The Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture, a shared apostolate of Portsmouth Abbey and Saint Louis Abbey, continues to establish itself as a leading voice in contemporary Catholicism. The Institute has offered a series of events this year, and its upcoming schedule promises to provide several valuable opportunities for study, reflection, and spiritual growth. On Wednesday, March 23, the Institute joined the Diocese of Providence in hosting George Weigel for a lecture on “The Catholic Moment: The Church in the United States and the Redemption of American Democracy.” The event was held at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Mr. Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a Catholic theologian, and one of America’s leading public intellectuals, holding EPPC’s William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies. He has joined the Institute for a number of past events. Br. Sixtus Roslevich attended the event and provides a report in a separate article in last week's issue. Mr. Chris Fisher, executive director of the Institute, introduced Mr. Weigel. Mr. Fisher has been active in crafting the Institute’s programming, which includes a range of events, designed both for the public, and for the academic community.

On Wednesday, April 6, the Institute hosted, primarily for the School’s faculty, an event with the McGrath Institute at the University of Notre Dame. The program was part of the 2021-2022 Science and Spirituality Lecture Series: On Bioethics, made possible through an anonymous grant facilitated by John Forstmann ’60 and co-sponsored by the Department of Science at Portsmouth Abbey School. The mission of the Institute’s Center for Science and the Liberal Arts is “to inspire the knowledge of and a sense of wonder towards God and the created order.” The series partners with the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame in offering “an encounter with science and spirituality to students, faculty, alumni, and parents this spring as Portsmouth Abbey School and the Portsmouth Institute host the McGrath Institute for an Institute Day.” 
 

The Institute’s flagship “Humanitias Summer Symposium” will be held here at Portsmouth, in-person, in a two-day format, Friday and Saturday, June 10-11, 2022. The Institute website notes: “The Portsmouth Institute invites parents, alumni, and friends to experience the humanities at beautiful Portsmouth Abbey as we explore ‘The Blessings of Liberty.’ In addition to keynote lectures and panels featuring leading Catholic voices, participants will examine important texts in the Catholic tradition during small-group seminars with expert teachers and scholars from Portsmouth Abbey School and Providence College. The Summer Symposium will offer a chance to discuss animating ideas pertaining to contemporary culture, and participate in Benedictine community life through hospitality, liturgy, and prayer. No academic expertise is required, simply a ‘love of learning and desire for God.’ Gather with like-minded friends for a memorable weekend of leisure, learning, and community life.” This year’s symposium, co-sponsored by the Humanities Program at Providence College, is on “The Blessings of Liberty” and features Most Rev. James D. Conley, Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. The format of seminars, hospitality, lectures, and panels provides “a dynamic environment for participants and to grow in knowledge and grace.” Specific topics that will be considered: “In a time when liberty is under pressure, how are Christians in the 21st century to understand and reclaim the ‘blessings of liberty’? What does the Christian tradition teach about the nature of true liberty? How does a modern society establish genuine liberty?” Please see the Institute’s website for additional information. 

The Institute will again offer its “Pietas” program, a week-long “intellectual and spiritual retreat for teachers.” This year’s topic is Augustine’s Confessions, through which participants will be guided by Dr. Jeffrey Lehman, Professor of Humanities at the University of Dallas. The program flyer notes: “By any measure, St. Augustine’s Confessions is among the greatest of the great books in the Western tradition. At once autobiography, literary masterpiece, biblical commentary, philosophical and theological reflection on the nature of the human person, and ardent, honest prayer to God, the Confessions incorporates and integrates many different disciplines—the seven traditional liberal arts, history, literature, psychology, philosophy, theology, and Christian spirituality.” Augustine, it also noted, may be considered a “master teacher” whose opus offers insights particularly edifying to teachers. The program runs from June 26-July 1, 2022, offered here on the monastery grounds and utilizing various facilities of the School. Additional information on the program, including logistical details on costs and scholarships, housing and transportation, can be found on the Institute’s website.