Renowned Catholic Scholar Dr. Russell Hittinger to Deliver Saint Hildegard Lecture at University of Mary

BISMARCK, ND - The University of Mary will host its annual Saint Hildegard Lecture on Monday, January 27, 2025, featuring Dr. Russell Hittinger, a world-renowned Catholic scholar and authority on Catholic social thought. Dr. Hittinger's lecture, titled "What is a Social Encyclical?" will begin at

10 a.m. in Founders Hall at the Lumen Vitae University Center (LVUC) on the University of Mary campus. The public and media are encouraged to attend this free event.

Under the direction of the University of Mary's esteemed Catholic Studies program, the Saint Hildegard Lecture is a highlight of the academic year. Dr. Hittinger will delve into two paradigms of Catholic social thought, exploring contemporary interpretations often labeled as "right" and "left" Catholicism. He will provide a unique account of the "social" ontology in Catholic Social Teaching, illuminating how this framework defends the dignity of the human person and society alike.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Russell Hittinger, one of the most significant Catholic thinkers of our time," said Dr. Sonya Veck, associate professor of English and Catholic Studies at the University of Mary. "His lecture is rooted in the themes of his new book, On the Dignity of Society (CUA Press, December 2024), which examines the origins and evolution of Catholic social teaching. Dr. Hittinger's insights into faith, natural law, and public life are transformative, and his work brings much-needed clarity to contemporary Catholic discourse."

Dr. Hittinger, who serves as executive director of the Institute for Human Ecology at The Catholic University of America, is also a research professor in its School of Philosophy. A celebrated scholar, he has taught at prestigious institutions such as Princeton, Fordham, and the University of Chicago and has served on the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Recently, he was recognized with lifetime achievement awards from the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and the American Maritain Society, as well as the Aquinas Medal from the American Catholic Philosophical Association.

University of Mary's Catholic Studies: A Leading Voice in Faith, Reason, and Culture

The Saint Hildegard Lecture honors the 11th-century Benedictine abbess, mystic, and polymath for whom it is named. Saint Hildegard is a symbol of the integration of faith, reason, and beauty-key pillars of the Catholic Studies program at the University of Mary.

The Catholic Studies program, regarded as one of the nation's leading authorities on Catholic teaching, regularly invites distinguished speakers to campus to explore the interplay of faith, reason, and culture. This year's lecture continues that tradition by engaging attendees in a vital conversation about the role of Catholic Social Teaching in addressing the challenges of contemporary society.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the University of Mary can do so at www.umary.edu or online.umary.edu, or by contacting an admissions representative at [email protected], or by calling (701) 355-8030. The University of Mary is one of only 15 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and universities in the US.

About the University of Mary: True to its motto "lumen vitae"-The Light of Life-the University of Mary offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the University of Mary welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers over 60 bachelor's, 15 master's, and five doctoral programs-in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 19-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) conferences. With more than 3,800 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.