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Margaret F. Grace Lecture

“Where Do I Find Hope?”

The Margaret F. Grace Lecture series is intended to explore ecumenism, world poverty, and social justice.

Subtitled “Where Do I Find Hope,” the series was established in 2001 by the late Margaret F. Grace, a Catholic lay leader and philanthropist who founded the Cardinal Suenens Center at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, to carry out the vision and priorities of the Second Vatican Council.

In 2015, the Grace family chose Mount Saint Vincent to be the lecture series’ new home. Margaret and her husband Peter Grace were longstanding benefactors of the Mount. Their son, Patrick Grace, a trustee emeritus, continues the tradition of generosity and service, which is now further augmented by the honor of hosting the annual Grace Lecture.

Striving to illuminate ecumenism and social justice in the world today, the Margaret F. Grace lecturers and speakers have explored topics that embody the spirit and tradition of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Previous Margaret F. Grace Lecturers

  • Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM
  • Maryann Cusimano Love
  • James Turner Johnson
  • Rev. John Dear
  • Robert Elsberg
  • John L. Allen Jr.
  • Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS
  • Godfried Cardinal Danneels
  • Rev. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI
  • Sr. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ
  • Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ
  • Rev. Richard Rohr, OFM
  • William Cardinal Levada
  • Archb. Michael Fitzgerald, MAfr
  • Rev. Bryan Hehir
  • Rev. Michael Himes
  • Rev. Howard Gray, SJ
  • Rev. Timothy Radcliffe, OP
  • Margaret Steinfels