DICASTERY
FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE
AND SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE
eStudium
MAGISTERIAL FORMATION,
ON CANONICAL LAW AND PRACTICE
OF CONSECRATED LIFE
Online course in Italian English Spanish
PURPOSE
Heir to the historic Practical School, established since 1951 in the then Congregation for Religious, eStudium is an online Course that aims to offer a qualified formation experience in theology and law of consecrated life, building on the praxis and experience of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
TARGET AUDIENCE
- Heads of services pertaining to the governance of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life;
- Episcopal Vicars and/or Delegates for Consecrated Life;
- Heads of formation;
- Those responsible for formation programs in diocesan seminaries and international colleges;
- Priests charged with animation and accompaniment of consecrated life;
- Consecrated persons who wish to enhance their own ongoing education;
- those who have a research interest regarding ecclesial Magisterium, canon law and praxis relating to the forms of consecrated life in the Church.
AREAS
The eStudium is divided into two complementary areas:
Interdisciplinary
Canon Law and Praxis
DURATION
It is a two-year course offered cyclically and consists of two Teaching Modules, with a single Final Diploma.
The course is structured into weekly classes scheduled every Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Italian time), according to the official calendar. Academic activities take place from early November until the first days of June of each academic year.
DIPLOMA
Diploma: it is awarded after passing all the exams required by the study plan with a minimum grade of 27/30.
Certificate of participation: granted if the average grade is lower, provided that all exams have been passed.
Awarding: diplomas and certificates are handed out in the first months of the year following the completion of the course.
METHOD
The Course, offered exclusively in telematic mode, is in Italian with simultaneous translation into English and Spanish.
In addition to lectures and tutorials, there are hours of interactive teaching between lecturer and students for clarification or additional explanation.
Students will have access to and be able to download lecture materials and audio recordings of lectures in the language chosen at the time of registration.
EXAMS
Examinations are given in written form, oral form, or both.
For each subject, three exam sessions are scheduled as follows:
1st semester subjects: February, June, October
2nd semester subjects: June, October, December
TWO-YEAR PLAN
FIRST MODULE
INTERDISCIPLINARY AREA
SI 101 – Biblical Hermeneutics of Consecrated Life
SI 102 – Liturgy and consecrated life
SI 103 – Pontifical and ecclesial magisterium
SI 104 – Theology of Consecrated Life
SI 105 – Ecclesiology (I)
SI 106 – Consecrated life in the history of the Church. Forms and Spirituality (I)
AREA of CANONICAL NORMS and PRAXIS
SNP 101 – Introduction to canon law and practice
SNP 102 – Forms of consecrated life: theological and juridical criteria for discernment
SNP 103 – Norms common to all institutes of consecrated life
SNP 104 – Hermits (can 603), Ordo Virginum (can 604 – can 605)
SNP 105 – Proper law
SNP 107 – Religious institutes: government
SNP 108 – Temporal goods and their administration
SECOND MODULE
INTERDISCIPLINARY AREA
SI 201 – Ecclesiology (II)
SI 202 – Consecrated life in the history of the Church. Forms and spirituality (II)
SI 203 – Institution and charisms
SI 204 – Fraternal life in common
SI 205 – Consecrated life in sociocultural processes.
SI 206 – Ratio formationis: perspectives and methodology
AREA of CANONICAL NORMS and PRAXIS
SNP 201 – Religious institutes: religious houses – admission of candidates – formation of members
SNP 202 – Obligations and rights of institutes and their members
SNP 203 – Separation of members
SNP 204 – Special measures: assistants – visitors – commissioners
SNP 205 – International and national conferences of higher majors
SNP 206 – The approval itinerary of an institute
SNP 207 – Monastic Law
SNP 208 – Law of Secular Institutes
SNP 209 – Law of Societies of Apostolic Life
SNP 210 – Delicta reservata
NOTE: During the 2025/2026 academic year, the SECOND MODULE takes place.
ENROLLMENT
Enrollment is only possible online via the dedicated platform, in September and October, each year.
Fill in the form and attach the required documentation. Once the necessary documentation is complete, the student will be informed by email that their enrollment has been accepted. They will then be able to access the eStudium platform.
If the documentation submitted is incomplete, you will receive a request for supplementation by e-mail. If the additions are not received within 30 days, the enrollment will be cancelled.
Enrollment can take place as an ORDINARY student or as a AUDITING student.
Ordinary students are those who take the exams and are eligible for the Diploma
At the time of enrollment, they must upload:
- Identity document
- High School Diploma valid for university enrollment in the country of origin
- Certificate from their Major Superior (for men and women religious) /
Certificate from the local Ordinary (for clerics) - Copy of proof of payment, or copy of the document approving the scholarship by the Dicastery
Auditing students are those who wish to follow one or more courses (or even all courses) and access course materials and recordings. They do not take exams and cannot be awarded a diploma.
When registering, they must enclose:
- Identity document
- Certificate from their Major Superior (for men and women religious) /
Certificate from the local Ordinary (for clerics) - Copy of the payment of the financial contribution
ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION
Ordinary Student: euro €330
Auditor Student (one or two Areas): euro €230
Auditor Student (individual courses): euro €50
Fee for Diploma or Certificate of Attendance: euro €50
IBAN: VA 4400 1000 0000 2197 4013
BIC CODE: IOPRVAVX or IOPRVAVXXXX
BENEFICIARY: DICASTERY CONSECRATED LIFE
Reason for new enrollees: Name (Surname and Name)
Reason for Ordinary StudentS already enrolled in previous years: Matriculation number, Name (Surname and First Name)
Reason For auditing students enrolled in individual courses: Last name and first name, course code (NOTE: in this case, it is also necessary to send an email to didattica@e-studium.org to contact the secretariat and specify which courses the student is intended to attend).
PLEASE NOTE: This is a foreign transfer. Upon payment, please charge all bank fees to the payer.