Flannery O’Connor, A Good Man is Hard to Find.
Handout
In her short stories, Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964) excels in creating the setting for ‘epiphanies’, that is instants of crisis and revelation. She has a unique ability to portray how grace breaks through in the midst of evil, thanks to “her fine ear for natural dialogue and her ability to sketch a character with a few deft strokes”. This is true especially of her celebrated short story A Good Man is Hard to Find, first published in 1953. Has the definition of good been spread so thin that this word has been deprived of its real meaning? Why is the notion of good so elusive? The story might not provide a final answer to this question but invites us to discover instances of goodness where we expect them less. The reading of the story is recommended before attending the class. You can download the text online.
The Saint Thomas Theological Education Programme 2024-25 offers a series of talks on The Question of Evil and Suffering and The Theology of Healing by our Theologian In Residence, Fr Luigi Gioia. The dates and titles of the talks are available for download. The lectures will be livestreamed on YouTube and video-recorded. If you want to receive weekly updates about the programme please register online.
Saint Thomas Theological Education Program is at the service of those who seek a deeper understanding of faith and want to nourish their worship and their prayer. The teaching is rooted in Scripture, Christian tradition and spirituality. The lecturers are The Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia, Theologian in Residence, and internationally renowned guest speakers who are committed to making theology accessible to non-specialists. The classes are held on Sundays at 10 AM on the Fifth Floor of the Parish House and are streamed online. Additionally, recordings and handouts are made available for those who cannot attend the live sessions. For more information about our theology program and to receive links for weekly Sunday Theology Talks, please contact Fr. Gioia.
