FORMED Book Club

 From the FORMED website: Join Catholic experts and book lovers with decades of experience in publishing for in-depth weekly discussions of relevant Catholic texts. Hosted by Fr. Joseph Fessio, SJ (Founder of Ignatius Press), Vivian Dudro (Senior Editor at Ignatius Press), and Joseph Pearce (Director of Book Publishing at Augustine Institute). These discussions are part of an online community that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to https://formedbookclub.ignatius.com/ to sign up for free!

So far I have only been able to read Eight Popes and the Crisis of Modernity, by Russell Shaw. It was excellent. A slim volume, but backed with information. I am looking forward to listening to the discussions that are posted on FORMED soon. 

I also purchased an earlier discussion book, Real Philosophy for Real People, by Robert McTeigue, and am hoping to start that one soon. Very grateful that the discussions are posted online and that I can go back and watch/listen when it is convenient!

Daily Scripture Reading

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Another reading practice I have been working to cultivate is that of daily Scripture reading. 

On my own, I have a read through the entire Bible plan that I should finish before the end of June. It consists of reading from the epistles on Sunday, the law on Monday, history on Tuesday, the Psalms on Wednesday, Poetry on Thursday, works of prophecy on Friday, and the Gospels on Saturday. For a while there, I was treating one week like a singular day's reading. It was intense, but good. And is now why I'm set to finish in June. I like the variety I experience in a week, however, I do think it is easier to really dig in and study when I go book by book, rather than pop all over the place. Once I am done with this study I would like to do a better job of really digging in when I do my reading, making notes, consulting commentaries, etc. Last year I really dug into the books of the minor prophets, and that was a very fruitful study. I have the time and ability to do such deep-dives right now, and a person gets so much more out of it with a deep study like that rather than a cursory read-through. 

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;

    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;

    in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness." — Psalm 89:1-2 ESV

Because my plan above does not include the deuterocanonical books, I added those in to my daily reading last month. 

But truth endures and is strong forever, and lives and prevails forever and ever. — 1 Esdras 4:38 NRSV-CI

Additionally, I am (slowly) making my way through John with a friend. This is obviously not my primary Scripture study, but it has been nice to discuss themes and things that stand out with another person. 

He must increase, but I must decrease. — John 3:30 ESV

New Year, New Blog

No, it is not January 1st. Nor is it the start of the liturgical year. And my birthday is not for another six days. But March 25th does start the new year in a few special worlds. (Spoilers for Lord of the Rings ahead, so if you have not had the chance to read through this lovely series or watch the movies, be warned.) 

J.R.R. Tolkien was incredibly intentional about choosing March 25th as the date where Frodo completes his quest. In the Catholic calendar, today is the Feast of the Annunciation, the celebration of the Incarnation, also known as Lady Day. And as I learned in a Tudor history book I was reading at the start of the year, England (and as a result, colonial New England) celebrated the New Year on March 25th. 

Most of Europe adopted the new Gregorian calendar in 1582, but Queen Elizabeth did not adopt it due to the antagonism between the Catholic and Protestant powers at this time. (English people did however began celebrating January 1 as New Year’s Day along with the rest of Europe. No reason not to party 🥳) This also accounts for the funky double dating if you've ever combed through any colonial record keeping for fun (just me? 😅) The Gregorian calendar was not adopted in Britain until 1752. Just 170 years, no biggie. For a better illustration of what this means, George Washington was born on February 11, 1731 under the Julian calendar, but after the change to the Gregorian calendar in 1752, his birthday became February 22, 1732. 

Linking all this back to Tolkien, Gondor proclaims their New Year on this date after Frodo successfully completes his quest. 

“[Gandalf speaking to Sam]…in Gondor the New Year will always now begin upon the twenty-fifth of March when Sauron fell, and when you were brought out of the fire to the King…" (Tolkien, 1965 Ballantine, p. 283 RotK) 

And, also on the 25th of March, two years after Frodo's heroics, according the the reckoning of Gondor the Fourth Age of the Sun (i.e. "Age of Men") begins. 🤯🤯🤯 

tldr; Tolkien made the new year in Middle-earth March 25th, just like it used to be in Merrie Olde Englande.⁠

The absolutely glorious sticker of Our Lady, the Morning Star with "Hail Mary" in Quenya tengwar script is from @rebecca.gorzynska. Although she harkens to Elbereth (or Varda if you've read The Silmarillion) she's Mary 😊⁠

This year’s theme for Tolkien Reading Day organized by The Tolkien Society is hope and courage in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. So perfect.⁠ Happy Tolkien Reading Day, friends 🤍