Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex

The latest Dappled Things is now on-line:

It is a pleasure to inform you that the Advent/Christmas 2007 edition of Dappled Things has just been published online. Herewith a sampling of the excellent pieces that you will find in the new edition:

Our feature for this issue is Fr. James V. Schall’s “The Truth of His Humanity,” an article in which he ponders the birth of Christ and the significance of the fact that he was not only true God, but true man. This article, imbued with Fr. Schall’s usual insight, is recommended reading for these final days of Advent. Through it, Fr. Schall wrestles with several important questions surrounding the Nativity:

If we wonder about the apparent slowness in spreading this Good News of the Incarnation and Nativity, we are tempted to question of the Father’s schema for our redemption. Surely, it could have been a more “efficient,” a more rapid, process. It seems to lack power and proper planning. It seems haphazard and not particularly effective for its apparent purpose, which had to do with going forth and teaching “all nations” the meaning of what transpired in these places.

Those who have been following the exploits of “J,” the arrogant if witty protagonist of Eleanor Donlon’s ”Magdalen Montague” series, will be glad to know that we have published part III: “The Return to Magdalen Montague.” ”The Return” reveals a dramatic transformation in J’s character. Readers will have to visit the website to find out what it is, but for the moment I give you his father’s reaction to the change:

First he goggled. Then he stared. Soon he glowered… and he glared! Immediately following this lively display of emotion, he commenced sputtering like a frustrated kettle, his face turned a regal shade, and he swore at me soundly, starting with, “Damnation!” and concluding with a series of expletives beyond even my ken.

Also by Ms. Donlon is “The Dirty Linen of Literary Studies,” in which she skewers the reigning vices and prejudices of today’s literary establishment. Here’s a short excerpt to spark your curiosity:

“I don’t know about you,” said a doctoral candidate in one of my graduate classes (a fellow who openly broadcasts his embrace of a homosexual lifestyle), “but this really makes me feel excited.” The “this” in question was a large photograph of a classical statue of a naked boy. The “excitement” of the student was neither platonic nor pertinent to the conversation at hand. . . . Such is the state of mainstream literary studies today–perversely obsessed with sex, highly politicized, pompous, self-indulgent, and solipsistic.

In a similar vein is Gabriel Olearnik’s poignant (if disturbing) poem, “Parfum.” Other important features include an introduction to the paradoxical character of Hilaire Belloc, an article about a parish in which Latin Rite and Eastern Catholic communities worship under the same roof, a beautiful oil painting inspired by the life of St. Josephine Bakhita (the saint recently mentioned in Pope Benedict’s encyclical, Spe Salvi), as well as more excellent fiction pieces, essays, poems, and works of art.

 I hope you will enjoy the new issue!

Wishing you many blessings for Advent and Christmas,

 Bernardo Aparicio

President, Dappled Things