Fr. John Nepil: Where Catholic Theology Meets Alpine Adventure

It is often said that one can find God in nature, but few have explored the theology behind such a common statement. Join us as Fr. John Nepil talks with Andrew Petiprin about the theological lessons and underpinnings of mountain hiking, which he details in his new book To Heights and Unto Depths. This book and the ensuing conversation artfully weave together theological insights and real-world experience. Fr. Nepil and Andrew examine the spiritual benefits of the outdoors, both the joys of reaching the summit and the lows felt during arduous hours hiking. They also discuss the modern crisis of manhood, responsibility of leadership, and how the works of theologians such as Von Balthasar, Cardinal Razinger, and Luigi Giussani can reveal spiritual wisdom found on the trail. For those who love the outdoors or theology, this episode is a must watch! Get your copy of To Heights and Unto Depths: https://ignatius.com/to-heights-and-unto-depths-thudp/ SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast. You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Follow us on social media: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/IgnatiusPress Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignatiuspress Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignatius_press/ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to Fr. John Nepil—Author, Mountaineer, and Priest 2:33 The Colorado Trail 5:52 Technology and Retreating in Nature 8:48 Theology and Mountaineering: Exploring Five Theologians 13:30 Heights and Depths in Hiking and the Spiritual Life 19:13 Leadership Lessons from the Trail 24:33 Priesthood and Evangelization on the Trail 32:26 Transcendentalism and the Beauty of Creation 43:16 Fatherhood, Masculinity, and Femininity 46:33 Conclusion: The Purpose of Adventure