Holy Joseph did Our Lady see
    The mirror image of the Holy Trinity.
    In all humility, he served God faithfully,
    So blessed may he be, for all eternity!

    https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-silent-witness-of-nazareth/
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    52 min
  • Episode 226: Fr. Eric Gilhooly, LC, on his book To a Younger Brother (November 25, 2025)

    Episode 226: Fr. Eric Gilhooly, LC, on his book To a Younger Brother (November 25, 2025)
    Nov 26 2025
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Fr. Eric Gilhooly, LC, on his book To a Younger Brother.

    Father Eric Gilhooly, LC has written To a Younger Brother as a very practical and encouraging book for seminarians. The book uses contemporary book, movie, and song examples to offer insightful and realistic advice for those studying for the priesthood.

    https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/youngerbrother/
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    1 h et 2 min
  • Episode 221: Christina Brajkovich, Karen Anne Mahoney, and Roxane Salonen on their book Finding Flannery (November 11, 2025)

    Episode 221: Christina Brajkovich, Karen Anne Mahoney, and Roxane Salonen on their book Finding Flannery (November 11, 2025)
    Nov 20 2025
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Christina Brajkovich, Karen Anne Mahoney, and Roxane Salonen on their book Finding Flannery: A Travel Memoir Exploring the Mystique of Flannery O’Connor and the Legacy She Has Left Us All.

    Follow the journey… During the fiftieth anniversary year of the death of Flannery O’Connor, three writers from the North embarked on a pilgrimage to Milledgeville, Georgia, to uncover the mystique of their heroine, whose stories have left as many shocked as in stitches.

    What formed this famed literary artist, who, though her life was cut short by lupus, became one of America’s most celebrated fiction writers, and whose stories of grace, sin, and redemption–with their misfit characters and grotesque violence–still point us to the light of truth?

    Get ready to be transported into the Deep South, where the world is best taken in from a front-porch rocking chair amid peaches and magnolias, and where Flannery penned her best works in the shadow of a dairy farm. Along the way of this vivid travelogue, you’ll peer into the places that educated and shaped Flannery’s imagination and fed her devout Catholic soul.

    https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/findingflannery/
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    56 min
  • Episode 225: Paul Murano on What on Earth is Mortal Sin and Where the Hell Does it Lead You? (November 19, 2025)

    Episode 225: Paul Murano on What on Earth is Mortal Sin and Where the Hell Does it Lead You? (November 19, 2025)
    Nov 19 2025
    In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Paul Murano on his book What on Earth is Mortal Sin and Where the Hell Does it Lead You?: A look at sins that kill the soul.

    Despite its title, this is a serious book. That’s because the road to eternity begins now. Although Scripture assures us that God wants all people to have fullness of joy in this life and forever in the next, each individual must choose his or her own eternal destiny. The aim of this book is to make clear the path to Heaven by serving as a ‘warning manual’ on how to avoid Hell.

    Catholics have been taught that mortal sin kills the soul and leads to Hell, but have rarely been informed of which acts the Church considers objectively mortal sin. This leaves ambiguous the path that enables you to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12), as St. Paul exhorts.

    As a remedy for this confusion, a list of acts that are gravely immoral is included to discern moral boundaries necessary for living the good life. It is extracted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. With this, the basics of moral theology are provided to give context to Church teaching on the objective value of acts and subjective culpability of persons.

    Since there is nothing more important than the salvation of our souls. It's imperative that we view life from an eternal perspective. As the Universal Prayer attributed to Pope Clement XI states succinctly and profoundly: Life on earth is short and the life to come, eternal.

    https://www.amazon.com/What-Earth-Mortal-Where-Hell/dp/B0FFN8VLPD/
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    52 min