The Rome Seminar – For Viewing

Creation

23-30 May 2026 | The Angelicum, Rome, Italy

All of sacred theology revolves around the contemplation of the mystery of God and his processions. This seminar will study creation as an ad extra procession from God, through the lens of various philosophical and theological perspectives in the Catholic intellectual tradition
 
Relying on Saint Thomas Aquinas as our guide, creation will be studied according to its theological, metaphysical, and cosmological dimensions. The human person exists on the border between the material and immaterial domains of reality. The ratio of our manner of proceeding, then, will place the human person at the center of creation and the center of our study
 
The week will be divided into three sections: first, the divine act of creation itself; second, the pinnacle of creation (the imago Dei and its restoration in the God-man, Jesus Christ); and third, the analogy of being as the fabric of the created order, which aids in the theological understanding of the mysteries of faith, especially re-creation in the grace of Christ. 
 
Over the course of our week-long study, we will move from Creator to creature to creation itself, broadly considered as the analogical fabric connecting them. 
Topics will include:
 
  • The Demonstrability of Creation
  • The Relationship between Science and Revelation
  • Metaphysics as a Science
  • Nature as Created
  • Creative Causality
  • Providence and Governance
  • Trinitarian Creation
  • Interpreting Genesis
  • Kinds of Relation and Likeness in the Imago Dei
  • Analogia Entis in Modernity

Speakers

Rector Magnificus, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)
Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology and Historical Theology, Dominican House of Studies
Professor of Fundamental Moral Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)
Associate Lecturer of Fundamental Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University
Professor of Philosophy, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)
Professor of Philosophy, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)
Editor, Word on Fire Academic
There is a non-refundable program fee of $995. A non-refundable deposit of $395 is due upon acceptance into the program. The remaining $750 will be paid closer to the program. $150 will be returned to all participants who, upon completion of the program, submit a signed survey and testimonial.
 
Participants are expected to arrange their own travel to and from Rome. They should plan to arrive before the evening of May 23 and depart on the morning of Sunday, May 31. 
 
Breakfast, dinners, and some lunches are included with the program fee.
Approximately 14 applicants will be selected to participate in the Rome Seminar, an intensive, academic weeklong program. Admission is competitive. 
  • Ph.D. candidates are preferred; outstanding Master’s students (or equivalent) on an academic track will be considered. Academics who have received their Ph.D. within the last five years will be considered.
  • Priests, religious, and seminarians are eligible.
  • IHE Fellows, IHE Graduate Scholars, and former IHE workers will be considered.
  • Successful completion of the IHE’s Civitas Dei program is a plus.
  • Previous experience in Thomistic philosophy and theology is a plus.
  • As part of the evaluation of applicants, the following are among the items that will be considered: academic publications and presentations, experience in academic teaching, and research.
  • An important part of the evaluation is a strong cover letter that demonstrates interest in the Rome Seminar, familiarity with Thomistic philosophy, and alignment with the mission of the IHE.
  • Students who have already participated in a previous IHE Rome Seminar are not eligible.

Applications will open in December 2025.

Testimonials

Past Highlights

Speakers:

Father Thomas Joseph White, O.P., The Angelicum

Father Michael Sherwin, O.P., The Angelicum

Father Serge-Thomas Bonino, O.P., The Angelicum

Sister Anna Wray, O.P., The Catholic University of America

Daria Spezzano, Ph.D., Providence College

Meghan Duke, Ph.D., Thomas Aquinas College

Speakers:

Father Wojciech Giertych, O.P., Theologian of the Prefecture of the Papal Household
 
Father Thomas Joseph White, O.P., The Angelicum

Father Michael Sherwin, O.P., The Angelicum
 
Father Reginald Lynch, O.P., Dominican House of Studies
 
Father Kevin Flannery, S.J., Gregorian University
 
Adam Eitel, Ph.D., University of Dallas

Speakers:

Father Thomas Joseph White, O.P., The Angelicum

Father Michael Sherwin, O.P., The Angelicum
 
Father Philip-Neri Reese, O.P., The Angelicum 
 
D.C. Schindler, Ph.D., Pontifical John Paul II Institute
 
Thomas Hibbs, Ph.D., Baylor University
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The Rome Seminar – For Viewing