The Otto A. Shults Lecture Series on Spirituality was born of the dream of Mr. Otto A. Shults, a faithful and generous advocate of St. Bernard’s Seminary, predecessor of St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry.
Following her husband’s death, Mabel Shults vowed to continue the family’s commitment to theological and ministerial education by endowing this Lecture Series, now in its 47th year.
Each year since 1974, the Lectureship has brought distinguished scholars to St. Bernard’s to address theological topics as they relate to the understanding and practice of ministry in the Church.
We are pleased to welcome this year's lecturer, Josephine Lombardi, Ph.D., who will address the topic of:
"In Persona Mariae: Women as Marian Successors in Ministry & Beyond"
Dr. Lombardi is an award-winning author and documentary film maker who has worked as a parish minister, university campus minister, high school chaplaincy leader, teacher educator through O.E.C.T.A., professor of Religious Education, Brock University, retreat facilitator, faith formation consultant, and program coordinator in the Diocese of Hamilton. Presently, she is Associate Professor of Pastoral and Systematic Theology, and Director of Lay Formation for St. Augustine’s Seminary in Scarborough, Ontario. She has done media work in radio and television and has been an advisor to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in the area of doctrine and Catholic-Muslim relations. Her books On Earth as it is in Heaven and Experts in Humanity have been featured on Salt and Light TV. Experts in Humanity was awarded first place in the category of Family Life by the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada in 2017.