I was pleased to receive a package announcing the establishment of a new Catholic boarding school for boys that will be in Pennsylvania. Classes start at Gregory the Great Academy this coming Fall. The package included letters of recommendation from the abbot of Our Lady of the Annunciation of Clear Creek Abbey and from Bishop James D Conley who is at the Archdiocese of Denver. The Academy describes itself as follows: 'Gregory the Great Academy is a traditional Catholic boarding school for boys in grades 9 - 12. We offer a classical liberal arts education through which a young man can deepen his faith, sharpen his intellect, and become a true Catholic gentleman.'
This is inspired by the vision of education of the late John Senior who, I am given to understand, was an influential figure in the lives of many of the monks at Clear Creek going back to his time when he was teaching at the University of Kansas. I have come across his ideas through a number of faculty and staff at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts who were educated at institutions that were also inspired by John Senior's ideas.
The education at Gregory the Great Academy will open up its students to a traditional Catholic culture in the broadest sense of the word - everyday living that reflects and nourishes our beliefs and core values. What is encouraging to me is the forceful emphasis given to the connection between liturgy and culture; the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and sacred music will be central to the life of its students. This harmonized combination of study and liturgy is vital, in my opinion, and especially one that includes the Liturgy of the Hours along with everything else. The Academy has been blessed with the participation and patronage of Fr. Eric Bergman, parish priest of the first parish under the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Fr. Bergman will serve as the chaplain and offer most Academy liturgies according to the rich and beautiful traditions of the Anglican Use of the Roman Rite, as it stands he will offer as well the Extraordinary Form on a weekly basis. The intention is to have the students participating in morning and evening prayer according to the Anglican Use, with the possible addition of Compline once they get going. The students will learn Gregorian chant, polyphony and sacred music of the Anglican tradition.
It is my conviction that this union of the intellectual life, work life and active participation in the liturgy is something that all aspiring artists should think about if they seriously wish to be contribute to a living tradition of their chosen field. If this is so, it seems to me, as every single one of us is called to play our part in the broadening of culture in some unique way it applies as much to everyone else too. Gregory the Great Academy is hoping to make a difference for the restoration of Christian culture.
Anyone interested in further information should go to their website: GregoryTheGreatAcademy.org
