Great
1/3 of the selections written by converts
Shakespeare’s poetry has a beating heart of Faith. He like all of the poets elected was authentically formed with the Traditional Latin Mass. A liturgy, according to Popes (Pope Pius V one example)[1], has no parallel in beautiful worship of God
Resides in unflinching witness of historical events
ToL master of poetic ideas.
Looked for mostly English language, in spite of inclusion by ToL French, or Dante, Italian. These great texts merited inclusion.
Endured the test of time, no living poets included.
- Excerpts- Criteria for Selecting Karen those poets who foundationally formed my Faith, personal walk, YMMV
Augustine “Late have I Loved Thee’ (pg 22), translated from Latin by Frank Sheed
Beautiful synopsis of the pear tree sin. Stole for the vivifying thrill. Stark honesty.
Could be read on beauty, loss of years lack of relationship with his Creator.
Read does not relate Augustine’s Conversion. He had studied and been taught by the great Ambrose, but he could not leave behind (so he thought) his concubine’s embrace.
One day in a garden, Augustine heard, Take up and Read. In that moment of a sing song child, he knew God and completely followed Him from that moment on. Hearing this as a Divine Command to read Scripture his eyes fell on these verses read an injunction against “indecencies,” a command to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in its lusts.”[2]
God permits the encounters is a mystery.
[1] https://www.saintjeromechurch.org/mass/historical-roots-how-old-is-the-traditional-latin-mass/ accessed march 3, 20205
[2] https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/confessionsaug/section8/ accessed March 3, 2025