Christendom College hosted a thought-provoking discussion on the nature and significance of art, featuring philosophy professor Dr. Daniel McInerny alongside College President George A. Harne, Ph.D. The event, part of the college’s major speaker series, explored the question: “What is Art, and Why Does It Matter?”

Dr. McInerny is a passionate speaker and writer on art and beauty, as evidenced in his recent book, "Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts." When he is not teaching and mentoring his students, McInerny has been writing fiction, nonfiction, drama, and screenplays for years, including his adult fiction novel "The Good Death of Kate Montclair," and his Kingdom of Patria series for middle-grade readers (now available on Amazon).

McInerny's links:
https://danielmcinerny.substack.com
https://www.amazon.com/Way-Beauty-Philosophical-Reflection/dp/1685789854
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Death-Kate-Montclair/dp/1946531464/

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Join us for the 2025S St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture featuring Dr. David C. Schindler from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. Delivered on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, this lecture explores “Beauty as the Well-Spring of Action in the Thought of Thomas Aquinas.” Dr. Schindler, an expert in metaphysics and anthropology, delves into Aquinas’s understanding of beauty—not merely as something to be admired, but as a dynamic force that moves the intellect and will. How does beauty shape our moral and spiritual lives? Why is it central to action and human flourishing? Tune in for a profound reflection on the Thomistic vision of beauty and its relevance to contemporary thought.

What role does patience play in the search for truth and understanding? In this captivating lecture, Prof. Daniel Spiotta, Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature at Christendom College, explores the profound connection between patience and human knowing as revealed in two of Shakespeare’s greatest works, Hamlet and The Winter’s Tale. Drawing on his expertise in classical and medieval influences on early modern literature, Prof. Spiotta illuminates how Shakespeare’s characters wrestle with time, truth, and redemption, offering insights that remain deeply relevant today.

This lecture was part of Christendom College’s Beato Fra Angelico Fine Arts Series, dedicated to showcasing the intersection of faith and art in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

In this heartwarming lecture from the Christmas at Christendom event, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, invites listeners to journey reflecting on the wonder and humility of the Nativity. Drawing on St. Francis’s creation of the first Nativity scene and God's loving plan in his own life, Fr. Mark-Mary reveals a powerful message for our modern lives. With engaging insights and practical applications, this talk challenges us to embrace simplicity, wonder, and a deeper connection to Christ, who became flesh for our salvation. A perfect reflection for the Christmas season!

What can a humble Christmas gift reveal about the depth of a father’s love? In this lecture, Dr. Kathleen Sullivan, a literature professor at Christendom College, explores the timeless themes of generosity, love, and sacrifice in Anne of Green Gables. Focusing on Matthew Cuthbert’s tender gesture to Anne, Dr. Sullivan illuminates the spiritual and emotional significance of his Christmas gift, inviting listeners to reflect on the quiet yet profound ways love is expressed in our lives. Perfect for fans of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novel and those seeking to uncover the deeper meanings of the Christmas season. Learn more about Dr. Kathleen Sullivan and her work here.

Professor Ferenc Hörcher is a Hungarian political philosopher and historian of political thought, specializing in conservatism, liberalism, and early modern political ideas. He directs the Research Institute of Politics and Government at Hungary’s University of Public Service and is a senior research fellow at the Institute of Philosophy of the Eötvös Loránd Research Network. An author of several books, including A Political Philosophy of Conservatism (2020), he has held visiting positions at renowned universities and conducted research internationally.

Do you want to learn more about the complementarity of faith and reason and how Catholics should approach the sciences? Listend to this lecture to learn what Pope St. John Paul II and other Catholic teachings have to say on the subject.

Chris Carstens unpacks the "ars celebrandi" called for by Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. A proper ars celebrandi 1) sees God as the proper subject of the liturgical "masterpiece," 2) encourages liturgical ministers to depict this great, divine beauty through docility to the Holy Spirit's inspiration and the Church's rites, and 3) forms the baptized to see God's glory revealed in the liturgical rite through a mystagogical catechesis. In short, when a liturgy centers on God, celebrates the rite in such a way that God's glory appears (as on Mt. Tabor), and trains the people to encounter Christ in the rite--true beauty appears in our midst and in our world. The Institute for Liturgical Formation will focus on these three aspects: 1) theology of the liturgy (the Trinity's presence and action in the liturgy), 2) the ritual celebration of the liturgy (how the Church's ministers understand and execute the liturgy), and 3) the participation and spirituality of the liturgy (how God's people engage and pray the liturgy).