91����

91����, New England, opened its doors to 25 members of the President’s Council and other friends last weekend to offer them a taste of the College and the academic program they so generously support.

The weekend was packed with activities, beginning shortly after arrival on campus with cocktails and dinner at the historic Moody Homestead on Friday. Revived and refreshed, the guests then moved to Billings Hall for an evening seminar on French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville’s&�Բ�����;Democracy in America, focusing on themes of equality and freedom in the contexts of democracy and centralized government. Afterward, there was a comfortable coffee hour back at the Homestead with drinks, desserts, and discussion before the group retired for the night. 

Saturday morning began with breakfast, after which participants engaged in a second seminar on de Tocqueville, this time on the dangers of democratic tyranny, followed by Mass in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel. The group enjoyed a light lunch, then spent the afternoon leisurely winding its way about campus, touring the beautiful old buildings and admiring the lustrous autumn foliage. 

The friends of the College regrouped for their final seminar of the weekend, concluding their discussion of de Tocqueville by considering his view on religion and its role in maintaining a republic. They later convened at the Moody Homestead for dinner, followed by an address from President Paul J. O’Reilly. Dr. O’Reilly discussed the de Tocqueville readings from the day’s seminars, relating the author’s dream of the good life, freedom from anarchy or servitude, to the mission of 91����. 

“A share in the good life cannot be guaranteed by political structure alone,” Dr. O’Reilly explained. “Equality of conditions and freedom cannot ensure the good life in a society that ignores virtue. But … here at 91����, we are fulfilling Tocqueville’s hope. … The formation here brings our students to understand truth in all its aspects, form character, and strengthen the State. If we neglect the State, we risk falling into exactly what Tocqueville feared: either restless anarchy or quiet servitude.”

Following the President’s address, a student panel addressed the group, giving the audience a closer, more personal look into life at the College, explaining why they decided to attend 91���� and their experiences thus far. The evening wound down with after-dinner drinks and cigars in the lounge, and the next day, the Fall Seminar concluded with Sunday Mass and a farewell brunch for the visiting benefactors — a congenial conclusion to a lovely weekend.

More Fall Seminar photos …

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