To order a copy of Steve Mamanella's book _Providential_, see https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/providential/

This week (Wednesday, April 21) on The Open Door we move from philosophy and politics to what, even in such domains, guides our lives. We’ll be talking about providence. Our special and welcome guest is Steve Mamanella, author of the memoir Providential (En Route Books and Media, 2021). He led the communication departments of the Diocese of Peoria and the Archdiocese of St. Louis and is now a communications consultant. Steve is married and has two sons. Among the questions we will ask him are the following.

1. St. John Henry Newman, in his Grammar of Assent, wrote that “What Scripture especially illustrates from its first page to its last, is God’s Providence; and that is nearly the only doctrine held with a real assent by the mass of religious Englishmen.” Just what is providence?

2. Let’s be clear: how does providence differ from fate, from luck, and from coincidence?

3. Does God’s providence constrict or enhance our freedom?

4. Can you sketch for us a few providential events in your life?

5. What are some providential events in the lives of people you know?

6. Is providence intermittent or is it constant?

7. How does prayer affect God’s providence?

8. Ancestry.com is immensely popular today. Is it mere curiosity that fuels this popularity or is there something more?

9. On a personal level, is there a link between discerning one’s vocation and being open to the workings of providence?

10. On a societal level, is there a link between reading “the signs of the times” and being alert to the workings of providence?