About this episode

Prof. James Felak discusses how John Paul II utilized the saints during his pilgrimages to Poland to confront communism and promote Catholic identity.

Prof. James Felak shows how John Paul II used the saints in his pilgrimages to communist Poland to challenge atheistic rule, strengthen Catholic identity, and encourage resistance and hope. This lecture was given on October 31st, 2025, at St. Albert's Priory. To make a gift this June, visit  https://truth.thomisticinstitute.org/pod . About the Speakers: James Felak is a Professor of History and current holder of the Newman Center Term Professorship in Catholic Christianity at the University of Washington.  He specializes in Catholicism in East Central Europe and has authored two books on Catholic politics in Slovakia, and a book on Pope John Paul II and his visits to his native Poland during and after Communist rule there.  This latter work is based on hundreds of pages of papal speeches and sermons, and the records of the Communist government and secret police as they monitored the Pope during his visits.  Besides courses on modern Europe, Felak teaches “The History of Christianity” and “Catholic Classics in Historical Context.”  The latter course covers the major Catholic writers and thinkers from St. Augustine and St. Benedict through G. K. Chesterton…

People in this episode

Guest: Prof. James Felak

Topics covered

• John Paul II
• Communism
• Catholic Identity
• Saints
• Polish History
• Resistance
• Hope

Keywords

• Catholic Identity
• Communism
• John Paul II
• Poland
• Saints
• Resistance
• Hope
• Maximilian Kolbe
• Solidarity Movement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Washington

Books & works: Catholic Classics in Historical Context

Places: Poland

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