CATHOLIC TRUTH IN A CONTEMPORARY WORLD

The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.

The TI is an academic institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

RECENT AQUINAS 101 VIDEOS

Featured
Can You Go to Confession If You're Not Sorry?
Can You Go to Confession If You're Not Sorry?
How the Essentia Argument for God’s Existence Works
How the Essentia Argument for God’s Existence Works
How Confession REALLY Works
How Confession REALLY Works
A Metaphysical Argument for the Existence of God
A Metaphysical Argument for the Existence of God
How the Mass Prepares You to Receive Holy Communion
How the Mass Prepares You to Receive Holy Communion
The Proper Disposition: How to Receive the Eucharist Worthily and Well
The Proper Disposition: How to Receive the Eucharist Worthily and Well
Can You Be Saved Without the Eucharist?
Can You Be Saved Without the Eucharist?
Is the Cross of Jesus Really Present at the Mass?
Is the Cross of Jesus Really Present at the Mass?

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS
Predestination | An Intellectual Retreat for Current University Students
Nov 22
Predestination | An Intellectual Retreat for Current University Students

The Dominican House of Studies | Washington, D.C.

With Fr. John Baptist Ku, O.P. (Dominican House of Studies) and Fr. Timothy Bellamah, O.P.

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Thomas Aquinas and the Catholic View of Grace and Justification
Nov 24
Thomas Aquinas and the Catholic View of Grace and Justification

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A lecture by Prof. Erik Dempsey (the University of Texas at Austin)

W11 Main Dining Room

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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The Resurrection in Context: The Strangeness of Early Christian Claims
Nov 26
The Resurrection in Context: The Strangeness of Early Christian Claims

University of California, Santa Barbara

A lecture by Prof. Matthew Thomas (Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology)

Buchanan Hall, Room 1940

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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The Good Life and How to Live It
Nov 26
The Good Life and How to Live It

Queen’s University Belfast

A lecture by Sr. Catherine Joseph Droste, O.P. (Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas)

Maths and Physics Teaching Centre, Room 006

This lecture is free and open to the public

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Morally Shallow or Grievously Vicious? Evil and Vice in Entertainment
Nov 28
Morally Shallow or Grievously Vicious? Evil and Vice in Entertainment

University of Edinburgh

A lecture by Dr. John Haldane

Location TBD

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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St. Thomas Aquinas Relic Veneration
Nov 29
St. Thomas Aquinas Relic Veneration

The Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas will visit two locations in Washington, D.C.

Friday, November 29, 2025 | St. Dominic Catholic Church

Saturday, November 30, 2025 | Dominican House of Studies

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Medieval Science
Dec 2
Medieval Science

University of Toronto

A lecture by Prof. Lawrence Principe (Johns Hopkins University)

Location TBA

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Living the Good Life: Wisdom from Aquinas and the Classical Tradition
Dec 3
Living the Good Life: Wisdom from Aquinas and the Classical Tradition

Stanford University

A lecture by Fr. Thomas Petri, O.P. (Dominican House of Studies)

Old Union, 520 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Why Would a Biologist Believe in the Soul?
Dec 3
Why Would a Biologist Believe in the Soul?

University of Texas at Austin

A lecture by Dr. Jonathan Buttaci (The Catholic University of America)

WAG 302

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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The Maccabees as Christian Scripture
Dec 3
The Maccabees as Christian Scripture

University of California, Berkeley

A lecture by Prof. Matthew Thomas (Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology)

Location TBA

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Render Unto Caesar, Render Unto God:  Aquinas on the Relationship between Religion and Politics
Dec 3
Render Unto Caesar, Render Unto God:  Aquinas on the Relationship between Religion and Politics

Franciscan University of Steubenville

A lecture by Prof. Michael Krom (Saint Vincent College)

Pope St. Paul VI Event Center

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Human Freedom and Divine Grace
Dec 4
Human Freedom and Divine Grace

Yale University

A lecture by Prof. Sarah Byers (Boston College)

William L. Harkness Hall 208

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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The Book of Ruth: Redemption through Marriage
Dec 4
The Book of Ruth: Redemption through Marriage

University of Dallas

A lecture by Prof. Neena Heereman (St. Patrick’s Seminary and University)

Location TBA

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Who Am I To Judge? Politics and the Problem of Moral Relativism
Dec 5
Who Am I To Judge? Politics and the Problem of Moral Relativism

George Washington University

A lecture by Prof. Michael Gorman (The Catholic University of America)

USC 1st Floor Presentation Space

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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The Trinity: Image & Shadow | An Intellectual Retreat for Providence College
Dec 6
The Trinity: Image & Shadow | An Intellectual Retreat for Providence College

Dominican House of Studies | Washington, D.C.

