Glastonbury Abbey Institute
The spiritual enrichment and adult faith education programs are offered by the Glastonbury Abbey Institute as part of its rich Benedictine monastic teaching tradition.
All our programs are offered free, but donations are gratefully received to cover the costs of producing our programs online. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.
If you have any questions, please call 781-749-2155 ext. 300. Please click here for the programs page for more information or to register. Or click here for the 2024-25 programs brochure.
Commonweal Conversations Virtual
Moderator: Maggie Olson - Mondays at 7:00 PM
March 3, April 7, May 5, 2025
Suggested donation: $20 per session
Commonweal Conversations is a program promoting thoughtful, expansive, intelligent dialogue on issues that matter – whether political, theological, cultural, or artistic. We encourage all participants to offer their opinions respectfully while also generously considering opinions that do not match their own. We learn by listening to others. All conversations will be virtual. Please register for each date separately and you will receive articles to read when you register.
What Do We (I) Really Believe? Virtual
Father Timothy Joyce, OSB
Monday, March 10, at 7:00 PM
Suggested donation: $20 per session
This month's topic is "Repent and Believe..." A series of monthly conversations moderated by Fr. Timothy about faith, doubt, and belief. These will be open discussions starting with reviewing an article or two given out for reading ahead of time. All are welcome: Catholics, former Catholics, non-Catholics, Nones, or just the curious. Only goodwill and openness to share and listen are needed.
"Female Deaconate: If Not Now...When?" Virtual
Sr. Maureen Sullivan
Tuesday, February 25, 7 PM
Suggested donation: $20
Although the Synod on Synodality has concluded, it is not over. We will be learning how to incorporate the principles of synodality in our communal journey toward God. And, because the topic of a female diaconate has been so central in synodal discussions during the last three years, the focus of this presentation will be the female diaconate. Click here for more information or to register.
A Catholic Approach to the Perils of Polarization Virtual
Fr. Aaron Wessman
Thursday, March 13, 7:00 PM
Suggested donation: $20
We will explore together the challenge of polarization and the tools from our Catholic Tradition that can help us lead our Church and society.
“Christians and other people of good will are longing for a response that can lead the way out of the divisiveness and vitriol of our times. I wrote this book [The Church's Mission in a Polarized World] to provide some assistance to readers to discern a way out of the toxicity in which we live, and to stimulate courage and hope so that all people can see the age in which we live more clearly and respond with the grace necessary to follow more fully the call God has spoken?a missionary call to deepen Christ’s incarnational movement in our world.” Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman
Click here to register.
All our programs are offered free, but donations are gratefully received to cover the costs of producing our programs online. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.
2023-24 Program Recordings
Here are recordings of some of the 2023-24 programs - for personal viewing only; recording permission granted by each of the presenters; property of Glastonbury Abbey.
Three part series with Fr. Thomas Massaro, SJ, "Social Justice: The Church's Best Kept Secret"
Click here to view Part One.
Click here to view Part Two.
Click here to view Part Three.
Three part series with Fr. Nicholas Morcone, OSB, "The Constantinian Revolution"
Click here to view Part One.
Click here to view Part Two.
Click here to view Part Three.
Three part series with Sr. Maureen Sullivan, OP, "The SYNOD: Reform, Renewal and Courage"
Click here to view Part One, "Women in the Church."
Click here to view Part Two, "The Laity Find Their Voice."
Click here to view Part Three, "The Church...Then and Now."
Three part series with Dr. Julia Upton, RSM, "Liturgy After Vatican II"
Click here to view Part One.
Click here to view Part Two.
Click here to view Part Three.
"Cultivating Hope in Difficult Days" with John Pavlovitz
Click here to view.
All our programs and recordings are offered free, but donations are gratefully received to cover the costs of producing our programs online. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.
