The Institute for Christian Personalism warmly invites you to its Summer School, taking place from Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 23 2026 at the beautiful Weldam Estate in the Netherlands.

This year’s program centers on De Civitate Dei by Aurelius Augustine—one of the most influential works in the Western intellectual tradition. Together, we will explore its rich historical context and engage with its ethical, philosophical, theological, and anthropological insights. Through lectures and socratic discussions you will will gain a deeper understanding of Augustine’s view on man and God, his two kingdom theory and his understanding of evil.

Location

Set in the serene Dutch countryside, the Summer School takes place on and around the Weldam Estate near Markelo and Diepenheim. Participants will stay at Twentse Heerlijkheid, a charming and comfortable accommodation offering modern rooms equipped with all essential amenities. Lectures and activities are hosted across several unique locations throughout the estate.

Arrival is Monday, August 17 at 16:00 and departure is Sunday, August 23 in the morning.

The address of the accomodation is: Kleidijk 4, 7478 PD Diepenheim

Program

The program consists out of:

• Optional Morning Mass

• Breakfast at the accomodation

• Intensive studymornings under the supervision of Dr. Patrick Overeem.

• Organized lunch at different locations

• In the afternoon we will undertake several sportive, cultural and leisure activities on and around the Weldam Estate. This can be a visit to a local farmer, a bycicle trip, swimming or visiting a museum in the neighbourhood.

• Organized dinner

• In the evenings we will have guest speakers, musical evenings or relaxing evenings. One of our confirmed guestspeaker is Dr. Matthijs van Ittersum who will give a lecture on Christian Initiation in Augustine’s Confessiones.

Teachers

Our main teacher during the week will be Patrick Overeem, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He has a background in political philosophy, public ethics, and the history of political thought.

One of our confirmed guest teachers is Matthijs van Ittersum. Dr. Van Ittersum obtained his PhD in Catholic Theology from Tilburg University with a dissertation on the reception of Augustine’s baptismal theology in key writings of Benedict XVI. He currently teaches Latin at a secondary school and serves as president of the Twentse School voor Theologie.

Costs

The participation fee for the Summer School is €650. This all-inclusive amount covers accommodation, all program activities, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the week.

Participation

Applications are open to participants between the ages of 20 and 45. There is place for a maximum of 16 participants.

Preparation

Please purchase a hard copy of The City of God by Augustine of Hippo and read the following chapters in preparation for the Summer School.

• Mon Aug 17: Arrival and welcome

• Tue Aug 18: Session 1 - It was not Christianity: Book I + V

• Wed Aug 19: Session 2 - It actually is Christianity: Book VII + X

• Thu Aug 20: Session 3 - Two loves, two cities: Book XI + XIV

• Fri Aug 21: Session 4 - War and peace between the cities: Book XV + XIX

• Sat Aug 22: Session 5 - Eternal destinies of the cities: Book XX + XXII

• Sun Aug 23: Departure

We will use the following edition: The The City of God (Penguin Classics edition), which offers a reliable and accessible translation for modern readers.

Application

• Please apply by completing this form. After submission, we will carefully review your application and get back to you as soon as possible.

  If your application is accepted, you will be invited to confirm your participation by paying the program fee of €650. Your place in the Summer School will be secured once the payment has been received.

Deadline for application: July 1st, 2026

If you have any questions on upcoming summer schools, do not hesitate to send an email to: institutecpersonalism@gmail.com