A Lamp in the Darkness - How Faithful Catholic Colleges Are Helping to Save the Church by Anne Hendershott, David Willey

For decades, the upper level of the Catholic education system has struggled to preserve its identity. In an ongoing effort to meet the financial and reputational demands of academia, many Catholic colleges and universities have conformed to the world instead of to the gospel.

Happily, there are still beacons of hope out there, as Dr. Anne Hendershott of Franciscan University reveals through powerful examples of Catholic witness in institutions of higher learning nationwide. Through courageous testimonies, you will discover how to rebuild educational establishments to form the saints who will transform every field, just as St. Francis of Assisi renewed the Church in his time.

Founded ex corde ecclesiae, “from the heart of the Church,” Christocentric colleges ignite the fire of the Faith for new generations. As Dr. Hendershott contrasts them with more secular colleges, you will acquire context for the present-day challenges and discover the concrete ways in which committed Catholic universities live out their mission. Highlights include:

The background and impact of “open circle” education on Catholic culture
The true mission of every Catholic university, according to St. John Paul II and Ven. Fulton J. Sheen
How Fr. Mike Scanlon, T.O.R., transformed Franciscan University from a failing party school into one of the most outstanding Catholic universities in America
Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan’s vision and generosity in building Ave Maria University
Different approaches to teaching liberal arts curriculum in faithful Catholic schools
The crucial role of liturgy, worship, and the sacraments in spiritually forming students
A definitive list of authentic Catholic colleges and universities
As you learn about the institutional fidelity and liturgical character of these institutions, you will observe how the finest Catholic colleges navigate the issues of academic freedom enlightened by Church teachings and how, despite worldly attacks, they remain steadfast in their mission to form souls for Heaven.

Endorsements
This is the most searing, and well-deserved, indictment of the current state of Catholic higher education in print. Hendershott speaks with authority when she notes that the Catholic temptation to be affirmed by secular elites frequently proves to be overwhelming and disastrous in the end. She is not a pessimist. She nicely chronicles those institutions that are true to Catholicism, detailing how some that have gone awry have been rejuvenated. Her cogent analysis, peppered with evidence, should be read by all Catholic parents considering a Catholic college or university for their children. She has done the Catholic community a wonderful favor by writing this book.

Bill Donohue

The pages that unfold in this master work on Catholic higher education manifest the keen and piercing intellect of its author, Dr. Anne Hendershott. The sheer complexity and volume of issues that led to the rise, the fall, and the slow recovery of Catholic universities and colleges, requires extraordinary mastery of the material. In the last analysis, Catholic orthodoxy will be victorious because truth is the lamp that cannot be extinguished.

Charles Nemeth

Anne Hendershott’s A Lamp In the Darkness powerfully and insightfully describes and dissects the enormous, disturbing drift of the vast majority of professed Roman Catholic colleges and universities away from fidelity to Catholic doctrine and practice, looking at not only the “what” but also the “how” and the “why” for the decline of faithfully Catholic higher education in the United States. But she also explores, in depth, the few, mostly relatively young, intrepid, faithfully Catholic colleges and universities that really are lamps in the darkness, supporting and serving their Church. This fascinating book is a must-read for all who care about truly Catholic higher education in the United States, and, frankly, it is also extremely instructive for those trying to advance and preserve orthodox Christian higher education outside the Roman Catholic Church.

David Ayers

Anne Hendershott is a treasure to the Catholic Church in America. This lucidly argued book is Exhibit A: essential for Catholic educators everywhere and at every level.

Sohrab Ahmari

Anne Hendershott has once again written a brilliant book that accurately and vividly captures the true state of affairs within Catholic higher education. With that said, the good news is that she proceeds to articulate a genuine reason for hope that exists, as she highlights what a number of truly faithful Catholic colleges and universities are doing to be countercultural . . . to indeed be beacons of hope for students, parents, and other institutions who are searching for authentic Catholic education.

Tom Monaghan

320 Pages, Paperback