Institute for Catholic Liberal Education

Professor Esolen reveals the golden treasures hidden inside just one sample from our vast treasury of ordinary English hymnody. The Institute will soon be announcing a new collection of such hymns especially for use in Catholic schools. https://www.thecatholicthing.org//what-does-a-real-hymn-/

A defining characteristic of the liberal arts school is a return to the great books. Though hotly contested in a cultural moment ruled by identity theory, the rationale for studying time-honored classics is simple: such works invite our students to ponder the universals of human experience. "Rejecting Homer for contemporary works driven by identity politics robs the student of rich symbols and essential truths of human nature. Reading and discussing the old books does not deny the value of newer texts, but rather insists that there are certain truths, concepts, and conversations that cannot be encountered any other way." https://www.acton.org//preserving-inheritance-defense-grea

Shortly before his conversion to Roman Catholicism, Gerard Manley Hopkins chose to give up writing poetry for Lent. Just days before the penitential season began, he penned "The Habit of Perfection." May it inspire your own Lenten endeavors today! "Shape nothing, lips; be lovely-dumb: It is the shut, the curfew sent From there where all surrenders come... Which only makes you eloquent." https://hopkinspoetry.com/uncatego/the-habit-of-perfection/

On Agustine and the power of story: "The Christian theory of literature acknowledges that we begin, at the moment of our creation, in a departure from God. We wander away, through the world. But, gradually, we return to 'rest' in God’s eternal love. Tragic tears are useless; they leave us where we are. Christian tears are tears of repentance, tears of joy." https://www.thecatholicthing.org///augustines-true-story/

Pour your Saturday morning cup of coffee and take some time to sit at the feet of St. Benedict "The poetic stance is receptive, submissive even, and begins with an appreciation of the mysterious and the inscrutable. A poetic person’s soul is gentle, with a tender and simple heart. The poetic stance’s chief virtue is humility, its chief action obedience, and its chief purpose healing." https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2021/02/73989/