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The Art of Catholic with Matthew Leonard

038: The Crucial Role of Catholic Fiction with Fr. Richard Infante

The Art of Catholic with Matthew Leonard

Matthew Leonard

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.9 • 831 Ratings

🗓️ 21 April 2016

⏱️ 71 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Every so often I get the point where I just can't take it anymore. The Art of Catholic community knows I'm totally into spiritual theology. But every now and then I hit the wall. I just can't read another book on prayer, the 3 stages of the spiritual life, or the virtues. I need something a bit lighter. Enter Fr. Richard Infante, wonderful priest and talented author of Catholic fiction. He's got a new book called "Last Priest Standing" from Lambing Press, which is a collection of short stories and novellas. It's a fascinating peek into the private lives of priests which satisfies questions a lot of us have like: What do priests do in their free time? Do they want to talk about Church stuff with lay people? Do priests hang out together? (In casinos)? It's quite interesting and will certainly humanize priests for a lot of people. But the conversation goes deeper. With four master's degrees, including one in Fine Arts, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to Catholic fiction and its role in culture. Items in this show include: Can fiction be used to effectively catechize? Fr. Infante's "must read" works of Catholic fiction The importance of fine arts in evangelization Can Catholic fiction change the way you approach Scripture? My favorite work of Catholic fiction I recommend for everyone (which I'm betting most of you have never read) Enjoy and God bless! Matthew P.S. Don't forget to grab your FREE copy of my quick guide to deeper prayer 8 Ways To Jumpstart Your Prayer Life! It's an easy step-by-step guide to help you rocket to God! Don't miss a show! Subscribe to The Art of Catholic by clicking this link and then clicking "View in iTunes" under the picture and then "Subscribe"!

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is the art of Catholic.

0:05.6

Jesus said to them,

0:16.0

not all men can receive this same, but only those to whom it is given.

0:21.0

For there are unix who have been so from birth, and there are unix who have

0:25.3

been made unix by men, and there are unix who have made themselves unix for the sake

0:30.8

of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it.

0:38.6

Welcome my friends to the art of Catholic. This is Matthew Leonard coming to you once again

0:43.4

from Studio 2 in the Saint. Paul Center for Biblical theology

0:47.1

So great to have you all with me

0:49.1

Now as you may have discerned from the opening quote from Matthew 19 today show has something to do with the priesthood

0:55.8

Not that all priests are eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven so to speak

1:00.8

particularly those of the Eastern branch of Catholicism and the handful of Roman right

1:06.0

priests in the West, they can be married, celibacy is a discipline of the church, it's not

1:11.6

a doctrine. But regardless, most Catholic priests are unmarried and they live a very different

1:19.0

life than the laity. Now that's not to say that they aren't human. However, through their

1:25.9

ordination, remember they do experience an ontological change, which is a fancy word that basically

1:32.7

means that the priest has experienced an actual change in being. So through his ordination,

1:39.4

he is configured to Christ in a unique and permanent way. He's truly been set apart, because he's got something the rest of us don't.

1:47.6

He can act in persona, Christi, capitas, in the person of Christ the head in a real way.

1:53.7

Now, why am I talking to you about all of this?

1:56.5

Because I've got a real treat for you.

1:58.9

My guest on the art of Catholic today is Father Richard Infante, whom, in addition to serving

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