Thomas Scirghi, SJ

ThD - Boston University
STL - Weston Jesuit School of Theology
MDiv - Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley
MA - Fordham University
BA - LeMoyne College

Sacramental theology, Liturgical theology, ritual studies, Theological aesthetics, homiletics.

Currently, my interests have turned toward practical theology, i.e. an understanding of theology through both practice and theory. My current book project, tentatively titled Everything is Sacred, attempts to explore the sacrament of baptism for an audience of non-theologians who desire a deeper understanding of the faith they regularly practice. ??Background?My interest in theology was initially launched through preaching in a broad sense, that is, telling the story of the Christian tradition in a way that is accessible and inspiring for the current generation. While all areas of theology contribute to this story, for me sacraments loom large with their symbolic presentation of this tradition. The interest in practical theology was honed during the past eight years at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley where I served as Professor of Liturgical Theology. Much of my work centered upon preparing seminarians for ordination, along with lay women and men for Ecclesial Lay Ministry. The study of the rites of the Church reveals the foundation of our theology.

Longing to See Your Face: Preaching in a Secular Age (Liturgical Press, 2017)

Everything Is Sacred: An Introduction to the Sacrament of Baptism, (Paraclete Press, 2012)

Living Beauty: The Art of Worship, with Alejandro Garcia-Rivera, Rowman & Littlefield, 2008.

A Return to Noble Simplicity, The Presence of Christ in the Assembly, and Go in Peace, Then What? ? A series of articles for Pastoral Liturgy, Spring, Summer and Fall, 2009.

An Iconic View of Worship, Liturgy. June, 2007.

This Blessed Mess: An Embodied Worship, Journal for the School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University, June 2007.

Preaching in a Postmodern Context, Questiones Liturgiques vol. 81, 2000/3-4, Leuven University.

Selected Recent Papers and Presentations

The Third Roman Missal: Something Old, Something New. A public lecture for the Hekima College Forum, Nairobi, Kenya, January, 2009.

Of Cathedrals and Casinos: How Buildings Shape Us. A power point presentation for the Diocesan Congress, Honolulu, Hawaii, February, 2008

An Aesthetic Approach to Liturgy, a paper for the International Theological Aesthetics conference, Denver, Colorado, May, 2006.

Fall 2014

THEO 1010 R01 - Restless Heart: Quest
THEO 3655 R01 - Journey of Faith

Spring 2015

THEO 4025 R01 - Marriage in the 21st Century
HPRH 3075 R03 - Ignatian Seminar