First Letter to the Corinthians: College Retreat Led by Fr. Thomas Esposito
How do we overcome divisions? What does it mean to love one another? Seeking unity amid great diversity, Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians is a masterpiece of adequate anthropology that teaches its first-century audience as well as modern-day readers how to live as one. Led by Fr. Thomas Esposito, this Valor Institute college retreat will attend closely to Paul’s letter and draw perennial lessons for human community.
Throughout the week, participants engage in deep and meaningful conversations, share meals together, and spend time hiking, kayaking, and climbing. In addition to fostering the virtue of intellectual humility and a love of truth, these retreats seek to foster intentional and thoughtful community.
For interested students, the week concludes with the opportunity to interview for a teaching position at one of Valor’s classical charter schools, which put the contemplative life at the heart of faculty culture.
About the Leader
Fr. Thomas Esposito is Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of Dallas and a priest of the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Dallas. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Dallas, his S.T.B. from the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant'Anselmo, and his S.S.L. and S.S.D. in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He is the author of numerous writings, including Letters of Fire (2015), The Roots that Clutch: Letters on the Origins of Things (2018), and Blue Miles: A Monastic Novel (2026). His essays and reviews have appeared in various publications, including Communio, Logos, and The Catholic Biblical Quarterly.
Fr. Esposito teaches at both the University of Dallas as well as the Cistercian Preparatory School, and his courses include Old and New Testaments, Biblical Greek, World Religions, Scripture and Geography of the Holy Land, and Principles of Catholic Biblical Interpretation, among others. In addition to his academic service, he has also served his monastic community as Subprior and Junior Master.
About the Retreat
Cultivating wonder in human community and the natural world, this college retreat includes:
Intensive seminars and lectures guided by Fr. Thomas Esposito
Intentional meals fostering community among participants
Outdoor activities in the Austin area, such as hiking, climbing, and kayaking
Meaningful time with the leaders and faculty of Valor Education
Cost
Meals, accommodations, and texts are provided by the Valor Institute. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from Austin. Travel scholarships are available upon application.
Testimonials
“I left the week changed . . . this is how we’re meant to read and to study these books. I will take all that I have learned and cherished this week into this last semester at school.”
“My favorite aspect was meeting individuals from different schools and learning from them, as well as developing friendships . . . the lack of phones and technology meant everyone was in the present moment and more attentive, which was also amazing.”
“Every single student was willing to share and really take the time to know me. I absolutely felt loved and intentionally known by everyone.”
Application Deadline: April 20, 2027
Sponsorship: the Valor Institute is looking for partners to join us in expanding our retreat offerings. Click here to learn more about how you can support the Valor Institute.