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A scientist, a politician, a musician, a doctor and an actor—all members of Fordham’s Jesuit community—recently gathered in the South Lounge at the Lincoln Center campus to swap stories about their diverse backgrounds as part of the fourth annual Ignatian Heritage Week.
Ignatian Heritage Week at Lincoln Center, which was celebrated Jan. 25 to 31, is an annual series of programs, discussions and activities that examine the life and work of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. Its goal is to promote the University’s Jesuit and Catholic identity and celebrate its distinct tradition of education.
The Rev. Martin Hegyi, S.J., the scientist, is an associate professor of biological sciences and associate chair of the department. He discussed how critical it is to have the Jesuit perspective represented in scientific debates, especially on issues involving bioethics.
“It is essential to have science practitioners in the Jesuit society to bridge the tension between science and religion,” he says. “We have to discuss the issues science raises and help resolve them.”
The Rev. John J. Cecero, S.J., the doctor, is an assistant professor of psychology, who discussed his research about the relationship between spirituality and mental health. The Rev. George Drance, S.J., the actor, is an artist-in-residence in the Department of Theatre and Visual Arts. He explored the challenges and rewards of merging his spirituality and his work with his experimental theatre group, La MaMa.
The Rev. Robert R. Grimes, S.J., the musician and dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center, spoke of the important role music has played in his life. Due in part to Grimes’ influence, music is now an integral part of the curriculum at Fordham.
“Music for me is a most spiritual thing,” he said. “There’s a point in performing where you’re not really thinking about it. Something just takes over and that can be very holy.”
Also participating was the Rev. Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J., the politician and president emeritus of Fordham University, who discussed the importance of Fordham being active in civic affairs. Father O’Hare served as a role model in this capacity as the founding chairman of New York City’s Campaign Finance Board.
Each panelist demonstrated the diversity of the Jesuit community in New York City, while making clear the common goal shared—to find God in all things.
Other Ignatius Awareness Week events included the Rev. William O’Malley, S.J., an English teacher at Fordham Preparatory School on the Rose Hill campus, who discussed “Human Sexuality” on Jan. 29; the Rev. Gerald R. Blaszczak, S.J., University chaplain, who spoke on “Practicing Your Faith in Busy Times: St. Ignatius’ Examination of Consciousness” on Jan. 26; and the Rev. Damian O’Connell, S.J., assistant director of Campus Ministry, who presented “Holy Smokes! Links Between Ignatian and Lakota Spirituality” on Jan. 27.
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