A webinar lecture with Fr. Thomas Esposito, O.Cist (University of Dallas). This event is cosponsored by Calvert House Catholic Center.

The first recipients of St. Paul's letters did not keep their letters to themselves; as part of the organic life of the Church that Catholics call "Tradition," the letters of Paul were collected together and incorporated into the New Testament. One amazing consequence of this Tradition at work is that everyone who reads these letters, regardless of time or place, becomes a Corinthian, or a Roman, or an Ephesian, thanks to the unifying power of the Holy Spirit. This conference will reflect on how the early Church received these letters, and highlight specific texts that reveal how the voice of St. Paul still reaches us, both individuals and the Body of Christ collectively, today.

Fr. Thomas Esposito, O.Cist - How to Be a Corinthian

A webinar lecture with Elizabeth Lev(Duquesne University). This event is co-presented by the Harvard Catholic Forum and the Lumen Christi Institute. 

St. Joseph was an unassuming latecomer to the history of art, but once discovered, his images evolved rapidly to serve the Catholic Church during challenging times. From model for the papacy, to symbol of marriage and fatherhood, to guide for a good death and advocate for the worker, St Joseph's many guises have made him one of the Church's greatest spiritual treasures. Following Pope Francis' dedication of 2021 to St. Joseph, this talk will look at Giotto, Raphael, Murillo and others as we uncover the many faces of this quiet saint.

This event  co-sponsored by the Saint Benedict Institute, the Nova Forum, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, the Ars Vivendi Arts Initiative of the Collegium Institute, the St. Paul’s Catholic Center, the St. Lawrence Institute for Faith and Culture, and the New England Chapter of the Patron of the Arts Vatican Museums.

Elizabeth Lev - A Good Man Is Hard to Find: St. Joseph in Art

A webinar discussion with Jennifer Frey (University of South Carolina), Russell Hittinger (Lumen Christi Institute), and Fr. Michael Sherwin, OP
(University of Fribourg). Originally broadcast as a live webinar May 1, 2021

The president in his inaugural address quoted Augustine of Hippo’s definition of a people as “a multitude defined by the common objects of their love.”  This surprising event offers us the occasion to consider Augustine’s definition and its implications for our understanding of life in society: what role do our loves play in fashioning us as people? Can disparate loves divide a people?  What does Augustine think we should love in order to belong to the people who inhabit the City of God?  Join us for a moderated conversation between Profs. Russell Hittinger, Michael Sherwin, O.P., and Jennifer Frey on Augustine and the loves that form a People.

This event is cosponsored by America Media.

United by Their Loves: Deciphering Augustine’s Understanding of a People

A webinar conversation with Bernard McGinn (University of Chicago), David Tracy (University of Chicago), and Sandra Schneiders, IHM (Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University), moderated by Willemien Otten (University of Chicago). 

The Crisis of Mysticism (Herder & Herder, 2021), by Bernard McGinn is the first book in English in seventy years to give a full account of the struggle over mystical spirituality that tore the Catholic Church apart at the end of the seventeenth century, resulting in papal condemnation of some mystics and the decline of mysticism in Catholicism for almost two centuries. Join Professors McGinn, David Tracy, and Sandra Schneiders for a conversation on "The Crisis of Mysticism," moderated by Professor Willemein Otten.

Originally broadcast May 6, 2021. This event was co-sponsored by the Collegium Institute, the Martin Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion, and Herder & Herder.

The Crisis of Mysticism: Quietism in 17th Century Spain, Italy, and France

An online panel discussion with Professor Grant Kaplan (Saint Louis University), Carly Osborn (University of Divinity), and Fr. Steve Grunow (Word on Fire), moderated by Cynthia Haven (National Endowment for the Humanities). 

While social media has become a source of meaning and identity formation for many, its dangers have become clear in recent years, from promoting disinformation to algorithm-aided polarization. Despite these dangers, can social media be a medium for the Gospel? Does a model for discipleship within social media exist?

René Girard’s theory of mimesis or imitation provides a powerful diagnostic for analyzing aspects of human behavior and culture that contribute to the current media climate, including rivalry, escalation, and scapegoating. It also points towards the fragile possibility of positive mimesis: imitation of Christ. 

This panel draws together Girard scholars and Catholic media experts to explore how Girard’s analysis can inform our understanding of the current media climate and how we might approach social media as a space for evangelization and conversion.

Originally broadcast May 27, 2021

René Girard, Conversion, and the Present Media Moment

A webinar discussion with Russell Hittinger (Lumen Christi Institute), Tracey Rowland (University of Notre Dame, Australia), and Fr. Thomas Esposito, O.Cist. (University of Dallas), moderated by Fr. Andrew Summerson (University of Toronto; Lumen Christi Institute). Originally recorded May 7, 2023.

Presented by the Lumen Christi Institute, The Collegium Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture, First Things, and The Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture.

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From his role as a key peritus at the Second Vatican Council, a professor in Germany, to his tenure as prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Joseph Ratzinger was a part of almost every Catholic theological conversation in the latter half of the 20th century. As pope, he brought his lifetime of learning to bear on his preaching, encyclicals, and continued publishing.

