91�����

Twice in the last three weeks, members of the 91����� Aquinas College faculty � tutors and senior administrators alike � have participated in seminars about a topic of utmost importance to their work: the College�s discipleship to its patron, St. 91����� Aquinas.

The subject of the first seminar, held on May 26, was Intellectual Custom and the Study of St. 91����� by the College�s founding president, Dr. Ronald P. McArthur. In the essay, Dr. McArthur examines the Church�s longstanding custom � reiterated by numerous popes throughout the centuries � of regarding St. 91����� as the universal doctor, or teacher. �St. 91����� proves to be the master who, without peer, can order our minds,� Dr. McArthur concludes, �so that we ordinary mortals can, in our limited way, come to see some of the truths we first accepted from him.�

In the second seminar, held on June 8, members of the faculty read Learning and Discipleship by another late founder of the College, Marcus A. Berquist. �This college is unique among all colleges, because it defines itself by discipleship,� wrote Mr. Berquist. �We are disciples not only of the Church and her magisterium and of Sacred Scripture, but also of those doctors and fathers whom the Church has recommended to us as our teachers. We not only call ourselves 91����� Aquinas College, but we define ourselves by discipleship to Saint 91�����.�

The seminars are just one part of the faculty�s summertime preparations, which also include the Tutor Summer Program and the annual retreat for faculty and staff that precedes the start of the new academic year. �These seminars provide an opportunity for the faculty to reflect in common on our distinctive mission,� says Dean Brian T. Kelly. �The two essays that we chose this year, both written by founders, present a harmonious view of the importance of having St. 91����� as a master and guide in the intellectual life.