For more than 30 years, the Religious Studies Department at Saint Martin's University has offered a unique theology program that explores the history, ethics, and beliefs of the world's religious traditions.
Register for the Summer 2019 Spiritual Life Institute
The Contemplative Difference: Prayer – Work – Study
June 16 to 21
Current student registration New student and adult learner registration
Ora - Prayer
We will seek to mine the theological and historical depths of differing views on Contemplation while equally exploring its vast psychological and practical relevance as we experientially engage the wisdom and daily rhythms of Benedictine monastic approaches of integrating prayer...
Lege et labora - Work and study
... with work and study [Ora, lege et labora] that have richly contributed to the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching and moreover, the integral ecology in Pope Francis’ Laudato si’ (2016).
Schedule of events
The Intitute begins the evening of June 16 with an opening lecture and gathering at Lambert Lodge.
Daily schedule
- 8 a.m. – [Ora] Mass (Abbey Church)
- 9-10:30 a.m. – [Lege] First Lecture (Cebula Hall, third floor)
- 11-12:30 p.m. – [Lege] Second Lecture (Cebula Hall, third floor)
- 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. – Lunch
- 2-4 p.m. – [Labora] Our Common Home Farms Class (Our Common Home Farms; transportation included)
- 4-4:45 p.m. – Rest
- 5-5:30 p.m. – [Ora] (Abbey Church)
- 5:45-6:15 p.m. – Dinner
- 6:15-7 p.m. – [Lege] Roundtable (Cebula Hall, third floor)
2019 guest speakers
Dr. Bradford Manderfield
Ph.D., Systematic Theology
& Medieval Mysticism
Catholic University of Leuven
In 2011, Dr. Manderfield moved to Leuven, Belgium, to pursue a doctorate degree.
He focused in particular on the late-medieval visionary Julian of Norwich, her Patristic and Scholastic influences, in addition to the pedagogical role of Julian’s work within a largely illiterate culture. Stemming from his doctoral work, current scholarly research interests include study of churches as symbolic spaces, the liturgy, the Eucharist, and illuminated manuscripts. Dr. Manderfield is currently teaching at The Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary. His current teaching interests surround Ecclesiology, Mariology, and Eschatology. When not teaching, Bradford likes to walk, nap, dream, drink, cook, garden and converse.
Dr. Alan Mostrom
Ph.D., Systematic Theology
University of Dayton
Dr. Mostrom is a native of Tacoma, Washington and is an assistant professor of Systematic Theology at the Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount Saint Mary's of the West in Cincinnati, Ohio.
His scholarly interests include the theology of Thomas Aquinas, the theology of Yves Congar and the nouvelle théologie, trinitarian theology, ecclesiology, and sacramental theology. Alan is also a huge NBA fan, and still mourns the loss of his beloved SuperSonics.