Travels with Dante: In Search of Paradise

Join us for a very special episode with hosts Fr. Branson, René, and Hannah, as they accompany Dante in his journey through paradise. Tune in for a discussion on vows, grace, and the experience of heaven!

Dante has finally left mount Purgatory and is led up to Heaven, or Paradiso, by Beatrice. Join Fr. Branson and René for an introduction to the structure, poetry, and theology of the final book in the Divine Comedy! Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

With the final episode covering Purgatorio, Dante prepares to ascend up to his final destination, Paradiso! Join us on the final episode for Season 2, as Fr. Branson and Rene discuss the profound metaphors and prophecies in the final Cantos of Purgatorio! Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

After encountering Beatrice, Dante must repent and be cleansed of his sins before he continues his journey out of Mount Purgatory and up to Paradise. Join Fr. Branson and René for a discussion on true love, repentance, and an explanation of the metaphors employed by Dante. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Dante's journey through Purgatorio finally culminates as he meets his beloved, whom he has been chasing after for the entirety of the Divine Comedy, Beatrice! Join us for a very special episode featuring Tony, Fr. Branson, and René as they discuss the rich allegorical and liturgical imagery of the divine pageant leading Dante up and out of Purgatory! Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Dante continues his ascent up the Cornice of Lust and must walk himself through fire. Join Fr. Branson this episode for a discussion on the nature of lust and true love. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Dante, Virgil, and Statius continue their way up mount Purgatory and reach the Cornice of Lust. Upon entering, they stumble upon a raging fire, which purifies those souls who struggled with sins of lust. Join Fr. Branson and special guest Tony for a discussion on the true meaning of chastity and more! Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

As Dante continues his ascent up mount Purgatory, he reaches the Cornice of Gluttony: a ring of Purgatory where the gluttonous are purified by experiencing great hunger. Tune in for a very special episode with very special guest Tony D'Arienzo! Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

As Dante continues his ascent up the cornice of gluttony he meets Statius, a great fan of Virgil who teaches Dante a shocking truth about Purgatory. Tune in to find out, and for a discussion on true love and the search for beauty! Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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! Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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'. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

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. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Virgil and Dante come upon the first set of souls who were delayed in their Christian journey. After explaining the nature of excommunication, Fr. Branson and Donovan talk on the relation of faith and knowledge before discussing the nature of healing from sin. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Dante and Virgil are met by the first souls of Purgatory. Donovan and Fr. Branson discuss the joy at this book and the distractions our heroes face on the way. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Dante and Virgil reach the shores of Mount Purgatory where they meet Cato of Utica, a Roman from the end of the Republican era. Join Donovan and Fr. Branson as we discuss his history and the steps needed to prepare Dante for his ascent. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

In this last canto of Inferno, Dante and Virgil meet the Devil, locked in his icy chamber. Here we confront the real image of pride along with our heroes before completing our descent. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Dante and Virgil make the acquaintance of more Betrayers. Of note is the chilling (and deceptive) story of Count Ugolino and Archbishop Ruggieri followed by a discussion on why Inferno can be so hard to read. We then enter the next round of Cocytus: Ptolemea, Betrayers of Guests, with a brief dialog on the effects of marrying sin on Earth. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

As Dante and Virgil approach and enter the final circle of Inferno join Donovan and Fr. Branson to talk about a the nature of hope, and who these Giants are. Next, into the Cocytus we'll travel through Caina (betrayal of brothers) and Antenora (betrayal of countrymen) as we also briefly discuss sports/politics, the connection between sin and outward actions, and our foreshadow of next part of the ninth circle. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

In our final Bolgia, Dante and Virgil meet the Falsifiers (Alchemists, Impersonators, Counterfeiters, and False Witnesses). Join us for this great podcast where we finish our discussion on the Malebolge and these sins of fraud. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

In with the Schismatics and almost done with the circle of Fraud. Join Fr. Branson and Donovan for this great episode as we discuss the nature of discord and its effects on society and the human heart. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

This week we're starting off with the Evil Counselors. Join Fr. Branson and Donovan as they encounter Ulysses and Guido de Montefeltro in the 8th Bolgia with Virgil and Dante. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Thieves, scoundrels! All of the above on today's podcast as we enter the 7th Bolgia. Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss the nature of thievery, how it is a point of fraud, and its effect on a personal and societal level. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

