Here is an exciting opportunity for priests and lay people alike.
In Rome there is now a Masters program in RATZINGER STUDIES. HERE PDF of the brochure HERE.
The Fondazione Vaticana Joseph Ratzinger Benedetto XVI is sponsoring a Masters Program in Joseph Ratzinger: Studies and Spirituality.
This is a two semester program, beginning February 2016, consisting in a course of one afternoon per week for two semesters. So, it’ll run from the second semester, starting in February 2016, and then pick up again with the next academic year in October through to January 2017.
And the program is in both Italian and ENGLISH. That is.. the whole thing is offered… in ENGLISH. You don’t need to take Italian courses because it is also offered IN ENGLISH.
This would be an amazing opportunity for, say, a priest who is to take a sabbatical year.
Rome in the spring, Ratzinger, summer off, Rome in the fall, Ratzinger … Masters!
The programs is coordinate by and held at my school, the Patristic Institute “Augustinianum“, which is literally across the street from St. Peter’s Square.
This Masters program will trade off with their other Masters program in Augustinian Studies. So, after the Ratzinger program ends in January 2017, the Augustine program (going on now at the Augustinianum) will start in February 2017. They will alternate.
Super cool idea and opportunity.
Tempting?
Super cool! ( Except for the thesis part)
Maybe if enough Americans attend and finish this, similar courses could be brought to American seminaries and colleges? Or perhaps on-line offerings?
Of course, the being-in-Rome thing is hard to beat.
Maybe if enough of us were to humbly ask, they would establish something online?!
If I could afford it, I would do this!!!!!!!!!!! ONLINE PLEASE!!!
If only it was online (if it is I missed seeing it on my phone). I can trade so many days at work so it’ll be very difficult :/
Is this a Master’s degree in the sense ordinarily understood in North America, or i
I’m torn. On the one hand, you could definitely get a Masters out of just studying Pope Benedict’s work. On the other… don’t we normally wait till great men are dead? I’m not sure if I’m afraid he’ll be embarrassed or if I’m convinced he could publish something tomorrow and render the whole study outdated by way of one-upping his own awesomeness… (Or, you know, he could still be elected Pope again one of these days. Hey, I can dream, right?)
Sounds great but I wonder if they offer classes in English?……. Lol
They should give the first degree to Ratzinger. And not an honorary degree, either, since he IS Ratzinger.
To echo what a number of commenters have said: If it were available online, I would think seriously about it!
If it was online, I’d sign up in a heartbeat…but don’t think my new job would take too kindly to me taking 2 semesters off for this particular degree. Sadly…imagine being able to delve so deeply into +Benedict’s works? What a feast of faith that would be.
Why isn’t there an at home masters/doctoral program for stay at home moms with tiny kids?!
I am glad people are at work remembering J. Ratzinger. His work is a lifeline in these ever more darkening days.