Denver Catholic

19 DENVER CATHOLIC | APRIL 27-MAY 10, 2019 G .K. Chesterton — the larger than life writer, playwright, poet, and convert — has led many to the truths of the faith, as well as a return to common sense. Born in London in 1874, he became famous as a journalist and liter- ary critic, taking on what he sensed to be the growing heresies of his day in a materialistic and inhu- man utopianism. Over time he shifted to a defense of orthodoxy, understood as a sane view of human life that rep- resents a healthy imagination, the embrace of ordinary goodness, and our ability to recognize truth. Eventu- ally, he defended the fullness of truth in the Catholic faith, outlining the genius of the saints and Christ's ful- fi llment of history and our humanity. Knight of the Holy Ghost: A Short History of G. K. Chesterton (Ignatius/ Augustine Institute, 2019) provides a brief overview of Chesterton's life, thought, and holiness by the greatest proponent of Chesterton's thought, Dale Ahlquist. Chesterton is a fi gure that every Catholic should come to know and Ahlquist's book provides a helpful introduction. The themes of Chesterton's writings are only more relevant, not less, today, and we need him as an antidote to the growing irrationality and inhumanity we face. Chesterton demonstrates how Christianity makes perfect sense as the answer to the world's problems and the further we react against it, the further we descend into madness: "It's the fi rst ež ect of not believing in God that you lose your common sense and can't see things as they are" (142). Chesterton is known as a master of paradox and irony, through which we fi nd his gift of helping us look at reality in a fresh and unexpected way. Ahlquist takes us through his major books, which I would highly recom- mend to everyone: Orthodoxy; What's Wrong with the World; St. Francis of Assisi; St. Thomas Aquinas; and The Everlasting Man. He also gives an overview of his poetry (such as the long poems, The Ballad of the White Horse and Lepanto), drama, journalis- tic essays, and his very popular short stories on the detective priest, Father Brown. The Father Brown Stories have retained their popularity, with a fi lm starring Alec Guinness in 1954, a TV series in the 70s, and a new series launched in 2013 which continues to run on the BBC. Responding to a growing devo- tion, the Diocese of Northampton, England began an investigation into the possibility of opening Chester- ton's cause for canonization. Ches- terton converted to the Catholic faith in 1922, after years of defending the Church as an Anglo-Catholic. Since his death in 1936, he has inspired countless conversions to the Catholic faith. His constant pursuit of truth and the power of his writing serve as an enduring witness. Ahlquist relates how "we can't help but admire him, but when we admire Chesterton and his great genius and his enormous creative talents, we are being thankful for God's gifts. God's gift to us through Chesterton. Everything points to God. And that is what saints do: they point us to God" (171). I saw Chesterton's impact on one convert, my friend Sue Scofi eld, who passed away Feb. 10. Sue, who also was a journalist, went through similar steps of conversion to Chesterton, beginning as a non-believer, con- verting to Anglicanism, and eventu- ally to the Catholic faith. She loved conversing on all things good, true, and beautiful and founded the local chapter of the Chesterton Society to help others experience the power of his thought and witness (denverches- tertonsociety.org). She also advocated for a renewal of education through Chesterton's vision. I can't help but think that the founding of a Chester- ton Academy high school in Littleton this fall, to which she looked forward, may be due to her intercession. The school, Our Lady of Victory (ourla- dyofvictorydenver.com), joins nearly 20 others throughout three coun- tries, ož ering an integrated liberal arts curriculum, a strong emphasis on the fi ne arts, and robust spiritual formation. Chesterton has impacted Catholic thought and education in profound ways. Ahlquist calls him a knight of the Holy Ghost, for his defense of genuine humanity and our need for God. We might also call him a modern apostle of the pen, as his writing con- tinues to communicate needed sanity, good cheer and the beauty of holiness. I remember being impressed by the number of people and the silence. It is rare to see large gatherings of people with no sound. I saw others dip their hands in the holy water, and I did the same. I am not sure why I did. Then I saw something that has stuck with me all these years. The confessional, as I see it in my mind's eye, was clear glass. I was surprised that I could see into it. There was a beautiful young woman, perfectly dressed, kneeling. I think the hyperbeauty that struck me about her had something to do with holiness. Here was this woman confessing for anyone to see. Who does that? At fi rst I felt odd looking, but then it was hard not to look. The scene before me could have been a painting. For many years I had been attracted to the faith. But I would keep talking myself out of it with what I thought was reason. If you had told me faith was higher than reason, I would have scož ed. Once we left the church, we went for ice cream and then walked more and more. I did not obsess about what I saw, but it wormed its way into me. I visited a number of churches over those two weeks. But that inte- rior scene in Notre Dame is what I remember best. There was something about the rawness, the honesty, of someone confessing that I had never seen before. I knew that she would fi nd relief from her sins. But what about me? Who was I to bring my sins to? To logic? To reason? By the time the trip was over, something was stirring in me. I knew for certain that I needed to be bap- tized and start to live another life, a Christian life — which is what I did, though it took a bit of time. Thanks be to God for that trip to Notre Dame. Pray for the people of Paris and France. The Catholic Reader R. Jared Staudt, PhD, is a husband and father of six, the director of formation for the Archdiocese of Denver, a Benedictine oblate, prolifi c writer, and insatiable reader. DR. R. JARED STAUDT G. K. Chesterton: Modern Apostle Flames and smoke are seen billow- ing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral April 15, 2019 in Paris, France. A fi re broke out that after- noon and quickly spread across the building, collapsing the spire. The cause is yet unknown but o¢ - cials said it was possibly linked to ongoing renovation work. PHOTO BY PIERRE SUU | GETTY IMAGES

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