Getting to Know Us

At Aquinas Institute, we deliberately create an academic environment and faith community that reflects the current reality of leadership in our Church today. Our lay students are able to study alongside the Dominican friars in specific formation as vowed religious. Our Dominican student brothers are able to study alongside others from different backgrounds and walks of life.  Our vision allows students to learn from each other in unique ways, teaching our lay students and Dominican brothers how to fulfill the mission of our Church as co-responsible leaders.

 

Co-responsibility demands a change in mindset especially concerning the role of lay people in the Church. They should not be regarded as “collaborators” of the clergy, but, rather, as people who are really “co-responsible” for the Church’s being and acting. It is therefore important that a mature and committed laity be consolidated, which can make its own specific contribution to the ecclesial mission with respect for the ministries and tasks that each one has in the life of the Church and always in cordial communion with the bishops. 

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI ON THE OCCASION OF THE SIXTH ORDINARY ASSEMBLY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF CATHOLIC ACTION