Beginning the End

The students on the California High School Summer Program woke up this morning ready to embrace an exciting day of work and play after yesterday’s trip to the Getty and Hollywood Bowl — but tinged with sadness, because program is coming to an end.

First, however, there was Mass in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, followed by a cozy breakfast in St. Joseph Commons. The Coffee Shop opened one more time, serving strawberry matchas and cold brew with vanilla cold foam. Students laughed and talked with friends for a while, and a few spent the time finishing their reading for the afternoon class. Then there was a dance practice in St. Cecilia’s Hall to polish all the dance moves the students learned these past two weeks. Programmers attended the midday Mass in the Chapel, and all headed back to the Commons for some fried fish, roasted potatoes, and olive focaccia bread. 

During lunch, Finn V. suddenly stood up to deliver a moving speech concerning the Summer Program’s intellectual life. “As we look back on this both long and short time together, let us ponder the things that we have discussed,” he declared. “The Tragedy of Oedipus’s family and the role of the Fates in the lives of men. The logic learned through the procession of Euclid. Let us wonder at God’s judgment of Adam and Cain and His tests of Noah and Abraham. Let us greet Philosophy as humble students acceptive of her wise offerings,” he decreed.

Finn thanked the tutors for their invaluable assistance in their pursuit of wisdom. “You have helped us learn the value of thinking rather than of being told,” he said. He also encouraged his fellow students to share the tools and skills they have acquired at the College with others: “Use this experience to aid those who have none, and always be students of all that is true, good and beautiful.”

Following Finn’s inspiring address, the programmers attended their last class of the program. Upon entering the classroom, they found gift packages at their seats, including a TAC backpack, water bottle, group and section pictures, and as a copy of C. S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters.

Having completed their discussions of man’s search for happiness and the highest good in The Consolation of Philosophy, the programmers turned their attention to a text which touches on a similar theme, though in a very different genre. They discussed “Parler’s Back,” a short story by Flannery O’Connor, which follows the life of bitter, atheistic Parker, whose desperate search for beauty and meaning in his life leads him to cover his body in tattoos. Moved by a strange grace he both longs for and resists, Parker feels compelled to have an icon of Christ tattooed on his back, leading him to question Who He is.

Students probed the striking account of Parker’s conversion and God’s powerful call on his life to become a prophet, witnessing to Christ even under persecution. At the end of class, everyone thanked their tutors for a wonderful two weeks and left the room with a feeling of completion.

Although the students have now finished the last of their classes, they will still be able to enjoy each other’s company at tonight’s farewell banquet and dance. Check out the Summer Program Blog tomorrow morning for a full report and pictures on tonight’s celebrations!