Moderators: Fr. Luke Dysinger & Leigh Tost

How did Christian monks deepen and transform Greek contemplation through prayer, spiritual reading, and song? What does Dante’s poetry have to do with the moral virtues? What is the relationship between beauty, love, and our desire for happiness? Can art reawaken in us a desire for God?

Topics & Readings:

Session I: Virtue and contemplation in Christian monasticism

Reading: Evagrius of Pontus, Prayer [or Praktikos]

Session II: Dante on moral virtues

Reading: Dante, Inferno 1, 2, 5, 26

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.