Noted theologian Elizabeth Dreyer to deliver 5th annual O'Callaghan Lecture at Fairfield University | Press Releases

Image: Elizabeth Dreyer Elizabeth Dreyer, Ph.D., who writes and lectures widely on everything from medieval theology and mysticism to contemporary lay spirituality, will deliver the 5th annual Anne Drummey O'Callaghan lecture on Women in the Church on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 8 p.m. The lecture, entitled "Medieval Women Mystics: Weird or Wonderful?" will take place in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

Dreyer, professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University, believes signs of a renewed interest in the religious history of Christian women are all around us.

"Books about once obscure medieval figures are snapped up by growing numbers of spiritual seekers who wish to recover neglected female role models," said Dreyer, noting many women of the time wrote of their relationship with God in gripping and imaginative form. "Challenging us to wake up from ignorance, indifference and apathy, these women witness to the intense love of God, brutal honesty about their struggles and doubts, and courageous prophetic voice. They are weird, but they also provide welcome female companionship on the journey toward love of God and neighbor."

Image: Catherine Siena Dreyer, who holds a doctorate from Marquette University, has written seven books, including "Earth Crammed with Heaven: A Spirituality of Everyday Life," (Paulist, 1994); "A Retreat with Catherine of Siena," (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1998); The Cross in Christian Tradition: From Paul to Bonaventure," (Paulist, 2000); and "Passionate Spirituality: Hildegard of Bingen and Hadewijch of Brabant," (Paulist, 2005).

She is currently work on a book on the recovery of medieval language and imagery on the Holy Spirit.

Image: Catherine Siena Dreyer, a Hamden resident, has served on the faculties of several institutions, including Catholic University of America and The Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. In 2004, she received the Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal from Mt. St. Joseph College in Cincinnati for her outstanding contributions to Catholic theology in the United States.

The annual O'Callaghan Lecture honors the memory of Anne Drummey O'Callaghan, an advocate for persons with mental disabilities and a youth minister and catechist at St. Jerome and St. Joseph churches in Norwalk, Conn. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.