Archive Posts
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A Flannery O'Connor Pilgrimage
Faith and Mission“You have got to be kidding me.” This was my first thought upon finishing Flannery O’Connor’s The Violent Bear It Away. “This is Catholic? How? Why? Who is this O’Connor woman?” My sentiments bordered on bewilderment, maybe even anger, as I was sideswiped by this dark, violent story that left me hanging with depraved characters…
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Alumnus Finds a New Mission and Culture
Faith and MissionAs more than 20 sixth-grade boys tumble into Mr. Barker’s room for religion class, oxford shirts are tucked in, ties are straight and voices are loud. Barker smiles at the innocent chaos around him as he calmly walks to the whiteboard to start the period with a prayer. The volume drops and class begins. A.J.… -
Trusting the Church
Faith and MissionThroughout the history of the Church, many of the great writers, artists and saints have not been shy in their critique of Church leadership. From Dante and Michelangelo putting prominent figures of the curia in hell to Catherine of Siena telling the pope, in no subtle terms, that he must return to Rome to lead… -
St. Thomas of the Creator: The Return to the Savior Through Recognition of the Creator
Faith and MissionEmma Miller is a current senior at the University of St. Thomas, studying biology, Catholic studies and philosophy. After hearing about Ave Maria University’s undergraduate essay contest from Dr. William Junker, she submitted her paper, “St. Thomas of the Creator: The Return to the Savior Through Recognition of the Creator.” Miller received first place and… -
From the Heart of Catholic Studies Alumni Vocations Thrive
Faith and MissionThe heart of Sitzmann Hall is the chapel. On any given day, dozens of students greet our Lord as they arrive to study, attend class, or pray a holy hour. After all, Catholic Studies isn’t just about a degree; it’s about knowing and loving Christ. While most students leave Catholic Studies to bring Christ to… -
Navigating Higher Education With Catholic Studies
Faith and MissionAs chairman of the Department and director of the Center for Catholic Studies, we spend a lot of time helping high school students and their parents navigate the often difficult process of choosing a university. Our first question is simply this: What do you want at the end of four years? We then propose three… -
Realizing Dreams: 2022 Graduate Commencement
University NewsIt’s a walk they’ve been looking forward to for months, years even. More than 1,100 St. Thomas graduate students were awarded their degrees today, May 22, with 700 of them participating at a duo of outdoor commencement ceremonies. "You have been through a great deal, and yet here you are completing these degrees and celebrating… -
Creating a Culture of Encounter
Faith and MissionThis story is featured in the fall/winter 2021 issue of Lumen. First-of-its kind collaboration gains interest from around the country Catholic Studies launched a new collaboration – the first of its kind – with the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Office for the Mission of Catholic Education, to form Catholic educators in a deeper… -
Honoring the Communion of Saints With St. Paul Iconographer
Faith and MissionThis story is featured in the fall/winter 2021 issue of Lumen. As part of an ongoing commitment to amplify the rich cultural and racial diversity within the Catholic Church, the Murphy Institute initiated a collaboration with a local artist this spring to begin work on a series of icons that will be housed at the… -
Chasing Dreams, Promoting Dignity
Faith and MissionThis story is featured in the fall/winter 2021 issue of Lumen. A fashion designer. A postpartum doula. A therapist. At the surface, Catherine Huss '14, Lizzy Thibault '19 and Jake Voelker '08 don't seem to have much in common beyond their Catholic faith. Their fields are wildly diverse, but beneath the surface, these three Catholic…