Dominicans are preachers. To release the arrow of God's word through the world, "first the bow (of the preacher) is bent in study, then the arrow is released in preaching" (Hugh of Saint Cher, Commentary on Genesis 9:13).

Study is faith seeking understanding. Saint Dominic recommended some form of theological study for all members of his Order of Preachers. For the nuns of the Order the ongoing, methodical study of sacred truth is an especially important element in their lives. It fosters the life of faith, hope and charity, nourishes their contemplation and helps them fulfill the evangelical counsels with a more enlightened fidelity as well as encouraging unanimity of mind and heart (LCM 100. I & II). The goal of study is nothing less than communion with the Persons of the Blessed Trinity.

Since Saint Thomas Aquinas is one of the best masters the Dominican Order has known, the nuns of the Monastery of Our Lady of Grace wanted to focus during Lent on his teaching about the Paschal Mystery. They invited Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., to give a series of Christology lectures based on Aquinas' teaching in the Summa Theologiae.  His general topic for these Lenten lectures was the saving efficacy of Christ's passion and resurrection for us according to Aquinas.

Father White is a theology professor at the Pontifical Faculty at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.  His schedule of lectures is listed below.

Lecture One: Christ's Two Wills and the Mystery of Gethsemane
Lecture Two: Aquinas' Theology of Atonement
Lecture Three: The Suffering of the Crucified Lord
Lecture Four: The Descent into Hell
Lecture Five: Resurrection from the Dead