Story Time:

A Morning of Reflection on
Integrating Theology and Literature

January 31, 2026

Augustine Institute Campus

16805 New Halls Ferry Road
Florissant, MO 63034

Conclude your celebration of Catholic Schools Week by joining the faculty of the Augustine Institute for a morning of reflection on the harmony between theology and literature in themselves and in the classroom.

Schedule 

8:30 A.M. | Morning Prayer in the Chapel

9:00 A.M. | Session 1: Why Should we Use Literature to Teach Theology? Presented by Dr. Elizabeth Klein

9:45 A.M. | Refreshment Break

10:00 A.M | Session 2: Leaf, by Niggle: A Catholic Writer's Fantasy, presented by Dr. Andrew Seeley

10:45 A.M. | Discussion, Integrating Literature and Theology in your Classroom

11:00 A.M | Holy Mass, Music by the Schola of the Augustine Institute

Catholic teachers in the Archdiocese of St. Louis will receive credit for one formation opportunity.

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Dr. Elizabeth Klein

Why Should We Use Literature to Teach Theology?

Talk Description

In this talk, we will discuss the benefit of literature to theological education. Beginning from Augustine’s claim in his great work, On the Trinity, that literature helps us to see truths we already know, we will explore the reason why the Biblical text, in which God discloses himself, is mostly comprised of stories. Finally, we will discuss the relationship between literature and theology as a discipline.  

 

Andrew _Seeley

Dr. Andrew Seeley

Leaf, by Niggle: A Catholic Writer's Fantasy

Talk Description

J.R.R. Tolkien said that every creative writer hopes his work “may be a far-off gleam or echo of evangelium in the real world,” In his short story, “Leaf, by Niggle”, Tolkien imagines his dream come true through Niggle, a mediocre but passionate painter who has caught a glimpse of the beauty of another world that he was meant to share in this one.  

Registration
See the St. Louis campus in person (1)
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16805 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63034 

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