Study Thomistic Theology in a Dominican House of Formation

You can find our alumni teaching at secondary schools and universities, serving in nonprofits and apostolates, and pursuing further studies. In addition, we are proud of our alumni who enrolled in rigorous study with us for their personal and spiritual enrichment, independent of professional or academic goals in theology.

Click to meet a few of our alumni and explore how they are sharing the fruits of their time at the Dominican House of Studies with the world.

After earning his MA at the PFIC, Prof. Lim studied for his PhD at Notre Dame. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Theology at Notre Dame, with a primary speciality in the History of Christianity. Prof. Lim had this to say about his studies at the PFIC:

“I am immensely grateful for my time studying at the PFIC. The curriculum not only provided a cohesive framework for my previous theological education but also prepared me for advanced graduate studies. Specifically, the courses and seminars in scriptural, patristic, and medieval theology (not to mention philosophy) afforded me a measure of competency and confidence to engage deeply with important theological texts.

I defended my thesis, “Deification and the Visio Dei: Theological Convergence in Gregory Palamas and Thomas Aquinas,” under the supervision of Fr. Thomas Joseph White and went on to pursue doctoral work at the University of Notre Dame. The unified nature of the program encourages an integrated approach to Christian theology. My time at the DHS has formatively influenced (and continues to influence) all of my research and teaching.”

As the Programming and Development Manager at the Catholic Information Center in downtown Washington, D.C., Gerard helps busy professionals foster their intellectual and spiritual lives amidst their work. Since graduating from the PFIC, Gerard has participated in the Institute for Human Ecology’s Thomistic Graduate Seminar at the Angelicum in Rome and presented at a conference on 20th century English Dominicans at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University. He met his wife, Teresa, at the PFIC’s academic institute (the Thomistic Institute), and they were married at the end of 2025.

For some of our students, their studies are not tied to professional goals in theology. Rather, they take up theological studies to be formed well in order to know and love God. One example is Kendall. Kendall graduated as an accounting major from the University of South Carolina in 2024. While an undergraduate, she participated in the Thomistic Institute’s study abroad program in Rome, Italy, hosted by the Angelicum. At the Ange, Kendall discovered that she was deeply enriched by learning Thomistic theology. Though she did not cease to foster professional ambitions in accounting, Kendall decided to set aside two years of serious study in Thomistic theology for her own personal and spiritual enrichment. She chose to enroll at the PFIC because she “wanted to study at the feet of St. Thomas.” This past spring, Kendall successfully defended a Master’s thesis titled, “Christ’s Headship of the Church as Divine Communication.” Renewing her interest in accounting, Kendall has recently accepted a role as an accountant, and hopes to become a CPA.