Cory Lakatos
Sacred Music in a Secular Time
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The Father's House
Cory Lakatos
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What We Are and What We Do: Keeping Our ...
Cory Lakatos
An Ice Altar & a Requiem Mass

Student Stories: Saying "Yes" to the Lord

At the beginning of my sophomore year, I realized early on that I was seen and loved by our FOCUS missionaries. They personally invited me to Bible study, coffee, and events both on and off campus. They quickly became my role models. I wanted to strive to make Jesus the center of my life, just as they were. Once I was invited into the Discipleship program, I was excited to learn how to practically live out our faith.

Through small group sessions in Discipleship, I was able to open up about my struggles with the faith. During this time, my peers and the missionaries demonstrated the love of Christ by showing no shame or judgment. They loved me where I was at, and also motivated me to take practical steps to strengthen my faith. Through these meetings, I developed a deeper interior life that changed my relationship with our Lord.

However, once I was invited to lead a Bible study, I was terrified. Many questions flew through my head. Will it be awkward? What happens if I can’t answer anyone’s questions? What if nobody shows up? I confided in the missionaries about my fears, and they reassured me that God does not call the equipped, but, rather, he equips the called (Hebrews 13:21). I was determined that, even with these fears filling my mind, my eyes would remain fixed on the Lord. Through prayerful discernment and encouragement, I said “yes” to leading a Bible study.

This fall, I could not be more joyful in the ways the Lord has used me to bring souls closer to him. Inviting a group of women into my cottage each week to talk about the Good News has been so beautiful. Discipleship has increased my confidence to share my faith with others, starting with leading a Bible study. Saying “yes” to the Lord’s plan for me, even when I was afraid, has been so fruitful both in my life and for others on campus.

Elsa Clausen is a junior from Seneca, Illinois. She is majoring in religion and Chinese studies.

The Sabbath of the Earth

Introducing the Ecology of Fabrice Hadjadj

Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Winants Auditorium, Graves Hall

Lecture by Dr. Joshua Kraut, Hope College Associate Professor of French, Department of World Languages and Cultures

Event Sponsored by the Hope College Green Team, the Religion Department, and the Saint Benedict Institute

Many thinkers have seen the environmental crisis as a symptom of a deeper spiritual crisis, one whose solution is not simply technical. Dr. Joshua Kraut's talk will bring two such figures into dialogue: the well-known American agrarian writer Wendell Berry and the contemporary French philosopher, Fabrice Hadjadj, with a particular focus on the latter.  While Hadjadj writes about a broad variety of topics, including ecology, a central theme in his work is the severing of the material and spiritual worlds typical of the modern age. In developing themes from Hadjadj's essay, "The Sabbath of the Earth," Dr. Kraut will aim to help us reflect as a community on the spiritual underpinnings of ecological destruction—and renewal.

Two-time winner of the prestigious European Religious Literature Award, member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and a convert from a Jewish atheistic background, Fabrice Hadjadj is considered one of the most brilliant Catholic thinkers of our time.

Student Stories: True Desire for Holiness

Throughout my first semester at Hope, I did not make my walk with God a priority. When deciding on what college to attend, the spiritual aspect was an important factor. Thus, I only seriously considered Christian schools. Despite this, as my first semester progressed, getting involved in any facet of spiritual life on campus dissolved into an afterthought. I prioritized my classes, my co-curriculars, my free time—pretty much everything except my relationship with God. This led to increases in vice and decreases in virtue, a selfish mindset that I was “too busy” for anything but the things I wanted to do, and a subtle feeling that something was missing. When my freshman fall semester reached its end, I did not feel dissatisfied with it at the time, but looking back it is so easy to see what was missing.

A major life change over the holiday break forced on me a radically different outlook on life and a brighter illumination of my need to rely on God. My best friend and I made it our semester goal to steep ourselves more deeply in Christian fellowship and spiritual life on campus. Part of this was signing up for something called Exodus 90. In brief, doing Exodus 90 radically changed my life in many ways. I felt profoundly more fulfilled and closer to God, and it prompted me to examine my faith in deep and important ways that I had not thought of before. The sacrifices of Exodus 90 drew me deeper into prayer and devotion, and the fellowship provided impactful relationships with other Christian men. Additionally, through Exodus 90, my prayer life was radically transformed. One of the biggest fruits that I have seen in my life is an increase in true desire for holiness and closer union with God. I am so thankful for the fertile ground Exodus 90 provided for my faith to improve, and I look forward to what God will do with this newfound desire.

