STUDI TEOLOGICI PER LAICI IN ITALIA - Established in the immediate post-war period (1945) in several Italian university cities, they aim to revive among the laity the study of theology and the other sacred sciences.
Their promoters were the Conventual Franciscans, who organized them and still direct them in Firenze (since 25 Jan. 1945), Padova (21 Dec. 1945), Napoli (27 Jan. 1946), Perugia (12 Jan. 1947), Messina (11 Jan. 1948); and, as theological institutes for the laity, with a more flexible programme suited to smaller non-university centres, in Assisi (since 12 Jan. 1947), Viterbo (21 Nov. 1947), Albano (4 Dec. 1947), Potenza (22 Feb. 1948), Nola (9 Feb. 1950).
The programme of the s. t. per l. comprises a four-year course with fundamental subjects (dogmatics, morals, Holy Scripture, canon law, ecclesiastical history, philosophy, etc.); supplementary subjects (patrology, Christian archaeology, art, pedagogy, sociology, etc.); special and optional courses in literature, history, and science; and the relevant examinations for obtaining a diploma recognizing advanced religious-cultural training, for possible teaching of religion in schools.
The organ of the foundation is Città di vita (v.).