The Thomistic Institute, of our Pontifical Faculty, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Its nearly forty college chapters are found on secular university campuses in the United States, Ireland, and Great Britain.
January 25th, the Thomistic Institute hosted its annual St. Thomas Aquinas lecture at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Stephen Brock of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome delivered a lecture titled “Sizeless Stretchable Souls: Substantial Form as Nature in Aquinas.”
February 10th, thirteen student brothers gave their lives to God in the Dominican Order as they professed Solemn Vows in the magnificent Upper Church of the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Saint Dominic, pray for us!
March 16th–17th, the Thomistic Institute held the final Thomistic Circles conference of the year, here at the Dominican House of Studies, entitled “On Cooperation with Evil.” Speakers included Dr. Steven Long (Ave Maria University), Msgr. Andrew McLean Cummings (Archdiocese of Baltimore), Dr. Christopher Tollefsen (University of South Carolina), Fr. Ezra Sullivan, O.P. (Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas) and Dr. Edward Feser (Pasadena City College).
Fr. Thomas Joseph White, of the Dominican House of Studies, recently published The Light of Christ: An Introduction to Catholicism (CUA Press). This excellent book offers an accessible introduction to the major doctrines of the Christian religion and responds to a variety of contemporary objections.
March 10th, six student brothers were ordained to the Order of Deacons, by the Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, in the Upper Church of the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
This semester witnessed an epochal shift in the gastronomical life of the brethren at the Dominican House of Studies. Our cook of many years, Gregory Bryant, retired this spring. His presence, and his fried chicken, will be missed. As a farewell gift, he was presented with a chef’s knife in reparation for the many knives we have dulled, chipped, and lost.
May 19th, nine student brothers will be ordained as Priests of Jesus Christ, by His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, in the Upper Church of the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. This summer they will begin their priestly ministry as parish priests, chaplains, and university professors—working for the salvation of souls. Deo Gratias!
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