Desert Fathers and Mothers: Origin of Monasticism
This course was available in the past and may be presented again as part of the Open Enrollment curriculum.
When monks like Antony the Great and nuns like Syncletica of Alexandria trekked into the desert of Egypt to escape and learn the truth about themselves, their reputation for wisdom, miracles, and strength spread. Soon, many journeyed to consult these Desert Fathers and Mothers and record their discoveries. This course will introduce the ancient traditions of philosophical Spiritual Exercises in order to examine the words of the desert hermits—and look to key modern interpretations from Edward Gibbon, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Thomas Merton to consider how we should read them.
Notes
Online registration deadline: Thursday, May 12, 5 pm CT.