At a “History” School

From March 5 to May 21, 2025, the course will be held in person and online, in Italian and English, on the topic: "History of Religious Women in the 19th and 20th Century."
Promoted by the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium” in Rome and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), the course is taught by Professor Grazia Loparco, a lecturer in Church History at the same University.

The course consists of 10 sessions aimed at exploring the origins and development of religious congregations and the originality of the apostolate carried out by women, often on a global scale. It will reflect on the specific contributions made by religious women to the evangelizing mission of the Church and to socio-cultural development in the complex contexts of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The course is intended for students enrolled in Pontifical Universities and Academic Institutions, but it is also open to anyone – particularly religious women – interested in the topic and holding a higher education degree. For those enrolled in Pontifical institutions, attendance is free of charge. For others, the participation fee is 100 euros.
In addition to students enrolled in Faculties/Institutes, who can take the final exam recognized by their institution as an optional or elective course, guests are not required to take the exam but may choose to do so, with the subsequent recognition of 3 ECTS credits.

The classes will take place on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in person at the Faculty premises and online, with simultaneous translation into English, on the UISG Zoom platform.

During the sessions, the following topics will be discussed:

• Historiography of female religious congregations and the issue of archives.
• Origins and development of religious congregations: internal and external opportunities and challenges (social, political, religious, economic conditions).
• The novelty in the institutional model and its implications: centralization of the government of the superior general, fields and works of apostolate, mobility of personnel, economic sustainability.
• Canonical recognition: constraints and transformations.
• Commitment to missions: logistical, economic, cultural, religious challenges; indigenous congregations in non-Christian countries: resources and possible constraints.
• Women’s congregations during times of political, social, and economic emergencies.
• Intra-ecclesial relationships (with laity, bishops, priests) and with other congregations as ecclesiology progresses.
• Apostolic charity in different spiritualities and the ecclesial face of women’s religious life.

An opportunity to discover the “female” missionary history: a story of awareness and commitment also in the public sphere.

To register, it is necessary to fill out the online form at the following link, selecting:

• the mode of attendance (in-person or online);
• the language of instruction (Italian or English);
• the participation type (recognition of ECTS credits or free).

For more information:

Course program

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