Conference Schedule

Please Note: The conference schedule is subject to change as we finalize speakers and presenters.

Thursday, 25 May 2023 (Location: La Civiltà Cattolica, Villa Malta)

14:00-15:00: Conference Welcome & Introduction

  • The Catholic Literary Imagination and Its Transnational Journey in the 20th Century
    • Mark Bosco, S.J., Ph.D.
  • Catholic Aesthetics: The Technology of the Incarnation
    • Michael Murphy, Ph.D.

15:00-15:15: Break

15:15-16:45: Poetry Panel I

  • Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, Ph.D.
  • Tadeusz Dąbrowski
  • John F. Deane
  • Pietro Federico
  • Daniele Gigli
  • Philip Metres, Ph.D.
    • Moderator: Linden Bicket O’Neill, Ph.D.

16:45-17:00: Break

17:00-18:00: Opening Plenary Address

  • His Eminence, José Cardinal Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça T.O.S.D., ComSE, ComIH
    Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education

18:00-19:30: Prosecco Reception

Friday, 26 May 2023 (Location: La Civiltà Cattolica, Villa Malta)

09:00-09:45: The Critical Reception of the Catholic Imagination

  • Catholic Women and Poetry
    • Emma Mason, Ph.D.

09:45-11:00: Poetry Panel II

  • Ewa Chrusciel, Ph.D.
  • Hilary Davies
  • Moira Egan
  • Roisin Kelly
  • Sally Read
    • Moderator: Kimberly Connor, Ph.D.

11:00-11:15: Break

11:15-12:15: Panel Discussion: India, South Asia, & the Catholic Imagination

12:15-12:30: Break

12:30-13:15: Keynote Address

  • The Catholic Literary Imagination of Pope Francis
    • Antonio Spadaro, S.J.

13:15-15:00: Break for Pranzo

15:00-15:30: Africa & the Catholic Imagination

  • Sr. Dominica Dipio, Ph.D.
  • Antoinette Kankindi, Ph.D.

15:30-17:00: Panel Discussion: Catholic Africa & Diaspora Writers

17:00-17:15: Break

17:15-18:30: Panel Presentation: Dante & the Catholic Imagination Today

  • Vittorio Montemaggi, Ph.D.
  • Timothy Schmalz
  • Randy Boyagoda, Ph.D.
  • Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, Ph.D.
    • Moderator:  Paul Contino, Ph.D.

18:30-19:00: Reflection on the Day’s Panels and Presentations

19:30: Conference Dinner

Saturday, 27 May 2023 (Location: La Civiltà Cattolica, Villa Malta)

[Please Note: The morning of 27 May is reserved for the conference participants’ papal audience. The conference proper will resume after lunch.]

13:00-14:15: Panel Presentation: The Global Reach of Flannery O’Connor

  • Fernanda Rossini
  • Elizabeth Coffman, Ph.D.
  • Ted Hardin, Ph.D.
  • Mark Bosco, S.J., Ph.D.
  • Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, Ph.D.
    • Moderator:  Michael Murphy, Ph.D.

14:15-14:30: Break

14:30-16:00: Panel Discussion: The Catholic Literary Imagination in North America

16:00-16:30: Closing Reflection on the Day’s Panels and Presentations

17:00-18:00: Vigil Mass (Trinità dei Monti – at the top of the Spanish Steps)