Three Lenten Wednesdays

An Introduction to the Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins

Presented by Fr. Gerard DiSenso

Gerard Manley Hopkins is recognized as one of the most original and influential poets of the 19^th Century.  From a devout Anglican family, he became a Catholic at the age of twenty-two while a student at Balliol College, Oxford.  Two years later, he put aside his love of poetry and entered the Jesuit novitiate.  After seven years he broke his poetic silence with his masterpiece, “The Wreck of the Deutschland”.  As he was later to write, “I had long had haunting my ear the echo of a new rhythm which now I realized on paper.”  The poem was unlike anything written in the century.  When it was rejected by the Jesuit publication, The Month, it was to remain unknown for more than forty years, until its publication in 1918.  Hopkins poetry has influenced many 20^th Century poets, WH Auden, John Berryman, Dylan Thomas, Elizabeth Bishop and Seamus Heany among them.  Fr. DiSenso’s discussion of the poet will be held on Wednesdays February 24, March 3 and March 10 at 7:30pm in the rectory.  Please let Matt Collins know if you will be attending: 212-222-0666 x104 or ascensionbizmngr@aol.com