Sister Mary Angelica Neenan, O.P., S.T.D., earned her doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in Moral Theology in 2011. Having taught all grades as well as college since 1994, she also directed the study abroad program for Aquinas College in Bracciano, Italy, for 3 years. Sister Mary Angelica is a trained portrait painter, having studied in Boston, MA. She considers Theology as an inexhaustible contemplation of the mystery of God, and is delighted to be a part of the UD Theology faculty.
EDUCATION
S.T.D., Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome
S.T.L., Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome
S.T.B., Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome
B.A., Art, Belmont University, Nashville, TN, Cert. Education 1-12
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Fundamental Theology - the nature and purpose of Theology, Thomistic schools of thought,
Aquinas' lesser known writings, theological anthropology.
Moral Theology - Aquinas' over-all theology of morality, emphasis on virtues and vices,
the place of law and conscience for morality, philosophical presuppositions in theories
of morality.
Spiritual Theology - classical writings of the Saints, growth and stumbling blocks
in the spiritual life.
RECENT COURSES
THE 1310 Understanding the Bible
THE 2311 Western Theological Traditions
THE 3341 Moral Theology
THE 4V57/5356 Mariology
THE 5300/6V77 Aquinas on Scripture
THE 5300/6346 Spiritual Theology
THE 6v77 Theology of the Priesthood
THE 6341 Fundamental Moral Theology
THE 6344 Marital Covenant
THE 6390 Theology and Nature and Mission of the Priesthood
TMIN 5350 Moral Theology
PUBLICATIONS
“Faith and Conscience“ in Ex Latere Christi (Publication online of the Pontifical North American College), Winter 2022, vol.
3.
“Et Tu Virtus? Challenges to Teaching Virtue to Young Adults: Anecdotal Evidence of Need for the Teaching of Fr. Servais Pinckaers“ in Ex Latere Christi (Publication online of the Pontifical North American College), Summer 2021, vol. 2.
Woman: Her Nature & Virtues: Thoughts Taken from Saint Edith Stein and St. Thomas Aquinas. LBP Publications, 2018.
The Nature of the Human Soul: Philosophical Anthropology and Moral Theology.Cluny Media Edition, 2017.
PRESENTATIONS
“The Nature of the Will and True Freedom” at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
for the Thomistic Institute, Boston, MA, March 15, 2022.
“True Freedom vs. False Freedom” for Bridgewater State Campus chapel, Bridgewater, MA, March 17, 2022.
“The Nature of the Soul as Receiver of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty” for Thomistic Institute at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, October 13, 2021.
“Challenges to Teaching Virtue to Young Adults” for Virtue Applied Conference, at University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland, October 26, 2018.
“Grace Upon Grace: How Grace Works in the Soul” for the Authenticum Series, Grand Rapids, MI, March 1, 2018.
“Introduction to Moral Theology” and “Sacraments in general, especially Baptism”,
given to catechists of the Diocese of Nashville, Nashville, TN, October 21, 2017.
“St. Thomas Aquinas and the Summa Theologiae” given to the Dominican Laity, Nashville Chapter, Nashville, TN, October 8, 2017.
“The Last 4 Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell” for the Catechetical Formation Program
of Aquinas College, given to catechists of the Diocese of Nashville, Brentwood, TN,
October 8, 2016.
“Feminine Virtue according to St. Edith Stein” given to young women at Emmanuel School
of Mission, Rome, Italy, April 5, 2016.
“What is a vocation?” given to young adults at the Eucharistic Congress of Charlotte,
North Carolina, September 14, 2013.