In this webinar, our panel looks back upon Pope Benedict’s theological vocation and offers perspectives on his enduring legacy and witness.

The Vocation of a Theologian: The Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI

This lecture is entitled Michelangelo's Women: Feminine Genius in the Frescoes of the Sistine Chapel.

It was presented by Elizabeth Lev of Duquesne University on November 17, 2021, at the University of Chicago's Social Sciences Building.

Michelangelo's Women: Feminine Genius in the Frescoes of the Sistine Chapel

This lecture is entitled A Conversation on Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of the Intellectual Life.

It was presented by Zena Hitz of St John's College and Erin Walsh of the Universty of Chicago on February 2, 2022, at the University of Chicago's Swift Hall.

A Conversation on Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of the Intellectual Life

This lecture is entitled Is the Universe Made for Life? Anthropic Coincidences and Multiverse Ideas.

It was presented by Stephen Barr of the University of Delaware on February 7, 2022, at the University of Chicago's Kersten Hall.

Is the Universe Made for Life? Anthropic Coincidences and Multiverse Ideas

This lecture is entitled Ecumenical Panel on For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church.

It was presented by Aristotle Papanikolaou of Fordham University, William Schweiker of the University of Chicago, Stephen Meawad of Caldwell University, and Msgr. Peter Schallenberg of the Katholische Sozialwissenschaftliche Zentralstelle. It was moderated by Perry Hamalis of North Central College and Helen Theodoropoulos of the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox School of Theology on February 17, 2022, at the University of Chicago's Swift Hall.

Ecumenical Panel on For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church

This lecture is entitled Discursive, Performative, and Interpretive Strategies in Late Ancient Christian Literature.

It was presented by Paul Blowers of Milligan University on March 30, 2022, at the University of Chicago's Classics 110.

Discursive, Performative, and Interpretive Strategies in Late Ancient Christian Literature

This lecture is entitled Singing the Sacred: Music and the Holy in Ancient Christianity.

It was presented by Susan Ashbrook Harvey of Brown University on May 15, 2022, at the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel.

Singing the Sacred: Music and the Holy in Ancient Christianity

This lecture is entitled A Marion Moment in Catholic Thought: A Conversation with Jean-Luc Marion and Ken Woodward.

It was presented by Jean-Luc Marion of the University of Chicago and Kenneth Woodward of the Lumen Christi Institute on May 31, 2022, at the Gavin House.

A Marion Moment in Catholic Thought: A Conversation with Jean-Luc Marion and Ken Woodward

This lecture is entitled Pro and Con: Does Faith Ignore Reason?

It was presented by Fr. Stephen Fields, SJ of Georgetown University on October 19, 2022, at Saint Ignatius Prep.

Pro and Con: Does Faith Ignore Reason?

This lecture is entitled Aristotle's Great-Souled Man in Jane Austen, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and Saint Augustine.

It was presented by J. Warren Smith of Duke Divinity School on January 26, 2023, at the University of Chicago's Swift Hall.

Aristotle's Great-Souled Man in Jane Austen, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and Saint Augustine

This lecture is entitled Catholicism: A Global History from the French Revolution to Pope Francis.

It was presented by John McGreevy of the University of Notre Dame on February 8, 2023, at the University of Chicago's Swift Hall.

Catholicism: A Global History from the French Revolution to Pope Francis

This lecture is entitled America's Real Sister Act: The Hidden History of Black Catholic Nuns in the United States.

It was presented by Shannen Dee Williams of the University of Dayton on April 27, 2023, at the University of Chicago's Swift Hall.

America's Real Sister Act: The Hidden History of Black Catholic Nuns in the United States

This lecture is entitled How Can We Flourish?

It was presented by Tyler VanderWeele of Harvard University on January 22, 2024, at the University of Chicago's Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery.

How Can We Flourish?

This lecture is entitled An Unknown Constellation: Hannah Arendt Reads Étienne Gilson and Jacques Maritain.

It was presented by Thomas Meyer of Ludwig Maximillian University on February 2, 2024, at the University of Chicago.

An Unknown Constellation: Hannah Arendt Reads Étienne Gilson and Jacques Maritain

This lecture is entitled Care of Souls in Inquisition Spain.

It was presented by Lu Ann Homza of the College of William & Mary on February 9, 2024, at the University of Chicago.

Care of Souls in Inquisition Spain

This lecture is entitled Do We Know More than the Apostles? Or, Do Doctrines Develop?.

It was presented by Lewis Ayres o on April 4, 2024, at the Magis Lecture Series.

Do We Know More than the Apostles? Or, Do Doctrines Develop?

This lecture is entitled Is Free Will an Illusion? St. Thomas Aquinas and Human Action.

It was presented by Fr. Stephen Brock of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross on April 10, 2024, at the Ruth Lake Country Club.

Is Free Will an Illusion? St. Thomas Aquinas and Human Action

This lecture is entitled Dante the Theologian: Ken Woodward Interviews Denys Turner.

It was presented by Ken Woodward of the Lumen Christi Institute and Denys Turner of Yale University on April 10, 2024.

