ATLANTA, GA (Catholic Online) - As the beatification of the Venerable John Paul II draws near I have been reflecting on his monumental contributions. Those who read me know of my  conviction concerning the role that the new and renewed Catholic Colleges and Universities have in the "New Evangelization". One of his great contributions was the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities, From the Heart of the Church (Ex Corde Ecclesia). The sign of fidelity in a Catholic College is their  embrace of this Apostolic Constitution. 

I am deeply pained to read of "Catholic" Colleges which have lost their way. I am glad there are groups such as the Cardinal Newman Society to expose the all too frequent accounts of infidelity and shine the light of truth on these institutions. They call these erring institutions out of darkness and into the light. Some will turn and be authentically renewed. Some may not.

However, there are a growing number of authentically Catholic Colleges and Universities. They are among our greatest missionary resources. They are forming the "living stones" the Apostle Peter wrote of in his first letter to the dispersed Christians (1 Pet. 2:5) for the work of the Church in the Third Christian millennium. The men and women graduating from these Colleges will lead the West out of darkness and serve the new missionary age of the Catholic Church.

The missionary task we face requires the preparation of young men and women in the fullness of the authentic Catholic faith which only an authentically Catholic education can provide. That is why I am becoming a booster of this little Gem in the crown of Christ the King called Holy Spirit College. I recently spoke with the President of Holy Spirit College, Gareth N. Genner. 

The occasion which prompted our conversation was the transfer of ownership of one of my favorite Catholic Book Publishers, Sophia Institute Press. Recently I went through the annual ritual of clearing my shelves of books in order to make room for more. As I packed the boxes, my dear wife of 35 years played the role which keeps me from being overwhelmed by books in my home office. We haggled over many books and, as usual, she won most of the disputes.

That was until I reached one of my all time favorite books, "Trojan Horse in the City of God" by the late Dietrich von Hildebrand. It was one of the beautifully presented classic Catholic books adorning my shelves published by Sophia Institute Press. I have kept it readily available for years. I refused to part with it because it is a regular reference. She didn't argue with me on that one. I wondered if it was partly due to its sheer aesthetic beauty. So, after that experience, when I read the Press release that Holy Spirit College and Thomas More College of Liberal Arts had purchased Sophia Institute Press I was pleased to discuss the news with Gareth Genner, the President of Holy Spirit College. 

This latest news concerning Holy Spirit College only adds to the growing regard I have for the College. Holy Spirit College is preparing the missionaries of the new missionary age and the future leaders of the Church and the world. After many years of serving the Lord I am convinced there is no more important work than Catholic education. We are involved in an intergenerational effort.

In the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities entitled "From the Heart of the Church (Ex Corde Ecclesia)" Blessed John Paul II explained the link between the New Evangelization and Catholic Colleges: "By its very nature, each Catholic university makes an important contribution to the Church's work of evangelization. It is a living institutional witness to Christ and his message, so vitally important in cultures marked by secularism, or where Christ and his message are still virtually unknown."

Holy Spirit College lives, as this deacon tries to live, in the heart of the Church for the sake of the world. It has a clear self understanding of its mission. Its undergraduate College will remain small in number and focus on preparing students for degrees which will be of direct service to the Church. In August 2010 the College admitted its inaugural cadre of full-time undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Philosophy Degree.

The students of Holy Spirit College pursue majors in Philosophy, ...