Radio Maria England JUST LIFE - Sally Read - Poetry, the Language of God: Newness & Rebirth
Jan 18, 2026
Sally Read, a British poet and convert to Catholicism living in Rome, shares insights on conversion and new beginnings in faith. She delves into the rich poetry of G.K. Chesterton and Christina Rossetti, exploring themes of rebirth and spiritual awakening. Sally also highlights how secular perspectives can overlook religious depth in literature. With anecdotes from her teaching experiences, she emphasizes the importance of finding God in poetry and the arts, inviting listeners to embrace faith through creative expression.
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Conversion As Ongoing Rebirth
- Conversion can feel like being made new, requiring repeated recommitment rather than a one-off resolution.
- Sally Read suggests Christians should 'convert' daily to leave fear behind and draw closer to Christ.
Chesterton's Pilgrimage Turn
- G.K. Chesterton experienced a decisive spiritual moment in Italy and later called his reception into the Church "the happiest hour of his life."
- Sally Read connects that pilgrimage moment to Chesterton's poem 'The Convert' about seeing the world made upright.
New Life Renders Old Arguments Small
- In 'The Convert' Chesterton contrasts worldly reasoning with new life in Christ using the Lazarus image.
- The poem shows how conversion makes prior arguments feel like "less than dust."
