• ‘The body and the body alone is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine.’ Theology of the Body, Catechesis XIX, 4

The Karol Wojtyla School of Mission in cooperation with the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University in Košice and alumni of the ITI Catholic University in Trumau, Austria are organizing a two-semester online program focused on the study of the catechesis of St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body. In the first semester, the goal will be to study the first two cycles of Theology of the Body. The second semester will focus on the remaining four cycles. The semesters build upon each other. The meetings are conducted in the seminar method by experienced lecturers.

The course is intended for those who have already encountered the teachings of St. John Paul II/Karol Wojtyla and would like to be more formed by his original texts so that they can then bring this message to others in an understandable language. It is suitable for graduates of the Karol Wojtyla School of Mission (Formation Courses in Theology of the Body, Seminary Courses), for graduates of the AKW and eRKo programs of the ZARUKY program.

  • Where?

    Online, in case of interest in Bratislava and Košice

  • When?

    From autumn 2025 (13 + 15 weeks) One session lasts 1h 45min

  • Kto?

    Married, single, engaged, in a relationship, consecrated, seminarians, priests

  • How?

    Seminar method

  • Language?

    Slovak, Czech

  • Fee?

    150€ working; 130€ students, unemployed, parents on RD, married couples/person

  • Registration

    Open

  • Group size?

    Max 15 persons

ZÁKLADNÁ CHARAKTERISTIKA:

  • The course consists of 13 sessions
  • The meetings take place once a week and are led by the seminar method.
  • A prerequisite is the student's preparation in advance for each session. This includes self-study (approximately 30 pages of text) and answering questions on a worksheet which is to help students to navigate in a challenging text.
  • Each session will have a theme and special questions for discussion. Together we will seek answers to the fundamental questions of the human heart as captured by Karol Wojtyla.
  • In case of a larger number of people interested in the course from Bratislava, the course will also be opened in person.

TEXTBOOK

The course will be based on the Czech translation of Theology of the Body and on the guide to John Paul II's Theology of the Body, Men and women are from Eden, by Mary Healy.

Every student shall provide his own copy of the textbook.

The book Muži a ženy jsou z ráje (M. Healyová) will be sent to every student.

ENDS

  • To help people find answers to their deep questions: what is the meaning of my life, what is the meaning and beauty of the human body and sexuality, is it possible to live in chastity even in this day and age?
  • By studying the Theology of the Body catecheses together, we want to help each other understand the difficult parts of the text and find concrete ways to apply what John Paul II wrote to our lives.
  • Develop presentation skills, the ability to work with text and think critically, the ability to communicate, arguing while using the seminar method, the ability to navigate current issues and find connections between them
  • We want to build community with you. We hope that during the semester there will be opportunities for prayer or personal encounters (and not only during study :)).

MENTORS

Mentors in this course are alumni of the Pontifical Theological Institute of St. John Paul II for the Marriage and Family Sciences, Rome, Italy; of the ITI Catholic University, Trumau, Austria; the Faculty of Theology CU Košice, Slovakia; and of the courses of The Karol Wojtyla School of Mission and the Academy of Karol Wojtyla.

TOPICS of the 1st semester

  1. Introduction
  2. What does the beginning mean? The meaning of Original Solitude.
  3. The Meaning of Original Unity and of Original Nakedness.
  4. Man in the dimension of the gift. The spousal meaning of the body. Original innocence.
  5. Knowledge and procreation. In the light of the Sermon on the Mount.
  6. Summary session
  7. Man Affected by Concupiscence. The meaning of Shame.
  8. You don't commit adultery. Who looks with lust 1.
  9. Who looks with lust 2. He has committed adultery in his heart.
  10. Heart accused or called? The Ethos of the Redemption of the Body.
  11. Purity as life according to the Spirit.
  12. The gospel of purity of heart. The Ethos of the Body in art and media.
  13. Final class

WHEN AND WHERE?

From September 2025. The course consists of 13 sessions in the first semester and 15 sessions in the second semester. The capacity of the group is 15 people. The sessions will be held online.

Registration

Registration Fee for one semester

  • 150€ for employed
  • 130€ students, unemployed, parents on maternal leave, married couples/person

The contribution includes the costs associated with the course, mentors` fee, licenses, book Men and women are from Eden.

It can be paid in instalments. If the amount of the fee should be a reason for you not to attend the course, please send us e-mail.

How to apply?

Registrácia otvorená, prihlásite sa vyplnením formuláru.

The capacity of the course is limited, so please write us a few words about yourself and your motivation for wanting to attend.

MŠKW team

The Karol Wojtyla School of Mission

"WHY WAS I CREATED MALE/FEMALE? WHAT DOES MY BODY SAY ABOUT GOD?"

Do you desire to understand more about the teachings of St. John Paul II on the beauty of human love and sexuality according to God's plan?

In this course we will consider the human body and sexuality as something that is good, wanted and created by God. We will explore the origin, meaning and purpose of our lives, the meaning of the body as a sacrament and its significance in the eternal life. We will discover the beauty, purity and dignity of marriage and its fruitfullness. 

Our goal is not to teach ethical norms, but with the help of St. John Paul II and a few key verses from Sacred Scripture, we want to help people understand the meaning of ethical norms, why it is good for a person to live chastity before marriage, in marriage, and in every state of life. 

FROM FEEDBACK

How has the Theology of the Body course enriched my personal life?

***

He showed me a view of marriage and of sexuality as something that is good and that glorifies God, a lot of answers to questions I had been asking myself. He also helped me in my preparation for marriage when I went through it together with my partner. 

***

Developing my personality so that I can be a gift to others and thus bear good fruit.

***

A different way of looking at things, at contraception, emotional purity.

***

A new and clearer view of man, of his identity, of self-giving to the other, of human sexuality in marriage, of God's plan for me.

***

Orientation - the ability to discern what is consistent with true marital love and what is not.

***

It has improved my relationship with my girlfriend in terms of purity. We can communicate better together.

***

What appealed to me the most?

***

Love of God that He considers each of us to be special.

***

The reality of what an amazing and perfect plan God has for man and woman.

***

John Paul II and his love for people.

***

The fact that the body is a sacrament.

WRITE TO US

 

SUBMIT

  • Man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself. (Gaudium et Spes 24)