The School of Theology and Ministry, which marks the end of its first decade having established itself among the world鈥檚 leaders in theology, divinity, and religious studies, will formally celebrate its 10th anniversary on听Sept. 20听with a Mass and an address by best-selling author James Martin, S.J.
The anniversary celebration will begin at听12:15 p.m.听with a Mass at St. Ignatius Church. University President William P. Leahy, S.J., will preside and Timothy P. Kesicki, S.J., president of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the U.S., will deliver the homily. All members of the University community are welcome to attend.
Fr. James Martin (Jean Chisser)
That evening, best-selling author James Martin, S.J., editor-at-large for America magazine and a frequent media commentator, will be presented with STM鈥檚 first-ever Alumni Distinguished Service Award. Fr. Martin, who recently marked 30 years in the Society of Jesus, is the author of several books, including The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, My Life with the Saints, and Between Heaven and Mirth. Last month, Fr. Martin gave a talk at the Vatican鈥檚 World Meeting of Families in Dublin.听
Immediately preceding the award presentation, Fr. Martin will deliver the inaugural Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., Alumni Lecture at Robsham Theater at听7 p.m.听Fr. Martin is expected to discuss his theological education and formation, how it has shaped his ministry, and what he sees as the most pressing needs for ministry in the world today. [Note: This event has reached capacity but will .]
The lecture鈥檚 namesake is the renowned New Testament scholar and STM professor Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., who died in 2014. Fr. Martin was a student of Fr. Harrington鈥檚, and dedicated his book, Jesus: A Pilgrimage, to .
Since its founding in 2008, STM has developed into an internationally respected center of Catholic theological and ministerial education, noted STM Dean Thomas D. Stegman, S.J. 鈥淪TM is now mentioned in the same conversation as schools that have been around for hundreds of years, like Harvard and Yale. Being in that company鈥攚ithin such a relatively short amount of time鈥攕peaks volumes about the quality of the education and the people at STM.鈥�
STM is a key element in advancing Boston College toward its goal of becoming the world鈥檚 leading Catholic university and theological center. The 2018 QS World University Rankings placed Boston College sixth among the world鈥檚 top universities in theology, divinity, and religious studies. It is the highest-ranked Catholic institution.
The rapid ascension of STM into the ranks of top-tier theological schools is due in large part to its distinguished faculty, whose quality is evident not only in their individual scholarship in fields such as Biblical studies, Church history, systematics, moral theology, religious education, and pastoral studies, but also in the two all-faculty book projects, Hope: Promise, Possibility, and Fulfillment and The Holy Spirit: Setting the World on Fire.
Community is a distinctive characteristic of STM. Students work together to engage theological and pastoral questions in the classroom and beyond. The entire STM community gathers together every Thursday for liturgy and a shared lunch. These opportunities create a welcoming, closely-knit community that celebrates its diversity and its shared commitment to faith and service.
STM鈥檚 dedicated, holistic approach to formation, rooted in the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis (care for the whole person), was recognized as a model program by the Association of Theological Schools during STM鈥檚 accreditation.
鈥淲e want our graduates to be leaders and agents of transformation in the Church and in the world,鈥� noted Fr. Stegman. 鈥淭herefore, we are very intentional about all aspects of our students鈥� formation, including intellectual, pastoral, spiritual, and personal.鈥澨�
STM is highlighting the work of Fr. Martin all semester, including through a four-week online course via its Crossroads program titled 鈥淭he Best of James Martin, S.J. in America.鈥� The course provides participants with an opportunity to discuss America articles by Fr. Martin and how his reflections and commentary might shape an idea of Christian living in today鈥檚 world.
Next month, Crossroads will launch a focused on Fr. Martin鈥檚 most recent book, Building a Bridge.
鈥淭his year will be an exciting one for the School of Theology and Ministry as we celebrate the accomplishments of our first 10 years,鈥� added Fr. Stegman. 鈥淲e also look forward to creating new ways to live out Boston College鈥檚 strategic directions鈥攅specially in the areas of formation and of service to the Church locally, nationally, and globally.鈥�
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--Kathleen Sullivan | University Communications 听