Spiritual Classics - Spirit and Light Collaborative
The Spiritual Classics discussion group, under the auspices of Spirit and Light Collaborative, meets in person at the Ascension Parish Center Dining Room, generally on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM during the school year.
We discuss books that inspire our spiritual growth, recount the spiritual lives of saints and others who have grown close to God, or provide us with spiritual sustenance. We’ve discussed several books by Pope Francis, books by several saints, books from the Middle Ages, and books by spiritual giants like Thomas Merton and John of the Cross. We also discuss works of fiction that have a spiritual emphasis. A list of books we’ve discussed is linked below.
We select books that are approachable, relatively short, and worthy of a discussion for about an hour. Reading the book is not required in order to join the discussions.
For more information, send an email to Jeff Wood at [email protected].
Spiritual Classics for 2025-2026:
October 7 - Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales
November 4 - Mr. Blue, Myles Connelly - SEE BELOW!
December 2 - The Friendship of Christ, Robert Hugh Benson
February 3 - The Power and the Glory, Graham Greene
March 3 - Job (Old Testament)
April 7 - The Risen Christ, Caryll Houselander
Mr. Blue, A Novel about a Modern St. Francis - November 4
Spiritual Classics for November - "Mr. Blue" by Myles Connelly
Come to the next Spiritual Classics gathering on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the Ascension Parish Center Dining Room, when well discuss Myles Connolly's intriguing novel, Mr. Blue. Donna Ioppolo will lead the discussion. All Oak Park parishes are welcome.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if St. Francis of Assisi lived today? What would he think about todays large cities, the sight of poor and homeless people, the unimaginable riches of the wealthy, and the tech gadgets that fill our lives? Myles Connolly envisioned a modern-day St. Francis when he wrote Mr. Blue, a novel about a young man who decides to take Christianity seriously.
In the novel, the mysterious Mr. Blue lives in a packing box on a New York City rooftop, embraces the poor as his wisest companions, and distrusts modern technology's promise. He foregoes money and power and serves the poor. The novel explores how self-giving is possible and still inspires readers today, almost a century after it was first published in 1928.
For more information, send an email to Jeff Wood at [email protected].