With Prof. Kevin Hart and Fr. Reginald Lynch, OP

An Intellectual Retreat for Providence College students

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The Gestalt of the Feminine Soul: A Primer On Edith Stein, On Woman
Dec 6
The Gestalt of the Feminine Soul: A Primer On Edith Stein, On Woman

Florida State University

A lecture by Prof. Catherine Pakaluk (The Catholic University of America)

The Loft of Ruge Hall - 655 W Jefferson St

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Good Fear, Bad Fear, Fear of the Lord
Dec 6
Good Fear, Bad Fear, Fear of the Lord

United States Naval Academy

A lecture by Fr. Gregory Pine, OP (Dominican House of Studies)

Mitscher Hall

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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An Hour of Study is an Hour of Prayer
Dec 9
An Hour of Study is an Hour of Prayer

University of Pennsylvania/Drexel University

A lecture by Prof. Michael Pakaluk (the Catholic University of America)

Newman Center Lounge

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Objective Beauty in a Subjective World
Dec 9
Objective Beauty in a Subjective World

Thomistic Institute in Limerick

A lecture by Prof. Jan C. Bentz (Blackfriars, Oxford)

St. Saviour’s Parish Hall, Limerick V94 X2AA

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Mary, Full of Grace | An Intellectual Retreat for Current University Students
Dec 13
Mary, Full of Grace | An Intellectual Retreat for Current University Students

Dominican House of Studies | Washington, D.C.

With Fr. John Langlois, OP and Fr. John Mark Solitario, OP

An Intellectual Retreat for current university students

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The Gestalt of the Feminine Soul: A primer on Edith Stein, on Woman
Jan 16
The Gestalt of the Feminine Soul: A primer on Edith Stein, on Woman

Carnegie Mellon/ The University of Pittsburgh

A lecture by Prof. Catherine Pakaluk (The Catholic University of America)

Location TBA

This lecture is free and open to the public.

Read More →
Friendship | An Intellectual Retreat for Students in and near Texas
Jan 17
Friendship | An Intellectual Retreat for Students in and near Texas

Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center | Temple, TX

With Prof. Thomas Hibbs and Fr. Cassian Derbes, O.P.

An Intellectual Retreat for Thomistic Institute Students in and near Texas

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God and Suffering: How Could God Allow Evil?
Jan 17
God and Suffering: How Could God Allow Evil?

University of Michigan

A lecture by Rev. Thomas Petri O.P. (Dominican House of Studies)

Location TBD

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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The Vocation of Parenthood | An Intellectual Retreat to accompany the March for Life
Jan 23
The Vocation of Parenthood | An Intellectual Retreat to accompany the March for Life

Dominican House of Studies | Washington, D.C.

Prof. Nathaniel and Dr. Jane Peters (Morningside Institute and College of Mount Saint Vincent)

An Intellectual Retreat for current university students to accompany the March for Life

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Living Stones: The Language of Architecture
Jan 30
Living Stones: The Language of Architecture

University of North Texas

A lecture by Prof. Michael Foley (Baylor University)

Location TBD

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Why Should We Believe God Exists?
Jan 30
Why Should We Believe God Exists?

Michigan State University

A lecture by Prof. Joseph Trabbic (Dominican House of Studies)

Location TBD

This lecture is free and open to the public.

Read More →
The Philosophy of the Abortion Debate
Jan 31
The Philosophy of the Abortion Debate

Mississippi State University

A lecture by Prof. Angela Knobel (University of Dallas)

Friday, January 31st

Time TBD

Location TBD

This lecture is free and open to the public.

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Nicaea After 1700 Years: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Feb 7
Nicaea After 1700 Years: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Dominican House of Studies | Washington, D.C.

Friday, February 7 - Saturday, February 8, 2025

A Thomistic Circles conference featuring Fr. Khaled Anatolios (University of Notre Dame), Prof. Gary Anderson (University of Notre Dame), Prof. Lewis Ayres (Durham University), and Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P. (Dominican House of Studies).

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2025 Aquinas Lecture
Feb 19
2025 Aquinas Lecture

Thomistic Circles

2025 Aquinas Lecture by Prof. Candace Vogler (The University of Chicago)

Dominican House of Studies | Washington, D.C.

This lecture is free and open to the public. Please register.

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The Use of Tools in a Technocratic Age: the Death of Wisdom?
Feb 19
The Use of Tools in a Technocratic Age: the Death of Wisdom?

West Virginia University

A lecture by Sr. Anna Wray, O.P. (The Catholic University of America)

Location TBD

This lecture is free and open to the public.

Read More →

CAMPUS CHAPTERS

We began our campus chapters program in 2015, and it has now spread to more than 80 campuses. We encourage undergraduate and graduate students to collaborate with each other, with us, and with their faculty to develop lectures, events, and programs built upon the Catholic intellectual tradition. 

FIND YOUR CHAPTER

 

SUMMER CONFERENCES

Thomistic Institute summer conferences combine world-class scholarship with liturgy & fellowship.

Two students smiling while listening to a Thomistic Institute conference.

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