CMP Review 2026-06-14

“But it is in the books of the Saviour of the World that I have lately found [Charlotte Mason] as a person,” wrote E. M. Gregson in 1955. “It is also in these books that we share her deepest thoughts and it is here indeed that we can know her mind… in the Saviour of the World she speaks of ‘the supreme moment of a very great number of lives—that in which a person is brought face to face with Christ.’”

And yet in spite of this and many similar testimonies about Charlotte Mason’s poetry, it can be difficult for families and teachers to get started using these books with our children. Many of us have little experience with poetry, and are not quite sure how to read and digest these texts.

When I have led immersion lessons using The Saviour of the World, I have found the barriers dissolve by one simple means: by reading the poem, with feeling, aloud. Somehow hearing the words spoken with proper pacing, tone, and care brings the meaning to life to those of us for whom poetry is not exactly our “mother tongue.”

Today we share Mason’s epic poem on John the Baptist. It is worth the effort to read. But it is not absolutely necessary to read… because you can listen to Antonella Greco’s recitation with all of her pacing, tone, and care. Click on the link and scroll down to find the audio playback link, or follow along on The Saviour of the World podcast, and join E. M. Gregson in finding Charlotte Mason — and John the Baptist — in a whole new light. Find it here.

@artmiddlekauff

🖼️: Saint John the Baptist Preaching by William Etty