Life in Via

The core curriculum's six sections are detailed on the curriculum page. Each section concludes with a presentation from the Fellows which aims to deepen the Fellows’ understanding of the seminar’s subject matter and to allow each Fellow to fulfill the responsibility that comes with the privilege of education, namely to put the fruits of one's learning at the service of one's community.

The Fellows’ intellectual formation also occurs through the many talks and discussions Via hosts throughout the year. Various speakers come from across the country to give talks at the Via House, and topics range from existentialism to hunting.

Via's seminars, presentations, and lectures are for more than just the Fellows. Many friends from the community participate in Via's intellectual formation by enrolling in our weekly seminars, and our presentations and lectures are always open to the public.

The purpose of the Fellows' intellectual formation is to deepen Fellows' knowledge of one's self and the world, and ultimately to more deeply know and love God.

In addition to their work partnerships, Fellows pursue mentorship with professionals in the community in order to test their sense of calling to fields they may wish to pursue as a career.

The Fellows’ employers understand that their employment of a Via Fellow is for the Fellow’s personal formation, while still treating the Fellow with the same type of expectation as every other employee. Via’s professional partners are typically leaders in their organization and are always active Catholics.

The purpose of the Fellows’ employment is to understand the inner-workings of a professional environment they are discerning as a potential career, and to contribute meaningfully to their employer’s organization and to the common good.

While Fellows have specific times set aside exclusively for prayer, they are encouraged to take seriously the exhortation of St. Paul to pray without ceasing. Occasional pilgrimages and retreats also supplement the Fellows’ regular spiritual practices.

Fellows spend Friday mornings in silence to allow for an additional opportunity for focused prayer through meditation, spiritual reading, exercise, house chores, etc.

The purpose of the Fellows’ prayer regimen is to create opportunities for Fellows to more effortlessly lift the mind to God and to form lifelong habits of prayer and peace.

Fellows devote a set amount of time each week to visit with friends in the neighborhood, particularly those suffering homelessness, remembering our Lord’s admonition that what is done to the least of these is done to Him.

Fellows also serve the wider community by hosting events throughout the year, such as poetry nights, lectures, jam sessions, discussions, etc., as well as several major events including our Courir de Lundi Gras, feast day balls, and the Fall Jamboree.

Internally, the Fellows’ service aims to make Via institutionally harmonious and smooth, and externally, to build the kingdom of God by providing experiences of meaningful recreation and formation and to help the community observe the Church’s liturgical calendar.

Conferences and discussions on Via's retreats are normally led by teachers and clergy from the wider community and feature topics such as Catholic culture, secularization, the monastic tradition, the intellectual life, etc.

While Via's pilgrimages vary in content and location, a few features of Via's pilgrimages include hiking, street evangelization, visiting holy sites, live music performances, etc.

The Fellows' international spring pilgrimage focuses especially on deepening appreciation of the Church's cultural and historical heritage.