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September 8th, 2018: A Symposium On “The Future of the Catholic Church After the Scandals of 2018”

In the aftermath of the recent scandals, the Thomistic Institute co-hosted a symposium with First Things Magazine in order to foster a discussion by responsible Catholic voices about the diagnosis of the problem and to brainstorm about a path towards a solution, in a way that is helpful and supportive of the bishops. With an overwhelming turnout of devoted, like-minded Catholics, this daylong event succeeded in doing exactly what it was intended for: addressing the issues in a constructive and forthright way.

Speakers included Dr. John Haldane, Professor of Philosophy, University of St. Andrew’s  (Scotland) & Baylor University. John Garvey, President, The Catholic University of America. Mary Eberstadt, Senior Research Fellow at the Faith & Reason Institute. Fr. Thomas Berg, Vice Rector, St. Joseph’s Seminary (Dunwoodie, NY). Dr. Robert Royal, President, Faith and Reason Institute.  Catherine Pakaluk, The Catholic University of America, R. R.Reno, Editor, First Things Magazine. Fr. Dominic Legge, OP, Director, The Thomistic Institute.

September 5th, 2018: “Why Israel Matters: A Theological Perspective”

The Thomistic Institute, co-sponsoring with the Catholic Information Center and the Philos project, hosted Professor Douglas Farrow for a Tuesday evening lecture at the Catholic Information Center in down town, DC. Professor Farrow spoke on the theological importance of Israel. That Israel matters geo-politically cannot be doubted, but is there a place for Israel, as there is for Jews, in Christian eschatology?

Find out more: A recording of this event will soon be made available on our SoundCloud and Podcast.

July 15-20, 2018: Civitas Dei Summer Fellowship in Washington, D.C.

For the first time the Thomistic Institute, in collaboration with the Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America, hosted a fellowship for graduate and exceptional undergraduate students interested in delving into the natural law tradition. Participants spent the week engaging the political and moral theory of Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and modern constitutional jurisprudence through lectures given by Dr. Adrian Vermeule of Harvard Law, Dr. Capizzi of Catholic University, and Fr. Dominic Legge, OP of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception. The evenings and afternoons afforded the fellows a chance to explore DC’s famous sites and encounter exceptional Catholic public figures. 

July 9-12, 2018: Annual Priesthood Conference held on the theme of “Becoming a Better Confessor.”

Participants of this year’s annual conference for priests have remarked that it’s one of the best the Thomistic Institute has ever had. The theme, “Becoming a Better Confessor”, oriented a series of talks given throughout the week, such as on the accompaniment of those in irregular marriages, those who experience same sex attraction, and those suffering from addiction. In true Dominican fashion, times of intellectual engagement and study were balanced with mass, adoration, and praying the Divine Office, as well as a bourbon tasting and opening banquet.

June 14th-17th, 2018: Annual Summer Philosophy Workshop in Newburgh, NY.

In collaboration with the Dominican Institute of Mount Saint Mary College and the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, the Thomistic Institute held its annual philosophy workshop at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York. The conference brought together both beginners and veterans in Thomistic philosophy to more closely investigate Aquinas’s natural theology with regards to the divine attributes.

Photos courtesy of Mount Saint Mary College

June 5th-8th, 2018: Science symposium a huge success!

For the first time the Thomistic Institute partnered with the Society for Catholic Scientists to hold a symposium on Thomistic Philosophy and Natural Science. Featuring speakers such as William Carol of Oxford, Fr. Thomas Davenport of Providence College, and Dr. Karin  Öberg of Harvard, these intellectual leaders in the dialogue between faith and science spoke on matters ranging from particle physics and Aristotle to evolution and creation. The audience, composed of mostly graduate students in various scientific fields, participated in these important conversations both during the lecture sessions and late into the evenings at recreation times hosted by the Dominican House of Studies. Check out the lectures on audio here.

March 2nd and 3rd, 2018: Harvard Conference

on Christianity and Liberalism

On Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd, 2018, the Thomistic Institute and the Harvard Catholic Graduate Student Chaplaincy sponsored a conference on Christianity and Liberalism, featuring such speakers as Rémi Brague, Fr. Dominic Legge, OP, R.R. Reno, and Adrian Vermuele. Public Discourse, Modern Age, and Mirror of Justice have all featured articles about the event, which you can find here, here, and here respectively. 

February 21, 2018: Political Principles in the Age of Trump

On Wednesday, February 21, 2018, the Values and Capitalism initiative at AEI co-sponsored an event with the Thomistic Institute, entitled, "Political Principles in the Age of Trump." R.R. Reno, editor of First Things, delivered preliminary remarks before engaging in a moderated discussion with Elizabeth Corey (Baylor University), Joshua Mitchell (Georgetown University), and George Weigel (Ethics & Public Policy Center). They considered namely, how Christians might engage faithfully and prudently in a pluralistic—and at times, antagonistic—public square. 

The American Conservative, Real Clear Policy, and Juicy Ecumenism have featured articles about the event. You can read The American Conservative's article, "Fashioning a Post-Fusionist Christian Politics," by clicking here, Real Clear Policy's article, "Solidarity in America," by clicking here, and the post at Juicy Ecumenism, "Maintaining Christian Political Principles during the Trump Administration," by clicking here.

FR. DOMINIC LEGGE, OP ON ST. THOMAS

A short video from the Aquinas Initiative with of our Director Fr. Dominic Legge, OP answering the question: "How did you get interested in St. Thomas Aquinas?"

Fr. Legge is the Director of the Thomistic Institute and is Assistant Professor in Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies.  

His recent book The Trinitarian Christology of St. Thomas Aquinas is available on Amazon in hard copy (and for for Kindle) and can be ordered directly from Oxford University Press