On November 10, Saint Benedict Institute co-founder Jared Ortiz was invited to interview educator and scholar Zena Hitz, author of Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life (Princeton University Press, 2020).
The Return of Courtship, Marriage, and Sex
In today’s society, there is very little instruction about how to navigate the world of love and romance. For this reason, we decided to bring back our series, “Courtship, Marriage, and Sex.”
Hope Students Featured in Faith Grand Rapids December Issue
Caryn and fellow classmate Jacob Kelley, a senior at Hope College, were recently featured in Faith Grand Rapids, the official magazine of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
Leave Room for Jesus: an Advent Reflection
This past August, Hope College alumnus Jacob Mazur-Batistoni (‘20) began his Novitiate with the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great. With Brother Jacob’s permission, we are pleased to reprint his recent reflection on Advent.
#GivingTuesday 2020
Please consider making a gift to support our ministry at Hope College. Throughout the months of October and November we have shared several stories from our students and alumni. They are beautiful accounts of community, sacramental life, and prayer. By giving to the Saint Benedict Institute your generosity can help foster many new stories in the lives of students at Hope College in the years to come.
Student Stories: The Freshman Experience
Student Stories: The Freshman Experience
This semester has been challenging in a multitude of ways. People say, “Keep it up” or my favorite phrase, “you’re living through history right now!” As true as that may be, it doesn’t take away from the difficulties this unforeseen virus has brought to our world. As a freshman living in the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a mix of emotions about the new life, and also new limitations and guidelines, I am experiencing.
When I first started at Hope, I was overjoyed to be on campus and that remains true to this day after seeing how many schools have been shut down. However, I have encountered academic struggles, homesickness, and limited opportunities to get to know people. This semester is shorter, but the workload remains normal. Extra time spent doing online work keeps me pent up in my room more than I enjoy. Homesickness has also been more prominent as the lack of breaks means more days between seeing my family and friends back home. Lastly, it is hard to meet people outside of my dorm building. I am a social butterfly, even still spreading my wings to other communities proves difficult with masks and the 6 ft. distance rule.
Upon joining Hope Catholics, I have found a true community with people who challenge me to look on the bright side and focus my attention on those things greater than evil. I have found a church and home with people who hold the same core beliefs that I do. I have had opportunities to join a Bible study, participate in a women's group, go to Mass, receive guidance in my faith and life, and hang out with genuine individuals. I can’t wait to see everything else I will experience with these new friends. No matter the struggles, I know relationships will always remain. I believe the book of Romans sums it up best when it reads, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Katherine is a freshman from Chesterfield, MO. It may be too soon to be sure, but she is planning to major in Religion and Psychology. Fun fact: Katherine is a blackbelt in taekwando!
Student Stories: Ignis Update
Last year we shared a story about a student prayer group called Ignis that was started by a recent graduate. Here is a reflection written by a few of the group members on how they have been creating community during the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 and the Worldwide Church
Join us at 4 p.m. EST/3 p.m. CST on Saturday, November 14th as we cosponsor a Zoom webinar with the Harvard Catholic Forum and the Lumen Christi Institute. The John L. Allen Jr. will present “COVID-19 and the Worldwide Church.” The Saint Benedict Institute is a cosponsor of this event. Registration is required to join the Zoom webinar.
Quo Vadis: The Direction of Eastern Catholic Theology, a Pastoral Perspective for the 21st Century
Join us at 7 p.m. CST/8 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 12th as we cosponsor a Zoom webinar with the Lumen Christi Institute. The Most Rev. Borys Gudziak will present “Quo Vadis: The Direction of Eastern Catholic Theology, a Pastoral Perspective for the 21st Century,” the final presentation in the fall webinar series Eastern Catholic Theology in Action.
Thinking Inside and Outside the University: Zena Hitz on the Inner Life
On Tuesday, November 10th, Saint Benedict Institute co-founder Jared Ortiz will interview Zena Hitz on her new book Lost in Thought . The discussion will take place at 6:00 pm EST/5:00 pm CST and is free and open to the public. This event will be held online through Zoom (registration required) and YouTube live-stream. This event is presented by the Lumen Christi Institute as part of its Liberal Arts Colloquium. The Saint Benedict Institute is a cosponsor.
Student Stories: Mass on the Lawn
Student Stories: Mass on the Lawn
This semester has looked a bit different. We were unable to use our normal space for Mass so we have been meeting outdoors on a lawn near campus. This has been a unique experience for our students. Here is a reflection from one of our seniors:
Throughout quarantine, not having Mass in person was hard. The change and uncertain feeling of when we could resume normal in-person events increased my stress and discomfort. Even after my hometown church opened back up, it was still different, and I had a hard time adjusting to the change. When coming back to Hope, I was unsure about how Mass was going to be due to dioceses having different regulations to follow. After hearing that we were not able to have Mass on campus, I was disappointed and was a little worried about what going to church would look like this semester.
Even during this time of change and difficulty, adjusting to having outdoor Mass near campus has been a blessing. I love the feel of going to outdoor Mass and have even connected more with friends and peers due to this opportunity. One week, I invited a friend to come with me to Mass and now we walk and sit together on our blankets every week. I have also connected to peers more by having the opportunity to eat ice cream together outside after Mass and I have enjoyed doing outdoor activities with the Hope Catholics students. This time, even though uncertain, has demonstrated that the environment can change, but Jesus’ presence and help is constant. He is always there for us and His presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist will never change, no matter the location. I have always related the sun’s warmth to Jesus’ warmth and sitting outside during Mass, I can feel Him shining upon me.
Kim Paquette is a senior from Hartland, MI. She is studying biology and psychology. After graduation she hopes to attend medical school.
Photos below were taken on Sunday, August 16th, 2020 during the first Mass of the fall semester.
Student Stories: Exodus After Hope
This year Fr. Nick and Carly launched the Exodus 365 program. The idea of Exodus 365 is to help students engage in the spiritual life every day knowing that some seasons will be more intense than others. (Read more about Exodus 365 here on our website.) Some of the participants are Hope alumni affectionately known as the ‘away team’. We asked one of those graduates to reflect on her experience so far. Here is what she had to say: