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 honored to welcome this year's lecturer, Margaret Turek, S.T.D., who will address the topic of:
"Atonement: The Transforming Power of Suffering Love"
When: Thursday, November 14th, 5:30pm - 9:00pm EDT
Where: St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry's Campus: 120 French Road, Rochester, NY; and Online via Zoom
Cost: Free
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.
The theme of atonement takes us to the very heart of the mission of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 4:9-10; 2:2). In her lecture, Dr. Turek argues 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 presents a compelling vision of atonement as a process engendered by God's own power to love. This vision not only takes account of the gravity of sin and its consequences, but also spells out a renewed spirituality of atonement in which we personally participate in the atoning mission of Christ. She shows that the "wondrous exchange" of Christ with sinful humanity is not a simple substitution as if Christ displaced us. Rather it is an emplacement of us, a re-establishment of us as sons, or children, of God. Indeed our yes to sonship in Christ -- made effective by the Spirit -- involves a yes to co-atonement in Christ.
Available to in-person attendees only
Available to in-person and virtual attendees. Zoom links will be emailed to you prior the event
St. Bernard's Rochester Campus, 120 French Rd., Rochester, NY
A Zoom meeting link will be emailed to you
