Lumen Christi Institute
Making the Catholic intellectual tradition a vital part of the secular university
Featured Events & News
Non-Credit Course - History of Monasticism | Tuesdays, Mar. 31 - May 12, 2026
Monasticism is the form of religious life common to the Latin, Greek, Syriac, and Coptic churches. This course, led by Fr. Peter Funk, OSB, will examine its development from the age of the martyrs to the present and its perennial role within the Body of Christ. All UChicago students, staff, and faculty members are welcome to join. No religious affiliation is necessary.
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Apply to the Ricketts House Catholic Student Residence
The Lumen Christi Institute offers a residential community with capacity for nine male university students. As an intentional Catholic residence, the residents receive weekly community meals, community prayer, and opportunities for intellectual and spiritual formation.
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Reading Course - What is a “Uni-versity”? Revisiting Newman’s "Idea of a University" | Wednesdays, Apr. 1-29, 2026
Fr. Peter Bernardi, SJ, LCI's Scholar-in-Residence, leads this quarter's reading course about the crisis of the university. Battles over core curricula, distribution of limited resources, and arguments over research and teaching priorities are all indications of the crisis. So what is a “uni-versity”? What is its purpose?
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Summer Seminar - "From Ancient Wisdom to Person-Centered Care": Historical, Philosophical, and Theological Foundations of Healthcare | Aug. 4-8, 2026
This 4.5-day immersive experience for graduate-level health sciences learners will take place at the Anselm House at the University of Minnesota this August. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the seminar is filled. For fullest consideration, apply by April 6, 2026.
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Applications Open for The Nicklin Fellows Program
The Nicklin Fellows are the recipients of a competitive, application based fellowship for undergraduate students. Nicklin Fellows are granted exclusive access to research and development grant funds to pursue their intellectual interests. Applications are due Sunday, March 22.
Learn More and ApplyLumen Christi has been one of the great spiritual achievements of the last 25 years. And to see Lumen Christi flourishing so well and expanding around the country is a sign of tremendous hope for the Church.
The longest intellectual tradition of any institution in the contemporary world.
Celebrated University of Chicago President Robert Maynard Hutchins once remarked that the Catholic Church has “the longest intellectual tradition of any institution in the contemporary world.” The mission of the Lumen Christi Institute is to make the Catholic intellectual tradition a vital part of the secular university and the broader culture. The Lumen Christi Institute’s programs enrich academic communities at the University of Chicago and beyond with the insights of Catholic thought, in order to engage our secular culture in dialogue and ultimately to renew our civilization by forming leaders for a global society in need of Christian wisdom.
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Making the Catholic intellectual tradition a vital part of the secular university