<p>Just another epic Catholic Nerds <em>Lord of the Rings</em> nerd-out. No big deal. <em>Except </em>we were joined by Mr. Big Deal, himself, Bill Donaghy. Bill is the Senior Lecturer and Content Specialist of the Theology of the Body Institute (<a href="http://www.tobinstitute.org/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.TOBinstitute.org</a>), Co-Author of RISE (<a href="http://www.menriseup.org/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.MenRiseUp.org</a>), and Editor for STRIVE (<a href="http://www.strive21.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.STRIVE21.com</a>).&nbsp;</p> <p>Join us for a discussion on the beautiful sacramental quality of Tolkien's writings. <strong>Have you ever caught a glimpse of Middle-Earth out of the corner of your eye? </strong>Do you know what we mean? A glimpse of Heaven? The "gray-rain curtain" of this world thins for a moment, and you see the golden light of Heaven piercing the veil. Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich said that Eden was always just beyond her vision, but she caught a glimpse now and then. For Tolkien nerds like us, Middle-Earth will forever color our perception of Heaven.&nbsp;</p> <p>BONUS: Our <strong>Top Pipeweeds of Middle-Earth</strong> (we're talking tobacco here, not that other stuff): Tolkien's and C. S. Lewis' Top Pipe Tobaccos. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Here is <a href="https://tobinstitute.kartra.com/page/PoetsfortheKingdomNovember2023">Bill's upcoming course on C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien</a>. 60 students have already registered! Reserve your spot now for November 5!&nbsp;</p> <p>Check out Bill's <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUOUoaLzUI2oIlZ3HdI4yX3Y4th6j-hOG">Way of Wonder podcast</a> on YouTube, under the TOB Institute YouTube channel. There are well over a dozen episodes so far!&nbsp;</p> <p>Do you want to bedeck yourself in your #1 galactic source for quality Catholic nerdery? Of course, you do! And now you can … Check out the C-Nerd <a href="https://teespring.com/catholic-nerds-podcast"><u>T-Shirts and Merch</u></a>!</p> <p>Like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/catholicnerdspodcast/"><u>Catholic Nerds on Facebook</u></a>.</p> <p>Tweet us @NerdsCatholic</p> <p>Email us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]"><u>[email protected]</u></a></p> <p>Also, check out Scott's <a href="https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2022/01/virgin-mary-e-course-mariology-class-on.html">e-course on the Virgin Mary</a> at <a href="https://allsaintsuniversity.teachable.com/p/what-you-need-to-know-about-mary-but-were-never-taught">All Saints University</a>!</p> <p>Recent posts from <a href="https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/">Scott's blog</a>:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2022/12/why-you-should-wear-brown-scapular-in.html">Why You Should Wear the Brown Scapular: In Loving Memory of Fr. Otis Young and Ruth Prats</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2022/11/the-consecration-to-st-joseph-for.html">The Consecration to St. Joseph for Children and Families: 33-Day Family Prayer Routine to Build Holier Families by Fr. Donald Calloway and Scott L. Smith</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2022/11/the-one-question-to-convert-all.html">The One Question to Convert All Protestants: Where Did The Bible Come From? Did Catholics Add Books to The Bible OR Did Protestants Remove Books from The Bible? The Truth About The Apocrypha</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2022/10/pray-rosary-with-blessed-anne-catherine.html">Pray the Rosary with Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich: Emmerich's Revelations for the Mysteries of the Rosary</a></li> </ul>