Interfaith Afternoon Conversation: Poetry and Mysticism (In Person in Atlanta)
March 23, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Ignatius House, the Jesuit Retreat Center in Atlanta, has a wonderful new initiative: a series of Interfaith Afternoon Events on topics related to art and spirituality. I’ll be leading one of these events on March 23, 2025. Here’s the details:
Spiritual Poetry as a Sacred Practice
As part of Ignatius House’s Art in an Interfaith Context series, we invite you to an Afternoon Conversation of 2025: Art & Faith: Spiritual Poetry as a Sacred Practice. Join us on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM for this inspiring event, facilitated by local author and Ignatius House-affiliated spiritual director Carl McColman.
From the soulful verses of Rumi and Saint John of the Cross to the sacred lyrics of hymns and canticles, poetry has long served as a profound way for humanity to express the mysteries of the Spirit, even when words fall short. The love poetry of The Song of Songs, the inspiring Magnificat, and the honest devotion of the Psalms are just a few examples of the Bible’s rich poetic tradition. Yet, every spiritual path around the world offers its own luminous verse—whether it’s the Zen haikus of Basho, the passionate love poetry of Mirabai, or the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching.
During this session, Carl will guide us through a meditative exploration of spiritual poetry from across the globe, using the ancient practice of lectio divina (sacred reading). Our time together will feel less like a class and more like a mini-retreat, as we reflect on poetry’s invitation to prayer and contemplation. We will explore both mystical classics from the past and contemporary poetry from voices like Mary Oliver, Chelan Harkin, and David Whyte. If you have a favorite poem, feel free to bring it along to share—but even if you’re new to poetry, we welcome you to join this enriching and down-to-earth experience.
There’s no charge for this event, but pre-registration is required. Sign up here: Interfaith Afternoon Conversation, March 2025
Invite Carl to speak to your community: Book an Event.