She said her father didn't care much for C S Lewis' writings when compared to his own, but they were good friends to say the least. Priscilla, a church organist in her home parish in Oxford, said her dad lamented the fact that C S Lewis never became a Catholic although he certainly leaned in that direction with the Oxford Movement. (I'm sure today he'd join the Anglican Ordinariate!)
(The Oxford Movement began in 1833 under the leadership of John Keble, E.B.Pusey and John Henry Newman. These churchmen had in mind a return of the Anglican Communion to a 'Catholic' Church faithful to the Early Fathers and free of undue influence from the States. It reached its climax in 1845 with Newman's conversion to Catholicism.
Another movement which began in Oxford a century later and which has given us shelves of great books is that of The Inklings. This group of Christian friends, most of whom taught at Oxford University, included C.S.Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkien, and Owen Barfield. They met weekly in Lewis's rooms in Magdalen College to talk, drink, and read aloud whatever any of them was writing. They gathered as well on Tuesday mornings over beer and pipes in the Eagle and Child pub, or 'Bird and Baby' as it is known. Visitors to Oxford can usually find a seat in the snug little back room of the 'Bird and Baby' where photographs and other mementoes of The Inklings are displayed. When you are settled with a drink, you'll probably ask 'Why did they call themselves "Inklings"?' 'How did it all begin? The first question was answered by Tolkien who explained that they were 'people with vague or half-formed intimations and ideas plus those who dabble in ink.')
Currently I have a parishioner who each summer works as C S Lewis' home in Oxford, England. It is now a museum and hosts many wonderful events concerning his life. I had the privilege of visiting there a couple of summers ago.
This video is very good and helps us to understand much of the turmoil in the religious world that continues to persist today but born in the period of C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien's childhood. It helps to explain the post I have below this one too!
3 comments:
Tolkien was a strong and conservative Catholic. He was not happy with Lewis' marriage to a divorcee and the fact that Lewis would not come into the Catholic Church. Good post. Thanks.
Ah, two of my favorite topics! C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, along with the devout examples of dear Catholic friends across the pond, played no small role in prompting this "stubborn and reluctant" sojourner to take the final steps for full communion with the Catholic Church. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses literature, circumstances, and people to direct our paths.
We enjoyed your visit to The Kilns in 2010, and please know you are always welcome. My one regret, besides the unexpected arrival of a large family and the attendant busyness, is that Priscilla Tolkien was unable to join us. I did hear from the resident director that she visits on occasion for tea and reminiscing.
One small correction: Lewis' former home on the outskirts of Oxford is not a museum, but a year-round residence to visiting scholars and graduate students involved in study at Oxford University. To maintain an environment conducive to quiet reflection, the resident director arranges tours in advance. That said, The Kilns welcomes visitors throughout the year, so if anyone is planning a trip to Oxford, please check out www.cslewis.org for more information.
Your post makes me homesick, and even more so this year. The summer seminars are on hiatus for 2012, due to the serious illness of a dear friend and staff member.
As an aside, Tolkien probably would never have finished, let alone published, the Lord of the Rings trilogy without the support and encouragement of his friend, Lewis. Despite their differences, there was a lasting bond (inspired, I am convinced, by the Holy Spirit) between the two men. Tolkien was one of a handful of mourners at Lewis' burial.
I have quietly studied theology, history, and the arts for 36 years. Now, I see the same tired old attacks on "Catholicism" from my son's friend. Ironically, this boy loves C.S. Lewis... It is in this that I hope to broaden his perspective. Perhaps he hasn't read the books of Lewis on theology? Now he is in a protestant seminary, (Baptist, we think)and they give him tracts claiming that Catholics base their salvation "on works." I recently saw that St. Therese had said "everything is GRACE!" Faith without works is dead, of course, but can anyone advise? I have a catechism, and would like to copy the correct teachings, as the tracts wrest them and twist them out of shape...
Post a Comment