Friday Links, February 26, 2021
Avoiding controversy; Corpse Flower video and poem; Claude McKay, poet; Lenten Retreat with Four Composers and Archbishop Cordileone.
The problem with contriving to be controversial
Katy Carl, Dappled Things Editor-in-Chief, writes this about the author of the linked essay at Angelus News, "Oh, I just love Heather King's writing." Some of the good quotable questions from the article:
“What good are our prayers, our doctrines, and even the sacraments, if they don’t break us open and challenge us to love the most difficult of our friends, families, and neighbors?"Why not view Lent as an opportunity, as often as we can, to seek out the nearest open church, drive or walk there, and go inside to sit, in awe, trembling and silence, before the Blessed Sacrament?"
Natalie Morrill, DT Fiction Editor, recommends the above-linked video, "We've published a piece by Ruth Daniell in DT before, & this reading/video of another poem of hers is lovely."
The Recollection of Claude McKay
James Matthew Wilson wrote the following on Facebook to introduce his essay about poet Claude McKay, which was published at Catholic Arts Today, the online magazine of the Benedict XVI Institute.
“I recently recommended people read the poet Claude McKay, in First Things magazine. Here is a more thorough essay on the work of this important poet, who was not only the first great poet of the Harlem Renaissance but who has also a claim to being one of the first important Catholic poets in American history."
Retreat for Artists and Art Lovers: Four Sacred Music Composers (and Archbishop Cordileone) Talk about God and the Creative Process
From the Benedict XVI Institute: "Last year the Benedict XVI Institute conceived a innovative Lenten prayer service that pairs classic Renaissance sacred music by Catholic greats with new works by living Catholic artists: a magnificent 'lessons and carols' format for Lent, interspersed with reflections from Archbishop Cordileone."Then came COVID. So while the actual premiere of this prayer service has been postponed Lent 2022, we invited all four of these living Catholic composers to lead our Lenten Retreat for Artists and Art Lovers."Here is your chance to experience beautiful works of music, to meet the composers who are part of a very real renaissance in Catholic sacred music, and to pray and reflect together with Archbishop Cordileone this Lent on your creative calling from God."Register here.
