Catholic Intellectual Tradition

The Roman Catholic intellectual tradition affirms the human quest for truth, encouraging a vigorous use of analysis and reason in seeking to better understand the material, intellectual, and spiritual realms. The material world is recognized as part of God’s good creation, and we study the world, its people and cultures, to better understand it and to better know our Creator. Our faith has similarly been enriched by centuries of solid theological inquiry. We can see this quest early on in St. Albert the Great and St. Thomas Aquinas, both of whom applied reason to their scientific, philosophical and theological inquiries.

This quest for Truth was begun by the Church and its faithful millennia ago. It continues today, as we use study and imagination to examine ourselves, our fellow creatures, Earth and all that grows and breathes upon it, and the larger Universe. We vision continuity between faith and reason, revelation and scientific inquiry, knowing that all faithful exploration leads us closer to God, better enabling us to discern God’s will for us and for Earth.

Barry’s motto, “Study, Reflect, Act” speaks well to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and to our desire to transform the world by doing good. We hope you will join us in this exploration by enrolling in classes, attending a lecture, visiting the new Gato Art Gallery, or enjoying Sunday services in Cor Jesu Chapel.