Welcome to the Academy of the Annunciation (AoA)

at the Bournemouth Oratory

AoA’s courses, whether delivered by way of live video conferencing, onsite conference (when permitted), or blended / distance learning, are designed to form and educate students to be truly mission-ready – for the parish, the diocese, and the world.  Focused courses are offered at various levels on the Sacraments of Initiation, Catechesis & Evangelisation, Discipleship & Prayer, Apologetics & Reasons for Faith, Spiritual Theology, and various Scripture Studies.

Forming Evangelists, Catechists, and Formators “to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirt and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.” (St John Paul II – Catechesi Tradendae *5).

Please click here for the Brochure of Academy courses for 2022-23

To read more about the Academy of the Annunciation, please click here About AoA

For a simple informative invitation to the Academy of the Annunciation which you can share with friends, please click here Invitation to AoA

Some feedback from our students

“I have been on various courses with the AoA for the past year and can’t praise the Doctors’ highly enough.  They are very clear in their teaching and presentation on complex aspects and their knowledge is unsurpassable.  They are very patient and inspiring. They encourage questions and debate to ensure the lesson has been understood.  I have learnt a tremendous amount and have embarked on the 1 year course.  Nothing is too much trouble for them and they will provide support on a personal level.”  – Student in Bournemouth

CLICK HERE for more feedback from our students

Newman Catechetical Certificate : Reasons for Faith

Nine months Certificate course
Starting 27th September 2022

Catholics often have a profound sense of the faith; but equally often, they have difficulty explaining the reasons for their faith (and their hope) when asked questions or when challenged.

This programme will equip students with the basic principles needed to begin making this kind of preparation and is designed to help catechists, parents, parish workers, and anyone interested in giving reasons for our Catholic faith.  CLICK HERE to find out more about and to register for this course.

In this Catecheitcal Diploma course we learn how to read the Sacred Page – how to go beyond a superficial reading and how to begin to penetrate deeply the Word of God. This course is designed to help us to hear Jesus speaking directly to us, to enter more deeply into friendship with Him, and to help others to encouter Christ in Sacred Scripute and to grow in discipleship.  CLICK HERE to find out more about and to register for this course.

St John Diploma: Spiritual Formation

Two year Diploma course
Starting 29th September 2022 

“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few” [Jesus (Mt 7:13-14)]

Meditating on these words of Jesus, St John of the Cross (Doctor of the Universal Church) had studied diligently the Summa Theologiae of the great St Thomas Aquinas.  This two-year programme focuses on the teaching of these two Doctors, along with the teaching of two other Doctors of the Church, St Teresa of Avila and St Therese of Lisieux.  CLICK HERE to find out more and to register for this course.

In this course we learn how to go deeper into the mysteries of the faith.  We learn how to help our friends and parishioners to move beyond superficial attendance at Mass and into recognition of the real encounter with God Incarnate.  We examine real contemporary questions and treat concrete examples so that we can be equipped to help in the New Evangelization and in the renewal of our parishes.

CLICK HERE to find out more about and how to register for this course.

Why Study with the Academy of the Annunciation?

With so many free online courses to choose from, why should you pay to study with the Academy of the Annunciation?

As a student of the Academy of the Annunciation you can be sure that everything you are taught will be the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church – based on Scripture, Tradition, the Magisterium, and the Fathers and Doctors of the Church:

• each week you will receive two to two and a half hours hours of teaching, questions and answers and real discussion;
• during each session, you can ask questions and get real answers to your specific questions.

In addition, as a student on either the Newman Catechetical Certificate – Reasons for Faith course or the St John Diploma in Spiritual Formation course you receive:

•  detailed Notes followng each session;
• 24-hour email access to the Senior Academic Tutor – which includes phone conversations and zoom appointments.

Bursary Fund

The Academy Trustees have established a small bursary fund to help towards the fees of a limited number of potential students who cannot pay the full fee themselves and have no other sources of funding.  CLICK HERE for more information about the Bursary Fund.

During this “Year of the Word: the God who Speaks” the Bishops of England & Wales call us all to “Listen afresh to the Word of God, as did Our Blessed Lady at the Annunciation”, and St John Henry Newman (Founder of the English Oratories) called for ” … a Laity … who know their Religion, who enter into it … who know their Creed so well that they can give an account of it … (who) understand how Faith and Reason stand to each other”.

The Fathers and Brother of the Bournemouth Oratory in Formation welcome Dr Christina Pal and Dr Denise Oliver to work with us in responding to these calls, and welcome students to engage with the Faith, live it, and proclaim it, in a waiting world.