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Seton Hall University

Dante Panel of Scholars discusses the Divine Comedy  

Jennifer Martin

Dr. Jennifer Martin, Notre Dame.

Inside the Core last week, on Thursday, October 28 at 7 p.m., we were excited to be co-sponsoring, with our colleagues in the Catholic Studies Program, the Center for Catholic Studies, the College of Communication and the Arts, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology University, and University Libraries, Special Collections, Walsh Gallery, the 700th anniversary of the death of the great Italian poet Dante Alighieri with a special event – a Scholars' Panel on the works of Dante. Dante has been a part of Core I, Journey of Transformation, from the beginning, and he speaks to all of us particularly in these times.

Dr. Paul Camacho, Villanova

Dr. Paul Camacho, Villanova.

This presentation by a panel of experts on Dante was an opportunity for students, faculty, and administrators to focus on the spiritual significance of The Divine Comedy. As Pope Francis says, "Dante, pondering his life of exile, radical uncertainty, fragility, and constant moving from place to place…transformed his personal experience, making it a paradigm of the human condition, viewed as a journey—spiritual and physical—that continues until it reaches its goal" –(Pope Francis, 2021).

The panel consisted of the following scholars:

  • Dr. Jennifer Newsome Martin, University of Notre Dame
  • Dr. Paul Camacho, Villanova University
  • Dr. Vittorio Montemaggi, King's College, London
Dr. Vittorio Montemaggi, King's College, London

Dr. Vittorio Montemaggi, King's College, London.

Like Dante himself, you were escorted through the three parts of Dante's poem—the Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The panelists helped the audience understand and discuss the way in which "Dante reads the depths of the human heart" and "invites us to regain the lost and obscured meaning of our human journey."

October 28, 2021, 7–9 p.m., McNulty Hall, room 101, as well as on zoom.

Upcoming Dante events include the following:

  • Dante Reinterpreted: Student Panel: November 9, 2021, 5–6:15 p.m., Location to be determined, Seton Hall University Brownson Speech and Debate Team, College of Communication and the Arts
  • Dante and the Bible, Dr. Gregory Glazov, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University: November 11, 2021, 5–6:30 p.m. Walsh Library, Beck Rooms A/B, also on TEAMS
  • Dante Alighieri, "Il Sommo Poeta" (‘The Supreme Poet') Dante at the Gallery: Window Exhibition: October 6 to November 30, 2021 Seton Hall University Library

Curator: Jeanne Brasile
Pope Francis says, "The journey needs to be made in the company of another, who can support us and guide us with wisdom and prudence." Dante makes a wonderful companion for our individual and communal Journey.

Categories: Faith and Service

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