2017-2018 Student Reading Groups

European contact with the “New World” after 1492 is often portrayed as led exclusively by misguided, self-interested, and tragically violent conquistadors. This new discussion series will offer students a first exposure to a different and often forgotten set of actors: the saintly women whose loving witness, devotion, and peaceful genius helped carry the good news of Christ throughout North, Central, and South America. Interested students: contact Dr. Jocelyn Moore (jrr2zx@virginia.edu).

Past Lunches

February 10, 2017  Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, O.S.H. (1651-1695), with special faculty guest Prof. Allison Bigelow (Spanish) 

Feb.24: Our Lady of Guadalupe and other Marian Apparitions, with special faculty guest: Prof. Nichole Flores (Religious Studies)

March 17: St. Katharine Drexel and St. Mother Frances Cabrini, with special faculty guests: Fr. Gerry Fogarty (Religious Studies) and Charles Kromkowski (Politics)

April 21: Dorothy Day, with special guest: Laura Brown (Casa Alma)

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2. Introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica 

St. Thomas Aquinas’s great Summa Theologica is one of the most important and widely recognized works of philosophical and theological wisdom ever written, a master work for the ages that continues to influence Western religion and philosophy. Despite its import and promise, undergraduate and graduate students today receive almost no exposure to the Summa. This lunch seminar reading group will be led by various faculty, our local O.P.s, and several guest scholar experts. Lunch will be provided by the Institute, and we'll read and discuss selected parts of a common online text of the Summa. Interested students can attend one, some, or all of the planned discussions. Contact Prof. Charles Kromkowski (cak5u@virginia.edu) or Anna Stelow (ars5x@virginia.edu    

2016-2017 Reading Group

April 28 (Friday, 12-2pm): A Review of Our Year with the Summa 

April 4 (Tuesday, 12-2pm): On Christ and his relation to Us (III, qq.1-5, 9-12, 46-56)--led by Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P. 

March 17 (Friday, 12-2pm): On the Theological and Cardinal Virtues (II-II, qq.1-6,17-18,23-27,47-48,58-59,123,137,179-182)

February 17 (Friday, 12-2pm): On Virtue, Vice and the Law (II-I, qq.55-65,71-77,90-97,109,112)--led by Jorge Secada (Philosophy) and Bill Wilson (Religious Studies) 

January 27 (Friday, 12-2pm): On Human Action and Love (II-I, qq.1-5,6-13,18-21,26-29)--led by Fr. James Brent, O.P. (Philosophy, Dominican House of Studies)

November 18 (Friday, 12-2pm): On the Trinity (I,qq.27-43)--led by Kevin Hart (Religious Studies)

October 28 (Friday, 12-2pm): On Divine Operations (I,qq.14-21)--led by Fr. Stephen Alcott, O.P. and Fr. Antoninus Niemiec, O.P. 

September 23 (Friday, 12-2pm): On Sacred Doctrine and God's Existence (I,qq.1-3, 12,13)--led by Bernard McGinn (University of Chicago)

Friday, February 19, 2016 (5:30-8:30p m)

The St. Anselm Institute will host a special faculty & friends of the Institute dinner colloquium on Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si!  We'll meet at 5:30pm, with a simple Lenten dinner served around 6:15pm. Discussion of the encyclical will follow dinner.  Interested attendees are expected to have read Laudato Si, but we've also invited several faculty, including Kevin Hart, Gerry Fogarty SJ, Catholic University of America theology professor Paul Scherz and Fr. Thomas Petri, O.P. of  the St..Thomas Institute, to offer initial comments on various parts of the text.  After their preliminary comments, we'll open up the discussion to the full group. Given space limitations and as an aid for our dinner preparations, please let us know if you'll be able to join us. Sorry, but limited seats for this event. RSPVP: info@stanselminstitute.org.

Spring 2016 St. Augustine, City of God Reading Group

Interested in joining a new reading group? No prior expertise required!  Recent UVA alum Anne (Bowie) Tew and Religious Studies Professor Emeritus Bill Wilson will lead a fun and thought-filled reading group through St. Augustine’s monumental work of Christian apologetics.  This class will meet every other Tuesday, 5:45-6:45pm. Room: TBD. Arrive early for FREE PIZZA and PEARS (St. Augustine's favorite fruit)!  

To add your name to this group's email list, contact Anne at annedaffinbowie@gmail.com, or contact the Institute at info@stanselminstitute.org.

Spring 2016: Flannery O'Connor Reading Group

We'll meet two Friday afternoons in March and April (details forthcoming) to enjoy several Flannery O'Connor short stories. No prior experience needed, plus Religious Studies professor emeritus Bill Wilson will be present to share his helpful insights into the wonderful world of Flannery.