Questions and Comments on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

What questions and insights do you have after reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader?

Discussion Question #1

Dante uses the idea of justice to divide heaven into levels. How does that fit with your personal vision of Heaven?

Questions and Comments on Paradiso

What questions and insights do you have after reading Paradiso?

Discussion Question #3

Athena is one of the major characters in the story. Other women such as Penelope, Nausicaa, Circe, and Calypso all have a significant role in the story and are shown as strong women. Does Homer have an "enlightened" view of women?

Discussion Question #2

What virtues does Homer describe in his characters? Do the Greeks value the same virtues as Christianity?

Discussion Question #1

The story of Odysseus describes a great deal of suffering. Is there any value in the suffering Oddyseus experiences? How does this compare to the Catholic view of suffering?

Questions & Comments on The Odyssey

What questions and insights do you have after reading The Odyssey?

Study Question #3

One of the central issues addressed by St. Paul is the idea of Christian freedom. Paul put forward the Christian paradox that the more we serve others, the more free we become. Pope John Paul II also addresses the idea of freedom by quoting from the Gospel of John, "The truth will set you free." How can we better understand the Christian concept of freedom?

Your Questions & Comments

What questions and insights do you have after reading Fides et Ratio?

Study Question #2

The debate over creation and evolution seems to be one area where faith and reason are at odds in our society. Can they be reconciled? Where else do faith and reason come into conflict?

Study Question #1

In this age of relativism, how can we be certain of anything, and how do we convince people that Truth exists?

September 2008 - Fides et Ratio

Our first selected reading is Fides et Ratio, written by the late Pope John Paul II. It deals with the conflict throughout history of faith and reason, religion and the secular world. However, the Pope finds a common ground, centered on Truth.

Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the year of Saint Paul, beginning in June of 2008 with the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. During that time period, the book selections will relate to the life or ministry of the Apostle to the Gentiles. In the time of Saint Paul, the Gospel was a "stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (1 Corinthians 1:23). That conflict still exists in our world today.