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Obsculta Preaching Initiative
What is the Obsculta Preaching Initiative:
In September 2023, Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary received a 1.25 million dollar grant from the Lilly-funded Compelling Preaching Initiative. These grants serve to enliven and strengthen preaching, in the service of the lives of the faithful.
Saint John’s grant initiative takes its title, “Obsculta,” from the first word of St. Benedict’s Rule, “Listen.” Rooted in Benedictine spirituality and responsive to the needs of the church in the modern world, the SOT/Sem’s Obsculta Preaching Initiative seeks to:
- Articulate a compelling theology of preaching
- Develop a communal method of preaching
- And integrate this theology and preaching method across the SOT/Sem’s curricula and external programming
Through its work and collaborative partners, the Obsculta Preaching Initiative supports programming and formation opportunities which place preaching and the sacramentality of the word at the center of pastoral and academic training.
Current initiatives include:
- Ministry of the Word Workshops: led by Saint John’s Abbey monk, Paul-Vincent Niebaur, faculty, staff, and students involved in ministries which proclaim the Word receive training and vocal coaching
- Obsculta Preaching Series: a series focusing on aspects of preaching, composed by notable theologians and practitioners, appears on the blog, Pray Tell: Worship, Wit & Wisdom
- Lectio and the Liturgical Year: a companioning group composed of Sisters from St. Benedict’s Monastery (St. Joseph, MN), meets regularly for lectio and the composition of sermons
- Pedagogy and Preaching: a round-table discussion led by Rev. Michael Heintz, CSC of the University of Notre Dame Marten Preaching Program will be offered for faculty within the SOT/Sem, March 2025
Past events include:
- Public Lecture: Rev. Marco Benini, Ph.D. “Imbued by the Liturgical Spirit: The Relationships of the German and American Liturgical Movement,” co-sponsored with the Godfrey Diekman Center, October 2, 2025 [recording available]
- Public Lecture: Rev. William Orbih, Ph.D., “The Word is Hope,” Sunday of the Word of God Lecture, January 27, 2025 [recording available]
Obsculta Advisory Council Members:
- Deacon Frank Agnoli, D.Min.
- Micah Kiel, Ph.D.
- Anthony Ruff, OSB
- Daniella Zsupan-Jerome, Ph.D.
In the News / Resources
- The State of Preaching in Today’s Church with Katharine E. Harmon and Msgr. Michael Heintz. Minnesota Catholic Podcasts.
- Lectio Divina Guide from Saint John’s Abbey
- Pray Tell Blog, sponsored by Saint John’s Abbey and Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary
Staff
