The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.
The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events, and much more.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events, and much more.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 4min
Thomas Aquinas on Intellectual Memory – Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P.
Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P., a Dominican friar and philosophy professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, delves into Thomas Aquinas’s theory of intellectual memory. He navigates the conflicts among key philosophical authorities, especially Aristotle and Avicenna, discussing their differing views on memory. The conversation explores how Aquinas defends the preservation of intelligible species and differentiates between sensitive and intellective memory, ultimately favoring Augustine's broad definitions over Avicenna's. A fascinating journey into the intricacies of philosophical thought!
Oct 31, 2025 • 59min
Augustine's Account of Trinitarian Image and Thomas Aquinas – Fr. Reginald Lynch, O.P.
Fr. Reginald Lynch, O.P., a Dominican priest and expert in medieval theology, delves into Augustine's influential work, *De Trinitate*, and its impact on Thomas Aquinas. He highlights how Augustine's intellectual journey fosters a transformative relationship with God. The discussion covers the role of grace in shaping human nature, the reception of Augustine by medieval thinkers, and Aquinas's insights on divine likeness. Lynch further clarifies complex theological distinctions about grace, sacramental character, and the human quest for ultimate truth.
Oct 29, 2025 • 51min
In the Beginning Was the Word: Augustine, Aristotle, and Aquinas – Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P.
Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P., a Dominican priest and scholar in Thomistic theology, delves into the evolution of the concept of the Word through Augustine, Aristotle, and Aquinas. He discusses Augustine's analogy of the human mind for understanding the Trinity and how his illumination theory incorporates Aristotelian elements. Legge explores Aquinas's philosophical refinement of the notion of 'Word,' distinguishing between intelligible species and the interior word produced by understanding. This conversation bridges human cognition with Trinitarian theology.
Oct 27, 2025 • 21min
Memory, Intellect, and Will: The 13th Century Reception of Augustine – Dr. Albert von Thurn und Taxis
Dr. Albert von Thurn und Taxis, the twelfth Prince of Thurn und Taxis, dives into the complexities of Augustine's ideas on memory, intellect, and will as received in the 13th century. He discusses the tension between Augustinian and Aristotelian views, exploring Augustine's influence and his unified model of the rational soul. The conversation highlights the rich debates surrounding the nature of the soul, memory's rationality, and the interplay between intellect and will, providing a fascinating glimpse into medieval philosophy.
Oct 24, 2025 • 48min
Catholic Culture with Tolkien – Prof. Patrick Callahan
Prof. Patrick Callahan, Director of the Newman Institute for Catholic Thought & Culture, dives into the rich tapestry of Catholic culture through the lens of J.R.R. Tolkien. He explores how the Mass shapes Christian identity and the importance of tradition as a living, communal practice. Callahan critiques modern hyper-individualism and cultural standardization, highlighting Tolkien’s resistance to these trends. He emphasizes that engagement with secular culture can coexist with a strong Catholic identity, inspiring listeners to reflect on their own cultural responsibilities.
Oct 23, 2025 • 45min
Flannery O'Connor and the Perils of Governing By Tenderness – Dr. Jerome Foss
Dr. Jerome C. Foss, a scholar of Catholic political thought, explores Flannery O'Connor's unique approach to art and morality. He warns against governing by abstract tenderness, advocating for a faith-rooted realism. Foss delves into O'Connor's life and writing, revealing her belief that art should enhance moral vision. He analyzes her stories, showing how characters balance physical and moral sight, and how storytelling fosters a deeper understanding of reality. Ultimately, he highlights the transformative power of suffering and sacramental grace in O'Connor's worldview.
Oct 22, 2025 • 58min
Newman and Tolkien: The Humility of (Hi)story – Prof. Giuseppe Pezzini
Prof. Giuseppe Pezzini, an Associate Professor at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, delves into the profound connections between John Henry Newman and J.R.R. Tolkien. He reveals how both figures share an organic view of historical development, addressing themes of nostalgia and progress. Their contrasting perspectives on renewal versus restoration enrich the discussion. Pezzini also highlights Tolkien’s narratives as reflections of modern trauma, drawing insightful parallels between literary motifs and spiritual growth.
Oct 21, 2025 • 37min
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Canticles: Gregorian Chant and the Joy of the Gospel – Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P.
Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P., an Assistant Professor of Theology at Notre Dame and a Dominican priest, explores the profound impact of Gregorian chant on Christian spirituality. He discusses how psalms, hymns, and canticles shape worship and personal faith. The connection between the Psalter and human emotion is highlighted, along with St. Thomas Aquinas's take on chant's role in the Mass. Fr. Innocent also explains how various chants express joy, contrition, and the essence of Eucharistic praise, enriching the faithful's musical experience.
Oct 20, 2025 • 48min
The Incarnation and the Machine: The Visions of Fra Angelico and Le Corbusier – Fr. Irenaeus Dunlevy O.P.
Fr. Irenaeus Dunlevy O.P. is a Dominican priest and architectural expert, known for blending theology with art. In a captivating discussion, he contrasts Fra Angelico's divine beauty with Le Corbusier's machine-like aesthetics. He explores how the Incarnation reshapes our understanding of art and critiques modern movements for losing spiritual depth. Further, he examines the historical ties between church and art, emphasizing how Fra Angelico's work reveals the presence of Christ, while La Tourette neglects traditional symbolism.
Oct 17, 2025 • 50min
Beyond but Not Against Nature: How Grace Perfects and Transforms Nature – Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.
Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., is a Dominican priest and scholar of Thomistic theology, who delves into the interplay between grace and nature. He discusses how grace perfects and transforms human nature without destroying it. Exploring the concept of obediential potency, he illustrates how our natural capacities are elevated to supernatural ends. Cuddy raises the intriguing paradox of continuity and discontinuity in grace, emphasizing that while it transcends nature, it exists within it, offering profound insights into salvation and the human experience.
