‘Catholicism and the Arts’ with James Matthew Wilson and Robert Royal

We are delighted to welcome poet and scholar James Matthew Wilson for an evening of readings of his latest book of poems, Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds. In between poems, he will be interviewed by Robert Royal, editor-in-chief of The Catholic Thing, on his thoughts on Catholicism and the arts and how together they impact culture. This program will be offered both in-person and virtually through a livestream on Wednesday, November 6.

Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds is James Matthew Wilson’s fourth full-length collection of poems, and he joins the great saint and theologian Thomas Aquinas to pause before “the thought of earthly sorrows” and to pray for “such a world that had so much to say.”

These poems stand in wonder before the tumult and beauty of created things and the capacity of the soul to rise above it. We move from encounters with the world as revelation, mystery, and promise, to great scenes of sin and fracture such as the bombing of Dresden, the execution of the Roman philosopher Cicero, and scandals in the Church. The volume begins with the prospects for an unborn child soon to enter our stormy world and concludes with a “Farewell” to the place, home, and setting of many of these poems.

This book is a story and pilgrimage through the troubles of our age and beyond them to the reason for our hope, “for all things turn about the love of God.”

Event Schedule:

5:40 PM EST: Doors open
6:00 PM: Poetry reading by James Matthew Wilson and interview with Bob Royal (this portion will be livestreamed through YouTube)
7:00 PM: Book signing and light happy hour

Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds is published by Word on Fire Academic and is available for purchase at the CIC bookstore and Word on Fire’s online bookstore.