Friday Formation Colloquia

The keystone of the MTS formation program is the monthly Friday Formation Colloquia, during which certain great books of Western civilization (philosophy, theology, literature) and great works of painting and music will be explored. Profound works of spiritual theology and evangelically fruitful psychology and sociology will be presented. Imagine the excitement of a conversation animated by the communal pursuit of the true, good, and beautiful—in the light of faith! The goal of the cultural/artistic formation is to foster self-transcendence through contact with the beautiful and to create an awareness of imaginative and non-verbal ways in which ideas are mediated. Optional concerts and museum visits will be included.

The Friday Formation Colloquia occur eight times a year for two years. Students will receive two credits for the completion of each year’s program. Interested students who are not part of the MTS program may register for either or both years of the Colloquia. The cost is $1000 for each year; auditing is not permitted.

The tentative dates for the 2012-2013 Friday Formation Colloquia are:

September 7

October 5

November 16

December 7

January 18

February 1

March 15

April 19

A sample evening might proceed as follows:

6:30 – 6:45	Evening Prayer (Vespers)
6:50 – 8:05	Spiritual formation [alternating with cultural formation]: meditation on a masterful work of Christian spirituality
8:20 – 9:35	Seminar discussion For example: Human Formation: Psychology Seminar Theme: What is Love? Discussion of The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis, Deus Caritas est by Pope Benedict XVI, and selections from modern psychologists
9:35 – 9:45	Night Prayer (Compline)