Daria Okruta
Staff Writer
The Tolkien Society and Jesters of YHWH (JOY) household hosted a discussion about J.R.R. Tolkien and the Oratorians on Tuesday, Oct. 8, focusing on Tolkien’s history, his encounter with the Oratory of Birmingham and his connection to St. Phillip Neri.
The main speaker, Diana Mollo, an English major and member of JOY, first led the group in prayer, reciting the Hail Mary in Tolkien’s Elvish before giving some background on the author.
Tolkien was born in South Africa on Jan. 3, 1892, and moved four years later to Great Britain with his mother, Mabel, and his brother. The three converted to Catholicism after their mother met Fr. Francis Morgan, a priest at the Oratory of Birmingham, who would later become the boys’ guardian and influential educator after Mabel passed in 1904.
The Oratorians highly valued music, art and literature, which greatly paved the path Tolkien took. He later attributed Fr. Francis’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a great inspiration.
Though he wasn’t fond of allegories, Tolkien’s faith showed through his work. His devotion to Mary inspired characters like Galadriel, Yavvana (a Valar and patron of all that grows) and Varda (The “Queen of Heaven” within Middle Earth). All of whom portrayed aspects and names derived from the Virgin Mary.
Mollo then turned the subject to the 16th-century Saint, Philip Neri, the patron of JOY.
As a young man, he pursued intellectual and religious studies in Rome where he became a priest and later established the Congregation of the Oratory. Neri was somewhat of a radical evangelist, known as a very friendly person and as “the apostle of joy.” It was through conversation and connection that the saint was able to bring people to Christ.
Parallels can be drawn between Neri’s and Tolkien’s senses of humor, and the saint likely influenced Tolkien’s snarkiness. This includes Tolkien chasing students and neighbors dressed as a Viking.
An audience member brought up the story of Tolkien’s first time driving a car as another example and slight tangent. As it goes, at a busy intersection, Tolkien turned to his family in the car and announced, “Charge ’em and they scatter,” and proceeded to step on the gas. “No one was hurt — except maybe the car,” Mollo said as the audience laughed.
Tolkien chose Neri as his confirmation saint. His light-heartedness played a role in the decision, since Tolkien had faced hardships throughout his young life.
The event not only celebrated Tolkien’s life but also showcased the enduring impact of his faith and humor, drawing parallels between his experiences and those of Neri. As participants shared laughter and reflections, the evening served as a reminder of the power of connection in both faith and storytelling.