Evangelization, Modernity, & Flannery O’Connor w/ Fr. Damian Ference | Fr. Gregory Pine
November 24, 2025
Fr. Damian Ference on Evangelization, Modernity, & Flannery O’Connor
In this Godsplaining podcast episode, Fr. Gregory is joined by Fr. Damian Ference where they explore evangelization, modernity, and the thought of Flannery O’Connor. The priests discuss how a self-centered culture, the loss of mystery, and the subordination of reason shape the modern world. Drawing on O’Connor’s Thomistic worldview, the conversation highlights how her fiction exposes the spiritual crises of modern life and offers a path back to faith, reality, and authentic Catholic evangelization. The episode emphasizes the need to engage culture thoughtfully, live the sacramental life, and witness to truth in a world hungry for transcendence.
More on Fr. Damian Ference
Who is Fr. Damian Ference?
He is a priest in the Diocese of Cleveland, philosophy professor at Borromeo Seminary, and author of works on Flannery O’Connor and culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Flannery O’Connor important in this discussion?
Because her writings engage deep philosophical and theological questions (especially about modernity, faith, reason, mystery) in artistic form. She offers a lens to examine how culture and faith intersect.
How does evangelization relate to culture in this talk?
Evangelization is presented not as simply preaching to those outside the Church, but engaging culture thoughtfully, bearing witness in words and in lifestyle, responding to modernity’s challenges rather than ignoring them.
What practical takeaways does the episode offer?
Some practical points:
As O’Connor did, the artist (or believer) is a “maker” in the Thomistic sense (we make, God creates) and this humility matters.
Be attentive to the cultural currents (modernity’s effects) rather than assuming culture is neutral.
Use reason, embrace mystery, engage concretely rather than abstractly.
Recognize that faith is lived (e.g., sacramental life) not only conceptual.