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Father Roderick

@fatherroderick.bsky.social

I’m a priest and I’m a geek. Read my stories via the link below πŸ‘‡ πŸ”— linkin.bio/fatherroderick

409 Followers  |  330 Following  |  466 Posts  |  Joined: 04.07.2023
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Posts by Father Roderick (@fatherroderick.bsky.social)

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The quiet love Tolkien believed in A Valentine’s reflection on love in The Lord of the Rings

I wrote a new collection of essays about love in the Lord of the Rings and I'm giving it away for free: fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...

09.02.2026 21:50 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Awesome!

04.02.2026 07:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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I’ve got a brand new TikTok channel entirely dedicated to books, reading and writing! Check out my first video about Brandon Sanderson and Darth Maul: www.tiktok.com/@fatherroder...

#booksky #books #bookreview #fantasybooks #amreading #indieauthor

03.02.2026 17:43 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Last Groundhog Day Nothing's Supposed To Live Forever

In honor of Punxsutawney Phil, I wrote a short story about a groundhog who relives the same day over and over again until someone finally breaks the loop.

πŸ‘‰ fatherroderick.substack.com/p/nothings-s...

It was inspired by the magnificent song by Oliver Richman (youtu.be/7MHKV3tEL4U?...)

02.02.2026 15:34 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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This week, I’ve been working on a fun little non-fiction project that brings together #Tolkien and Saint #valentinesday.

If you’re curious for a first look, make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter. I’ll be sharing more about it in this week’s episode!

πŸ‘‰ fatherroderick.substack.com/subscribe

30.01.2026 10:47 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ‡³πŸ‡± De afgelopen dagen vertelde ik in de 'Heilige van de Dag' podcast de fascinerende verhalen van:

πŸ˜‡ Felix van Nola, patroon van de spinnen
πŸ˜‡ Arnold Janssen, de bescheiden wiskundeleraar met grenzeloze dromen
πŸ˜‡ Antonius Abt, die in de woestijn vocht met demonen

Luister via de QR code!

16.01.2026 17:37 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Cato Frederiks’ life‑changing neck surgery is tomorrow. Many of you helped in Decemberβ€”thank you. Her recovery will be long, and she’s close to €40K of the €55K needed. If you can, please help her reach her goal. GoFundMe in the link:

www.gofundme.com/f/een-nekfus...

15.01.2026 20:43 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§Today in my Dutch podcast: Saint Hilary of Poitiers.

πŸ‡³πŸ‡± Vandaag in de podcast 'Heilige van de dag': Hilarius van Poitiers (†367).

Van welgestelde Romein tot bisschop in ballingschap. Hij stichtte het eerste klooster van Frankrijk en was de leermeester van Sint Maarten.

πŸ‘‰ npo.nl/luister/podc...

13.01.2026 13:56 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Marguerite Bourgeoys | Heilige van de Dag Margaretha van Bourgeoys is de eerste vrouwelijke heilige van Canada. Een meisje uit een groot, arm gezin uit Frankrijk.

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ Today on my Dutch podcast: Saint Marguerite Bourgeois, Canada's first female saint.

πŸ‡³πŸ‡± Margaretha van Bourgeoys is de eerste vrouwelijke heilige van Canada. Ik vertel haar verhaal in de podcast 'Heilige van de Dag': npo.nl/luister/podc...

12.01.2026 13:45 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ‡³πŸ‡± De heilige Veerle is niet voor niets de patroonheilige van slachtoffers van mishandeling. Ik vertel haar verhaal in de podcast 'Heilige van de dag'.

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ Saint Pharaildis is the patron saint of victims of abuse for a reason. I tell her story in my podcast 'Heilige van de dag'.

πŸ‘‰ link in bio

09.01.2026 11:15 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ‡³πŸ‡± Goedele wordt rond 650 bij Gent geboren. Een hardwerkend meisje, maar de duivel blaast steeds haar lantaarn uit.
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ Hear Saint Gudula’s story in de podcast Heilige van de dag!

08.01.2026 12:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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🎧 Podcast 'Heilige van de Dag' (link in bio):

πŸ‡³πŸ‡± Vandaag: Sint Gerlach leefde in een holle boom en liep dagelijks naar Maastricht om te bidden. Op een dag ontmoette hij de duivel…

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ Today: Saint Gerlach lived in a hollow tree and walked daily to Maastricht to pray. One day he met the devil…

07.01.2026 14:00 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Katholiek KRO-NCRV on Instagram: "✨ Wist je dat de Drie Koningen… geen koningen waren? En wat kunnen we vandaag de dag leren over dit drietal? 🌟 🎧 Elke werkdag: Heilige van de Dag, de podcast vol wo... 174 likes, 3 comments - katholiek.kroncrv on January 5, 2026: "✨ Wist je dat de Drie Koningen… geen koningen waren? En wat kunnen we vandaag de dag leren over dit drietal? 🌟 🎧 Elke werkdag: Heilige ...

Vandaag, op het feest van de Heilige Drie Koningen, is mijn nieuwe podcast 'Heilige van de Dag' van start gegaan!

Zoek naar 'Heilige van de Dag' in je favoriete podcastapp en abonneer je om geen enkele aflevering te missen!
www.instagram.com/reel/DTKIONb...

