Eucharistic Motherhood: Venice and Theology

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Venice and Theology

The University of Dallas' Rome Program recently went to Venice. The kids and I were able to join. The University of Dallas invited Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., rector of the Angelicum, as its honored guest. He gave a theological reflection on Tintoretto's masterpiece in the Scuola San Rocco depicting Calvary. See video below.

Spans a huge wall--an incredible masterpiece of baroque art

Detail of Mary standing at the foot of the cross

Look at this rough image of Mary at the Annunciation, in another room in the Scuola San Rocco. Not exactly Titian's Assumption in the Frari Basilica in Venice (below).

Titian's famous Frari Assumption in Venice

Sebo entertaining Spring Romers

I can't get enough of this beautiful city in the course of the day's changing lighting

Back to the Scuola San Rocco

Fr. Thomas Joseph speaking to the students and faculty

Thank you for joining us, Fr. Thomas Joseph!

Here is a video of Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P. speaking on Tintoretto's crucifixion in the Scuola San Rocco. High Christology and fascinating mariology.

https://youtu.be/jytNc_bkf9A

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About Me

Born in Texas, raised in NYC, I earned my Ph.D. in philosophy and married a gorgeous theology student who rides a motorcycle and looks like James Dean. We now have six kids, are based in Irving near the University of Dallas where my husband teaches theology and where I sometimes teach philosophy. We currently live in the Castelli Romani, just outside of Rome, Italy. In addition to teaching some semesters and raising our 6 wonderful children, I am studying theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. Passionate about the vocation of motherhood, I founded a Catholic mother's ministry, Mighty Is Her Call. Our retreats and blog can be explored here: https://mightyishercall.com.

My book, Motherhood: An Extraordinary Vocation was released August 2021.

What's Special about Motherhood?

Motherhood is patterned on the life of Christ, particularly the Eucharist, in a way that no other vocation is. Some mothers shed blood for their children in childbirth--just as Christ shed his blood for us, a gift we celebrate in the Eucharist. Some mothers nourish children with their own bodies--just as Christ nourishes us with his body in the Eucharist. Mothers give themselves up in countless ways for their children--just as Christ gave himself up for us: "This is my body, given up for you." Every aspect of our day, from feeding our children, to cleaning up their messes, to disciplining them, to listening attentively to them, to hugging them, to laughing with them, to cherishing them, reflects the ways Christ gives himself to us. Motherhood is a role fashioned in the image of Christ, more so than perhaps any other vocation. It is singularly close to and reflective of the Heart of Christ.