Tolkien and the Eucharist: “The One Great Thing to Love on Earth"

“Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament. . . . There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death: by the divine paradox, that which ends life, and demands the surrender of all, and yet by the taste—or foretaste—of which alone can what you seek in your earthly relationships (love, faithfulness, joy) be maintained, or take on that complexion of reality, of eternal endurance, which every man’s heart desires…”

Tolkien and Catholicism: Recommended Resources

Because our community is one inspired by the works and faith of J.R.R. Tolkien, I often receive messages from folks interested in learning more about how Catholicism influenced his worldview and writings. I’ve created this page in hopes that it will be a helpful resource in this regard. I will be occasionally adding to this list as I come across new resources, so please add a comment below if you are aware of any that I’ve missed.

Our Hobbit Party 2021

Happy Hobbit Day! Our tenth annual Hobbit Party was this past weekend and it was such a gift to spend so much time with our good friends. I’m so thankful to everyone who made the journey to celebrate with us, and for everyone who helped out while they were here. I couldn’t have done it without you all — and I wouldn’t have wanted to, either. Here’s to many more Hobbit Parties in the years to come.

Hobbit Party Invitations Tutorial & Template

Hey, friends! Today I’m sharing a tutorial for creating your own ‘Hobbit Party’ invitations. I’m really happy with how this year’s invites turned out and I hope you’ll be inspired by these to create your own! This year’s invitation was inspired by Bilbo’s contract from the Dwarves in The Hobbit, and our RSVP card ‘contract’ is my favorite thing about it.

Hobbit Party Menu Planning (Free Printables)

As our family’s annual Hobbit Party is just a few months away, I’ve been sitting down to plan out what I want this year’s celebration to look and feel like. I’ve just finished designing our invitations, although I want to keep those a surprise until our guests have received them!

However, I do want to share the printable menu I’ve just put together. Now that we’re on our tenth year (!!!!!) I really feel like we’ve gotten our usual menu settled and it’s easy to know what I’ll make. I’m sure there will be a few variations but here’s what I’m planning.

Guide to The Silmarillion: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

"There at the last they looked upon death and defeat, and all their valour was in vain; for Sauron was too strong. Yet in that hour was put to the proof that which Mithrandir had spoken, and help came from the hands of the weak when the Wise faltered. For, as many songs have since sung, it was the Periannath, the Little People, dwellers in hillsides and meadows, that brought them deliverance."

Guide to The Silmarillion: Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor

“...Yet it seems that you desire now to have the good of both kindreds, to sail to Valinor when you will, and to return when you please to your homes. That cannot be. Nor can the Valar take away the gifts of Ilúvatar. The Eldar, you say, are unpunished, and even those who rebelled do not die. Yet that is to them neither reward nor punishment, but the fulfilment of their being. They cannot escape, and are bound to this world, never to leave it so long as it lasts, for its life is theirs. And you are punished for the rebellion of Men, you say, in which you had small part, and so it is that you die. But that was not at first appointed for a punishment. Thus you escape, and leave the world, and are not bound to it, in hope or in weariness. Which of us therefore should envy the others?” - JRR Tolkien