Category Archives: Religious Studies

The funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI took place in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Thursday, Jan. 5, after three days during which mourners could view his body and pay their final respects. Around the same time, grassroots … Continue reading →

Did you know that medieval Catholic traditions of thanksgiving prayers and feasting shaped the Protestant celebration of Plymouth’s pilgrims, leading to the modern Thanksgiving holiday? In an article for The Conversation, Joanne Pierce, professor of religious studies at Holy Cross, breaks down the … Continue reading →

The Second Vatican Council marked a milestone in the history of the Catholic Church, setting off a process of deep transformation within the Church and in its relations with the modern world. Sixty years later, the process is still ongoing … Continue reading →

Queen Elizabeth II recognized that the United Kingdom was a multifaith nation and was diligent in her work to foster religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue. Will King Charles III do the same? In an article for The Conversation, Joanne Pierce, professor … Continue reading →

Two synodal gatherings going on now in the Catholic Church — the “Synodal Way” of the German church and the “Synod on Synodality” of the bishops of the Catholic Church — are drawing tensions within Catholicism, which are expected to … Continue reading →

On Sept. 4, 2022, Pope John Paul I will be beatified, which is the last step before being canonized as a Catholic saint, begging the question: Does every pope become a saint? In an article for The Conversation, Joanne Pierce, professor … Continue reading →

The festival of Shavuot, marked this year on June 5 and 6, celebrates a renewing commitment to God. But the meaning of the Jewish holiday, which dates back to biblical times, has changed over the years. In an article for … Continue reading →

As the Russian missile cruiser Moskva sank after heavy damage sustained in April 2022, stories began to circulate that the ship may have been carrying a relic of the “true cross,” a fragment of the actual wooden cross on which … Continue reading →

Did you know that there are more than 10,000 saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, but only a few dozen have been named a “doctor of the church?” In an article for The Conversation, Joanne Pierce, professor of religious studies at Holy … Continue reading →

Tat-siong Benny Liew, the Class of 1956 Professor in New Testament Studies and professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, was honored with the 2021 Excellence in Mentoring Award from the Forum for Theological Exploration. Each … Continue reading →

The eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah is a time to celebrate heroes, but the identity of these heroes can be elusive. In an article for The Conversation, Alan Avery-Peck, Kraft-Hiatt professor in Judaic studies at Holy Cross, breaks down the … Continue reading →