Moderators: David Albertson & Mary Ortiz

After confronting the emptiness of modern life and embracing Christianity, T. S. Eliot discovered a new style of poetry that inspires readers today. In his Four Quartets poetry becomes a vehicle for contemplation, memory, and prayer. To conclude we’ll consider Simone Weil, the French mystic and activist, who says that prayer is above all a kind of attention. Can the attention required to savor poetry strengthen prayer?

Topics & Readings:

Session I: Eliot on music

Reading: Eliot, Four Quartets

Session II: Eliot on memory

Reading: Eliot, Four Quartets; Josef Pieper, “Leisure”

Seminar Schedule:

9:00-9:30 Mass in Church of Our Savior (optional)
9:30-10:00 Coffee & donuts on the patio
10:00-11:30 Session 1 in Newman Hall
11:30-12:30 Buffet Lunch outside on the patio
12:30-1:30 Session 2 in Newman Hall

This series is made possible by the support of the Grant “In Lumine: Supporting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide” from the John Templeton Foundation, Grant #62372.