Back to All Events

The Five Ways: A Symposium on Aquinas’s Proofs for the Existence of God


  • St. Bernard Abbey 1600 Saint Bernard Drive Cullman, AL, 35055 United States (map)

A symposium-style conference examining Aquinas’s proofs for God’s existence and their place in his metaphysical framework.

St. Bernard Abbey - Cullman, AL

Schedule:

  • Begins with Mass at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 4th

  • Concludes with check-out at 1:00 pm on Sunday, December 6th

Presenters:

  • Fr. James Brent, O.P. - Dominican House of Studies

  • Fr. Philip Neri Reese, O.P. - University of Notre Dame

  • Prof. Jennifer Frey - University of South Carolina

  • Prof. Thomas Osborne - University of St. Thomas, Houston

  • Fr. Ambrose Mary Little, O.P. - University of Virginia

  • Prof. Brian Carl - University of St. Thomas, Houston

Description: Aquinas believed that the existence of God is knowable to man through natural reason, and he set forth five proofs, or “ways," of knowing so. During this symposium, we will walk through each of Aquinas’s demonstrations of God’s existence, as well as situate the conversation within Aquinas’ metaphysical framework.

The weekend will have lectures on each of Aquinas’s five ways, opportunities for formal and informal discussions with fellow students and faculty, and time to socialize. The program will also include Mass and the Divine Office at the abbey.

Applications for the symposium are open to undergraduate and graduate students, especially those who are TI campus chapter members. Successful applicants will have costs of the retreat and travel expenses covered. The deadline to apply is November 20th.

For more information, contact Teresa Linn at tlinn@dhs.edu.

Symposium 2020 Poster.jpg

Recommended Reading:

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, I, q. 2, a. 3

Edward Feser, Five Proofs of the Existence of God

Schedule:

Friday

3:00 pm Registration

5:00 pm Mass

5:30 pm Vespers

6:00 pm Dinner

7:15 pm Introduction and Prelude Session

8:30 pm Compline

8:45 pm Social

Saturday

7:30 am Lauds

8:00 am Breakfast

9:00 am Session 1

10:00 am Break

10:30 am Session 2

12:00 pm Lunch

1:15 pm Session 3

2:30 pm Mass

3:00 pm Break

4:15 pm Session 4

5:30 pm Vespers

6:00 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Quodlibetal Q&A session

8:00 pm Adoration

8:30 pm Compline

8:45 pm Social

Sunday

8:00 am Breakfast

9:00 am Session 5

10:30 am Mass

12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm Departure

Previous
Previous
December 2

Livestream | What is a Sacrament? St. Thomas Aquinas on the Sacraments as Signs

Next
Next
December 7

Hope according to St. Thomas