Augustine and the Bullfight
What can we learn from the thrill of violence?
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In Nîmes, France, for the 1996 Pentecost féria.
Dear friends,
When I was twelve years old, a friend and I got separated from our parents at a festival in southern France and ended up sitting in a Roman arena, watching a series of bullfights unfold before us.
This really happened.
Recently, I recounted the story to my husband and he said, “St. Augustine has thoughts about that, you know.”
There is much we can learn about ourselves from how we react to violence. It was the case for St. Augustine’s friend Alypius, and it was certainly the case for twelve-year-old me.
Read both stories in today’s essay by clicking this link:
“Augustine and the Bullfight.”
And then come back here to tell us what sense you make of all this.
And please share this post/the essay with all your history-buff, classicist, saint, and whippersnapper friends!
Just this week we bought the book Ferdinand and my daughter loves it! What a different perspective.
Don't forget Jesus. He gets separated from his parents during a festival at the tender age of 12. You're in good company. ;)