About the Institute

The Georgetown University Annual Institute on Sacred Scripture was founded in 1964 by the Reverend Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J. to provide priests, religious, and laity with the latest information in critical biblical scholarship. The first Institute was a part of the 175th Anniversary of the foundation of Georgetown University and registration was open to priests only. The Institute was such a success that Fr. Fitzmyer continued to offer it in subsequent years, and also to open the registration to non-priests. Father Fitzmyer served as director of the Institute until 1989, when he was succeeded by the Reverend John R. Donahue, S.J. In June, 2000 Alan C Mitchell, Associate Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Georgetown University, succeeded Fr. Donahue as director. The Institute continues to commit itself to the goal of offering its participants a quality education in critical biblical scholarship. In honor of Fr. Fitzmyer, the Institute was renamed in 2013, as it celebrated its 50th Anniversary. It is now The Reverend Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J. Institute on Sacred Scripture at Georgetown University.

The 57th, Annual Institute on Sacred Scripture will convene on the Georgetown University campus this summer, from June 9-11, 2020. Topics from both the Old and New Testaments will be the subject of presentations by a distinguished faculty of biblical scholars. Lectures and discussions will enable the participants to increase their understanding of the Bible and its continued relevance to modern life.

Institute sessions will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30, p.m., when the Institute concludes. Four major presentations are scheduled each day, with opportunity for questions and discussion following each lecture. In addition, a panel discussion with all faculty participating will close the afternoon sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.