Silence: Academic Retreat Led by Dr. Scott Roniger
This academic retreat will consider the novel Silence by the Japanese writer Shusaku Endo. What is the experience of an outsider in a hostile new world? How does a person respond to suffering? Following Jesuit missionaries in feudal Japan, Endo’s masterpiece investigates conflict between different communities, the nature of belief, and the human response to divine silence.
Under the guidance of Dr. Scott Roniger, this retreat explore Endo’s novel through both seminars and lectures. Entering into the world of seventeenth-century Japan through reading, discussion, and reflection, participants will grapple with fundamental questions about the person and society.
Retreat Details
Our multi-day academic retreats are small gatherings focused on great texts, thoughtful conversations, and intellectual friendship. Each retreat is led by a professor and centers on a specific thinker, theme, topic, or text.
The heart of the retreat is a robust academic program of twelve one-hour sessions—typically nine seminars and three lectures. Seminars are limited to 15 or fewer participants and emphasize close reading, intellectual humility, and the shared pursuit of truth. The professor's lectures synthesize themes and situate the readings within a broader whole.
The atmosphere is intentionally contemplative and relational—free from digital distraction and grounded in attentiveness, presence, and receptivity.
Location
Our academic retreats are held at our Kingfisher Center, which is located on the southwest side of Austin, Texas.
Cost
For accepted participants, the Valor Institute will cover the cost of the program fee, texts, lodging, and meals. We ask for participants to pay for their own travel to and from the retreat — though we do offer travel scholarships for those in need. We do not want cost to be a barrier for anyone desiring to participate in our programs.
Schedule
A typical retreat day runs from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. including time for lunch, dinner, and breaks.
Preparation
Participants are expected to carefully read and annotate all texts before arriving at the retreat. Because of academic retreats involve a significant amount of time in seminar, preparation is essential.
Registration & Questions
Space in our retreats is limited, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. For any questions, please contact us.
About the Leader
Dr. Scott J. Roniger is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, where he directs the Los Angeles Lonergan Center for Catholic Faith and Culture. He earned an S.T.B. and M.A. in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, an M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago, and a Licentiate in Philosophy (Ph.L.) from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America under the direction of Robert Sokolowski.
He has published numerous scholarly articles on metaphysics, phenomenology, Catholic social teaching, natural law, ethics and political philosophy, and philosophy of literature. He is the editor of F. Russell Hittinger's book, On the Dignity of Society: Catholic Social Teaching and Natural Law (CUA Press, 2024). His research recapitulates themes in Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Husserlian phenomenology. He regularly teaches classes on these topics and figures, as well as classes at the intersection of literature, philosophy, and theology.