Thomas J. and Mary H. Loftus Lecture on Catholic Thought and Action

Are Horror Films Catholic?

7 P.M., Wednesday, October 4, 2023 
Yehl Alumni Ballroom 

Why is it that horror films can engage human fear and assuage it at the same time?  Do horror films carry a deeper meaning than merely wanting to "scare the hell out of us" as the great film director Alfred Hitchcock used to say? Award-winning film critic and writer Sister Rose Pacatte, F.S.P. will explore the theological and symbolic relationship between Catholicism, horror films, and our deepest fears and social concerns as well as critical and spiritual ways to engage in film-watching in her upcoming lecture. 

Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP
Award-winning film critic and writer

Daughter of St. Paul Sister Rose Pacatte has a master's in education in Media Studies from the University of London (UK) and a doctorate in pastoral ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation. She is a media literacy education specialist and has co-authored two books on the subject as well as multiple books on film and scripture and two biographies, including one on the actor Martin Sheen. Sister Rose grew up in Southern California and since joining the convent has lived and carried out the communications mission of her community in the US, Guam, the UK, and Italy and has traveled to 28 countries to train parents, youth, teachers, and clergy about being critical consumers of media.