Motivando el conocimiento: Expanding Research in Latin American and Latina/o Studies

Over the past year, we have enjoyed exploring a new area of the broader academic world of Latina/o Studies, a proposal brought to us by Dr. Peter J. Casarella, in the theme of “Latina/o Catholicism Today.” This intriguing topic elicited an array of scholarship and creative production, filling the pages of two issues of Diálogo, volume 16. Our understanding of this significant sub-field, identification of various books and articles published, and specialists at several universities, has been greatly enriched by the submissions received, commentary from expert peer reviewers, and conversations with Dr. Casarella.

We wish for the reader a similar enriching experience, reading and studying the articles brought forth in this volume. The present issue includes new research on Catholic-Latino community impact, and a special tribute to an influential Latino thinker. Earlier this year, Diálogo 16:1 featured a variety of interdisciplinary work and creative pieces related to tradition and history. Upon staffing a table at the Hispanic Literatures Symposium at CSU-Dominguez Hills in early spring, we were impressed with the interest and reaction to our theme by conference attendees, who gravitated to the issue, hot off the press.

Diálogo 16:2 highlights an extensive article by Brazilian scholar Maria Clara Bingemer, on the continued evolution of the Liberation Theology movement in Latin America, articles on a concept of spiritual mestizaje developed by Ohio State University professor Theresa Delgadillo, and the practice of Cursillo in the Midwest, by doctoral candidate Adrian Bautista, followed by a special section of reflections in tribute to the prominent and influential Cuban-American philosopher and theologian, Alejandro García-Rivera.

Following collaborative reflection and dialogue, Peter J. Casarella invited participants in a conference he hosted at DePaul University in 2011, titled, “Cosmic Liturgy: The Vision of Alejandro García-Rivera,” to contribute short essays. The rich response helped shape an excellent retrospective on this influential thinker, in witness, or testimony, of his impact on their lives and work. The eight writers represent a broad range of ages and regions of the U.S. We recommend reading the accounts in sequence for revelations of the intricate connections of life, culture, research and observation, meditation and spirituality. Please enjoy this tribute on the caring manner, deep thought, and legacy of a remarkable human being.

Alejandro García-Rivera came to live in the U.S. at age eight. He grew up in the Midwest, Ohio and Kentucky, and studied biophysics, completing his M.S. at Ohio State University. The defining moment of his life occurred in Seattle, where he was employed as a physicist at Boeing, and was assigned to the Air Launch Cruise Missile project. After years in that area of work, he came suddenly to the realization that the nature of this work was designed only to kill. This awakening led him to leave and study at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, with subsequent ordination to the ministry in the Lutheran Church. Before his return to the Catholic Church—which would launch his leadership in Latina/o Catholic Theology in the U.S.—he led a very poor Puerto Rican community of faith in Allentown, PA, as their pastor and voice against racism. For many years before his untimely death from cancer, he was a faculty member of the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley (today Santa Clara University). From California, he emerged as a preeminent Latino theologian, publishing numerous books, and directing more dissertations by Latina/o theologians than any other scholar at a Catholic University.

The present issue also includes two major interviews conducted by Peter J. Casarella, with experts on topical issues for everyday life: considerations of food, companionship, and the Eucharist; then Mexican-Catholic history, in conversation with a historian about a recent film on the “Christers” revolt in Mexico. Our creative contribution varies from issue to issue; here a lovely contemplation in Spanish on one’s childhood in Mexico City, the memories and impressions of landmarks sensed and viewed before and after wearing glasses.

In each issue, we are pleased to present another...