2026 Festival of Faith and Writing: Full Schedule

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2:30pm EDT

The Invitation of Desert Literature: Meeting Ourselves and God in Bleak Places

Thursday April 16, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT

Deserts are often places of God encounter–in Scripture, literature, and our hearts. Novelist and Flannery O’Connor Award winner A. Muia discusses the lure of the desert as a space where we come to the edge of ourselves and wait for God. Muia uses published works of desert literature to illustrate how characters (and perhaps we ourselves) find good news, even in the bleakest of landscapes.

Book signing follows in the Prince Conference Center, Fireside Room

Speakers

A. Muia

A. Muia is the 2024 winner of the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction for her novel, A Desert Between Two Seas. Her fiction has appeared in journals throughout the U.S. She holds a degree in Spanish language, a master's in teaching English to speakers of other languages, an... Read More →

Thursday April 16, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
Prince Conference Center, Board Room

Concurrent Session, Solo Session

4:00pm EDT

Cultivating Curiosity with Picture Books

Thursday April 16, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Prince Conference Center, Board Room

Children’s book author Larissa Theule believes that stories shape the world one young reader at a time. She discusses how the art and craft of picture books cultivate children’s curiosity, prompting them to think critically and engage with life in meaningful, creative ways.

Book signing follows in the Prince Conference Center, Fireside Room

Speakers

Larissa Theule

Larissa Theule is the author of critically-acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books for children, including Tove Under the Tree, illustrated by Julie Benbassat, Kafka and the Doll, illustrated by Rebecca Green, and the Material Marvels. She lives and writes in Pasadena, California... Read More →

Thursday April 16, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Prince Conference Center, Board Room

Concurrent Session, Solo Session

7:30pm EDT

Sponsored Reception

Thursday April 16, 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm EDT

Prince Conference Center, Board Room

Thursday Evening Sponsored Receptions:

Thursday, 7:30-9:00 pm, Collegeville Institute Alumnx and Friends
All Collegeville Institute alumnx and friends are invited to join us at our Alumnx Reception. Several members from our Collegeville Institute team will be there, including Aizaiah Yong, our executive director. Come learn about the latest CI happenings and opportunities, connect with fellow alums, and visit with our CI team, all while enjoying light refreshments.
Prince Conference Center, Board Room

Sponsors

Collegeville Institute

The Collegeville Institute is a place of scholarship, worship, dialogue, and community immersed in the Benedictine rhythm of work and prayer.

We invite you to explore our site, join the online conversations, subscribe to us, apply for a program, make a visit to Collegeville. Howev... Read More →

Thursday April 16, 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm EDT
Prince Conference Center, Board Room