19.12.2025, ITI Event
ITI Hosts Two-Day Conference on Prayer: “Exploring the Sources: Toward a Theology of Prayer”
On 21–22 November 2025, ITI Catholic University hosted a two-day conference on prayer, entitled Exploring the Sources: Toward a Theology of Prayer. The timing of this conference could not have been more fitting, as it prepared the attendees for the prayerful season of Advent, immersing them in the rich reflections of the speakers—reflections that were undoubtedly the fruit of their own personal prayer.
As announced by the ITI, the conference sought to “bring together theologians, scholars, and students to reflect on the foundations, expressions, and enduring significance of Christian prayer.” This aim was clearly realized, as the conference fostered a reflective and thoughtful atmosphere throughout the weekend, encouraging fruitful conversations and sustained engagement.
The conference program consisted of presentations by members of the ITI faculty and was structured into four sessions, each dedicated to a rich exploration of a particular source of Christian prayer. Beginning from the roots of our tradition, the first session examined the biblical foundations of prayer, with particular attention given to the Psalms and the New Testament. The second session focused on the contributions of the liturgy and the arts. This was followed by a session on the Church Fathers and medieval theology, featuring presentations from both the Eastern and Western traditions. The conference concluded with a session on modern systematic theology, offering contemporary theological reflections on prayer.
The comprehensive program offered participants a glimpse into the living tradition of the prayer of the Church. The recordings of the presentations are available online. They can be viewed below or on the ITI YouTube channel.
Conference Program
Session 1: Biblical Sources/Theology
• Fr. Johannes Cornides, “Sicut Cervus: Psalm 42–43 as a Paradigm for Prayer”
• Dr. Vincent DeMeo, “Prayer in the New Testament: The Our Father as Eschatological Prayer of the New Covenant”
• Dr. Bernhard Dolna, “Prayer in the Writings of the Evangelist St. Luke”
Session 2: Liturgy and the Arts
• Dr. Gundula Harand, “My Peace in Thy Will: The Praying Voice in T. S. Eliot’s Ash-Wednesday”
• Dr. Michaela Hastetter, “The Sound of Jesus Praying in the Garden in Passio of Arvo Pärt”
Session 3: Church Fathers and Medieval Theology
• Dr. Timothy Kelly, “Christian Prayer in Light of St Augustine’s Doctrine of the ‘totus Christus’”
• Fr. Ephräm Lomidze, “Isaac of Nineveh and the Persian Monastic Tradition of Prayer”
• Fr. Jean-Yves Brachet, “Prayer in the Summa Theologiae: The Virtue of Religion”
Session 4: Modern/Systematic Theology
• Dr. Simon Maria Kopf, “Prayer, Petitions, and Predestination”
• Fr. Thomas Möllenbeck, “Gethsemani: Praying ‘Thy will be done’ as a test of Judaeo-Christian religion”
• Dr. Andrei Gotia, “Writing Latin Hymns in the XXIst Century”