Upcoming Courses
Fall Immersive October 14-20, 2024
According to the timeless ancient axiom, agere sequitur esse – “doing follows being.” In order to know how to act, we first must know who we are. This course asks the question, “Who is the human being?” Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and Caryll Houselander are two prominent twentieth-century Catholic women who offer sustained reflection on this vital question. By exploring their enlightening lives and writings, students will encounter the truth, goodness and beauty of the meaning of being human.
Course:
“The Dignity of Dust: Contemplating our Humanity”
3 equivalency credits
Location:
- St. Bernard Abbey Retreat and Conference Center, 1600 St. Bernard Drive, SE Cullman Alabama
Theme:
Date/Schedule:
- October 14-20, 2024
- Tentative Schedule
Instructor:
Financial Aid:
- Limited financial assistance may be available through the Forwarding Grace Assistance Program. To Inquire, please call 1-800-558-5452.
Transportation
To arrange transportation from the airport to the Abbey, click the links below:
Required Texts:
The Passion of the Infant Christ, Critical Edition by Caryll Houselander
Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by John Paul II
Human and Divine Being by Donald Wallenfang, OCDS, PhD
Metaphysics by Donald Wallenfang, OCDS, PhD
Special Visit:
Spend Friday, October 18th at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, AL. Courses for the morning will be held in the castle, followed by the rosary with the nuns, Mass, adoration, Stations of the Cross, JPII Center tour, and gift shop visit. Transportation and lunch will be provided.
Winter Immersive February 3-9, 2025
At the heart of the meaning of the feminine genius is the Blessed Virgin Mary. Yet how do we come to know Our Lady well? This course will delve into the mystery of Mary by encountering her loving presence through Scripture and the devotional practices of the Church. In particular, Saint Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary and Caryll Houselander’s The Reed of God will guide participants into the wonder of being children of such a beautiful Mother. The powerful maxim attributed to Saint Teresa of Calcutta–“No Mary, No Jesus; Know Mary, Know Jesus”–will illuminate our journey all the way into the humble and hidden home of Nazareth.
Course:
“The Reed of God: Our Lady in Scripture and Devotion”
3 equivalency credits
Theme:
Mariology and the Feminine Genius
Date:
- February 3-9, 2025
Instructor:
Financial Aid:
- Limited financial assistance may be available through the Forwarding Grace Assistance Program. To Inquire, please call 1-800-558-5452.
Transportation
To arrange transportation from the airport to the Spiritual Center, click the links below:
Palm Beach Int Airport– 22 min (click Ground Transportation dropdown menu)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int– 1 hour and 10 min
Orlando Int Airport– 2 hours and 15 min
Required Texts:
True Devotion to Mary by Louis de Montfort
The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary: Unveiling the Mother of the Messiah by Brant Pitre
Rethinking Mary in the New Testament by Edward Sri
