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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Lovely coincidence that you chose two books by Saint Augustine and the new pope is a follower of his teachings.

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Emily Kinka's avatar

brilliant as always and a great way to express how many of us are feeling

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caitlyn's avatar

i'm glad it resonates 🤎

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esra a's avatar

i always enjoy your newsletters but i have to call out how talented of a writer you are! of course this digest was compiled with current events in mind but it feels like i've been offered a platter of the ripest fruits and the best cheeses to pair with my most personal thoughts... and as i'm turning the grand inquisitor parable from the brothers karamazov over in my head i can't wait to chase each read you suggested with the next. i'm strangely drawn to your description of saint augustine's writing the most! btw, i wonder if ivan would enjoy kierkegaard or if alyosha would wear l’orpheline...

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Jenna Noel's avatar

Beautiful post. I believe that God is built into our nature, into our being. He calls to us from every angle, within us, in the rise of the sun, in the call of the bird. Each whisper of hope and beauty is Him reminding us that despite our human propensity for error, He loves us.

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S.D. Smith's avatar

"Absence is presence. These are the fundamentals of mystery." - Pope Pius XIII (Jude Law)

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Kris Farren Moss's avatar

What a beautiful and brilliant lens with which to look at the conclave! I share a similar symbolic "scaffolding" and recently published a book (Your Guide to Ritual Design) to help others build one through ritual. The approach may feel shallow at first glance, but the goal was to provide an accessible portal to sacredness. I'd love to send you a copy, if you are interested!

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Caroline Beuley's avatar

It's so funny---I was listening to the Daily episode today about the pope being selected and the main thing that struck me too was that the papal conclave truly feels like one of the last major world events that happens with no media, no recording, total secrecy. It lends it an aura of sanctity that is missing from so many public proceedings today. I love that you pointed this out too because it really is so striking. I am very interested to see how this new pope approaches leading catholicism.

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Hannah R Cole's avatar

Thank you for all of this x

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From Anna, Forever Ago's avatar

“and while i’ve stepped away from that framework in a formal sense, its scaffolding still lives in me”

jaw DROPPED

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cat's avatar

really loved this essay so much and I have to ask if you’ve read the sparrow by Mary Doria Russell? One of the most god-haunted books I’ve read 🩷

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