Donald Goergen, O.P., Ph.D., is a Dominican priest, teacher, lecturer, and author. He has published many articles and ten books in the areas of Christology and Christian Spirituality. His most recent book was Fire of Love: Encountering the Holy Spirit. He has taught, lectured and given retreats in Asia, Africa, and throughout North America. He was previously Provincial for the Dominican Friars of the Central Province as well as President of the Dominican Leadership Conference.
He co-founded the Dominican Ashram, a contemplative Dominican community and ministry of prayer, in which he lived for nine years. He previously taught and currently teaches at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO, where he is also prior of the formation community. His doctorate is in systematic theology, his dissertation on Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and his current interests include contemplative traditions, East and West, the evolution of consciousness, and the thought of Thomas Aquinas as a spiritual master. Among other honors awarded him, he is the recipient of the 2010 Yves Congar Award from Barry University in Miami.
Praise for Donald Goergen
“The finest professor with whom I have had the privilege to study, Don’s style is at once captivating and endearing.” – Fr. Raymond-Marie Bryce, O.P., Associate Pastor, Indiana University
“Fr. Goergen is a contemplative person, very much in tune with contemporary spirituality. He has carried many administrative responsibilities with steady competence. He possesses the Midwestern virtues of hard work and sober judgment, along with a ready humor.” – Benedict T. Viviano, O.P., biblical scholar
“Few have Fr. Don Goergen’s understanding of the elusive depths of Dominican spirituality. His living of our Dominican life shines through his body of published work on the Holy Spirit as well as his down to earth recorded lectures and retreats on Chardin and our own Eckhart.” – Mr. Joseph J. Komadina, O.P.
“Father Don Goergen, O.P., is a master of the spiritual life. He has not only studied Christian spirituality for many years but has put into practice in his adult life all of those key elements which enable one to grow in holiness…. Let Don show you with the way with his wisdom and insights.” – Father Harry Byrne, O.P., Professor Emeritus, Aquinas Institute of Theology
“Studying Christology with Donald Goergen, OP almost two decades ago forever changed my understanding of Jesus of Nazareth, and continues to shape my prayer and preaching to this day. I am thrilled that Don’s research and insight will now be available to a wider audience.”
– Ann M. Garrido, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Aquinas Institute of Theology
“Don Goergen has spent his life meditating on the meaning of Jesus and his mission… His work, whether spoken or written, is always holistic: intellectually satisfying, strengthening the heart, socially and pastorally sensitive.” – Vivian Boland OP, socius to the Master of the Order of Preachers
Ellen Kelly, Astoria, NY USA –
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Gave me a deeper appreciation for the work of Teilhard and rounded out some of my learning re: the new cosmology
Sr. Phyllis Jaszkowiak, Portland, OR USA –
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Taught me more about Teilhard’s thought and spirituality. Great series to begin to understand better evolution in the world and in faith.
Barbara Sabonis-Chafee, East Windsor, CT USA –
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Teilhard’s writings are very complex and challenging, they are clear and easy to understand in this program. I especially like that they can be listened to during long drives making double use of the drive time and increasing the pleasure of the drive. They also can be listened to many times to increase understanding of what I believe to be the greatest mind of the 20th Century.
Timothy Sullivan, Dedham, MA –
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The presenter does an excellent job of digesting Teilhard’s thoughts so we lay folk can absorb concepts we never would have if we had just read his essays. Every one attending this parish sponsored series is thrilled with the course.
Anonymous –
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Course provides a great overview of this unique individual and his vision.
Rev Steve Lawler, Ferguson, Missouri –
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Each of these courses is clear, shows great depth and really helps with the application to daily life.
Al –
Life is a story problem from the Creator.
Life is a story problem from the Creator. Teilhard de Chardin helps us to discern the story and gives us the challenge to follow through to participate in the story of creation and doing our part to move it to its dramatic conclusion and denouement.
Barbara –
I believe his genius is equal to those Giants who have revolutionized the way we think and understand truth.
