Living Theology

Our Father? The Shadow of Father

The Jesuit Institute is excited to launch the Living Theology 2026 series, with guest speakers David Neuhaus SJ and Kgaugelo Habyane.

Read more about the presenters in the July edition of the Southern Cross.

When the image of a father is shaped by absence, neglect, or dysfunction, what happens to our understanding of God?

This three-day Living Theology series is a journey into the history, the wounds, and the reimagining of fatherhood. Together, we will explore how Scripture, especially the language of “Our Father”, has shaped our image of God, and how that image meets the lived realities of fatherhood today. Through reflection, dialogue, and engagement with Scripture, the Living Theology series creates space to acknowledge both personal and collective woundedness, while opening pathways toward forgiveness, reconciliation, and integration.

We will explore fatherhood not only as a biological role, but as a social, spiritual, and communal responsibility. What does it mean to reimagine fatherhood and our relationship with God for the next generation?

This series will benefit those wrestling with their own father-wounds and struggling to relate to God, especially as Father. It will also be valuable for parents, guardians, and caregivers seeking to better understand the relational, social, and biblical dimensions of parenting. Those involved in youth formation will benefit greatly, as this series can serve as a resource for supporting young people, particularly those growing up without consistent father figures.

Day 1: The history of fatherhood and gendered language of the Lord’s prayer, Our Father

Where do our ideas of fatherhood come from? (Psychosocial reflection)

Language and the Image of God presented in the Lord’s prayer. (Biblical text exploration)

Day 2: The impact of father absence and generational patterns

What has been broken, and how do we respond? (Psychosocial reflection)

Expanding the image of God and creating pathways to reconciliation. (Biblical text exploration)

Day 3: Fatherhood beyond biology through the community of carers

Reimagining fatherhood as a social responsibility. (Psychosocial reflection)

The holy family and the Church as symbols of community. (Biblical text exploration)

Investment

Conference Only (includes lunch)

1-3 September St Luke’s Retreat Centre, GQEBERHA, R1490.00 or R650.00 per day (if you can’t attend the 3-day conference)

15-17 September Lumko Retreat Centre, JOHANNESBURG, R1490.00 or R650.00 per day (if you can’t attend the 3-day conference)

6-8 October Catholic Chancery, BLOEMFONTEIN, R950.00

27-29 October St Michael’s Parish, Rondebosch, CAPE TOWN, R1200.00 or R450.00 per evening (if you can’t attend the 3-evening conference)

10-12 November Mater Dei Centre, POLOKWANE, R1100.00

Conference and Accommodation (includes all meals)

1-3 September St Luke’s Retreat Centre, GQEBERHA, R3150.00

15-17 September Lumko Retreat Centre, JOHANNESBURG, R3320.00

10-12 November Mater Dei Centre, POLOKWANE, R2200.00

Pensioners’ / Students’ rates available on request.

*All our costs are kept to a minimum while simultaneously attempting to make the Jesuit Institute self-sustainable.* Our prices have not increased in the last three years. However, we do not exclude anyone from attending. Should you require financial assistance to attend the lecture series or need to arrange a payment plan, please contact admin@jesuitinstitute.org.za.

“Our Father? The Shadow of Father”

3-Day series with three lectures per day, 9h30- 15h30.

Gqeberha, St Luke’s Retreat Centre

1 – 3 September

Johannesburg, Lumko Retreat Centre

15 – 17 September

Eswatini, The George Hotel, Manzini

25 – 26 September

Bloemfontein, Catholic Chancery

6 – 8 October

Polokwane, Mater Dei Retreat Centre

10 – 12 November