Wholly Holy and Unholy: The Christian Life in Sonnets Old and New

As aids to quiet prayer, condensed and intense poetic expressions may charge up the mind and emotions on first reading. Then, as we dwell with them, they may lead through prayer to quiet contemplation. In this Lenten Quiet Day, led by Dr. Donald McCown, we will explore selections from the Holy Sonnets of John Donne and the Unholy Sonnets of Mark Jarman. This is not an English class! Rather, it’s a chance to connect our own lives with profound historical expressions, and to be helped along, perhaps, by contemporary takes on those same themes. We’ll have chances to share what we each find in the texts of the poems. No prior reading, scholarly knowledge, or biographical research is required. Come as you are! Join us as we create community through liturgy, meditative reading, and quiet prayer, as well as contemplative dialogue and a shared meal. We will begin with formal Morning Prayer in the church at 9 a.m., share lunch together at midday, and close with evening prayer before 3 p.m.

Host or Publisher Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont PA