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 50th 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, Margaret Turek, S.T.D., who will argue for the central importance and perennial value of the mystery of atonement for catechesis and spiritual practice, even as she explains the modern aversion to it. Drawing insights from the writings of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, as well as Hans Urs von Balthasar and St. Therese of Lisieux (among others), she will present a compelling vision of atonement as a process engendered by God's own power to love in her lecture titled:
"Atonement: The Transforming Power of Suffering Love"
Dr. Margaret Turek is Professor of Dogmatic and Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick's Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. Before joining the faculty at St. Patrick's in 2001, she was an Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Dallas. She earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, where her thesis director was Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, OP, who was editorial secretary for the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Prior to her graduate studies, she received spiritual formation as a Carmelite for six years. Her new book, Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology, is published by Ignatius Press.
