Institute for Communication and Religion

Music: Global Doorway to the Sacred - A History of Music

In this series, Seton Hall University's Dr. Gloria Thurmond explores the connection between music and the experience of the Sacred within the context of diverse global religious traditions.

This episode features a discussion of the parallel histories of secular and religious music, and how each inspires experiences of the holy. Thurmond explores how secular music and religious music influenced each other, and how both are used to communicate ideas and initiate encounters with the sacred.

"Whether religious or secular, music is a universal language of transformation and transcendence." - Dr. Thurmond

Music: Global Doorway to the Sacred - Hindu Tradition

In this series, Seton Hall University's Dr. Gloria Thurmond explores the connection between music and the experience of the Sacred within the context of diverse global religious traditions.

This episode features discussion of Hindu religious music. Thurmond compares devotional music and literature in the Hindu Vedic tradition and the early Judeo-Christian community.

"Whether religious or secular, music is a universal language of transformation and transcendence." - Dr. Thurmond

CORECast: Perpetua

CORECast features professors and students discussing religious and philosophical texts from Seton Hall University’s core classes with the goal of introducing these books to a general audience of non-expert beginners.

This episode features student Frank Hunter, graduate student and teacher of Latin, and Dr. Nancy Enright, Professor of English and Director of the University Core. It is hosted by Bernie Wagenblast, a Seton Hall Communication alum. Together they will explore the writings of Perpetua.

The Wisdom and Practices of Mother Theresa

Dr. Katherine Hinic presents "The Wisdom and Practices of Mother Theresa" from Seton Hall's Inciting Peace from the Inside Out workshop (2/7/23).

Inciting Peace from the Inside Out was an inter-disciplinary workshop on contemplative peacemaking, exploring the contemplative practices behind some of history's greatest thinkers and how we might apply their lessons to our own selves and communities.  Video footage of the workshop can be found on YouTube, here.

Spiritual Practices of Peace and Resistance in Ukraine

Keynote speaker Dr. Nick Sooy presents "Spiritual Practices of Peace and Resistance in Ukraine" from Seton Hall's Inciting Peace from the Inside Out workshop (2/7/23).

Inciting Peace from the Inside Out was an inter-disciplinary workshop on contemplative peacemaking, exploring the contemplative practices behind some of history's greatest thinkers and how we might apply their lessons to our own selves and communities.  Video footage of the workshop can be found on YouTube, here.

The Wisdom and Practices of Howard Thurman

Dr. Jon Radwan presents "The Wisdom and Practices of Howard Thurman" from Seton Hall's Inciting Peace from the Inside Out workshop (2/7/23).

Inciting Peace from the Inside Out was an inter-disciplinary workshop on contemplative peacemaking, exploring the contemplative practices behind some of history's greatest thinkers and how we might apply their lessons to our own selves and communities.  Video footage of the workshop can be found on YouTube, here.

The Spiritual Heart of the Struggle for Racial Peace and Justice

Rev. Dr. Forrest Pritchett presents "The Spiritual Heart of the Struggle for Racial Peace and Justice" from Inciting Peace from the Inside Out (2/7/23).

Inciting Peace from the Inside Out was an inter-disciplinary workshop on contemplative peacemaking, exploring the contemplative practices behind some of history's greatest thinkers and how we might apply their lessons to our own selves and communities.  Video footage of the workshop can be found on YouTube, here.

Special Reading: The Gift of the Magi

Dr. Gloria Thurmond reads the classic Christmas story, "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.

Join Dr. Thurmond as she explores different religious musical traditions in our four-part series, Music: Global Doorway to the Sacred. The first episode features a discussion of Latin Plainchant.

CORECast: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave

CORECast features professors and students discussing religious and philosophical texts from Seton Hall University’s core classes with the goal of introducing these books to a general audience of non-expert beginners.

This episode features student Joseph Brennan '26 and Dr. Gregory Floyd, CORE Fellow and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies. It is hosted by Bernie Wagenblast, a Seton Hall Communication alum. Together they will explore Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

Music: Global Doorway to the Sacred - Latin Plainchant

In this series, Seton Hall University's Dr. Gloria Thurmond explores the connection between music and the experience of the Sacred within the context of diverse global religious traditions.

This inaugural episode features discussion of Latin Plainchant. Latin plainchant emerged during the fifth (5th) century in Church history. Latin plainchant is a combination of timeless truth and spiritual narratives expressed through heightened speech (or chant.) Text and music, together, constituting sung prayer, are appreciated for their power to illume the mind, and move the heart.

"Whether religious or secular, music is a universal language of transformation and transcendence." - Dr. Thurmond