John Donaghy, director of campus ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas, will give a lecture on the effects of war on civilization.

“Reflects of violence after seeing Seymour Lipton’s Art” will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday at Brunnier Art Museum.

He has personally seen the effects of war when he served as a missionary in Central America, said Rachel Hampton, communications specialist for University Museums.

“I went on a 10-week sabatical in El Salvador this summer to see how people deal with violence, and I witnessed this in their lives,” Donaghy said. “I could connect with what I was hearing from these people said.”

After viewing Seymour Lipton’s exhibit in Brunnier, Donaghy wrote an essay on the effects of war, Hampton said.

Lipton’s work changed after World War II; his style began to show the psychological and spiritual aspects of war, said Matthew Delay, curator for University Museums.

“Matthew Delay wanted someone to give some reflections on Lipton’s work and war,” Donaghy said.

“I do not have any art education,” Donaghy said, “I am just an amateur admirer.”

Donaghy graduated from Boston College with a doctorate in philosophy and has worked at St. Thomas Aquinas for 18 years.

Delay said Donaghy’s lecture will not be a religious speech but will have a spiritual and philosophical approach.

“Donaghy will also be talk about the current events,” Delay said, “Unfortunately I think it is a very timely event.”

“It is going to be more of a presentation than a lecture to encourage people to express their feelings,” Donaghy said.