In this third session, we consider the Catholic influence on two of the great American authors: F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Fitzgerald strayed far from the Catholic faith of his youth, while Hemingway converted as an adult and remained a "bad" Catholic throughout his life. The Catholic foundation of these two authors is far too overlooked.
We also comment on Cormac McCarthy, another lapsed Catholic.
Perichoresis means "dancing in circle" and refers to the mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We consider an analogy for understanding the Trinity (God knows himself, and the Father begets the Son; God loved himself, and the Father and Son breathe the Holy Spirit).
We conclude with a beautiful reflection from St Maximus the Confessor (see below).
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In this session, we look to certain non-Catholic authors who have many Catholic characters and themes. Most especially, we consider Henry James and Willa Cather.
Also, some lists of American authors and books are offered.
We consider some of the Trinitarian theology related especially to the Person of the Holy Spirit. Then, reflecting on the Veni Sancte Spiritus sequence of Pentecost, we consider how the Church in many ways is the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. If the Church is the Body of Christ, the Holy Spirit is the Soul of the Church.
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In this series, we discuss literature and especially the Catholic influence on American Literature - especially in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Nation.
Our first class discusses the importance of literature and also gives various recommendations of great book lists -- Catholic authors, American authors, and a list of the great books that should be read.