"Following the tradition established by Saint Dominic and his heirs, The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology is carried on the backs of men and women who clearly see why truth must be pursued. Even more so, in the fashion of Saint Thomas Aquinas, for these men and women, 'it is indeed better to share the fruits of one’s contemplation than merely to contemplate.'"
"The DSPT was an environment that promoted my intellectual and academic pursuits in the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as being a place for spiritual development. The education and experiences I received at the DSPT have prepared me well for the life in mystery that lies ahead."
"Over the next several years -- at least 5 of which will be at DSPT -- I will acquire and then hone the skills to better understand the faith, and then to share that faith with others. As St. Thomas Aquinas says, 'For even as it is better to enlighten than merely to shine, so is it better to give to others the fruits of one's contemplation than merely to contemplate.'"
"Philosophical questions admit of many answers, and though the Dominican School is well known for adhering to Thomism, the history of philosophy is in some ways an equal commitment... after arriving at the school green and a bit confused, I realized that I could tackle a philosophical problem with both a sense of its place in history and a sense of its relevance today."
"I have never seen such serious, sustained, and rewarding excavation of medieval philosophy. I can assure any interested parties that they are unlikely to contemplate Being to such an extent in any other milieu."
"My intellectual formation at DSPT left me with deep theological convictions, the instruments to articulate them, and a desire to learn from those who do not share them."
"With the news of Fr. Richard Schenk’s election as the next president of Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, I was hardly alone in recognizing that his absence would be deeply felt across the DSPT community."
"I was affiliated with The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, studying Islamic and Greek intellectual traditions, primarily. Recently, I was awarded a Henry Luce Fellowship in conjunction with Gadjah Mada University's ICRS program to study religion and culture in Indonesia for one semester (August-December 2010)."
"As well as articulating theory, Fr Michael spelt out very practical approaches to applying what we were learning in our personal relationships so that society can be transformed from within. It gave me a sense of what I should aim for and a belief that I can play my part and make a contribution through the application of simple clear principles in my daily work and leisure activities."
"After meeting with John Knutsen, Director of Admissions, DSPT, we quickly realized this School offered exactly what we wanted. I was searching for a solid grounding in systematic theology and Catholic doctrine, in hopes of one day teaching at the collegiate level. For Laura, the 'Religion and the Arts' program was perfect as she is working toward a career in museum studies."
"In the end, you and I simply want to grow closer and closer to God every day. My formation at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology helps us both along the way. "
"It is my privilege to be a student at the Dominican School, and I am proud to be part of its extraordinary mission of cultivating the great intellectual riches of our Catholic Faith for the transformation of the modern world."
"At the DSPT one can explore the writings and ideas of various philosophers in their historical context, and so understand better the conversation of great minds through the centuries."
"Community is the soul of learning. At DSPT, Dominicans stand shoulder to shoulder with people of all walks of life to form a community animated by the pursuit of the truth; a truth which is not simply an idea, but a Person."
"I realized that I needed to pursue theology to teach and bring the Gospel to young people. Now in my first semester at DSPT, I am taking steps toward this vocation."
"My study of Thomas at DSPT turns out to not only be valuable in its own right, but to be an essential preparation for the study of more recent scholars."
"The search for Truth that drew many of us to the DSPT often impassioned our discussions and led us to challenge one another to live these truths beyond the classroom; we were forced to consider the practical application that studying philosophy and theology had in our daily existence as part of a much bigger reality than the confines of North Berkeley."
"The professors are open-minded, knowledgeable, and excel in their skill of articulating and communicating difficult questions in philosophy to their students."
"Lay and religious, philosopher and theologian…all come here in search of the Truth or at least to grasp some aspect of it; and the papers and theses that have been produced here express insights on vast number of topics."
"I have carried my studies into my local church, approaching the ministry of teaching by responding to my baptismal call to become a steward to those hungry for the faith; that is, to do what is expected of the laity: to promote church teaching and dogma, and to do it with complete charity to those who seek the truths of the Church."
"Fr. Sweeney's course on the Church's Social Teachings put into perspective not just how we should think about ordering the larger world in which we live, but our own lives as well. I went into the course a Catholic who has spent the past nine years working in government and politics, with related academic credentials, hoping to get a more complete perspective on our Church's Social Teachings and applications for my job. I did receive guidance on that account. But the highlight was also the personal experience of being around other Catholics who look at and think about the world very differently (due to our various backgrounds), and yet being exposed to a philosophy and theology around which we can and should unite."
"As a fairly new parish priest, the best part for me about DSPT was that the philosophy and divinity programs both taught me how to look at and understand new ideas, be they traditional, radically new, or simply coming from a different world-view."
"The great thing about DSPT, for me, was that I always felt comfortable, like I was learning these new views in the comfort of my own living room, and this allowed me to take risks with my thinking and writing."
Back From Kenya - Br. Emmanuel Taylor, OP recently spent a year studying abroad with the Dominicans in Eastern Africa. He has just returned to DSPT to complete his Masters in Divinity and gives a few reflections on his experience in Eastern Africa.
"My theological studies, along with my business background, provided me with the resources necessary to put my research into action and to transition quickly and effectively into a leadership position as a member of the parish staff."
"All aspects of my education at the DSPT are tested and utilized in my work at the Newman Center and I am constantly thankful for the education I received at DSPT."
"The patience of my professors, who made themselves available to answer countless questions and took the time to ensure that I obtained a solid grasp of the material, has been truly humbling."