06.01.2026 09:21 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Ik vermoed het ook. Ben nu Deep Space 9 aan het binge watchen, gelukkig heb ik de serie nog op DVD voor het geval dat. De Sky Showtime versie is echter dramatisch slecht; ze hebben iets raars gedaan met framerate en contrast waardoor het er niet uitziet.

31.12.2025 09:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 24: Advent of Dragons Brought to you by Paul Copenhagen

The penultimate chapter of Advent of Dragons is live.

It’s about loss, trust, and loving something enough to let it go, without knowing what comes back.

I wrote this chapter late into the night because it had to get this moment right...

fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

31.12.2025 01:21 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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A new chapter of Advent of Dragons is live.

This one drifts into dreams, ink, and quiet insightβ€”where understanding doesn’t arrive all at once, but takes shape in the dark.

Only five chapters to go.

fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

26.12.2025 20:28 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 19: The Long Quiet Brought to you by Flavio Mattiello

Today’s chapter of 'Advent of Dragons' steps into the quiet after the celebration. The market lights have faded, the monastery settles, and the story pauses to let the weight of what just happened land.

πŸ‘‰ You can read the new chapter here: fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

25.12.2025 19:34 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 18: Carols and Lights A Christmas Eve episode brought to you by Robbert Stam

Today's Christmas Eve chapter of 'Advent of Dragons' is full of lanterns, pumpkin pies, sleigh rides, and a village gathering for carols and stories as evening falls.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas!

πŸ‘‰ fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

Fr. Roderick VonhΓΆgen

24.12.2025 14:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 17: Winter Market Preparations Brought to you by Michiel Ruijs

πŸ‘‰ New Advent of Dragons chapter is live!
The Winter Market is coming to Elderglenβ€”and the team has big plans. Lanterns, pies, sleighs… and maybe a few magical surprises.
Read it here: fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...
#CozyFantasy #AdventOfDragons #WinterMagic

23.12.2025 22:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 16: What We Choose to Keep Brought to you by Shawn Reuter

Today's chapter took me a little deeper than I expected. A small detail about Matthew’s dad and dementia came backβ€”and brought my own memories with it. Cozy fantasy can hold more than warmth. Sometimes it lets grief and gentleness sit side by side.
fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

22.12.2025 22:39 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 15: Digging Deeper Brought to you by Jodi Flood

Today's chapter of my cozy fantasy book 'Advent of Dragons' takes us down into the monastery’s basement.

Katie and her friends begin training one of the more stubborn magical creaturesβ€”and uncover something unexpected beneath the monastery.

πŸ‘‰ fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

21.12.2025 21:45 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Final Countdown Counting down to Christmas, a novel’s end, and a new beginning

Advent is almost over. I'm racing to finish my fantasy novel Advent of Dragons by Dec 31β€”writing a chapter a day!

At the same time, I’m prepping a daily podcast about saints for 2026. Chaos? Yes. But holy chaos. Read the update: fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-final-...
#Advent #WritingLife

20.12.2025 20:38 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 14: The Whistle and the Bond Brought to you by Maria van Rossum

✨ Chapter 14 of Advent of Dragons is live!
Katie’s recovering in the old monasteryβ€”but her bond with Spark may be burning too bright.
Then a stranger arrives. He says he can help.
But at what cost?
πŸ‘‰ Read it here: fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

#CozyFantasy #AmWriting #AdventOfDragons

20.12.2025 14:17 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 13: Critical Roles Brought to you by Richard en Marianne Versteeg

I love how Critical Role shows the magic of friends building worlds together with dice, humor & heart.

It inspired today’s chapter of my Advent of Dragons cozy fantasy novel: Katie and her friends stage a play to invite others into their world.

πŸ‘‰ fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

18.12.2025 21:56 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 12: Setting the Stage Brought to you by Ferdinand Velasco

Today’s chapter of my cozy fantasy novel β€˜Advent of Dragons’ marks a shiftβ€”both in the story and behind the scenes.

I’ve been discovering the tale as I go, but now it’s time to start shaping the threads toward the ending.

fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

17.12.2025 22:13 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 9: The Sanctuary Brought to you by Jan van β€˜t Ent

Chapter 9 of my cozy fantasy novel Advent of Dragons is live: The Sanctuary. Katie and her friends find a host of magical creatures hiding in an abandoned monastery. That's when the real adventure begins!
Read it now: fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

12.12.2025 22:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 8: The Search for Spark Brought to you by Michel Collignon

Chapter 8 of my cozy fantasy novel Advent of Dragons is live: The Search for Spark!
Katie and friends track missing creatures through snowy woods and broken pathsβ€”toward glowing birds, an overturned wagon, and a forgotten monastery.
Read now πŸ‘‰ fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

10.12.2025 22:48 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 5: Game Night at the Lantern Shop Brought to you by Philip Crewe

My serialized Cozy Fantasy Book 'Advent of Dragons' continues with Chapter 5β€”where laughter, warmth, and wonder meet just a touch of chaos. Read it for free: fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

08.12.2025 00:37 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advent of Dragons - Chapter 4: Of Lanterns and Tunnels Brought to you by Lyn Francisco

Chapter 4 of my cozy fantasy book is here: The Lantern Boy and the Tunnel Beast

A missing rock monster. A mysterious tunnel. And a lantern-maker who sees more than he lets on.

A wintery chapter with glowing creatures and glimmers of something more: fatherroderick.substack.com/p/advent-of-...

05.12.2025 22:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I think things are working again, thankfully!

05.12.2025 09:46 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0