Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola

Posted on July 30th, 2010
by FUPress

July 31st is the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuit movement within Catholicism. Who are the Jesuits? Many people don’t fully understand what the Jesuits do or who they are or what they believe in. The Jesuits, or Society of Jesus, was founded by Loyola, a priest and theologian in Spain, during the Counter-Reformation, a response of the Catholic church to the advent of Protestantism. The Jesuits are principally known today for their deep devotion to education (many schools, including Fordham, are Jesuit schools) and missionary work around the world.

But this only scratches the surface of what Loyola and his followers believed in. Fordham offers several titles to help you delve deeper into understanding the Jesuits and their teachings:

Black Robes & Buckskin: A Selection from the Jesuit Relations , forthcoming in November, focuses on The Jesuit Relations, written by Jesuits in the New World about their beliefs, and the work of converting native peoples. Since the original runs an astounding 73 volumes, Catherine Randall has thoughtfully selected the most informative and relevant pieces for Black Robes & Buckskin. It’s a must-read for all interested in understanding the foundations of this important religious movement.

In January, we have Jesuit and Feminist Education: Intersections in Teaching and Learning in the Twenty-First Century, a book which examines the overlap of Ignatian educational thought and feminist educational theory by presenting a lively dialogue about the shared goals between the two philosophies.

Friends on the Way: Jesuits Encounter Contemporary Judaism, new in paperback in September, is a collection of essays illustrating the long-standing mission of the Jesuits to bridge the gap between Catholicism and Judaism.

Last, but certainly not least, is Thoughts of St. Ignatius Loyola for Every Day of the Year. This volume shares 365 of the iconic theologian’s maxims for integrating God into daily life. The book gives daily spiritual guidance and inspiration and is truly a gift.

Catch the EcoSpirit: Earth Day 2010

Posted on April 22nd, 2010
by FUPress

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, first christened by US Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970 to raise awareness of environmental issues and conservation. Since its inception, it’s become a global event, especially in recent years, when issues such as global warming have become crises of critical importance.

Ecospirit: Religions and Philosophies of the Earth, edited by Laurel Kearns and Catherine Keller, examines the increasing shift toward awareness, even as the intensity of environmental destruction continues. The essays in this volume posit that nothing short of an epic epiphany in global thinking can begin to reverse the damaging effects we’ve wreaked on the planet thus far. This change in thinking would involve the very overhaul of the way we practice religion and philosophy–what Ecospirit proposes is a shift so profound, it would challenge the very foundations of the way humans have talked about, written about, and studied the Earth for thousands of years. It’s a radical challenge, but a call to action we all need.

Also from Catherine Keller, and Chris Boesel, comes Apophatic Bodies: Negative Theology, Incarnation, and Relationality, a study of Apophatics, or the study of negative theology, in which God is described in what CANNOT be said about the divine. This volume pursues the unlikely conjunction of apophasis and the body, not for the cachet of the “cutting edge” but rather out of an ethical passion for the integrity of all creaturely bodies as they are caught up in various ideological mechanisms—religious, theological, political, economic—that threaten their dignity and material well-being.

New this Spring, Apophatic Bodies contributor Virginia Burrus has collaborated with Mark D. Jordan and Karmen MacKendrick on Seducing Augustine: Bodies, Desires, Confessions. Seducing Augustine analyzes the iconic Confessions, exploring religion and theology in a sexual context–a perspective not often tackled by critics. Often ambivalent but always passionately engaged, their readings of the Confessions center on four sets of intertwined themes—secrecy and confession, asceticism and eroticism, constraint and freedom, and time and eternity.

Discussion of the Earth and the environment has its roots in theology, philosophy, and human nature itself. Join the discourse with Fordham!

Deconstructing the Easter Bunny

Posted on April 2nd, 2010
by FUPress

Easter Sunday is one of the most complex and miraculous mysteries of religious faith. It serves as the cornerstone of Catholicism–the resurrection of Jesus Christ representing a new era of hope and healing. However, it’s easy to lose sight of the religious significance in the midst of the modern Easter taxonomy–one of Easter bunnies, baskets full of chocolate and candy, pretty dresses, and egg hunts.

Fordham offers a wealth of new titles that study Catholic history in New York, the history of music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Jesuit history, a modern reading of Augustine’s groundbreaking Confessions, and a Catholic view of the Holy Land debate.

Here’s a list of more backlist titles to help you remember the roots of the Easter tradition:

Being in Love

Believing Scholars

Between Dancing and Writing

Cathedrals of Bone

The Catholic Church and the Jewish People

Catholicism at the Millennium

Citizens or Papists?

Fears and Fascinations

Finding God in All Things

Let it Shine!

Method and Catholic Moral Theology

Thoughts of St. Ignatius Loyola for Every Day of the Year

This is just the beginning of Fordham’s Religion titles. For more titles, please check out the full catalog!

Our Indivisible Environment: Patriarch Bartholomew and How Saving the Environment Can Help Save Our Souls

Posted on October 27th, 2009
by FUPress

intheworld His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader to Orthodox Christians the world over (300 million in all), has written an opinion piece in today’s Wall Street Journal, titled “Our Indivisible Environment.”

The piece outlines the Orthodox Christian’s place in the ecological struggle to save our planet. Patriarch Bartholomew asserts that the spiritual has a place in this secular issue, writing “The natural environment unites us in ways that transcend doctrinal differences.” His call to action is to believers and non-believers alike, stirring both national governments and individuals to act on behalf of the environment.

In Fordham’s forthcoming book, In the World, Yet Not of the World: Social and Global Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the public addresses and writings of Patriarch Bartholomew are assembled, highlighting his devotion to the preservation of peace and equality among all cultures and creeds.

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader to Orthodox Christians the world over (300 million in all), has written an opinion piece in today’s Wall Street Journal, titled “Our Indivisible Environment.” The piece outlines the Orthodox Christian’s place in … Full Story →