The Institute really lit a fire under us! The Church teaching wasn’t just a set of rules. It came to life in such a beautiful and tangible way; experiencing the witness couples, the discussions and being in the home of a Christian family.
Ben and Alyssa
Kim, RN, BSN, FCP
People need to know that God’s plan for our bodies and sexuality is so different from what’s been communicated to so many people. Theology of the Body is the antidote for the world’s problems today. It is healing; for me personally, and in the lives of so many of our loved ones. It is the foundation for your faith. Once you learn it, you want to learn more and more, and the more you learn about it, the more you understand different aspects of your faith. We’d love to share our testimony or welcome people into our homes, just knowing how much that impacted us, we want to return that gift to someone else.
Paul and Faith
In a culture caught between extreme and contrary understandings of what it means to be a human person, the Institute presents a model that upholds humanity’s God-given dignity. The perspectives given by the priests, religious, seminarians, and lay people who attend group meetings has helped to shine light on the text of the Theology of the Body and bring the reality of God’s universal call to communion into focus in my life as a single man.
Matt
The Institute really changed the trajectory of our lives – changed our outlook on NFP, on our marriage, on our family life – everything. We definitely could have seen all of that going very differently if we wouldn’t have had the TOB discussions and small group. I could very easily see us giving up on NFP because it is difficult. But, learning all this and having this foundation gave us a bedrock before our marriage began, to build all of this upon. And, we have the fruit of five children we weren’t even planning on having at this point. Later, we began to host TOB meetings in our home for college students in our parish.
Duncan and Kate
Father Joshua
Interested in a Retreat or Parish events to deepen your faith?
Consider attending a Theology of the Body retreat, upcoming conference, or event at your parish.
Why We Exist
The Institute invites Christians to a greater awareness of our identity as human persons created in the image of God, articulated in Sacred Scripture and the beautiful teachings of Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Changing a Culture
Through exposure to the truth of God’s plan for humanity in our programs, Institute participants have experienced tangible fruits in all areas of their lives. If multiplied exponentially, exposure to these truths by our programs will dramatically impact the culture.
The Problem
A Culture of Chaos
+ Misunderstanding and Devaluing the Human Person
+ Devaluation of Prayer and the Sacraments
We’re presently living in a digital age in which prayer is deeply diminished and attacked in the hierarchy of activities. Individuals are leaving the Church at unprecedented rates because they do not know Jesus. Faith and reason are seen as separate – and, in some instances, even opposed.
+ Lack of Catechesis and Formation
The majority of Catholics suffer from a lack of catechesis and formation within the Church, which has led to a disconnect from our Lord and from the other members of the Body of Christ. This lack of catechesis and formation creates an obstacle for understanding what it truly means to be human, and perpetuates every other item on this list by a failure to instill in the faithful the foundations of our faith.
+ Lack of Vocational Discernment
A general lack of understanding of our humanity and the lack of prayer due to digital distraction, leads to general unhappiness and unfulfillment. This continues to result in broken marriages and families and a lower vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
+ Lack of Engagement in Communal Life
Human beings today lack authentic friendship and community. We see relationships taking the shape of companionships centered on materialism and superficialities because we lack the tools to recognize and seek out genuine, lasting fellowship with others. This has been brought about by, among other things, digital connections that confuse the human person.
+ Misunderstanding of Human Sexuality
A widespread acceptance of the separation of body and soul, and the materialist vision of the human person as no different than animals, has led to disordered sexual activity.
The Solution
A Culture of Life
+ Renewed, Holistic Understanding of the Human Person as God intended
Participants will understand what it means to be human through Sacred Scripture and St. John Paul II’s masterwork Man and Woman He Created Them.
+ Renewed Value of Prayer and the Sacraments
Participants will truly know our Lord and will actively participate in His life and virtues. They’ll begin to engage in silent prayer and will learn what it actually means to pray. They’ll also develop a deep devotion to Mary and will be encouraged to entrust themselves to her, as Jesus gave her to us as our mother at the foot of the cross.
+ Relevant Catechesis and Formation
Participants will experience a deepened understanding of the foundations of our faith and, as a result, will experience a desire for continuous learning and deepening of their knowledge of the faith.
+ A Thirst for Beauty and a Hunger for Truth
Participants will experience an invigorated desire to encounter beauty through literature, music, and visual art. They will establish a deeper understanding of the importance of these things and will develop a continued seeking of truth in all areas of their lives.
+ Vocational Discernment Support
Participants will understand the importance of vocational discernment and, if not already established in their vocation, will make a wholehearted discernment of their divine call.
+ A Deepened Understanding of Human Sexuality and A Desire to Defend Social Truths
Participants will experience a deepened understanding of God’s purpose for the body in His creation of man and woman and will apply these truths in their own lives. In addition, participants will also share these truths with individuals who struggle with disordered sexual activity, offering concrete healing solutions of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
+ A Renewal of Parish Life and Connection
Participants will experience a heightened desire to actively participate in parish life and become a driving force for parish communities in creating rich and fulfilling connection back to the Church for its members. Participants will experience a deepened understanding of authentic human friendship and will actively seek to build and maintain these critical relationships.
What We Offer
Theology of the Body Retreats
Reading and Discussion Groups
Conferences and Seminars
Articles
Parish Evangelization of Theology of the Body