My alma mater Heythrop College is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year. I think I'll go to the garden party on Saturday 31st May and to the wine reception on 21st June but there are, of course, celebratory services too; one celebrated at the Jesuit church at Farm Street by the Vicar Apostolick Vincent Nichols himself (I shouldn't bother with that). The College has also organised a conference of lectures dedicated to the Jesuit tradition of scholarship. Much of these will take place at Senate House. I haven't heard of most of the lecturers but the one on John Donne looks good, as well as the lecture on the Jesuits and Classical literature. The Lord Williams of Oystermouth will conclude the conference. You can see the details here.
I enjoyed my time at Heythrop immensely. Though I am not a Bachelor of Divinity as I had intended 8 years ago the experience was an invaluable part of my life and I would not have exchanged it for anything. I was privileged to have met many of the country's finest theologians there. I met many friends there too. Some have, regrettably, become estranged from me for various reasons but the time of our communion remains dear to me. My allegiance has changed since those days but my affection has not and I pray God that my old friends come to that Faith most pleasing to God though I have not arrived there myself yet.
I did not graduate. I wasted time and money and I was lazy. Was it all in vain? No. I spent many happy hours in the Theology Library and I would say that I learned more in the three years that I was a student there than at any other time of my life. I wish I could return and take up full-time study again!
This is interesting, and it pleases me to hear of your happiness there. If any of the lectures will be distributed as podcasts, please let us know. They sound interesting. I found some here, http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/about-us/allevents/events-archive/lecture-series.html#c4188, but there is not much there, yet.
ReplyDelete