Poetry and Prayer: Poems to Deepen the Language of the Heart

In times of trouble, we look for comfort: comfort in action, in protest, in change, in language, and in shared experiences. This evening will explore poems to deepen the language of the heart during troubling times. Using poems from his own works, as well as poems from others, Pádraig Ó Tuama will explore poetry’s capacity to enlarge the heart, to deepen courage, to name truths, and to speak the deepest desires of the heart.

Leader(s)

Pádraig Ó Tuama is a poet, theologian, and conflict mediator from Ireland. From 2014-2019 he was the leader of the Corrymeela Community, Ireland’s oldest peace and reconciliation community. His published work incorporates poetry (Readings from the Book of Exile; Sorry for your Troubles), prose (In The Shelter), and theology.

A profoundly engaging public speaker, Ó Tuama has worked with groups to explore story, conflict, their relationship with religion and argument, and violence. His work is marked both by lyricism and pragmatism, with an ethic of evoking stories and participation from attendees at his always-popular lectures, retreats and events. He has been a featured guest on On Being with Krista Tippett twice, and is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio on topics such as Religion in the public square, Loneliness, Conflict and Faith, LGBT inclusion, Reparative Therapy, and the value of the Arts in public life.

A selection of Pádraig Ó Tuama’s books will be available for sale/signing after the lecture.

Ó Tuama’s theological interests span his concerns with violence, language, and poetics: using biblical texts, he explores the civic and artistic dynamics of language, narrative and impact. Most recently he has published a widely acclaimed essay on Celtic Spirituality in Lutterworth Press’ volume “Neither here nor there; the many voices of Liminality” (2019, Tim Carson ed., introduced by Barbara Brown Taylor). He holds a BA Div validated by the Pontifical College of Maynooth, an MTh from Queen’s University Belfast and is currently engaged in a PhD in Theology through Creative Practice exploring poetry and the bible. In addition to these qualifications, Ó Tuama has numerous professional accreditations in conflict and group mediation.

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