Humanitas Summer Symposium

2026 Humanitas Summer Conference

Join the Portsmouth Institute for its 17th Annual Humanitas Summer Conference

June 12-13, 2026
Portsmouth Abbey
Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Gather with like-minded friends for a memorable weekend of learning, fellowship, and prayer.

Participate in important conversations at the intersection of faith and culture with Catholics leaders and public intellectuals.

Experience the Benedictine life of hospitality, study, and prayer.

Examine the Catholic intellectual tradition in small-group discussion sessions with expert teachers and scholars from Portsmouth Abbey School and Providence College.

“Grow in knowledge and grace” among friends in a beautiful, convivial, and uplifting setting at Portsmouth Abbey, nestled along the coast of Rhode Island’s scenic Narragansett Bay.

Receive a beautiful copy of readings published by our partners at Cluny Media.

Portsmouth Institute members enjoy special perks, including priority seating and members-only events over the weekend.

No academic expertise is required, simply a “love of learning and desire for God.”

Featured Speakers

The Most Reverend
Bruce A. Lewandowski

Bishop of Providence

Luke Burgis

Catholic University of America
Cluny Institute

Dr. Kathleen Sprows Cummings

Professor of History and American Studies

University of Notre Dame

Camillo Barone

National Catholic Reporter

John Carr

Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

Georgetown University

Christopher Altieri

Author of Leo XIV: The New Pope and Catholic Reform

Schedule

Friday, June 12^th

Time	Event
3–5 pm	Room Check-in for Overnight Guests St. Brigid’s House
5 pm	Registration and Opening Reception Science Building Patio
6 pm	Dinner and Keynote Lecture: Dr. John Carr (Georgetown University) Science Building Commons
7:30 pm	Evening Hospitality Science Building Patio

Saturday, June 13^th

Time	Event
7:20 am	Holy Mass Available Abbey Church of St. Gregory the Great
7:30–8:30 am	Continental Breakfast Available Science Commons
8:30–9:45 am	Lecture/Presentation I: Dr. Kathleen Sprows Cummings Science Commons
9:45–10:30 am	Breakout Discussion I Science Building: Room TBD
10:30 am	Refreshment Break
10:45 am–12 pm	Lecture/Presentation II: Christopher Altieri & Camillo Barone Science Commons
12:15 pm	Midday Prayer Abbey Church of St. Gregory the Great
12:30–1:45 pm	Buffet Lunch Science Commons
1:45–3 pm	Lecture/Presentation III: Luke Burgis Science Commons
3–3:45 pm	Breakout Discussion II Science Building: Room TBD
4–4:45 pm	Afternoon Leisure
4 pm	Campus Pilgrimage Meet at the McGuire Fine Arts Center
4 pm	Art Exhibit McGuire Fine Arts Center
4:15 pm	Vespers Abbey Church of St. Gregory the Great
5 pm	Vigil Mass with the Monastic Community Celebrated by the Right Rev. Michael Brunner, O.S.B., Abbot of Portsmouth Abbey Abbey Church of St. Gregory the Great
6–6:45 pm	Evening Reception Science Building Patio
6:45 pm	Dinner and Keynote Lecture: Bishop Bruce Lewandowski (Diocese of Providence) Science Commons
8 pm	Dessert Reception and Concert Student Center Patio

Co-Sponsored by the Woods College of Advancing Studies
at Boston College

Sponsorship Opportunities

The Portsmouth Institute welcomes individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing Catholic thought in contemporary culture to partner with us as sponsors of the 2025 Humanitas Summer Symposium. Those interested can email Executive Director, Darryl De Marzio, Ph.D., at institute@portsmouthabbey.org and look at our sponsorship opportunities: 2025 Humanitas Summer Symposium Sponsorship Packet.

Why this theme?

On May 8, 2025, the 266th successor to St. Peter and the first American Pope was elected: Pope Leo XIV. While the election of new pope is always history making, Leo XIV’s journey seems especially improbable, with a background unlike any pontiff in the history of the Church—roots in the United States, a long ministry of service to the poor in Peru, and his Augustinian vocation, the first of that order to inhabit the Chair of St. Peter. Further, the name he has chosen potentially signals a direction and domain of concern for the faith. As Pope Leo XIV said of his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, “He tackled the social question in the context of the first industrial revolution, and today the Church offers to all its social doctrine heritage to respond to another industrial revolution and the development of artificial intelligence, which presents new challenges for defending human dignity, justice, and work.”

But who is Pope Leo XIV? What is his vision for the Church, and what will the impact of his papacy be on the Church, both globally and in America? And, what influence will Pope Leo XIV have on public life in the United States?

The Portsmouth Institute’s 2026 Humanitas Symposium will convene scholars, journalists, educators, and leaders of the Church, to explore these questions and more. In addition to keynote lectures and presentations, participants will discuss timeless ideas of the Catholic intellectual tradition and apply those ideas to contemporary challenges in breakout sessions led by faculty members from Portsmouth Abbey School and Providence College. Abundant hospitality and the Benedictine monastic liturgies of Portsmouth Abbey will nurture a joyful environment of learning, fellowship, and prayer.

Do you offer overnight accommodations?

Single Occupancy: $175/night | Double Occupancy: $225/night

Linens including sheets and pillow are provided. Please note that this is DORMITORY STYLE accommodations, with common bathrooms and dorm room furniture. If you prefer more comfortable accommodations, please see our hotel listing below.

If you choose to stay in the dormitories, we advise that you bring the following:

Blanket
Shower Caddy
Toiletries and soap
Bathrobe and sandals (common bathrooms on each floor)

Summer Symposium Cancellation Policy: For a full refund of tuition fees, please cancel with at least three weeks advance notice from the event’s date. We reserve the right to substitute speakers and/or cancel part of or the entire event due to circumstances beyond our control.