Canonizing Canines?: A Dog “Saint” and Medieval Christians

Fr. Michael Maher, S.J. entered the Society of Jesus in 1975. He received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy at St. Louis University, two master’s degrees in theology—one in systematic, and the other in historical theology—at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and his Doctorate in History at the University of Minnesota. In doctoral studies, he specialized in Early Modern History, particularly Jesuit history with an interest in Jesuits in China during the late 16th early 17th centuries. Realizing that four degrees would not be sufficient to teach someone 6 years out of grade school, he went on for further studies at the Jesuit and Vatican archives Rome. Among those studying dowery patterns in the first decade of the 17th century administered by the Jesuits in the city of Rome, he is considered one of the leading experts. In the future, he hopes to become more specialized in his research. His scholarship has been published in distinguished presses including, but not limited to, Brill, The Archive for Reformation Studies, and the Maria Goretti Parish bulletin.

Fr. Maher has taught in Omaha, Pine Ridge, St. Louis, Seoul, Korea and Milwaukee. His administrative assignments have included running a school in Florence Italy, chair of history and director of Catholic Studies at Gonzaga University, and financial secretary of Knights of Columbus Council 6883. Fr. Maher currently teaches in the History department at Marquette University and continues his constant crusade against the indignities committed against the topic sentence. In addition to teaching, Fr. Maher gives retreats and lectures on topics of spiritual and historical interest.

A Jesuit priest originally from Buffalo, New York, Steve has earned graduate degrees in history and theology. During his doctoral studies at Notre Dame, he was the recipient of the Birgit Baldwin Fellowship from the Medieval Academy of America. This fellowship allowed for two years of work in France with archives and manuscripts. After entering the Society of Jesus, he taught history at Marquette University for several years prior to coming to Boston College to study for ordination and joining the faculty.

An expert on medieval Carthusian monks, he specializes in twelfth- and thirteenth-century religious life as well as the history of medieval cities. He also has an interest in Eucharistic theory.