Existentialism in the Morning

Thursday’s lineup of California High School Summer Program activities left room for only one class, but with the morning’s reading, it may prove one of the heftiest discussions.

Søren Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling considers at length Abraham’s role in the sacrifice of Isaac, as presented in the Book of Genesis. How did Abraham bring himself to the act? What depth of faith is required for such radical resignation to God’s will? Why celebrate faith if it can lead to such challenges? The questions weigh heavy on secular and religious minds alike — and made for great conversations in the College’s classrooms this morning.

After class, Summer Programmers were in for a special treat. Sibling prefects Anna (’22) and Anthony Santine (’25) had organized interested students into a schola to sing at the midday Mass. All in attendance at the liturgy were blessed by the talent in the schola, which lifted everyone’s hearts in reverent praise.

The burger-bar lunch in St. Joseph Commons was suffused with the hum of excitement, as students looked forward to their afternoon in Los Angeles. They will begin at the Getty Center, where they will get to see many of the paintings that tutor Dr. John Nieto highlighted in Wednesday’s lecture about art and beauty. And if that’s not enough, they will then hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform pieces by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev at the famed Hollywood Bowl, rounding out a day of enjoying the finer things.

Come back to the Summer Program Blog Friday for photos of the students’ trip to Los Angeles!