Religion Commons^™

Suffering As The Way To God, Marjorie Shahani

LMU Theses and Dissertations

As a spiritual director and Christian, I desire to accompany women on their journey to a deeper personal relationship with God holding in tension the suffering Servant on the cross and the hope in the resurrected Christ. I long to illuminate their understanding of self-sacrifice and denial. Participating in Jesus’ suffering on the cross must not lead to neglect of oneself, denial of one’s human dignity, or the tolerance of any form of abuse – physical, emotional or mental. I comprehend the redemptive power in suffering for the love of God, but I also know Christ invites us to rejoice …

The National Institute For Newman Studies: A Research Hub For The Study Of Topics Related To Saint John Henry Newman, Elizabeth Huddleston, Christopher Cimorelli

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This article provides background information for the National Institute for Newman Studies (NINS), describes the NINS initiatives, and explains the types of resources available through NINS. A broad history of NINS is provided.

Review: Catholic Higher Education And Catholic Social Thought, Bernard G. Prusak And Jennifer Reed-Bouley, Eds., Michael Rizzi

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

No abstract provided.

Review: Jesuits And Race: A Global History Of Continuity And Change, 1530–2020, Eds. Nathaniel Millett And Charles H. Parker, Melodie Wyttenbach

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

No abstract provided.

Review: Why Do You Trouble This Woman? Women And The Spiritual Exercises Of St. Ignatius Of Loyola By Anne Arabome, Sss., Mary Kate Holman

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

No abstract provided.

Review Of David Collins, The Jesuits In The United States, Thomas Rzeznik

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

No abstract provided.

Synod And The Arts Inspire Hope And Imagination, Becky Mcintyre, Beth Ford Mcnamee Ed.D., Maureen O'Connell

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

The process of journeying together, spiritual listening, discerning communally, and incorporating community art has kindled hope and imagination for Philadelphia-area university students during the ongoing, three-year global Synod on “Communion, Participation and Mission,” which Pope Francis convened in October of 2021. The SCHEAP leadership team desires to share what we have learned through our hope-filled and creative synodal process so that others may cultivate the protagonism of college students in imagining the future of the Church through synodal practices of spiritual listening, relationship-building, and creative communal discernment.

La Universidad De La Compañía Como Instrumento De Misericordia, J. Matthew Ashley

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

La universidad de hoy se enfrenta al desafío de reimaginar el paradigma fundamental a partir del cual trabaja, con el fin de responder mejor a desafíos políticos, culturales y ecosistémicos sin precedentes. Una universidad católica y jesuita puede y debe hacer este trabajo haciendo uso de los recursos extraídos desde sus raíces en la espiritualidad ignaciana, ofreciéndolos a todos los miembros de la universidad, sean o no cristianos o existencialmente comprometidos con esta espiritualidad. Los escritos del Papa Francisco sobre la educación mientras era arzobispo de Buenos Aires y sus escritos sobre la espiritualidad ignaciana en general dan pistas sobre …

El Eslabón Perdido De La Pedagogía Jesuita, Alberto Núñez, Josep M. Lozano

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

La pedagogía jesuita ha experimentado una renovación importante en los últimos cincuenta años. En este periodo, se han elaborado diversas formulaciones inspiradoras de su visión educativa. A pesar de mantener un lenguaje y espiritualidad comunes, reconocibles a lo largo de los años, existe el riesgo de que sólo sea vivida por una minoría de personas en las instituciones educativas. Este artículo propone una relectura de la Ratio Studiorum (RS) que ofrece una comprensión más precisa y completa de la pedagogía jesuita. Esta incluye tres elementos clave: el gobierno y administración de la institución, el enfoque en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje …

Jesuit Pedagogy's 'Missing Link', Alberto Núñez, Josep M. Lozano

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Jesuit pedagogy has undergone a major renewal in the last fifty years. In this process, various inspirational formulations of its educational vision have been chosen. Despite maintaining a common language and spirituality, we have identified the risk that it is only lived out by a minority of people in Jesuit educational institutions. This paper proposes a re-reading of the Ratio Studiorum (RS) that offers a more precise and complete understanding of Jesuit pedagogy. This leads us to conclude that, in addition to other well-known features, it must involve the institutional governance model, a focus on an educative community that learns …

