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. 

Classes are held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. according to the schedule shown in each year’s calendar. For the 2024/2025 academic year, classes will begin the first week of November and end in the first week of June. 

Examination sessions will be in February, June, October and December. 

 

DIPLOMA

To obtain the Diploma in Magisterium, Normative and Canonical Praxis of Consecrated Life, it is required to pass the examinations foreseen in the study plan with an average of 27/30. Diplomas are awarded in the month of January following the second year of attendance. If the average is lower than 27/30, a certificate will be issued instead.

 

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.

Examinations are given in written form, oral form, or both.

 

 

TWO-YEAR PLAN 

 

FIRST MODULE  

 

INTERDISCIPLINARY AREA 
Biblical Hermeneutics of Consecrated Life 
Liturgy and consecrated life 
Pontifical and ecclesial magisterium 
Theology of Consecrated Life 
Ecclesiology (I) 
Consecrated life in the history of the Church. Forms and Spirituality (I) 


AREA of CANONICAL NORMS and PRAXIS 
Introduction to canon law and practice
Forms of consecrated life: theological and juridical criteria for discernment 
Norms common to all institutes of consecrated life 
Proper law
Religious institutes: government 
Temporal goods and their administration 

 

SECOND MODULE  

 

INTERDISCIPLINARY AREA 
Ecclesiology (II) 
Consecrated life in the history of the Church. Forms and spirituality (II) 
Institution and charisms 
Fraternal life in common 
Consecrated life in sociocultural processes. 
Ratio formationis: perspectives and methodology 


AREA of CANONICAL NORMS and PRAXIS 
Religious institutes: religious houses – admission of candidates – formation of members 
Obligations and rights of institutes and their members 
Separation of members 
Special measures: assistants – visitors – commissioners 
International and national conferences of higher majors
The approval itinerary of an institute 
Monastic Law 
Law of Secular Institutes 
Law of Societies of Apostolic Life 
Delicta reservata 

 

NOTE: During the year 2024/2025 the FIRST MODULE will be given. 

 

ENROLLMENT

 

Enrollment is only possible online through the dedicated platform.

Click on REQUEST ENROLLMENT to fill out 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 examinations 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 one’s 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 intend to take one or more courses (or even all courses) and access course materials and recordings.  They do not take exams and cannot earn a diploma.
At the time of enrollment, they must upload:

  • Identity document
  • Certificate from one’s Major Superior (for men and women religious).
    Certificate from the local Ordinary (for clerics).
  • Copy of proof of payment of the financial contribution.

 

CONTRIBUTION

Ordinary Student: 330 euros
Auditing Student (one or two Areas): 230 euros
Auditing Student (single courses): 50 euros
Fee for Diploma or Certificate of Attendance: 50 euros

 

IBAN: VA 4400 1000 0000 2197 4013

BIC: IOPRVAVX  or  IOPRVAVXXXX

BENEFICIARY: DICASTERO VITA CONSACRATA

Reason for new enrollees: Name (Surname and Name)
Reason for pupils already enrolled in previous years: Matriculation number, Name (Surname and First Name)

NOTE: This is a foreign transfer. Upon payment, please charge all bank fees to the payer.

REQUEST ENROLLMENT