Teilhard de Chardin is the first scientist/ theologian to identify the need to reunite science and religion and provide the foundation for doing so. I believe his genius is equal to those Giants who have revolutionized the way we think and understand truth. It is important for our future that the public begin to recognize that. Your media is helping that happen.
Patricia –
It opened my eyes to help me link my prayer and study.
De Chardin by Goergen was the first NYKM course I listened to. His enthusiasm was so contagious & his insights inspirational. It opened my eyes to help me link my prayer and study.
Grace –
A thoughtful, reverent presentation related to the road ahead.
My experience with many religious programs is that we are, in the words of Marshall McLuhan, driving into the future with our eyes on the rear view mirror. This is a thoughtful, reverent presentation related to the road ahead.
Don –
Father Pierre Tielhard was, I think, the first priest/ theologian/scientist to recast biological evolution in a theological framework.
Father Pierre Tielhard was, I think, the first priest/ theologian/scientist to recast biological evolution in a theological framework. His contribution in bridging the gap between science and faith too often goes unnoticed–even among Catholics.
Joe –
Learned a great deal about de Chardin, his philosophy, role and impact .
Learned a great deal about de Chardin, his philosophy, role and impact .
Martha –
Provides a clear, refreshing, and relevant foundation for catholicity at the dawn of the twenty-first century.
Fr. Donald Goergen’s course, Teilhard de Chardin’s Cosmic Christology and Christian Cosmology, provides a clear, refreshing, and relevant foundation for catholicity at the dawn of the twenty-first century.
Barbara –
All advanced thinking recognizes the need to move from a static to an evolutionary worldview.
It is my conviction that Teilhard de Chardin has given the world the foundation for moving to a new level of understanding between science and religion. They are not in conflict and recognizing their compability is essential for comprehending man’s place in the evolution of both matter and spirit. All advanced thinking recognizes the need to move from a static to an evolutionary worldview.
John –
Very informative!
Very informative. Clear and easy to understand; well-paced. The course took a very complex subject and made it simple. The presenter (Fr. Goergen) was obviously very well-schooled in the subject.
Anonymous –
Listening to the CD helped me to better understand what I had been reading by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
Listening to the CD helped me to better understand what I had been reading by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
R. Vasquez –
The program on Teilhard de Chardin was well thought out.
The program on Teilhard de Chardin was well thought out. Explained his thinking, or rather the evolution of his thinking, and spiritual development.
Patricia S. A., NY –
Fall Survey: October 2016
Fr. Goergen provides an insightful review of the life, the times, and the writings of Teilhard De Chardin. Fr. Goergen introduces topics from Chardins life experiences and the development of thought over his lifetime and subsequently where theologians have continued for the past 100 years.
Grace S., NJ –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Teilhard’s thought points to the future and ties together science and spirituality. Father Goergen lays out his thought in a way that connects it to modern experience and sensibility. I have frequently used one or the other of his lectures as a basis for prayer.
Peter E., CA –
Winter Survey: January 2017
The author and the teacher, Donald Goergen, O.P. tread new ground in both religious insights and in an appreciation of the material universe and embodiment. This prepares the way for contemporary writers understanding both theology and its crossroads with physical science.
Paul V., MO –
Spring Survey: April 2017
Comprehensive, didn’t insult my intelligence,(or lack of…), pushed me to take concepts past context of course.
Anonymous –
Spring Survey: April 2017
Excellent, thorough
Mickey S., Liverpool, UK –
Spring Survey: April 2017
The Teilhard de Chardin course gives an excellent overview of an intriguing man and his thoughts, ideas and beliefs
Patricia A., NY –
Summer Survey: July 2017
Father Goergen has an unbridled enthusiasm as he shows how the developments of Chardin’s writings came from Chardin’s life experiences and in turn, how we can live with this greater awareness within our own lives.
Greg S., WA –
Summer Survey: July 2017
This was used by a group of about eight meeting daily over about three years. Showed lecture, discussed for an hour, followed by happy hour. An integrating experience of various other series we’ve used.