Mystical Life And Altered Consciousness: Comparing The Subtle Paths And Trance States Of St. Teresa And Patañjali, Dana Tarasavage

Say Something Theological: The Student Journal of Theological Studies

The study of mysticism is said to be the study of the ineffable, and thus by its nature, difficult to define. Yet the structured paths and trance states described by St. Teresa of Ávila in Interior Castle and Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtra demonstrate meticulous and thoughtful explanation of mystical practices and phenomena. This paper situates these texts, mystic guidebooks in their respective traditions, in conversation, examining and comparing the path towards, experience within, and the effect of mystical trances. It employs a balanced approach to essentialism and highlights the shared features of mystical life as a vantage point from …

Prison Parts: The Theological-Ethical Problem Of Using Prisoners As Living Organ Donors, Eryn Reyes Leong

Say Something Theological: The Student Journal of Theological Studies

This paper is a theological and ethical reflection of Massachusetts House Bill 2333, which would reduce prison sentences on the condition that state prisoners donate bone marrow or an organ. Looking specifically at agency and bodily integrity as the two facets of imago Dei that are implicated by House Bill 2333, I address the crucial question: Does House Bill 2333 distort the dignity of prisoners as imago Dei by incentivizing living prisoners to donate their body parts in exchange for freedom? Using Margaret A. Farley’s justice framework articulated in Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics (2006), this paper: …

“How Are We Refocusing Our Lives On God?”: Implementing The Lenten Vision Of Sacrosanctum Concilium On A High School Campus, Michael Ashley-Mennis

Say Something Theological: The Student Journal of Theological Studies

In many Catholic high schools, students discuss Lent with a focus on their actions associated with penance, fasting and almsgiving as a self-denial Olympics without understanding the true purpose. This causes students to robotically move through the motions of Lent instead of internalizing it as a period of preparation for Baptism and penance. This paper will propose a program, for the Catholic high school setting, on how to implement the Second Vatican Council’s vision of Lent, as outlined in Sacrosanctum Concilium. The paper begins by exploring the history and development of Lent throughout the centuries. It then examines the …

The Co-Dependent Arising Of Liberation: An Exploration Of Buddhist Thought And Social Justice Models, Emily Ward

Say Something Theological: The Student Journal of Theological Studies

The language of liberation is prevalent in both spiritual and activist communities: the intersection of these practices, of liberating ourselves on the planes of embodied existence and beyond, interests me deeply. While the limitations of language are frequently expounded in Buddhism, the similarities between Buddhist and social justice terminology are what initially piqued my interest in exploring how key ideas from each field could be enhanced by mutual understanding. While much work has already been done in the field of Socially Engaged Buddhism, I hope to contribute to it by examining two models I have found useful in teaching racial …

Perceptions About Catholic High School Athletics, Kevin J. Calkins

Journal of Catholic Education Pre-Prints

In the largest survey to date on Catholic school identity in athletics (49 U.S. States, n = 2273), administrators, counselors, and teachers responded to a survey about the perceived value of interscholastic athletics, school support of athletics, the contribution of coaches to school mission, Catholic identity in athletics, and the importance of the school’s athletic director and coaches to have a mission orientation. The results of the study indicate that administrators, counselors, and teachers have positive perceptions of Catholic high school athletics. Teacher perceptions differed more than administrators and counselors based on their age, gender, and religion. At least one …

“Personal, Relational, And Extraordinary”: Learning From The Spiritual Language Of Gen Z, Gabrielle Poma

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This paper explores the crucial role of language in understanding the spiritual lives of young people today, commonly known as “Gen Z.”

Though significant disaffiliation rates among young people often cause alarm within faith communities, this paper argues that listening carefully to the language of young people provides a more nuanced, in-depth picture that statistics on religious affiliation do not capture, which is critical in developing effective pastoral care for young adults.