After Exodus 90 finished, I joined Exodus 365 and have continued to put my journey to sainthood at the forefront of my life. I now serve as an Exodus Intern for the Saint Benedict Institute, which has allowed me to give back to the program that gave and continues to give so much to me. I thank God every day for bringing me to Hope, for bringing Exodus into my life at just the right time, and for his continued provision and blessing each and every day.

Castle Dettinger is a sophomore at Hope majoring in classics and religion.

Student Stories: Poverty, Offering, Solidarity

From July 1-10, I had the opportunity to serve in Costa Rica with the FOCUS missionary team that is on campus! I would describe the work with three different words—poverty, offering, and solidarity.

The first word, poverty, describes well our standard of living. From the food we ate to the stall I showered in to the place I slept, all reflected the poverty that we lived in. This poverty, however, came with great spiritual abundance. Poverty stripped down our lives of complexity, which allowed us to focus on the essentials: friendship, community, and God.

The second word I would use to describe the trip is offering. While on the trip, we ran into many challenges and difficulties, and when they happened, our response was to send those experiences up as an offering to God. No matter if it was bug bites, muggy weather, or bugs finding their way under your covers, there were many things to pray about and offer up to God as a sacrifice. This helped us learn to rely on God more and learn how to pray for each other.

The final word I would use to describe the trip is solidarity. Our mission group’s shared experiences of poverty and offering inconveniences brought us unity.

One of the projects we worked on was the building of St. Lucia. The day we arrived, it was looking a lot more like a skeleton than a chapel. While our goal at the beginning of the week was to build St. Lucia just enough to celebrate the first Mass there, we said that if we didn't reach this goal, we would accept that outcome with humility. Nevertheless, working with diligence, finishing the roof and a whole side with concrete walls, we finished just enough to have the privilege of celebrating the first Mass ever in that chapel by the end of the week!

While there is so much to say about this trip, it would be difficult for me to fit it all in a few paragraphs. I am very thankful for the opportunity that FOCUS afforded to me! I pray that God will continue to bless this Costa Rican community and that they can grow in faith.

Drew Hoeksema is a senior majoring in business and philosophy.

Student Stories: Commitment Is Freedom

At first, the disciplines in Genesis 90 felt daunting. I truly thought, “This is impossible.” However, I was determined to give it a try. I decided to take it one step at a time by simply signing up. The next steps involved meeting my accountability partner, which was key for me. I am grateful for the accountability and friendships I have made through Genesis. 

Some disciplines were easier than others, but sacrificing certain items (desserts, social media) gave me a new perspective. I grew to appreciate them more when I couldn’t enjoy them during that season. Personally, I learned that when we sacrificed items, it does not mean they were inherently bad. I did learn how much I idolized them and how I wanted to shift my focus towards God. 

Since participating in Genesis, I have grown in self-control, love, and desire for the Lord, and I have learned about more structured ways to pray. “Commitment is freedom” is a great way to describe how this program has impacted me. I feel confident when I sacrifice things because of the commitment I have made to myself and God.

Lydia Erwin is from Cleveland, Ohio. She is majoring in biology. Lydia now helps to administer and recruit for the Genesis program as a Genesis Intern with SBI.

Dominican Rite Low Masses

Winants Auditorium, Graves Hall
October 12, 19, & 26 at 11:30 a.m.

Did you know that some religious orders have their own unique liturgical traditions? 

The Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominican Order, has its own rite of Mass which is its own distinct version of the traditional Latin Mass. Attend this rarely celebrated liturgy with a short lecture by Rev. Nicholas Monco, O.P. and lunch afterwards.

Mass is open to anyone but the lunch and lecture are for Hope College students only as part of SBI's Sunday School 2.0 series. 

A Civil Dialogue on Sex and Gender

Featuring John Bursch and Megan DeFranza

Wednesday, October 16, 7:00 p.m. in Maas Auditorium

Perhaps no issues today are more contentious and more divisive than those surrounding sex and gender. Indeed, the questions have even irreparably divided some churches. Christians hold widely differing views, each side claiming biblical support and moral authority. Is it even possible to have a conversation with those who disagree? Can we talk in a way that brings more light than heat? Can we find points of agreement even while disagreeing? Can we evaluate each other's arguments and move toward the truth? The Saint Benedict Institute thinks we can.  

