“In the Light of the Catholic Faith”: Encountering Each Other In Conversation

In the last blog, I observed that it eventually would become the responsibility of the administration, the faculty, and the staff of Saint Michael’s College to ensure the catholicity of the College and preserve the Catholic identity of Saint Michael’s.  What it means to be educate students “in the light of the Catholic,” however, needs explaining and reflective thought.

At a recent talk that I attended while at the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), Dr. Claire Noonan, Vice President for Mission Integration, Loyola University Chicago, remarked that mission at Catholic colleges and universities is not meant to be a “noun” but rather a “preposition.”  Dr. Noonan means that Catholic colleges and universities achieve their purpose not by conveying the “what” of the Catholic faith, a finished product available for the asking, but through the “dynamic” of connecting peopling with each other so that conversations begin, and dialogues take place “in the light of the Catholic faith.”

“Prepositions” convey meaning by setting things in relation to others.  The mission of a Catholic college is to create a context in which students, faculty, staff, and administrators connect with each other in meaningful conversations and productive dialogues.  And this is to take place without regard to difference, welcoming all to be part of the exchange of ideas, beliefs, and worldviews.  For those of us who work or study at Saint Michael’s, this means walking with each other “in the light of the Catholic faith.”  By this, we mean that we are all on the same journey, in dialogue with each other about the issues of the day and in conversations about what is true.  This is what it means to study and learn at a liberal arts college.  At a Catholic college, moreover, the Catholic faith is part of the journey.  At Saint Michael’s College, in particular, all are welcome to engage with the Catholic faith to the degree students, faculty, and staff choose.  As a companion along the way, the Catholic faith may be for some a silent partner.  Others may enter into conversation at moments along the way.  For some, also, the conversation may be a daily event.  It all depends on the degree to which persons seek to engage.

If you have never stopped to reflect on the sculpture in the courtyard surrounded by Saint Edmunds Hall, Jeanmarie Hall, and Cheray Hall, take a moment to view the work of art.  The figures are of the two disciples of Jesus who are on their way to Emmaus following the crucifixion of Jesus.  The statue for the most part is indistinct in the rendering of the two disciples, except for the hands and feet.  The realistic rendering of the feet reminds us that the disciples are “on the way” to Emmaus.  The hands in their execution are meant to tell us that the disciples are conversing about the recent events that had just occurred in Jerusalem with the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus.  They are searching for meaning and insight.

What is missing in the sculpture, and what is part of the story as found in the Gospel according to Luke, is how Jesus suddenly joins the two disciples in their journey.  Jesus asks a simple question, “What were you two discussing as you walked along the road?”  When the disciples reveal their dismay about recent events and their confusion about what it all means, Jesus offers them insight about the events in the light of their Scriptures, explaining to them what it all means.  Once they arrive at Emmaus, the disciples press Jesus, still not recognized by them, to share a meal.  In the breaking of bread, they come to recognize that it was Jesus, only to have Jesus disappear.

Notice, however, it is the disciples’ search for meaning that brings Jesus into the conversation.  Jesus responds to their request for understanding, sharing his insights regarding recent events.  In a similar way, when Saint Michael’s speaks about the education of students “in the light of the Catholic faith,” it is with a view to offering insight and understanding to the trickly problems of the day and the big questions of life should those involved in the enterprise of Catholic higher education want to have that conversation.  But it is not forced but rather offered with full respect for who persons are and where their life issues have taken them.  Pope Francis reminds us that when encountering another person along the way, we are to approach them as “sacred ground” on which we are to tread carefully and in full recognition of their human dignity.

If you have any comments or observations that you would like to make, you can contact me at dtheroux@smcvt.edu.  Let’s talk!