Or, life in the woods

I am spending Easter with a friend's family in Massachusetts, whom I thank greatly for their hospitality. This morning, my friend and I performed a unique kind of Good Friday penance. After waking around 6:30 and going out into the 25 degree weather, we walked the circumference of Walden Pond before standing on the shore in our boxers, and then diving into the water.

It was cold. Very, very cold.

We thought Thoreau might have enjoyed that sort of thing.

Have a holy Good Friday.

We happy few, we band of brothers

Last friday, the Villanova Humanities Department hosted a lecture entitled "Faith Seeking Beauty," delivered by the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Dana Gioia.

A practicing Catholic and prominent poet, Gioia spoke of the disparity between the size of the American Catholic community and its near nonexistent presence in the arts. Citing the Church's long history of commissioning and inspiring art, and even more recent history such as early and mid-twentieth century Catholic authors, Chairman Gioia bemoand today's lack of practicing, artistic Catholics. His points are valid, and one need only look at much modern art, visual, literature, film, etc. to see a soullessness that may very well be the result of artists without firm spiritual foundation.

The art community, though perhaps suspicious of orthodox organized faith, could be much improved by the presence of visible Catholic members. So, all of you talented Catholics, get out there and create. Think of it as a vocation.