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.
- 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)
Program Costs
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.
Who Should Apply?
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.
How to Apply
Applications will open in December 2025.
Testimonials
“The IHE Rome Seminar was one of the best experiences of my life. The faculty — world-class experts in their respective fields —were eager to share their wisdom with students both inside and outside the classroom. Each lecture was thoughtfully crafted for the seminar, fostering an unparalleled intellectual experience that was highly relevant to the academic interests of students from a range of disciplines. The IHE staff and faculty demonstrated extraordinary care in ensuring every aspect of the program supported our growth and well-being — from practical travel advice, to a well-balanced schedule that allowed ample time for conversation and community-building, to a private tour of important religious and cultural sites.”
“The IHE's Rome Seminar is a once in a lifetime experience, bringing together the best Catholic intellectual and spiritual thinkers in order to educate and inspire a dynamic cohort of young scholars for the glory of God and a rightly ordered society. There are countless academic seminars and worthwhile programs for academics and scholars, but the IHE Rome Seminar is in a league of its own for the way that it enriches the whole person in body and soul. The intensity of intellectual inquiry was well balanced with time to explore Rome and time for pilgrimage to holy sites.”
“Being immersed in the beauty of Rome while studying some of the greatest thinkers and saints to have ever lived was a truly unforgettable experience. The sense of community and friendship that formed in such a short amount of time from our mutual scholarly and spiritual pursuits was incredible to witness and to be a part of. We prayed, we studied, and we marveled at the goodness of God together—what could be better? In sum, the IHE Rome Seminar was one of the most intellectually and spiritually enriching experiences I've ever had, and my heart swells with gratitude to those who made it possible.”
“For anyone seeking to deepen their own reflection in philosophy and/or theology, to gain a community of support in this, and to grow closer to God who is Wisdom and Beauty Itself, I cannot recommend this program highly enough.”
“Taking a week like this — out of the ordinary flow of my everyday — to drink deeply from the riches of the Tradition has reinvigorated my Catholic identity. I feel a renewed and deep gratitude for my faith and the intellectual tradition which has grounded it. The week somehow felt packed but not rushed; there was never a moment wasted. My head and my heart were fed richly.”
“This seminar was an achievement of grace-filled learning and contemplation. The week was a remarkable convergence and enjoyment of human, spiritual, intellective, and religious formation and treasures. The seminar transformed me not only intellectually but also in my heart, refreshing and reorienting me both personally and professionally.”
“I had an incredible experience at the IHE Rome Seminar. I had read the testimonials about how impactful and moving it would be, but I wasn't prepared for just how great of a time I would have during my week in Rome. The community of fellows, scholars, and staff that the IHE assembles is truly top-notch. I departed the program having met many genuine friends and intellectual collaborators. The seminar itself was intellectually and spiritually enriching. I felt supported and encouraged in this endeavor, and came away from the program with a strong desire to continue the study we began in Rome. I am so grateful to the entire IHE team for this well-organized, well-thought, and well-executed program.”
Past Highlights
The Vision of God
Grace, Virtue, and Law
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 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