The Saint Benedict Institute is hosting attorney John Bursch and Dr. Megan DeFranza for an evening of civil dialogue on sex and gender. Mr. Bursch has written a recent book defending the Catholic Church's views on gender. Dr. DeFranza is known for her scholarly work concerning intersex people and gender minorities. Both approach these matters with a Christian lens. Both are seasoned practitioners of civil exchange and are eager to model how Christians can explore hard questions without demonizing those who hold other views.

This event is co-sponsored by the Provost's Office, the Dean for Arts & Humanities, the Pre-Law Society, and the Department of Philosophy.

John Bursch is the senior counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom. He has argued 12 US Supreme Court cases, including cases defending the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage and sexuality. His most recent book, Loving God’s Children: The Church and Gender Ideology, was published in August 2023.

Megan DeFranza is a counselor, author, speaker, and filmmaker. She holds a Ph.D. in religious studies with a concentration in sex, gender, and sexuality. Her books include Sex Difference in Christian Theology: Male, Female, and Intersex in the Image of God.  Additionally, she directed the documentary “Stories of Intersex and Faith.”

Faith & Illness Initiative 2024: Chronic Pain and Christian Discipleship

Our friends at Western Theological Seminary are hosting the Faith and Illness Initiative, an interdisciplinary “think tank” hosted by the Girod Chair at WTS. Each fall, they bring together scholars, pastors, medical professionals, and students to discover a theology of vocation and virtue for Christians living with chronic illness. This year, local ER doctor and friend of SBI, Michael Page, will be a participant. 

Two events are open to the public:

  • Monday, September 16, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch Panel, "Ancient Christian Approaches to Soul Healing and Healing Today." Follow this LINK for more information and to register for Monday's event.

  • Tuesday, September 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Evening Panel, "Chronic Pain, Medicine, and the Calling of the Church." Follow this LINK for more information and to register for Tuesday's event.

Find out more at FII.westernsem.edu. 

Welcome, Students!

Welcome to Hope College and the Saint Benedict Institute! We are excited to begin a new academic year with new and returning students.

Founded by Catholic scholars at Hope College, the Saint Benedict Institute seeks to promote and nurture intellectual work done from the heart of the Catholic Church, to foster an ecumenical community of Catholic Christians and friends committed to the renewal of culture, and to aid in the formation of intellectually and spiritually mature Christians by making available the riches of the Catholic tradition to Hope College and the wider community.

To achieve this mission, SBI provides daily Mass and regular Confession and Eucharistic Adoration on campus, spiritual direction, Bible study and other student groups, lectures and seminars, immersion trips, and more. As a ministry of nearby St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, we have a covenant partnership with Hope College Campus Ministries and work closely with the Hope Catholics student organization and a group of FOCUS missionaries.

You can browse this website for more information, but here’s a quick summary of what you need to know going into the semester:

Who’s Who on Campus

Schedule of Services

Sunday Mass

5:00 p.m. - Winants Auditorium, Graves Hall

Daily Mass   

Tuesday - 11:05 a.m and 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday - 12:05 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Thursday - 11:05 a.m.  

Friday - 12:05 p.m. 

Saturday - 12:05 p.m.

All daily Masses are in St. Anne Oratory (basement of Graves Hall) 

Confessions

Saturday - 1-2pm or by appointment in Lubbers 223

nicholas.monco@saintbenedictinstitute.org

Adoration

Tuesday - 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. in St. Anne Oratory, Graves Hall

Spiritual Direction: Heart Speaks to Heart

Carly Baldwin outside the Franciscan Sister's motherhouse, where the commissioning Mass for the spiritual direction program was held

Earlier this summer, Carly Baldwin, SBI’s campus minister, earned her certification in spiritual direction from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Carly completed this program over the course of three summers to improve her skills and provide even higher-quality spiritual direction to students at Hope College. Read what she has to say about her experience:

Carly with her husband and daughter at the commissioning Mass

The motto at the School of Spiritual Direction at Franciscan University is cor ad cor loquitur, a Latin phrase that means “heart speaks to heart.” Through the ministry of spiritual direction, I have seen hearts opening to God, perhaps for the first time in a long while. These hearts are opening to the love and mercy that the Lord longs to pour out on each of us, especially in prayer, our time spent with him. I have seen hearts open more deeply to others; family relationships begin to heal and friendships grow deeper and more real. My heart, too, has been opened. Having the privilege of hearing directees share their fears, struggles, and hurts has opened me more to see the loving presence of God, who knows us and is with us in our deepest and darkest places.

