Writings

We’re thinking of another Collections capturing poetry and other literary pieces penned by people associated with Heythrop College down the years.

As an obvious starter, below is a poem by Heythrop alumnus Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. (1844 – 1889). 

Do get in contact if you have suggestions for other literary writings we might include that have an association with Heythrop College. Separately, over time we are thinking of adding a library of academic writings.

God’s Grandeur

The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod? Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod. And for all this, nature is never spent; There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; And though the last lights off the black West went Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs – Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings. Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1877 published posthumously in 1918

A Royal Rendition of the Poem

The Prince of Wales reciting it as part of his Easter message 2021 

“in solidarity with Roman Catholics and the environment”.

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