About us

Mission Statement

The Titus Brandsma Institute stands for the academic study of spirituality and mysticism in the light of the Christian tradition in the past and present, serving the Church and society through publications, education and training.

Research centre for mysticism and spirituality
The Titus Brandsma Institute (TBI) is a centre for academic research into the foundations, history and significance of Jewish and Christian mysticism and spirituality. The study of the spiritual culture in past and present, and of the various ways in which people have given shape and meaning to their spiritual quest, are central at the TBI.

Our institute focuses on topics such as the Modern Devotion, Biblical Spirituality, Mysticism & Modern Art and Spirituality in Modern Society. Central to our research are mystical writers like Thomas a Kempis, Teresa of Ávila, Simone Weil and experts on mysticism like Michel de Certeau and Titus Brandsma.

Surprising perspective
In addition to doing research, the Titus Brandsma Institute focuses strongly on providing teaching and training to a widely interested audience. Education about themes such as the spiritual way, spiritual guidance and ‘mystical unknowing’ offers a surprising perspective on the various Jewish and Christian spiritual traditions.

Each year TBI organizes a number of interesting and accessible lectures. There are also reading groups on mystical authors such as Simone Weil. Once a year, attendants of the TBI Mysticism Seminar are encouraged to immerse themselves in a single text by a mystical writer for a whole week. The text for 2019 is the Spiritual Canticle by John of the Cross.

Our expertise in the areas of meaning and spirituality is also available to companies and organisations (in-company training).

Collaboration
The Titus Brandsma Institute, founded in 1968 on the basis of a cooperation agreement between the Catholic University of Nijmegen and the Dutch Carmelite Province, has been highly regarded both nationally and internationally for more than 50 years. The TBI works closely with the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies and the Faculty of Arts of Radboud University. The TBI is currently represented by twenty enthusiastic and passionate staff members.

The TBI takes its name from Titus Brandsma. A versatile man, always oriented towards his fellow men. Brandsma, a Carmelite, was professor of Philosophy and the History of Piety at the Catholic University of Nijmegen. He was rector magnificus in 1932/1933. Brandsma stood up against the Nazis, was arrested in 1942 and died in Dachau on 26 July of that same year.