Providence College / 21 May – 11 June 2025
Dr. Sandra Keating, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Theology Department at Providence College accompanied a group of twelve undergraduate students to Paray-le-Monial for an intensive three-week Maymester course in which she and Dr. Robert White, Director of the Académie Cor Iesu in Paray-le-Monial, studied the relationship between theology and the arts in the Burgundy region of France.
Daily classes and seminar-style sessions examined the influence of Christianity on the development of the arts in Burgundy from antiquity through the twenty-first century. Special attention was paid to the theological currents in various historical periods that influenced artists in all kinds of media and informed the content and the message of their work.
Students studied a variety of biblical, patristic, scholastic, modern and contemporary texts to understand the role of Catholicism in the promotion, formation and development of the arts, whether through public or private benefice, for the building up of the faith and for promoting the common good. Students were also encouraged to examine and discern the ultimate purpose of the arts in their daily lives through a series of encounters with local experts, artists and theologians to reflect on the important link between the arts and theology.
The course also featured cultural experiences, including liturgical celebrations, concerts, visits to art galleries and opportunities to taste local wine and cuisine, in order to explore how the arts and theology continue to mutually impact and influence each other in the Burgundy region of France today.
"Having had the opportunity to participate in the PC 2025 France Maymester, I can look back on my time abroad and recommend this experience to anyone interested in exploring Theology and the Arts in a hands-on setting beyond just a typical classroom. Studying in France allowed me to gain perspectives that I will carry with me beyond just my time here at Providence College." - Charlotte Tagliamonte, College of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2026
“The time I had participating in the Theology of the Arts class offered by PC in partnership with the Académie Cor Iesu was the perfect bridge between an academic and cultural experience. It was truly a unique opportunity that I of which I always will be grateful to have been a part.” – Mary Cross, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Class of 2027
“I believe other students would benefit from participating in future courses like the one I participated in because I feel like I learned a lot more about historical regions and how they came to be what we know today. This course and experience was fascinating, and I enjoyed being around those who are like-minded and curious about learning more.” – Sophia Calle, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Class of 2027
