Vincentian Lecture Series Explores “The Soul of Catholic Education”

The Vincentian Center for Church and Society presented its second lecture in the 2025–26 Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Lecture Series on St. John’s University’s Queens, NY, campus on October 9.

Jason King, Ph.D., Beirne Chair and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX, lectured on “The Soul of Catholic Education.” “The soul of Catholic education is a dynamic, bottom-up movement,” he said. “It begins with students and their needs, and carries them upward toward meaningful lives, compassionate communities, and life to the fullest.”

Dr. King explored how Catholic colleges cultivate lives of meaning, community engagement, and ethical purpose. Drawing on national research from the Higher Education Holistic Impact Report, he discussed how graduates of Catholic institutions are more likely than their peers to report fulfilling lives, active community involvement, and a broad moral awareness. These outcomes connect to the mission of Catholic education, which has traditionally attracted students from immigrant and working-class families, and those seeking a path to financial stability and belonging—and helped them succeed. 

Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M. ’13HON, Executive Director, Vincentian Center for Church and Society, noted, “In his lecture and in his writing, Dr. King repeatedly emphasizes three values that stand at the center of Catholic higher education: meaningful lives, community engagement, and ethical decision making. His research has shown that these goals can hearten those who pursue a Catholic education. They are the needed ‘value-added’ elements that begin to justify the cost. As a result, Dr. King insists that the outcomes indicate that ‘the soul of Catholic higher education is alive and well.’”

The event was hosted by The School of Education. Approximately 90 people attended, including students, faculty, administrators, and staff. “The School of Education was honored to host Dr. King’s lecture,” said James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., Dean, The School of Education. “We believe our programs are the very embodiment of Catholic higher education, with its focus on uplifting individuals, families, and communities.”

The third lecture in the series will take place on November 17 on the University’s Queens campus. Joseph M. Vukov, Ph.D., Associate Director, The Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University, Chicago, IL, will speak on “The Catholic Intellectual Tradition in an Era of Artificial Intelligence.” Register NOW!

You can watch Dr. King’s lecture.