New for 2027: DYA Summer Study Week comes to Scotland!

The annual Dominican Summer Study Week, A Vision for Life, offers a systematic overview of Catholic theology for young adults and university students, especially for those seeking to make sense of theology and integrate it into a sustainable vision of Catholic life. This summer for the first time we will host the study week in Scotland, in the prayerful surroundings of Craig Lodge from 5th – 9th July 2027, for a week of talks, workshops, prayer, discussions, walks, fellowship and much more!

About the week

The study week takes its starting point from St Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) It is by the renewing of our minds, by being transformed by Truth, that we are able to discern the will of God and so live a happy and fulfilled life.

The study week aims to help students and young adults experience this transformation, offering a systematic overview of Catholic theology which provides a coherent vision for life.

Each day mixes talks, workshops and discussion groups with Mass, the Divine Office, time for personal prayer, and plenty of time to relax: walks, games and evenings with other young Catholics. The week is led by a team of Dominican friars and sisters.

The programme: the big picture

Following the shape of St Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae, Stream 1 is a guided tour of the big picture of the Catholic faith:

• God and Creation: the Trinity, creation, and the human person
• Journeying to God: human happiness, the passions and the virtues, law and grace
• Christ Our Way: the Incarnation and Redemption, the Church and the sacraments

Sr Carino Hodder leading a session at the Worth Abbey study week in July 2026.

Who is speaking?

Fr Albert Robertson OP, a doctoral student in Cambridge, will lead part I on God and Creation. Sr Ann Catherine Swailes OP, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena in Cambridge, will teach Part III, on Christ and the Sacraments. Fr John Church OP, who runs the Dominican Young Adults ministry, will be leading the week and contributing to the section on the virtues. Fr Andrew Brookes OP, chaplain at St Albert’s, Edinburgh, will also be contributing to be Part II, journeying to God.

Who is it for?

The study week is open to any student or young adult (20s and 30s), whether you are new to the Catholic tradition or looking to deepen your faith. No background in theology or philosophy required!

What people say

These were some of the comments made by attendees after the study week at Worth Abbey in 2026:

• “As a recently baptised Catholic, very new to the faith and still learning to stand on my own two feet, the study week was a wonderful opportunity to explore the richness and depth of the Catholic faith through the thought of St Thomas Aquinas. But even more important to me was the welcoming, joyful and wonderful people I encountered throughout the week. I feel very grateful to have shared such a special week with them.”
• “Everyone was lovely; the friars and sisters were amazing at making accessible profound truths which illuminate the beauty of the faith.”
• “The study week is a brilliant time of prayer, study and socialising. The week enables you to go deeper in understanding of the faith while living out the Catholic life with fellow young adults.”
• “I enjoyed praying the Psalms during the the Divine office. I’ve been wanting to integrate more prayer into my life and through the study week, I’ve learnt that praying the Psalms is good place to start!”
• “A perfect opportunity to build your faith.”

When and where

Mon 5th July  – Fri 9th July 2027

Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer, Dalmally, Argyll PA33 1AR. Craig Lodge is a Catholic house of prayer run by a lay community, set among the hills near Loch Awe in the west Highlands.

Tickets

Tickets cost £190 for full room and board for the week, mostly in shared rooms. There is also a benefactor option, which goes towards the running costs of the week, in particular covering bursaries for those unable to afford the full amount. We don’t want cost to keep anyone away. If money is a difficulty for any reason, book your place and email us at dya@english.op.org to ask about a bursary. All requests are treated in confidence.

How to book

Book on Eventbrite, which reserves your place without taking payment, so no booking fees are deducted. We will then email you from dya@english.op.org with bank details for payment. Your place is confirmed once we receive your payment. Places are limited, so please book early.

Book now: Eventbrite Booking Page

How to get there

Venue: Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer, Dalmally, Argyll PA33 1AR.

Dalmally has its own railway station and is a very short drive from Craig Lodge. If you’re driving and could offer someone a lift, please let us know.

Can’t make these dates? Stream 1 also runs at Worth Abbey, West Sussex, from 14 to 18 July. [Read more and book]

Questions? Email dya@english.op.org.