Living Theology 2026
Friday 10th – Monday 13th July
What is Living Theology?
The Living Theology Summer School has been organised by Jesuits and their associates in venues across the country for over 50 years. The courses continue to provide opportunities for Christians of all denominations to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith and develop their personal reflection on Christian living and belief.
No prior theological knowledge is required, just an open mind and willingness to engage.
THE KEYNOTE LECTURE
Friday Evening
Hope: A Virtue for Our Troubled Times
Lecturer: Ethna Regan CHF
Ethna is Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at Dublin City University. A Holy Faith Sister, she worked for over a decade in Trinidad and for five years in Samoa. Her research areas are human rights, Catholic social thought, liberation theology and ecclesial responses to child abuse.
THE COURSES
Participants then choose three other courses, one per day. Each course consists of three presentations throughout the day. Each lecture is repeated on another day.
COURSE A: Perspectives on Environmental Theology
Lecturer: Ethna Regan CHF
Offered on Saturday and Sunday
This course will explore how Christian theology, drawing on the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, understands creation and the natural world, and seeks to articulate human responsibility for the environment. These themes will be examined with particular reference to the contributions of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (the ‘Green Patriarch’), contemporary Catholic social teaching and voices from the Global South.
COURSE B: Encounters at the Well
Lecturer: Josette Zammit-Mangion CJ
Offered on Saturday and Monday
The encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well is reminiscent of other similar encounters in the Old Testament, as well as in other Ancient Near East and Hellenistic texts. In this course, we will look closely at the stories of the patriarchs and matriarchs -Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel and Moses and Zipporah – and then explore the way John uses, subverts and deepens these stories to explore the relationship between Jesus and the nameless woman of Samaria.
Josette is a member of the team at Loreto Spirituality Centre.
COURSE C: Christians in a Crazy World
Lecturer: Michael Smith SJ
Offered on Saturday and Sunday
When God created the universe, we were put to be in charge of at least part of it. Now that we have greater power than we have ever had before to control and improve everything for everybody, how are we doing? There are worries about the economy, peace, the future of our world, and the future for ourselves and our families – what can we do?
Based on scripture, some documents from recent popes, and a glance at the science behind what’s happening, we’ll review how we are doing, and more importantly, what we could be doing. We’ll work to try to make sure that The Creator will nod in approval and say ‘Well done!’
Michael is a Jesuit. His main work is with the Jesuit Refugee Service, an international organisation working in nearly sixty countries. He also works in a parish and in adult education.
COURSE D: Jesus Christ and the Religions
Lecturer: Michael Barnes SJ
Offered on Sunday and Monday
Jesus is mentioned, even revered and celebrated, in many of the great religions. But how do we Christians talk about him in today’s pluralist, multi-cultural world?
Michael teaches theology and inter-religious relations at the University of Roehampton and the Margaret Beaufort Institute in the Cambridge Theological Federation.
Timetable
Friday 10th July
6 pm Supper for resident participants
7 pm Registration for non-residential participants
7.15 pm Introduction to the Weekend
7.30 pm Keynote Lecture for all participants
8.45 pm Tea/coffee
Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th July
8 am Breakfast for resident participants
9 am Registration for new participants
9.30 am Morning Prayer
10.00 am Lecture 1
11.00 am Tea/coffee
11.30 am Lecture 2
12.30 pm Lunch
2.00 pm Lecture 3
3.00 pm Tea/coffee
5 pm Mass
6 pm Supper for resident participants
7 pm Optional film or workshop
Monday 13th July
As Saturday and Sunday until 3 pm
3.10 pm Closing Prayer (Chapel)
Tea and departures
GENERAL INFORMATION
Suggested Donation:
Non-residential: £105 for the three days. £36 per day if coming for one or two days only. This includes a light lunch. A non-refundable deposit of £20 is asked for when booking.
Residential Places: Please enquire about availability. Suggested donation: £280 (this includes full board and course fee). Please make it clear on your booking form if you require accommodation. A £50 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking.
Please Note:
1. Priority for accommodation will be offered to those attending the whole programme. If you wish to book for the whole course, to ensure your place, please book by the end of May. After this time, we will offer accommodation to those who wish to come for a shorter length of time.
2. It is important to us that nobody is excluded from our programmed events for financial reasons. Please speak to us if you find difficulty meeting the suggested offering. If, on the other hand, you feel able to make an extra contribution towards a bursary fund, this would enable others to participate in our programme.
How to reach us: Click here
Parking: A car park is available at the Centre.
Bookings: Please fill in the booking form below. We will then get in touch to confirm your booking and provide you with the details for paying the deposit.
Contact on the day of arrival ONLY: Please call us on 07503 775368.