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

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 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 Romano Guardini on Technology and Liturgy.

It was presented by Peter Casarella of Duke University on October 19, 2023, at the University of Chicago's Swift Hall.

Romano Guardini on Technology and Liturgy

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

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.

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

The Lumen Christi Institute

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