Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up the first edition of The Fenwick Review of the 2019-2020 academic year!

This is an exciting time for The Fenwick Review. It’s the beginning of a new school year — and that means new classes, and a wave of new students. We’re also rolling out a new layout, making some staff changes (one of last year’s editors-in-chief, Michael Raheb, is now Editor Emeritus), and hopefully recruiting some new writers.

The excitement is not limited to what’s happening on the Hill. The 2020 presidential campaign season is officially underway, and so far, it’s been wildly entertaining (yes, Marianne, we’re looking at you). We’re looking forward to bringing you quality pieces about the candidates, the debates, and the issues that matter. But the election is just the tip of the iceberg. In many ways, our culture—on campus, throughout our country, and in the Church—is facing a major turning point. We’re grappling with issues like gun violence, immigration, and sexual misconduct. Dialogue is becoming more difficult, censorship more rampant, and polarization more prevalent. In this climate, we believe the work we do at the Review is even more crucial, which is why we’re so excited about the beginning of this new year and this new chapter.

This edition is just a hint at what’s to come. You’ll find articles about Catholic and conservative culture, a look at chapel architecture, coverage of former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign, a theological discussion on women’s ordination, an analysis of the abortion debate, and a take on President Trump’s reelection bid. We don’t expect you to agree with everything you’ll find, but it’s our hope that these articles challenge you, make you think critically, and inspire you to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty.

Seamus Brennan ’20 & Jack Rosenwinkel ’21

Co-Editors-in-Chief