Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Christianity (46)
- Catholic Studies (36)
- Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion (29)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (29)
- Liturgy and Worship (19)
-
- Other Religion (17)
- Sociology (17)
- Peace and Conflict Studies (16)
- Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration (16)
- Politics and Social Change (12)
- Ethics in Religion (11)
- History of Christianity (10)
- Political Science (10)
- Biblical Studies (9)
- Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies (9)
- Religious Education (9)
- Social Justice (9)
- History (8)
- International and Area Studies (7)
- Missions and World Christianity (7)
- United States History (7)
- Inequality and Stratification (6)
- Christian Denominations and Sects (5)
- International Relations (5)
- Medicine and Health Sciences (5)
- Comparative Methodologies and Theories (4)
- Race and Ethnicity (4)
- Keyword
-
- Hope (5)
- Liturgy (5)
- Vatican II (5)
- Worship (5)
- Immigration (4)
-
- Catholic Social Teaching (3)
- Eucharist (3)
- Humility (3)
- Justice (3)
- Karl Rahner (3)
- Liturgy and worship (3)
- Prayer (3)
- Spirituality (3)
- Suffering (3)
- Theology (3)
- Anthropology (2)
- Authenticity (2)
- Bernard Lonergan (2)
- Climate change (2)
- Communication (2)
- Culture (2)
- Depression (2)
- Faith (2)
- Feminism (2)
- Formation (2)
- Homiletics (2)
- Homily (2)
- Human Experience (2)
- Identity (2)
- Inculturation (2)
- Publication Year
- Publication
- Publication Type
- File Type
Articles 1 - 30 of 101
Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology
The Vatican’S Moral Voice In The Critical Mineral Era: Does The Vatican Need A Policy Platform For Its Meetings With Mining Ceos?, Raymond Offenheiser, Keith Slack
The Vatican’S Moral Voice In The Critical Mineral Era: Does The Vatican Need A Policy Platform For Its Meetings With Mining Ceos?, Raymond Offenheiser, Keith Slack
The Journal of Social Encounters
On January 19, three American Catholic bishops issued a striking warning about the future of American foreign policy, lamenting that it was undermining “the moral foundation for America’s actions in the world.” The bishops responded to a retreat toward transactional, power-centric diplomacy – one where human rights, international solidarity, and the common good are increasingly secondary to narrow national interests. This shift is most evident in the global race for “critical minerals,” – and perhaps nowhere is the need and opportunity for Church moral leadership clearer.
Pax Christi International’S Representation Within International Governmental Organisations, Fr. Paul Lansu, Giulia Bordin
Pax Christi International’S Representation Within International Governmental Organisations, Fr. Paul Lansu, Giulia Bordin
The Journal of Social Encounters
Pax Christi International (PCI) has used its consultative status at the United Nations since 1979 to connect grassroots peacebuilding with international policymaking. Initially focused on disarmament and human rights, PCI contributed to key international treaties and advocated against human rights violations worldwide. Over time, its advocacy expanded to include active nonviolence, ecological justice, sustainable development, and the accompaniment of local peacebuilders. By strengthening collaboration across its global network and enabling partners from conflict-affected regions to engage directly with international institutions, PCI continues to promote human dignity, international law, and a just and lasting peace through inclusive multilateral advocacy.
Cultural Humility, Reformation Of Power Structures, And Cultural Competence As Seeds And Fruits Of Interculturality, Doug Herbek
Cultural Humility, Reformation Of Power Structures, And Cultural Competence As Seeds And Fruits Of Interculturality, Doug Herbek
Obsculta
This piece examines how interculturality both promotes and is fostered by cultural humility, reformation of power structures, and development of cultural competence. As we pursue interculturality, we incarnate the Gospel. In the process, local church leadership becomes inclusive and integrative, worship becomes more heartfelt, and community and unity are fostered as we celebrate our differences.
Alumni Spotlight: Ezekiel Prophet Of Hope Address, Mark J. Seitz
Alumni Spotlight: Ezekiel Prophet Of Hope Address, Mark J. Seitz
Obsculta
This lecture was delivered by Bishop Mark J. Seitz upon receipt of the Ezekiel Prophet of Hope Award from Saint John’s University in August of 2025. The Ezekiel Prophet of Hope Award seeks to lift up alumni or alumnae of Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary who have dynamically lived out the principles of collaboration and ecumenism that are at the heart of the mission and the Benedictine heritage of Saint John’s. Just as Ezekiel saw a splendid vision of the new and everlasting temple, modern prophets off er us new and sustainable visions for the church.
