Department of Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University

How can we safeguard human dignity in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence?

Read this insightful article featuring Dr. Ines Murzaku, Director of our Catholic Studies Program at Seton Hall University, as she reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, and the Eastern Catholic perspective on human dignity, technology, and the mystery of the human person. (OSV News - We’ve got the Church covered)

Read the article below.

https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leos-encyclical-a-call-to-recover-the-mystery-of-humans-says-eastern-catholic-scholar/

The Department of Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University invites you to read this insightful reflection by Dr. Ines A. Murzaku on Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. Exploring the “Eastern Lung” of the Church, the article offers a thoughtful perspective on human dignity, communion, and the challenges of artificial intelligence in our modern age.

Read the article here: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2026/05/31/the-eastern-lung-of-pope-leos-ai-encyclical/

Seton Hall University’s Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Epsilon Sigma (DES), the national scholastic honor society for students, faculty and alumni of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition, will welcomed its 2026 class of inductees during the annual DES induction ceremony.

This year’s inductees are Nancy Kajo, Anthony Haynor, Taylor Ann Lyons, Jessica Vital, Ana Emilia Ferreira, Frederick Engram Jr., Josephine DeVito and Mary Ellen Roberts.

Delta Epsilon Sigma recognizes students, faculty and alumni who have demonstrated outstanding academic accomplishment, dedication to intellectual activity and a commitment to service. At Seton Hall, the induction ceremony is held annually during the spring semester in coordination with the University’s Charter Day, a time when the community reflects on its history and renews its commitment to moral education.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, followed by a reception and program in the Chancellor Suite. Members, families and the University community celebrated the newest members of Seton Hall’s Alpha Mu Chapter.

The Department of Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University has announced the winners of its 2026 New Jersey Catholic High School Essay Contest, “St. Francis and ‘Integral Ecology’: More Than ‘Being Green.’” The contest invited high school students in New Jersey to reflect on care for creation as a spiritual and moral calling, not merely an environmental trend.

The first-prize winner is Octavio Chavez, an 11th-grade student at Saint Peter’s Prep. The two runners-up are Leah Nott, an 11th-grade student at Mother Seton Regional High School, and Kayla Varela a 9th-grade student at Union Catholic Regional High School.

All three winners were honored during Seton Hall University’s annual Catholic Studies Honor Society Induction and reception.

The three winning essays will also be published in Arcadia: A Student Journal for Faith and Culture, the annual journal of Seton Hall University’s Department of Catholic Studies.

Thank you to all who joined the Department of Catholic Studies today for another compelling lecture with Robert Royal on The Martyrs of the New Millennium: The Global Persecution of Christians in the Twenty-First Century. Through history, witness, and moral reflection, Dr. Royal invited our Seton Hall community to consider the often-overlooked reality of Christian persecution in our time and the enduring meaning of martyrdom in the life of the Church. We are so very grateful for his visit and for the thoughtful conversation shared amongst our audience of students, faculty, and guests.

The Department of Catholic Studies is proud to announce that five Seton Hall students had the honor of presenting their research at Solidarity in Action: A Conference on the Dignity of Refugees and Migrants at The Center at Mariandale, held in commemoration of St. Catherine of Siena.

Through presentations grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, migration studies, human dignity, and care for creation, our students contributed thoughtfully to a vital scholarly conversation on solidarity with refugees and migrants. Their work reflected the heart of Seton Hall’s Catholic mission- bringing faith into dialogue with justice, compassion, and responsibility across borders.

We are proud of Alexander Marinelli, Kayhlynn Dickey, Mia Belmar, Valerie Melo, and Nancy Kajo for representing Seton Hall with such depth and care.

https://www.shu.edu/catholic-studies-department/news/catholic-mission-in-action-at-refugee-and-migrant-conference.html

We are pleased to share this feature on our Director of the Catholic Studies Program at Seton Hall University, Dr. Ines Murzaku, and her latest publication on the Eastern Catholic Churches. Rooted in history, theology, and lived tradition, this work offers a meaningful contribution to Catholic studies and invites deeper reflection on the richness of the global Church.

We invite you to read the full article at the link in bio.

https://www.shu.edu/catholic-studies-department/news/professor-publishes-book-on-the-eastern-catholic-churches.html

Elevate your education with Catholic Studies ✨📚

Whether you choose a double major or minor, you’ll build skills in writing, critical thinking, ethical leadership, and cultural understanding- qualities that stand out to employers and graduate programs alike.

You may already be closer than you think. With flexible coursework, internships, scholarships, and even a semester at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (with credits counting toward your Seton Hall degree), Catholic Studies helps you get more from your college experience.

📩 Contact Dr. Ines Murzaku to learn more, today! All information can be found above.

The Department of Catholic Studies is delighted to co-sponsor this special event alongside our colleagues across campus. We warmly invite you to join us for an engaging evening of film and dialogue with Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Bill Einreinhofer.

📽️ Film Screening & Talk
🗓️ Wednesday, April 22nd
⏰ 5:00 PM
📍 Global Learning Center, Fahy 203C

Through his acclaimed work with major networks including ABC, CBS, Discovery, HBO, and PBS, Mr. Einreinhofer brings powerful global stories to life. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore history, culture, and international perspectives through film, followed by thoughtful discussion.

✨ Save the date and join us for an inspiring and enriching experience. All are welcome!!

Join us for an important and timely conversation on solidarity, dignity, and global responsibility.

The Department of Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University is proud to co-sponsor the St. Catherine of Siena Environmental Summit: “Solidarity in Action: A Conference on the Dignity of Refugees and Migrants.”

This full-day conference will explore the intersection of migration, climate justice, and our shared call to uphold the dignity of every human person.

🗓 Saturday, April 25th
⏰ 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 The Center at Mariandale (with livestream available for the keynote)

We invite students, faculty, and members of the wider community to engage in this meaningful dialogue rooted in faith, justice, and solidarity.