Carly receiving her certification from the Vice President of Franciscan University, Fr. Jonathan St. Andre, TOR

My heart has been opened more to receive the heart God has for his children. By listening to others share in spiritual direction, I have seen more and more how the Lord listens to me, how he sees me as his beloved child, and how he wants me to receive his forgiveness and grace. I hope this has allowed me to be more compassionate and merciful to those I sit with in spiritual direction.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend these two-week intensives at Franciscan University’s School of Spiritual Direction for the past three summers. Over the course of this time, I have attended classes, read various books, met with directees, gone through the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and taken a directee through the exercises. The method taught in the School of Spiritual Direction is called the contemplative evocative method. We are taught to listen well to the person sitting in front of us, to listen to the Holy Spirit, and to ask questions that evoke something deeper for our directees. This method, and all that I have learned, has been transformative in my own relationship with the Lord. I pray that it will be transformative for others as I am called forward in the ministry of spiritual direction.

Carly with her class after the commissioning Mass

Year-in-Review: 2023-2024

From the ordination of a Hope College alumnus to the first-ever Eucharistic procession on Hope’s campus, the 2023-2024 academic year was another great one for the Saint Benedict Institute and the Hope Catholic community! Here are some highlights:

1. hope catholic ordained to the priesthood

2014 Hope graduate Corey Bilodeau was ordained for the Diocese of Lansing on June 10, 2023. SBI co-founders Jared Ortiz and Jack Mulder had the privilege of attending the ordination Mass. May God bless Fr. Corey in his priesthood!

2. Icon Blessing in the Saint Anne Oratory

Also in June 2023, Fr. Nick Monco blessed the icons in the Saint Anne Oratory at the Carol C. Schaap Chapel. We now have a complete set of eight holy images in this sacred space. Thank you to all our supporters who made these icons possible!

3. Welcoming focus missionaries

This year, we began a partnership with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) to bring four young missionaries to the campus of Hope College. These recent college graduates minister to students through Bible studies and other initiatives.

4. Ecology, evolution, and faith

On September 7, 2023, the SBI welcomed Sr. Damien Marie Savino for a lecture on the theory of evolution in light of the Catholic tradition. This was the first talk in our series on the harmony between faith and science.

5. african american saints in the making

On October 16, 2023, Most Rev. Joseph Perry, a recently retired auxiliary bishop of Chicago, joined us to discuss the path to sainthood for six African American Catholics. He also lectured on the rich and complicated history of Black Catholics.

6. the big bang, the beginning, and creation

On November 16, 2023, Stephen Barr joined us to discuss what Christian revelation, philosophy, and contemporary science have to say about how and when the universe came into existence. This was the second lecture in our faith and science series.

7. Transforming matter art exhibition

Open from January – May 2024, this exhibition was curated by five Catholic students working under the supervision of SBI’s executive director Jared Ortiz. The exhibition featured 25 artworks that reflect different aspects of Catholic theology and practice.

8. another year of ice masses

In January 2024, several Hope students constructed an ice altar and other liturgical furnishings that were even more elaborate than last year’s. This allowed Fr. Nick to celebrate several well-attended Masses in the snowy Pine Grove.

9. Was jesus an only child?

On April 17, 2024, Jack Mulder, SBI’s assistant director, discussed biblical, traditional, and philosophical ways to think of Jesus’ nuclear family. He addressed topics including Jesus’ siblings and the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

10. eucharistic procession on campus

Catholic students organized the first Eucharistic procession to take place on the campus of Hope College. Preceded by 40 hours of Eucharistic adoration and a Mass, the procession on April 24, 2024, drew students, faculty, and other local Catholics.

Video & Photos: Was Jesus an Only Child?

On April 17, 2024, SBI co-founder and assistant director Dr. Jack Mulder gave a lecture titled Was Jesus an Only Child? Dr. Mulder discussed biblical, traditional, and philosophical ways to think of Jesus' nuclear family. Did Jesus have siblings? Was Mary a virgin throughout her life? Why do those questions matter for us? Watch the full talk below and see photos from the event.

Photos by Adam Vander Kooy

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