Speakers explore thought of medieval theologian and Church doctor
The Jacques Maritain Center, in partnership with 12 other institutes, offices, and departments at Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College, hosted a conference entitled “Aquinas at 800: Ad multos annos.”
800 years after St. Thomas Aquinas’ birth (circa 1224), the conference explored the ongoing importance of his thought in contemporary cultural, philosophical, and theological discussions. The conference, which ran from September 22 to September 25, featured over 150 speakers from around the world. More than 580 people registered to attend the conference in person while more tuned in online.
The Jacques Maritain Center exists to foster intellectual reflection and discourse on philosophical and theological matters particularly in light of Aquinas and 20th century French theologian Jacques Maritain. Therese Cory, director of the center and John and Jean Oesterle Associate Professor of Thomistic Studies, explained to the Rover that Aquinas remains relevant to this day because of “the systematicity of his thought” and his “commitment to integrating faith and reason.”
Following Sunday Mass, the conference kicked off with a keynote address by Jean Porter, John A. O’Brien Professor of Theology at Notre Dame. Porter’s talk reflected on the juxtaposition of divine charity and justice, and how Aquinas’ thought can help rectify the two virtues. Following her address, professor of theology William Mattison presented a Festschrift, a tribute of academic essays written in honor of Porter’s distinguished career and retirement.
The conference continued over the next two days, featuring a series of talks and presentations relating to the moral, philosophical, and theological works of St. Thomas Aquinas. In addition to Porter, keynote speakers included Doctor Rudi te Velde, professor of philosophy at Tilburg University in Holland, Father Serge-Thomas Bonino, O.P., Dean of Philosophy at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), and Father Thomas Joseph White, O.P., Rector Magnificus of the Angelicum.
Fr. White’s keynote address focused on Aquinas’ treatment of the atonement. Particularly, he described Christ’s crucifixion as an act of atonement, his dual natures as both God and man, and how his death leads to divine and human glory.
Reflecting on the conference as an “intellectual feast,” Fr. White told the Rover, “This is one of the largest conferences on Thomas Aquinas’ thought to take place anywhere in the world for the last 20 or 30 years, so it’s a very important event for encouraging a new, renewed interest in St. Thomas and his philosophy, his theology, his moral and political thinking.”
Fr. White is also a member of the Hillbilly Thomists, a bluegrass band of Dominican priests who performed at DPAC on Tuesday as part of the conference.
A common theme among conference attendees was a delight at seeing so many young students present. Liam Farrer, director of the Newman Center at McGill University commented, “As a campus minister, I was very encouraged to see how many Notre Dame students were at the conference.”
Sister Albert Marie Surmanski, O.P., theology professor at University of St. Thomas in Houston, spoke with admiration about the conference. Many of the talks sparked her intellectual curiosity, and she remarked to the Rover, “I have a whole list of books and articles to read now.”
Cory was very pleased with the conference’s success. In an interview with the Rover, she said, “It went beyond our wildest dreams. We really did not expect the enormous outpouring of interest from both the academic community and the community here at Notre Dame and the local community.”
Farrer, himself a Thomistic scholar, told the Rover, “I also think Aquinas would be very happy that the conference culminated everyday in Mass because ultimately that was his focus—bringing people to Christ through his studies.” Farrer added that he was “very grateful that we got to have such a nice basilica and have our bishops and papal theologians every day.”
Farrer said this in reference to Masses celebrated by Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, and Gerhard Cardinal Müller, former Prefect of the Congregation (now Dicastery) for the Doctrine of the Faith.
During his visit, Cardinal Müller also delivered the Mind and Heart Lecture at Holy Cross College and spoke to undergraduate students in the Tocqueville Fellowship of the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government (CCCG).
A full list of events and sponsors for the conference can be found on its website.
Caleb Vaughan is a sophomore studying chemical engineering. If you are interested in signing a card for the birthday boy, St. Thomas, reach out to cvaugha2@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: ND’s Jacques Maritain Center
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