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Before the Pumpkins

,

Politics and Government

Before the Pumpkins

The Martyrs Who Sanctified The NightLuke J. Wilson

Listen with Michael Caine™ and 800 other voices

Before the Pumpkins

Length2h 29m

About this audiobook

Long before costumes, candy, and carved pumpkins, the night we now call Halloween was kept holy as the Eve of All Saints — a time to remember those who lit the darkness with faith. Before the Pumpkins: The Martyrs Who Sanctified the Night retells the powerful true stories of men and women who faced persecution with unflinching courage and even joy. From Ignatius of Antioch’s steadfast journey to Rome, to Polycarp’s firelit defiance, to Perpetua and Felicity’s unbreakable sisterhood, and Lawrence’s holy wit upon the flames — these were the lives that gave meaning to All Hallows’ Eve. Drawing from the earliest Christian writings and modernising their words for today’s reader, Luke J. Wilson invites us to rediscover the faith that conquered fear, and to remember that the light of Christ once turned even the darkest night into holy ground.

Gods and Mortals

Political Intrigue

Audiobook details

GenreHistory, Politics and Government

Length2 hrs 29 mins

Narrated bySelect Your Own

FormateBook with Audio

Publish dateNov 2, 2025

LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1I. ROAD TO THE LIONS

1310. Reflection

21. Ignatius of Antioch

14IV. THE BARBECUED DEACON

32. Letter To The Romans

1511. Lawrence of Rome

43. The Martyrdom of Ignatius

1612. The Life of St. Lawrence

54. Reflection

1713. Reflection

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6II. FAITH IN THE FLAMES

18V. THE MAKING OF ALL HALLOWS’ EVE

75. Polycarp of Smyrna

1914. From Martyrs to Masks

86. The Martyrdom of Polycarp

2015. Reflection

97. Reflection

21Bibliography

10III. THE DAY TWO WOMEN DEFIED ROME

22Notes

118. Perpetua and Felicity

23About the Author

129. Acts of Perpetua and Felicitas

24Also by Luke J. Wilson

About the author

Luke J. Wilson

View all by Luke J. Wilson

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