If you're reading this sentence, you're not dead--at least not yet. But someday, sooner or later, you will die. Death is the one sure fact of life. And yet whereas death is certain for us mortal creatures, what happens after death is anything but certain. For thousands of years philosophers have debated, theologians have taught, poets have sung of the nature of the afterlife--heaven and hell, reincarnation and oblivion. Yet despite these debates, lessons, and poems, no philosopher, no theologian, no poet when transcribing their thoughts on the afterlife spoke from experience. How can you know something you have not experienced, something that eye has not seen and ear has not heard? 

Now perhaps all of this musing on death sounds rather morbid, especially for a high school seminar taking place during the vibrant summer season while all of nature pulsates with life. But what we think about death reflects what we think about life. Death, judgement, heaven, and hell—the famous four last things—have a way of sharpening our focus here and now about how to live life to the full. In keeping with the Collegium Institute Young Catholic Leaders Initiative's yearlong exploration of how to live a good life through sustained reflections on the virtues, this summer seminar from Monday, June 24 to Wednesday, June 26 at the Penn Newman Center will explore how to die a good death, and how to attain happiness in the afterlife.

Over the course of three days featuring Prof. Paul Camacho, Prof. Veronica Ogle, Prof. Rosemary Trout, Prof. Joseph Trout and assorted Collegium staff, we will deal with death and the horrors of hell, progress through the purgative process of pilgrimage and purgatory, and advance towards the deepest desires of the heart in our heavenly homeland. Our guides through this perilous journey through the undiscovered country include Plato and Boethius, Dante and Chaucer, Newman and Hopkins, and many more voices from beyond the grave. Through seminars and breakout discussions, scavenger hunts and cemetery visits, dramatic readings and delicious feasts, the seminar will seek to help us live well to die well.

Apply now for this in-person summer seminar for the Collegium Institute's Young Catholic Leaders Initiative for advanced high school students from Monday, June 24 to Wednesday, June 26, 2024. This workshop will take place primarily at the University of Pennsylvania's Newman Center. 

Should you be accepted, there will be a $45 will be due upon registration, but scholarships may be available to admitted students in need.

Applications are due Monday, June 17. Click the button below to apply.