Christendom College Lectures

Christendom College welcomed St. Thomas Aquinas expert Dr. Steven Baldner to campus for the latest event in its Collegiate Lecture Series. Baldner, a professor at St. Francis Xavier University, presented the college’s annual St. Thomas Aquinas lecture as part of the series, speaking on “Aquinas and Descartes on Creation.”

Dr. Timothy O’Donnell reflects on the significance of the Incarnation, exploring the world’s longing for a Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy, and Mary’s unique role as the Mother of God. He discusses the expectations of the Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecies, and the cultural readiness for Christ's arrival. He also highlights Our Lady of Guadalupe, explaining how her appearance brought Christ to the Mexican people during a time of darkness. Dr. O’Donnell concludes by inviting believers to rediscover the Incarnation’s meaning in their own lives, especially during Advent.

Fr. Gregory Pine highlights the importance of the incarnation, showcasing God's generosity and the need to recognize His work in our lives. Fr. Pine encourages all to a deeper understanding of how God's love and grace are evident in our experiences, urging a response of gratitude and acknowledgment of His presence in our lives.

In the lecture, Christendom College Philosophy Professor Dr. John Cuddeback examines St. Joseph's life, highlighting the importance of fatherhood, marriage, and hiddenness. The saint's unwavering righteousness and chastity serve as lessons in integrity and mercy. The lecture explores the deeper meaning of marital love and the challenges of living virtuously in a society that values external validation. It encourages a genuine understanding of chastity and love in relationships, reflecting on the virtues of St. Joseph and their relevance today.

Christendom College welcomed Dr. Clint Brand, Associate Professor of English at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, for the latest installment of its Collegiate Lecture Series. In his talk, “Anglican Patrimony in Catholic Communion: Problem, Gift, Challenge, Mission,” Dr. Brand explored the spiritual and literary richness of the Anglican tradition within the Catholic Church. Known for his scholarship on Shakespeare, Newman, and T. S. Eliot, as well as his work on the Vatican’s Anglicanae Traditiones commission, Dr. Brand brought deep insight into the intersections of faith, language, and culture.

In the wake of an election, we regularly discuss whether the victorious candidate and party won a “mandate” and what that mandate entails. This lecture considers the relationship between the Constitution and the way we talk about electoral mandates. Dr. German is an assistant professor in the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Previously, he was an assistant professor in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL) at Arizona State University.

Christendom’s Department of History welcomed professor and author Nadya Williams on September 10, 2025. Williams presented a talk based on her recently published book Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic. Williams, who holds her Ph.D. in Classics from Princeton University, is a mother, writer, and editor based in Ashland, Ohio, where she is interim director of the MFA in Creative Writing at Ashland University and books editor at Mere Orthodoxy , where she also hosts the Christians Reading Classics podcast.

Christendom College welcomed acclaimed poet James Matthew Wilson on September 24, 2025. Wilson, professor of creative writing at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, delivered an address titled “The Part the Muses Give Us: Poetry as First Art.” The lecture was part of the Collegiate Lecture Series.

Dr. Miriam Byers delivered this lecture at the annual Senior-Faculty Dinner on September 22, 2025, at Christendom College. Byers is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Christendom College, where she has taught since 2001, initially as an adjunct before transitioning to full-time in 2015, with the establishment of Christendom’s Mathematics major. During her eight-year tenure as chair of the Mathematics and Natural Science Department, she oversaw the development and approval of the Natural Science major. Dr. Byers holds a B.S. from Purdue University and M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from Northwestern University.

Sr. Deirdre Byrne, POSC, hosted a viewing and spoke with theology professor Dr. R.J. Matava about the documentary she helped to produce called "No Mercy: The Catholic Culture of Death" which covers the abuse of vulnerable patients and palliative care. Sr. Dede is a practicing physician, retired US Army Colonel, and courageous pro-life witness on the front lines of the defense of human life.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Rice reveals compelling evidence that the great Bard, William Shakespeare, was Catholic.

In this second part, Christendom College theology professor Eric Jenislawski deepens the conversation by examining the historical development of natural language AI and its often-overlooked ethical and cultural implications. Beginning with early precursors like Eliza and Dissociated Press , Jenislawski traces the evolution of AI language tools up to today’s neural networks, explaining key concepts like embeddings, dataset bias, and the structure of modern models in a clear and accessible way.

In part one of this thought-provoking lecture, Christendom College theology professor Eric Jenislawski offers an explanation of ChatGPT and its natural language predecessors for a non-technical audience. He explores the nature, development, and implications of artificial intelligence, especially large language models like ChatGPT. With clarity and philosophical depth, Jenislawski guides listeners through key concepts—from how AI models are trained to what it means for machines to simulate human reasoning. Along the way, he considers the challenges of alignment, the moral concerns surrounding AI-generated content, and the phenomenon of “AI confabulation.”

Christendom College hosted a thought-provoking discussion on the nature and significance of art, featuring philosophy professor Dr. Daniel McInerny alongside College President George A. Harne, Ph.D. The event, part of the college’s major speaker series, explored the question: “What is Art, and Why Does It Matter?” Dr. McInerny is a passionate speaker and writer on art and beauty, as evidenced in his recent book, "Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts." When he is not teaching and mentoring his students, McInerny has been writing fiction, nonfiction, drama, and screenplays for years, including his adult fiction novel "The Good Death of Kate Montclair," and his Kingdom of Patria series for middle-grade readers (now available on Amazon). McInerny's links: https://danielmcinerny.substack.com https://www.amazon.com/Way-Beauty-Philosophical-Reflection/dp/1685789854 https://www.amazon.com/Good-Death-Kate-Montclair/dp/1946531464/ 💻 Social Media: Facebook: / christendomcollege Instagram: / christendomcollege X: https://x.com/ChristendomVA Learn more about Christendom College at: https://www.christendom.edu

Join us for the 2025S St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture featuring Dr. David C. Schindler from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. Delivered on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, this lecture explores “Beauty as the Well-Spring of Action in the Thought of Thomas Aquinas.” Dr. Schindler, an expert in metaphysics and anthropology, delves into Aquinas’s understanding of beauty—not merely as something to be admired, but as a dynamic force that moves the intellect and will. How does beauty shape our moral and spiritual lives? Why is it central to action and human flourishing? Tune in for a profound reflection on the Thomistic vision of beauty and its relevance to contemporary thought.

What role does patience play in the search for truth and understanding? In this captivating lecture, Prof. Daniel Spiotta, Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature at Christendom College, explores the profound connection between patience and human knowing as revealed in two of Shakespeare’s greatest works, Hamlet and The Winter’s Tale. Drawing on his expertise in classical and medieval influences on early modern literature, Prof. Spiotta illuminates how Shakespeare’s characters wrestle with time, truth, and redemption, offering insights that remain deeply relevant today. This lecture was part of Christendom College’s Beato Fra Angelico Fine Arts Series, dedicated to showcasing the intersection of faith and art in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

In this heartwarming lecture from the Christmas at Christendom event, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, invites listeners to journey reflecting on the wonder and humility of the Nativity. Drawing on St. Francis’s creation of the first Nativity scene and God's loving plan in his own life, Fr. Mark-Mary reveals a powerful message for our modern lives. With engaging insights and practical applications, this talk challenges us to embrace simplicity, wonder, and a deeper connection to Christ, who became flesh for our salvation. A perfect reflection for the Christmas season!