On Wednesday 17th June at 19:15 there will be a talk on Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), the famous Italian poet, presented by Father Paul Pearson of the Oratory in Toronto In Canada. Father Paul, who will be visiting our Oratory in Port Elizabeth this month, is a well-known expert and published author on Dante, a figure is regarded by many as the father of the Italian language, standing in a similar place in Italian literature to Shakespeare in the English language. (Dante has even been the subject of papal teaching, having had a Motu Proprio dedicated to him by Pope Paul VI and an Apostolic Letter by Pope Francis – see below). His greatest work is the Divine Comedy. Father Paul’s talk, which will also cover his own personal story and details of his Oratory in Toronto, will be in the parish hall – all are warmly invited to attend. (Please RSVP to the parish office by Friday 12th June for catering purposes.)
Talk on Dante Alighieri by Father Paul Pearson C.O.
“At this particular moment in history, overclouded by situations of profound inhumanity and a lack of confidence and prospects for the future, the figure of Dante, prophet of hope and witness to the human desire for happiness, can still provide us with words and examples that encourage us on our journey. Dante can help us to advance with serenity and courage on the pilgrimage of life and faith that each of us is called to make, until our hearts find true peace and true joy, until we arrive at the ultimate goal of all humanity: ‘The Love which moves the sun and the other stars’ (The Divine Comedy, Par. XXXIII, 145).”
Pope Francis, Apostolic Letter Candor Lucis Aeternae, 2021
(Image: Domenico di Michelino, Dante Alighieri with Florence and the Realms of the Divine Comedy (Hell, Purgatory, Paradise), in the Cathedral of Florence, c. 1465)