Queer Catholic Book Club

Entering the sphere of Mars This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Aquinas addresses Dante’s conceptions of gifts and individual diversity. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

After learning about Saint Francis and his embrace of poverty, Dante is told about Saint Dominic and his embrace of faith. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Dante is told the life of Francis of Assisi from the vantage of Thomas Aquinas. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Dante meets the dancing girls of the Heaven of the Sun. They are all academic men. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Dante encounters the great sluts of Paradise in the sphere of Venus. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

“If we all come from a single ancestor, why are we all so different?” Dante asks Charles Martel d’Anjou in the sphere of Venus. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

What’s the difference between Divine Wrath and Salvation? Beatrice explains to a doubtful Dante. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

A brief history of the Roman Empire according to Justinian in the sphere of Mercury. What does political conflict look like from heaven? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Before departing from the Moon, Beatrice satisfies Dante’s confusion about Divine Love. What can be offered to God in place of a broken vow? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Beatrice explains that what Dante is seeing isn’t the complete reality but instead God’s generous condescension so he can begin to perceive the true bliss of heaven . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Dante and Beatrice meet the souls of those who could not fulfill their vows on Earth. Nevertheless they enjoy the bliss of heaven! Thank you for excusing our irregular posting schedule during the Christmas season. We will resume regular posting after the 12th Day of Christmas. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit apla...

Beatrice explains the order of Heaven and the spots on the moon. Dante warns - from here on out the poem will only get more difficult. Buckle up - we are in for a bumpy ride. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

In the final canto of Purgatorio Dante drinks from the spring of Eunoë and is fortified to ascend to the heavens. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Beatrice presents the history of the human race up to the time of Dante… no notes given. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Dante confesses his sins to Beatrice and is dragged through the River Lethe by Matelda. With his sins now forgotten he can now see Beatrice’s smile. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Virgil vanishes as Beatrice appears leaving Dante with a final reckoning in Purgatorio. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Dante beholds the Mystical Procession of Eden featuring Angels, Elders, Walking Candelabras, and a Chariot pulled by a Griffin. No explanations offered. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Atop Mt. Purgatorio Dante meets a maiden in a beautiful garden gathering flowers and singing. Is this an invitation to carnal bliss or something much bigger? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Egged on by the promise of Beatrice, Dante walks through the Fires of Chastity. After this final purgation, Virgil crowns and mitres Dante as an innocent soul free to follow his own pleasures. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Dante meets his idol Guido Guinizelli in the Terrace of the Lustful only to learn that the greatest modern poet wrote in Provençal not Italian! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

How does one suffer and how does one transform without a body? Approaching the Terrace of the Lustful Dante learns about the metaphysical mechanics of spiritual purgation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

At the close of the Terrace of Gluttony, Forese points out more repentant gluttons to Dante. Among them is Pope Martin IV who overindulged in eels and wine. The Poet Bonagiunta da Lucca is also there, who praises Dante’s poetry as surpassing his own. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/sub...

On the Terrace of the Gluttons Dante meets his old friend Forese among many repenting Gluttons. They make amends for the terrible things Dante has said about his wife. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Dante and Virgil encounter an inverted tree that inspires hunger and thirst but don’t you dare touch its fruit or drink from its dew: The Terrace of the Gluttons. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe