From the Desk of the President
The True, the Good, and the Beautiful
(Spring 2008 Newsletter)
[Index of
Past Articles by President Dillon]
 Pope
Benedict XVI traveled to the United States last month, I had the
honor to be present at his address to Catholic educators in Washington,
D.C. The Holy Father eloquently restated the Church's long understanding
of Catholic higher education—its dignified place in the Church
and in society; its foundation on both faith and reason and the
compatibility of the two; the responsibility educators have to pass
on the whole of the truth while also vigorously exploring its meaning;
and the importance of forming a genuinely Catholic environment that
conduces to learning the truth and living it.
It was most encouraging to hear Pope Benedict's remarks, as they
were in many ways a reaffirmation of Thomas Aquinas College's founding
principles, which have governed us these past 37 years. Our founders
were intent on establishing an institution permeated by the Catholic
faith. For they understood, as our Holy Father explained, that "A
university or school's Catholic identity is not simply a question
of the number of Catholic students….It demands and inspires
much more: namely that each and every aspect of your learning communities
reverberates within the ecclesial life of faith. Only in faith can
truth become incarnate and reason truly human, capable of directing
the will along the path of freedom (cf: Spe Salvi 23)."
As Pope Benedict went on to explain, "Truth means more than
knowledge: knowing the truth leads us to discover the good. Truth
speaks to the individual in his or her entirety, inviting us to
respond with our whole being. Far from being just a communication
of factual data…the loving truth of the Gospel is creative
and life-changing."
Here at Thomas Aquinas College, year in and year out, we see the
lives of our students transformed. Through the graces of the sacraments,
the truths these young people learn in our classrooms begin to take
root in their souls. This is why we engage three chaplains full-time
to minister to the spiritual needs of our students, who strive as
much for moral and spiritual excellence as they do for intellectual
virtue. Our dedicated priests offer Mass four times a day, and they
hear confessions before and after each one. In addition, because
the students themselves have requested it, the chaplains also make
available daily Adoration and Benediction, and they help provide
numerous other devotions as well.
Through our academic program, students begin to see the truth
about nature, man, and God, and are thereby drawn to worship the
One who is Truth—in the tabernacle and on the altar. Time and
again Our Holy Father's words are borne out: "Those who meet
Him are drawn by the very power of the Gospel to lead a new life
characterized by all that is beautiful, good, and true."
This is why our chapel project is at the heart of Thomas Aquinas
College, for all that we do in our academic program is directed
to the knowledge and love of God. To reflect this, we have designed
Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel as a place of great beauty
that will speak to all who enter that the true, the good, and the
beautiful are one in Christ.
Please help us to finish this worthy project. We have raised $16
million to date, but we must still find an additional $6 million
to complete its funding. This is a daunting amount, but I am confident
that there are many among our friends who, desiring to be part of
this magnificent project, will give generously to complete this
house of God. We will be most grateful for your help!
-- Qtrly Newsletter, Spring 2008
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