Christendom College welcomed noted Catholic thinkers Dale Ahlquist, Dr. James Matthew Wilson, Monsignor Charles Pope, composer Frank La Rocca, and other distinguished guests for its annual conference over the weekend of June 6-8. Centered on the theme Beauty and Truth: Bringing Joy to the Heart of Man, the event offered participants a unique blend of intellectual enrichment, spiritual reflection, and cultural celebration as they explored the topic of beauty and its place in the modern world.
Each year, Christendom hosts a conference, welcoming guests from across the nation to campus for a weekend representing the height of the Christendom College experience. This year’s conference weekend began on Friday with special events for VIP guests, including Vespers and the swinging of the college’s famed botafumeiro in Christ the King Chapel.
Following Vespers, Christendom professor Dr. Mark Wunsch, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the weekend, introduced the first talk from Dale Ahlquist. Ahlquist, a renowned author and lecturer on the works of G.K. Chesterton, gave a talk titled “Beauty is Unanswerable,” diving deeply into the central focus of the weekend.
During his talk, Ahlquist unpacked Chesterton’s views on beauty, emphasizing its objective nature and its inseparable connection to truth and goodness — ideals embodied by the Catholic Church.
“Truth is not subjective to taste; truth is not subjective at all,” said Ahlquist. “Truth is objective. Goodness is objective. It’s either good or it’s not, it’s not up to us to decide. And so, beauty is objective — it’s either beautiful or it’s not. It’s great to watch young people in philosophy classes discuss this very point about whether or not beauty is objective or subjective. But as Chesterton says, ‘Beauty is unanswerable. Beauty by itself wins the argument because everyone recognizes it.’”
Saturday offered participants a full day of talks, beginning with an opening lecture from Dr. James Matthew Wilson. Wilson, an award-winning poet and author, spoke on the topic “Man is Born to Behold Beauty,” exploring the idea of beauty as a transcendental quality of being. Drawing from the thought of Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Plato, Wilson offered a philosophical and theological perspective on beauty as a fundamental aspect of reality.
“Beauty is the most fundamental attribute of being,” said Wilson. “It’s beauty that first excites us to wonder. It’s beauty that first sets us on the path to fulfill our good. It’s beauty that first directs us towards the discovery and knowledge of truth. And when we are in full possession of the truth, when we genuinely see the cause of all things that is God, beauty doesn’t go away. That’s where beauty gives itself to us most fully in the infinite splendor of form of the divine essence.”
Following Wilson’s talk, faculty member Dr. Kathleen Sullivan presented “Surprised by Jane Austen: Moments of Beauty in Pride and Prejudice.”
Afterward, all participants gathered in Christ the King Chapel for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, celebrated by Monsignor Pope and featuring La Rocca’s acclaimed Mass of the Americas.
Conceived by Archbishop Cordileone as a tribute to both Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Mass of the Americas has been hailed as a “cornerstone of modern liturgical formation,” making its performance in Christ the King Chapel a particular joy for all in attendance.
The final lecture of the day was delivered by professor Dr. Daniel McInerny, titled “The Catholic Artist in the 21st Century.”
On Saturday evening, VIP guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner prepared by award-winning Executive Chef Stephen Bieker, followed by the keynote address from Monsignor Pope. His talk, “How Wonderful are Your Works, O Lord: Finding God in the Book of Creation,” served as a fitting culmination to the weekend’s reflections.
In his address, Monsignor Pope discussed the truth about beauty and the glory of God’s Creation, highlighting that beauty is rooted in the splendor of order and purpose that God has instilled in the universe. He urged participants to rediscover a sense of wonder and awe in the face of creation, becoming “mystics on the move” who joyfully bear witness to the splendor of God’s handiwork.
“Beauty, goodness, and truth — they come together beautifully in God and what He has done,” said Monsignor Pope. “If we’re going to define beauty at all, it’s related to His good order. Chaos and confusion, that’s ugly stuff. But the beauty of God’s order, symmetry and all the magnificence, that’s where beauty resides. Beauty is wonderful. It’s glorious. Go out and be joyfully orthodox, always pointing to God, looking beyond the event or the moment and just saying, ‘Look what God did.’”
On Pentecost Sunday, guests gathered in Christ the King Chapel one final time to celebrate the solemn feast. During Mass, rose petals rained down from the chapel’s crossing tower, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit like tongues of flame. As the apostles were sent out to “go and make disciples of all nations,” so too were the conference attendees, now inspired and equipped by the insights gained over the weekend.
The 2025 Beauty and Truth Conference offered benefactors and friends of Christendom College a unique opportunity to seek wisdom together, all within the context of a rich Catholic culture. The result was an unforgettable weekend of renewal, mission, and shared purpose — a tangible step toward restoring all things in Christ.
Recordings of all talks from this year’s Beauty and Truth Conference can be viewed here.
Listen to all talks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Amazon Music.