St. John the Baptist: Unusual Herald of the Gospel

In June, Fr. Joseph Carola, S.J published his debut novel, Dragons: A Roman Requiem.

Set during the Second French Republic, the novel follows the story of Jesuit priest, Fr. Luigi Colonna. Deemed “a beautiful expression of family piety for the Society of Jesus” by Scott Hahn, Dragons is an impactful historical drama with themes grounded in universal truths and virtues.

Courage in the Face of War

As violence and revolution rage on, atheistic and secular sentiments rise and threaten to target the Society of Jesus. Amid the reckless and the cowardly individuals of the time, the Jesuits courageously persist in prayer and study for the greater glory of God. After all, where there are dragons, there must also be dragon slayers!

Diligent Labor

Set in the Roman College, the Jesuits remain diligent in their labor as the revolution rages on. The seminarians continue their studies although they are uncertain whether their future brings ordination or martyrdom. Their efforts advance astronomical research and assist the development of Church doctrine.

Division Within the Church

With the secular world in shambles, doubt arises as to whether or not God can prevail, while divisions fester even within the Church. The Jesuits defend the papacy from external and internal conflicts while they aid Pope Pius IX in drafting the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

Hope for the Future

Through suffering and the threat of suppression, the Jesuits’ faith in God remains unwavering. Even amidst the darkness of revolution, hope in God’s mercy cannot disappoint. With this belief, the Jesuits are equipped to become “dragon slayers.”

A Saintly Model

The novel’s lead character, Fr. Luigi, was inspired by Belgian Jesuit scholastic, St. John Berchmans. Devout, humble, heroic, both priests represent an exemplary man of the cloth in a conflicted world. Rooted in historical events and populated by real-life characters, Dragons is an appealing read both for fiction readers hungry for their next story and for Church history enthusiasts looking for an engaging adventure.

The Beauty of Spiritual Fatherhood

Fr. Carola’s novel offers a tasteful blend of authenticity and imagination, making it an ideal Catholic read. As the novel's publisher describes it,

In this sweeping tale of courage, fraternity, and unwavering faith, you will discover the beauty of spiritual fatherhood, how both courage and conversion are possible in the face of peril, and who is the ultimate victor in all conflict and the real power guiding all history.

Fr. Carola holds a doctorate in theology and patristic sciences, and he is currently a professor of patristic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In addition, Fr. Carola is a renowned author and has written four volumes in his series Conformed to Christ Crucified, a collection of meditations on priestly life published by Midwest Theological Forum.

Nadia Vasquez

Guest Contributor

Nadia Vasquez an undergraduate double majoring in English and Studio Art and minoring in Art History at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Nadia is an MTF summer 2026 intern. At Hope, she has written and published poems with the creative arts magazine, Opus. She is the current events coordinator of Hope Catholics.

Books by Fr. Carola Available from MTF

Conformed to Christ Crucified, Vol. I

In Conformed to Christ Crucified, Father Carola presents a collection of his homiletic meditations covering various aspects of the life and ministry of the priesthood. Each meditation is composed with a focus on the priest’s sacramental conformity to Christ Crucified, drawing from Sacred Scripture and the spirituality of the Church’s bi-millennial Tradition.

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Conformed to Christ Crucified, Vol. II

Father Carola is respected as a spiritual guide and continues to preach to seminarians, priests, religious, and the lay faithful. In the spirit of his best-selling book, Conformed to Christ Crucified, Father Carola offers a second collection of homiletic meditations pertaining to the priestly life and ministry. Sacred Scripture within the Church’s living Tradition remain their primary inspiration.

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Conformed to Christ Crucified, Vol. III

At the heart of Father Joseph Carola’s priestly ministry is the formation of Catholic clergy. He asserts that one of the most important lessons he can teach students is how to meet Christ in their suffering, and how through that experience, they in turn can help others to bear their cross. In Conformed to Christ Crucified, Volume III, Father Carola’s homilies focus on the theme of suffering and sacrifice, in imitation of Christ.

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Conformed to Christ Crucified, Vol. IV

Father Joseph Carola offers his fourth series of meditations that explores two essential questions: Why priests? and What is the priest for? Conformed to Christ Crucified, Volume IV, will assist priests in deepening their understanding of the gift and mystery of their vocation, while also inspiring the lay faithful to grow in love and reverence for the priesthood of Christ.

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Photo provided by the Jesuit High School of Tampa.