Humanities Lecture Features the Beauty of Medieval Literature

The O’Donovan Humanities Lecture is an annual event, featuring scholars and artists from around the country, which aims to instill a deeper appreciation of the importance of the humanities in everyday life. Named after the first Headmistress of Oakcrest, Pat O'Donovan—who opened Oakcrest in 1976 with 22 girls in Washington, D.C.—the lecture honors her legacy as a gifted teacher who could convey to students the joy of learning. Oakcrest hopes to spread this joy to others in the community through this annual lecture. Past speakers have included Harvard faculty member and former American Enterprise Institute president Arthur Brooks, author Meghan Cox-Gurdon, and President of Wyoming Catholic College Dr. Glenn Arbery. 

In this year’s lecture, Professor Vitz will take audience members on an exciting journey through seven of her favorite medieval works from England, France, and Spain, drawing on romance, epic, crusade chronicle, and theatre. She will explore some of the fascinating history and themes in these great—and appealing—Catholic works from the Middle Ages.

 

Professor Vitz received her Ph.D. in French from Yale University. A specialist in medieval literature, she is the author of many scholarly books and articles. She has received numerous awards including National Endowment for the Humanities, French Government grants, and New York University “Golden Dozen” Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

 

She is also the author of the well-known Christian cookbook, A Continual Feast, which celebrates faith and family throughout the liturgical year. Professor Vitz is married to psychologist Paul C. Vitz. The Vitzes are the parents of six children, and at present they have 22 grandchildren.

This event is free and open to the public. It will be livestreamed with limited in-person seating. To learn more, click here.