What's New

Prof. Javier Herrero (1926-2023), a dear friend and faculty steering committee member of the St. Anselm Institute, departed this life on April 1, 2023. Javier was a long-time member of the UVA Department of Spanish, Italian and Portugese, a gifted teacher, a supportive colleague, and the recipient of La Cruz de La Orden de Isabela Catolica. Javier had a sincere respect and enthusiasm for life and a pious and kind spirit that enabled him to be welcoming and generous, especially to strangers. Javier was married to his late wife Merche for 57 years, and he is survived by his devoted daughters Mercedes and Matilda and his son Alberto, and two grandchildren.

All are invited to attend a funeral Mass, which will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00am.

Into your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brother Javier.

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

May the Light of Christ that shines in the darkness illuminate your heart, your every step, and every end of the earth.

And may your days, may your days, may your days...

be merry and bright!

Merry Christmas from

The St. Anselm Institute for Catholic Thought

Faith & Science: Catholic Engagement with the Harder Questions

Friday morning seminars (10:00-11:00AM)

Coffee and bagels provided

September 3, 10, 17, 24, and October 1

This free faculty-led minicourse invites you to engage with us in thinking more deeply about the Catholic intellectual tradition and the contemporary sciences. University courses rarely are equipped to consider harder questions on the topic of faith and science, so this minicourse creates a little pop-up space to raise and discuss various topics in an authentic, serious and accessible way. Prior experience is not expected; only an openness to considering the possibility that our discussions might deepen how you think about God, yourself, others and the great sciences of the Universe! Registration requested to ensure adequate seating. Questions? Email Dr. Jocelyn Moore, St. Anselm Institute Director of Programs, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sept 3, 2021: Session 1

Debunking the Conflict Narrative and Other Caricatures of Catholicism and Science

• Avery Dulles, S.J., “Science and Theology,” (1990) pp. 9-16

September 10, 2021: Seminar 2

Why Something and Not Nothing? The Science of Astrophysics and the Metaphysics of Creation ex Nihilo

• Adam D. Hinks, S.J., “What Does Physical Cosmology Say about Creation from Nothing?” (2018) pp. 319-345

September 17, 2021: Seminar 3

Truth is One: The Sciences of Evolution and Neuroscience, the Emergence of Human Consciousness, and the Doctrine of Original Sin

• Nicanor Austriaco, O.P. “The Historicity of Adam and Eve,” pp. 159-181

September 24, 2021: Seminar 4

Parrhesia and Christian Truth-telling: Who is Responsible for the Misuses of Science at UVA?

• Paul Scherz, “Philosophical Parrhesia and Christian Truth-telling,” pp.161-173

October 1, 2021: Seminar 5

Caring Not Discarding: Human Personhood Without Exception or Equivocation

• Dignitatis Personae (2008); John Paul II, “Life Sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State: Scientific Advances and Ethical Dilemmas” (2004); Francis I, "Address to Delegation of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty" (2018)

The St. Anselm Institute had another fantastic year, our 22nd! In 2021-22, we again offered over 50 free Catholic educational programs, including 4 Catholic Ideas Minicourses for UVA students and faculty. See the course descriptions and the student testimonials!

Without an endowment or financial assistance from the University, our local parishes or the Diocese, our beloved little Institute relies each and every year on the quiet goodwill, the cheerful generosity, and the charitable gifts of UVA faculty, staff, alumni, parents and (most especially) members of our local community.

Can you help sustain our free programs as we prepare for the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year?

Many within contemporary universities believe that faith and reason are opposed or that authentic faith commitments require a deep partitioning and privatization of these commitments from one's intellectual and professional pursuits. Before sheepishly free-ranging on the authority of the conventional narrative, join us to ponder for yourself, as St. Pope John Paul II did, that "Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth."

Spring 2023: "Faith, Reason and a Meaningful Life" 4 Thursday Lunch Seminars 12:00pm-1:30pm, Clark Library 156

We all seek meaningful work and a successful career, but how do these satisfy our deepest desire for the meaning of our existence? This Spring 2023 minicourse offers UVA students and faculty a shared opportunity to consider how Faith and Reason work together to reveal great truths and wondrous mysteries about God, the world, others, and even ourselves. This 4-hour commitment just might change how you understand your life!

Feb. 2, Undivided Logos and Our Understanding of the Radiance of Epiphanies
Edith Stein, "The Hidden Life and Epiphany" [3pp]

Supplemental Reading: Wilken,"The Reasonableness of Faith"

Feb. 9, Understanding Meaningmaking and the Christian Difference
Fr. Robert Sokolowski, "Christian Experience"

Feb. 16, Understanding the Imperfections of Freedom: The Natural Pursuit of Happiness and the Problem of Justice
St. Anselm, "On the Fall of the Devil"

Feb. 23, Understanding Who am I and the “thirst for a free and full life"
von Balthasar, "The State of Lay Persons in the World," and selections from Gaudium et Spes

This program is made possible through the support of grant #62372 from the John Templeton Foundation, “In Lumine: Promoting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide."

St. Anselm Institute

Javier Herrero (1926-1923)

Merry Christmas, 2022

Faith & Science Minicourse

Faith & Science: Catholic Engagement with the Harder Questions

Looking forward to 2022-2023

Faith and Reason Minicourses, 2023

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