Friday Links
January 9, 2026
Master of the Antwerp Adoration - Epiphany
The Life of W. B. Yeats with Professor Roy Foster
The Role of Catholic Artists in Authentic Church Reform
Cassandra Nelson: That None Should Fall
Critical Readings Episode 304: The Hobbit, Part I
The Colosseum
Ryan Wilson in Conversation with Poets Paul Pastor and Jane Scharl
The Life of W. B. Yeats with Professor Roy Foster
The Base podcast sat down with Professor Roy Foster to do “a deep dive into the life, work and times of Irish poet W. B. Yeats.”
The Role of Catholic Artists in Authentic Church Reform
In this episode, Sr. Theresa Aletheia reflects on what true Church reform really requires—through the lens of St. Hildegard’s prophetic vision, Benedict XVI’s hard words about abuse, and the insights of media theorist Marshall McLuhan. She explores why our digital age creates a kind of spiritual numbness, how “self-made reform” often fails, and why the Church desperately needs wonderers, artists, and especially survivors who see reality more clearly than most of us dare.
Cassandra Nelson: That None Should Fall
Down through this elaborate chain of being, God’s light flows. This light is not only intellectual knowledge but also wisdom, care, love, and encouragement. It is every sustaining thing we need to become “divinized”—that is, to become more like God to approach him worthily and enjoy genuine friendship and adoption as his daughters and sons. Down through the ranks God’s truth and goodness flow, from the fiery seraphim to the wise cherubim, all the way down to a mother reading to the small child on her lap. Each creature is given precisely as much light as he or she needs and is prepared to receive: a proper “share of the divine is apportioned to each in accordance with merit.” This is done out of kindness as well as for reasons of practicality: the level of contemplation befitting a seraph would incinerate a toddler. Out of kindness, too, this light sometimes provides discipline and correction so we can grow closer to God.
Critical Readings Episode 304: The Hobbit, Part I
The always-worthwhile CR begins their journey into the land of the hobbits. Enjoy!
Nimrod Journal
A new issue is out (in the mail and available online) with some fantastic work and an announcement about their contest winners.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum is a new journal from Colosseum books, in partnership with Franciscan University Press and the Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing at the University of Saint Thomas, has launched a semi-annual journal of arts and letters. Their first issue is forthcoming and you can (and should) subscribe HERE.
Ryan Wilson in Conversation with Poets Paul Pastor and Jane Scharl
Catholic Literary Arts is bringing us a not-to-be-missed evening hosted by Ryan Wilson in conversation with J. C. Scharl and Paul Pastor. You can read more about the evening and find registration information at the link.
