The Fifth Annual Conference · In Review

Modes of Knowing.

On reason, revelation, imagination, and love—the Catholic integration of the many ways of knowing.

12–13
March 2026
Venue
Hyatt House Naples
Naples, Florida
On the Theme

How we came to know.

The Catholic tradition insists that human knowing is not a single act but a symphony—reason and revelation, perception and intuition, imagination and love. Each mode is ordered to the truth; each is required for the fullness of the human person.

At the 2026 conference, thirty members of the Academy gathered with invited guests to examine how these modes relate, where they converge, and where the intellectual culture of our moment has gone astray. Plenary addresses, seminar discussions, a keynote, and a closing Mass shaped the two days in Naples.

Highlights & the Mass of the Ages.

Conference Highlights

The two days, in brief.

Mass of the Ages

A sacred capstone.

Program · As Convened

The two-day program.

12 Day One · Hyatt House Naples Thursday
8:30 AM
Liturgy

Holy Mass

To open the meeting · Gathering Room 3–4
9:30 AM
Welcome

Breakfast & Introductions

Members and invited guests of the Academy
9:45 AM
Session I

Scientific Knowledge

Keynote: Jonathan Lunine (Caltech) · Response: Maureen Condic (CUA)
11:45 AM
Session II

Artistic Knowledge

Keynote: Duncan Stroik (Notre Dame) · Response: Janet Smith (Sacred Heart Major Seminary)
2:30 PM
Session III

Affective Knowledge

Keynote: Frank La Rocca (Benedict XVI Institute) · Response: James Matthew Wilson (Univ. of St. Thomas)
6:00 PM
Reception

Dinner for Members & Friends

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres · Boardwalk
13 Day Two · Ave Maria University Friday
9:30 AM
Session IV · Public Panel

Civic Knowledge I

Keynote: Carter Snead (Notre Dame) · Responses: Jim Stoner (LSU), Seana McGuire (Ave Maria) · Prince Auditorium
11:30 AM
Session V · Public Panel

Civic Knowledge II

Keynote: Robert P. George (Princeton) · Response: Marc DeGirolami (CUA) · Prince Auditorium
4:00 PM
Liturgy

Mass of the Americas

Composed by Frank La Rocca · Celebrant: Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone · Ave Maria Parish
6:00 PM
Reception

Closing Reception for Members, Sponsors & Hosts

The Residence of the President · Ave Maria
Who Spoke

A distinguished gathering.

Robert P. George

Princeton

Mary Ann Glendon

Harvard

George Weigel

EPPC

Karin Öberg

Harvard

Arthur Brooks

Harvard

Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P.

Angelicum

Anthony Esolen

Thales College

R. R. Reno

First Things

Frank La Rocca

Benedict XVI Institute

Timothy Reckart

Sony Pictures Animation
Looking Ahead

The Sixth Annual Conference.

Planning is underway for the 2027 gathering. Theme, dates, and venue will be announced to members and friends of the Academy in the coming months.

2027 Details Coming Soon Support the Conference