Joy Like Swords: The video of my lecture

When I was studying in Rome, something came across my Facebook feed claiming the desk at which J.R.R. Tolkien wrote and illustrated all of The Hobbit and some of The Lord of the Rings was in Illinois. I am not in the habit of taking click bait, but this was one I could not pass up, a click that introduced me to the Marion E. Wade Center in Wheaton, Illinois.

Yesterday afternoon, I had the great and distinct privilege to present a lecture at the Wade Center, a research library dedicated to the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and the other Inklings with whom they wrote. The title of my lecture was ""Joy Like Swords': Hobbits, Franciscans, and the Crucifix," the video of which I am happy to share with you today:

I am delighted to say it was well received by the audience in Wheaton, and I hope you will enjoy it, too.

A Lecture at the Wade Center

Click on the photo to enlarge it

One of Illinois' unsung treasures is the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, a research library devoted to the Inklings, whose members included the great J.R.R. Tolkien. The library houses original manuscripts, translations of the authors' works into various languages, and books and articles about the writings and lives of the Inklings. Among its treasures is the desk at which the Professor wrote The Hobbit and most of the Lord of the Rings.

 

When I first visited the Wade Center after returning from my studies in Rome, I mentioned that I was about to give a Theology on Tap lecture on the subject of Tolkien's faith. The archivist quickly asked for a copy of my text for the library and asked if I might be interested in giving the lecture at the Wade Center. Naturally, I was very open to doing so and am happy to say I will give the lecture at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16th. The lecture will be free and open to the public.

 

In advance of the lecture, the Marion E. Wade Center sent out the following press release to publicize it:

 

Joy Like Swords : Hobbits, Franciscans, and the Crucifix
 4:00pm | January 16, 2018

 

The Marion E. Wade Center and the Wheaton College Tolkien Society present a lecture on the work of J. R. R. Tolkien by Rev. Daren J. Zehnle on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 4pm in Bakke Auditorium.

After Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee heard a minstrel sing of the deeds of the Fellowship of the Ring, J. R. R. Tolkien wrote that “their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.” By exploring the phrase, “their joy was like swords,” we learn to understand the reality of joy mingled with sorrow and experience God’s merciful love as we embrace the Cross.

Father Daren J. Zehnle is a priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois where, in addition to other duties he performs for the diocese, he serves as Pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Ashland, Illinois. He is a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a member of The Tolkien Society, and holds a B.A. from Quincy University, a S.T.B. and a M.Div. from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, and a J.C.L. from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

This lecture will take place in the Wade Center’s Bakke Auditorium and is free and open to the public. The Wade Center is located at 351 Lincoln Ave. on the northwest corner of campus at the intersection of Washington St. and Lincoln Ave. For more information, contact the Wade Center at 630.752.5908 or wade@wheaton.edu.

 

 

Hobbits, Franciscans, and the Crucifix

One of our seminarians at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary recently invited me to give a talk for the Theology of Tap program at Marian University in Indianapolis. The talk, he suggested, should focus on something regarding J.R.R. Tolkien and Catholicism.

After soliciting suggestions from members of The Tolkien Society, I have decided to title my talk (which is still percolating in my mind), "'Joy Like Swords'": Hobbits, Franciscans, & the Crucifix."

To help with the advertising of the event, I sent this brief sketch of the talk, which should match up with my final text:

After Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee listened to a minstrel sing of the deeds of the Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien explains that “their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.” These words often strike the reader as something of great profundity, even if they do not quite understand their full meaning.

Thomas of Celano wrote that “joy and sorrow were intermingled” in Saint Francis of Assisi. By exploring the Professors’ phrase “joy like swords” in light of the stigmatization of the Seraphic Father, we can approach the reality of joy and sorrow even as God’s merciful love floods our wounds when we embrace the Cross.

The talk will be given on November 10, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall on the campus of Marian University. It is open to the public and there is, as I understand it, a small admission fee depending on your choice of beverage (something like $5 with alcohol or $2 without).

In Steubenville

I arrived last night in Steubenville, Ohio after an eight-hour drive from Effingham.

This was, I think, my first time driving in Ohio. Back in Illinois the left lane is to be reserved for passing and for faster traffic; I get the impression that such is not the case in Ohio.

This morning at 11:00 a.m. I will be talking with the Liturgy committee of the Franciscan University of Steubenville about Saint Francis of Assisi and the Liturgy. If I had to title my talk, I would either call it "The Franciscan Sanctuary" or "Franciscan Liturgiology."

I will celebrate Mass at Noon, which will be followed by lunch.

At 2:00 p.m. I will speak with the Liturgy committee about the Triduum.

I will try to record both of these talks for podcasting. I know that I am several weeks behind on my podcasts and I hope to catch up on them either tomorrow afternoon or Monday.

At 4:00 this afternoon I am scheduled for a tour of the campus, though I'm not certain I'll be able to do so.

I'm trying to determine the best method for returning to Effingham. Our retired priest is covering my Masses back at the parish this evening and tomorrow morning, but I'm still schedule for the Life Teen Mass across town tomorrow evening. I can't quite tell if returning home late tonight would be better than returning tomorrow just in time for Mass. Neither option is all too good, but I am leaning toward the first, especially since there seems to be a cold front moving in in a day or so and I really do not want to drive through it.

I need to review my thoughts for the two talks today; if there's time before my first talk, I may do a bit more blogging.