From the ordination of a Hope College alumnus to the first-ever Eucharistic procession on Hope’s campus, the 2023-2024 academic year was another great one for the Saint Benedict Institute and the Hope Catholic community! Here are some highlights:
1. hope catholic ordained to the priesthood
2014 Hope graduate Corey Bilodeau was ordained for the Diocese of Lansing on June 10, 2023. SBI co-founders Jared Ortiz and Jack Mulder had the privilege of attending the ordination Mass. May God bless Fr. Corey in his priesthood!
2. Icon Blessing in the Saint Anne Oratory
Also in June 2023, Fr. Nick Monco blessed the icons in the Saint Anne Oratory at the Carol C. Schaap Chapel. We now have a complete set of eight holy images in this sacred space. Thank you to all our supporters who made these icons possible!
3. Welcoming focus missionaries
This year, we began a partnership with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) to bring four young missionaries to the campus of Hope College. These recent college graduates minister to students through Bible studies and other initiatives.
4. Ecology, evolution, and faith
On September 7, 2023, the SBI welcomed Sr. Damien Marie Savino for a lecture on the theory of evolution in light of the Catholic tradition. This was the first talk in our series on the harmony between faith and science.
5. african american saints in the making
On October 16, 2023, Most Rev. Joseph Perry, a recently retired auxiliary bishop of Chicago, joined us to discuss the path to sainthood for six African American Catholics. He also lectured on the rich and complicated history of Black Catholics.
6. the big bang, the beginning, and creation
On November 16, 2023, Stephen Barr joined us to discuss what Christian revelation, philosophy, and contemporary science have to say about how and when the universe came into existence. This was the second lecture in our faith and science series.
7. Transforming matter art exhibition
Open from January – May 2024, this exhibition was curated by five Catholic students working under the supervision of SBI’s executive director Jared Ortiz. The exhibition featured 25 artworks that reflect different aspects of Catholic theology and practice.
8. another year of ice masses
In January 2024, several Hope students constructed an ice altar and other liturgical furnishings that were even more elaborate than last year’s. This allowed Fr. Nick to celebrate several well-attended Masses in the snowy Pine Grove.
9. Was jesus an only child?
On April 17, 2024, Jack Mulder, SBI’s assistant director, discussed biblical, traditional, and philosophical ways to think of Jesus’ nuclear family. He addressed topics including Jesus’ siblings and the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
10. eucharistic procession on campus
Catholic students organized the first Eucharistic procession to take place on the campus of Hope College. Preceded by 40 hours of Eucharistic adoration and a Mass, the procession on April 24, 2024, drew students, faculty, and other local Catholics.