Faculty Members of the Avila Institute
Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B. became a Benedictine monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1998. Since his ordination to the priesthood in 2004 he has provided spiritual direction for many men and women, including married couples, seminarians, consecrated religious and priests, even as he completed his Ph.D. in computer science at Penn State University. He became the programming manager and an on-air contributor for We Are One Body® Catholic radio in 2010 and has recorded thousands of radio programs on theology and the spiritual life. He has extensive experience as a retreat master for laity, consecrated religious and priests. He became the Director for Spiritual Formation for Saint Vincent Seminary in 2016 and Director of the Institute for Ministry Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2019 and has offered many courses on spiritual direction and the spiritual life. While continuing his other responsibilities he is also currently enrolled in the STL program at Sacred Heart Seminary on the New Evangelization. He is author of Through the Heart of St. Joseph and together with Fr. Thomas Acklin, OSB he is author of the book Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love and Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father’s Love, all published by Emmaus Road Publishing.
This module explores the wisdom of St. Teresa, Doctor of the Church, and the normal progress of prayer and holiness of life as revealed in her writings.
An advocate of contemplative prayer, her writings are filled with practical suggestions and a living devotion to Christ that can enrich one’s prayer and discernment.
Pia de Solenni is an internationally recognized Catholic theologian and speaker. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Catholic Register; she has appeared on CNN, ABC News, and other television programs.
Solenni is an alumna of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum where she earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology. On November 8, 2001, she received the 2001 Award of the Pontifical Academies for her doctoral work. The award was presented by John Paul II. Dr. de Solenni has served on the Family Research Council.
Solenni has a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. She is currently the chancellor of the Diocese of Orange.
This module looks specifically at the different ways a missionary disciple may be called to live out the Christian life found in the Gospels and the teachings of St. Paul. Drawing from Theology of Body, it explores the nuptial meaning of the body as a gift of self for God and for others as part of an integral vision of Man.
Christopher Carstens is director of the Office for Sacred Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin; a visiting faculty member at the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois; editor of the Adoremus Bulletin; and one of the voices on The Liturgy Guys podcast. He is author of A Devotional Journey into the Mass and A Devotional Journey into the Easter Mystery (Sophia), as well as Principles of Sacred Liturgy: Forming a Sacramental Vision (Hillenbrand Books). He lives in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, with his wife and eight children.
This introduction to the practice and daily discipline of praying the psalms in priestly formation endeavors to build an awareness of liturgy as a participation in the prayer of Christ and the prayer of the Church. It discusses how the Liturgy of the Hours is connected to both the Mass and personal prayer, and why this prayer is essential for progress in vocational discernment.
Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.
In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one - and grateful to be Catholic.
This module will explore the time-tested wisdom of the Catholic mystics to better understand the enemy’s influence on the mind and heart, and the tactics needed to combat him. This examination of spiritual warfare will include a reflection on the ebbs and flows of consolation and desolation and teaching to distinguish between the voices of God and Satan. After this module, you will come to see the spiritual life not as a science to be learned, but as an intuitive art to be practiced as you move with increasing success from habitual sin to sanctity and holiness.
Dr. David Arias is a professor of philosophy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, NE. Prior to coming to Nebraska, Dr. Arias taught philosophy, theology, natural science, mathematics, literature, and various other subjects for eleven years at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA. Dr. Arias has published in both scholarly and popular venues. His main areas of scholarly interest are natural philosophy and metaphysics. On a more personal note, Dr. Arias is happily married to Jennaya Arias and together they are the blessed parents of thirteen children (nine boys and four girls).
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). This three-week module will be an exercise in contemplating Jesus Christ as the definitive interpreter and living icon of God the Father (Jn 1:18; Col. 1:15). Following the guidance of Sacred Scripture and the theological reflections of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, we will bring to light the glorious features of the face of the Father. This is the true God and Father whom (with Christ and in Christ) we are called to imitate as his beloved sons/children (Eph 5:1; Mt 5:48).
