St. Vincent’s Lower Church

A Holy Nation? Saints in the Making from the USA

The winter season will focus on five Americans who are at different stages of the Church’s process of canonization, whose lives show us that sanctity is possible even in our own time and place.

Monday, January 12, 2026
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Thomas Vander Woude by Chris Vander Woude

With permission from ecclesiastical authorities to open a cause for canonization, Chris Vander Woude reflects on the life and heroic death of his father, Thomas Vander Woude (†2008). Through personal witness, Chris invites us to consider holiness lived quietly, faithfully, and to the end.

Step more deeply into the mysteries of the faith. This ongoing series of adult formation meets on (most) Monday evenings in the Lower Church at St. Vincent’s. Guided by our Parish priests and occasional guest speakers, we open the treasures of Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, the story of the Church, and the beauty of theology. Each season offers new themes, inviting us to grow in knowledge and in love of Christ. Our winter season will focus on American witnesses of holiness from varied backgrounds. Three, with ties to New York City, offer a living portrait of what it means to follow Christ in America.

St. Vincent’s Lower Church
869 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY

Other talks in this series:

• January 19 – Blessed Stanley Rother by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.
• January 26 – Servant of God Dorothy Day by Professor Kevin Ahern
• February 9 – Venerable Pierre Toussaint by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.
• February 16 – Venerable Rose Hawthorne by Sr. Mary dePaul and Sr. Mary Joseph, O.P.

A Holy Nation? Saints in the Making from the USA

The winter season will focus on five Americans who are at different stages of the Church’s process of canonization, whose lives show us that sanctity is possible even in our own time and place.

Monday, January 19, 2026
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Blessed Stanley Rother by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.

Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P., will share the story of Blessed Stanley Rother, the first American-born priest to be officially recognized as a martyr. Ordained in Oklahoma, Blessed Stanley gave his life in missionary service to the Church in Guatemala, where he was killed in 1981.

Step more deeply into the mysteries of the faith. This ongoing series of adult formation meets on (most) Monday evenings in the Lower Church at St. Vincent’s. Guided by our Parish priests and occasional guest speakers, we open the treasures of Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, the story of the Church, and the beauty of theology. Each season offers new themes, inviting us to grow in knowledge and in love of Christ. Our winter season will focus on American witnesses of holiness from varied backgrounds. Three, with ties to New York City, offer a living portrait of what it means to follow Christ in America.

St. Vincent’s Lower Church
869 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY

Other talks in this series:

• January 12 – Thomas Vander Woude by Chris Vander Woude
• January 26 – Servant of God Dorothy Day by Professor Kevin Ahern
• February 9 – Venerable Pierre Toussaint by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.
• February 16 – Venerable Rose Hawthorne by Sr. Mary dePaul and Sr. Mary Joseph, O.P.

A Holy Nation? Saints in the Making from the USA

The winter season will focus on five Americans who are at different stages of the Church’s process of canonization, whose lives show us that sanctity is possible even in our own time and place.

Monday, January 26, 2026
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Servant of God Dorothy Day by Professor Kevin Ahern

Prof. Ahern is chair of the Dorothy Day Guild and professor of Religious Studies at Manhattan College. He will share the dramatic life story of the Servant of God and founder of the Catholic Worker movement.

Step more deeply into the mysteries of the faith. This ongoing series of adult formation meets on (most) Monday evenings in the Lower Church at St. Vincent’s. Guided by our Parish priests and occasional guest speakers, we open the treasures of Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, the story of the Church, and the beauty of theology. Each season offers new themes, inviting us to grow in knowledge and in love of Christ. Our winter season will focus on American witnesses of holiness from varied backgrounds. Three, with ties to New York City, offer a living portrait of what it means to follow Christ in America.

St. Vincent’s Lower Church
869 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY

Other talks in this series:

• January 12 – Thomas Vander Woude by Chris Vander Woude
• January 19 – Blessed Stanley Rother by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.
• February 9 – Venerable Pierre Toussaint by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.
• February 16 – Venerable Rose Hawthorne by Sr. Mary dePaul and Sr. Mary Joseph, O.P.

A Holy Nation? Saints in the Making from the USA

The winter season will focus on five Americans who are at different stages of the Church’s process of canonization, whose lives show us that sanctity is possible even in our own time and place.

Monday, February 9, 2026
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Venerable Pierre Toussaint by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.

Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P., reflects on the life of Venerable Pierre Toussaint, born into slavery in Haiti and later freed in America. In New York City, Pierre became a witness to Christian charity through a life devoted to generosity, humility, and care for the poor.

Step more deeply into the mysteries of the faith. This ongoing series of adult formation meets on (most) Monday evenings in the Lower Church at St. Vincent’s. Guided by our Parish priests and occasional guest speakers, we open the treasures of Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, the story of the Church, and the beauty of theology. Each season offers new themes, inviting us to grow in knowledge and in love of Christ. Our winter season will focus on American witnesses of holiness from varied backgrounds. Three, with ties to New York City, offer a living portrait of what it means to follow Christ in America.

St. Vincent’s Lower Church
869 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY

Other talks in this series:

• January 12 – Thomas Vander Woude by Chris Vander Woude
• January 19 – Blessed Stanley Rother by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.
• January 26 – Servant of God Dorothy Day by Professor Kevin Ahern
• February 16 – Venerable Rose Hawthorne by Sr. Mary dePaul and Sr. Mary Joseph, O.P.

A Holy Nation? Saints in the Making from the USA

The winter season will focus on five Americans who are at different stages of the Church’s process of canonization, whose lives show us that sanctity is possible even in our own time and place.

Monday, February 16, 2026
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Venerable Rose Hawthorne by Sr. Mary dePaul and Sr. Mary Joseph, O.P.

Two of her sisters in the Hawthorne Dominicans will share the life and work of their foundress, the daughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne and servant of the poor with incurable cancer.

Step more deeply into the mysteries of the faith. This ongoing series of adult formation meets on (most) Monday evenings in the Lower Church at St. Vincent’s. Guided by our Parish priests and occasional guest speakers, we open the treasures of Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, the story of the Church, and the beauty of theology. Each season offers new themes, inviting us to grow in knowledge and in love of Christ. Our winter season will focus on American witnesses of holiness from varied backgrounds. Three, with ties to New York City, offer a living portrait of what it means to follow Christ in America.

St. Vincent’s Lower Church
869 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY

Other talks in this series:

• • January 12 – Thomas Vander Woude by Chris Vander Woude
  • January 19 – Blessed Stanley Rother by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.
  • January 26 – Servant of God Dorothy Day by Professor Kevin Ahern
  • February 9 – Venerable Pierre Toussaint by Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.