Have you heard of Theology of the Body (TOB)? Christopher West? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Let’s try this: Have you heard of music? How about art? [Nodding heads, okay. Good.]

For those of you who are on the TOB train, you know this tremendous teaching–also known by its original names, Catecheses on Divine Love, or Man and Woman He Created Them–has vast implications, including in the world of art. There are papers, talks and books on artistic implications of the theology of the body for art. So finally somebody’s putting the two together! Fill These Hearts is a tour which presents an evening of reflection on John Paul II’s theology of the body in a setting of art, music, and teaching. Prayer, art, music, and theology of the Body are powerful taken individually, but put them all together–amazing.

This is a wonderful development in TOB teaching and evangelization. I’d like to see more of this from other teachers also. Christopher West has arguably cornered the popular TOB teaching (no doubt about his gifts here), and has no problem getting funding for this kind of thing, but he is not the only teacher out there. (I’m not inviting commentary or debate on the merits or deficits of West and his TOB teaching here. It’s been done.) Different academics, authors, teachers, and speakers have different gifts, and I would love to see this approach explored more.

Some people might see the use of music, art, and candles as “rock ‘n roll TOB”. It might bring to mind liturgists try to sell “boring Mass” with guitars and dumbing down the awesomeness of the wedding feast of the lamb. However, I don’t think that’s what’s going on here. I’ve heard West’s talks, and seen his teaching a number of times. There’s depth here, whatever detractors might say. But I haven’t been to the Fill These Hearts event. Have you? What was your impression?

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I’ve been remiss to post something about this AMAZING one-day conference happening in LaCrosse, Wisconsin at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine on Sunday, August 2. So, here it is.

Top Five Reasons to Go to the St. Gianna Conference

5. Archbishop Raymond Burke will be there. Meet the big cheese (he’s from Wisconsin!) of the Holy See’s highest court. He’s a dang holy man, too, and preaches with gentle fire. Last time I heard him preach at a sacred arts conference I cried.

4. The stunning art and architecture of the Shrine will leave you breathless and prayerful, and it will restore your faith in the sacred arts (you will not confuse the shrine with a parking garage from the outside).

3. If you’re trying to conceive, St. Gianna has been a powerful intercessor for this. In fact, in the painting of her by Neil Carlin (above), Mr. Carlin used children for models who were conceived through her intercession! There will be a special blessing for those who wish to conceive.

2. You’ll get to hear and meet St. Gianna’s son, PierLuigi. How many times have you met the son of a saint?

1. You need to learn more about this very recent saint, called a “Martyr of Maternal Love.” (Another post I did on St. Gianna for mother’s day here.)

If you’ve not heard Patty Schneier give a talk, or checked out her CD’s, why not drive to Madison for the last of their St. Therese Lectures this year?

[Spoiler alert: If you go to this talk, you find out they both win.]

So I hope that if I publicize this talk by Christopher West in another city, people will still go to the Biochemistry of Sex talk the following week in Madison…

Wide in its scope, at once both modern and ancient, the Theology of the Body addresses the deepest questions of life. It proposes a vision of love for our times and experiences. Given as a series of talks by the late Pope John Paul II, the “Theology of the Body” is a profound reflection on the biblical understanding of love.It illuminates the meaning of our bodies, sex, and marital love. It emphasizes our dignity as men and women, the goodness of the body and sexuality, and our call to live in full freedom and joy. Through the mystery of the body, each of us can come to know our particular calling to image God’s love in the world.

Whether you are single, dating, married, or consecrated…whoever you are and wherever you are coming from, this message is for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. 

 About “To Fill These Hearts Full: God, Sex, and the Universal Longing” Valentine’s Day Workshop
Providing a rich, poetic backdrop throughout the event will be indie-musician Mike Mangione and The Band whose music explores the themes of the Theology of the Body in a subtle, organic, dynamic and expressive sound. 

If you’ve never heard of the Theology of the Body before, this is for you.

If you’ve attended a Theology of the Body Workshop before, this is something new. Bring a friend, family member, or significant other.
Invite someone you know who just might be curious.

Expect a series of provocative talks that stir the soul, move the heart and pique the intellect. Through theological reflection, humor, and our everyday experiences, Christopher West will unpack for you the message of the Theology of the Body in a language and application that everyone can appreciate, whatever your background or beliefs.