Christendom College Lectures

What does it mean to say that the Mass “makes Calvary present”? How does the Church participate in the priestly work of Christ? Are you looking to enter more profoundly into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? If so, this is the lecture for you.

On September 20, Christendom's Tocqueville Forum for Liberal Democracy hosted a lecture by Dr. James Stoner from Louisiana State University on "The Post-Constitutional Temptation." Learn more about Christendom's Political Science and Economics Department at: https://www.christendom.edu/academics/majors-minors/political-science-economics/

Irish scholar and longtime member of the Christendom community, Connie Marshner, delivered a guest History lecture at Christendom College on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, titled "Evidence of Eastern Influence in Early Irish Christianity." Learn more about Christendom's Department of History at: https://www.christendom.edu/academics/majors-minors/history/

Both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were inspired by time-honored medieval tales. Chivalry plays a key role in medieval English literature, yet Lewis and Tolkien seem to view it very differently – Lewis as a virtue, Tolkien as a vice. "Lewis and Tolkien on the Necessity of Chivalry" dives into essays by both men on the topic, ultimately finding common ground between them. Join Professor Strickland...

The ultimate purpose of mathematics is not a topic frequently discussed. However, if you want to learn how math can lead us to knowledge of God, you should listen to this lecture. Dr. Douglas Dailey goes beyond the application of mathematics to explore how math unlocks the knowledge of true being—and God. 

I'm sure you've heard family and friends question how a loving God can allow suffering. Perhaps you've even wrestled with the question yourself. With Dr. Montanaro as your guide, you'll learn how suffering forms an essential part of God's plan—so much so that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our salvation. 

Join Christendom College professor Dr. Christopher Lane for his lecture on Inculturation and the Evangelization of China . From the time of the apostles, the deposit of faith has formed and transformed cultures, lived out uniquely across various cultures. This lecture will explore how Catholicism took root in China, forming a new Chinese Catholic culture, and how cultural practices gave rise to co...

Join Christendom College professor Dr. John Cuddeback for this lecture examining practical principles from the master of contemplation, St. Thomas Aquinas. No matter our state in life, we are all called to contemplation as part of our identity and fulfilment, even amidst the challenges and chaos of today.

Learn about the true nature of beauty, its importance for our lives, and why Beauty not only can but will undoubtedly save the world. Christendom professor Dr. Michael Rubin will help you discover "How Beauty Will Save the World." 

Part of the Beato Fra Angelico Fine Arts series, Dr. Sara Pecknold gave a recital and talk discussing the history of traditional Irish music. The performance included Christendom music professor Dr. Larissa Fedoryka, Rachel Piazza (class of 2024), and Nolan Ladewski.

Join Christendom Professor Daniel Spiotta as as he explores the structure of the Rosary from a unique perspective that illuminates fascinating new insights. The mysteries of the Rosary tell the story of Our Lady's life with Christ, and like any good story, they are artfully arranged. By reflecting on the ring-structure of the Rosary, we can come to a deeper understanding of its mysteries and how t...

Father Deacon Christopher Todd '12, Ukrainian Catholic Deacon and Christendom Alumnus, gave a lecture on "Eastern Catholic Churches: St. John Paul II and the Legacy of Vatican II" on February 5, 2024.

Join Christendom professor Dr. Sara Pecknold as she explores the importance of music for our lives as Catholics and as a means of glorifying God. Music holds a unique place of influence in all our lives. Because of its constant presence and its indisputable power to move our souls, music should be put to its highest purpose: to praise God and lead us to Him. This lecture invites the listener to en...

Word on Fire’s Dr. Holly Ordway delivered a talk on famed author J.R.R. Tolkien’s Catholic Faith at Christendom College on January 29, 2024, as part of the college’s Major Speaker Series .  Fifty years after Tolkien’s death , his writings are more popular than ever; The Lord of the Rings and his other Middle-earth writings are internationally beloved, loved by millions who do not share his religio...

On January 25, the college hosted Dr. Anthony Andres to give the 2024 Thomas Aquinas Lecture. The annual Aquinas Lecture is an opportunity for the Christendom College community to benefit from the scholarship and wisdom of noted thinkers in the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas.

This Principles Live Lecture was broadcast from our annual Christmas at Christendom event for our President's Council benefactors.

The breakdown of the family is one of the chief factors behind the societal decay we experience today. How can we protect the family unit and reverse the breakdown of society? This lecture will examine how rediscovering filial piety can help lead us toward the restoration we need.

Why is children's literature important? In our society where even children are made to question their very identity, it is crucial to have stories that ground them in truth.

"How can we be effective evangelizers?" Find out how baptism and hobbits can shed light on what it means to be a Christian filled with faith, hope, and love, and thus a beacon for communicating the joy of the Christian life to others.

This lecture provides the example of theology professors who conceived of themselves not only as intellectuals, but, more importantly, as Christian teachers. Focusing on the twelfth-century schools of theology, Dr. Berardi shows how theologians of the time followed the tradition of the Church Fathers and were responsible for the moral education of their students.

The world is filled with conflicts, both apparent and real, between personal love and civic duty. Can love be restrained without violating its radical freedom? In this brief talk, Christendom College's Professor Daniel Spiotta will consider how William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream expresses the demands of both love and law, manifests the dangers of neglecting either, and proposes a...

Virtue has never been more maligned and misunderstood than in our age. Between movies that celebrate antiheroes and corporations that “virtue signal” about false values, we must revisit the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas to reclaim a true understanding of virtue and strategies for how we can acquire it in our age. This Principles Live Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Andrew Whitmore, assitant profes...

This lecture will be given by Dr. Daniel McInerny, a professor of philosophy at Christendom College and faculty moderator of the on-campus drama club, the Christendom Players. Dr. McInerny also teaches an upcoming Principles class on The Philosophy of Art and Beauty and has a book coming out next year from Word on Fire Academic entitled The Way of Beauty .  When we hear the word “entertainment,” w...

In this Principles Live Lecture, Christendom professor Dr. Kurt Poterack will help you understand the beautiful theology behind Catholic teaching on sacred music. These days, many people think "sacred music" can be any sort of music played in a religious setting. However, the Catholic Church has a long and rich tradition of carefully delineating just what sacred music means.

This lecture will be given by Dr. Trey Stanford, a professor in the Department of English Literature & Language at Christendom College. Dr. Stanford's lecture is entitled "'Terrificalest Freezing Magics': The Gift of Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas" and will be a part of Christendom College's annual day-long Christmas at Christendom event for our President's Council benefactors, many o...