I've just finished Chesterton's Saint Thomas Aquinas, and enjoyed both the biographical aspect and the linguistic. For anyone who doesn't know, Chesterton is an acquired taste, but one well worth acquiring. I described his prose earlier this week to a student as something like a kitten chasing a ball of yarn. I've been reading Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ since Advent, and I'm enjoying every morsel. (I've read this book before, so it's neither new to me nor new absolutely, but I can almost hear the Archbishop using his chapters as conferences given to groups of persons.

In a used bookstore last week in Ojai, California, I discovered a book by the famous author Christopher Hibbert, called simply Agincourt, which I bought I haven't managed to start the book, yet, but it's on my (lengthy) list of must-read books.

One last one for now, which I'm thinking about as the anniversary of my father's death approaches. He translated Robert Froriep's Aspects the Tongue(1828) with the help of a two colleagues, one of whom was a dentist. I have the book ( a monograph) on my shelf and will some day get back to reading it (I did start, but got lost in some of the details).

I'm reading 'Summa Theologica'. Been doing so for a few years and will probably take a few more to finish.

"Second Friends: C.S. Lewis and Ronald Knox in Conversation"
not quite new book (2008) but new to me.

I am starting a book a friend asked that I read so we could discuss it. It is, "The Secret Power of Music: The Transformation of Self and Society Through Musical Energy." It isn't a new publication since the copyright is 1984. The author is David Tame.

Charles, we all here experience the transformative power of music, 'the Prophet's art, of all the gifts that God has sent, one of the most Magnificent'. Your book should confirm our experience of this most sublime art. Perhaps you will give us a book report when you have read it?
(I would acquire it but have reached that point at which am trying very hard not increase my possessions.)

Speaking of the transformative power of music, what are some of the transformative experiences that some of our fellows here have had performing or witnessing music?

I have had several (most, curiously, most from playing Bach)), but the most memorable was when as a student at the UofH I was learning Franck's B-minor chorale. The fugal section was giving me some trouble. Finally, it came all together and was mine. I have no memory of having stood up form the bench - no, I was suddenly up in the air as if I were a disembodied spirit and felt an exhilarating union with all creation, earthly and universally. And the words came out of my mouth with an astounding spontaneity 'I get it!!! You become the music1'. Such was the greatest of a small number of transformative musical experiences that I have had. It was heavenly. I have had similar experiences when directing a choir, leading hundreds of people in song, or playing Bach, Titelouze, or Langlais in recital. (Playing Messiaen is another sort of thing with its own odd experience.) These things just happen. One cannot make them happen or conjure them up. I say this guardedly, but perhaps they are a very very very small taste of the next life or state of being.

Anyone - More books or more musical 'experiences'?

Carinal Pell's prison journal - interesting read.

Anthony Esolen, Nostalgia: Going Home In A Homeless World, Simon & Shuster (2018).

Feliks Koneczny, O wielości cywilizacyj Gebethner&Wolf (1935) [trans.On The Plurality of Civilizations, Polonica, (1964).]

Both, as it happens

I benefited greatly from Robert Wilken's friendship & hospitality when I lived in Charlottesville, and recall that he crossed the Tiber from Lutheranism in the '90s. He and his wife Carol had a wonderful tradition of hosting a Christmas/Advent music singing event (replete with a potluck supper), at which several of my seasonal pieces got their first readings. Above all, Robert has been an incredible Biblical and early Christianity scholar and teacher.

Fast moving fields don't lend themselves to cautious use of published results.

A very profound work, Jehan, is Newman's Apologia. It was instrumental in my crossiing of the tiber. As an amateur historian I often am reminded of his saying that 'anyone who knows history will be Catholic'. I also very much liked his The Idea of a University.

Currently reading:

Who Designed the Designer? By Dr. Michael Augros
Screenman By Fr. Jean-Pierre Boubee
A Treatise on Plainsong Accompaniment By Prof. Henri Potiron
A Gregorian Chant Master Class By Prof. Theodore Marier

It’s amazing how prolific your readings can become when you kiss your cell phone goodbye for a year. The past two months alone, I’ve finished books by Eliot, Faulkner, C.S. Lewis, Maugham, Knox, and - the kicker - the entirety of War and Peace. As an old friend of mine who Sang bass in my old community choir would say, “Palestrina wouldn’t have written over 800 works if he had a Smart phone.”

Stimson,

Goood to see you're still about. Tell us how Dr. Augros' book reads. He's a tutor at Thomas Aquinas College.

Good to hear from Stimson again.

CGZ - Augros is very informative. His anecdotal style helps, along with his background. (He’s one of the most working-class philosophers since Eric Hoffer.) He came highly recommended from my philosophy professor.

“The Heart of the Gospel: Traits of the Sacred Heart”
Francis P Donnelly, S. J.
Not a new book - 1911. All the authors I like are dead

Von Balthasar will take that long, unless you manage to be on his "wavelength". I used to slog through Chesterton, but now I enjoy his work. That said, Von Balthasar is, in my experience, both dense and vacuous at the same time. What's the abbreviation people use around here.... YMMV?

Just finished this... first half very good recap on everything that has happened. Unfortunately, the part about looking forward is foggy...

https://www.amazon.com/Church-Crisis-Pathways-Forward/dp/164585048X

On The Wing - the Story of the Pittsburgh Sisters of Mercy 1843-1968. It's new for me 1980, a library book from the Cardinal Spellman Library.

Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz

Also, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Catholic Prophecy : by Yves DuPont : Tan Publishers : 1970

As expansion of Luke 21 as we look back and forward through hundreds of prophecies by Catholic Saints, mystics and prophets.

Fascinating, since this was written 50 years ago, and much of what was shrouded and veiled is now obvious and has come to light.

Currently reading "But Who Do You Say I Am?" by Bishop John Marshall. It takes every question Jesus asked in the Gospels and every question asked of Jesus in the Gospels and give a possible answer and a meditation on the question.