Monday Evening Recap

This post begins where the last one left off, at the conclusion of Monday’s second class, in which students considered the meaning of piety as it relates to Plato’s Euthyphro. Afterward it was recreation time, which focused heavily on sports. The program’s chaplains, Fr. Sebastian and Fr. Paul, led a long series of volleyball games, while others took up football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and Ultimate Frisbee. A smaller group headed down to the campus’ three spring-fed ponds, where a game of water polo took place, more or less spontaneously, and lasted for about 90 minute! “It was a heavy sports day in the Southern California sun, says one prefect. “We brought sunscreen and bottled water!”

Following dinner (chicken nuggets, sweet potatoes, and salad), the students gathered in St. Bernardine of Siena Library for their first study hall, where they prepared for Wednesday’s classes on Sophocles’ Antigone and the pre-Socratic philosophers. Some even began reading up on Boethius in advance of next week’s classes. “Study hall was awesome,” said one prefect. “The students were really focused.”

Afterward, the prefects led the nightly Rosary in Our Lady of the Most Trinity Chapel. Attendance is optional but, as far as the prefects could tell, just about everyone was there. Then students met up in the Dumb Ox Coffee Shop for Italian sodas, iced mochas, and board games. Turnout was so high that the group spilled out into the rest of St. Joseph Commons, where some played foosball and ping-pong, and others began singing and playing the piano.

At curfew the men and women found their way back to their respective residence halls for icebreakers and snacks of chips, salsa, and guacamole. Then it was time for nightly consecration and lights out. Day 2 of the Summer Program awaits!