THE THEOLOGY OF THE BODY INSTITUTE PRESENTS
“We rejoice in the action of the Spirit, who rejuvenates
the Bride of Christ by enabling the consecrated life to flourish…”
(Pope Saint John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, 64)
About Our Offerings
Pope Saint John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation, Vita Consecrata, reveals his deep love for consecrated life and his desire for those called to this life, to flourish. As many religious and consecrated attest, their personal encounter with Pope Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body has rejuvenated their vocation and transformed their hearts.
Created by Jen Settle, TOBI Director of Ongoing Formation and Consecrated Virgin, will take participants on a journey into Theology of the Body and the heart of consecrated life. We will encounter the transformational catechesis of the Theology of the Body through the lens of consecrated life and contemplate how TOB can help each religious or consecrated to flourish in her vocation.
Jen leads religious and consecrated in five days of in-depth study on Part One of Theology of the Body, including Pope John Paul II’s connection of living Celibacy for the Kingdom as an icon of the marriage of Christ, the Bridegroom, and His Bride, the Church. Other presentations will include “Living Fallen and Redeemed Consecrated Life” and “Living Bridal and Maternal Spirituality in Consecrated Life.” Pope Saint John Paul II’s catechesis on the Book of Tobit and the Song of Songs will also be explored. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions and have discussion.
Come to experience rejuvenation and flourishing in your consecrated life through Theology of the Body!
“Arise and Come: Healing and Integration of the Feminine Heart in Consecrated Life,” is designed and offered for Consecrated and Religious women. It explores the four feminine identities: before God, as daughter, life in communion, as sister, self-gift, as bride, and fruitfulness, as mother. These identities are not stages of a woman’s life, but dimensions present in every woman, regardless of vocation. My deep desire for you during this retreat is that you would experience a deeper understanding of the beauty of your feminine identities, as well as guidance and encouragement in finding the healing that the Father desires for you, so you can live your identities with deeper integration in your vocation.
Our journey into the feminine heart will have the example of Our Lady, the writings of Pope Saint John Paul II, and the saints, as our guides. We will prayerfully explore God’s beautiful design for femininity and how we can encounter healing and integration in our fallen femininity, so we can answer the call of our Bridegroom as He stretches forth His hand, inviting us to “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come.” (Song of Songs 2:10).
Each Offering Includes:
+ Five days of in-person learning* +
+ Specially designed workbook with personal questions for reflection +
+ Q&A sessions with presenter +
+ Opportunity for group discussion +
*The number of days and teaching sessions, or content, can be designed to best fit the needs of your community.*
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What are Religious and Consecrated Saying?
"I have been familiar with TOB for a couple of decades now, but what made this so fresh for me was Jen's personal and vulnerable sharings from her own life and how she sees and experiences TOB through the lens of consecrated life."
"Jen's teaching of Theology of the Body opened up the material in a way that I've been searching for ... her beautiful sharings and personal witness enhanced the teachings in a way that called me up and called me on. Jen has given me a 'goal' that I wish to live for the rest of my life ... to live in a receptive posture toward God and to always live with the identity as bride."
"I have attended several workshops on the Theology of the Body and was renewed in my religious vocation through Jen's presentation. She presented it through the lens of living it as a faithful consecrated woman which enlivened my own call/vocation and will also help me to better accompany those living the call to be single/married. It is my hope and prayer that other religious sisters/consecrated will be renewed in the Theology of the Body and that the Church will experience the beautiful fruit of being all in for Jesus. Thank you, Jen, for your beautiful witness!"
“The Flourish presentations by Jen felt like foundational formation, as being a bride and spiritual mother. It not only brought about a deeper reflection in my heart of who I am as woman, but through Jen’s many vulnerable examples of her own life and prayer, lit a fire in me to pray more openly with Jesus, my Spouse, without holding anything back, that our love may be more fruitful.”
“Pope Paul VI talks about the need for witnesses over teachers today, you are so beautifully both. I received so deeply from the rich, organized content, but even more from the way all of these truths radiate from your consecrated heart. Jesus used these days to answer a prayer or mine to better understand my identity and mission as a bride and mother in religious life. I'm walking away with much to pray with, a deeper understanding of the gift God has invited me into, and a desire to more deeply receive and integrate these truths. Thank you so much, Jen. You are a beautiful bride and your maternity has touched my heart deeply.”
Meet the Presenter
Jen Settle is a Consecrated Virgin in the Diocese of Orlando. She has been a staff member at the Theology of the Body Institute in Quarryville, Pennsylvania since 2008, where she currently serves as the Director of Ongoing Formation. She has Bachelor and Master's degrees in Theology and Parish Ministry from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Jen worked in religious education and adult faith formation for 15 years before joining the TOBI staff. Jen was the TOBI leader in the creation of the In the Person of Chirist Clergy Enrichment Program and creator of the TOB I & Consecreated Life Certification Coruse. She has given retreats to laity, numerous religious communities, seminarians, and priests throughout the country. She completed the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program with Divine Mercy University in 2020 and she currently serves as a spiritual director. Consecrated in 2017 in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Archbishop Charles Chaput, Jen has consulted with many bishops and dioceses to assist in the creation of discernment and formation processes for women seeking to become a Consecrated Virgin. She serves as a mentor for women across the country who desire the vocation of Consecrated Virginity. She also serves as the Delegate for Consecrated Virginity in the Diocese of Orlando. She is the co-author of the book, Consecration to Jesus through Saint Joseph: An Integrated Look at the Holy Family, and a contributor to the books, Undone: Freeing the Feminine Heart from the Knots of Fear and Shame, and God is Beauty: A Retreat on the Gospel and Art.
Bring FLOURISH to Your Community!
Jen Settle, Consecrated Virgin and TOBI Instructor, would love to bring FLOURISH: TOB & Consecrated Life to your whole religious community! If you are interested in learning more about how to bring Jen to your community, please contact Mike Mangione, Director of Events, at events@tobinstitute.org or fill out the form below and we'll contact you.
Consecrated Communities Jen has helped to FLOURISH:
Missionaries of Charity
Franciscan Sisters, TOR
Sisters of Life
Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
Cistercian Nuns, Valley of Our Lady Monastery
Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light
Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph
Franciscans of the Eucharist
Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa
Missionary Benedictine Sisters
Consecrated of Regnum Christi
Consecrated Virgins
and others!
