On Movements, Education & Poetry

The Presidential Inauguration let millions meet Amanda Gorman, the Young Poet Laureate. Vatican News posted a brief interview. Ms. Gorman’s poem may be found here.

Amanda Gorman, who captivated the US with her poem recited at President Biden's inauguration ceremony, shares her thoughts on the importance of education, the power of poetry, and the movements launched by the dedication of young women. @AGisotti https://t.co/PpRHRtz07d

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) February 13, 2021

Kinship of Poetry and Religion

Poetry strings words in ways that pack more meaning. In turns poetry touches deeper parts of humans. Mid-20^th-Century poets included sisters and nuns. Nick Ripatrazone has written about some of them in America Magazine. He used their verses to illustrate. The contribution of Mr. Ripatrazone reminds that God may be found in every created thing.

All these sisters—Mary Madeleva, Mary Bernetta Quinn, Jessica Powers, Mary Gilbert, Maura Eichner and Mary Agnes—reveal a notable midcentury Catholic literary renaissance: women religious poets publishing widely.https://t.co/yXM2iyEoXw

— America Magazine (@americamag) May 18, 2020

Poetic Herald

May can see snow. More welcome is the poet’s sharp sight: “the lights of the flowers / coming on in waves.”

Poem of the month: Primavera by Robin Robertson https://t.co/GPRf8xPTOJ

— The Guardian (@guardian) May 9, 2020

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Later: Sunday’s 2^nd Reading

Emotion, Urgency, Hope

Jesuit Greg Kennedy’s recent book was released before the pandemic changed our lifestyles: Reupholstered Psalms: Ancient Songs Sung New. It is “a magnificently illustrated book which is, as the title explains, a version of the Psalms adapted for today’s readers to give them hope.” Greg explained more in an interview.

A Few Things

Passing along what may help enter the weekend:

• Jesuit Father Thomas Reese offered “some suggestions about what individuals, families, neighbors and parishes can do during this quarantine.”

• Wondering about the poet, who authored “Pandemic?” Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich “wondered” and searched and found Lynn Ungar. 

• Links to streaming masses (via email from the Office of Ignatian Spirituality:

Our Lady of Hope Jesuit Parish (Portland, ME)

Mon-Fri: 9am, 7pm

Sat: 4:30pm

Sun: 7am, 9am

Radio Mass of Baltimore

St. Ignatius Church

(Baltimore, MD)

live video stream or audio only

Sun: 9:00am, 6:00pm

Paulist Fathers' Motherhouse (NYC)

Mon-Fri: 12:10pm

Sun: 10am, 12:30pm (Spanish), 5:15pm