final presentation topics:

-Wisdom and folly in pagan and Christian traditions—Patrick O’Shaughnessy

-Asceticism (pagan and early Christian): concept, history, pros and contras—Sarah Kate

-The concept of self in Christian and/or pagan asceticism—Nick Weiler

-Secret sanctity: from Isidora and Alexis to Simeon and Andrew—Dan Klute

-Holy fools and the Cynics: how are they similar?— Tyler Maglione

-St. Francis and his love of creation—Mike Lucci

-Christian and Zen Buddhist asceticism: similarities and differences— Youki Moriwaki

-The holy fool in Russian literature: Svetlana Vasilenko’s Little Fool—Mike Snyder

-Madness in the Age of Reason— Sarah Boehm

-Monasticism and Mendicancy— Robert DeBroeck

-Francis’ struggle with humanity and holiness—Katie Houswirth