The Vocation of the Catholic University Professor

by University of Mary, Monsignor James P. Shea

A Catholic university should invite students into a community of profound intellectual conversion. Its atmosphere is alive with the gaudium de veritate of Saint Augustine, the joy in the truth. Just there, in a classroom or laboratory at the end of the hallway, is to be found the “stupor” or astonishment of mind of Dante’s Convivio. There are many ways for this conversion to happen, but it simply will not happen without the teaching faculty. They are the lifeblood.

44 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2020

Reviews

[Brian]

A worthy touchstone for professors

I found this little book to be challenging, and a little scary - someday I will be called to account for the way I have lived out, or not lived out, my vocation. This book will continue to spark thought in me, and will help prepare me for that day. There's a sharp diagnosis of what's wrong with universities, and what's wrong with me (and maybe you). Faculty that engage seriously with that diagnosis will be better for having done so.

[Leroy Huizenga]

I work under Msgr. Shea at the University of Mary, and so I know the drill here, as it were. He delineates ultimately what we're doing at UMary, and what, ideally, Catholic university and college professors would be doing in general. Even though I'm an insider, I found it inspiring, and I learned a lot. A short book but multum in parvo applies--it is rich and deep.

[Grant Whitty]

Although I am not a Catholic university professor, or a professor at all—just I diocesan employee—I find this book vital to the revitalization of Catholic education.