TAN Conversations

Translator Interview: My Burden is Light (Brandon Otto)

TAN's Mary Harrell talks to Brandon Otto about his carefully translated work of St. John of Avila's selected sermons, My Burden is Light: Suffering and Consolation in the Christian Life, available now for the first time in English. Get the book: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/my-burden-is-light-suffering-and-consolation-in-the-christian-life/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/my-burden-is-light-suffering-and-consolation-in-the-christian-life/] “Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28–30 Christ’s words ring true for this earthly life that we must endure in order to, hopefully, attain eternal rest with Him in heaven. Our fallen world is full of sufferings and struggles; from the everyday aggravations to the life-altering sorrows that we sometimes face. Yet, Christ assures us that His “yoke is sweet and [His] burden light.” This is so because He always helps us carry our crosses throughout this life and because the ultimate battle is already won, thanks to Christ’s love for us. Yet we must remain vigilant. Saint John of Avila, the 34th Doctor of the Church, gave numerous sermons on this subject, in which he offers the consolation of Christ’s own example and that of saints, like St. Francis of Assisi. St. John never failed to instruct, edify, and challenge those who listened attentively to his sermons. Within these sermons, we too can find renewed strength as we embrace the redemptive suffering of this life and hope for the beatific vision in the next. Published for the first time in English, this carefully translated work of St. John’s selected sermons will be a great spiritual aid to any soul along his path to holiness.

Author Interview: The Hell There Is (Msgr. Charles Pope)

TAN's Mary Harrell interviews Msgr. Charles Pope about his new book, The Hell There Is: An Exploration of an Often-Rejected Doctrine of the Church. Get the book: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-hell-there-is-an-exploration-of-an-often-rejected-doctrine-of-the-church/?query_id=4305e7793915877e8db69185f0492044 Even self-described Christians question whether God would consign anyone to hell. Msgr. Pope explains this false perception: “If it exists at all, it is largely empty, except perhaps for a few serial killers or genocidal maniacs like Hitler.” People who adopt this belief are ignoring Jesus’s teachings that instruct the exact opposite. In The Hell There Is, Msgr. Pope defends the doctrine of hell against doubters and skeptics. The reader will learn how God has largely been refashioned and trivialized in much of modern thinking. The God of Scripture has been replaced by the “Jesus I know,” who would never impose demands on anyone. As in the past, those nowadays who invent their own god engage in idolatry. By denying the existence of hell, they choose a false god who is indifferent to their spiritual condition over the true God who makes demands on those He desires to save. Msgr. Pope argues persuasively why hell plays a central role in God’s plan of salvation, based on a detailed examination of the scriptural evidence. A thorough explication of the teachings of Jesus on hell provides a convincing refutation of commonly heard claims that He never spoke about eternal punishment. Important questions about hell are answered completely based on sources from both Scripture and Tradition, including theologically sound insights from Dante’s Inferno. Through this edifying book, readers will come to better understand, and renew belief in, the doctrine of hell. “Of all the theological errors commonly held today, the most popular is surely the denial of the doctrine of hell.” —Msgr. Charles Pope https://tanbooks.com/ [https://tanbooks.com/]

Author Interview: Piety and Personality (Rosemary McGuire Berry)

TAN's Mary Harrell interviews author Rosemary McGuire Berry about her new book Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints. Get the book: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/piety-and-personality-the-temperaments-of-the-saints/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/piety-and-personality-the-temperaments-of-the-saints/] Are you grappling with traits that feel more flawed than saintly? Whether you're impulsive like St. Peter, assertive like St. Paul, or even unpredictable like St. Mary Magdalene, your unique personality is not just a path to heaven, but a canvas for holiness. God has designed every temperament with the capacity to reflect His glory. Jesus Christ, as in all things, is our ultimate example because he is the perfection of all four temperaments. By following Christ, we meet many saints along the way; saints who may have had the same weaknesses we face, or who endured similar trials in this life. Learning about the saints’ lives and how they used their temperaments to their advantage will orient us towards perfection in Christ. With vivid biographical anecdotes, Rosemary McGuire Berry will show you saints who have a similar temperament to yours, and through them, you will have the opportunity to learn how to master the strengths and weaknesses of your temperament. Each chapter focuses on one saint but also incorporates others related to that temperament. The chapters include a brief biography of the saint, a discussion on his temperament via examples from his life, reflections, and tips for specific temperaments. Some saints discussed here include: * Paul: Choleric * Teresa of Ávila: Sanguine-Choleric * Thomas Aquinas: Phlegmatic-Melancholic * Mary Magdalene: Sanguine-Melancholic * Simon: Sanguine Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints shows you that even the weaknesses of your temperament can be perfected in Christ. The temperaments you will learn about through these pages may also help you better understand yourself and the people around you. By understanding your temperament, you can cooperate with God’s grace by following the examples of the saints! https://tanbooks.com/ [https://tanbooks.com/]

Author Interview: My True Love Gave To Me (Elizabeth Zelasko)

