Lumen Christi Institute
Making the Catholic intellectual tradition a vital part of the secular university
Featured Events & News
Applications Open for the 2026 Summer Seminars
In their eighteenth year, the Lumen Christi Institute Summer Seminars in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition introduce participants to central themes, figures, and texts from the Catholic tradition.
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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 academic and intellectual interests. Applications are due on December 12, 2025.
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The Enduring Legacy of St. Augustine: The Fall Non-Credit Course & Postdoctoral Fellow Cassandra Sever
The Lumen Christi Institute dedicated the fall non-credit course to an intensive study of the thought of St. Augustine, which featured a session taught by Cassandra Sever, one of our first two postdoctoral fellows.
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Watch "Why Do We Need Saints and Miracles?" with Carlos Eire
Click here to watch the video and listen to the audio from Dr. Carlos Eire's recent Magis Lecture, "Why Do We Need Saints and Miracles?", which took place on October 30, 2025 at Saint Ignatius College Prep.
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The Lumen Christi Institute is forming educators who will bring the Catholic intellectual tradition back into the classroom—where it belongs. Will you help us sustain a community where Catholic educators and students thrive?
Give TodayLumen 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