I played an amusing game with the AI (artificial intelligence) search function on my computer yesterday. I asked the ghosts of the ether a bland question: “What is the role of G.K. Chesterton?”

About a quarter of a minute later the nifty little digital elves came back with answers which we all know: English novelist, Catholic convert, Christian apologist, etc. But perhaps the most entertaining was the title: “influencer”. Goodness! Gilbert has achieved a 21st-century digital cachet!

In Chesterton’s case, the title is apt and not inane as it often is. He was and remains a giant in every sense. His writing, humour and insights have touched the personal, spiritual and intellectual lives of many artists, writers, thinkers and many more of his beloved “common folk”. He certainly remains an inspiration for us at the Thomas More Centre.

May 29 this week marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gilbert Keith Chesterton (May 29, 1874 - June 14, 1936). He was an essayist, journalist, literary historian, anti-eugenics prophet, philosopher, poet, spiritual companion and so much more.

Chesterton had a remarkable intellect and a fascinatingly agile imagination. As a young man during the Belle Époque, he studied as a visual artist at London’s Slade School where he was not happy. Nonetheless, the experience sharpened his perspective on life and he retained a vivid pictographic mind. He, like Charles Dickens (for whom he was a great commentator), had the ability to paint scenes and concepts in memorable and full colour.

There are many worthwhile biographies and guides to Chesterton – the man and the “influencer”.

The now departed Newman scholar, Fr Ian Ker, underlines Chesterton’s importance as a literary historian and as a great philosophical humorist.

The prodigious English theologian, Fr Aidan Nichols, argues that Chesterton is an original and gifted native theologian, who was at once a “metaphysical realist”, a “theological anthropologist” and sensitive ethicist. Nichols remarks in his book, G.K. Chesterton: Theologian:

“Chesterton’s writings contain what appears to be a novel argument for the existence of God … it may be termed the ‘argument from joy’.”

Joseph Pearce, the English-born literary writer, argues that Chesterton was the key and bridge between St John Henry Newman and the great Catholic revival of the mid-20th century – not only in England but across many tongues and lands.

Anglican theologian and exponent of the “radical orthodoxy” school, Alison Milbank, writes in her fascinating study of Chesterton’s influence on J.R.R. Tolkien that both men contribute mightily to the foundations of a new and organic form of community and economics, based on their “sense of the gifted and thus religious nature of existence”.

All of these elements make Chesterton an important voice in the work of the Thomas More Centre today.

His fighting common sense resonates in our time. Chesterton warned in an address to the University of London:

“Culture is going to suffer a flattening, a repetition, a staleness, a lack of dignity and distinction, and people will say, “O that is democracy”.”

He defended authentic democracy – at least the community of real people with real desires and hopes. His solution was to write about an enculturation that allowed people to overcome the mindset of servility and despair he saw clouding attitudes in his time.

We want to join him in resisting the hollowing-out of all that is grateful, natural, familial, religious and virtuous in living together in this land.

In particular, Chesterton urges us to combine a humane heart with a clear head. It will be important to form ourselves with intelligence and integrity – only from this humble ground can we counter the narcissistic and deflecting ideologies that entrap and depress so many of our friends and workmates today.

We want to go out to people and to families with a joyful realism – to join in what Chesterton called the “making (and re-making) of the mind as a source of creative and critical action”.

Please Consider Assisting with YPAT 2024

The YPAT residential week has become an evolving but unique annual experience for post-school students or professionals interested in actively promoting the common good.

The program has been organised by a talented group of younger organisers who themselves have benefitted from the YPAT experience and want to give this chance back to others. They have invited some inspirational and notable presenters to contribute to talks, workshops, excursions and activities throughout the week – engaging with topics such as cultural and social analysis, economics, personal development, philosophy and theological studies.

The program includes opportunities for discussion and engagement with each other and with guest speakers, as well as free time for friendship and reflection.

The YPAT week represents a valuable and very concrete investment into the future.

Applications are still open for YPAT 2024, or please consider sponsoring a young person to attend YPAT this year.

Thank you for your support!

Anna Krohn
Executive Director
Thomas More Centre