The Thomistic Institute

Explore the concept of prayer as personal contact with God and its accessibility to all individuals. Learn about Augustine's journey towards finding happiness and meaning in life. Discover the power of humility through the story of Macarias the Great. Explore the concept of supplication in prayer and its role in seeking help, protection, and purification. Learn about the importance of prayer in renewing all aspects of life. Discover the relationship between compunction and the heart.

Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Andrew Hofer discuss St. Thomas Aquinas' views on love in the incarnation of God. They explore the distinction between human love and divine love, the concepts of redemption and recreation, an image involving a father physician and the incarnation of God, the notions of being and doing in the incarnation, the transformative power of divine love, and the doctoral program at the Dominican House of Studies.

Fr. Gabriel O'Donnell discusses the power of the Word of God in prayer, the transformative power of grace, the importance of discipline and commitment, finding moments of intimacy amidst busyness, understanding the evolution of the spiritual life, and reflecting on personal prayer experiences.

Sr. Maria Kiely, OSB discusses the significance of the Liturgy of the Hours and its connection to the Eucharist. She explores joy and consolation in the spiritual life, the resilience found in the Psalms, and the development and structure of the Divine Office. The compatibility of joy and suffering is examined through the story of Blondina. Additionally, she offers insights on finding joy in difficult circumstances and engaging with Scripture.

Fr. Gabriel O'Donnell discusses the longing for true self and acceptance, the role of peace in prayer, different forms of prayer, the immaturity of seeking validation, self-examination and humility, and the meaning of prayer in the heart and integration of different aspects of life.

Prof. Robin Jensen discusses the origins and influences of Christian baptism, the ritual gift of the Holy Spirit, the symbolism of baptism in early Christianity, early Christian baptism practices, the significance of baptism in Christianity, and early Christian baptismal architecture designs.

Prof. Joshua Hochschild discusses the role of philosophy in liberal education, including integrated learning, fostering critical thinking, and the importance of genuine conversation. The chapter also explores indoctrination in education, positivism's influence on sociology, and the purpose of college education.

In this podcast, Fr. Ambrose Little, O.P. discusses St. Thomas' understanding of the soul's survival after death. He explores the technical definition of 'person' and explains the concept of potency using the example of water. The chapter delves into the essence of souls, hylomorphism, and the unique nature of the intellect. Fr. Little also explores the concept of death as the separation of soul from body and discusses the limitations of the separated intellect. He emphasizes the importance of the resurrection of the body for fully flourishing human personhood.

Prof. Matthew Dugandzic explores the concept of free will, questioning if it is an illusion. He discusses the limitations of machines and argues that they cannot possess free will. The chapter also delves into the influence of mood on human behavior and the connection between freedom and knowledge. Additionally, it explores the concept of a perfect circle and its implications on our understanding of knowledge and reality. The chapter also discusses the concept of abstraction and how it allows the mind to derive universal ideas from specific characteristics. Lastly, it explores the relationship between predictability and free will.

This podcast explores the significance of the household in understanding human nature. It discusses the importance of work, discipline, and character formation, as well as the role of wisdom in the household. The connection between wisdom, virtue, and parenting is examined, along with the definition and forms of wisdom. The podcast emphasizes the importance of incorporating a contemplative element in the active life of a household and highlights intentional households and the challenges of raising children. The value of engaging in simple arts for celebrating and connecting is also discussed.