The Eckhart Center at Albertus Magnus College

Earlier this week, our director joined Albertus faculty and administrators at the Dominican Colloquium at Molloy University. We enjoyed rich conversations with sisters, faculty, and staff from other Dominican institutions around the theme "Veritas in the Modern World."

Presentations by Albertus faculty included a talk on A.I. and Dominican values by David Garaventa and a session on the Justice Panel with Robert Bourgeois, Edward Dunar, Ross Edwards, and Shiva Rezvan.

Welcome to Albertus, Sr. Ellen! We look forward to continuing to deepen the Eckhart Center's work in collaboration with you!

We are proud to celebrate Sister Ellen Coates, OP, on her appointment as Assistant to the President for Dominican Mission and Chief Mission Officer at Albertus Magnus College during the College’s historic Centennial year!

Sister Ellen brings a remarkable combination of pastoral ministry, public health leadership, and a deep commitment to the Dominican charism of Study, Prayer, Community, and Service. From serving communities around the world through global public health initiatives to accompanying people in parish ministry, she continues to embody Veritas in action.

Congratulations, Sister Ellen, on this new ministry and leadership role. We are grateful for your witness, wisdom, and dedication to the mission of Dominican education. 💙

Read more here: https://oppeace.org/2026/06/01/albertus-magnus-college-names-sister-ellen-coates-o-p-mph-as-assistant-to-the-president-for-dominican-mission-and-chief-mission-officer/

Magnifica humanitas is a magnificent encyclical, an inspiring call to embrace our humanity and build a civilization of love in the face of rapid technological change.

Next year's season at the Eckhart Center will explore many of the topics covered in the encyclical through a series of dinner conversations around the theme, "Being Human in a Dehumanizing Age." Stay tuned for more details in the coming month!

For the annual Catherine of Siena Lecture on Tuesday, we were joined by Fr. Justin Bolger, O.P. from the Hillbilly Thomists, a band of Dominican friars who preach through their music. Fr. Justin talked about how music can express the "signs of the times" while pointing the way to the Gospel... and he played several songs from the band's repertoire. It was a wonderful evening of insight and music.

Last week, the Eckhart Center was pleased to host another installment of the Religion and Public Safety Colloquium in collaboration with our Criminal Justice Program. Our presenters and participants shared rich conversations about spirituality, self-care, and peer support.

Peer support is essential across both public safety and spiritual communities.

This past week, Albertus Magnus College hosted the Religion and Public Safety Colloquium, “My Brother and Sister’s Keeper: Building a Practice of Peer Support.”

The event featured conversations on spirituality and peer support with Sister Cathy Buchanan, O.P., Campus Minister at Albertus and retired Correctional Officer, along with guest speaker Sgt. Rodney Valdes, Peer Support Coordinator and Chaplaincy Program Coordinator for the Connecticut State Police.

The discussion explored the importance of community, care, and support systems within both spiritual and public safety contexts.

Earlier this week, Pope Leo planted an olive tree as a sign of peace in Hippo, the grounds on which St. Augustine walked.

Next Wednesday, as part of Albertus' Experiential Learning Day and observance of Earth Day, we will be planting three trees on Huntington Avenue with the Urban Resources Initiative. This annual tradition gives us occasion to demonstrate our commitment to caring for creation and seeking peace in our lives and in the world.

Pope Leo visits Hippo archeological site in Annaba, Algeria - Vatican News Returning to the lands walked by his spiritual father, St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV visits the archaeological site of Hippo in Annaba on his second day ...

Public safety professionals are invited to join us for our biannual Religion and Public Safety Colloquium on April 23! The morning will include workshops and conversations on spirituality and peer support in public safety, featuring Sr. Cathy Buchanan, O.P. (Campus Minister, Albertus Magnus College, Retired Correctional Officer) and Sgt. Rodney Valdes (Peer Support Coordinator and Chaplaincy Program Coordinator, CT State Police).

Registration is free and includes lunch. RSVP at: https://forms.gle/L8PSTHiNy5U7nFmu5

Jesus is risen indeed! Happy Easter!

On Wednesday at 6pm, we will hold our annual Tenebrae candlelight service in our Contemplative Garden (or, if it rains, in Siena Chapel). Tenebrae is a service traditionally held during Holy Week with readings and prayers about the reality of suffering in the world and our hope in God’s healing and peace. Our Meister Eckhart Tenebrae will feature readings from scripture, writings from Meister Eckhart, and selections of poetry inspired by Eckhart and composed by Jon Sweeney and Mark S. Burrows.

You can RSVP here: https://forms.gle/GJnyJy7ZvLyTBEHd9

Today is observed by some as the Feast of Meister Eckhart. Here at the Eckhart Center, we recognize the day by reflecting upon Eckhart’s wisdom about God’s work in the soul and our call to be moved by the presence of Christ within us. These are particularly rich themes as we approach Holy Week and prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Happy Feast of Meister Eckhart! May you recognize the stirrings of God's grace, and may your contemplation bear fruit in the harvest of action.