Thomas More College Students Study in G.K. Chesterton's Private Library

August 28, 2008 - 8:34 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

MERIMACK, NH (AUGUST 28, 2008) - Through the college's Center for Faith and Culture, four Thomas More College students journeyed to Oxford, England this summer to study in the private library of Catholic apologist, poet, and novelist G.K. Chesterton.

Thomas More College students Anna Maria Mendell, Michael Lichens, Rebeka Lamb, and Joe Mazarella travelled to England to take a private two-week course entitled "Chesterton and His Age." The course examined the lives and thoughts of Chesterton and other major English Catholic thinkers, such as John Henry Cardinal Newman, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and J.R.R. Tolkien.
The trip was made possible through the generosity of Rev. Ian J. Boyd, CSB, founder of The Chesterton Institute.

Leading the program were tutors Stratford and Leonie Caldecott, who jointly direct the College's Center for Faith and Culture in Oxford. Stratford has published widely on all the topics of the course, and is the G.K. Chesterton Fellow at St. Benet's Hall, Oxford. He is also editor of Thomas More College's journal, Second Spring: An International Journal of Faith and Culture. Léonie has written on Cardinal Newman, and organized pilgrimages, tours, and summer schools in Europe for over a decade. She is the author of What Do Catholics Believe? (Granta, 2008).

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

The students were blessed (mostly) with good weather, which made the guided tours and excursions even more enjoyable. As much as possible, they studied these Catholic writers "on site," exploring the places where they lived and worked in order to bring them alive in the imagination.

Thomas More College's Artist-in-Residence David Clayton joined the tour to discuss Oxford's remarkable architecture and museums. Léonie Caldecott offered seminars on Newman and Hopkins, and Rev. Richard Duffield of the Oxford Oratory led students on a Hopkins-themed tour of Oxford.

Students explored all the key sites associated with John Henry Cardinal Newman--visiting his two Oxford colleges, the University church where he preached as an Anglican, and the retreat center in Littlemore where he was received into the Catholic Church in 1845. To better appreciate the situation of Catholics in England during times of persecution, Léonie also took the group to the recusant house of Stonor, where St. Edmund Campion had hidden and set up a secret printing press, before his arrest and execution.

The group visited Tolkien's grave in Wolvercote, saw one of his houses, and the pub where he and the other Inklings frequently met, and went on a delightful guided tour of The Kilns, C.S. Lewis's house outside Oxford where the two friends would often meet. The students had an exciting and lively dinner with Walter Hooper, who knew both Tolkien and Lewis personally.

Chesterton, of course, loomed large in the course. Lectures were held mainly in the G.K. Chesterton Library where the College is the caretaker of a significant collection of books and memorabilia. The College is making Chesterton's private library and belongings available for the first time to scholars and students who wish to conduct in-depth research into Chesterton's life and writings. The library is maintained by the College's Center for Faith and Culture in Oxford, England.

The students also visited Cotswold hills and read Chesterton's great poem The Ballad of the White Horse on the side of the White Horse itself--a great chalk figure carved into the side of the Vale as early as 1000 BC, or (some say) by King Alfred the Great to celebrate his victory over the Danes in AD 871. They sat on nearby Dragon Hill (where St. George is reputed to have killed the dragon) looking out over the valley for a seminar on Catholic historiography with visiting historian Joseph Stuart.

The students' reactions to this program were effusive. Said senior Michael Lichens: "The chance to study the greatest minds of the last 150 years was a dream come true in every sense of that overused phrase. As a convert I owe a great debt to Chesterton for literally saving my life, and all college Catholics look to Cardinal Newman as a source of learning and inspiration. So this journey felt much like a pilgrimage."

Newly minted alumna Anna Maria was equally enthusiastic. She said, "Studying the thinkers of the Catholic Revival brought to the forefront the vibrant unity of Catholicism and the intellectual life in a way that was inspiring. As a recent college graduate, I know that what I learned and the memorable experiences I formed will help shape my pursuits in the future."

Rebeka Lamb, another recent graduate of Thomas More College, is preparing to enter graduate school in the coming weeks. She said that her trip to Oxford "was an excellent academic and spiritual preparation for the Masters in English Literature that I am pursuing in the fall. The thinkers of the English Catholic revival strove to show how the Catholic imagination embraces all that is real and true about the world. I especially find Chesterton's ability to look at the world with wonder, wisdom, and humor a source of inspiration and guidance. Oxford was an intellectual and spiritual opportunity to refine all of the body's senses and the soul's sensibilities."

Based on the success of this pilot program, Thomas More College is now planning a full-scale course in 2009, which would be open to wider participation.

Contact

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
http://www.thomasmorecollege.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=
NH, US
Thomas Syseskey - Librarian, 603 880-8308

Keywords

Chesterton

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

We Will Pray with You: Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

Shop Holy Cards

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »