Boredom: The Threshold of Great Deeds – Fr. Ephrem Reese O.P.

Boredom: The Threshold of Great Deeds – Fr. Ephrem Reese O.P.

From The Thomistic Institute by The Thomistic Institute

June 2, 2026 · 57 min · Season 13

About this episode

Fr. Ephrem Reese discusses boredom as a spiritual problem and its connection to virtues.

Fr. Ephrem Reese argues that boredom can be read both as a modern opening onto time and wonder and, more importantly, as a spiritual problem that must be disciplined by the virtues. This lecture was given on November 7th, 2025, at Dominican House of Studies. To make a gift this June, visit  https://truth.thomisticinstitute.org/pod . About the Speaker: Fr. Ephrem Reese was born in Harrisburg, PA, and has family in Philadelphia, New Jersey and California. He received a BA from St John’s College in Annapolis, MD in 2010, and was confirmed in the Catholic Church at that year’s Easter Vigil. He lived for a year in DC, a few blocks from the Dominican House of Studies, and attended the nearby parish, St Anthony of Padua. While in DC, he was an intern for Pax Christi USA, promoting Just War teaching. “Dominican life has finally given me a picture of what it means for my own soul to be saved. This is a joy worth preaching: loving Jesus Christ, united with the Brethren in one heart and mind.” Keywords: Acedia, Boredom, Charity, Curiosity, Heidegger, Hope, Magnanimity, Prudence, Romans 12, Walter Benjamin

People in this episode

Guest: Fr. Ephrem Reese

Topics covered

  • boredom
  • spirituality
  • virtues
  • modernity
  • wonder

Keywords

  • Acedia
  • Boredom
  • Charity
  • Curiosity
  • Hope
  • Magnanimity
  • Prudence

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dominican House of Studies, Pax Christi USA

Books & works: Romans 12

Places: Harrisburg, PA, Philadelphia, New Jersey, California

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