The Pontifical Liturgical Institute

The Institute welcomes all qualified women and men (lay, cleric and religious), who are eager to undertake a disciplined study of the sacred liturgy, the source and apex of Christian spirituality. The courses and academic program enable the student to pursue a diploma in liturgical studies, a licentiate (S.L.L.), or the doctorate (S.L.D.) in sacred liturgy.

The goal of the Pontifical Institute is to promote the scientific study and practice of the sacred liturgy through teaching, research and publications. It prepares women and men to become teachers, scholars and pastoral leaders in local churches, seminaries and religious and monastic communities. Through a four-fold methodology (theological, historical, spiritual and pastoral) students study the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours (the Divine Office) and the Liturgical Year. The fruits of this academic rigor are made manifest when, according to the teaching of the II Vatican Council, the faithful are led to a full, conscious and active participation in the liturgical celebrations of the Church which the very nature of liturgy and Baptism itself demand. The wisdom-seeking spirit of the Benedictine patron, St. Anselm of Aosta, Archbishop of Canterbury and Doctor of the Church, pervades the atmosphere of the Liturgical Institute. St. Anselm taught that theology is faith seeking to understand what it believes. Thus, acquired knowledge can be transformed to spiritually-informed wisdom.