The Eckhart Center at Albertus Magnus College

09/03/2026

We're excited to announce our first event of the season! During the closing week of Albertus' centennial year, panelists from the community will explore immigrant stories of Catholics in New Haven during the 20th and 21st centuries.

Panelists will include:
*New Haven City Historian Michael Morand, moderator
*Senator Martin Looney on Irish immigrant experiences
*Frank Carrano on Italian immigrant experiences
*Caprice Taylor Mendez on Latino immigrant experiences

A free dinner will be served. RSVP at: https://forms.gle/q7k6wjzfgSLGEse19

08/31/2026

How it started... and how it's going!

Three years ago, the Meister Eckhart Contemplative Garden was constructed and planted. Since then, the garden has hosted countless spiritual workshops, class sessions, poetry readings, and receptions.

Most importantly, the garden serves as an oasis for students and community members looking for a meditative and prayerful outdoor space.

Next time you're on campus, stop in for a contemplative moment.

08/24/2026

During Welcome Weekend, we joined our colleagues in Dominican Mission & Ministries in offering a session on Albert the Great, the college's namesake. We make the case that the statue that students walk past every day isn't just of somebody who lived hundreds of years ago, but a person who is relatable to us today.

Albert the Great was interested in many things (the sciences, philosophy, and the arts) and had a heart for service (forsaking the privileges of the bishop's carriage for a set of boots so that he could walk among the people). As we begin a new academic year, Albert is cheering for our students!

08/06/2026

This morning, we hosted a coffee and treats gathering in the Meister Eckhart Contemplative Garden in anticipation of the Feast of St. Dominic. We prayed for inspiration from Dominic's example in the coming academic year and welcomed two new members of the Dominican Mission team at Albertus: chief mission officer Sr. Ellen Coates and campus minister Harrison Bell.

We look forward to collaborating with Sr. Ellen and Harrison in the Eckhart Center's sixth year!

06/12/2026

Earlier this week, our director joined Albertus faculty and administrators at the Dominican Colloquium at Molloy University. We enjoyed rich conversations with sisters, faculty, and staff from other Dominican institutions around the theme "Veritas in the Modern World."

Presentations by Albertus faculty included a talk on A.I. and Dominican values by David Garaventa and a session on the Justice Panel with Robert Bourgeois, Edward Dunar, Ross Edwards, and Shiva Rezvan.

06/01/2026

Welcome to Albertus, Sr. Ellen! We look forward to continuing to deepen the Eckhart Center's work in collaboration with you!

We are proud to celebrate Sister Ellen Coates, OP, on her appointment as Assistant to the President for Dominican Mission and Chief Mission Officer at Albertus Magnus College during the College’s historic Centennial year!

Sister Ellen brings a remarkable combination of pastoral ministry, public health leadership, and a deep commitment to the Dominican charism of Study, Prayer, Community, and Service. From serving communities around the world through global public health initiatives to accompanying people in parish ministry, she continues to embody Veritas in action.

Congratulations, Sister Ellen, on this new ministry and leadership role. We are grateful for your witness, wisdom, and dedication to the mission of Dominican education. 💙

Read more here: https://oppeace.org/2026/06/01/albertus-magnus-college-names-sister-ellen-coates-o-p-mph-as-assistant-to-the-president-for-dominican-mission-and-chief-mission-officer/

05/25/2026

Magnifica humanitas is a magnificent encyclical, an inspiring call to embrace our humanity and build a civilization of love in the face of rapid technological change.

Next year's season at the Eckhart Center will explore many of the topics covered in the encyclical through a series of dinner conversations around the theme, "Being Human in a Dehumanizing Age." Stay tuned for more details in the coming month!

04/30/2026

For the annual Catherine of Siena Lecture on Tuesday, we were joined by Fr. Justin Bolger, O.P. from the Hillbilly Thomists, a band of Dominican friars who preach through their music. Fr. Justin talked about how music can express the "signs of the times" while pointing the way to the Gospel... and he played several songs from the band's repertoire. It was a wonderful evening of insight and music.

04/28/2026

Last week, the Eckhart Center was pleased to host another installment of the Religion and Public Safety Colloquium in collaboration with our Criminal Justice Program. Our presenters and participants shared rich conversations about spirituality, self-care, and peer support.

Peer support is essential across both public safety and spiritual communities.

This past week, Albertus Magnus College hosted the Religion and Public Safety Colloquium, “My Brother and Sister’s Keeper: Building a Practice of Peer Support.”

The event featured conversations on spirituality and peer support with Sister Cathy Buchanan, O.P., Campus Minister at Albertus and retired Correctional Officer, along with guest speaker Sgt. Rodney Valdes, Peer Support Coordinator and Chaplaincy Program Coordinator for the Connecticut State Police.

The discussion explored the importance of community, care, and support systems within both spiritual and public safety contexts.

04/16/2026

Earlier this week, Pope Leo planted an olive tree as a sign of peace in Hippo, the grounds on which St. Augustine walked.

Next Wednesday, as part of Albertus' Experiential Learning Day and observance of Earth Day, we will be planting three trees on Huntington Avenue with the Urban Resources Initiative. This annual tradition gives us occasion to demonstrate our commitment to caring for creation and seeking peace in our lives and in the world.

Returning to the lands walked by his spiritual father, St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV visits the archaeological site of Hippo in Annaba on his second day ...