"They Will Put You Out Of The Synagogues”: An Exegesis Of John 16:1-4a And Its Application To The Persecuted Christians In Northern Nigeria, Chiemeka Iwuagwu
"They Will Put You Out Of The Synagogues”: An Exegesis Of John 16:1-4a And Its Application To The Persecuted Christians In Northern Nigeria, Chiemeka Iwuagwu
Obsculta
This paper offers an exegesis of John 16:1-4a, a pivotal passage in Jesus' Farewell Discourse that warns the disciples of impending persecution, including expulsion from synagogues. Situating the text within the historical and literary context of the Johannine community, it explores how this forewarning reframes suffering as an integral aspect of faithful witness rather than divine abandonment. Drawing on key scholarly works, the analysis engages literary structure, historical reconstruction of community experiences, and theological motifs such as dualism and Christology. The paper then applies these insights to the plight of Christians in northern Nigeria, a region marked by violent persecution, …
Developing Robust Human Formation For Ministerial Training, Mary L. Parks
Developing Robust Human Formation For Ministerial Training, Mary L. Parks
Obsculta
The Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis recognizes that effective ministerial formation is holistic, attending to all aspects of a minister’s being. The document therefore outlines four pillars of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. In Co-Workers In the Vineyard of the Lord, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) extends the same four pillars of formation to the development of lay ecclesial ministers. The USCCB also applies these pillars to diaconal formation in The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America.
Loose The Bonds Of Injustice: The True Fast Of Lent, Bella Brinkman
Loose The Bonds Of Injustice: The True Fast Of Lent, Bella Brinkman
Obsculta
This reflection was written for and delivered to the community of the Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary on February 19, 2026. It reflects on Isaiah 58:6–8 and the theme of Lenten fasting, as part of the Midday Prayer Service during the first week of Lent. The reflection was composed and offered in the context of the ongoing immigration enforcement raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis. It invites the community into a deeper consideration of the Christian response to injustice during the Lenten season.
I Cry At Night Before You: Theologies Of Depression In The Psalms, Travis Spillum Osb
I Cry At Night Before You: Theologies Of Depression In The Psalms, Travis Spillum Osb
Obsculta
This work looks to the Psalms to discover theologies that resonate with experiences of depression. If one struggling with depression feels as if God is angry with them, that their condition is oppressing them, that loved ones have abandoned them, or that God's love for them is wavering, they can utilize the psalmist's words to voice their feelings and express their anguish in prayer to a God who is seemingly deaf to their groaning.
Fulfilled In Your Hearing: What Has Been Fulfilled; What Remains To Be Heard, William Skudlarek Osb
Fulfilled In Your Hearing: What Has Been Fulfilled; What Remains To Be Heard, William Skudlarek Osb
Obsculta
This article reflects on the enduring legacy and contemporary relevance of Fulfilled in Your Hearing, the 1982 U.S. bishops’ official statement on the Sunday homily. Written by the document’s principal drafter, the piece explores the text’s revolutionary methodological shift: moving the starting point of preaching away from the preacher or the isolated text and toward the assembly gathered for Eucharist. The author argues that the homily is not an exegetical lecture or a discourse on morality but a sacramental interpretation of human existence through the lens of Scripture that calls the assembled worshippers to conversion, thanksgiving, and service. Central to …
Theology As A Form Of Prayer, Melissa Tovar-Guerrero
Theology As A Form Of Prayer, Melissa Tovar-Guerrero
Obsculta
This piece reflects on the essential tasks of theology to foster practical expressions of prayer, to establish a fruitful and transformative dialogue with the Trinity through Christian meditation.
Human Freedom And God’S Image In Undocumented People, An Nguyen
Human Freedom And God’S Image In Undocumented People, An Nguyen
Obsculta
This article explores the relationship of human freedom in the theological perspective and undocumented immigrants in the United States: how immigrants embody the divine image, Imago Dei, despite legal and social constraints. I will begin with the theological foundation—freedom as a distinguishing characteristic of God’s image in humanity—and analyze the complex nature of freedom as both a divine gift and a human responsibility. Additionally, I will demonstrate that the Church has a special responsibility to recognize and affirm the inherent dignity of undocumented people by drawing from Catholic social teaching, migration studies, and theological anthropology, ultimately calling for pastoral practices …
Called From Within The Community: The Vocation Of Undocumented Hispanic Men To The Diaconate, Anisabel Palma
Called From Within The Community: The Vocation Of Undocumented Hispanic Men To The Diaconate, Anisabel Palma
Obsculta
This paper examines the discernment of undocumented Hispanic men to the diaconate within a diocese facing growing Hispanic populations and a shortage of Spanish-speaking clergy. Using ethnographic research, theological reflection, and historical analysis, it argues that this reality should be discerned not as a pastoral problem but as a response to concrete community needs. Interpreted through four theological perspectives (sacred vocation, divine initiative, unconventional divine choice, and the community-oriented nature of diaconal ministry) the study proposes that welcoming undocumented men into formal discernment and formation for the diaconate constitutes a faithful and ecclesial response to the Church’s mission.
