Poets for the Kingdom

The Sacramental Stories of Lewis and Tolkien

Course Description 

Perhaps no two authors in the last century have touched so many millions of lives with their deeply Christian imaginations than Lewis and Tolkien. Their intention to create "new mythologies" for England has quite literally touched the whole world, baptizing and evangelizing the imagination with a prophetic vision that speaks powerfully and critically to our reductionistic and "demythologized age". This course, combined with the sacramental vision of St. John Paul II in the Theology of the Body and his Letter to Artists, will delve deeply into the fellowship of these two great men, revealing how their personal histories and shared experiences shaped the writings that continue to shape new generations of readers. We will also explore their sacramental imagination through a host of their novels, stories, poems and letters. As St. John Paul II wrote, "Humanity in every age, and even today, looks to works of art to shed light upon its path and its destiny." (Letter to Artists)

Experience the Retreat

We offer two ways to experience this journey: as an immersive in-person retreat or as an online course. The details below describe the all-inclusive nature of our on-site retreats. Our online students receive the same world-class teaching and comprehensive study guide from the comfort of home.

Five days of learning & interactive lecture (30 hours of master’s level instruction)

Fantastic study guide so you can focus on receiving vs. note-taking

Daily Mass, adoration, and confession

Hotel style accommodations & delicious meals

Time for relaxation and networking

Gorgeous grounds to soak in God’s natural beauty

Optional round trip shuttle from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Meet your instructor

Bill Donaghy, M.A.

Bill Donaghy has worked in mission, evangelization, and education for over 25 years, with a background in visual arts, philosophy, and systematic theology. He has taught biblical studies and theology courses for a private high school for boys, and served for over 13 years as an adjunct professor for Immaculata University. Presently, he teaches theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary as well as for Homeschool Connections online, offering live, interactive courses for middle and high school age students. Bill is a senior lecturer for the Theology of the Body Institute as well as a Certification Program instructor, national and international speaker. He has been giving talks, retreats, and course to bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and the lay faithful throughout the world since 2006.

Enroll Now

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