TAN's Mary Harrell talks with Elizabeth Zelasco about her new book in collaboration with Katie Warner, My True Love Gave To Me: A Catechism for the Twelve Days of Christmas. Get the book: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/my-true-love-gave-to-me-a-childrens-catechism-for-the-twelve-days-of-christmas/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/my-true-love-gave-to-me-a-childrens-catechism-for-the-twelve-days-of-christmas/] Enchanting artwork meets one of the most popular Christmas tunes of all time. My True Love Gave to Me teaches children and adults alike about God’s lavishing love for us, and the gifts He bestows on us through His Church. Through memorable rhyme and captivating artwork, numeric symbols help uncover foundational aspects of the Catholic Faith, from the theological virtues to the beatitudes to the twelve doctrines of the Church. Rife with timeless Truths, My True Love Gave to Me will be a unique and beautiful teaching tool in your home or classroom during the holy season of Christmas, or any time of year. About the Illustrator Elizabeth Zelasko works as a full-time commissioned artist creating sacred and fine art for Catholic publishers, institutions, Churches, and private collectors. She speaks on the material process and theological aspects of writing a traditional icon, as well as the importance of sacred art in the home, and the history of art in the Catholic Church. Her work has been featured on EWTN, FORMED, the National Catholic Register, Denver Catholic, and in the Denver Art Museum. After studying fine art at The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, Elizabeth attended the Prosopon School of Iconology where she learned traditional Orthodox iconography. She moved to Denver to finish her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, graduating as valedictorian of her class. Learn more about Elizabeth at https://elizabethzelasko.com/ [https://elizabethzelasko.com/] About the Author Katie Warner is a Catholic homeschooling mom who loves to make and share creative resources to raise faith-filled families. Katie is the author and editor of the FirstFaithTreasury.com [https://firstfaithtreasury.com/] series, Catholic picture books, Head & Heart: Becoming Spiritual Leaders for Your Family, and a popular prayer journal series including A Parent Who Prays. She holds a graduate degree in Catholic Theology from the Augustine Institute, where she met Meg and fell in love with Meg's art. In her spare time, Katie writes for the National Catholic Register, manages KatieWarner.com [https://katiewarner.com/], and helps others home to the Church through Catholics Come Home. Katie lives in Georgia with her husband and fellow book-loving children. Other Katie Warner TAN Books * The Tiny Seed: A Parable https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-tiny-seed-a-parable/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-tiny-seed-a-parable/] * Let Us Pray: A Child's First Book of Prayers https://tanbooks.com/products/books/let-us-pray-a-childs-first-book-of-prayers/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/let-us-pray-a-childs-first-book-of-prayers/] * The Word of the Lord: A Child's First Scripture Verses https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-word-of-the-lord-a-childs-first-scripture-verses/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-word-of-the-lord-a-childs-first-scripture-verses/] * Cloud of Witnesses: A Child's First Book of Saints https://tanbooks.com/products/books/cloud-of-witnesses-a-childs-first-book-of-saints/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/cloud-of-witnesses-a-childs-first-book-of-saints/] * Lily Lolek: Future Saint https://tanbooks.com/products/books/lily-lolek-future-saint/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/lily-lolek-future-saint/] * Jack Giorgio: Future Priest https://tanbooks.com/products/books/catholic-kids-books/jack-giorgio-future-priest/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/catholic-kids-books/jack-giorgio-future-priest/] * Listening for God: Silence Practice for Little Ones https://tanbooks.com/products/books/listening-for-god-silence-practice-for-little-ones/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/listening-for-god-silence-practice-for-little-ones/] * This Is the Church https://tanbooks.com/products/books/this-is-the-church/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/this-is-the-church/] * Oremus: Latin Prayers for Young Catholics https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/oremus/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/tan-books/oremus/] * One Holy Marriage: The Story of Louis and Zélie Martin https://tanbooks.com/products/books/one-holy-marriage-the-story-of-louis-and-zelie-martin/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/one-holy-marriage-the-story-of-louis-and-zelie-martin/] * Sister Clare Gets Ready for Prayer https://tanbooks.com/products/sister-clare-gets-ready-for-prayer/ [https://tanbooks.com/products/sister-clare-gets-ready-for-prayer/] https://tanbooks.com/ [https://tanbooks.com/]

Author Interview: Turned Around (Peter Kwasniewski, PhD)

TAN's Mary Harrell interviews Peter Kwasniewski, PhD, about his new book, Turned Around: Replying to Common Objections Against the Traditional Latin Mass. Get the book [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/turned-around-replying-to-common-objections-against-the-traditional-latin-mass/] Turned Around: Replying to Common Objections Against the Traditional Latin Mass is a practical and clear book that examines the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) through a fresh lens. In each chapter, Dr. Peter Kwasniewski addresses common objections to the TLM, transforming these challenges into gateways for a deeper understanding and appreciation of its timeless beauty. From the reasons we worship facing East, to the profound significance of praying in Latin, and the ritual separation of priest and people, Turned Around sheds light on why these liturgical elements resonate so deeply with the faithful. Various other topics will be explored within these pages, including: * Why the Traditional Mass Is Kingly and Courtly * Why We Follow Inherited Rituals and Strict Rubrics * Why We Repeat Ourselves in Traditional Worship * Why We Use a One-Year Lectionary of Readings * Why it Is Better Not to Understand Everything Immediately * Why We Kneel for Communion and Receive on the Tongue Turned Around provides the answers and intrigue to explore the paradoxical and countercultural elements of the TLM that have drawn the young and older faithful closer to the divine for centuries. This book is not just a defense of tradition; it is a journey to the heart of Catholic worship, promising to deepen the reader's spiritual life and understanding of the Mass. Whether you're a skeptic or a devout follower, Turned Around offers a compelling case for the enduring relevance and beauty of the Traditional Latin Mass. Other TAN Books by Peter Kwasniewski, PhD: The Once and Future Roman Rite [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-once-and-future-roman-rite-returning-to-the-traditional-latin-liturgy-after-seventy-years-of-exile/] Good Music, Sacred Music, and Silence [https://tanbooks.com/products/books/good-music-sacred-music-and-silence-three-gifts-of-god-for-liturgy-and-for-life/] https://tanbooks.com/ [https://tanbooks.com/]