Groundings is a monthly lecture series offered September through May by Sacred Ground in collaboration with Loyola Spirituality Center and the Ignatian Spirituality Center at Saint Thomas More. Groundings is open to anyone interested in deepening their spirituality, their capacity for deep listening, and their contemplative engagement in our world.
In the 1990s, social reformer and activist bell hooks (1952-2021) famously described our American society as a “white supremacist, capitalist, patriarchy.” And she called on us to commit to life practices to dismantle all of it.
But in the ten years or so before her death, she was using the word “practice” in an entirely new way. Her view of us as a society in crisis had not changed, but another kind of practice was now at the fore. She put it this way in a 2016 conversation with Black American philosopher George Yancy:
My Buddhist Christian practice challenges me, as does feminism.... I talk about spirituality more now than ever before, because I see my students suffering more than ever before. It’s just so much demand that has led them to depression, to addiction, or suicide... Feminism does not ground me. It is the discipline that comes from spiritual practice that is the foundation of my life. Discipline starts with a spiritual practice. It’s just every day, every day, every day. (See George Yancy, On Race. 34 Conversations in a Time of Crisis. (2017) Chapter one is a conversation with bell hooks.)
In August 2024, Bill McDonough embarked on the 40-day, 500-plus mile Camino de Santiago de Compotela pilgrimage across Spain and carried with him bell hook’s thoughts on practice.
Join us as he shares what this experience is teaching him about spiritual practice for our “every day, every day, every day” in this difficult age.
Bill McDonough taught theology at St. Catherine University for twenty-six years, where he also coordinated the graduate theology program for the last fourteen years. After (almost) retiring in late summer 2024, he spent September and early October walking the 500-mile Camino Frances on the pilgrimage from the French border to Santiago de Compostela. Bill continues to work part time at St. Kate's directing the Initiative for Contemplative Discipleship.
Registration is helpful, but not required. A $20 suggested donation to help cover costs may be paid at the door or online.
We are happy to be able to offer a live Zoom link to those who are unable to attend this event in person. You will need to request the zoom link when you register.