Faculty Directory

Hosffman Ospino

Professor of Hispanic Ministry and Religious Education

Chair, Department of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry

Selected Courses

  • Ministry in a Diverse Church
  • Teaching Theology and Religion: Fundamental Questions
  • Theology in Context: Faith and Culture in American Catholicism
  • Practical Theology Seminar
  • Doctoral Seminar in Religious Education

Recent Research Projects

NEW: February 2023

Investigator for National Study of Catholic Organizations Serving Hispanic Youth. See report: Ministry with Young Hispanic Catholics: Towards a Recipe for Growth and Success (Ospino, 2023)

  • Principal Investigator for the 2014 National Study of Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry in the United States (NSCPHM). For more information about the study and its report see: National Study.
  • Co-Principal Investigator (with Dr. Patricia Weitzel-O’Neil) for the 2016 National Survey of Catholic Schools Serving Hispanic Families. For more information about the study and its report see: Catholic School and Hispanic Families National Study
  • Co-Principal Investigator (with Dr. Melodie Wyttenbach) for the 2022 report Cultivating Talent, A Summary of Findings from the National Study Examining Pathways to Increase the Presence of Hispanic Teachers and Leaders in Catholic Schools. See Cultivating Talent Report.
  • Catholic Theological Education since Vatican II research project (Forthcoming 2022). 
  • Principal Investigator for National Study of Hispanic Vocations (2020-2022). Report forthcoming.
  • Principal Investigator for study on national organizations serving Hispanic Catholic youth (2020-2022).
  • Executive Producer for documentary on U.S. born Hispanic Catholics. Young Adult Hispanic Catholics.

Books

For a complete list of publications, including articles and book chapters see: Hosffman Ospino – Publications

Called to Witness Hope: The Ministry of Catechist. Paulist Press (2023). Also in Spanish: Llamados a ser testigos de la esperanza: El ministerio de catequista.

Formative Theological Education. Coedited with Colleen Griffith. Paulist Press (2023).

Young Latino Catholics: Stories of Faith. Edited with Timothy Matovina. Paulist Press (2022).

Reflexiones: Hispanic Ministry. Coauthored with Timothy Matovina. Paulist Press (2021).

Together Along the Way: Conversations inspired by the Directory for Catechesis. Coedited with Theresa O’Keefe. Crossroad (2021).

Selected Appointments, Awards, and Grants

2022: NCADDHM 30th Anniversary National Recognition Award for contributions to Hispanic Ministry and Theology. Granted by the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM).

2022 and 2018: First Place, Best Regular Column: General Commentary. Catholic News Service bilingual column, “Journeying Together/Caminando Juntos.” Granted by the Catholic Press Association.

2021: Richard Cardinal Cushing Medal for the Advancement of Church Research. Granted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

2018: Virgilio Elizondo Award. Awarded to an individual for distinguished achievement in theology, in keeping with the mission of the Academy. Granted by the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS).

2018: Lumen Gentium Award. In recognition of distinguished pastoral leadership in the utilization of planning and broad consultative processes, influencing a significant number of people, structures and programs, and for showing initiative and creativity while raising awareness of the principles of the document Lumen Gentium. Granted by the Conference for Pastoral Planning and Council Development.

2018: Cheverus Award. In recogniztion for dedicated service to the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Boston. Granted by the Archdiocese of Boston.

2018: Second Place, Excellence in Publication, Best Book in Spanish. El Credo: Un encuentro con la fe de la Iglesia (Ave María Press). Granted by the Association of Catholic Publishers.

2016: NCCL Catechetical Award. In recognition for dedicated service to the Catholic Church with ongoing pioneering spirit and innovative vision in the ministries of catechesis and evangelization, living and witnessing to the Catholic faith through media and its many forms. Granted by National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL).

2014: Most Influential Catholic of the Year in the category of Researcher, Professor. Recognized as such by Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly.

2007: New Theology Review Essay Award in Theological Reflection. Granted by New Theology Review.

Selected Appointments, Awards, and Grants

  • Chair of Publications Committee, Religious Education Association, 2021 - present
  • Chair of co-editorial team for Horizons in Religious Education Series, Religious Education Association, 2021 - present
  • General Editor of New Horizons in Hispanic Catholic Theology Series (Convivium Press)