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J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings ranks near the top of almost every “favorite book” or “book of the century” list. Yet few readers know that Tolkien was a devout Catholic who infused his Middle-earth stories with Catholic themes and symbolism. In fact, the author stated, “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.” In this episode, Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss these Catholic features, including Providence, the sacramentality of Middle-earth, three Christ figures, the Marian dimension, the philosophy of evil, and the eventual victory of goodness and beauty. LINKS Book RecommendationsFrodo’s Journey: Discover The Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings by Joseph PearceThe Power of the Ring: The Spiritual Vision Behind the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by Stratford CaldecottThe Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind the Lord of the Rings by Peter KreeftJ.R.R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth by Bradley BirzerThe Battle for Middle-earth: Tolkien’s Divine Design in The Lord of the Rings by Fleming RutledgeTolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages by Holly Ordway Other LinksBrandon Vogt – “8 Books on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Catholicism”Frederic Heidemann – “I Was an Atheist Until I Read “The Lord of the Rings”Steven Greydanus – “Faith and fantasy: Tolkien the Catholic, The Lord of the Rings, and Peter Jackson’s film trilogy”