'HDS Strengthened Me as a Whole Person'

Melissa Coles, MDiv ’17, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana)

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Describe the work you do today:

I am a nineteenth- through twenty-first century North American historian who specializes in the intersection of Catholicism, sacred places, and pilgrimage traditions. My current research focuses on two Indigenous-Catholic pilgrimage sites: El Santuario de Chimayó, a shrine famous for healing dirt located in contemporary New Mexico, US; and Lac Ste. Anne, a shrine renowned for healing water located in contemporary Alberta, CA. As a postdoctoral research associate at the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, I support the Center’s programming and work on my own research projects. My work for the Center includes tasks like writing for the American Catholic Studies Newsletter, creating schedules for Cushwa conferences, and serving on grant selection committees. For research, I currently am collecting oral histories about the Our Lady of La Vang devotion at the Santuario de Chimayó. These oral histories will serve as the primary sources for a chapter in my manuscript project on the shrine. On Lac Ste. Anne, I am writing an article about Pope Francis’ visit. In 2022, Francis traveled to Canada to apologize to Indigenous Peoples for abuses in Catholic residential schools, and he visited Lac Ste. Anne as part of his self-described “penitential pilgrimage.” The Cushwa Center has been a supportive, enriching place to work.

How has your HDS degree experience influenced your career journey?

My time at HDS influenced my career journey in countless ways! One example is seeing the benefits of combining academic and pastoral skills. In my current role at Notre Dame, I employ both of these skillsets. For some, the utility of pastoral techniques in an academic setting may be surprising, but the pastoral training that I learned at HDS make me a stronger co-worker and researcher. For example, when conducting oral histories, I frequently draw upon my MDiv training when difficult topics come up. HDS strengthened me as a whole person.

What career advice would you offer to current HDS students?

I hope that you flourish during your time at HDS! Explore, stretch, and grow. Take advantage of the opportunities around you and lean into the vibrant HDS community. Best of luck for your time at HDS and beyond—and remember that we alumni are here to support and help you however we can!