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Fr. Mark Wedig, OP, Elected Prior Provincial, Leaves Aquinas

From the Province of St. Martin de Porres (OP South),

We are pleased to announce that Fr. Mark Wedig, OP, has been elected as Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres. Please keep Fr. Mark and all of the Dominican Friars in your prayers. (Pictured is Fr. Mark just after making the oath of fidelity at the Provincial Chapter.)

See letter below for more information.

A LETTER ON THE PRESIDENTIAL STATUS OF AQUINAS INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY

June 8, 2026

Dear Aquinas Community,

On Saturday, June 6, the provincial chapter of the Province of St Martin de Porres (the Southern Dominican Province) elected Fr. Mark Wedig, OP, as their new prior provincial. It is a wonderful affirmation of the wise, dedicated, and gifted leadership Fr Mark has exhibited over the last seven years as President of Aquinas Institute of Theology. We offer him our warm and heart-felt congratulations, as well as our great gratitude for all he has done for our school.                                                                       

Several months ago, with my Council, and in consultation with the Board of Trustees, we selected Fr Vincent Dávila, OP, to succeed Fr. Mark as President after his term ended. This appointment as our new President will now take place sooner, on July 1.  In accordance with the Aquinas By-Laws, Fr. Michael Mascari, OP, our Vice-President since 2018, has been given the charge to carry out the responsibilities of the President’s Office until Fr. Vincent begins his term as President. Thank you to Fr. Michael for stepping into this role. We are grateful and assured knowing that Aquinas Institute is in his capable hands. 

We again wish to congratulate Fr Mark on this distinguished honor, and in his new role we are confident that he will continue to support the mission of Aquinas Institute and the rich intellectual tradition of our Order. Many blessings, Fr Mark!

Sincerely in Christ and St. Dominic,

Fr. Louis Morrone, OP, Prior Provincial, the Province of St Albert the Great
Daniel O’Brien, PhD, Chair of the Board of Trustees

THE AQUINAS WAY

Part of the world-wide Order of Preachers and following in the footsteps of Saint Dominic, we are a Catholic, Dominican, graduate school of theology in St. Louis, Missouri. We send out graduates, lay and religious, grounded in the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, to preach the gospel in word and deed. 

By The Numbers

5:1

Student-to-Teacher Ratio

Aquinas Institute believes in a small community where teachers, laypersons and friars can learn side-by-side, using discussion and collaboration as tools to best find the truth.

$4 million

Received in Grant Money

Aquinas Institute has launched the Center for Continuing Education, the New Frontiers in Preaching program, and the Aquinas Children's Worship Partnership with grant money provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc. These programs allow Aquinas to not only teach graduate students, but to provide lifelong learning opportunities as well.

2,000

Nearly 2,000 Alumni Around the World

Aquinas alumni have served as hospital chaplains, non-profit executives, youth ministers, theology teachers, academic administrators, college professors, social justice advocates, and more.

1925

Year Aquinas Institute of Theology was founded

Aquinas Institute of Theology has been educating graduate students in the discipline of theology for almost 100 years.

12

Academic programs offered, from degree programs to graduate certificate options

Graduate degree programs at Aquinas include a Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, and a Master of Divinity, the country's only Doctor of Ministry in Preaching, and the only Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd degree of its kind.

12

Fully Funded Aquinas Scholarships

Available for full-time students in any of the "Core Three" programs: MA in Theology, MA in Pastoral Studies, or Master of Divinity.

2

Dominican Provinces served

Aquinas Institute is designated as the Center for Institutional Studies by the Order of Preachers and is sponsored by the Dominican Central Province of St. Albert the Great in partnership with Dominican Southern Province of St. Martin de Porres.

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