The Carl J. Peter Lecture

Fr. Carl J. Peter of the Archdiocese of Omaha and professor at the Catholic University of America was a noted theologian, teacher and preacher. To honor his memory the Peter family established the Fr. Carl J. Peter Chair of Homiletics at the Pontifical North American College. Thanks to the generous gift from the family of the late Father Carl J. Peter, devoted alumnus, past faculty member, and from the alumni of the College, the seminary provides an intensive program of seminars, workshops, and courses in homiletics, and the occupant of the Carl J. Peter Chair who coordinates the entire program, especially the required preaching practica in Second, Third, and Fourth Years. The Chair also offers an annual lecture to promote the art of preaching and to remember Fr. Carl J. Peter.  Most of the past lectures are listed below and available for download.

2024
Ms. Peggy Noonan
“What the Church Says in Its Sermons”

2023
Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre, Archbishop of Louisville
“Preaching Against Racism”

2022
Cancelled due to Archbishop Shelton Fabre’s installation as Archbishop of Louisville

2021
Rev. Nicolas Steeves, SJ
“St. John Henry Newman on Preaching the Word of God”

2020
Cancelled due to COVID

2019
Most Rev. Andrew Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis
“The Priestly Vocation to Preach Joyfully: Inviting to the Tramsforming Encounter with Christ”

2018
Most Rev. Bernard A. Hebda, Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis
“Preaching to Indifference: the Gospel that Moves Us to Love as He Does”

2017
Most Rev. Charles J. Gordon, Bishop of Bridgetown, Barbados
“Evangelization: An Ear to the People”

2016
Most Rev. J. Augustine Di Noia, OP
“Preaching the Mysteries of Faith: The Wisdom of the Homiletic Directory”

2015
Rev. Msgr. Stephen Rossetti
“Preaching the Word: When People Stop Listening”

2014
Rev. Nicanor Austriaco, OP
“Preaching Catholic Bioethics with Mercy and Joy”

2013
His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
“Preaching with the Fathers of the Church”

2012
Dr. Elizabeth Lev
“Listen to Learn, See to Believe: Preaching and Art in the Mendicant Orders”

2011
Rev. Robert Barron
“Thomas Aquinas and Why the New Atheists are Right”

2010
His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington
“Preaching the Word of God”

2009
Most Reverend J. Augustine Di Noia, OP
“Crossing Barriers: Preaching to Young Adults”

2008
Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta
“Preaching in a Multi-Cultural Church”

2007
Most Rev. Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of Milwaukee
“Preaching: An Ecclesial Office”

2006
Rev. Robert Barron
“Proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ:
Evangelization in the Context of Contemporary Culture”

2005
Rev. Jeremy Driscoll, OSB
“Preaching in the Context of the Eucharist: A Patristic Perspective”

2004
Rev. Donald Senior, CP
“What the Bible Can Teach the Preacher: The Art of a Catholic Interpretation of Scripture”

2003
Archabbot Lambert Reilly, OSB
“Heart Speaks to Heart”

2002
No lecture

2001
Most Rev. Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop for the Military Services
“Preaching the Truth with Love”

2000
No lecture

1999
His Eminence Cahal Cardinal Daly
“Preaching Reconciliation and Justice”
Dedication of the Carl J. Peter Chair of Preaching