Archive Posts
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Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas Unveils Sacred Relics
Faith and MissionOn the first floor of the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, tucked away in the right-hand corner of the church, is a piece of history that gleams – a glass display housing eight relics, each encased in intricate gold, silver, and wood craftsmanship. This reliquary, recently established in the chapel, extends the chapel’s legacy beyond the saint’s…
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Reflections on Black History: St. Thomas Community Speaks
Faith and MissionBlack History Month is an opportunity to recognize the legacy of Black leaders, honor the past, and reflect on the progress still to be made. However, it’s not just a month – it’s an ongoing commitment to education, reflection and action. Recently, members of the University of St. Thomas community reflected on three questions: what… -
Philosophy Professor Awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship
Professional NotesDr. Gloria Frost, a professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) fellowship for the 2025-26 academic year. Her project is called “Divine and Created Causation in Medieval Philosophy” and will culminate in a book about medieval debates about how God’s causation of… -
St. Thomas Students Witness Community and Resilience During VISION Trip to Ecuador
Center for the Common GoodDuring this J-Term, a group of University of St. Thomas students traveled to Quito, Ecuador, to volunteer at Centro Una Familia de Familias through the university’s VISION program. The center, a nonprofit organization, supports families holistically by providing education, health care, legal assistance, and employment opportunities. Through volunteering and cultural immersion, students witnessed firsthand the… -
In the News: Vice President for Mission Father Chris Collins Discusses the Light of God Amid Times of Darkness
In the NewsFather Christopher Collins ’93, SJ, vice president for mission at the University of St. Thomas, was quoted in the Minnesota Star Tribune article "The solstice, Christmas and Hanukkah align for more light." He reflected on the significance of light during the Christmas season, describing it as "the light of God coming into the world, in… -
PHOTOS: Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration
Faith and MissionThe Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated on Dec. 12, drew a large crowd at the University of St. Thomas for a bilingual Mass at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. The annual tradition on the St. Paul campus was followed by a procession with a framed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to… -
Renewing the Culture Through Catholic Education
Faith and MissionSomething significant is happening in Catholic education today. In their 2023–24 annual report, the National Catholic Education Association shares that “amidst societal upheaval and educational instability, Catholic schools have emerged as beacons of stability, reversing years of enrollment decline.” Yet tucked inside the positive news, Catholic schools increasingly face the challenge Jesus gave the apostles:… -
Love Thy Students
Faith and MissionExcerpt from Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture 27, no. 4 (Fall 2024) I once asked a colleague whether he loved his students. “I love them like I love my enemies,” he replied. That was meant as a joke, of course, but there was also something sincere about his reply. For Christians really… -
Yeast or Frosting: Two Competing Visions of Catholic Education
Faith and MissionThe metaphor of “yeast” can serve as a model for Catholic education. Yeast is an agent of infusion, integration and penetration that transforms the flour into which it is introduced. Frosting, on the other hand, does not penetrate the cake, but only layers itself on top. These two metaphors capture in a simple – but… -
Mary in Rome
Faith and MissionI fell in love with Mary while a graduate student visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Standing in front of Simone Martini’s “Annunciation,” I was astonished by the role of Mary in the story of salvation. I stared at the painting, studying Mary’s gaze, until the museum closed. After I began teaching at the University…