Book excerpt: Established at Old Oscott in Birmingham, England, in 1980, the Maryvale Institute provides a variety of part-time and distance learning courses to the lay faithful, consecrated religious and ministers of the Roman Catholic Church. Maryvale’s doctoral research programme in Catholic Studies is conducted in collaboration with, and accredited by, Liverpool Hope University. Successful students receive an award of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from the University. This book is the third in a series of volumes concerned with the outcomes of that doctoral research programme. It provides an overview of the breadth of work by its students in the UK, USA, South America and Africa and their contribution to new knowledge in the area of Catholic studies, a wide field including history, literature, philosophy, spirituality, and theology.