march madness and the pope

if you take a look at my NCAA Tournament bracket, you might be able to detect a theme: lots of Jesuit schools!  i’m a bit obsessed these days with the Society of Jesus.

last month, even before the election of Pope Francis, i happened to read The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by James Martin.  he’s the resident chaplain for The Colbert Report and a Jesuit priest.  the first half of the book was much more interesting and engaging than the second, but if you are looking for an introduction the history of the order and the development of Jesuit thought and spirituality, this is a good place to start.

Martin’s book highlights my two favorite Jesuits: Gerard Manly Hopkins (related posts from  2008 and 2009 and 2010…seems i’ve been thinking about Hopkins for a while!) and Teilhard de Chardin.  my truest encounter with Teilhard’s life and work  is from Annie Dillard’s For the Time Being.  years ago, i listened to this book on tape as i waited in the dark for the bus home from work.  good words.

i’ve also been listening to an audio book called About This Life: Journeys on the Threshold on the of Memory by Barry Lopez.  it is read by Lopez himself, and the marriage of his words and voice is a rare treat.  he says that the two biggest influences in his life were growing up among the wild places of Southern California and experiencing Jesuit education as a young man.

Andy and i watched The Company: Inigo and His Jesuits.  the narrator is a delightful Englishman.  make yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy this short film!

we’ve been working  on the Papal lapbooks that Jessica from Shower of Roses created.  they are lovely.  last week, Mabel and Nico were watching tv at a restaurant while we were waiting for our to-go order.  “The conclave!”  they shouted when pictures of the cardinals flashed up on the screen!  goofy kids!  can you imagine if we were Catholics?

and because i can’t get enough of coloring as a spiritual practice, i was thrilled to find this free coloring page of dear Pope Francis from Paper Dali, one of my favorite artists!

so.  a few Jesuit resources for you.  now if only Gonzaga can win it all!