Evangelii Gaudium Center
The Evangelii Gaudium Center (CEG) is a laboratory of formation, study and research operating in the perspective of the “new chapter of evangelization” to which the Church is called. In tune with Sophia’s formative project and academic method, the mission of the CEG is to promote and support formation, study and research in the fields of ecclesiology, pastoral theology and mission, spiritual theology and the theology of charisms, with particular attention to the rich diversity of the socio-cultural and ecclesial contexts.
Courses, seminars and workshops for a paradigm shift
The Centre strives to respond to the strong invitation addressed by Pope Francis to the Church in Italy to take up again the Exhortation “Evangelii gaudium” in order to provide specific content, impetus and direction to the work of pastoral conversion needed by a Church called to “go out” to the geographical and existential peripheries of today. An urgent task, which requires open-mindedness and experience, but also a new language and spirit, channelling the spiritual impulses and experiences aroused by Chiara Lubich’s charism of unity. As Pope Francis said in the Florence Cathedral, 10 November 2015: “Remember that the best way to dialogue is not that of speaking and debating but that of doing something together, of making plans: not alone, among Catholics, but together with all those who are of good will. Do not be afraid to engage in the exodus necessary for every authentic dialogue.”
Card. Mario Grech – Severino Dianich – Alphonse Borras – Card. Francesco Coccopalmerio – Piero Coda, Sinodalità e partecipazione. Edited by Vincenzo Di Pilato. Rome: Città Nuova, 2023.
The Continental Assemblies strongly expressed to the General Secretariat of the Synod that the way forward, experienced in the current journey, should penetrate into the daily life of the Church at all levels, either by renewing existing structures or establishing new ones. For this reason, in the Instrumentum laboris for the first Session of the next Synod at the Vatican (October 2023), it is considered appropriate to intervene also in canon law, rebalancing the relationship between the principle of authority, strongly affirmed in the current legislation, and the principle of participation. The issues and especially the proposals put forward in these pages by distinguished personalities from the ecclesiastical and theological world are a contribution to the circularity between prophecy and discernment taking place in the Church.
2022/2023 Synodality Training Course
2022 Course for Formators
2021 Course for Formators
2021 School for Pastoral Educators
2020 Formation for Priestly Ministry in a Synodal Church
2020 School for Pastoral Educators
2017/2018 Course for Seminary Formators
2016/2017 Formation in Consecrated Life
The CEG is offering a research grant in the following area: “Synodality Formation of the New Generations”
Follow the directions here (pdf download) to submit applications by May 15, 2023
e-mail: ceg@sophiauniversity.org
Academic Coordinator Vincenzo Di Pilato
Secretary Maria do Sameiro Freitas
President of the Scientific Council Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, Archbishop of L’Aquila

A New Horizon of Thought!
A paradigm for a spirituality of communion
Dr. Christian Hennecke
In dialogue with Fr. Sergio Pellegrini
13 October 2023 from 8:00pm to 9:30pm via zoom
For the first time in cooperation – Evangelii Gaudium Center and Klaus Hemmerle Forum – an invitation to be inspired by some “inputs” for a new way of thinking. Going beyond “traditional thinking” to discover the new and prophetic that God has prepared for His kingdom of tomorrow.
The evening will be available in Italian and German, with room for questions and dialogue.
Register to receive the zoom link before October 9th at: anmeldung@kh-forum.org

Synodality Training Course a.y. 2023/2024
To offer a wide-ranging theological and pastoral preparation on the reform of the Church from a synodal perspective.
Course opening: 12 September 2023
Card. Mario Grech
Sr. Nathalie Becquart: Sinodalità, ecumenismo e dialogo interreligioso (in Italian) | Synodality, Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue (in English)
Msgr. Luis Marín de San Martín: Fonti per l’evangelizzazione: un approccio sinodale (in Italian) | Sources for evangelisation: a synodal approach (in English)
Card. Mario Grech: Sinodalità, metodo per l’evangelizzazione (in Italian)
Msgr. Piero Coda: Una via privilegiata: la conversazione nello Spirito (in Italian)
Download the programme:
One can register as auditors or students.
The Course consists of 4 modules of 21 hours each, each module with a specific topic.
Lessons will be held online – Zoom platform (live and deferred) – every Monday from 6pm to 9pm (days indicated below). Simultaneous translations will be available from Italian into Spanish, Portuguese and English.
For students there is a requirement for additional hours of study and a final paper – 3 ECTS per module
Class dates:
1 – From “Diversity of Ministry but Unity of Mission” (AA, 2)
16-13-20-27 November 2023
4-11-18 December 2023
2 – Places and method of participation
15-22-29 January 2024
5-12-19-26 February 2024
3 – “Disciples-missionaries” to promote fraternity
4-11-18 March 2024
8-15-22-29 April 2024
4 – Synodality workshops (in presence and via web)
24-25-26 May 2024
Students
Participate in courses, are entitled to a tutor, receive a 3 ECTS certificate for every 21 module hours. Obligation of additional hours of study and a final paper.
Cost per year: 160 Euro
Cost per module: 40 Euro
Auditors
Participate in courses, do not take exams and receive a certificate of attendance.
Cost per year: 100 Euro
Cost per module: 25 euro
To offer theological and pastoral preparation to contribute to the synodal reform of the Christian community.
“Synodal” dynamic that enhances interaction among students, between faculty and students, in an interdisciplinary way and in an intercultural horizon, able to offer experiences of lived synodality, with lectures, group dynamics and workshops.
The fourth module will be laboratory-based.
Presbyters, deacons, religious, consecrated men and women, pastoral workers, lay men and women engaged in building a synodal Church. All the people of God.
Giuseppe Petrocchi
Nathalie Becquart
Piero Coda
Alessandro Clemenzia
Vincenzo Di Pilato
Assunta Steccanella
Andrew Reception
Giuseppina di Simone
Vito Impellizzeri
Raul Buffo
Noemi Sanchez
Marco Bernardoni
Tommaso Bertolasi