A House of Formation for the Laity
Recover the True Path of Holiness
Taught by the Great Masters of the Spiritual Life
Guided by Dr. Matthew DuBroy
Priests and religious have their own houses of formation that prepare them for their own vocations but the laity do not have such houses.
The Aquinas Institute for Christian Perfection seeks to begin to remedy this problem so that they may answer the universal call to holiness and become true disciples of Jesus Christ since “formation is not a privilege of a few, but a right and duty of all.”[i]
[i] John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, 63.
Most of the Faithful Have Never Been Shown What Holiness Really Is
We live in an age overflowing with Catholic information: books, talks, podcasts, videos, conferences, devotions, parish programs. Yet very few environments provide what actually forms a soul:
The great tragedy of modern Catholic life is that most of the faithful have never been shown what holiness really is—or how to grow in it.
The Church today is rich in content but poor in formation. It is one thing to read about the spiritual life; it is another to be trained in it.
We have inherited a faith that is no longer integrated. We know scattered doctrines, prayers, rules, and devotions—but not the unifying vision that orders the whole Christian life: the pursuit of perfection, above all the perfection of charity.
The rich Catholic tradition on grace, virtue, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the interior life, and the stages of growth is often unknown even to devout Catholics.
ordered teaching
a coherent path
guidance
accountability
structure
and the steady practice that leads to growth
Priests and religious receive formation in houses of formation. Lay people, by contrast, are left to assemble their spiritual life from fragments—without an integrated system or a trusted, learned guide.
This is the gap the Aquinas Institute was founded to address.
Restoring an Integrated Path to Holiness
The Aquinas Institute for Christian Perfection was founded to restore what has been missing in modern Catholic life: an integrated, ordered, and livable path to holiness grounded in the Church’s spiritual tradition.
Instead of isolated doctrines, scattered devotions, or disconnected practices, the Institute provides a coherent whole. Participants are formed through a unified account of the spiritual life — grace, virtue, prayer, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the pursuit of the perfection of charity — and are shown how to apply it concretely to their own lives.
An Overview of the Formation Program
The Aquinas Institute for Christian Perfection is a structured, year-long formation program led by Dr. Matthew DuBroy that restores the integrated, ordered, and livable path to holiness found in the Church’s spiritual tradition.
It brings together the essential elements of real spiritual formation — systematic instruction in the principles of the interior life, personal guidance in applying those principles to one’s vocation and circumstances, and a stable community — so that ordinary Catholics can grow in holiness within their state in life.
Why Trust Us?
My work is rooted in formal theological training and years of teaching within the Church’s own tradition. I hold a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) – the highest level of formal theological degree the Catholic Church grants – and I’ve spent more than a decade teaching theology and Latin with a focus on St. Thomas Aquinas and the Thomistic tradition.
My formation began in seminary and continued through advanced Thomistic study. This is not hobby-level theology. It is precise, careful, ecclesial, and ordered toward the truth — and toward real growth in charity.
Dr. Matthew DuBroy, "a Thomist I know and admire, has founded [The Aquinas Institute for Christian Perfection] to serve everyday Catholics—especially parents—who are looking for clarity, depth, and guidance through courses and thoughtful engagement that fit into their busy lives."
"I fully endorse this endeavor and recommend checking it out."
-Dr. Peter Kwasniewski
What House of Formation Members Are Saying
[The House of Formation Program] gives me the whole picture and connects all the dots. It feels less fragmented. I feel like I have sturdier base of knowledge to help shape my soul.
-Christine A.
There is detailed teaching going much deeper than previous classes and Catholic formation events of the past. This formation experience is feeding the need and desire to learn more and pursue answers to endless questions.
-Diane J.
Start with the Free House of Formation Sampler
The best way to experience the Aquinas Institute is to begin with the House of Formation Sampler. In this free event you will:
• attend live formation sessions
• experience the structure of the program
• ask questions about the spiritual life
A House of Formation for the Laity
Priests and religious have their own houses of formation that prepare them for their own vocations but the laity do not have such houses.
The Aquinas Institute for Christian Perfection seeks to begin to remedy this problem so that they may answer the universal call to holiness and become true disciples of Jesus Christ since “formation is not a privilege of a few, but a right and duty of all.”[i]
[i] John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, 63.
Formation at the Aquinas Institute includes:
Live Teaching
Systematic instruction in the structure of the spiritual life, taught live and interactively rather than through passive lectures, with generous time for questions and discussion.
