Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

In the month of March, Bishop Conley offers a humanities syllabus that delves into themes of confronting evil and death. This exploration aligns with the Lenten journey, which follows Jesus into the desert to face temptations. The focus is on overcoming evil through embracing truth, goodness, beauty, and ultimately, the Cross.

The Jubilee Year brings hope by promising liberation from sin and death. It recalls Christ's assurance to His Church that "the gates of hell shall not prevail." The Church is depicted as navigating tumultuous waters while facing evil both externally and internally. This period calls for self-examination and preparation for eternal life.

The narrative includes reflections on Bl. Franz Jägerstätter's resistance to Nazi oppression as portrayed in Terrence Malick’s film "A Hidden Life." It highlights how martyrs demonstrate that even when evil seems victorious, it can be overcome through faith.

St. John Henry Newman’s poem "The Dream of Gerontius" explores the journey of a soul at death. This poem illustrates the transition from life to judgment and purgation, emphasizing divine refinement through Christ's incarnation.

Dante Alighieri’s "The Inferno," part of "The Divine Comedy," serves as an allegory for human actions' consequences in the afterlife. The work stresses conversion and grace during Holy Week in 1300, another Jubilee Year.

Auguste Rodin's sculpture "Gates of Hell" visually represents Dante’s vision with its chaotic depiction of sin's consequences.

Musically, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s "Stabat Mater" captures Mary’s sorrow at Jesus’ crucifixion yet reflects her unwavering confidence in His triumph over evil.

Bishop Conley's syllabus suggests additional works exploring similar themes: Leo Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych," C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce," Ingmar Bergman’s film "The Seventh Seal," among others suitable for adults and children alike.

This collection underscores how confronting evil and death is integral to human experience but also affirms Christian belief in Christ's ultimate victory over darkness.