Skip to main content
Campus Ministry

Fratelli Tutti Fridays: How Does Francis' Letter Challenge Us to Commit to Caritas?

Pope Francis walking in front of crowd, holding hands with teens

Pope Francis’ 2020 encyclical, Fratelli tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship, places the Gospel call to love one’s neighbor in the context of our troubled times. In a world fractured by pandemic, economic disparity, technocracy and globalized indifference, Francis urges followers of Christ and people of goodwill to create bonds across boundaries and strengthen solidarity. 

Fratelli tutti Speaker Series

During the Fridays of Lent, faculty and other experts will offer virtual talks to introduce themes from the encyclical and explore how they can deepen our commitment to putting others first. All in the Villanova community are welcome. 

Talks begin at 3 PM, are ACS approved and will be recorded for viewing by all.

Select each talk to view recording.

Registration Closed

Speaker: Fr. Joseph Farrell, OSA, STD, '85 VSB
Vicar General, Augustinian Order, Rome

Watch recording.

Facilitator: Steven F. McGuire, PhD
Director, Matthew J. Ryan Center, and Assistant Teaching Professor, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program

Watch the recording.

Speaker: Jeanne Brody, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Art History

Watch the recording.

 

 

Facilitator: Sally J. Scholz, PhD
Professor, Philosophy

Panelists and Topics

  • Shams Inati, PhD, Professor, Global Religions
    "What FT says about interreligious dialogue, practicing inclusivity and building solidarity"
  • Christa Bialka, EdD, Associate Professor, Education and Counseling
    "How FT integrates disability into the understanding of inclusion and diversity"
  • Michele R. Pistone, JD, Professor of Law and Director, Clinic for Asylum, Refugee and Emigrant Services
    "The dominant theme of hospitality and the migrant throughout FT"

Watch the recording.

Fratelli tutti Reading Groups

We also invite you to join small virtual groups with other Villanovans for guided, informal conversations about specific sections of the encyclical and what concrete steps they inspire people to take. You can access the encyclical on the Vatican's website or purchase a copy from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Organizers: Elizabeth-Jane McGuire, PhD, and Sally Scholz, PhD

Facilitator: Edward J. Lis
Augustine and Culture Seminar Program

Session Dates 
Session 1: February 22
Session 2: March 1
Session 3: March 8
Session 4: March 15

See outlines for each session.

Join via this Zoom link.

Facilitator: Sally Scholz, PhD
Professor and Department Chair, Philosophy

Focus: Fratelli tutti in the historical context of other social encyclicals  

Session Dates 
Session 1: February 22
Session 2: March 1
Session 3: March 8

Join via this Zoom link.

Facilitator: Elizabeth-Jane McGuire, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program

Session Dates 
Session 1: February 23
Session 2: March 2
Session 3: March 9
Session 4: March 16

See outlines for each session.

Join via this Zoom link.

Facilitator: Terence Sweeney
Doctoral Student, Philosophy

Session Dates 
Session 1: February 23
Session 2: March 2
Session 3: March 9
Session 4: March 16

See outlines for each session.

Join via this Zoom link.

Facilitator: Allison Covey, PhD
Faculty, Ethics Program

Session Dates 
Session 1: February 24
Session 2: March 3
Session 3: March 10
Session 4: March 17

See outlines for each session.

Join via this Zoom link.

Facilitator: Christopher Quintana
Doctoral Student, Philosophy

Session Dates 
Session 1: February 24
Session 2: March 3
Session 3: March 10
Session 4: March 17

Join via this Zoom link.

Facilitator: Edward Hastings, PhD
Assistant Professor, Theology and Religious Studies

Session Dates
Session 1: February 25
Session 2: March 4
Session 3: March 11
Session 4: March 18

See outlines for each session.

Join via this Zoom link.

Questions?

Email Fr. Kevin DePrinzio about any of the Fratelli tutti offerings.

Committee Members

Allison Covey, PhD, Ethics Faculty

Kevin DePrinzio, OSA, PhD, Vice President, Mission and Ministry

Elizabeth-Jane McGuire, PhD, Assistant Teaching Professor, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program

Steven McGuire, PhD, Director, Matthew J. Ryan Center

Sally Scholz, PhD, Professor and Department Chair, Philosophy

Chesley Turner, Director, Center for Church Management