Priests, deacons and seminarians are invited to spend four days reflecting on “The Splendor of the Church,” with noted theologian Dr. Scott Hahn, June 16-20, 2008 on the grounds of St. Vincent Archabbey and Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Hahn will be joined by other noted scholars, including Dr. Brant Pitre of Our Lady of Holy Cross College and Dr. John Bergsma of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Dr. Hahn will address the Church in the Pauline writings. Dr. Pitre will speak on the Church in the Synoptic Gospels. Dr. Bergsma will address the Church in the Johannine writings. 

The days will be fi lled with discovery, in a leisurely, but stimulating environment. It’s an opportunity for clergy to contemplate the Scriptures more deeply—for prayer, for preaching, and for understanding.

Best selling author Dr. Scott Hahn is the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at Saint Vincent Seminary. A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Hahn served as a visiting professor at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2000. He has also served as a Professor of Theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville since 1990. He is the founder and president of The Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. His latest book, is Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith (Doubleday, 2007). Previous works include Letter & Spirit: From Written Text to Living Word in the Liturgy (2005); Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments, (Doubleday, 2004). Other books from Dr. Hahn include Scripture Matters: Essays on Reading the Bible from the Heart of the Church (Emmaus Road, 2003); Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession (Doubleday, 2003); First Comes Love: Finding Your Family in the Church and the Trinity (Doubleday, 2002); Hail Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God (Doubleday, 2001); The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth (1999); A Father Who Keeps His Promises (Servant Publications, 1997). In addition, he served as co- author (along with his wife, Kimberly) of Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism (Ignatius Press, 1993).

Dr. Brant Pitre

Donum Dei Professor of Word and Sacrament at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, Dr. Pitre previously taught theology at Loyola Institute for Ministry at Loyola University of New Orleans. He is also a Senior Fellow of The Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. He has a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame with a specialization in the study of the New Testament and Second Temple Judaism. He holds an M.T.S. degree in biblical studies and theology from Vanderbilt Divinity School.  His book is Jesus, the Tribulation, and the End of the Exile.