Master Programme
First-Level University Master Degree (60 European Credits)

Two-year summer course 2014/2015

First year: 7-19 July 2014

From the very beginning Christians have traversed two worlds: their spirituality arises at the crossroads between Christian traditions and contemporary cultures. The relationship between Christian traditions and contemporary cultures in the context of spirituality can be theologically analysed from different points of view:

• The Bible and its reception
• Early Christian theology and literature (and in particular the Rule of St. Benedict) in which the roots of later spiritualities can be uncovered
• The particular mental horizons of the 21st century
• The concrete ritual forms spirituality can assume
• The comparison between the spirituality of different religions and denominations

Questions of this sort will be addressed in an academic programme offered at the Monastic Institute (Pontifical Benedictine University Sant’Anselmo, Rome), in cooperation with members of the following institutions: Faculty of Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies of Radboud University Nijmegen (NL), Liturgical Institute of the Catholic University Leuven and Titus Brandsma Instituut (NL).

In all the modules the different dimensions of Christian spirituality, and in particular Benedictine spirituality, will be examined in relation to their cultural context and other cultures. This implies an interdisciplinary and hermeneutical study of traditional resources (historical) and contemporary forms of spiritual life (anthropological).

The programme will help to improve the understanding of historical and modern cultural challenges for Christian spirituality with regards to single persons and in the context of monastic and non-monastic communities.

The programme consists of 16 academic modules each worth 3 European Credits (EC). For each module 3 sessions (90 minutes each) are organized. Additionally, students study literature and write a paper on each module. At the end of the two-year Programme a thesis (30 pages/12 EC) will be written by the students who want to gain a Master (“First Level University Master Degree” / 60 EC) accredited by the University of Sant’Anselmo (Monastic Institute) in accordance with to Italian university law. A combination with other educational programmes is possible with personal advice from the coordinators.

The first part of the programme will be organized 7-19 July 2014 in Rome. The first week will be coordinated by Prof. Matthias Skeb OSB (Rome), the other by Prof. Thomas Quartier Obl.S.B. (Nijmegen/Leuven/Rome). In addition to the coordinators, Prof. Jean Ska SJ (Biblicum, Rome) will teach on “Culture and Biblical Spirituality”, Prof. Manuela Scheiba OSB (Sant’Anselmo) will teach on monastic sources (especially the Rule of Saint Benedict), and Prof. Inigo Bocken (Titus Brandsma Instituut, Nijmegen) will teach on concepts of spirituality today.

The courses will be taught in English. They require a student’s physical presence in the classroom of 4-5 lessons (45′) a day. On Saturday an optional visiting programme will be offered. Sundays are free.

The programme is aimed at members of monastic communities, oblates, professionals in religious or social areas, scholars, etc.

The courses will be open to participants who have a sufficient knowledge of English and who have the qualifications needed to guarantee the academic level of the programme. For the degree of Master of the Pontifical University Sant’Anselmo, a Bachelor’s degree is presupposed. Applicants are welcome from those who want to earn European Credits, as well as for personal formation.

Maximum number of students: 20
Annual Charges for 2 weeks € 1.150,00:
€ 650,00 board and lodging [6 (afternoon) – 19 (morning) July 2014 in the Benedictine College Sant’Anselmo]
€ 500,00 enrolment [1st year of the Master Programme].

Deadline for registrations: 1st April 2014.

A limited number of scholarships is available for qualified students.

Further information about the programme and the scholarships is available through the coordinators:
Prof. Dr. Matthias Skeb (istitutomonastico@santanselmo.org)

Fr. Matthias Skeb OSB (1959 Essen, Germany) is professor for Ancient Church History and Patristic Studies at the Pontificial Benedictine University Sant’ Anselmo and director of the Monastic Institute of Sant’Anselmo.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Quartier (T.Quartier@ftr.ru.nl)
Thomas Quartier Obl.S.B. (1972 Kranenburg, Germany) teaches Ritual and Liturgical Studies at Radboud University Nijmegen (The Netherlands) and is visiting professor for Monastic Studies at Catholic University Leuven (Belgium) as well as at the Pontificial Benedictine University Sant’ Anselmo.

In cooperation with members of the following institutions:
Faculty of Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies of
Radboud University Nijmegen (The Netherlands)
Liturgical Institute of the Catholic University Leuven (Belgium)
Titus Brandsma Instituut, Nijmegen (The Netherlands)