Schillebeeckx And Homilies: Why Should Sermons Be More Than Words?, Paulinus Daeli
Schillebeeckx And Homilies: Why Should Sermons Be More Than Words?, Paulinus Daeli
Obsculta
This article highlights the importance of good preaching by exploring the relationship between theology, rhetoric, and spirituality through the theology of Edward Schillebeeckx. It argues that preaching must go beyond words to create a deep experience for the congregation. By exploring Schillebeeckx's theological foundations, the article also discusses the conflict between the liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist in Holy Mass, and suggests a comprehensive approach to preaching. The article emphasizes that both aspects of the Mass must work in harmony to provide spiritual nourishment. Finally, it concludes by emphasizing the importance of preaching as a communal act, which …
Caring For Our Neighbors: Public Prayer As A Pastoral Tool For Multicultural Communities, Gilbert Perez
Caring For Our Neighbors: Public Prayer As A Pastoral Tool For Multicultural Communities, Gilbert Perez
School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses
Throughout 2025 and in the first few months of 2026 there has been an increased presence of immigration law enforcement in the state of Minnesota, which has extended into the central Minnesotan diocese of St. Cloud.
Review Of Chosen Peoples: Christianity And Political Imagination In South Sudan, John Ashworth
Review Of Chosen Peoples: Christianity And Political Imagination In South Sudan, John Ashworth
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of Nevertheless, We Persist: A Feminist Public Theology, Tiffany Hunsinger
Review Of Nevertheless, We Persist: A Feminist Public Theology, Tiffany Hunsinger
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of Falling Into God: My Lay Catholic Journey In Spirituality And Ministry From Family And Home To Vatican Ii And The Holy Spirit To Prophetic Work For Justice And Peace, Rosemarie Pace
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of Ella Baker & The Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Vision, Danny Duncan Collum
Review Of Ella Baker & The Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Vision, Danny Duncan Collum
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of Speaking Of Trust: Religion And Mutual Aid In Southwest Kenya, Dennis Kilama
Review Of Speaking Of Trust: Religion And Mutual Aid In Southwest Kenya, Dennis Kilama
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of: Justice After War: Jus Post Bellum In The 21st Century, Jacaranda Turvey Tait
Review Of: Justice After War: Jus Post Bellum In The 21st Century, Jacaranda Turvey Tait
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Augustine And Jerome: 2 Distinct Views Of Peter And Paul, Preston Sherman
Augustine And Jerome: 2 Distinct Views Of Peter And Paul, Preston Sherman
Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)
This project dove into a conversation between Sts. Augustine and Jerome about Peter and Paul's disagreement at Antioch. The effects of each saint's beliefs about the incident impacts the role of papal authority in the Church, the use of Scripture, and how the Church is to see itself in the modern world.
Katharine Drexel And The Sisters Who Shared Her Vision, Annie Huey
Katharine Drexel And The Sisters Who Shared Her Vision, Annie Huey
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of God's Resistance: Mobilizing Faith To Defend Immigrants, Anna Peterson
Review Of God's Resistance: Mobilizing Faith To Defend Immigrants, Anna Peterson
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of Grassroots Ecumenism: The Way Of Local Christian Reunion, John A. Radano
Review Of Grassroots Ecumenism: The Way Of Local Christian Reunion, John A. Radano
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Sitting In The Presence Of Jesus: Self-Care In Ministry Rooted In Martha And Mary, Kristyn Demers
Sitting In The Presence Of Jesus: Self-Care In Ministry Rooted In Martha And Mary, Kristyn Demers
Obsculta
Many ministers face burnout and compassion fatigue based on their jobs and are not given the proper tools to care for themselves. This essay analyzes some theologies of self-care, using humility and kenosis as guiding principles, before using Luke’s narrative of Martha and Mary as a case study for how self-care is necessary within ministry.
Review Of Sermons On The Parables, Wendy L. Pohlhaus
Review Of Sermons On The Parables, Wendy L. Pohlhaus
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of Monastic Ecological Wisdom: A Living Tradition, Katherine Howard
Review Of Monastic Ecological Wisdom: A Living Tradition, Katherine Howard
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of Spiritual Audacity: The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story, John C. Merkle
Review Of Spiritual Audacity: The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story, John C. Merkle
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Review Of The Kingdom, The Power, And The Glory: American Evangelicals In An Age Of Extremism, Jeff Vanderwerff,
Review Of The Kingdom, The Power, And The Glory: American Evangelicals In An Age Of Extremism, Jeff Vanderwerff,
The Journal of Social Encounters
No abstract provided.
Newman's Faith In A Synodal Church, Emily Heidick
Newman's Faith In A Synodal Church, Emily Heidick
Obsculta
This piece is a brief exploration of the theology of how the church develops by John Henry Newman with particular attention to the connection to the synodal church of today.