This paper opens with a sociocultural approach to Gen Z, drawing upon generational analysis and sociological data to demonstrate how different types of research yield varied results in …

Providing Specialized Preparation For Counselors In Catholic Schools, Timothy J. Cook, Jan Powers, Jiwon Kim

Journal of Catholic Education Pre-Prints

School counselors are needed now more than ever. Providing Catholic school counselors the specialized formation they need to be effective in the Catholic school context is essential. This study addressed two research questions in this regard: (1) What competencies (e.g., understanding, incorporating) and topics do Catholic school principals and school counselors believe are important for school counselors to fully contribute to the educational and faith-based mission of Catholic schools; and (2) How might the research findings inform pre-service education and/or continuing education and formation of school counselors for the Catholic school context? Online surveys were developed using the “Defining Characteristics …

Ignatian Values And International Conference On Disability, Enaya Hammad Othman

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This essay focuses on the values of Ignatius Loyola (1491–1556) concerning the issues related to disability and how the mission of the “Conference on Disability at the Intersection of History, Culture, Religion, Gender, and Health” hosted by Marquette University embodies those values. This conference, which was first held in 2022 and planned to take place in 2025 again, serves several goals shared by Jesuit education, Catholic values and Ignatius’ philosophy. It aspires to contribute to social justice, deep thinking and reflection, and meaningful change in society. Above all, the conference is motivated by ‘service’ to humanity and thus to the …

Faith And Stem Education: A Path To Mutual Elevation In Catholic Schools, Michael Szopiak, Matthew Kloser

Journal of Catholic Education

Amidst increasing religious disaffiliation, often due to a perceived tension between faith and the STEM disciplines, Catholic schools provide critical opportunities for young people to recognize how these domains can be mutually elevating. The field, however, lacks guidance as to how this integration should occur in practice. This conceptual paper first provides an overarching framework for how aspects of the Catholic tradition, like Scripture and the Catholic social tradition, can shape traditional educational domains of STEM teaching and learning. Secondly, we provide a heuristic of three criteria for deeply engaging students at the interface of the Catholic faith and the …

Paschal Space Of Healing And Community: An Affinity Group For Catholic School Teachers Of Color, John L. Beltramo, Lisa Archuleta

Journal of Catholic Education

As Catholic schools seek to recruit and retain more ethnoracially diverse faculties, we examine one site of potential support for Catholic school teachers of color – a racial affinity group. Using critical research methodology with qualitative data collection, we studied five teachers of color who engaged in weekly affinity group meetings, which were structured as Freirian culture circles and ran over a period of five months. Using a Catholic, critical framework on teacher education, we analyzed the data (culture circle recordings, written reflections, baseline and comparative interviews, along with classroom observations and debriefs) to examine how teachers’ participation impacted their …

The Sound Of Silence: The Significance Of Nurturing Spirituality, Self-Transformation, And Academic Excellence In Augustinian Schools, William R. Driscoll

Journal of Catholic Education

This article examines silent reflection within the context of Augustinian Catholic schools. Tracing the rich lineage of Augustinian spirituality, it explores how cultivating interiority serves as a transformative practice that fosters spiritual growth, nourishes a deeper understanding of self and others, and compliments academic inquiry. Through a synthesis of theological, educational, and psychological perspectives, this article illuminates the multifaceted benefits of integrating silent reflection into the educational ethos of Catholic schools. Emic descriptions from students, teachers, and leaders provided insights into silent reflection programming designed to enrich the holistic development of students.

Providing Specialized Preparation For Counselors In Catholic Schools, Timothy J. Cook, Jan J. Powers, Jiwon Kim

Journal of Catholic Education

School counselors are needed now more than ever. Providing Catholic school counselors the specialized formation they need to be effective in the Catholic school context is essential. This study addressed two research questions in this regard: (1) What competencies (e.g., understanding, incorporating) and topics do Catholic school principals and school counselors believe are important for school counselors to fully contribute to the educational and faith-based mission of Catholic schools; and (2) How might the research findings inform pre-service education and/or continuing education and formation of school counselors for the Catholic school context? Online surveys were developed using the “Defining Characteristics …

Perceptions About Catholic High School Athletics, Kevin J. Calkins

Journal of Catholic Education

In the largest survey to date on Catholic school identity in athletics (49 U.S. States, n = 2273), administrators, counselors, and teachers responded to a survey about the perceived value of interscholastic athletics, school support of athletics, the contribution of coaches to school mission, Catholic identity in athletics, and the importance of the school’s athletic director and coaches to have a mission orientation. The results of the study indicate that administrators, counselors, and teachers have positive perceptions of Catholic high school athletics. Teacher perceptions differed more than administrators and counselors based on their age, gender, and religion. At least one …

