In the Service of Human and Spiritual Formation

In keeping with the historic Franciscan theological and spiritual tradition—of which Padova has been one of the key centers—the Friars Minor Conventual’s St. Anthony the Doctor Theological Institute is dedicated to carrying forward this legacy. Focused on each person’s need to deepen the foundations of Christian life and their value, the Institute is distinguished by theological formation initiatives and programs rooted in spiritual experience, with a broad offering developed through the School of Theological Formation, the School of Spirituality, and the practice of Lectio divina.

At the origins of the St. Anthony the Doctor Theological Institute lies the prestigious “Theological School of the Santo”, established at the behest of the Conventual Franciscan Order in the very city where Saint Anthony of Padova lived and taught.

Founded in 1938 as a theological college for friars, the Institute has expanded its activities over the decades to offer theological and spiritual preparation to anyone who feels the need within the Church and in the contemporary world: religious men and women, priests, lay people, educators and pastoral workers will find courses here designed for them.

We do not limit ourselves to spiritual accompaniment: research and teaching go hand in hand with practical preparation and pastoral commitment.

In our daily life, we also make room for a strong focus on works of charity in response to the Gospel call: service and presence alongside the sick and people with disabilities, prison ministry, support for hospital pastoral care, and welcoming and assisting patients’ relatives.

The Institute is a hub for cultural exchange with other institutions, such as Edizioni Messaggero di Sant’Antonio and the Centro Studi Antoniani. It also has a library with over 180,000 volumes available for consultation.