Dante the Theologian: Ken Woodward Interviews Denys Turner

This lecture is entitled Dante and a Poet's Journey in Hope.

It was presented by Denys Turner of Yale University on April 11, 2024, at the University of Chicago.

Dante and a Poet's Journey in Hope

This lecture is entitled Can We Be Good On Our Own? Ancient Pagans and Modern Scientists on Thomistic Moral Virtue.

It was presented by Angela Knobel of the University of Dallas, Daniel Lapsley of the University of Notre Dame, Candace Vogler of the University of Chicago, and Emily Austin of the University of Chicago on April 26, 2024, at the University of Chicago's Swift Hall Common Room.

Can We Be Good On Our Own? Ancient Pagans and Modern Scientists on Thomistic Moral Virtue

This lecture is entitled AI Ethics, Human Flourishing, and Trust in Health Care.

It was presented by Thomas Pfau of Duke University, Michael Pencina of Duke University, Matthew Elmore of Duke AI Health, and Norman Wirzba of Duke University on June 26, 2024, at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham, NC.

AI Ethics, Human Flourishing, and Trust in Health Care

This lecture is entitled What is Catholic Culture?

It was presented by Jennifer Newsome Martin of the University of Notre Dame on September 25, 2024, at the Ruth Lake Country Club.

What is Catholic Culture?

This lecture is entitled An Inquiry into the Value of Work: A Discussion of Matt Crawford’s Shop Class as Soulcraft.

It was presented by Matthew Crawford, Kirk Doran of the University of Notre Dame, and Elisa Rubbo of the University of Chicago on October 10, 2024, at the University Club of Chicago.

An Inquiry into the Value of Work: A Discussion of Matt Crawford’s Shop Class as Soulcraft

This lecture is entitled A Symposium on Gratitude, Creation, and the Technological Mindset.

It was presented by Melanie Barrett of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Matthew Crawford of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, and Mark Shiffman of Saint Patrick's Seminary & University on October 11, 2024, at the Social Sciences Tea Room at the University of Chicago.

A Symposium on Gratitude, Creation, and the Technological Mindset

This lecture is entitled On the Dignity of Society: Catholic Social Teaching and Natural Law.

It was presented by Russell Hittinger of the Catholic University of America, R.H. Helmholz of the University of Chicago, and Mary Hirschfeld of the University of Notre Dame on November 7, 2024, at the University of Chicago's Swift Hall Common Room.

On the Dignity of Society: Catholic Social Teaching and Natural Law

This lecture is entitled The Story of Catholic Education: Renewing Our Schools, Renewing Our Culture.

It was presented by Michael Naughton of the University of St. Thomas on November 20, 2024, at the Ruth Lake Country Club.

The Story of Catholic Education: Renewing Our Schools, Renewing Our Culture

This lecture is entitled Conscience And Human Rights In Thomas Aquinas And Some Predecessors. 

It was presented by Fr. Kevin Flannery, SJ  of the Pontifical Gregorian University on October 7, 2021 at the University of Chicago.

Conscience And Human Rights In Thomas Aquinas And Some Predecessors

This lecture is entitled "A Catholic Vision of Art: Beauty – The Highway to God." It was delivered by Sarah Crow of Xavier University on May 14th, 2025, at the Ruth Lake Country Club

A Catholic Vision of Art: Beauty – The Highway to God

This lecture is entitled "Christianity, Culture, and Sport: From Play to Virtue." It was delivered by Clark Power of the University of Notre Dame on April 24th, 2025, at the Butterfield Country Club.

Christianity, Culture, and Sport: From Play to Virtue

This lecture is entitled "What Can We Say About God? An Interview with David Novak on God-Talk." It features Rabbi David Novak of the University of Toronto and Melanie Barrett of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and was presented on May 9th, 2025, at the University Club of Chicago

What Can We Say About God? An Interview with David Novak on God-Talk

Lecture with Patrick Geary (Institute for Advanced Study), delivered Feb 13, 2021.  This event was co-presented by the Lumen Christi Institute and the Bollandist Society, and co-sponsored by America Media, the Collegium Institute, the Harvard Catholic Forum, the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, the Nova Forum, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC, the Saint Benedict Institute, and the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage.

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The physical remains of saints are often referred to as pignora, that is, as security deposits or pledges of the continued concern that the saints, although in heaven, continue to show for those who venerate them. In this lecture will discuss the origin of the cult of relics, the process by which these cults, originally concentrated on the tombs of saints, became mobile, and how the veneration of saints led to the dismemberment of saints’ bodies and the distribution of relics throughout Christendom. It will also consider the resulting anxieties about relics’ authenticity, the efforts to control and regulate the cult of relics, and the competition that relics have received from other types of sacred or sanctified objects.

Patrick Geary - Pledges of the Saints: The Cult of Relics in the Catholic Tradition

The Lumen Christi Institute for Catholic Thought was founded by Catholic scholars at the University of Chicago in 1997 to bring the light of Christ and the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition to the secular academy and the general public. On this station we make available our many lectures and programs, as well as interviews with visiting scholars.

To support our work, visit www.lumenchristi.org/donate

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