May 18: Love and Communion in the Thought of Dietrich von Hildebrand

We are pleased to announce the first Study Day of the Hildebrand Chair for Christian Personalism (Faculty of Philosophy), conceived in response to the publication of the Doctrinal Note of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Una caro: In Praise of Monogamy (November 2025).

The document marks a historic milestone: the first extensive citation of Dietrich and Alice von Hildebrand in an official doctrinal text. Starting from the fundamental works of the Hildebrand couple, the Conference will explore the original truth of the person who finds fulfillment in the gift of self and in the formation of the “we,” bringing personalist philosophy into dialogue with the philosophia perennis and the magisterium of Saint John Paul II.

Event Program

09:00 AM – Institutional Welcoming Remarks Fr. Alberto Carrara, L.C., Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy – Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum

09:30 AM – Opening Session John Henry Crosby, President of the Hildebrand Project

Speakers Rocco Buttiglione, John F. Crosby, Elisa Grimi, Rodrigo Guerra López, Robert McNamara, Fr. Eamonn O’Higgins, L.C., Marta Rodríguez Díaz.

Call for Papers

We invite scholars who have obtained or are pursuing a PhD, young researchers, and professors to submit proposals for contributions to the study day.

Core Themes

Contributions must be relevant to the theme of the Study Day, with particular reference to:

• Christian Personalism

• The thought of Dietrich and/or Alice von Hildebrand (with a focus on: love, communion, freedom, truth, virtue)

• Philosophical and theological implications of Una Caro

Submission Guidelines

Candidates are invited to send their proposals to cattedrahildebrand@upra.org including:

• Title of the presentation

• Abstract: maximum 300 words

• Short biographical note: name, surname, institutional affiliation, and research areas

Important Dates

• Submission deadline: by May 8, 2026

• Notification of acceptance: by May 11, 2026

Language

The official language is Italian. Presentations may be delivered in English, provided that a written version in Italian is also supplied.

Contact: cattedrahildebrand@upra.org