Thomas Scirghi, SJ

Associate Professor Emertius

General Information

Email: [email protected]

  • Th.D. - Boston University
    S.T.L. - Weston Jesuit School of Theology
    M.Div. - Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley
    M.A. - Fordham University
    B.A. - LeMoyne College

    • Sacramental theology
    • Liturgical theology
    • Ritual studies
    • Theological aesthetics
    • Homiletics

    In the 2010s, Fr. Scirghi's interests turned toward practical theology, i.e. an understanding of theology through both practice and theory. His book Everything is Sacred, released in 2012, attempts to explore the sacrament of baptism for an audience of non-theologians who desire a deeper understanding of the faith they regularly practice.

    Fr. Scirghi's interest in theology was initially launched through preaching in a broad sense, that is, telling the story of the Christian tradition in a way that is accessible and inspiring for the current generation. While all areas of theology contribute to this story, for him the sacraments loom large with their symbolic presentation of this tradition. The interest in practical theology was honed during eight years at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, where Fr. Scirghi served as Professor of Liturgical Theology. Much of his work centered upon preparing seminarians for ordination and lay women and men for Ecclesial Lay Ministry. For Fr. Scirghi, the study of the rites of the Church reveals the foundation of our theology.

  • Books

    Longing to See Your Face: Preaching in a Secular Age (Liturgical Press, 2017).

    Everything Is Sacred: An Introduction to the Sacrament of Baptism (Paraclete Press, 2012).

    Living Beauty: The Art of Worship, with Alejandro Garcia-Rivera (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008).

    Articles

    "A Return to Noble Simplicity," "The Presence of Christ in the Assembly," and "Go in Peace, Then What?" Series for Pastoral Liturgy (Spring, Summer, and Fall 2009).

    "An Iconic View of Worship," Liturgy (June 2007).

    "This Blessed Mess: An Embodied Worship," Journal for the School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University (June 2007).

    "Preaching in a Postmodern Context," Questiones Liturgiques 81 (2000), Leuven University.

    Selected Papers and Presentations

    "The Third Roman Missal: Something Old, Something New." Public lecture for the Hekima College Forum, Nairobi, Kenya (January 2009).

    "Of Cathedrals and Casinos: How Buildings Shape Us." Presentation for the Diocesan Congress, Honolulu, Hawaii (February 2008).

    "An Aesthetic Approach to Liturgy." Paper for the International Theological Aesthetics conference, Denver, Colorado (May 2006).