Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies. Photo by John Buckingham
Last week, media outlets worldwide were abuzz with news about a statue of the Virgin Mary at a diocese in New Mexico that appeared to had been “weeping” for more than a month, an event attracting thousands of visitors.
In an article for The Conversation, Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at Holy Cross, explains the religious meaning behind weeping statues, as well as the processes and guidelines by which local bishops investigate these types of supernatural occurrences.
Schmalz writes that, while understanding the supernatural phenomenon taking place is important, we should place more weight on listening and appreciating the powerful stories of the people praying to these statues. “The sense of togetherness in and through suffering was far more important than talk of miracles,” said Schmalz.
To read the full article, go to The Conversation. The piece has also been republished by Live Science and Religion News Service.
“I didn’t give you a good example of syncopation — here, follow this,” says 
Lucca Eloy ’18 didn’t arrive at Holy Cross planning to major in computer science. He figured he’d focus on biology, maybe even go pre-med. But a funny thing happened sophomore year after he signed up for a computer science class to fulfill a requirement. As the semester went on, he found himself setting aside his biology homework to start working on computer science projects — the day they were assigned.
Just as the campus has changed since Day One, so have the Jesuits. The society and its mission have evolved over time, to a point in which, today, embracing and sharing the society’s mission at Holy Cross is not solely the responsibility of the Jesuits, but rather a community endeavor undertaken by faculty, staff, administrators and students in concert with them. It’s an undertaking for the 21st century, one that permeates every aspect of Mount St. James, and one in which everyone on campus plays a part.
After years of research and accomplishments in their respective fields, eight Holy Cross faculty members have been promoted to the rank of professor. Below, the professors share their thoughts on their careers, scholarship and more.
With the end of the academic year comes the departure of three faculty members who announced their retirement: John Cull, professor of Spanish; Rev. Thomas Worcester, S.J., professor of history; and Suzanne Kirschner, professor of psychology. The three faculty members have made significant contributions to the College and their fields, and have impacted countless students in their classrooms and beyond.
Online retailer John’s Crazy Socks started as a playful experiment, a father-son business built on a simple premise: spreading happiness through socks. Less than two years later, Mark Cronin ’80, (above, right) company president, and his son John (above, left), the company’s chief happiness officer, find themselves at the helm of an online retail phenomenon that has sold more than $3 million worth of socks to customers in the U.S. and 44 other countries. The company has grown solely through word of mouth on social media — primarily Facebook — and unsolicited media coverage.
College is a time to stretch yourself and try something else on for size. And that doesn’t just apply to taking different classes or joining a new club — it also extends to internships. Armed with the strength of a liberal arts education, and often taking full advantage of a robust alumni network, College of the Holy Cross students are scoring internships that open both their eyes and surprising career paths.
