Episode 22: THE HILLBILLY THOMIST +11 Years MA in Philosophy

Fr. Justin Bolger, O.P., is a Dominican Friar and the Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry at Providence College in Rhode Island. He entered the novitiate for the Dominican Province of St. Joseph in 2012, and graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in 2013 with a Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies degree. He received his B.T.S. and Masters of Divinity from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in 2018 and his S.T.L. in 2020. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2020. He is also a musician of some note: he writes and produces music for a musical preaching initiative, the Hillbilly Thomists. They have recorded 3 albums, two of which have reached the top 5 of the Bluegrass Billboard charts. They have played the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. While a student brother he also helped record 4 albums of sacred music with our schola at the Dominican House of Studies. And before entering the Dominican Order he worked in the music industry and was signed with RCA/Victor. Topics Discussed: Role of Philosophy in his Vocational Path, Life as a Campus Chaplain, Committment to a Way of Life, Actuality and Potentiality, Music Ministry with the Hillbilly Thomists, Advice for Potential Students of Philosophy. Hillbilly Thomists: https://www.hillbillythomists.com/ Providence College: https://www.providence.edu/ Dominican Order: https://opeast.org/about/our-province/