Watching videos from a university, one might expect academic lectures, but University of Dallas’ The Quest is a compelling series that focuses on and encourages an essential virtue in every person’s life: hope.
Explore the Christian life
Now including two seasons, The Quest features videos (approximately 25 minutes each) that encourage the viewer to contemplate their own life: who they are, where they’re going, and the impact they’re called by God to make in the world. Videos feature a variety of University of Dallas professors who connect saints, historical figures, literature and more to the life that the viewer is living right now and the one to which they’re aspiring.
“The Quest takes viewers on a journey, drawing on stories from Scripture, history and literature to explore the Christian life as a narrative of joyful courage in the gathering darkness of this world,” said Dr. Shannon Valenzuela, who wrote, directed and narrated the series.
The University of Dallas is a Catholic university that immerses students in “the Core,” common classes all students take that span the Western Tradition from philosophy and theology to history and literature.
“The Quest beautifully communicates many of the central themes that our faculty explore with our students as they study the great works of Western civilization in the classroom every day,” said University of Dallas President Dr. Jonathan Sanford.
A look into the series
The series is written and directed by Dr. Shannon Valenzuela, an affiliate assistant professor in education and classical learning. The first season is titled simply "The Quest” and the second “The Way of Beauty,” each featuring 5 episodes.
The first episode, “The Voice of God Within,” asks the questions "What does it mean to be free?" and "Why does it require love?" Drawing on the lives of figures like the Dutch author Etty Hillesum, who died in the Holocaust, the episode challenges the viewer to consider how to live according to one’s conscience.
The second episode, “The Appointed Task,” delves deep into the concept of personal vocation -- what that means and how to pursue it. “How life should be lived is often in those little moments when we’re not paying attention,” observes Dr. Greg Roper. The episode recalls St. Therese’s exhortation that we are each called to love, and that “When one loves, one does not calculate."
Other episodes include topics such as "Witness," "The Dark Night of the Soul," "Incarnation," "Pilgrimage," and "Sanctuary," among others.
Engaging in 'The Quest'
The topics included in The Quest have a wide applicability. They may capture the interest of any age, perhaps starting in later middle school through the adults years. While the series draws heavily on Christian sources, the concepts covered are inviting to people at any place in their faith journey who is seeking to grow.
The Quest recently partnered with Relevant Radio and is available on its Relevant Radio+ platform. The Quest can also be found on EWTN as well as at The Quest’s own website, where there are also additional related interviews.
The length of The Quest lends itself to easy individual viewing or use in faith formation groups or even religious education for middle and high school students.
