Talk to look at Catholic life in America

In a talk here Wednesday, April 8, Robert Orsi, professor of religious studies at Indiana University, will examine how children and adults together shaped a common religious world in mid-20th century Catholic America. His lecture, "Material Children: Making the Sacred Matter for Catholic Boys and Girls," will be held at 7:30 p.m., April 8 in Interfaith Chapel on the River Campus.

Orsi will focus on the social and psychological forces that shaped American Catholic consciousness from the 1940 to the 1960s, when Catholicism gained mainstream acceptance. Among the subjects he'll look at is children's experience at Mass in light of the behavior that was expected by nuns and adults.

Orsi is the author of The Madonna of 115th Street, an account of the culture and theology of the Italian community, and Thank You, St. Jude: Women's Devotion to the Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes.

The talk is sponsored by the Newman Chair of Roman Catholic Studies and the Department of Religion and Classics. Admission is free. Call x5-5378 for more information.