The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy: a hundred-day guided journal

by Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP

The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri has captivated the imagination of its readers for over seven centuries as Dante, a pilgrim on a journey to God, is called by Our Blessed Mother through the supernatural realms of the afterlife to witness the state of the souls of the departed. Accompanied first by Virgil, who represents human reason, and later by Beatrice, who represents divine revelation, Dante engages in conversation with souls in Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. Through each engagement, he experiences spiritual growth until he is made ready for the Beatific Vision, which is no less than an experience of the mind of God. Our journey, dear reader, is one that will lead to our own spiritual growth as we, through the grace God freely provides, are prepared to be pure, perfect, and ready for the stars.

585 pages! Includes a prose translation of the entire Divine Comedy  by Arthur John Butler, every illustration by Gustav Dore, and lectures and questions for reflection by Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP.

Paperback: $29.99 | Kindle: $9.99

REVIEWS

Review by Dr Pravin Thevathasan. Christendom Awake! (15 November, 2020). For access to the review, click here.

TESTIMONIALS

“Its journey has some stars. The book is dedicated for Our Blessed Mother without whom that voyage would not be possible. Along it, “the Red Sea’s waters stood aside”. There are especially stars in the sky over us. They are four cardinal virtues, which guide us: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. Here this is a great catalyst recalls a lifesaver and beacon, whom is: Mary, the Star of the Sea!” – (Rev.) Vincent A. Salamoni, Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.), author of The Mercy Ocean

“Sad that you never read some of the great classics of Catholic literature?  Here’s your chance to try Dante with the help of the sparkling commentary of Sebastian Mahfood, linking the insights of the past to the issues of today.” — Ronda Chervin, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Philosophy, Holy Apostles College and Seminary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

​Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, is a retired Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT. He first studied the Divine Comedy under Dr. Simone Turbeville in the spring of 1991 at the University of Texas in Arlington and began teaching it as literature half a decade later at Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth. It wasn’t until he began studying philosophy and theology at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT, that Dr. Mahfood began to see within the Comedy the care Dante took in a very Marian framework to map himself onto the works of Aristotle and St. Thomas among the other philosophers and poets he meets in Limbo and the theologians and Church doctors he meets in Paradise. Dr. Mahfood was prepared by Dante, who was himself a Lay Franciscan, to become a lay member of the Dominican order, which considers study to be an act of prayer.

OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS

In Praise of Life

by Dr. Donald DeMarco

TESTIMONIALS

“Don DeMarco has once again provided his reading audience with a strong testimony in support of human life, not just in this part or in that part of our existence, but in all of it. He models within this book the famous observation by St. Irenaeus, that ‘the glory of God is man fully alive, but man fully alive is man when he sees God.’” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Holy Apostles College & Seminary

“Professor DeMarco is a national Catholic treasure.  His work gives witness to our faith in a world which is increasingly seeking to exclude Christian perspectives from the public square.” – Phil Horgan, President of the Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS