Women of Grace® Event Details
Benedicta Online Course: “The Dignity of Dust: Contemplating Our Humanity”
According to the timeless ancient axiom, agere sequitur esse – “doing follows being.” In order to know how to act, we first must know who we are. This course asks the question, “Who is the human being?” Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and Caryll Houselander are two prominent twentieth-century Catholic women who offer sustained reflection on this vital question. By exploring their enlightening lives and writings, students will encounter the truth, goodness and beauty of the meaning of being human.
Participants will read required texts, view weekly instructional videos, respond to weekly posts based on readings, and attend Zoom sessions each Thursday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm to discuss insights gained through the readings and have questions answered.
Course:
“The Dignity of Dust: Contemplating Our Humanity”
3 credits
Theme:
God and the Human Person
Instructor:
Date:
October 19 - November 22, 2026
Financial Aid:
Limited additional financial assistance may be available through the Forwarding Grace Assistance Program. To Inquire, please call 1-800-558-5452.
Required Texts:
The Passion of the Infant Christ by Caryll Houselander
Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by John Paul II
Human and Divine Being by Donald Wallenfang OCDS, PhD
Phenomenology: A Basic Introduction in the Light of Jesus Christ by Donald Wallenfang, OCDS, PhD.
Metaphysics: A Basic Introduction in a Christian Key by Donald Wallenfang, OCDS, PhD.
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Donald Wallenfang, OCDS, PhD
Donald Wallenfang, OCDS, PhD is a Secular Discalced Carmelite, Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and Academic Advisor for the Benedicta Institute. He received his MTS from St Norbert College and his PhD in systematic theology from Loyola University Chicago. He has published twelve books as well as numerous articles and book chapters on a variety of topics in Catholic theology and philosophy. His areas of expertise merge at the intersection of Carmelite spirituality, phenomenology, metaphysics, and sacramental theology. Wallenfang served in full-time Catholic youth and young adult ministry for nine years. He has been married to his wife, Megan, for twenty-three years and has six children.
