The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
I am hoping that everyone has heard the news that one of our tippity-top favorite authors, often linked to here, Anthony Esolen, is leaving Providence College and will be teaching at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Nashua, New Hampshire. Our joy on his behalf for having found a haven after his time of turmoil is not untinged with personal satisfaction, as our own dear Bridget will reap the benefit of his move, since she is a junior there!
I kind of want to give you a flavor of what it's like. This admittedly modest and tiny little place is mighty of heart. Taking a step on campus is like coming home, if home for you is nothing grand or carefully manicured, but full of love and life. We felt it immediately about six or so years ago when we happened to go for some event. The whole student body turned out (as it always does), in jackets and ties (boys) and skirts (girls) — but cute, you know? And smart. Little by little we were drawn to the place, and as Bridget has delved into her studies we are only more so — in fact, the Chief taught a class there this semester on the American Founding!
Below I will include some links on what is going on, but know that even before the great and exhilarating news of Professor Esolen's arrival, wonderful things have been happening. Our friend (and my co-author) David Clayton worked with the faculty to establish the guild system, whereby, in the words of a friend, studies do not remain in the intellect but become manifest in beauty. The transformation of the little chapel bears witness to his legacy. Our friend Paul Jernberg, composer of the transcendent Mass of St. Philip Neri, is Guild Master and leads the choir in church and concert. Every member of the faculty is someone we count as a friend, so I won't go through the whole list, but truly, this school exemplifies our motto here at LMLD, that tremendously pithy and expressive quote from Pope Benedict XVI, “He who has hope lives differently.”
Some links about this great news:
- An interview with Tony Esolen about this move.
Okay, other non-TMC-related links:
- The fascinating figure of Russell Kirk, who shaped a movement from a small farm in Michigan. When I see something about him, I tend to post it (can you tell, haha) — you need to know him.
- There are little pockets of like-minded people all over. Isn't it funny that I put our Pockets under the intercession of St. Gregory — and here is a school named after him that represents just this kind of community that we talk about: The Gregory the Great Academy, a boys' boarding school in Pennsylvania. View this video about the school and scroll down for more information. There is a TMC connection — President Fahey is on their Board of Governors, as is the solid Bishop Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln.
- Two good pieces from Carl Olson of Catholic World Report: Settle for nothing less than the infinite mystery and the infinite delight, about that “sad and sorry” March for Science; and Travels with Walker Percy, a look at one of my favorite authors.
- Last week I posted some slow videos about guys working on wooden things and you seemed to love them. Here's a better link (but just skip the silly one at the top).
The winner of the giveaway from In the Loft is Ann! An email is on its way to you my dear.
If you loved the saint figures from Sue Dow but didn't win, fear not — you have until May 12 to take advantage of 10% off for our readers in her store: just enter the code spring10 when you buy!
~We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).~
Emily says
Hi Auntie Leila! I think two of your links about Esolen are linking to the same article- “An interview about Esolen about his move” and “His account of his day at TMC” both link to the NC Register article.. .
Leila says
Thanks, Emily,for the heads up — I fixed it now.
NY Mom says
Leila, thank you for linking to Gregory the Great Academy! All four of our sons are alums, and it was literally an answer to our prayers at a time when we were at a loss as to how to meet their needs as they grew into adolescence. I can’t give high enough praise to the faculty and staff that make it such a phenomenal place.
The biggest hurdle for us was the thought that a boarding school means “sending your boy away”. We had been homeschooling, and the idea of separation was almost unthinkable. But a wise mother, whose boys had attended previous to ours, told me gently and confidently that “no…you’re sending them TO something.” And yes…this “something” is a life, a truly inspired way of inspiring the boys to become young men of faith that is unlike anything we’ve got available in our culture these days. For any parent reading this blog who is searching (or praying) for a way to help their son find solid, joyous friendships, live their faith with boldness, and just plain Grow Up, I heartily recommend GGA.
p.s. I’d be happy to speak to anyone who might have questions about it, or needs a little extra assurance that this could a very good thing for their boy.
Rosemary says
We are good friends with some Gregory the Great alums, and one of our friends now teaches there. Wonderful school. 🙂
Stephanie says
Yay for Anthony Esolen! Yes it was this very blog that introduced me to his writing and I just loved his new book Out of the Ashes. I loved the following from his interview article: “Every fanily you raise against mass society is a castle of sanity and health in an age of confusion and disease.” Happy Good Shepherd Sunday!
Kristi says
TMC sounds like a lovely school! We are delighted for Prof. Esolen, and our joy too is tinged with personal satisfaction of a different sort: my husband, after a private but similarly acrimonious struggle at his college, heard Monday (St. Joseph the Worker’s feast day!) that he was hired as faculty by a more suitable college. After months of novenas to St. Joseph about his job (and years of challenges there), we were thrilled at how St. Joseph came through with such perfect timing. We wonder if Prof. Esolen got the news on Monday too, perhaps?
Katie says
I’m often telling my husband something or other that I’ve read on your blog… now I can say “that blog that mentioned St Greg’s” and he will have to love everything you say 😉 (he went there for high school when it was St. Gregory’s Academy, and currently he has two brothers teaching there and one attending)
Mary Ann Shivone says
So glad to see you mention Gregory the Great Academy. My husband and I have known a number of St. Greg’s alumni over the years, and are always struck by their joy, zest for life, faith, strong camaraderie and sense of brotherhood. I’ll never forget the time that a group of St. Greg’s alumns, led by my sister’s beau (now her husband and father of five) came to serenade her–in four part harmony, too!– outside our dorm window. Somehow all those students come away with a very strong sense of the adventure and romance of a life lived in the Faith.
Marta says
As our oldest daughter is will be starting 7th grade next fall, we’ve been just beginning to look around at colleges. (It’s never too early to start worrying, right?) We’ve been looking at TMC for all the reasons you mentioned. And now, what an extra incentive! Coincidentally, my mother has been raving about Esolen’s translation of Paradiso.