Personal Guidance
Individual spiritual direction and coaching to help apply the material from weekly classes to one's concrete life circumstances.
Community
Space for discussion and friendship with others who are serious about the pursuit of holiness.
Rediscovering Catholic Heritage
The goal of the Institute is to reclaim our Catholic heritage in all its fullness and glory.
No watering down.
No jettisoning the difficult things.
No pandering to modern man.
Just Catholic tradition and wisdom doing what God has called us to do.
Watering down Church teaching does not attract anyone.
And on the contrary when the truths of the faith are presented authentically, they are attractive and draw people in.
People want serious theology and to be challenged pastorally.
"If one presents doctrine clearly to someone who has faith, then that person will seek the light. The truth is naturally attractive to the faithful. We often condescend to the lay people who are under-educated theologically. Think about the engineer who has a seventh-grade theological education. They need the doctrine, even if not high scholastic treatise on it. On the other hand, people need heartfelt sympathy. We are sympathetic with the difficulties of life and we need to teach the difficult things because that’s what is good for the human person. No amount of sympathy will cure a sickness. We teach the tough things also to console the repentant – those who are living these difficult things."[i]
[i] See Fr. Thomas Joseph White https://soundcloud.com/thomisticinstitute/fr-thomas-joseph-white-op-preaching-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-8916
What We Are Offering
The Aquinas Institue for Christian Perfection will bring together like-minded people into a private membership forum where Dr. DuBroy will:
offering live sessions (topics dependent on interest and need) that will provide tailored guidance to deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith and tradition
regularly be engaging in discussion forums
answering questions
offer other potential opportunities dependent on interest such as: one on one coaching, opportunies for teens, etc.
Each teaching session will include 15-20 minutes teaching followed by a significant discussion period (around 40-45 minutes) so that those who can just tune in for a little bit can get the full teaching and those who have more time can develop what was taught, ask questions, and have a discussion with everyone that is there.
Live sessions will be recorded so that those who can't make it can access it at their own convenience. Questions can later be raised in the discussion group or in a live AMA session.
Other sessions might follow a different format: for example, an AMA session would simply be an hour long period of asking questions and discussion, or a retreat would be a few of the 15-20 min teaching sessions without discussion since the purpose of a retreat would be to meditate on certain truths (questions could be asked later).
Guided Book study - Questions and discussion on the discussion forum in between monthly live sessions.
Aids for reception of the Sacraments.
PDF summaries from the live sessions since sometimes it's easier or very helpful to have an outline or some kind of main point or template from what was talked about.
Added advice (weekly) about how to live the virtue that is the current focus of the group.
Sample of Live Offerings
Sample of Non-Live Offerings
Format of Sessions
Resources for parents to nurture their children's spiritual growth and understanding of the faith, and potentially opportunities for teenagers to directly engage with Dr. DuBroy.
Family Support
Join a community of those who appreciate the Traditional Latin Mass that is dedicated to rediscovering and living the richness of Catholic tradition.
TLM Community Support Network
Personalized Learning Experience
Tailored guidance to deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith and traditions includes weekly Q&A sessions and monthly office hours.
Each teaching session will include 15-20 minutes teaching followed by a significant discussion period (around 40-45 minutes) so that those who can just tune in for a little bit can get the full teaching and those who have more time can develop what was taught, ask questions, and have a discussion with everyone that is there.
Live sessions will be recorded so that those who can't make it can access it at their own convenience. Questions can later be raised in the discussion group or in a live AMA session.
Other sessions might follow a different format: for example, an AMA session would simply be an hour long period of asking questions and discussion, or a retreat would be a few of the 15-20 min teaching sessions without discussion since the purpose of a retreat would be to meditate on certain truths (questions could be asked later).
An AMA (Ask Me Anything) session would simply be an hour long period of asking questions and discussion.
Office Hours would be a time Dr. DuBroy is available for anyone to drop in to talk.
A retreat would be a few of the 15-20 min teaching sessions without discussion since the purpose of a retreat would be to meditate on certain truths (questions could be asked later).
What This Formation Is Meant to Produce
Members of the House of Formation Program gradually develop:
• A clear understanding of the structure of the spiritual life
• Greater stability in prayer and the interior life
• Practical guidance for overcoming spiritual obstacles
• A deeper integration of faith into daily life and vocation
Join Our Waitlist
Sign up now to be notified when we launch and secure your spot on our waitlist.