09/16/14

Xavier launches the Institute for Spirituality and Social Justice, a new program that focuses on the integration of knowledge, spirituality and social engagement, with a weekend of events including a lecture presentation by Xavier Professor Emeritus of Theology Paul Knitter and a day of guided meditations from Buddhism. The weekend begins Friday, Sept. 26, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 28, offering a unique event each day.

The Institute for Spirituality and Social Justice offers intensive graduate degrees, comprehensive certificate programs and one-day programs, workshops and retreats. All are designed to cultivate depth of thought, imagination and critical skills in a world challenged by violence, social inequity and environmental instability.

The Institutes programming is designed to challenge, inspire and encourage (members) to understand deeply the resources of our spiritual traditions in ways that empower you toward more purposeful action, said Gillian Ahlgren, director of the Institute.

The launch weekend begins on Friday, Sept. 26, when Paul Knitter presents Lessons Gleaned from a Life of Faith in Bellarmine Chapel at 7:00 p.m. Knitter, former Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions and Culture at Union Theological Seminary, shares his story of interfaith dialogue and how to walk the fine line between staying faithful to ones own beliefs while remaining open to others.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, the Institute hosts Active Compassion: Meditations for an Engaged Spirituality, which adapts guided meditations from Buddhism to encourage compassion and fight against cynicism. The meditations take place in the Conaton Board Room from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Space is limited, so please call 513-745-2894 to reserve a spot.

The final event on Sunday, Sept. 28, is Contemplation in Action: A Jesuit Model for Globally Responsible Interreligious Dialogue at 7:00 p.m. in the Cintas Center. The lecture focuses on the Jesuit model for interfaith dialogue and how it can be used today to promote new forms of interreligious engagement.

All events over the launch weekend are free and open to the public. Visit the Institute's web pages to learn more about the program.

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The new Institute for Spirituality and Social Justice launches with a weekend of lectures and meditations