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Lecture and Concert Series Names for St. Vincent de Paul

Gift from Barbara and Paul Henkels Endows Program

(Spring 2007 Newsletter)

St. Vincent de Paul has been an inspiration to countless charities in the centuries since his death. Known best for his apostleship to the poor, he is venerated for his munificent practice of the corporal works of mercy.

Mrs. Barbara Henkels, a member of Thomas Aquinas College’s Board of Governors, points out that St. Vincent also played a crucial role in helping to reform the Church in 17th-century France through teaching, and the establishment and direction of seminaries. Moreover, she believes Thomas Aquinas College graduates are well-suited to emulate the manner in which he helped enlighten the ignorant and those in heresy. Quoting biographer Paul Ranaudon, she explains,

His treatment of heretics, a miracle of tact and gentleness (then so rare), was inspired by his clear insight into the evils of controversy and persecution; but to this, too, was added a purely supernatural element—in his words, ‘that love which by love alone seeks to attract souls to the truth.’ We merely drive the poor souls from us (by controversy)….Our Saviour had first to win by His love those whom He called to believe in Him.

Inspired by St. Vincent’s charity to these “poor souls,” Barbara and her husband, Paul, have made a magnificent gift of $500,000 to the College to endow its lecture and concert series and to name it in honor of this great French saint. “We think Thomas Aquinas College graduates are uniquely gifted to serve those poor,” say the Henkels. “Because they receive a profound and unique classical education, we believe that, as God called St. Vincent, He is also calling our graduates to bring the Truth to a society maimed by distortion and the culture of death. The ‘poorest of the poor’ today, as always, are those who do not know the Truth.”

Thus, in keeping with the Henkels’ wishes, the College’s Friday Night Lecture and Concert Series, now fully endowed, has been renamed “The St. Vincent de Paul Lecture and Concert Series” and will include commencement speakers.

An integral part of the College’s curriculum, the series complements both the content of the academic program and the Socratic discussion method used in all its classes. Lectures are scheduled throughout the academic year, occurring once or twice each month. In addition, concerts of classical, operatic, or sacred music are hosted two or three times a year in order to encourage students to develop a love of the best kinds of music.

In giving this most generous donation, the Henkels have made only one stipulation, which, they note, “should be easy for Thomas Aquinas College to meet.” “In the long run,” they say, “the lectures shall clearly show that the College supports the official Church of Rome and abides by its teaching. They should serve to sharpen the clear image that Thomas Aquinas College is truly and responsibly Catholic. Whatever the topic and whoever the speaker, it is hoped that they will be the kind of people who will bring honor to our Church and the College.”

Adds Mrs. Henkels, “We believe that Thomas Aquinas College students, who receive the richest of blessings—an education and formation unsurpassed by any university in our nation—will appreciate St. Vincent de Paul as they bring their gifts to society.”

Said President Dillon, “We at the College are profoundly grateful to Barbara and Paul for their magnificent gift to endow our lecture series. Their generosity will allow us, for generations to come, to bring respected speakers to our campus both for our lecture series and for commencement. We cannot thank them enough.”

-- Qtrly Newsletter, Spring 2007