Ecclesia Docens Institute (EDI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to provide our Catholic priests with meticulous and extensive research regarding theological and philosophical matters, and even scientific matters, if useful, to assist in the preparation of sermons, conferences, retreats, and such like. At EDI, we are painfully aware that, due to the shortage of clergy in our day, the few we have are concurrently being pulled in so many directions thus leading them to be burdened with taxing workloads that, for far too many, lead to discouragement and burnout. It takes no effort, therefore, to realize that our priests all too often have precious little time to do the careful research necessary to provide the Faithful with the thorough instruction they so keenly desire. In the spirit of Catholic Action, it is our aim at EDI, while submitting to valid ecclesiastical authority—a necessary prerequisite imposed by Leo XIII in 1882 and 1890 and emphasized even more firmly by Pope St. Pius X in 1905, to relieve and support all Catholic priests by providing exhaustive, easily verifiable, organized research from which they can effortlessly and quickly prepare their instructions.

​

Whereas the primary work of Ecclesia Docens Institute is to support Catholic priests directly, it is not our only aim. EDI also seeks to support them indirectly by helping the Faithful who are seeking Catholic Truth. EDI endeavors to do this by providing the following:

Operating and hosting signature seminars, retreats and other events (with priests at the helm) that will help the Faithful live Catholic lives on a daily, practical level. Our primary focus here is the study and practice of virtue according to the Summa Theologica of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas. It is the studying of virtue in depth that will help every single person learn the long-lost art of distinguishment that St. Thomas taught so articulately, in order that a correct choice, regardless of its nature of field, can easily be made.

It is also the intention of Ecclesia Docens Institute to create an interactive, daily-use app for the Faithful that will help them build and maintain good habits and lead lives more in conformity with the timeless teachings of Holy Mother Church. We aim to provide (via the app) convenient audio formats for prayers, meditations, and religious books, as well as simple online classes, programs, and games that teach the truths of the Catholic Faith. Revenue from app subscriptions and purchases, along with donations (which are always accepted with much gratitude), will be the primary support and funding for all of EDI's expenses, as well as being the support for future charities the Institute hopes to establish. EDI's app will be the first of its kind, combining the typical devotional, scriptural and liturgical aspects found in other apps with a new, heavily interactive, educational facet.

​

Ecclesia Docens Institute laments the regretful reality that the Catholic world—even the traditional world—is fractioned into many different sub-sects, with each one firmly believing they have the whole Truth more so than any others. EDI seeks to eliminate the labels that keep us divided and at war with each other—without infringing upon the principles involved—and it is our solemn hope that by soberly referring to the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and making this information readily available to zealous, but often overworked and overwhelmed Catholic priests for preaching and teaching purposes, rash emotions are subdued, and old and new wounds are peacefully healed, thereby, once again, promoting God's solemn Truth above all impassioned schools of feeling or thought.