Fr. Marcin (left) and Fr. Augustine (right)
Fr. Marcin Szymanski, OP (pronounced “mar-tzin”, not “martian”) and Fr. Augustine Hilander, OP are both Catholic priests and Dominican friars.
The idea of prophecy is one of the most common tropes in pop culture, but not many know its origins in the Christian tradition of the West. Frs. Augustine and Marcin are excited to bring some light to the history of prophesy in the Bible and Christian history, as well as comparing it to popular portrayals in modern fantasy, especially in Tolkien’s Arda.
Fr. Marcin was born in Poland and entered the Domincan order in 2004. He is an avid player of strategy games both on tabletop and computer platforms, and is most interested in Tolkien’s Arda universe and the Warhammer 40K universe. He currently serves as Associate Director at Prince of Peace Catholic Newman Center at the University of Washington (uwnewman.org).
Fr. Augustine Hilander, OP was born in Southern California amid the sun and surf. He grew up without any set religion, but attended Thomas Aquinas College, met St. Augustine, and became a Catholic. He entered the Dominican order in 2000 and has ministered in Oregon, Alaska, California, and Utah. He is currently the religious superior for the Dominicans at Blessed Sacrament Priory in Seattle and works with the Dominican Laity in the Province.
