Spring Hill College will welcome internationally recognized scholar Gabriel Said Reynolds to The Hill on Thursday, November 12, for the 2026 Hesburgh Heritage Lecture.
The lecture, “God, Sin, and Redemption in Classic Novels,” will begin at 7 p.m. in Byrne Memorial Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Reynolds is the Crowley Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology at the University of Notre Dame and an internationally recognized scholar of Islam and Christianity. He has previously delivered the annual Christus-Hesburgh Lecture at Spring Hill College on Muslim-Christian dialogue and the Bible and Qur’an.
During this year’s lecture, Reynolds will explore various theological themes through three classic novels: War and Peace, The Brothers Karamazov and A Tale of Two Cities. Attendees will reflect on how these stories describe God’s presence, human sinfulness and hopes for redemption. The lecture will also highlight how storytelling can deepen our influence our moral imagination.
The 2026 Hesburgh Heritage Lecture offers students, faculty, staff and community members an opportunity to engage with literature, theology and questions of faith through the perspective of a leading scholar.
Join us at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in Byrne Memorial Hall. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
Email theology@shc.edu for questions and other information.
ABOUT SPRING HILL COLLEGE:
Founded in 1830, Spring Hill College is the oldest Catholic college in the Southeast and the third oldest Jesuit college in the United States. Spring Hill combines the Jesuit tradition of excellence in education and a commitment to caring for the whole person — mind, body and spirit — with innovative educational experiences. Located in Mobile, Ala., Spring Hill’s mission is to form leaders engaged in learning, faith, justice, and service for life. As a result, Spring Hill students are engaged, inspired and transformed by their experiences.