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Course Description

Instructor: Dr. Phillis Isabella Sheppard

Delivery: Online, Asynchronous

In this generative 4-week course, participants will be introduced to the spiritual teaching, sayings, lives, stories, and spiritual practices of women who lived in the early desert and monastic communities.

These desert mothers have often been forgotten in discussions about the early church and their role as teachers and spiritual guides lost. Some were considered “rebels virgins” unwilling to comply with society’s expectations for women of the time, but others were viewed as profoundly spiritual. In this course, using recent research, art, music, their writings, and spiritual practices, we bring them forward, not only to remember them, but also to recognize their potential to deepen our faith and our spiritual practices.

After setting the historical background for the spirituality of desert teachers, we will learn to use their sayings and teachings to broaden our sources spirituality for the current contemporary contexts.

Interested in taking this course as a group or bringing this course to your institution?  Email Nathan Cost for group rates and options: nathan.a.cost@vanderbilt.edu

To view view Vanderbilt Divinity School's full catalogue of current, future, and previous programming, visit the Lifelong Learning website here.

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Section Title
Learning from the Desert Mothers
Section Schedule
Date and Time TBA
Course Fee(s)
Registration non-credit $55.00
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