Institute of the Transfiguration Events

2022-2024 Institute of the Transfiguration Cohort participants are invited to attend the two final sessions of Year 1 of the 2024-2026 Cohort, since these topics were not covered in the previous cohort. Other spiritual directors are also welcome.

The session details are below. Each session is held from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM at St. Stephen the Witness Student Center, 1019 W 23rd St, Cedar Falls. There is the option to participate in Mass in the chapel at the student center at 7:30 AM. Breakfast items are available after Mass. Lunch will be provided during the session. To cover expenses for food and printed materials, the cost to participate is $20 per person per session. Please complete the registration form below by April 4.

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025 
Presenters: Fr. Bob Gross and Sara Scheunemann
Topic: Christian Spirituality Through the Ages V: Modern Mystics: Part 1
Description: The last two sessions of Year 1 turn attention to modern mystics who have contributed to the Catholic Spiritual Tradition. In part 1, we will investigate the practical mysticism of St. Thérèse which greatly inspired the work of St. Teresa of Calcutta. St. Elizabeth of the Trinity will be considered for her high mysticism of the indwelling Trinity that is also rooted in the practical expressions of doing God’s will in everyday life.
Preparatory Reading: 
•    Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Word on Fire Classics)
•    Mother Teresa's Secret Fire by Fr. Joseph Langford
•    Collected Works of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity: Volume 1, Major Writings

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025 
Presenters: Fr. Bob Gross and Sara Scheunemann
Topic: Christian Spirituality Through the Ages VI: Modern Mystics: Part 2
Description: The last session will look at three modern spiritual writers who have greatly influenced the terrain of modern Christian Spirituality. We will look at the role Thomas Merton played in revitalizing interest in the Christian Spiritual Tradition of Prayer. We will consider in the life of Servant of God Dorothy Day how intentional Christian spirituality leads to a commitment to the poor. Lastly, we will look at the witness of radical expression of presence in the service of Evangelization in the life of St. Charles de Foucauld. 
Preparatory Reading:  
•    Charles de Foucauld (Modern Spiritual Masters): Writings by Charles de Foucauld
•    Spiritual Direction and Meditation by Thomas Merton
•    No Man is an Island by Thomas Merton (Scanned selections provided)
•    New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton (Scanned selections provided)
•    The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day (Scanned selections provided)
•    House of Hospitality by Dorothy Day (Scanned selections provided)