Center for Catholic Studies
The Center for Catholic Studies explores 2,000 years of Catholic thought and culture with students, faculty and the public in an integrated learning environment.
“I shall do good; I shall do His work.” St. Newman
Department of Catholic Studies
About Catholic Studies
St. Thomas Catholic Studies is the oldest, largest program of its kind. With Catholic studies, you find deeper integration of your faith, academics and professional pursuits for a meaningful life and career.
Catholic intellectual exploration and career preparation – why not both?
The world and Church need well-formed, ethical professionals to serve the common good. Our students are up to the challenge. Our graduates are in Fortune 500 boardrooms, run parishes and so much more.
Explore 2,000 years of Catholic thought and culture. Forge lasting friendships through St. Thomas Catholic Studies community activities and residential opportunities. Tap into leadership programs through the Center for Catholic Studies. Expand your horizons with our Rome program. Discover how "Christ is all, and in all" (Col. 3:11) in the wisdom you seek, work you choose and actions you take.
Education for Every Level and Interest
Catholic studies is an integrated, interdisciplinary academic program for those who want to explore the things that matter most and, in the process, develop a more unified intellectual, spiritual and professional life.
A Transformation of Life and Purpose
Intellectually
With Catholic studies you form a coherent vision through study. Every course integrates multiple disciplines—literature, theology, art, history, the sciences. This helps you see your life, faith and profession within the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Spiritually
We help you unite faith and reason to better understand God, the world and yourself, not only in class, but also through Mass, Adoration and other communal prayer opportunities.
Professionally
With our integrated approach you can tailor your studies to fit your professional goals. Our degree is designed to pair with other fields and professions, and leadership formation opportunities are available through the Center for Catholic Studies.
Personally
St. Thomas Catholic Studies is not only a degree; it is a community of faith and friendship that lasts a lifetime. Be a part of the Catholic Studies Telos LLC residence hall floors and houses and activities like fireside chats in Sitzmann Hall.
Hope in the Darkness: A Marian Guide to Advent
Advent is a time of preparation, but it is also a time of darkness and waiting. But ours is an age of impatience.
How can we learn to trust in the work that Christ is doing in and through those periods of waiting—at Advent or at any time?
Join Dr. Erika Kidd, Associate Professor and Director of the Catholic Studies Graduate Program, to reflect on how the person of Mary teaches us how to wait patiently in hope, even when things seem dark or hopeless. This will be an Advent reflection with a timeless application for the whole of life.
Meeting His Gaze
Catholic Studies Rome Program
"Moses was staring at me as much as I was at him. And, while he was revealing himself, he was also revealing more of me to myself." - Aileen Shea '20
Catholic Studies in the World
A Tangle of Mind and Mercy
Catholic studies alumni are navigating the complex relationship of American and international law in order to serve God and the human person.
Path to College for Latino High School Students
Serving the community
Habiger Institute's Verso L'Alto fosters faith and intellectual growth for Latino Catholic high school students and opens a path to a college degree.
Publications
Publications from St. Thomas Catholic Studies
New book provides a unifying perspective and clear historical understanding of Catholic Education as the lifeblood of Western culture.
Outside the Classroom
As the founding program of the Catholic studies movement in Catholic higher education, our program is internationally-recognized for its unified approach to learning inside and outside of the classroom.
Center for Catholic Studies
Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership
The Habiger Institute offers a range of leadership programs that builds the fortitude required to be faithful, ethical leaders in a complex world.
Telos Living and Learning
The Catholic Studies TELOS Living and Learning Communities are for all students who care about deep, lasting friendships and exploring the questions that matter most.
Faculty
Dr. John Boyle
Professor and Chair of Catholic Studies
Dr. Boyle writes on Thomas Aquinas and Thomas More and published a lost work of Thomas Aquinas. A graduate of the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, he has received a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship, the Aquinas Medal from the University of Dallas, and delivered the Aquinas Lecture at the National University of Ireland.
Dr. John Boyle
Dr. Erika Kidd
Associate Professor and Director of Catholic Studies Graduate Program
Dr. Erika Kidd studied philosophy, Latin and great texts at Augustine College and Baylor University, and received her PhD in philosophy from Villanova University. She writes and speaks on St. Augustine and the Augustinian tradition. She is currently writing a book about how we can learn to hear the voice of God in our conversations with one another.
Dr. Erika Kidd
Dr. Michael J. Naughton
Professor and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies
Dr. Naughton is author, co-author and co-editor of 10 books and over 50 articles. His next coauthored book is called What We Hold in Trust: Rediscovering the Purpose of Catholic Higher Education (due out November 2020, The Catholic University of America Press, coauthors Don Briel and Ken Goodpaster).
Dr. Michael J. Naughton
Contact Information
Have a question? We would love to hear from you.
Tel: (651) 962-5700
Email: amserdar@stthomas.edu
Mailing Address
Department of Catholic Studies
Mail 55-S
2115 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 55105-1096
Campus Location
Sitzmann Hall
Building address: 2055 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN
On the corner of Summit and Cleveland avenues