Life of the Mind Series to Feature Sr. Mary Ann Fatula

March 24, 2004

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Dominican University's annual "Life of the Mind" lecture on Saint Catherine of Siena will feature Sister Mary Ann Fatula, O.P. as this year's speaker.

This year's lecture, "Saint Catherine of Siena, O.P.: Spiritual Teacher for Today," will commence at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2004, in the Wehrle Gallery located on ODU's main campus at 1216 Sunbury Road. Free parking is available in the Visitor's Lot west of Sunbury Road. The lecture is free and open to the public; reservations are not required.

Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, O.P.

Sister Mary Ann Fatula, O.P., a professor of Theology at Ohio Dominican, has authored four books: The Triune God of Christian Faith; Thomas Aquinas: Preacher and Friend; Holy Spirit, Giver of Life; and Catherine of Siena's Way. She is an alumna of Ohio Dominican, having graduated in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in Latin and Mathematics. She also holds a master's degree in Theology from the University of Toronto and a doctoral degree in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of America.

"On the evening of the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, Sister Fatula's lecture will illuminate the depth, warmth, and relevance of Saint Catherine's spiritual teachings and their significance in today's world," said Dr. Ron Carstens, Professor of Political Science and Director of ODU's Life of the Mind Series.

Ohio Dominican's Life of the Mind Series provides occasions for the community to gather to reflect upon the ideas and events that shape our culture. Sponsored by ODU's Office of Academic Affairs and Humanities Program, the series features artists, musicians, intellectuals, and critics who contribute to the life of the mind. The theme of this year's series of programs is "The Human Spirit."

Saint Catherine of Siena, who lived during the 14th century in Italy, was a member of the Mantellate, women who were affiliated with the Order of St. Dominic, serving the needs of the poor and sick, within an intense life of prayer and meditation. She eventually broke with her extreme solitude and began in earnest the work of caring for the city's marginalized. She served as a nurse in homes and hospitals, looked out for the destitute, and buried the dead.

Catherine's public influence reached great heights because of her evident holiness. She was instrumental in promoting peace between Rome and Florence. In 1328, she was summoned by Pope Urban VI to Rome, where she spent the last two years of her life pleading on behalf of Pope Urban VI and the unity of the Catholic Church during one of its most turbulent times. She died in 1380 at the young age of 33.

St. Catherine is best remembered for her work which is called The Dialogue. One of her followers wrote of her writings, "…Such a clarity of Truth was revealed to her from heaven that Catherine was constrained to spread it abroad by means of writing…Thus in a short time was composed a book that contains a dialogue between a soul who asked the Lord four questions, and the Lord himself who replies to the soul, enlightening her with many useful truths." Catherine's life was a concrete example of the Dominican vocation of prayerful action, for it could be said that she was almost never removed from the state of prayer, and yet accomplished in her brief life more than many who live long lives.