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Choosing Well: Practical Wisdom in an Impractical Age (An Intellectual Retreat)


  • Dominican House of Studies 487 Michigan Avenue Northeast Washington, DC, 20017 United States (map)

Dominican Houses of Studies - Washington, DC

Schedule:

  • Begins with Mass at 4:30pm on Friday, October 30th

  • Concludes with check-out at 1:30pm on Sunday, November 1st

Presenters:

  • Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P. - Dominican House of Studies

  • Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. - Dominican House of Studies

  • Sr. Anna Wray, O.P. - Catholic University of America

  • Austin Litke, O.P. - Dominican House of Studies

  • Fr. Dominic Verner, O.P. - University of Notre Dame

Conference Titles: 1. The Good and Our Propensity for It ||| 2. The Virtues and Prudence ||| 3. Commanding Prudence ||| 4. Happiness and Choice ||| 5. The Practicals of Discernment

Description: Whether it’s choosing what to order for your morning coffee or deciding which career to pursue, treating our decisions as isolated moments, independent of one another, misses the reality that our choices are part of a larger whole, part of who we are as men and women. As human beings, we are made for a coherent and fulfilled life, one that is orchestrated by the flourishing of the virtues that redounds to the glory of God. Growth in the virtue of prudence is at the heart of any decision making, forming each of us for a holy integrity that accounts for all things: our relationship with God, with family and friends, our vocations, our careers. 

In this retreat, we will consider decisions and decision making relying on the thought and theology of St. Thomas Aquinas. Conferences will treat topics touching on virtue ethics, the virtue of prudence in particular, the parts of prudence that command and direct our action, and the role of conscience in practical decision making.

The retreat will have seminars and discussions framed by the traditional elements of a retreat. Mass and the Divine Office will be celebrated with the Dominican friars at the Dominican House Studies. Retreatants will also be present for the annual All Saints Vigil at the Dominican House of Studies. The event is open to eligible undergraduate and graduate students and young adults. All costs of the retreat are covered with the exception of travel.

For more information, contact Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. at jacob.bertrand.janczyk@opeast.org.

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Retreat Schedule

Friday, October 30th

  • 1:00-4:30 PM- Check-In Washington Retreat Center

  • 4:30 PM- Mass John Paul II National Shrine

  • 5:30 PM- Matins and Vespers DHS - Chapel 

  • 6:00 PM- Dinner DHS - St. Joseph Hall

  • 7:00 PM- Conference 1 DHS- Dominic Hall

  • 8:30 PM- Social DHS - St. Joseph Hall

Saturday, October 31st

  • 7:30 AM- Lauds DHS- Chapel

  • 7:55 AM- Mass DHS- Chapel

  • 9:00 AM- Conference 2 DHS - Dominic Hall

  • 10:15 AM- Break

  • 10:30 AM- Conference 3 DHS - Dominic Hall

  • 11:45 AM- Break

  • 12:00 PM- Matins and Sext DHS - Chapel

  • 12:30 PM- Lunch DHS - St. Joseph Hall

  • 2:00 PM- Conference 4 DHS - Dominic Hall

  • 3:15 PM- Free time

  • 5:30 PM- Matins and Vespers DHS - Chapel

  • 6:00 PM- Dinner DHS - St. Joseph Hall

  • 7:30 PM- All Saints Vigil DHS - Chapel

Sunday, November 1st

  • 8:30 AM- Matins and Lauds DHS - Chapel

  • 9:30 AM- Conference 5 DHS - Dominic Hall

  • 10:45 AM- Break

  • 11:15 AM- Mass DHS - Chapel

  • 12:30 PM- Lunch DHS - St. Joseph Hall

  • 2:00-3:00 PM- Check-Out Washington Retreat Center

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October 29

Does God Have a Name and How Do We Know It?

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November 2

Does Nature Make Laws? An Introduction to the Natural Law Tradition