In Canto 23 of the Inferno, Dante and Virgil descend into the Bolgia of the hypocrites. Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss the nature of hypocrisy and point out some key themes in our continuing journey through the sins of fraud. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

This podcast join us with mishapen socerers, tar-sunken grafters, and a rowdy gang of demons as Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss the nature of these sources of fraud and their relevance today. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Panders, Seducers, Simoniacs, oh my! Fr. Branson and Donovan follow Dante and Virgil through the beginning of the Malebolge, the 8th circle of Hell, that of fraud. As always we will discuss how Dante unveils the nature of these sins and tie it back in to our current culture and lives. We will talk about organized crime, corruption in the Church, and the effect of fraud. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss Geryon, the next beast Dante and Virgil encounter, along with the nature of fraud as a whole. Also, we encounter the last of those who do violence against God, the usurers. Congratulations on getting halfway through the Inferno! Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

In the next section of the circle of violence, a large flaming desert, Dante and Virgil encounter those who have done violence against God. In this podcast, Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss what "violence against God" means in addition to reflecting on Dante's encounters with the denizens of this desert. We finally talk politics in this one. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Next in the circle of violence we encounter those who did violence to themselves. Fr. Branson and Donovan look at the nuance Dante uses to address the tragedy of suicide in this deeply saddening canto. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Today's podcast follows Dante and Virgil into the 7th circle of hell, that of the violent. In talking on the sin of violence to others, Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss the lie that violence attempts to hold over us. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Into the City of Dis! Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss the Epicurean heretics that Virgil and Dante meet in the 6th circle. We meet the proud Farinata who gives Dante a prophecy of his future. Finally, after passing the last of the heretics, we'll cover the discussion on the landscape of hell. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

With Dante and Virgil stuck at the entrance to the city of Dis, Donovan and Fr. Branson discuss the nature of hope and discernment while also keying into a key line from Dante. This line forms the basis for our entire examination of the Comedy. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Picking up with the Greedy (3rd circle) and the Wrathful and Slothful (4th Circle), Fr. Branson and Donovan finish the discussion on the upper circles of hell. Join in as we discuss the nature of these sins and their relationship to our modern world. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Short podcast for the shortest canto in the Comedy! Fr. Branson and Donovan discuss Dante's interaction with Ciaco (the Hog), and the nature of Gluttony. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Fr. Branson and Donovan take enter the first ring of hell with Virgil and Dante. Join us as we engage with Paolo and Francesca on the nature of lust and its effects on man. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Fr. Branson and Donovan walk through Canto 4 which takes place in Limbo, the realm reserved for those who lived virtuously but not in the light of faith. The discussion is focused on the nature of sadness, virtue, and the transcendentals. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

Fr. Branson and Donovan open up with Canto 3, where Dante is confronted with the Gates of Hell and the Vestibule of the Indifferent. Join in as we discuss the nature of the journey Dante must make to gaze once again at the stars. Join our reading group here: https://gtcc.co/dantegroupme Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast

This episode is the introduction to our travels with Dante. Join Fr. Branson at the GTCC as we uncover the Divine Comedy in a way that is approachable and relevant to our experience in life today. This is will be our longest episode but it is extremely helpful in approaching this great work. If you would like to participate in our reading group, join at the link below. Join our reading group here: https://groupme.com/join_group/67351734/lw0yF7NJ Listen to our main podcast here: https://gtcc.co/podcast Episode Breakdown: 0:00- Intro: Why is Dante relevant to me today? 4:07- The questions and the man at the heart of the Divine Comedy 6:16- Dante, Desire, Cell Phones, and Philosophy 8:47- The Journey of the Poet 14:28- Desidere, the Importance of the Stars 16:43- Structure and Genius of the Comedy 24:12- Blasting through the Beginning, Canto I 28:23- Enter Virgil 33:54- A Second Start, Canto II 37:27- Heavenly Networking: How Virgil finds Dante 39:04- The Afterlife, an Overview 39:16- Inferno: Fatherhood, Sin, and the Minotaur 43:38- Purgatorio: Youth, Freedom, and Mercy 54:25- Paradiso: Vocation, Ascent, and Mary 56:22- Suggestions for Reading (Groups, Translation, Method)