On November 5, 2025, Bishop Michael A. Saporito, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, New Jersey, spoke at the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST) as part of its Many Faces of Hospitality series. The event was organized by the Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program. Bishop Saporito is an alumnus of ICSST and has served on the Evangelization Commission for the Archdiocese of Newark and on the board for the Christlife Evangelization Apostolate in Baltimore.
Bishop Saporito’s lecture, titled “St. Paul the Evangelizer,” focused on St. Paul’s approach to spreading his message through personal connection and cultural understanding. He began his talk by referencing a passage from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Rom 10:14-15).
Bishop Saporito discussed how St. Paul’s communication style was central for preaching effectively and highlighted that his letters always began with a greeting as both an acknowledgment and invitation for listeners. “Words have power,” said Bishop Saporito. “Words can move our hearts to prayer, to action, to new hope, to encouragement, to comfort and to challenge.”
He explained that greetings help prepare audiences for a message: “Such things open the heart of those who may have rushed to be present,” he said. “What it does is it prepares the way for your message to be heard. It’s kind of like, ‘Let’s take a breath.’”
According to Bishop Saporito, St. Paul connected with his audience by showing empathy toward their situations and sharing his own struggles. This authenticity made his preaching more effective: “He was living with what he was preaching…I will never say something to a congregation and challenge a congregation to a challenge that I myself won’t be willing to take. That’s fake, and I can’t be fake.” He also noted that storytelling can help make messages more engaging.
Bishop Saporito concluded by reminding attendees about St. Paul’s significant role as a preacher in Church history and encouraged others involved in ministry or preaching roles today “to preach and communicate in ways that invite others into the message of Christ so that they may hear a transformative and hospitable message.”
An attendee commented positively on Bishop Saporito’s presentation: “I really enjoyed Bishop Saparito’s enthusiasm; he was very inspirational and captivating.”
The Preaching as Hospitality Formation program at ICSST aims to train seminarians, diaconal students, religious members, lay graduate students in theology—as well as newly ordained priests or deacons—to deliver sermons marked by hospitality.
For more information about Many Faces of Hospitality or ICSST’s Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program, interested individuals can contact Alyssa Carolan.
