Glastonbury Abbey Institute

The spiritual enrichment and adult faith education programs are offered by the Glastonbury Abbey Institute as part of its rich Benedictine monastic teaching tradition.

All our programs are offered free, but donations are gratefully received to cover the costs of producing our programs online. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.

If you have any questions, please call 781-749-2155 ext. 300. Please click here for the programs page for more information or to register. Or click here for the 2025-26 programs brochure.

 

October Programs:

October 14: Faith Seeks Understanding with Fr. Timothy Joyce, OSB. Topic for October: Jesus The Jew (Virtual)                              

Fr. Timothy resumes his annual series of free- wheeling discussions on matters of faith. This year's program is entitled "Faith Seeks Understanding" - a 90 minute monthly program of open discussion where all are welcome to put forth their own beliefs or questions. This month's topic is "Jesus the Jew." Please register to receive the pre-readings. Click here to register.

October 21 & 28: The Cloister’s Apocalypse: A 14th Century Illuminated Book of Revelation, Regina Boisclair, PhD (Virtual)

The Book of Revelation speaks of A world.  The author conveyed to his original readers that the Roman Empire would fall and Christian martyrdom would cease.  While all of history has many of the same issues (war, famine, persecution, etc) the Book of Revelation is often misunderstood when it is read as historical prophecy of the end of THE world.  These sessions feature the charming illuminations of the Book of Revelation from a medieval manuscript.  It begins with a summary of the nature of apocalyptic literature and an overview of the text. Click here to register.

October 22, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: A Day Retreat, "All Shall be Well; The Life and Spirit of Julian of Norwich," Sister Maureen Casey (In Person)

The Life and Spirit of Julian of Norwich. Come and gift God and yourself with time to savor and be inspired by Julian of Norwich, a 14th century mystic, theologian and visionary who had an incredible trust in the goodness and providence of God amidst so much suffering.  She is a prophetess for our 21st century as we continue to discern God's dream for our world today and trust anew that although all is not well, God continues to invite us to trust that ALL SHALL BE WELL! Click here to register.

October 22, 29, November 5 & 12: Bible Study: Paul and the First Letter to the Thessalonians with Regina Boisclair, PhD (In Person)

These sessions are in person only and focus on the sacred authors’ intent and not designed to discuss individual insights.  Each course is independent although participants will notice that they build on understandings gained in the process. There will be suggested assignments from the Bible for the second through fourth sessions. Click here to register.

If you have any questions, please call 781-749-2155 ext. 300. Please click here for the programs page for more information or to register. Or click here for the 2025-26 programs brochure.

 

In case you missed it, the recording of Dr. Charles F. Mundhenk's program, "Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio? Finding Hope in Dark Times," is available to watch on YouTube. Click here to view.

2024-25 Program Recordings

Here are recordings of some of the 2024-25 programs - for personal viewing only; recording permission granted by each of the presenters; property of Glastonbury Abbey.

Dr. Cathleen Kaveny: "Ethical Voting - Is it a Contradiction in Terms?"

Sister Laura Swan: "What the Desert Mothers Have to Say to US Today"

Fr. Bryan Hehir: "Catholic Teaching on War and Peace:  Principles and Cases"

Three part series with Fr. Nicholas Morcone, OSB, "Three Popes"
Click here to view Part One, "Leo the Great"
Click here to view Part Two, "Gregory the Great"
Click here to view Part Three, "Gregory VII"

Dr. Massimo Faggioli, "Long Live Synodality"

Sr. Maureen  Sullivan, OP, PhD: "Female Deaconate: If Not Now...When?" 

Three-part series with John Sheff, "From Languishing to Flourishing: Becoming Your Best Self"
Click here to view Part One, "The Depression Spectrum: The Untreated Mental Health Problem"
Click here to view Part Two, "Lethargy to Vitality"
Click here to view Part Three, "The Philosophy of Stoicism: Mastering the Art of Living"

Fr. Aarom Wessman, PhD: "A Catholic Approach to the Perils of Polarization"

Dr. Julie Upton, RSM: "Mothers and Fathers of the Early Church"

Christina Leano: "What Does Contemplation Have to Do with the Climate Crisis?"

All our programs and recordings are offered free, but donations are gratefully received to cover the costs of producing our programs online. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.

2023-24 Program Recordings

Here are recordings of some of the 2023-24 programs - for personal viewing only; recording permission granted by each of the presenters; property of Glastonbury Abbey.

Three part series with Fr. Thomas Massaro, SJ, "Social Justice: The Church's Best Kept Secret"
Click here to view Part One.
Click here to view Part Two.
Click here to view Part Three.

Three part series with Fr. Nicholas Morcone, OSB, "The Constantinian Revolution"
Click here to view Part One.
Click here to view Part Two.
Click here to view Part Three.

Three part series with Sr. Maureen Sullivan, OP, "The SYNOD: Reform, Renewal and Courage"
Click here to view Part One, "Women in the Church."
Click here to view Part Two, "The Laity Find Their Voice."
Click here to view Part Three, "The Church...Then and Now."

Three part series with Dr. Julia Upton, RSM, "Liturgy After Vatican II"
Click here to view Part One.
Click here to view Part Two.
Click here to view Part Three.

"Cultivating Hope in Difficult Days" with John Pavlovitz
Click here to view.

All our programs and recordings are offered free, but donations are gratefully received to cover the costs of producing our programs online. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.