Increasing Parent Faith Engagement At A Parish School, Grace Mazza Urbanski

Journal of Catholic Education

Increasing faith engagement among Catholic school shareholders is a priority for school leaders. Catholic school communities can learn from this year-long project with a parish school. Sacred Heart Parish School serves approximately 300 K3-8th grade students. Like many parish schools, Sacred Heart sees a growing number of parents disengaged with the faith life of the parish and school, despite 98% of them being registered parishioners. The parent population enjoys robust and regular social activities, but report they are uncomfortable or uninterested in faith activities. The mission of Sacred Heart Parish School is to nurture “children’s growth in the Catholic faith,” …

The Interplay Of Principals And Politics In The Context Of Ohio’S Edchoice Scholarship Program, Adam J. Dufault, Melodie Wyttenbach

Journal of Catholic Education

The role of a Catholic school leader is complex, dynamic, and changing, especially in states where parental choice legislation has been enacted. This study utilizes Bolman and Deal’s (2017) organizational framework to examine the political nature of the role of the Catholic school leader. Specifically, this study explores the ways the Catholic school leader navigates the politics of accessing and advocating for government funds. Drawing from interviews with eight Catholic school principals who have utilized the Ohio EdChoice voucher program, this study captures the experiences of these principals through the lens of the political frame. Findings reveal lessons learned on …

Student Achievement Growth Before And During Covid-19: Comparing In-Person And Remote Learning In Catholic And Public Schools, Stephen Ponisciak, Julie W. Dallavis

Journal of Catholic Education

In response to COVID-19, U.S. students learned remotely from mid-March to June 2020. At the start of academic year 2020-21, many schools remained remote but others—primarily Catholic and other private schools—reopened. We consider Catholic schooling as a proxy for in-person instruction and use national data from Renaissance Star and MAP Growth assessments to compare the achievement of similar students pre-pandemic, during the height of mitigation strategies, and after most schools reopened. In a departure from pre-pandemic growth patterns, students in Catholic schools showed more growth than those in public schools during the height of mitigation strategies, suggesting the importance of …

Insistent Life, Christopher Chapple

Theological Studies Faculty Works

Book review of Brianne Donaldson and Ana Bajželj's Insistent Life: Principles for Bioethics in the Jain Tradition (Oakland: University of California Press, 2021).

Teacher Faith Formation As Response To An “Existential Crisis” In Catholic Schools: Western Canadian Superintendents’ Perspectives, Matt Hoven, Dean Sarnecki, Eugenia Pagotta-Kowalczyk

Journal of Catholic Education

The shortage of teachers who can strongly identify with the religious mission of Catholic schools is at the point of an “existential crisis,” according to a system leader in Catholic schools in Western Canada. Drawing upon exploratory interviews completed with ten chief superintendents (who oversee large school districts), this paper reveals that while school districts offer various forms of faith formation regulating the personal lives of teachers amidst divergences between Church doctrines and social trends is complicated. Because the complexity of teacher faith formation is incredibly difficult to address, we discuss three key areas to renew the state of affairs: …

Augustinian Composition Pedagogy And The Catholic Liberal Arts In The Time Of Generative Ai, Gavin F. Hurley

Journal of Catholic Education

This article proposes a theoretical basis of Augustinian composition pedagogy by tracing the symbiotic relationship between writing and knowing found within St. Augustine’s Letters, The Trinity, Soliloquies, and Confessions and connecting them to modern writing-to-learn composition pedagogies. Given today’s trying times of generative AI, this article argues that Catholic schools revitalize the writing arts in a manner proposed by Augustine—that is, to enrich inward contemplation and outward love for others. In embracing such philosophy of writing and applying it across the disciplines, Catholic schools can enrich their distinctively Catholic liberal arts mission—and ward off dangers found in …

Lo Que Realmente Significa Magis Y Por Qué Importa, Fr. Barton T. Geger S.J.

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Muchas definiciones del magis se proponen en los círculos jesuitas, no todas las cuales son claras o útiles. La mejor definición, en términos de practicidad, fidelidad a las fuentes y correspondencia con otros temas ignacianos, es “el bien más universal”. Está estrechamente relacionada con el lema no oficial de la Compañía de Jesús, “Para la mayor gloria de Dios”.