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.”
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 Formazione e animazione in vita consacrata
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

Synodality Training Course
In order to offer a wide-ranging theological and pastoral preparation for a synodal approach to reforming the Church through the “synodal” dynamic itself: by fostering interaction between students and between lecturers and students, thus ensuring a communitarian exercise of theological and pastoral thinking and action through specific workshops as well as in-depth study of the topics addressed.
In synergy with the General Secretariat of the Synod
Enrolment is closed for the first module.
For subsequent modules:
2nd and subsequent modules – submit form by 28 February 2023
3rd and 4th modules – submit form by 28 april 2023
Schedule for 1st year: from February to June 2023
Introductory Lesson – 17 January 2023 with Cardinal Grech
96 hrs in 3 Modules and one residential meeting
Online lessons are held Mondays and Tuesdays (6:00pm-9:00pm, Italy time)
Language: Italian, with simultaneous translations available for Portughese, Spanish and English
Students
Partecipation in the courses, access to a tutor, exams and university certification.
Cost per year: 150 Euro
Cost per module: 40 Euro
Auditors
Partecipation in the courses without sustaining final exams, and certification of attendance for university extension.
Cost per year: 100 Euro
Cost per module: 25 euro
At a time of Church synodal reform, this course offers a wide-ranging theological and pastoral formation, aimed at helping the Christian community in the exercise of thinking and acting in communion.
In its lectures and workshops, the course will be shaped around “Synodal” dynamics fostering interaction among students as well as among lecturers and students. Its horizons will be interdisciplinary and intercultural and it will offer a range of lived experiences of synodality in action.
Presbyters, deacons, consecrated men and women of religious orders, pastoral workers and laity engaged in building a synodal Church.
Giuseppe Petrocchi
Nathalie Becquart
Piero Coda
Alessandro Clemenzia
Rosalba Manes
Andrew Reception
Gerard Rossé
Marco Bernardoni
Nicola Salato
Tutors: Noemi Sanches, Raul Buffo, Maria do Sameiro Freitas
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