Beauty and the Beast, Part 4

Beauty and the Beast, Part 4

Author: Fr. James Searby December 3, 2025 Duration: 1:04:53

The Basilica of St. Mary Institute for Faith and Culture Presents:

Beauty and the Beast, an Exploration of the Power of Beauty, Part 4

With Fr. James Searby 

In this fourth class of Beauty and the Beast, we explore beauty as communion, the way beauty draws us out of isolation and into relationship. Through Maurice's tenderness, Belle's self-giving, and the gradual healing of the Beast's house, Fr. James Searby shows how beauty creates openness, vulnerability, and shared life. Drawing on Scruton, Simone Weil, Martha Graham, theatre, liturgy, and the communal nature of art, this episode traces how beauty breaks self-enclosure, makes space for others, and restores what fear and hurry have disordered. It also looks at the danger of cultural elitism in the arts and why beauty belongs to everyone, not to a select few. At its heart, this class reveals how beauty invites us into a deeper communion with God and one another, preparing the way for next week's theme of beauty as contemplation.


Fr. James Searby hosts Holiness for the Working Day, a podcast that finds the sacred woven into the fabric of ordinary life. This isn’t about retreating from the world but engaging with it more deeply, whether you’re in a classroom, an office, on a commute, or managing a home. The struggle for goodness can feel overwhelming amidst deadlines, chores, and daily friction. Here, you’ll hear Fr. Searby’s homilies, meditations, and informal talks that reframe that very struggle as the path itself. The content is grounded in Christian spirituality but speaks to the universal human experience of seeking meaning and connection amidst busyness. Each episode offers a practical lens, suggesting that holiness isn’t a distant ideal for saints but a tangible possibility in our routines and relationships. Listen for thoughtful reflections that turn daily challenges into moments of grace and understanding. This podcast provides a quiet space for learning and interior growth, meeting you right where you are. The tone is accessible and encouraging, avoiding abstract theory in favor of relatable insight. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered how their faith or search for purpose fits into the relentless pace of a working day. By integrating spiritual wisdom with everyday reality, the podcast makes the pursuit of a meaningful life feel not only necessary but entirely achievable. You can naturally find this perspective throughout the entire podcast series.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Holiness for the Working Day
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