The Thomistic Society is hosting a conference “Christology in Literature,” Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. in the Hoynak Room. 

Chair and Professor of English, Justin Jackson, Michael Mack of Catholic University of America, and Thomas Pfau of Duke University will give lectures on the intersection of philosophy and religion. 

Monica Blaney, an officer for the Thomistic Society, said the event will feature lectures with several breaks including time for discussion and dinner.

“Attendees should expect three lectures given by our own Dr. Jackson, Dr. Michael Mack (Catholic University of America), and Dr. Thomas Pfau (Duke University), respectively. The lectures are at 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m., followed by a roundtable modeled on the proper Thomistic fashion. There will be a half-hour break at 3 p.m. with refreshments, and a dinner break around 4:30 p.m.,” Blaney said. 

According to Colton Duncan, a chapter leader for the society, the event will feature several talks on how to apply various methods and perspectives of different works.

The event is open to all students and faculty, including interested parties, even those from outside the sphere of Hillsdale College. 

Attendees must register for the event using the QR codes on posters around campus. The event is free to attend. 

“There are many practical elements to hosting an event like this, including the reservation of spaces and equipment, advertisement, and hospitality. I’m mostly in charge of the hospitality — making sure the visiting speakers feel welcome is a way of showing our gratitude and respect, in addition to representing the college well,” Blaney said. “Sometimes people forget about the very human elements of hosting an intellectual event such as this; I am here to make sure that our speakers eat and know where they’re going.”

Even though the Thomistic Society is an extension of the Catholic Society and deals mostly with the works of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Duncan explains that the event is perfect for people of all beliefs and denominations. 

“In fact, this conference is aimed at ecumenism. People from any faith tradition, or even any background, people who are, you know, maybe even not Christian, but simply interested in seeing what such perspective has to offer should attend,” Duncan said.